[The absolute look on Flins' face when he hears that Hugo texted the wolfman to conjure up some fried shrimp. His smile could light up the harbour for weeks. He keeps quiet though, making sure that Hugo seals the deal properly.
The seagull's head tilts curiously. That seems to get his attention.
'Homemade, huh? You don't do things half-way, do ya. And from a wolfman, too. Aight, You come by the pier when you get it ready. Don't worry, we'll see ya.
Once we get our share, then we'll start lookin' for your guy. Oh, and the name's Ricco. Don't forget it.'
The bird seems to be done with talking, moving to join the others to ravage the rest of those fry baskets.
Flins stands up, eyes glittering as he surveys just what happened. There was no need to overstay their welcome, so he starts to make his way back to the main part of the boardwalk once Hugo finishes up.]
That was expertly done, Hugo. Your skills in negotiations have only been polished by age.
[He knows Hugo has far more on his mind than a deal made with some gulls, but he may as well close one door before opening another.]
Don't. [ He points to the look Flins is giving him. ]
Lycaon's restaurant in The Vogue is still in the start-up phase, and I'm sure the publicity will help Zulius' business venture. If they asked for something more bakery-based, I would have sent a message to Mydeimos instead.
[ ... Actually, but being willing to do this arduous task for him, maybe throwing in an extra would sweeten the deal. It would also open them up to options for whatever this may provoke. The thought had Hugo pulling his phone out once more to make a note to shoot Mydei a saner message later. Giving no context was not going to go the same direction as it did with Lycaon. Mydei was far too literal.
Slipping the phone in his pocket once more, he crossed his free hand over his chest. ]
I will never forget it, Boss Ricco. You may call me Mockingbird.
[ He had no idea if birds actually got the news, but if they did know of Mockingbird, his name would follow. Hugo Vlad was the only known member, after all. With their business at it's end, Hugo turned and walked with Flins to the main part of the boardwalk. Business negotiations may have gone well, but now there were bigger issues to address. ]
Thank you. I do try my best, but you certainly were the one who steered that deal in the direction it went. I merely caught your flow and road the wave out to shore.
[ His fingers flicked down to the rolling waves that crashed against the shore. ]
[The one called Ricco tips his head up in acknowledgement, as if something caught his memory. (12)
'Ay, you're Mockingbird? Word's gettin' around about ya. Somethin' about stealin' some eggs from some hot shot in Hollywood. I'll keep ya in mind, kid.'
And a quick turn to Flins. 'And you. Tell that raven this ain't over.'
Flins merely nods gracefully as he makes his way past the flock. Once the birds have devoted themselves to the fries, his eyes glisten as he dusts the salt and grease off his gloves.]
I've only just begun to understand them. Before I would simply operate off their body language.
They're a far more perceptive species than humans give them credit for. Their adaptability is seen as a nuisance, calling them 'rats', but in truth they're complex, smart, and unwilling to simply let humans dictate how they live. You did well meeting them at their level.
[He sighs, at that last part.]
I've become acquainted with a raven named Julian, owned by a Meropide resident August Villareal. A smart one, who also seems to enjoy fries. He and the seagulls have a bit of a rivalry, and often have turf wars. The scars that 'Ricco' dons are from a knife Julian has brandished on him.
[ It was interesting to learn they both started to understand around the same time. Maybe it was similarly a christmas thing. A strange thing to get for christmas, honestly. Flins was right, though. Being able to understand them gave a window into their dynamics that you usually couldn't see. A society like what he witnessed was far beyond what he imagined. It almost made him want to observe and speak to some others.
The elaboration on the raven made his brows raise. He had vague knowledge of the man through the network, but he had no idea that this raven was starting bird wars. It made him wonder if other pets and familiars were also doing such things. Most of the network could also change into animals themselves. Does that create confusion in communities until they can't communicate? ]
Somehow the world only becomes more vast as this places doles out powers we've barely imagined before.
Speaking of. I believe I'm due an explanation as to why they were calling me a 'half-fae'. I'm aware that your excitment ended up cursing some of the others into attaining animals forms, but 'half-fae' is not 'you can change into a butterfly'.
[Hugo's skill in understanding animals didn't go unnoticed, either. He had thought that it was Lauma's influence that had caused his change, but for Hugo to be gifted in such a way, on top of this revelation they now were mutually finding out. He had to wonder if his 'family' was becoming more than just shortcuts for affection.
He can't help but find the value in it as well. Sometimes listening to nature is a far more reliable method. Understanding Casimir had certainly opened up many closed doors for him.
