two owls walk into a bar | closed log

[edalyn]

Who: Edalyn Clawthorne, Delloso de la Rue
When: November 3
Where: various spots in Gloucester
Summary: Eda shows a new friend around the human realm
Warnings: alcohol, will update if anything else comes up



[Eda is waiting just outside of one of the ADI gates, leaning idly against a tree and messing about on her phone.

This is the first time Rue will have seen her in, well, technically not her witch form, but there’s not much difference save for the human looking ears. Which means they won’t notice that she happens to be a little less of an obvious mess than she’s tended to be lately.

She’s easy enough to recognize, at least from the face shape, the singular gold filling that still looks like a fang, and the absolutely untamable grey hair (although she’s made some kind of attempt, it’s up in a ponytail today.) Aside from that, though, instead of a harpy she simply looks like a tall, wiry human of an age that’s probably hard to determine, but definitely above forty-five.

She also has a tiny brown owl on her shoulder. She's been leaving Owlbert in animal form for the most part lately, since she doesn't want the ADI to catch her changing him back and forth.

All of this feels just a tiny bit… silly to her, especially in light of everything else going on in this place. But even if she won’t admit she needs more friends she’s aware that she could desperately use a distraction. Anything else aside, the owlbear is someone new and interesting at the moment. Might as well just see how things go!]

Comments

[ruevealing]

[For Rue, however, the change is immense.

From a towering, furry beast of feathers and talons to a slender, enigmatic fae with perfectly thick hair, sharp features, and the most unsettled look in their eyes. Even glamoured, Rue approaches Eda with the same elegant glide, gloved hands held out delicately in front of them, their slim frame draped in a sleek double-breasted wool cape coat. There's a pinch on their otherwise beautiful face, just a line of worry between worried brows, but all of this is just going to take some time getting used to again.

Rue truly believed that when they shoved off their glamour, it was forever. How foolish they'd been, thinking they could just leave it all behind them. Nothing is ever that simple, is it?]

My dearest Eda. [Even with the extreme shift in appearance, there's thankfully no mistaking Rue's soft voice, even if the face they are wearing isn't nearly as expressive as their real one. Some habits are just too difficult to break.]

Good day, my dear. Thank you again for the lovely invitation.

[edalyn]

[A couple of other ADI employees have passed by since she's been here, and so she isn't paying a huge amount of attention until she recognizes the voice. She looks up and blinks a couple of times. She's not sure this is what she was expecting, but she's not sure what she was expecting. Most of the other creatures here look closer to human to begin with.]

No problem. I could use a break from-- [Eda just sort of gestures to the ADI fence, and by extension the ADI at large.

She steps away from where she was leaning and looks them over thoughtfully for a moment.] ...Huh.

[She supposes it's not a bad change, but it is a huge one. She's a little amused that she's still a good bit taller than them, if only because Rue commented on her height when they were both huge bird people.] Still nice, I guess. [Just not quite as interesting. She finds the ADI's insistence on glamours boring, but she can't argue with the fact it's fairly necessary in the Human Realm.]

[ruevealing]

[It's strange. Rue isn't used to anyone looking at them in either form and finding them lacking. They don't quite know what to do with that reaction.]

I apologize for how strange this must be for you. [Though as perfectly poised as ever, there's a stiffness along Rue's skinny shoulders that just screams of all the tension they can't quite let go of while being under this glamour.]

To be truly honest, I'm not unused to such magic, but being forced to wear this mask again just to leave the premises is... [The sigh that trips from their mouth is a wistful sort of hoot, Rue's gloved hands clasped together tightly in front of them.] It's a great deal of pressure, isn't it?

[Eda must understand to some extent, Rue presumes. If both Eda and Hob have to go through the exact same thing, forced to change their appearance just to not cause a fuss, than Rue is more than capable of following along with them without complaining.] We can travel unbothered like this? I'd quite like a nice walk with you.

[edalyn]

[If Eda notices any reaction, she isn't too worried. It's possible that was meant as a comedy beat, given most people's standards. Then again, she's from the Boiling Isles, so it's possible it wasn't. Either way, there's no genuine insult there. Small green-haired androgynous folks aren't exactly not her type. It's just that she knows a lot of pretty people and precisely one very cool looking owlbear.

