Of Birds and Barns

[heretic_hamlet]

Who:Anyone, Everyone
Where: Fourth District, unoccupied lot
When: 20th-22th January
Summary: Trying to find room for two Chocobos was a puzzle enough; now, with four more on the way, it's in everyone's best interests to get a place together to house them all.
Warnings: Not recommended for those with bird allergies.



Ramza was forced to draw upon a few favors- and no small portion of his stipend- in doing so, but- one way or another- he couldn't simply leave the birds without a roof over their head.

Eventually, and after a bit of generosity from Saeng Seong's administration, he was able to have set aside a vacant, verdant lot in the fourth district for use as a pasture... or, at least, he was assured of its green; in January, it was harder to discern beneath all the gathered snow. The Chocobos seemed comfortable there, at least, the season's weather notwithstanding. It wasn't huge, but... then again, there wasn't a huge herd that called for acres and acres.

The more pressing matter, however, was a lack of housing for the birds. And while there were materials plenty enough for such a task- from tools to planks and old corrugated metal, some purchased, some donated, others 'reclaimed' from the past month's more violent happenings, and some of it even sitting in sorted stacks on the sidelines- Ramza had to acknowledge that, for all the Chocobo stables he'd passed through in his homeland, the process of actually building them was well outside of his skills and knowledge.

Thankfully, a few kind souls throughout the city were willing to offer their help in any number of ways... or at least to come and see the big, strange riding-birds for themselves.

((OOC: Apologies for the delay! Feel free to start your own threads, and don't think you need to focus entirely construction either; get involved, mingle, and play out however you wish... and feel free to use Ramza's two chocobos to lend yourseves a hand. Thanks again, everyone!))

Comments

[butterflop]

He followed to take a look, and scrutinized the pages in silence for a time. So he'd been given designs and was for the most part left to his own devices. Really, scaling things up was simple math, and then it was another thing entirely to gather the right materials and pin them down according to the overhead view.

"I'm not an architect, but I can bring something like this to proper scale," he noted, already grabbing the pencil and frowning slightly at the math in this corner here... and that one.

"There's no telling how the weather will be later in the Winter, or if Saeng Seong has summer storms! The utmost structural integrity will ensure the safety of the hor-- ...birds..."

[heretic_hamlet]

[Oh, dear... bless his politeness, but Ramza couldn't take it unearned.]

Ah... it is merely "Ramza." I never had earned my knighthood proper.

[At least he didn't have to worry about his family name here... but Boco had no such concerns and offered a greeting of his own in reply.

Letting him ride, however... It wasn't that he wished to say no or that Boco didn't take well to children, but Ramza wasn't much of a teacher...]

Have you ridden a mount before? It can be very difficult to keep your seat...

[heretic_hamlet]

"A chocobo ill-suited to battle!" He felt a little bad for his laughter, but he couldn't contain another chuckle. "Such soft-hearted things they must have been in your world! We were not so fortunate... 'twas a death sentence to pass through their territory without a sword to fend them off."

But it was hard to scoff when he spoke out of envy. Those were foes he could have done without, and it was hard to take pride in slaying creatures who only sought livelihood same as any man...

"...Here, at least, they will find reprieve from battle; their chicks even moreso." That much, at least, was a comforting thought.

[heretic_hamlet]

Ramza let out a quiet laugh. "Better people and better life than they would have found in Ivalice, for certain. And here they would find no use in battle, as well."

Though he had his suspicions about the latter, from what he'd gathered about Pokémon...

"To say naught of your own efforts. You've my gratitude as well, Kanji."

[beforetights]

[He giggles and then imitates Boco's sounds a few times.]

I've ridden with my father or my uncle. They've always held me on the seat. I think I'll know how to stay on too!

[Though, the fact that he's clearly overexcited doesn't inspire confidence.]

[heretic_hamlet]

If she enjoyed it, he couldn't complain... and felt a bit silly for dropping down and lapsing into such apologies. Rather sheepishly, he rose to his feet, and hoped he didn't lose too much face down there.

"Pardon my presumptions... such feats are well beyond my ken," he spoke as he gingerly prodded one of the suspended two-by-fours M'gann held aloft with her bizarre powers. The Chocobos- realizing they were watched- politely stepped out from their pacing and playing beneath her and returned a look of curiosity to her smiling.

