A new Blackbird for the flock~

[birdofblackcity.livejournal.com]

[Look, it's a Crow.

Looks like a regular marked-up Crow, walking out of a subway entrance. He stops, looks around, blinks, and starts walking down the street. He looks really confused, and his eyes are watering from the bright sun.

He shields his eyes and looks up, but he still has to cover his eyes after a second, his voice loud and angry and clearly pained.]

E'mathe! Thu'har tse'min il'uvas! ("Damn it! That fucking hurts!")

[Somebody's not used to bright sunlight....]

Comments

[brokenwhitewing.livejournal.com]

[Look who's recovered enough from winter solstice to be out walking around in freshly-cleaned and brilliantly white clothing. Rex's cane taps the broken pavement in a slow rhythm as he's on his way to a restraunt that will serve him bite-sized bits of raw fish in a roll. He's seen so many Crows that he almost passes by this one before Crow's dialect registers in his mind.]

Tseh'min l'ere.

[birdofblackcity.livejournal.com]

[He's still railing in Th'alrys and he just keeps going when he shouts at Rex. It takes a minute to register just who he's cursing at (still in their native tongue, of course.]

"Who the hell do you think you are, calling me a--"

[And cue gawking. The Chancellor of Vide Noir does not just walk the streets unattended!]

[brokenwhitewing.livejournal.com]

Dal'oulein suur mehl. Watch your mouth. [Rex turns away from Crow and keeps walking, irritation now added to his considerable appetite.]

[birdofblackcity.livejournal.com]

"Chancellor Godwin?! What... what're you doin' here? Where is this place anyway?"

[He's still speaking the language of Vide Noir, stunned by the sight of the imposing phoenix he's only seen on public comm screens up until now.]

[brokenwhitewing.livejournal.com]

[Rex stops walking, but doesn't turn around.] You're not in the City anymore.

[Rex is not interested in being your tour guide, Crow.]

[birdofblackcity.livejournal.com]

"Nuh-uh. No way. That's not fuckin' possible! Nobody gets out, we both know it! Sure as I'm standin' here, that sun up there's a fake!"

[Truth be told, Crow's never seen a sun that bright. It scares him a little. Is he dead?]

[brokenwhitewing.livejournal.com]

"You will watch your language when speaking to me. The sun is quite real. Go hole up somewhere until the moon comes out, wretched thief." [Oh yes, he's familiar with this one now. His hand is still a little sore from signing all the orders to have Crow marked.]

[birdofblackcity.livejournal.com]

O'ia!! ("Hey!!")

[Crow forgets to be shocked when he's pissed. And Rex just made him mad.]

"Only a thief 'cause the Guild don't fuckin' share! Folks livin' off processed protein an' scraps! Shitty water filters if they got any at all! Thought the Guild was suppose'ta take care of poor folks!"

[brokenwhitewing.livejournal.com]

[Rex is very annoyed and very hungry. He's also quite tired of this little brat following him down the street. Rex turns on his good leg, his motion sharp and his wings flared to give Crow the full effect of an ancient pureblood who's had quite enough of him.] "We give the people what they need to survive until such time as they are able to provide for themselves. I have no sympathy for the likes of you, who victimizes my City."

[birdofblackcity.livejournal.com]

[Crow is a Little Brat With Big Brass Balls. He starts just for a second when those huge wings snap open, but his composure recovers with admirable if not outright startling speed.]

"If anybody's a victim, it's the slum folks! You call that survivin'? You know how many die in those pits every week? Not that you rich types care! Stuff some packed protein in your big birdy beak and see how long you keep it down!"

[brokenwhitewing.livejournal.com]

[In a flash, Rex is pressed against Crow, his hand around Crow's neck - forcing Crow's head up as sharp talons dig into his skin.]

"They will all die in the end. No matter what we do, their bodies are only food for those with stronger wills."

