eswareinmal | (no subject)

Today is the... erm.. uh...

Well, to be frank, since Old Man Sign Changer quit his job, noone's quite sure what day it is any longer. Some people think that's a good thing. A lot of good pesky things like numbered days do in a place like the Kingdom. It's not right, trying to number something as natural as the sun and the moon, after all! And besides, if noone know what day it is, noone can get angry that someone else forgot their birthday.

Or at least that's what Old Man Sign Changer said as he quit his post and went off to the bar. Been there ever since. Misses Sign Changer doesn't seem to mind either, which has set up all sorts of gossipy whispers.

So instead of the date, there's just a sign reading "time is a cloud, we're all birds and nothing matters." When asked, Ole Man Sign Changer just repeats it, gestures vaguely and repeats "Birds, I tell you. Birds."

The weather report has also given up and just says "Sun. It's always sunny, even when it's not, stop asking me!"

There's quite a lot of space on the board for other postings, signs and rude doodles. Someone should put something there before Ole Biddy starts posting her weird art up there again...

[[New arrivals, please check the "Welcome to the Kingdom!" post for your introduction illusion and Pamphlet!]]

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[Attached to this note is another note.

It contains just a question mark in Saffron's writing, and then, in a different hand, a drawing.

The drawing is fairly abstract but still surprisingly clear, and shows a big and a small wolf who seem to be moving, and then an arrow towards a person and a mantis.]

[There are two notes attached to this one. One of them just has a bunch of exclamation points and more crude drawings of a mantis and a vaguely human-shaped blob with a heart on its face because Ryo is not the best artist.

The other's a note in Hajime's handwriting. "Ryo and I are here."]

[There is a response to the words.

The response is, in large, careful crinkly writing: "Were?" Saffron might be better at writing than Laughs, but that's a very low bar.]

[The response says "Hero House, usually around the kitchens.

Or out trying to fight things in woods."]

[A while later, Hajime's only warning will be a cheerful] FIGHTY DADDYYYYYYYYY [before a widely grinning little girl launches herself at him.

Laughs hangs back a bit, letting the cub get her tacklehug attacks out of the way before he trots over, and looking around for other familiar faces.]

[At least Hajime's Undead reflexes, even if they're more wired towards combat, are good at catching things launching themselves at him. He'll crouch down to meet her in time.]

Hey, kiddo.

[Ryo's on Hajime's armored shoulder calling, "Hi! Hi! Hi!" excitedly at everyone.]

Hello fighty daddy! And Ryo!

[Yay, pack/family is here!] Have you found alpha daddy and uncle Gale and uncle Tick-Tock and soft daddy and Pearl and everyone else yet?

["Found Uncle and Auntie and Second Daddy!" Ryo says helpfully. At least, Kenzaki is his second daddy.]

What he said. We haven't found too many of the others yet.

[He shakes his head.]

Not much in the way of pack.

Uncle and auntie?

[Which uncle? Maybe it's someone relevant...

And then her face falls.]

Alpha daddy isn't here? [Because if he was here, she doubts that Hajime would put it like that.]

Tachibana and Sayoko.

[Hajime makes his explanation as gently as he can.]

Ryo gets attached to people easily.

[And there's a grimace.]

If he's here, I haven't been able to find him or sense him.

[At that, Laughs finally chimes in.]

We can't, either.

[So that probably means that he isn't there. Laughs does sound very decidedly not happy about that.

But also not as upset as he could be. He has Saffron here, and now Hajime is there, too.]

That makes you the alpha.

[Hajime's really not happy about the lack of Lyall either, but it is what it is. They will have to persevere, and--]

Wait, what?

[Alpha? Him? "Is good at bossing people around," Ryo says, as he seems to agree with this assessment.]

[Laughs doesn't directly respond to Ryo.]

You're the most suited to be an alpha out of those of us who are here.

...I can give it a try. I'm not even sure what I'm supposed to do, other than keep everyone together.

[And his teamwork skills are Not Great and what is this?]

That's a part of it.

[He trots over and bumps his head against Hajime's leg.]

We'll help you figure it out.

Thanks. I think I'm gonna need that help...

We'll all help fighty daddy to be alpha!

[Saffron has no idea what this help could entail, but that doesn't mean that she'll do her best to help!

She looks over at Ryo. Right? Let's help fighty daddy!]

["Yes!" Ryo cheers. "Can help with administrative paperwork!" Even if maybe that's not in the job description.

Hajime's got to laugh.]

You're good kids.

And hunting bunnies! [Who needs a job description? They'll help with EVERYTHING!

Cheering answers that statement about them being good kids. Of COURSE they are!]

Let's start! [She expectantly looks at Laughs, who shakes his head in amusement.]

We could start with going for a run together? [he suggests. Running as a pack always helps with cohesion, he feels.]

Sounds like a plan.

[Hajime sets Ryo down so they can both transform, which they do easily enough. Hajime seems happier once he's changed; running around as a wolf is pretty freeing, especially in a new place like this.]

Which way do you want to go?

[Ryo's just barking in excitement and launching himself at Saffron in a puppy-tackle.]

Here, here, he- [And then instead of running off into any direction Saffron gets tackeled to the ground, and some puppy wrestling ensues.

Laughs lets them. It's not like they don't have all the time in the world.]

There is a large forest nearby. We could go there.

That's not a bad idea. We could check out the game and see if there are actually monsters out there to fight.

[He should not sound so pleased at the opportunity for the latter, but he does. Ryo barks a bit of agreement there; looking for trouble sounds fun.]

[...sigh.

Laughs gives them a Look.]

We'll see what we can find. Let's go?

[Ryo just grins a puppy grin, while Hajime nods.]

Yeah. Let's go.