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[bird_brain]

[Aubri looks far more composed for this message than he did the last time he addressed the locket. His feathers are neatly groomed, all traces of dirt and blood gone. The alertness in his gaze is less stress-induced and more of genuine curiosity. The brand above his left eye -- a simplied Unseelie sigil -- is visible, though well on its way to healing. All in all, he looks much better than he did when he warned of Celegorm's march on Caer Glaem.]

It has not been so very long since many of us found our memories plucked from our minds and given to the public. Perhaps it is not so for some of you, but for me, it is rather unheard of.

[A pause] I wonder: do any of you know why this happened -- and why it happened to some but not to others? I was otherwise occupied during much of that time and, if it was said, I missed it.

[[This also serves as an open ACTION post: Aubri has taken up residence, for a good part of the day, on a patio at the Station. He has laid claim to a nice, warm sunbeam. For the price of good company, he'll share it.]]

Comments

action;

[boutant]

[ Sitting cross-legged nearby is Ariadne and her sketchbook, while Straton the bandersnatch cub gnaws on a toy his human mother bought for him. It'll probably be destroyed by the time he's done, but he seems to be enjoying it and, at least, isn't pouncing on Aubri. ]

A few of the people I talked to who had their memories shown kept their stars, [ she comments, though she sounds distracted; she's focusing on her drawing, even if she's talking to the subject of it. ]

action;

[bird_brain]

[Given the way Aubri's tail is flopping about absentmindedly, no one would be surprised if Straton decided to do some pouncing.]

And that was universal, of those you spoke to?

[He is, as promised, a good model who doesn't move all that much.]

action;

[boutant]

[ He most likely will -- he just has to get bored of his toy first. ]

Yes, though I didn't ask too many of them.

action;

[bird_brain]

The same holds true for me. [A fairy had come for it, but he had told it to leave him be -- he trusts the Court and the fairies as far as he can throw them.] How many did you ask?

action;

[boutant]

Three, maybe? [ Not a majority, but in the grand scheme of things, there weren't that many people who had had a memory shown. ]

action;

[bird_brain]

Enough to make some reasonable assumptions.

action

[notavirtue]

[Once he saw this message, it didn't take Javik long to figure out where Aubri was to come and join him. While he was aware of the conflict that had just happened, he'd kept himself as distant from it as possible. That was getting harder to do, he knew now, when the people he spent time with around here were involved. He gave the gryphon his space, letting him have his patch of sun while he stood a yard or so away.]

You look... better. [He cleared his throat awkwardly - pleasantries and the like weren't his strong suit, so he plowed on.] I believe our memories were broadcast because we kept a star. A punishment, maybe, for not returning them.

action

[bird_brain]

[His tail is lashing absentmindedly as Aubri rolls his gaze toward Javik. He's thoroughly enjoying his sunbeam, thank you.]

I can't look much worse. [No, seriously. He knows how horrible he looked at the time.] I have heard rumor that only those who kept a star had a memory shared.

action

[notavirtue]

[He could have it - Javik stayed where he was, clasping his hands behind his back. Though there didn't seem to be any enmity between them, it was still 'his' faction that had done this to the gryphon.]

It is the only correlation I have seen, though I have not asked quite so many people. You said it was unheard of where you are from - did the broadcasts trouble you?

action

[bird_brain]

[As far as Aubri is concerned, this was not strictly Seelie vs. Unseelie. The factions, of course, play into the politics of the whole thing, but so do many other things.]

They did. What is in my memory should remain there and, if it is to be shared, it should be on my terms or not at all.

action

[notavirtue]

Then you share that opinion with many of the other species I have known. Sharing memory and experience was common among my people, and allowed us not only a better understanding of each other, but the ability to quickly learn new ideas and concepts. How any species makes it as far as they do without that connection, I do not know.

[He'd had time to get used to the culture shock back home. At least now he was better about going around and grabbing someone to read their memories.]

action

[bird_brain]

[Aubri hums quietly, tail flopping about as he thinks over that particular comment. He'd never thought of it that way but it makes sense. After all, they use Mindspeech in White Gryphon to remain in communication and is a simpler form of the same, he thinks.]

It's that it was done without my consent that bothers me.

[ text bc his poker face is nonexistent ]

[trashkind]

Well, it's only a guess, but I think it might have had something to do with the stars? I kept ahold of mine after I grabbed it, and I can't think of anything else it could have been, with the timing.

[video because texting and talons do not mix]

[bird_brain]

That is what I am thinking as well.

action;

[goldsickness]

[ After a while, one gets accustomed to strange sights, and out of all the things a large bird is not something Thorin is entirely unfamiliar with. Still, it is with a slight startle that he steps outside onto the patio, pipe in his hand, and is presented with the sight of the animal sitting in the sun.

It is not an Eagle, that much he can tell. It does not seem hostile either, so thinking this bird cannot talk, he cautiously moves to take a seat some good feet away from it, not wanting to spook it into attacking him for no reason. There is plenty of room for the both of them after all ]

action;

[bird_brain]

[Aubri watches his visitor carefully take up a position near enough to speak but far enough to remain respectful of his space. He expects some sort of greeting, but when none comes after a few moments, he speaks.]

Most people say hello.

action;

[goldsickness]

[ When the animal speaks up Thorin is just about readying to light the dry leaves in his pipe, which is frankly better than if he were already smoking because he would most surely choke on it, what with the startle it gives him. He snaps his head up, eyebrows arched as he stares in silence at the large bird for a while.

Then finally, he answers, surprise clear in his voice. ] Most people must expect a talking bird.

action;

[bird_brain]

[Aubri watches almost placidly as his visitor startles.] I am not all bird.

action;

[goldsickness]

[ Now they speak to one another, Thorin spares a more attentive look at the animal. ] ... I can see that.

action;

[bird_brain]

I am called Aubri. You?

[Video] -> [Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[All it takes is one glance for Vanyel to decide that he needs to meet Aubri. He surveys the surroundings, notices the Station and makes his way over. The locket images of Aubri - since he has no idea what a video is - don't do the beautiful creature justice. He smiles in greeting and bows respectfully.]

Do my eyes betray me or am I in the presence of a Gryphon?

[Action]

[bird_brain]

[A bow. Now this one knows what it is to stand in the presence of a gryphon indeed.]

Your eyes do not betray you. You know gryphons?

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

[Awe is shining in his eyes and a smile lingers on his lips.]

I know of them. I am Herald-Mage Vanyel Ashkevron and I am from Valdemar. Is the name familiar to you?

[Action]

[bird_brain]

[Yep, he likes this one.]

I am afraid that it is not.

[Action]

[vanyel_ashkevron]

I had hoped that you were from my world, but it seems I was mistaken. Unless...

What is the name of your home - if you don't mind me asking?