OOM: Inna Forest

[creator_raven]

Near the edge of the forest, almost-but-not-quite just past the lake, there is a tree.

It looks like all the other trees, really, the leafy ones, at any rate.

It's only distinguishing feature is the lump of black feathers perched rather precariously on the lowest branch.

It looks like the bird is sleeping.

This may be true.

Sometimes he pretends.

Comments

[creator_raven]

"You would think that, yes."

Raven blinks.

His eyes are dark.

[not-ho-chunk.livejournal.com]

Gray Jay sighs. "Not many unspoiled places left, now."

[creator_raven]

Raven frowns.

"I do not understand what you mean, perhaps. Things always change. It is how the universe was made."

[not-ho-chunk.livejournal.com]

"You forget, cousin. I've only belonged to one world."

[creator_raven]

Raven tilts his head.

"The definition of unspoiled is a tricky thing. It makes judgements. I have never understood such, perhaps. So."

He shrugs.

[not-ho-chunk.livejournal.com]

"Some call it progress, what's been done to the land. Not me."

He's just a little bitter, yes.

[creator_raven]

"Well, you are old, in your head. It shows, I think. This makes a difference."

[not-ho-chunk.livejournal.com]

"Perhaps. My nephew was killed, by modern sickness and modern technology, and Brother Bluejay stopped coming around. But I was tired even before that."

[creator_raven]

"Glitter helps, I think. So does laughing. I think your face might break. There are already fault lines in it, perhaps."

And Raven pokes one of Wisakedjak's wrinkles, very carefully.

"Do you see?"

[not-ho-chunk.livejournal.com]

Wisakedjak gives him a Look.

"My face will not break. I'm not made of clay."

[creator_raven]

"No. It is a pity, perhaps."

[not-ho-chunk.livejournal.com]

"Why?"

[creator_raven]

Raven looks at him, steadily.

"You bleed."

[not-ho-chunk.livejournal.com]

Gray Jay looks back.

"Flesh does that, yes."

[creator_raven]

"Not-flesh does, as well, though it is not as dramatic. You wallow. Like a hippo."

Raven wrinkles his nose.

[not-ho-chunk.livejournal.com]

Gray Jay stares at him.

"No, I don't."

[creator_raven]

Raven beams.

"You can think that, if you like. I do not mind. It is cute."

[not-ho-chunk.livejournal.com]

More staring. Gray Jay raises his eyebrows.

"...I don't think anybody ever called me that before. Ever."

[creator_raven]

"This explains your expression, perhaps."

[not-ho-chunk.livejournal.com]

"Yes", he agrees.

[creator_raven]

Raven wrinkles his nose.

"The rest of the time, I mean. It is interesting."

[not-ho-chunk.livejournal.com]

"Is it."

His eyes are amused, even if he's not smiling.

[creator_raven]

Raven just grins.