01. video

[idkmybffbloodwing]

[He's clearly about to start talking, when the fat little bloodwing chick on his shoulder eyes the screen of the communicator and makes a clumsy leap for it, underdeveloped wings flapping futilely. The video swings wildly as the device is pulled out of the way. Offscreen, a grunted "Basta," and some fumbling, and then the feed centers back on his face, with the hatchling back on his shoulder, staring intently at the screen.]

Sorry about that. So, Robb Stark? Or any of the Starks, apparently - well, except that Tony guy, who I hear is missing. Anyway, I've been told one of you can help me sort out my pet food problem. Gotta growing bird here that's about to run out of skag meat, and I guess your wolves eat something similar.

Also, anyone know where a guy can get a drink on this ship?

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[idkmybffbloodwing]

[He gives her a bit of a smirk.] You realize I'm gonna have to check this out for myself now, right?

[tumbleweeds]

[ She snorts slightly. ] You want a guide? [ Jaye what are you doing remember what happened to Neal? ]

[idkmybffbloodwing]

Sure. You have access to that telepath, though? Somethin' like that'd be pretty helpful.

[tumbleweeds]

I can see if he'll come along, but he freaked out last time. I've got my hellhound though, he wanders around out there all the time.

[idkmybffbloodwing]

An' he'd, what, be able to smell his way back out if shit gets complicated?

[tumbleweeds]

Yeah. 'course I could, too.

[idkmybffbloodwing]

Oh yeah. [He laughs a little, shaking his head.] How, uh... How does that work, anyway, the whole shapeshifting thing? I've seen some weird stuff. Gotta friend who can rip holes in dimensions, that sorta thing. But it's all alien technology, so even if I don't understand it I know there's an explanation somehow.

[tumbleweeds]

Well, it's not alien tech. Just magic.

[ "Just." ]

I work for a god, back home. Pretty much everyone who works for one -- and not like a priest or something, we're minders, work one-on-one with the god... two-on-one, I guess, since there's a master and an apprentice -- gets some sort of gift.

[idkmybffbloodwing]

[Aaaaand everything she just said is totally outside his experience and is officially weirder than the time differences and everything.]

See, I've run into people who fashion themselves gods. Usually just means they need to be taken down a notch.

[tumbleweeds]

Nah, I know the real deal. Been around for ages, magic, even powered by belief. The whole nine yards.

[ Another roll, this time onto her back. Lazy. ] I didn't used to believe, and now I work for one. Crazy shit.

[idkmybffbloodwing]

You must live in a hell of a place. What kinda god is it?

[tumbleweeds]

He's called Coyote -- from North America back on Earth. He's a Trickster, a folk hero, and a creator.

[idkmybffbloodwing]

Yeah, I've heard myths like that, just never had to deal with 'em being real life. Guess it works out for you, though, huh?

[tumbleweeds]

Yeah. Not really sure what I'd be doing if he hadn't found me, to be honest.

[idkmybffbloodwing]

What were you up to before that?

[tumbleweeds]

[ Her arms go back behind her bed, making her seem casual unless Mordecai really looks and notes the tension in her arms and her shoulders. ]

My brother disappeared. I was looking for him wherever I could.

[idkmybffbloodwing]

[He doesn't really read people well - too much time spent on his own for that.]

Sorry to hear that. Stuff like that happens a lot, though. At least, where I'm from. You ever find him?

[tumbleweeds]

No. But I'm still looking.

[ She closes her eyes for a moment. ]

I got his knife in my locker, my first jump.

[idkmybffbloodwing]

[And now it's gotten all personal and weird because he never knows what to say when things like this happens.]

Well, if what some of them say's true and we go back to right around where we got taken from, then I guess while you're stuck here, you're not really losing any time. Maybe you'll learn something here that'll be helpful.

[tumbleweeds]

Maybe. It's been eight years already, though.

[ Jaye doesn't really enjoy talking about her feelings much, especially about her brother, so she rolls over again and plucks some grass off her shoulder. ]

Eh, well. He was always the smart one, so whatever he got into, he'll be okay.

[idkmybffbloodwing]

[Right because he's never said anything like that himself for similar problems, nope.]

Yeah. Here's hoping, right?

[So this is totally awkward and he should probably just scoop up his bird and go. Life in the middle of nowhere where everything that moves gets shot is just so much simpler.]

[tumbleweeds]

Yeah.

[ Yup, super awkward. Don't mind her pulling more grass out of her hair. ]

You care which eggs are yours or should I just mark whatever?

[idkmybffbloodwing]

Doesn't make a difference to me. Mark 'em however you want an' I'll get a coop together.

[He stretches, then reaches for the bird and wakes it by stroking its back.] Plenty of time to sleep later, pajarito.

[tumbleweeds]

All right. [ There's her own stretch but she doesn't move any further, watching the man and the bird instead. ]

[idkmybffbloodwing]

[He presses his arm against the bloodwing's belly and it steps up, flapping awkardly for balance. He then pushes himself to his feet, and smiles down at her, amused.]

Guess most of the time there's no hurry to go anywhere here, is there?