..Ah, but here lies the meat of the discussion. He knew this was coming, given that the seagulls had so unceremoniously dropped what Flins himself had noticed since he saw Hugo in the distance. For once, it's not a smile of a playful fae adorning his lips, but one of equal curiosity and confusion. Though still a smile, nonetheless.
After all, he couldn't be more happy about the fact that-]
That is because what is happening with you is not my influence. While I do sense my magic inside you, it is nowhere near enough to cause a change as drastic as altering your very species.
This change in you is from something higher than my magic. If I had to guess, it was the Spirit Vein.
[Even then, it does make it quite difficult to hide his excitement.]
It seems I am in a custody battle with your deceased father over you. How fascinating.
[ Hugo shook his head slowly. Flins in a 'custody battle' with a man that barely wanted to groom them into being the same horrible person he was. He couldn't imagine there was a single sibling of his who would say that man was loving to them. He should be more focused on the spirit vein, pushing him into Flins strange family dynamic. Instead, he was momentarily dwelling over the impossibility that anyone would want to be a Ravenlock.
Actually, there was something else said there that makes him rewind.]
You sense your magic in me. So you did so something.
[ Not the fae thing, obviously, but something else was stirring inside, waiting to sprout. ]
How unkind of you, sprinkling your influence into your beautiful baby boy. And here I thought this was the perfect time to ask you about that strange little keychain. Vision, was it?
Why wouldn't I be? Aside from our unspoken understanding of each other, your father certainly wasn't appreciating you in the way you deserved. Not only that, but to see his legacy slip from his fingers in a way he'll never get back...you couldn't write a more tragic poem.
But most importantly, I have always wanted to see you free of your burdens. Ever since our reunion you've had clarity in your eyes. As a man who watched you as you ran from the Order, hiding in closets and refusing to come out, I could not be happier for you.
[These feelings weren't untrue, but it did hide something far more fragile in Flins at that moment. The fact that calling Hugo a 'son', while humorous at first, was now starting to become a very real thing. And the thought of actually having something like that was...exhilarating? Scary? It was certainly a mix of the two.]
Ah.
[Yes. That part.]
More or less. It's better to think of it as my magic being dormant in you. It could go off, sparking a change, or it could not. Now that I think of it, perhaps you haven't noticed. Butterflies drink nectar, and you are hypoglycemic. That would go unnoticed, wouldn't it?
[His hand goes to his heart, closing his eyes. How very rude of his son! After he helped convince some seagulls to be henchmen, too!]
Rest assured, Hugo, you're as beautiful as when I held you in my arms on the day of your birth. [He didn't.]
Though I would be happy to run you through your Vision training. It's quite simple, actually.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2026-01-21 12:31 am (UTC)The seagull's head tilts curiously. That seems to get his attention.
'Homemade, huh? You don't do things half-way, do ya. And from a wolfman, too. Aight, You come by the pier when you get it ready. Don't worry, we'll see ya.
Once we get our share, then we'll start lookin' for your guy. Oh, and the name's Ricco. Don't forget it.'
The bird seems to be done with talking, moving to join the others to ravage the rest of those fry baskets.
Flins stands up, eyes glittering as he surveys just what happened. There was no need to overstay their welcome, so he starts to make his way back to the main part of the boardwalk once Hugo finishes up.]
That was expertly done, Hugo. Your skills in negotiations have only been polished by age.
[He knows Hugo has far more on his mind than a deal made with some gulls, but he may as well close one door before opening another.]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-21 06:00 am (UTC)Lycaon's restaurant in The Vogue is still in the start-up phase, and I'm sure the publicity will help Zulius' business venture. If they asked for something more bakery-based, I would have sent a message to Mydeimos instead.
[ ... Actually, but being willing to do this arduous task for him, maybe throwing in an extra would sweeten the deal. It would also open them up to options for whatever this may provoke. The thought had Hugo pulling his phone out once more to make a note to shoot Mydei a saner message later. Giving no context was not going to go the same direction as it did with Lycaon. Mydei was far too literal.
Slipping the phone in his pocket once more, he crossed his free hand over his chest. ]
I will never forget it, Boss Ricco. You may call me Mockingbird.
[ He had no idea if birds actually got the news, but if they did know of Mockingbird, his name would follow. Hugo Vlad was the only known member, after all. With their business at it's end, Hugo turned and walked with Flins to the main part of the boardwalk. Business negotiations may have gone well, but now there were bigger issues to address. ]
Thank you. I do try my best, but you certainly were the one who steered that deal in the direction it went. I merely caught your flow and road the wave out to shore.