While she definitely understands to an extent, she's curious what they mean by again, but decides not to pry, for the moment at least.]

Yeah, it's not great. But don't apologize to me, this doesn't even make the top five for strange things to happen this week.

[She's slightly puzzled by that last question honestly, but she supposes she did somewhat play up the supernatural troubles in in Gloucester.] Yeah? We'll be fine. I know I said there's a few monsters but we're on a sidewalk in Massachusetts, it's not exactly perilous territory. [A tiny pause, and then a quippy little aside that's definitely only funny to her.] 'Specially for you.

[ruevealing]

[It feels like a joke, but knowing both Eda and this place, Rue can't help but take it at face value. What else could possibly make top five strangest things to happen this week? Should Rue be concerned?

But then the tension breaks with that soft little quip, just the most perfect silly nod to their previous conversation that Rue manages a soft, demure smile before they fall in line with their friend, ready to follow her anywhere.]

Because you'll keep me safe, you mean? I suppose I've nothing to fear then.

[edalyn]

Yeah, let's go with that. [Eda says this with a little chuckle. Partly because they're very endearing, but also because that was actually intended as a joke that would take... way more explanation about the history of humans and witches than she has the energy to explain. Instead, she decides to lean into a little bragging.]

After all, I was the most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles. [She drops this casually, but still with a bit of a self-satisfied smirk and a sidelong glance at them. Sure, that's past-tense for multiple reasons, but there's no reason to get into that right now.

She thinks for a moment before setting off in a direction, deciding to just go for the closest place with good coffee.]

[ruevealing]

[Look, Rue needs to catch up on like a couple hundred years of human history to understand most jokes related to human culture. They might eventually get there, but there's just so much.

Eda sets off and Rue is right there at their side, hands clasped in front of them, matching the woman's pace without missing a beat. While they walk, Rue's attention drifts away to the scenery, trying to memorize this path for next time. They're still learning their new surroundings.]

I'd be very interested to hear more on that. [Their gaze flits back over to Eda, their soft smile warmly reaching their eyes.] And about you in general. I am most grateful for your friendship. There are not many I'd call a true friend through my life, but I find myself most happy with the connection we've made.

[edalyn]

[Eda gives them a little sidelong glance as she tries to gauge exactly how sincere this is. While she's genuinely taken a liking to Rue, they haven't exactly known each other long.

She won't really mind if a lot of this is empty flattery and such. If it isn't, there might be something a little sad about that.

Then again, it's not like Eda can say she's ever had many close friends herself. And while she's much warier about forming actual attachments than when she was young, she certainly remembers being the kind of person to immediately share that fact with someone who was her new best friend because they'd given her five minutes of positive attention.

I've got a sister at Hexside. She's kinda my only friend.]

I'm not sure if I should take that as a compliment or if you really don't get out much. [A little snort.] Let's go with the former.

Right, where was I? Eda the Owl Lady. Master of wild magic. Respected. Feared. Featured on many a wanted poster. [And yes, she drops that last bit like it's a brag, too.]

[ruevealing]

[For all of the calm, kindness that Rue usually radiates, their composure is always just a little too tightly gripped to always gauge just how sincere they really are. It's just in their nature to keep all feelings close to their chest, even if Rue really is trying to learn to let go of that fear.

It's just another thing that will take some time. But their words are absolutely sincere, even if Eda might not fully take them at face value.

Their mouth quirks at the mention of Rue not getting out much - it's funny, alright - but their attention is so much more drawn to what the woman says next.]

Feared? [Eda has been nothing but generous and sweet to Rue since their arrival. Even as a non-human, it feels wild to think anyone could fear such a genuine, good soul.] And wanted? Whatever for? And your magic, does it draw from the Feywilds as well?

[edalyn]

[Eda just snickers. Sure, it's completely out of context, but it's fun getting a reaction before she actually gives any. And so she starts with the last question.]

Feywilds...? Oh, no. Wild magic, where I'm from is--it's magic without rules. Not restricted and split up into arbitrary categories. [She could explain it more, and she will if they're interested, but it would take giving them some context about her world. For the moment, she goes on instead.]

And it was for being horribly wicked. Obviously. Eating babies, stealing souls, tax fraud, that kind of thing. [She says this in a deadpan, but there's no attempt to make it sound like she's actually being serious.]