"Are... all people of your world so gifted?"

[heretic_hamlet]

Ramza didn't have much experience, talent, or learning in these sorts of things, having found most of his training and education in... field work. And he breathed a sigh of relief at seeing his work corrected- finally. Perhaps now he could set those pieces in place and have them fit properly.

"My thanks, Rei. I dare say you had the look of a scholar about you; I am relieved to see you're not above giving me your aid."

Persephone nods studiously from behind Ramza. This human is a generous one.

"You think it would hold?"

[heretic_hamlet]

And the 'foreman' of the project certainly wouldn't be spared their wrath... The sound of a loud squawk and a fling of a snowball his way had his eye twitch, his adrenaline surge, and his body swerve around to desperately shield himself from the strike with his clipboard.

...By the time it exploded into powder against his 'shield', his instincts had passed, and he felt more than a little bit silly for his dramatic response. But let's see you not react the same when you're used to red Chocobos throwing fireballs!

"By the Gods, Gold, you'd--"

Of course, in stopping to chat, he took the other airborne snowball on the cheek.

"...startled me."

[dragoncrest]

"Chocobos as the brutal beasts you suggest seems hard to imagine!" she remarked. "But I suppose they must have adapted for a different world. I'm certain they'll adapt to this one all the same."

She reached a cautious hand to pat Persephone's neck, unsure if she would appreciate the attention or not.

"What are they like, the ones you've given the eggs?" She hoped they would all be up to the challenge taking care of one presented, especially if their parents used to be as wild as Ramza said.

[topgun_textiles]

He nodded, glancing away briefly. Gratitude, huh...? "I'm just bangin' nails into boards, man."

"Battle, though? That weird snowman invasion shows that we gotta put up our dukes sometimes, don't it? If they're good to fight, then ya shouldn't let 'em get all rusty."

[littlewhitelies]

What are you talking about Kanji, TV is a perfect way to understand the world.

"Yes!" M'gann nods at that, plopping fully onto the ground as she gives an eager grin. "At least I'm pretty sure they do, and every barn I've seen before has been red." Including ones in Qurac, but she isn't sure about bringing that up OR thinking back on that location.

"But it's...It's supposed to be a good color, and I've always liked how it looks, and I could even go buy some paint if we need to, if that means the barn gets painted." Cue excited rambling, but she at least warms to the subject, quickly enough.

[littlewhitelies]

"It takes training but...Yeah, most of them are."

Oddly enough, that's what coaxes her out of the air and onto the ground. M'gann gives a glance at the red chocobo as she speaks, paying more mind to the color than anything else. "But there's also plenty of people- I mean, plenty of martians who are less than talented, or more so then the others."

She forces her shoulder to roll in a small shrug as touches down. "I guess that might be true, but-" 'But I don't think it should be an excuse to look down on anyone.' She bites that off, knowing it isn't needed in this conversation. "B-but I'm pretty happy with where I am with my skills, right now!"

[absolutepower]

[Hey, he's the one who usually gives the fraternal pats around here! Well, he can't help but offer a smile, in good humour, even at the disappearance of a certain pushy animal.

He'll listen as Ramza continues, torn between surprise that the young man didn't share his own desire for spirits and contemplation over his offer. He might be considering it for far longer than he really needed to, trying to keep Ramza guessing.]

Usually I'd prefer money, but I can make an exception. On one condition. You're drinking with me.

[heretic_hamlet]

I've little to give you for coin, as I'd said, but my stipend is yours to spend on drink.

[But Ramza was given a moment's pause at his 'conditions.' A bit of an odd favor to ask... and if he was a cynical man, he might have suspected that Jack was aiming to pry something else out of him inebriated.

Fortunately, Ramza was hardly cynical, and Jack was hardly the sort subtle enough for such means.]

Very well. We are agreed. But do not expect me to match you glass-for-glass.

[heretic_hamlet]

[Well... if anything, Boco would at least be well-suited to the task, and could heal the boy if he should fall-- heaven forbid!

Ramza nodded to Boco, and gestured to the ground. Boco settled onto his haunches a moment later, and looked expectantly at Cu Chulainn. Another rider... noordeal for him.]

