video; crank caws

[restingstitchface]

[The video feed, active and recording, shows Crane in his study - but not as usual behind his desk. It rolls around and shows him leaning over the mantelpiece with his elbow, without his jacket, still wearing his sweater vest and tie, with his sleeves rolled up in a manner one might consider casual. He doesn't look at the camera as he gets to work removing an inkwell and quill and then sets down a wooden perch.

Without warning, there's a structured burst of cawing followed by a period of quiet.

Crane steps away from the fireplace and looks up at the lighting. Squatting on the lamp's metal arm is a short-billed black bird. It looks much like all the other black birds one can spot around town.]

If you are quite through?

[He ignores the camera a bit longer in order to bench it on its perch, but not for the first time it flies back to where it seems comfortable. He tries again, and not much to his surprise it returns home. Despite the clear camaraderie the two of them share, he leans on one side and directs his eyes at the ceiling. He is not generally fond of opinions from the masses but finally addresses the camera admist another round of cawing.]

I cannot very well invite him to fly around my office anonymously. If you would like to name him, I will take on board your suggestions.

[Trying not to sound too frustrated, he checks his sleeve. His face goes thunderous.]

Excuse me.

[He clicks his nails against the mantlepiece and then, in true fashion, at least to those who know him, preserves his dignity by switching off the video.]

Comments

vide

[h2no]

He's lovely!

[give him a moment to get his shit together enough to realise there's crane, too.]

Murkrow! Wait, how big is he gonna get? If he gets real big then call him Honchkrow!

[restingstitchface]

[When Crane switches on the video, he speaks ever so politely and cordially.]

Twenty inches, I guess.

[One of his brows raise.]

If that makes a difference?

[What are those names, even?]

[h2no]

It makes all the difference! Murkrow are what those are called where I come from, and Honchkrow are what they evolve into!

[acclimatized]

Edgar Allan Crow?

[restingstitchface]

No.

[One, delivered deadpan, filled with all of Crane's animosity. No puns.]

[exceptionalthief]

Rather single-minded, isn't it? I do hope you won't be eating crow before long.

[restingstitchface]

It's a rather simple bird, I admit.

[He eyes it amusedly, then back to Hans.]

Fortunately for it's sake, I'm a terrible cook.

video;

[lempereur]

Yatagarasu.

[ Yes, one word answers are totally worth turning on the camera for, only because his hands are busy drawing something out of the frame. ]

[restingstitchface]

[He strokes his chin. It's not a bad name, and he shows as much with a slight smile, but...]

That's a little bit obvious, don't you think?

[itistolaugh]

Charlie! Or Buster.

[restingstitchface]

I'll consider it. Though you'll call him either of those names, regardless.

[He can't see her saying Crebain. It's too serious.

video

[am_i_a_monster]

Varna.

He likes the lamp. It could be that the light has his attention. Have you tried turning off all the lights and opening a window to see if he'll go outside?

[restingstitchface]

As a matter of fact I have. I've been trying to get rid of him all evening; but like another lodger I have it keeps flying in soon as I turn my back.

Video;

[pyrogue]

Ashes.

Ain't he pretty cute, for a bird.

[restingstitchface]

Oh, absolutely. He's really handsome, isn't he?

[He says it a little too quietly, a little too bemused.]

Nice suggestion, by the way.

Video

[dirtyredneck]

Doorpost. Pillow Stuffing. Mantelpiece. Dead Crow Flying. Loudmouth. Birdbrain. Asshole. ...Feathered Asshole.


[[All said very dryly but with just a hint of smile in his tone. The two ravens getting attention in his lap as he replies might have something to do with the humor. Or they may just be there because they're attention whores. And after further consideration, a genuine answer:]]

Aesop.

[restingstitchface]

[The list passes without Crane raising an eyebrow at each suggestion. He goes back to what he was doing - moving the bird to the lamp - with his sleeves suspiciously rolled higher.]

Does he look like an Aesop to you?

[His tone isn't sarcastic - it's curious.]

[airshow]

Aleister.

[restingstitchface]

[Does their one drink together give James a right to butt in with his opinions or what?]

That's an unusual choice for a name, isn't it?

[burlyboy]

Walter! Or maybe - Clarence? He looks like a gentleman.

[restingstitchface]

[That implies he is a gentleman by association; and of course he is.]

Does he? Walter might be delightfully ironic, but Clarence?

[Maybe he can adopt a second bird and call it White.]

video;

[aberranthubris]

[ Perhaps they started on the wrong foot. Maybe. ]

Perhaps Grip, unless that is too much of an unoriginal suggestion for you.

[restingstitchface]

[Crane doesn't even bother to look at the video. He tries settling the crow again, but it catches a little flicker of interest somewhere else. He lets it be, slips into his chair, and answers.]

Oh, I wouldn't say it's unoriginal. Does the name have a specific reason?

VIDEO.

[accelerate]

Call him Crow!

[ this is why barry isn't allowed to name anything ever. ]

[restingstitchface]

[Crane's face avoids hardening and he smiles instead, pulling his arm free of his new companion.]

I'd rather not. It's a little too on the nose.