[ruevealing]

Unrestricted, spirits.

[Though Rue has never not had access to all of the magic they could ever wish to use, they realize so much more now just how their former court's over-consumption starved out the lesser fey and hoarded all of the magic for their own. Though the Bloom certainly brought along a beautiful increase in magic to all in Faerie, the strength of that magic was known to wax and wane through the seasons, and during particular droughts could absolutely wipe out an entire lesser court.

So knowing there's any place in existence with pure, unrestricted magical access is simply shocking. Incredible, but so absolutely foreign to them. Wild magic. They'll absolutely have to engage further into this topic, but perhaps at a later date, because Eda responds with that dry, deadpan tone and Rue can't help but laugh with delight.]

You're teasing me! [They don't look particularly annoyed about it either, their smile a little brighter.] You truly are the most wicked to make fun of me like this!

[edalyn]

Yeah, just a little. [Eda agrees, and she can't quite keep from grinning. She's glad she got another laugh, and she knocks her shoulder very lightly against theirs as they walk. The owl on her other shoulder makes a tiny startled hoot, and ruffles his feathers up.]

Better get used to it. [She's been doing her best to give them straight answers when it comes to the serious topics like being stuck in the Human Realm, but that doesn't necessarily mean she'll be able to keep it up.] Well, I was teasing you about the babies and whatnot. I did have the highest bounty on the Isles though.

[ruevealing]

[It's strange for things to be this easy with anyone, but for reasons that Rue can't begin to understand, with Eda it just is. The woman bumps Rue's shoulder, gets a brush of the soft feathers and linen beneath the illusion, and the fey laughs again, tanned cheeks going a soft pink at the touch. They aren't used to being touched at all while glamoured, but it's actually rather nice.

It's like a secret between the two friends. Eda knows and of course Rue knows, but no one else they run into will. Thinking of it that way makes wearing this face just a little bit easier.]

So fraud then? [The bump that Rue returns is much more hesitant and gentle, more of a brushing press of a feathery shoulder against Eda's, but Rue looks rather proud of themselves for it.] Well? Or must I guess?

[edalyn]

[Eda, meanwhile, feels her own feathers brush against them. She doesn't always follow the ADI rules--changing back into witch form while she's glamoured is a good way to burn off some magic and also fit through doorways easier, but right now she isn't sure she wants Rue to notice that.

It's cute how pleased with themselves they look. Eda's not hiding how endearing she continues to find them, but at least the little blush isn't quite as obvious when she's not as pale as her harpy form.]

Actually? I was about to explain but you know what, that sounds more fun. Guess away, dear-- [She pauses. It's possible she was about to say dear girl or dear boy but she hasn't checked if either applies.] Oh hang on. Pronouns...?

[ruevealing]

It seems I've dug myself a hole, haven't I?

[But a silly little guessing game sounds fun while they make their way through Gloucester. Rue is quite excited to see where their first destination ends up taking them.]

They/them, please. I am simply Rue. [Their head gives a little owlish tilt, watching Eda with eyes that should be much larger.] And you?

[edalyn]

Gotcha. [And it's exactly as simple as that, because the Boiling Isles have plenty of nonbinary people, including the witch she lives with here.]

She/her is fine. [Eda isn't especially bothered by anything else, but she's never felt the need to use anything else either.

She turns a corner as they walk, and then pauses to give a crossing light a slightly impatient look as she waits for it to change. She's not actually in any hurry to get anywhere, but she finds them a little irritating.]

Right--guess away, dear thing. [It's definitely a silly way to pass the time, but she's curious what sort of crimes they'll pick.]

[ruevealing]

[As simple as anything.

Rue pauses at the crosswalk with Eda, waiting with just a touch more patience than her friend. Time is just a little strange for the long-lived fey.]

Let me see. Now that I know soul stealing and baby eating are off the table, perhaps some kind of grand robbery? Forgive my presumption, my dear Eda, but I struggle to see you aiming to hurt anyone with malicious intent.

[edalyn]

Forgiven, both counts. [Eda grins. No one who's known her long is likely to think she's actually malicious, at least unless they're extremely sold on anti-wild magic propaganda. Or pro-Emperor propaganda. Or a fan of conformity in general. Come to think of it, a lot of people do think she's malicious after all.]

