Video - 003 - Totally Innocuous Events

[iceheart_imperial]

[When the camera comes on, it shows Isard at her desk. She's wearing a professional, well-fited suit, sans tie, with a plain pearl necklace at her throat. She certainly does not look like a ruler of an Empire, or even a former one. That is, naturally, a carefully vetted choice. She smiles, warmly.]

Well, hello everyone. Just a bunch of small things to talk about today, really. First of all, I'd like to personally thank each and every one of you who made the charity opera such a success. A special thanks goes out to the diligent staff who were absolute wonders, and to the Heropa Opera Company for a beautiful performance in the old style. You've earned my patronage, certainly, for the rest of my time here, however long that is.

[She inclines her head briefly at that, folding fingers together.]

That being said, my interest in the arts of this planet are only growing with time. And as things are going well right now, I've got a bit more in the budget for sponsorship this month - so I'm putting together a small trust. The Isard Arts Fellowship will, annually, award a $10,000 grant to a deserving artist in financial need to continue their work. If you know someone who would be interested, or are yourself interested, please let me know. This is open to any American citizen or imPort, naturally.

[Now for the part she hopes sows some confusion amongst those she knows are suspicious of her, putting - as they say here in a phrase she finds delightful - a cat amongst the pigeons.]

I hope to have some more important announcements for you later on in the month. There are big things afoot, things I know will benefit my new, adopted home. The kindness of ordinary citizens meeting me on the street on my way to work has been truly heartwarming. I'm glad to use my skills to give back.

[Mostly true, really. It's certainly interesting to be, by some rough and tumble definition, a celebrity.]

But that brings me to the news that's most important to me, personally. I oversaw a case up in New Hampshire. We brought in a bail-jumping piece of scum the police in Oregon have been looking for. It turns out he was trying to set up a sideline in selling animals, of all things. One strange looking individual started following me around, and so, well.

[She leans back, hand reaching out of shot for a moment before reappearing with a small capelin clasped between two fingers. There is the sound of something small slapping about on the desk, and after a moment a Puffin appears in shot, eagerly heading over to gobble down that fish. Isard has a pet now. In the same way that context about a culture can slip through, she's gone from a correct Point A to a not-quite Point B. People on Earth have pets, birds are frequent pets, therefore all birds are also kept as pets.]

I'd like suggestions for naming him. I'm not sure what an appropriate name is for a male puffin.

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[fireandhoney]

I'm an artist, so consider me interested.

[iceheart_imperial]

Well, that was quick.

[Said with a surprised but easy smile.]

And a new face, too. I'm Ysanne Isard. And you would be...?

[fireandhoney]

Finn Onaru, also known as the Dragonborn.

[iceheart_imperial]

[She reaches for a pen and a post-it.]

Finn Onaru. Ending r-u or r-u-e?

And Dragonborn...is that related to species?

[fireandhoney]

R-u.

As for species, I'm afraid not. I'm a dunmer, also known as a dark elf, and the Dragonborn thing has nothing to do with race. In my world, a Dragonborn is a dragon's soul in a mortal coil, and in fact, most Dragonborns of the past have been human.

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[redcosmedic]

[ amused: ] A named scholarship? Well, someone's working fast to make their mark.

[iceheart_imperial]

[She nods]

Life is short, and I prefer to keep busy.

[redcosmedic]

[ Life's only short for you fleshies... ]

And this announcement just happens to coincide with the newest local rage of elevating "inspirational" imPorts?

[iceheart_imperial]

[Her quizzical expression is, for once, genuine. She really hadn't been paying attention to that sort of thing, which she will hold against herself for missing.]

I'm sorry, what?

[She's off doing her own thing.]

[redcosmedic]

[ Knock Out will link a couple public articles on social media about the new PR hype. ]

The timing just matched, that's all.

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[germhating_hypochondriac]

Cool.

[Eddie is watching the puffin. He was never allowed to have a pet and is fascinated by them. People have all kinds of strange pets here, including jackalopes, so he sees no problem with a pet puffin.]

Pongo would be a good name for him.

[iceheart_imperial]

[Oh, a child. She hasn't actually seen one since arriving here, at least directly. Nor can she remember the last time she interacted with one.]

What is a Pongo?

[germhating_hypochondriac]

There's this movie, one hundred and one dalmatians and Pongo is like the main dalmatian.  Dalmatians are black and white; he's black and white.  Dogs are cute; he's cute. So Pongo's a good name.

[iceheart_imperial]

[Well, there's nothing in that she can argue with, really. She carefully writes down the movie title and 'Pongo' on a post-it, which she puts on a nearby lamp.]

A strong suggestion. I cannot fault your logic.

[germhating_hypochondriac]

Do you know if he's had all his shots and stuff?

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[eightfoldlight]

[ Ysanne's charity work is great and all that, but we know who the real star of this show is. Yenh is visibly struck by the puffin's cuteness, hand clasped to her chin and fingers splayed halfway across her broadly grinning mouth. ]

A puffin?! How delightful! I've never seen one before, much less for a puffin! If you're still in need of suggestions, I can think of something. [ She squints in effort, the tension releasing as soon as something comes to mind. ]

How about...

The Intrepid Wanderer, Solomon Brambleberry!

[iceheart_imperial]

[It is rather adorable, even she has to admit. It looks so...business-like and soulful. And she smiles in return, given who it is who is on the feed.]

Well, for you I'd re-open the voting - but yes, please, by all means.

[She gives the puffing a brief stroke when Yehn speaks again.]

Well, what do you think? Are you a Solomon Brambleberry?

[The Puffin makes a noise that is surprisingly deep and sounds more than a little like a human laugh.]

Well I don't think he has any objections.

[eightfoldlight]

[ Her eyes widen at that sound, leaving the rest of her face frozen until it sinks in that this is indeed just the sound the animal makes. Yenh snickers. ]

With a voice like that, I can see that my instincts were correct.

[ Yenh holds up a finger, as though she is registering an objection. ]

But the epithet is important and well-earned. He has come a very long way!

[iceheart_imperial]

[She laughs, briefly, nodding.]

Of course. I'll make sure it's on any mail he receives.

[Because, really, he might. She's got a mascot now, frankly.]

And you're right, he has. He rode besides on the way back. I do believe he snores, a little.

[eightfoldlight]

Excellent. And if he wants more titles, he can do more deeds!

[ Yenh says that directly to the puffin rather than to Ysanne, her voice curling upward at the end as though promising a fun treat. ]

[ The news of his snoring leads to nods with certainty, less born out of knowing what puffins do and more born out of her largely-baseless assumption that everything snores. ]

A delightful sound from such a large-voiced companion, no doubt!

[consulinchief]

Ms. Isard... I hate to be the bearer of bad news... but I don't think that you can keep a puffin as a pet.

OOC: I had to read a lot of Florida law for this. :P

[iceheart_imperial]

In all technicality, he's considered a rescue. Poor dear can't be released into the wild.

And you're mostly right, but I'm working towards a permit under Florida law. Until then, so long as I maintain a proper habitat and regularly have a professional make sure I'm maintaining proper care until I've accumulated 1,000 hours of experience...the authorities seem to be fine with him staying with me, rather than an overburdened shelter.

[Translation: she called in some favors and the law got a little bit bent.]

oops

[consulinchief]

[Roland seems skeptical, but he keeps that to himself.]

Well, so long as you know he's not like keeping a parakeet.

Oh, no, thank you for making research-brain have to do some lifting. :P

[iceheart_imperial]

Oh, no. For a start, the dietary requirements are vastly different. I plan to keep him happy and plump.

[consulinchief]

And cold, I hope?