tengu are bad civilization

[deathdefied]

[So, hey, local hot nerd. Or maybe not so local hot nerd. Some time in the past, maybe, like a dumbass you decided to feed the local ravens. Since then, uh, well. The amount of ravens coming by has continued to increase exponentially. They follow you around town. Every raven for miles seems to recognize you. They keep leaving trinkets and gifts wherever you're staying.

And today, well. Today the entire local population is lined up as though waiting for someone, save for a smaller raven with some white feathers hopping around and trying to get your attention.

The fuck did you do, Itto Yasuhiro?]

Comments

[godeatsgod]

Wait, what? Betrothal?

[He's turning around now to look at her, holding the fan a bit tight in shock?]

[deathdefied]

Well, yes, of course.

[She flaps a bit, but she's hopping off his shoulder to head for the center of the room and--

hello hot bird chick!]

[godeatsgod]

I'm afraid you have me at a bit of a disadvantage. Why are we to be married? Who are you, exactly?

[He will seriously be examining the fan and maybe pointing at her again with it.]

[deathdefied]

We haven't names, the way humans take them...but I am usually called Saori...Lady of the Mountain.

[She tilts her head a little.]

Have you not been caring for my people? Diligently and generously, even?

[godeatsgod]

Your people? The crows? Well... yeah, someone's got to help them. There's a heatwave on, and all.

[He seems to be considering this.]

But, that doesn't mean you owe me your hand in marriage. It' the modern world. I wouldn't take something so important from you because of a debt of honor...

[Itto you're actually making more of a case for being her husband like that, not less.]

[deathdefied]

A debt of honor...? [She blinks, and laughs, shaking her head.]

I'm not paying a debt! Rather, instead, it is such kindness and even-handedness that brought me to this conclusion. Ravens are considered pests and ill-omens, even in a world like this, you know?

[godeatsgod]

[He tilts his head some.]

I mean, sometimes they are, but they can't help it, they were born that way... They're not bad birds.

[He laughs a little helplessly.]

Saori... Do you even know who I am?

[And does it matter when he smiles like that?]

[deathdefied]

Itto Yasuhiro, folklorist and scholar...you are especially fascinated with unique local mythologies, it's why you bought an apartment here of all places, and why you've been trying to figure out how to fit all the local raven myths into your current paper, even though we both know it doesn't suit it at all.

Also, I'm not sure you own a pair of jeans that isn't as tight as humanly possible?

[Stalkerbirb knows what's up.]

[godeatsgod]

And yet all I know about you is that your name is Saori... and you are surprisingly affectionate. You know, if this work is successful, I'll have to move back to the city, right? Would you want to still come with me?

[He'll put the fan on top of his desk, and then turn back to face her. He seems a bit thrown, but a folklorist would be all about this, wouldn't he?]

[deathdefied]

I never said which mountain I was lady of, Yasuhiro.

[:> :> :> :> :>]

[godeatsgod]

So you came all the way out here for me, then?

[He shakes his head.]

And what you want is... to be my wife?

[deathdefied]

I would take you as lord husband, yes.

[This birb is ready to party.]

If you would prefer a courtship first, that is fine...I am unfamiliar with how humans do things, but it is certainly worth taking your feelings into consideration.

[godeatsgod]

I'm not even really worried about me. You're... a divinity, if what you say is true. I'm just a scholar. I worry you will find me fascinating today and boring in a matter of weeks. I would save you the heartache, Saori.

[He smiles.]

I can tell you're the sort of woman I would say yes to, I just worry that you would not want this life.

[deathdefied]

Pff, I'm not a kitsune. I'm not so heartless or fickle...of the youkai, tengu are the ones closest to humans. It's said once we all were human, even someone like me.

Your kindness does you credit, but your anxieties are unfounded...though, there's no way but time to prove that to you.

[godeatsgod]

...It is hard to deny you, when you look at me like that.

[He will hold his arms open to her.]

Come on, then. If you're going to be my wife I want to hold you, at least.

[deathdefied]

[Well, it takes her a second. Partially because she has to remember how hugs work, and partially because the geta she's wearing are absolutely fucking ridiculous. But hugs will happen!]

[godeatsgod]

[He will absolutely grab her up and hold her against his chest, then, since he gets she's going to be a bit of a traditionalist if she's a tengu into giving gifts and whatnot. Just pull her close and keep her there for a moment.]

...What a pretty bird you are.

[deathdefied]

[She makes a happy peeping sound, and leans her head on his shoulder...birb is very soft. Not the softest birb, that's the one yelling at kitty stark, but still absurdly soft, especially for a raven.]

Of course...it wouldn't do for me to come disheveled, would it?

[godeatsgod]

Of course not. But you are beautiful even beyond that...

[He will begin the fingerpreening in earnest then, stroking a hand along through her hair if she's going to rest her chin on his shoulder.]

Saori...

[deathdefied]

Mmmmm?

[OH MAN SO MANY HAPPY CAWS. HAPPY BIRB. PET BIRB!!!]

[godeatsgod]

It is a good name, that's all.

[He'll pet the birb, don't worry! He understands that this is how birds bond with things, and we're sure won't end up with her responding drastically later!]

[deathdefied]

[Oh no of course not it's not like she's nuzzling his neck already or anything.]

Is it? I feared it was a little old-fashioned...

[godeatsgod]

My parents named me Yasuhiro. Do you think I can complain to anyone about being old-fashioned? Like the geta, you wear it well.

[He's enjoying her nuzzling, though.]

Getting comfortable, pretty bird?

[deathdefied]

You're warm...it's quite comfortable already.

[You're in danger, Itto.]

[godeatsgod]

Ahh, I guess I shouldn't be surprised at that, either.

[He'll continue to pet through her hair, along her cheek, then. Heedless of danger!]

I guess you know the layout of my apartment then, if you know all this about me, then, Saori?