Not sure about grand robberies, but I certainly steal shit when I need to. [Nor does she sound like she has anything against admitting this, although she doesn't seem to be bragging this time as much as just stating a fact. Capitalism is unfair and sometimes you need things!]

Petty theft doesn't get you the highest bounty on the Isles, though. [She says this is as the light changes and she heads across the street. She can see the coffee shop she's looking for.]

[ruevealing]

[It's a little exciting, isn't it? Rue has spent so much of their life playing the perfect role expected of them, they never really had the chance of having a rebellious streak in their younger years. Hearing about Eda's past, knowing the little acts of defiance she's committed - well! It's so much more interesting than Rue's lifetime of court gossip and cutthroat rumors.

They like hearing about this much more.]

Hm, let's see... [Rue follows along after Eda across the street, tapping a gloved finger to their chin in thought. Back where they're from, most of the worst crimes that can be committed are against the courts themselves.]

A broken oath, perhaps? To someone of a higher station?

[edalyn]

[For Eda, the whole thing is a mixed bag. A lot has been fun, but a lot has been necessity and moral grounds against the empire and now and then a matter of survival. She chooses to see the fun side whenever she can, though.]

Nah... I keep my promises. [A slight pause that's probably intended for effect.] Usually. [Sometimes she has a good reason not to! Even if she cares about them more than actual, you know, laws. She turns to head down the block with the cafe at the end. At this point she probably should just explain, but unfortunately she's committed to the bit.]

[ruevealing]

[The corner of Rue's glamoured mouth quirks at that usually, though they aren't too surprised that Eda keeps stringing them along. They have a feeling she's feeling quite proud of herself.]

Kidnapping, perhaps? Oh, I don't know! We must look quite foolish, walking out in public discussing your scandalous criminal past.

[edalyn]

That was an accident. [Eda's tone does not make it clear whether she's kidding. While there's technically more than once incident she could be referring to, she does not provide any more context for this comment.]

Anyway, it's fine--I don't have any outstanding warrants in this dimension. [Honestly, she's not too worried about anyone overhearing either way. They'll probably just think she's joking about all of it. Humans (and witches for that matter) are great at tuning out a lot of weird things, especially when people don't sound like they're being serious.]

[ruevealing]

[Well, Eda wins this round. It's such a rare reaction from Rue, who is usually ready for anything, but even they can't help but let out a little snort of laughter in surprise, their gloved hands leaping up to hide their giggling mouth.]

Spirits, you really are wicked! [Rue can feel a few eyes on the pair of them after that reaction, but Eda's right, of course. They simply look like friends out and about having a little laugh, not owl beasts laughing about one's criminal history.] Please, you must release me from this game, my dear Eda. I'm absolutely out of ideas.

[edalyn]

[It continues to be fun to make them laugh, but they really are easy to scandalize, aren't they? She suspects she wasn't terribly far off about them needing to get out more.]

Alright, alright, [Eda concedes, it was fun but she'll drop the bit if they're out of thoeries.]

I mean, you didn't really have the context to guess practicing extremely illegal forms of magic or rebelling against our tyrannical overlord. [Eda keeps her tone very intentionally casual, but gives them a sidelong glance to see what reaction this gets, as she stops in front of the Cafe.

The owl on her shoulder hops up to hide inside of her ponytail, since people here always seem strangely upset by live birds in restaurants.]

[ruevealing]

[Look, Rue is the type to be scandalized if you use a salad fork for pasta, just saying.

Eda certainly gets that reaction out of Rue, their brows arching up, mouth falling into a perfect 'o' of surprise as they come to a pause outside of the cafe.]

I suppose that really would put you at the top of the bounty list, wouldn't it? [And then a touch softer, peering over their shoulder to be certain no humans were milling about, before murmuring quietly towards Eda:] Eda, my friend, that sounds terrifying. You stood up against those in power over you? I dearly hope that your efforts were fruitful.

[And it's silly, sure, but Rue quite vividly remembers standing up to the leaders of their court, and as much as they'd do it all over again every time, it remains one of the most terrifying moments of their life. They lay a gentle palm to Eda's arm. Touch is something so treasured and significant for Rue, they've had to spent their whole life avoiding it, but Eda is worth reaching out for.] Are you alright? Truly?