strateelgic | sheep ic messaging

Are they so common...? This was my first time encountering one. And I certainly had heard nothing about the dangers regarding the birds.

[ He simply sighs. It is all news to him. He still doesn't even fully understand what had happened. After blacking out, he didn't even remember getting home.]

When I realized that I was facing many of them, it made me feel a little nervous. So I thought my best bet, in case they were violent, was to charm them.

You...

[Deep breath. Don't get upset and rouse the whole barn...]

Is your go-to method of dealing with opponents always to try and charm them first?

What would you have suggested? That I freeze them with water and then explode them?

[ It isn't as though he has a number of tools under his belt.]

It worked with Lady Death. I thought if I did so... not only would they not attack if their intentions were violent, but that I might learn something of that snake, or how to correct what has happened to Akuki-senpai.

I would have suggested, demanded, that you avoid them entirely. They are invasive mind readers and potentially dangerous manipulators.

One should never approach an unknown opponent on their own. Not when you already know they might be adversarial. Especially if you don't know what they're capable of.

. . .I will give in and admit that I ought to have brought someone with me. I realize there is safety in numbers. And right now, especially, it is dangerous to act alone.

[ The eye is closed, after all. He realizes that danger very well. He continues with a sigh. ]

I was frustrated and vexed. I wanted answers, and when I saw the bird I simply followed after it with that desire in mind. That was my mistake.

But I have two arms and two legs. I can't just sit at home and avoid danger entirely. It will come to me, whether I want it to or not. And I would rather learn what I can than be surprised by it later, or allow everyone else to do it for me. If it is not me, then it will be someone else learning at some sort of peril to themselves.

[ Which is probably true. The fact that Pond Fiend has some sort of knowledge regarding the birds means someone else had a negative experience with them.]

You have a twin, so maybe it is second nature for you to have someone else you can depend on, and know that they will always be there to back you up no matter what you get into. But I do not know what that is like to have.

[ Frustrated... ]

It took all of my pride to call you tonight and confess there are things I cannot do and to ask for your help. You are one of my only friends here.

[ He said the 'F' word. ]

But even with that, I could not get you to bargain with me. So who, then, should I have contacted to drag into my own affairs?

[It is very unfair of Crescendo to use that word here. The eel would like to dismiss it, pointing out that the decision to give him that label is also a mistake.

It's for good reason that he only has his twin and Azul back in their world that he would consider his friends (and some would even question that, given the way he treats the latter at times). He weirds most people out and makes himself unapproachable. He jokes that one day the mountain lover's club he founded will have more people in it, but he never truly expects that to happen. Anyone who hangs out with him will have to deal with a great deal of teasing at their expense. That's just how he is and most aren't willing to put up with it.

And it's certainly not fair that he should have to think about this now, when there are more important matters to deal with, such as mind reading birds.]

You have your flock to go to, don't you?

[He sounds so very tired when he answers, and he tries to give himself some time to think by finally munching on one of the apples. It's not much time, given that he devours the whole thing, core and all, in a few bites.]

You should have at least spoken to them first. Like you're doing now, with the cube.

Don't try to guilt me into something. ["With your cute pouty face."]

[ He closes his eyes, sinking into his bed and pulling the covers over.]

I am not trying to guilt you. Just explain that reaching out for aid is not my first instinct. If I am able, I would rather handle things myself.

[ . . . ]

And my team would have told me not to. Or tossed me into a hamster ball again.

And they would have been correct in doing so!

[This boy!]

You said you were some kind of king, didn't you?

[Munch. Look, he's stress eating. Which is basically just his regular eating. Because he was going to eat these anyway. Still!]

Of Knights.

. . . . We are an idol unit founded on chivalry that caters to our many princesses.

[ Or... so he assumes. He's honestly only got the basics down since speaking with Akuki earlier.]

[Vil would probably get a kick out of that, he imagines. Though he would have a great deal to say about many things, and it's for the best that he isn't here right now.]

But you're still the leader, correct? Does a king go out into the countryside on his own to fight his battles? Does he make important courtly decisions without first consulting his advisors?

Leaving your own behind to face dangers without a plan is no way to lead, is it?

[ Wow. He doesn't want to respond to that because he said some things that are probably correct and he doesn't want to hear them right now.

. . . He just makes a noncommital noise.]

[This is what you inadvertently signed up for, Crescendo, and now you have to deal with it.

You also don't get to call an eel up in the middle of the night and then ignore him.]

Little cat?

[ . . . . He's going to make him respond. ]

I heard you. I am reflecting, and trying to decide what I would have done differently in this situation.

And pouting again?

[ Not answering that. He clears his throat. ]

Regardless, what is done is done. I am alright now. Suffice it to say that I did not anticipate the reaction that happened when I used charm.

[So that's a yes.]

You should refrain from using that spell so haphazardly.

It seems a rather straightforward spell. I think, in this case, it was a very bad bit of luck that I happened to use it on...

[ . . . ]

To be honest, I am not even sure what that was. I can't imagine I faced anything more painful in my life. Suddenly, it was as though everything within the universe was exploding in my mind. The cacophony was more than someone should be able to take. I thought... if I released them, I would lose my life. But holding on felt as though it were melting my body from the inside out.

[ He swallows and shudders at the memory. ]

My vision burned and clouded with blood and I was choking. I fought to hold onto myself, but suddenly when I was sure I couldn't grasp on any longer, everything went dark.

The birds are all connected. Of course one mind wasn't going to win out over so many others. That's what I mean when I talk about going in unprepared.

Charming people might seem harmless enough, but remember that you're altering the mental perception of someone when you do that and most individuals aren't going to be happy about it. Do you think about that when you use it as a first resort?

You're lucky to be alive.

. . . I am, really.

[ He knows. He realizes that much at least.]

I will try and be more safe from now on. I barely escaped with my life.

[ As much as he hates admitting it.]

Strangely, it was a girl, perhaps my own age, that rescued me. I remember a young woman in blue. She tried to wake me, though I can barely recall what was said. She delivered me back to Bluebell.

Someone in blue but not from your flock?

[Who else wears blue? A weed? Technically anyone can wear blue as long as they have a certain style, right?]

No- it sounds embarrassing, but I had wondered a little, too, if I was passing on. But I have already done that here, and recall what the experience was like, so it simply couldn't be.

[ He couldn't see beyond the blood that clouded his eyes though. It was her voice and build that stood out to him.]

She asked how to heal me, but after that, I can't remember anything. Not until my own flock was in the process of healing me.

There are only so many people here. Surely you could pick her out in the crowd if you saw her again.

Did you see a collar on her?

[If she's unfamiliar then the likelihood of her being another weed is higher.]

Perhaps. I wish I could say. I genuinely was not in a good state.

Then you should go back to bed.

Don't worry about your friend. We'll keep an eye on him and now the other weeds won't likely mess with him. We have plenty of pillows and room for him to rest. Is that satisfactory?

Thank you. I feel much more relieved hearing that. Rose is a very safe and capable flock.

I will do as you have suggested and go back to sleep. Please do the same, and once more, I apologize for waking you.

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