See to it you don't set a swift pace... [And a look at Boco confirmed that the bird would be adhering to that as well...] ...and do not tug too hard on his reins.

[heretic_hamlet]

"They live in the wild, and thus they fear and fight for their lives like any other beast... I could not imagine them any other way," said Ramza, seeming lost in thought for a moment's time.

"...Less those who've grown fond of a rider's touch," he added with a laugh as Persephone proceeded to spoil his point with content placidity beneath Freya's hand. His musings quickly returned to the chicks.

"I saw it only fair to draw lots for their owners... You've met Cupid, I'm sure; as kind and hospitable as one could ask in a foster parent... Kanji's a bit more for showing his bristles, but he keeps a generous heart beneath it all. Gold professes to be a 'Master Hatcher'-- I cannot speak of such things, myself, but he's a beastmaster like any other at a glance. The last, Piper, I fear I only spoke to in passing... but she shows promise enough."

"So many souls seemed enamored by the thought... I only wish I had eggs enough for the lot."

[beforetights]

[He goes and sits down on the bird's back. He then grabs the reins and shakes them.]

Go. Boco, go!

[topgun_textiles]

TVs can also be killer.

That brought Kanji pause, enough to scratch the back of his head. "...Red, though."

Screwing the lid back on, he idly swirled the contents as he thought aloud. "Why's it always red? Not to shit on the color, but all the barns're red, every single one I've seen. There some kinda rule to it, or is it just somethin' everybody does 'cause everybody else is doin' it...?"

[butterflop]

A minute to think as he makes a few adjustments, and he cants his head slightly.

"With these dimensions, it's impossible for the structure to fail... barns are simple, inelegant, but effective. The primary issue with a barn is not only to keep the livestock warm, but to also risk fire hazards in the building with all the wood and straw within. Having the fire department inspect the completed structure will lead to any issues being addressed and suggestions to fix them. But much of the preventative measures are common sense, of course."

[heretic_hamlet]

The unique capabilities of her people didn't catch his attention and interest half as much as how she seemed to get so tripped up on her own words in saying so. As far as he'd ever known, such differences in aptitude weren't peculiar to her own race- could he say he saw any different in humans of Ivalice?

Or his Chocobos, for that matter. As different in talent as they were in personality, though they both approached M'gann as she landed.

"Any of us should be," Ramza finally replied, "yet we are not without our own merits." Of course, he felt silly saying that to someone who could do... that!

[heretic_hamlet]

A bit long-winded, but Ramza was able to follow Rei enough to get his meaning. He peered over the blueprints... good to know the ones he was given were adequate, and moreso to know that- with a change or two from a trained eye- it would stand.

"Ah, you're right. I should ask them to examine it... though unless someone came to harm them I doubt the birds would have any cause to start flinging fireballs."

[heretic_hamlet]

"And I suppose a blacksmith just swings a hammer against an anvil!"

But Kanji's second thought leaves Ramza at a scowl.

"Mayhap it does. But I still would not have wished it upon this city any more than I would wish a life of battle upon any man or beast."

[heretic_hamlet]

[Boco's used to the frantic tugs of a knight in battle... a kid's pull of the reins was nothing he couldn't handle. He set a leisurely pace across the ground with a cursory beating of his wings, content to let Cu Chulainn lead him around the snowy field.

Ramza simply followed beside at a brisk pace.]

I don't believe I caught your name...?

[beforetights]

Whee!

[He laughs as Boco walks across the field.]

I'm Cu Chulainn!

[He calls to Ramza without even turning to face him.]

[uncouthhatcher]

Aibo covers his mouth with his real paws and runs up to Ramza, brushing snow off him in apology. Totally didn't mean to hit the one who gave him a little sister okay! His trainer, on the other hand, can't help but laugh as he jogs up to the foreman with Chobo - Chobu? Chobo. - in tow and pats him on the shoulder with a grin.

"You should learn to be more away of your surroundings, birdboy! Bet you could've dodged it, you had a pretty good reflex 'til it hit you." Pfft. The look on his face'd been hilarious, like he was about to be hurt for real. "Did she really startle you that much?"