As the shadows lengthened into dusk, the sounds of chittering and hooting of many owls filled the air of the grotto. There, standing in the middle of the meadow and symphony, was Perfect with his eyes closed enjoying the sounds of his home and charges. The stoic look of the buck was contrasted entirely by the presence of a large white owl happily perched on top of the feathers on his head as if it was meant to be there.

Despite his confidence in the role he put himself into, there's an air of loneliness to Perfect that clung to him as securely as the fur and feathers he was made of. His large eyes held deep and unmistakable sadness. He usually kept these feelings to himself and today was no different. Today he waited.

Winter Market had been the time he decided to open his, and the owls', home to others that may feel as passionate about taking care of the owls as he did. He was surprised, but pleased, at the amount of others that had decided to join him in his task.

Slough apparently had very good timing because he arrived at the newly appointed Sanctuary tribelands without delay, thanks to harassing any kin he could find by grumbling ‘owls?’ at them until somebody pointed him in the right direction.

Speaking of owls, there was currently one perched on his back, being jostled with each step but grimly holding on with his fierce talons. Every now and then, Slough tried to turn his head to bite the creature but couldn’t quite reach.

As soon as he spotted the Kimeti, Slough stomped over to Perfect and snapped, “take it back.”

A marshfowl was pecking at his long flickering tail, and as he stared at Perfect expectantly, he idly kicked at the creature. It dodged with a familiar ease and then went back to pecking.

Muffinsbaby wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 12:39 pm

Perfect blinked in surprise and slight confusion at the angry-seeming acha. It took him a moment to even realize what had been said. A few more seconds of blinking as he took in the menagerie, then a small smile crept it's way on his features. He knew the trials of amassing animals of their accord and not his.

"I can control the owls about as much as I control you," he replied gently, "They choose who they wish to attach to, and are about as easy to sway as that cliff face." He glanced up at the one of his own three menaces, more affection than irritation evident in his gaze.

"To put it simply, you belong to this owl now."

Ruriska wrote:

Slough did not like that answer.

His ears flickered back and his head squished down into his shoulders, a clear tantrum brewing.

“I don’t want it!” He hissed again, as if Perfect hadn’t understood him the first time.

The owl chose that time to bite his ear which sent Slough into a quick frenzied spin, circling around and around trying to bite the creature he clearly couldn’t reach. The marshfowl clucked in alarm and flapped out of the way.

A few turns and it was done, Slough stood panting, reconsidering his life choices. A white songbird in the tree nearby gave a commiserating warble.

Finally, having recovered a portion of his sanity, he grumbled, “at least help me get it off. What does it want?”

Muffinsbaby wrote: ↑Sat Apr 19, 2025 1:44 pm