( 001: text/smartphone)

[handcuff]

Animals have far more sensitivity to their surroundings than humans do, they can sense changes in the environment that we can't. Canaries in coal mines. domesticated pets warning their owners of natural disasters to come. Survival of the fittest. "Natural selection conceived of as a struggle for life in which only those organisms best adapted to existing conditions are able to survive and reproduce." ... the point being that when things start going wrong, we're usually the last ones to notice.

... by the way, I heard that there were a lot of freak animal attacks last month. [ that, and he volunteers at an animal shelter. ] I can pretty much guess that's not unrelated to whatever all of this is about. [ although, to be sure, the details are still rather hazy for him. he can only make inferences and guesses at this point, though his are more or less in the right direction, at the very least.

and now for something completely different: ]

there's an animal following me around when I'm not in public places. a bird. I don't really know why ...

[ he won't directly come out and ask for it, but this is his way of soliciting advice on what to do about it. ]

Comments

[steelettos]

I don't think there's a need for you to do anything to be liked by anything or anyone.

It's more akin to a baby duckling following the mother duck, isn't it?

( not. that she's implying you're a mom duck, kyoya. )

[handcuff]

there's a lot of give and take in this world ... usually you would expect to have to at least do something worth grabbing somebody's attention, wouldn't you?

I guess I don't really mind it, though.
it's just strange ...

[steelettos]

True, but sometimes small, almost trivial actions done unconsciously can make someone like you too. Maybe that's the case with this bird.

Is it? I think it's cute.

[handcuff]

... Maybe. It's not as if I can ask it why. at least it's decent company.

... The bird is.

[ for proof, there is a blurry jpg image of it attached. but the interaction isn't cute, he will deny it with all his willpower!! ]

[steelettos]

( ohman that is adorable ffff )

I wasn't just referring to the bird with my comment. But it is cute, mind you.

Are you going to keep it then?

[handcuff]

It's not giving me much of a choice, I think it's already claimed its space. but the company isn't too bad, so I don't mind much.

do you want to see it in person?

1/2

[steelettos]

Let me guess. Because it can't talk?

[steelettos]

Can I?

[handcuff]

[ he'd be more offended, but the statement is accurate... ]

It kind of talks.
But only about five sentences.

... If you want to.

[steelettos]

It talks? In what way, like chirping?

And yes, I do!

[handcuff]

It sings. in Japanese.

[ it's the third or fourth time he's typed some rough equivalent of that sentence, and each time he still can't believe that he actually typed those words. ]

Okay.
when and where is convenient?

[steelettos]

I'm being forced by my uncle to take a look at the new exhibits at the museum so I might drop by there in the afternoon.

( she had to read and reread that text too. )

Japanese? As in, the language? It's not a toy, is it?

[handcuff]

The gallery with the statues?
I can, too. after 3:30.

Yeah. it's too elaborate to be a toy, though ... I think somebody must have taught it those words.

[steelettos]

My classes end at noon anyway so that works for me.

I suppose that makes sense. It probably belonged to someone before then.

[handcuff]

Well ... it seems more domesticated than wild, so it could be.

I wonder why they'd let it go, though.

[ it's not so much him questioning that possibility as it is him idly wondering, though. ]

[steelettos]

Maybe they didn't. Maybe they forgot to close the birdcage and it flew off by itself.

In any case, looks like it's decided you're its new owner now.

[handcuff]

... are you the type that is very optimistic?

[steelettos]

I try to be when it's possible. But then it's hard work, being optimistic all the time.

[handcuff]

... I see. so you aren't that type but you want to be.

[steelettos]

I try to be. At times, pretending to be too.

[handcuff]

There are worse things to pretend to be.

And some would say we need more optimism in this world anyway.

[steelettos]

Others would also think optimism is more of madness and we need it less.

[handcuff]

Too much of anything is a bad thing, I think is how the saying goes.

[steelettos]

Well, too much optimism means that you're already turning a blind eye on many things anyway.

[handcuff]

... when you say that. It makes it seem more like you're not.