mythmaking | (no subject)

[It's a cloudy mid-morning on THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, and the town is bustling as always. Many people are quite excited about the second batch of new arrivals; though they're not getting quite the celebration the first round got, they still might find themselves being greeted by bizarrely friendly folk.

Out of place is a number of geese scattered around town, each with their own little messenger bag packed full of rolled up parchment. They're putting the papers up all over, on fence posts and market stalls and storefronts, even stuffing them into mailboxes and leaving them on benches. Each paper is nearly identical, with large, blocky font and the occasional inky feather mark.

LOST
SEVERAL ITEMS OF GREAT IMPORT

SOMEONE HAS STOLEN FROM OUR HOMES THE FOLLOWING THINGS

ONE GOOSE-SIZED NIGHT CAP
THREE TEACUPS (PINK AND YELLOW FISH PRINT)
EXACTLY SEVEN AND A QUARTER LEFT SOCKS
AN APPLE CRUMBLE

IF FOUND PLEASE CONTACT
ADELICIA VON FARTHINGTON (THE FIFTH)
AT THE NORTH BANK OF THE LAKE

If stopped, the geese will be more than happy to talk at great length about how terrible this all is. Strangely, there appear to be a few other people and animals poking around as though looking for something, or acting a bit sullen for such an otherwise joyful day.]

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[He needs to work on his timing. Coming out of the forest for bullets, he didn't expect to be stopped by a goose and given the parchment. Bird doesn't even stop to tell him what the hell happened. Animals gather around as he reads it and two things...]

Who the hell steals seven and a quarter left socks?

[So they just... cut the last sock? Why's a goose wearing socks? No, thinking too much about this. He glances over at the fox.]

... You didn't do it, right?

[On his honor, the fox swears it wasn't him. As cunning and crafty as he is, with no command, the fox wouldn't steal. The items don't exactly come off to him as too important so he rolls up the parchment to look for bullets as he originally intended. If he comes across anything suspicious, then he might notify this... Adel-whatever.]

[There's nothing more unsuspicious than an angry looking robot man, right? Especially one that's yelling at a squirrel.]

No I haven't seen any spoons around here! Do I look like somebody who cares about your spoons?! Why are you talking to me? Why are you talking?!

[The squirrel does not seem particularly frightened by Starscream, although it does beat a hasty retreat. As it passes Shinjiro it mutters something along the lines of "It was just a question!" Once the squirrel is gone, Starscream inhales sharply, straightens up, and glances from Shinjiro to his fox companion.]

Human. Explain to me why completely non-sapient animals are talking.

[That does draw his attention and now, he's really seen everything. Where's Death when you need them? He's ready to kick it now.]

[Squirrel gone, Shinjiro's about to take his leave when the robot approaches him. No flinching or cowering back either, but that lingering scowl.]

I don't have to explain shit to you. [He really doesn't, but if only to stop the animals getting riled behind him.] Some fairy tale animals talk. It's as simple as that.

[He's disappointed to see that Shinjiro isn't intimidated, and he quickly looks him up and down for any sign of a hidden shock gun. Not spotting any immediately, Starscream decides to stand his ground.]

[At the explanation, Starscream gives a snort.]

Fairy tales, [He speaks in a condescendingly slow manner.] are not real. Hence why they're called tales. You're going to have to do better than that.

[Luck is still a bitch. Between the geese and running into the skeptics, he's beginning to care less about going to the shop.]

Fine, it's a dream. [He scoffs] Oh right, robots can't dream. Dunno what else to tell you then.

[Ooh, now he's being offensive. Starscream scowls deeper and folds his arms.] I'm no simple machine made by humans. I'm a Cybertronian and I can dream.

If you can't explain why the animals are talking, then do you know anything else about all this [He gestures vaguely at their surroundings.] or is it equally beyond your scope of knowledge?

Never heard of them.

[Doesn't care to know more about them either.]

If you don't believe me about the fairy tale part, you sure as hell won't believe me on anything else. It'll be a waste of time.

Well, you wouldn't.

[Shrugs. Technically they were supposed to be incognito, but exceptional circumstances called for, er, exceptions.]

[And ah, logic. Starscream's old nemesis.]

Saying "It's a fairy tale." doesn't explain anything when it's actually happening to you. You may as well have told me that the animals are talking "just because."

That's exactly why I told you that.

[He rubs his forehead and decides to go about this like before.]

Where's your journal?

My journal?

[He's about to demand Shinjiro explain what that's supposed to mean, when he remembers the book he's been carrying around.]

Are you referring to this?

[And Starscream takes out a green book, with a black-feathered quill sticking out of it. The name written on the spine is Jack of the Lantern.]

Yeah, that.

[Shinjiro reads the spin. Jack of the Lantern...]

That name on the side is what everyone native to this place will call you... We're replacing fairy tale characters.

[Starscream can be a bit slow on the uptake sometimes, but he's not entirely stupid and Shinjiro's explanation, though brief, helps put some of the comments Starscream received from his welcoming committee into a better perspective.]

Then... I'm supposed to be this "Jack of the Lantern" person? [He stammers:] But that's a human tale, isn't it? It has nothing to do with me!

...And I've never even heard of Jack of the Lantern, and I was on Earth for years.

[Oh, so explaining that much and he believes him. Whatever...]

So? Father Time thought you fit the bill so you're here. There's a library somewhere so you can read up on it.

[Consistency is not his strong point. Starscream's hand clenches into a fist and he glares at his journal.]

I think I'd rather speak to this "Father Time."

You want the lake with the tower in the center. Can't say he'll be there.

Noted.

[And with that, Starscream turns around and begins to march in the direction he vaguely recalls seeing said tower.]

[Yeah, he doesn't even thank Shinjiro.]

[He doesn't need thanks. He'll just continue on his way though.]

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