[ His fingers flicked down to the rolling waves that crashed against the shore. ]
They seemed to know you well.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-21 06:19 am (UTC)'Ay, you're Mockingbird? Word's gettin' around about ya. Somethin' about stealin' some eggs from some hot shot in Hollywood. I'll keep ya in mind, kid.'
And a quick turn to Flins. 'And you. Tell that raven this ain't over.'
Flins merely nods gracefully as he makes his way past the flock. Once the birds have devoted themselves to the fries, his eyes glisten as he dusts the salt and grease off his gloves.]
I've only just begun to understand them. Before I would simply operate off their body language.
They're a far more perceptive species than humans give them credit for. Their adaptability is seen as a nuisance, calling them 'rats', but in truth they're complex, smart, and unwilling to simply let humans dictate how they live. You did well meeting them at their level.
[He sighs, at that last part.]
I've become acquainted with a raven named Julian, owned by a Meropide resident August Villareal. A smart one, who also seems to enjoy fries. He and the seagulls have a bit of a rivalry, and often have turf wars. The scars that 'Ricco' dons are from a knife Julian has brandished on him.
[Guess who has to be the mediator.]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-21 07:14 am (UTC)The elaboration on the raven made his brows raise. He had vague knowledge of the man through the network, but he had no idea that this raven was starting bird wars. It made him wonder if other pets and familiars were also doing such things. Most of the network could also change into animals themselves. Does that create confusion in communities until they can't communicate? ]
Somehow the world only becomes more vast as this places doles out powers we've barely imagined before.
Speaking of. I believe I'm due an explanation as to why they were calling me a 'half-fae'. I'm aware that your excitment ended up cursing some of the others into attaining animals forms, but 'half-fae' is not 'you can change into a butterfly'.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-21 07:50 am (UTC)He can't help but find the value in it as well. Sometimes listening to nature is a far more reliable method. Understanding Casimir had certainly opened up many closed doors for him.
..Ah, but here lies the meat of the discussion. He knew this was coming, given that the seagulls had so unceremoniously dropped what Flins himself had noticed since he saw Hugo in the distance. For once, it's not a smile of a playful fae adorning his lips, but one of equal curiosity and confusion. Though still a smile, nonetheless.
After all, he couldn't be more happy about the fact that-]
That is because what is happening with you is not my influence. While I do sense my magic inside you, it is nowhere near enough to cause a change as drastic as altering your very species.
This change in you is from something higher than my magic. If I had to guess, it was the Spirit Vein.
[Even then, it does make it quite difficult to hide his excitement.]
It seems I am in a custody battle with your deceased father over you. How fascinating.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-28 08:44 am (UTC)[ Hugo shook his head slowly. Flins in a 'custody battle' with a man that barely wanted to groom them into being the same horrible person he was. He couldn't imagine there was a single sibling of his who would say that man was loving to them. He should be more focused on the spirit vein, pushing him into Flins strange family dynamic. Instead, he was momentarily dwelling over the impossibility that anyone would want to be a Ravenlock.
Actually, there was something else said there that makes him rewind.]
You sense your magic in me. So you did so something.
[ Not the fae thing, obviously, but something else was stirring inside, waiting to sprout. ]
How unkind of you, sprinkling your influence into your beautiful baby boy. And here I thought this was the perfect time to ask you about that strange little keychain. Vision, was it?
Now, I don't know.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-28 09:14 am (UTC)But most importantly, I have always wanted to see you free of your burdens. Ever since our reunion you've had clarity in your eyes. As a man who watched you as you ran from the Order, hiding in closets and refusing to come out, I could not be happier for you.
[These feelings weren't untrue, but it did hide something far more fragile in Flins at that moment. The fact that calling Hugo a 'son', while humorous at first, was now starting to become a very real thing. And the thought of actually having something like that was...exhilarating? Scary? It was certainly a mix of the two.]
Ah.
[Yes. That part.]
More or less. It's better to think of it as my magic being dormant in you. It could go off, sparking a change, or it could not. Now that I think of it, perhaps you haven't noticed. Butterflies drink nectar, and you are hypoglycemic. That would go unnoticed, wouldn't it?
[His hand goes to his heart, closing his eyes. How very rude of his son! After he helped convince some seagulls to be henchmen, too!]
Rest assured, Hugo, you're as beautiful as when I held you in my arms on the day of your birth. [He didn't.]
Though I would be happy to run you through your Vision training. It's quite simple, actually.