savetheearth IC Contact

[radiantchicken]

Hello, you've reached Torin. Please leave a message, and I'll get back with you as soon as possible.

Comments

Shortly after the bird broadcast

[disdainfully]

Happy birthday, Torin.

[radiantchicken]

Thank you.

You saw the broadcast, I take it?

[disdainfully]

While testing the connections.

They didn't mention you.

[radiantchicken]

Ah, good, good. I might have publicly said I was once a normal bird, but I did not get specific. I'd like to let the zoo know that I'm all right, but I'd much rather prefer they did not attempt to reassert ownership.

I must confess, that broadcast came as a bit of a surprise.

[disdainfully]

You were still a fairly normal bird when we met, though the talking was a bit above what one'd have thought possible from a bird... [There is a smile in his voice, though it vanishes with the next words.]

Maybe they have guessed on the own if they didn't mention you, and don't want to be connected to the numbered. Or have the other birds connected to us. It might endanger them.

[radiantchicken]

I learned quickly. My voice changing early on did not help matters, I'm sure.

That's a good idea; I'd not thought of it that way. I'd hate to see any of the others get hurt because of what I am.

[disdainfully]

...How do you think of them?

[radiantchicken]

I'm...fond of them, I suppose. I can no longer relate to them on an emotional or intellectual level as I once did, but they are all very nice parrots.

[disdainfully]

Do you consider them siblings?

[radiantchicken]

I'm not even certain if we are biological siblings...

It's strange; family isn't anything I've given much thought to since I first realized I was very different.

[disdainfully]

Family doesn't have to be biologically related, though there is significance to that. I count Gabriel towards my family though we share no blood, and it is unlikely that the last common ancestor is less than a thousand years in the past.

[radiantchicken]

That is understandable...and enviable, in a way. I have very dear friends, and I am fortunate in that regard. Is there something that takes the relationship from friend to family?

[He's genuinely curious, for this is not a thing he has really thought about too much.]

[disdainfully]

A dimension of time, and that the relationship is not tied to one or more shared facts - a job, a hobby, a jointly owned property, being neighbours. He's still a friend, but as close as family would be.

[radiantchicken]

I see...I think I understand. Thank you for that.

[disdainfully]

[A short nod of his head in reply to the thanks.]

Are you celebrating your birthday with them?

[radiantchicken]

Lazarus and I had cake and had a little celebration here.

[And he sounds very happy about that.]

It was my first time blowing out candles.

[disdainfully]

I'm glad you got to celebrate.

[radiantchicken]

Thank you. I'm glad, as well. Perhaps next year, I'll be more aware of the date. I might even have an actual party then.

[disdainfully]

[Who even knows where they will be in a year...]

I'm sure you have friends who will help you with that.

[radiantchicken]

[Who knows, indeed...]

I do! It's a nice feeling.

[disdainfully]

I'll wish a good afternoon with them, then.

[Voices can be heard in the background. He needs to go.]

[radiantchicken]

Thank you.

And you have a nice afternoon, as well.

[There's a nod, and Torin ends it. Party time calls, after all.]