[open network - video]

[ruevealing]

Who: Delloso de la Rue
Username: Rue
Warnings: n/a

[For their very first network appearance of this kind, Rue's feathery countenance exudes warmth, their big eyes unblinking while they graciously greet their audience. A small peony is tucked into their ear tuft of feathers.]

Hello dear friends. For those who I have yet to meet, my name is Delloso de la Rue and, as you can see for yourself, I am not very much not a human.

Though us non-humans have been made to wear a glamour outside of these halls, that does not fix the problem that most human retailers do not make clothing fit for our unique frames. Coming from a place most similar, I've spent the last few millennia creating my own outfits as the ones available to me rarely could fit either my wings or my stature.

So, Ms. Eda and I shall be working together to help supply custom clothing to any of those struggling to find attire that fits. For a small fee, I'm happy to design any number of outfits to help accommodate wings or a tail or whatever you may need. Truth be told, design is a passion of mine, so I'd be delighted to work with all of you to make something to your liking.

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you're interested. I'm looking forward to future collaborations!

Comments

[ruevealing]

[Oh. Well. That's about the absolute worst thing Rue's heard in quite some time. "The worst of both worlds." Fucking ouch.

On the screen, Rue turns their chin up to face Hickey, straightening to their full height, feathery shoulders pressed back. Though there's no hiding the tears swimming in their large eyes, Rue's expression is steel.]

You are unnecessarily cruel to a stranger. If you must know, I did not ask to be born this way, thank you kindly. And I will not apologize for what I am, even if you believe me to be the worst of two creatures combined. I have dealt with the prejudice of others for the whole of my existence and I will not let some man I do not even know chase me back into hiding my true self. Despite my shape, I am not a wild beast meant to belong in the menagerie. I have as much right to live as any other, without having to defend my mere existence.

[Rue huffs then, as if they'd been holding their breath and hadn't even realized it.]

If nothing else, it's very clear my good manners and civility far exceed your own. Perhaps you are the true beast, good sir.

Video | un: badgirlcoven

[edalyn]

[Initially, Eda finds this kind of funny in a really stupid way. But then Rue seems genuinely upset, which she doesn't love.]

Hey, Hickey? Get your eyes checked. Rue is infinitely classier than the thing you're thinking of.

But if you need a reminder I could always let y'all have another little play date. [She's going to keep the threat vague on the network, but he knows exactly what she means. Rue on the other hand does not actually know this context, nor how much like a wild owlbear the owlbeast looks. But she's not going to spell either out for them right now.

She is, however, going to flash her fangs at the camera just for emphasis. Does she feel a little bit bad for just letting the owlbeast treat him like a chew toy when they met? Yeah, normally she kind of does, but consider: he was being annoying and now he made Rue cry.]

[friendsfordinner]

[ Hickey, who has spotted weakness from Rue and instantly was going to jump on it and be a dick, backs off a little once Eda enters the picture. One, he kind of likes her, at least he likes her enough to not be an outright turd. Two, he really doesn't want to get eaten. And while he knows Eda's not going to let the owlbeast outright eat him, he's not entirely sure where 'a little maiming' falls in the equation. ]

Now Clawthorne. Doesn't this place have a rule not to maim your coworkers? I'd hate for you to get in trouble, considering how you've done such a good job keeping that thing on a leash.

As for de la Rue? Name's Cornelius Hickey. Now you know me and now we're not strangers.

[ruevealing]

[Rue may not have needed the assist, but they certainly appreciate Eda's sudden appearance. Whatever history the two of them have, it's obvious that the woman popping in to intervene is a boon Rue was not expecting. The support is just enough to blink away the wobbly tears from the owlbear's eyes.]

I can't quite say that it's been much of a pleasure, but hail and well met, Mr. Hickey. Have you been in this place very long?

[edalyn]

[Eda can't help rolling her eyes just a little, even if she really should be more careful at least on the network.]

For legal reasons I'm going to clarify that that was a joke. [She says this in a completely flat deadpan, probably for effect.]

Anyway--you have fun, kids. [She makes an I'm watching you gesture, before clicking off the video feed. It sounds innocent enough, if patronizing... to anyone who doesn't know that's what she said to Hickey and the owl beast before leaving them to sort things out for themselves.]

[friendsfordinner]

I've been here...mmm, seven months or so? Long enough to get to know the lay of the land.

[ Hickey smirks before continuing with, ]

And to know how...useful this place can be.

[ruevealing]

[well! Rue feels like they are absolutely taking the bait, but their feathery brows raises questioningly anyway.]

How do you mean?

[friendsfordinner]

We're in a realm where there are a dozen or so fear entities out there, just waiting for the chance to link up with someone and give them a little boost. Now obviously I'm not saying someone should do that, as ADI has made it perfectly clear that sort of behavior isn't tolerated,

[ he is absolutely saying someone should do that because someone (him) definitely did it ]

but it's food for thought.

[ruevealing]

[what does this mean what does this MEAN]

Quite.

[What is this man's aim? Rue considers themself quite proficient at navigating the subtle manipulative nature of the fey, but this man puzzles them.]

Still, such a thing would be wildly inappropriate. We've all been told as much. Who would dare to defy them?

[friendsfordinner]

Anyone who wants power, [ Hickey shrugs. ] Or to maintain the level of power they previously had. Out of curiosity, how strong d'you say your claws are back home? And how strong are they now?

[ aka get used to terrorizing people if you want to maintain your level of normalcy, bitch. ]

[ruevealing]

[Rue blinks owlishly at him.]

Your incorrect presumptions continue, sir. I have never once harmed another with these paws. Whatever physical strength I possessed back home, it will go as un-utilized here as it did there. I have only ever used my claws for creation.

[How he can sense their growing apprehension of the entities and feeding them, Rue can not begin to know, but their expression and tone remain neutral, if not a little visibly annoyed.]

And what of you? Have you given into feeding the fear entities in the name of holding onto some ability you are terrified of losing?

[friendsfordinner]

[ It's less of "Hickey can sense their apprehension" and more "literally everybody here has called him a goddamn idiot when he mentions that he wanted what the fear entities were giving, it's not a BAD deal they're offering, why are you looking at him like that."

He has no guile, he's just well aware he is the only person here who's willingly sought out to serve one of those things. ]

I arrived here regrettably human. Nothing impressive to my name.

Pity about that pacifism, though. You could do a number on someone if you so chose.

[ruevealing]

[There's always one, isn't there.]

My kind are quite well known for being monstrously ferocious and aggressive, a creature to be feared if run across in the wild. I've heard tales that they are one of the few beasts who kill without being provoked, simply because they enjoy the hunt.

[a soft beat, a gentle hooting sound falling from Rue's beak. Such thoughts, that Rue could have these same traits buried somewhere deep within them, are truly terrifying, but they simply can not believe they are capable of such things.]

But thankfully, those are instincts I do not possess. Call me foolish or naive, but I believe that any situation can be resolved without turning to violence. Power does not simply lie within the strength of a set of claws.

[friendsfordinner]

[ There's a pause as Hickey takes all that in. He lets out a little chuckle before, ]

Then you're foolish. And naive. And I hope that when you inevitably get hurt when you try to talk down the monsters here, you're tough enough to bounce back.

[ruevealing]

Then how lucky I am to not care what your opinion of me is.

[Rue knows there's the possibility that he speaks the truth, but they simply can't consider it. Their situation can't be so hopeless. It can't be.]

Good day, Mr. Hickey.

[friendsfordinner]

Good day to you as well [ the slightest of pauses because how tf do you gender a giant owl ] Rue.

[ruevealing]

[look, he's an asshole, but at least he doesn't misgender them]