[birdofblackcity.livejournal.com]

[It's bizarre, having the Chancellor of Vide Noir pressed bodily against him, but the threatening hand at his throat and those sharp claws are what makes Crow hold his breath as Rex speaks.

Then he gets REALLY mad.]

"For a phoenix, you're a fuckin' heartless bastard. Go ahead an' kill me, then. I ain't afraid of you."

[brokenwhitewing.livejournal.com]

[Rex stares at Crow, momentarily stunned. A slow smile, cold and grimly amused, spreads across his face.]

"Killing you would be a waste." [Rex releases him and leans heavily on his cane.]

[birdofblackcity.livejournal.com]

[Crow bares his teeth at Rex, trying to look more threatening than he is. He's not weak, but he's still human.]

"Think I'm funny? Some little human you can play with? Asshole. What makes you better than any of us?"

[brokenwhitewing.livejournal.com]

[Rex chuckles, entertained by this one's brash posturing.] "What makes you think you deserve to take what isn't yours?"

[birdofblackcity.livejournal.com]

"What makes you think you can say who gets what? You don't get to say who lives and who starves to death! You're not a god!"

[And ballsy as he is, he actually takes a swing at Rex.]

[brokenwhitewing.livejournal.com]

[Rex reaches out and snatches Crow's wrist before his fist can strike. Rex's talons dig, Crow's skin only protected by the thick fabric of his glove.] "Someone has to make decisions for the greater good. The weak take away resources from those who would be productive members of the City."

[If Crow is observant, he will notice Rex shaking, his rapid breathing and way his lips have pulled tight from pain.]

[birdofblackcity.livejournal.com]

[He notices, but old prejudices are stronger than new sympathies. His eyes are fiery, Crow's strong will shining in them through the painful grip on his wrist. He knows that Rex won't show him any respect or consideration if he backs down.]

"An' I take from the greedy so innocent kids don't die. If that makes me a criminal, then I say these here are badges of honor."

[He jerks his other thumb toward his own face and the bright markings there. He knows Rex ordered him marked as a troublemaker, but he's never been ashamed of it.]

"M'glad to be trouble if it gives folks some hope."

[brokenwhitewing.livejournal.com]

[Rex's lips quirk upward in an aborted smile and he releases Crow, stumbling a bit before he gets his cane on the ground again.]

"And that's why you're worth keeping around. You're good for a certain element, and to destroy you would be a waste of time. Your kind remind us to stay vigilant."

[Rex turns around and takes a few steps before looking over his shoulder.] "There is no innocence in the City. Everyone deserves their fate. The hope you bring is a lie, even if it may bring comfort to a few damned souls."

[birdofblackcity.livejournal.com]

[Crow spits disdainfully at Rex's feet.]

"Phoenix are s'posed to be healers. What made you hate life so much?"

[brokenwhitewing.livejournal.com]

[Rex's left wing visibly twitches in irritation.] "When I realized all existence was a pitiful, painful struggle against guaranteed mortality."

[birdofblackcity.livejournal.com]

[Crow stares him down icily, still not intimidated by Rex's wings.]

"You're no phoenix. The wings don't mean shit. You're just a sad old man who hates the whole world. You wanna lay down and die, go ahead. I'm savin' anybody I can."

[brokenwhitewing.livejournal.com]

"I apologize for not fitting your personal definition of my kind, human. We are not storybook creatures that exist for the sole salvation of mankind. You can not comprehend the true horror of death, and by your own hand you are only creating more pain."

[birdofblackcity.livejournal.com]

[Crow growls and kicks Rex's cane out from under him. He's not necessarily trying to throw the phoenix off balance, he's just pissed.]

"The City feeds on despair, y'know! I give folks hope, they can fight back!"

[brokenwhitewing.livejournal.com]

[Rex's wings stretches as if he were taking off, but the unexpected loss of equilibrium combined with his dwindling strength result in him being unable to recover and he falls to the ground with a short, surprised cry. He manages to break his fall somewhat with his remaining arm but lies on the ground for a long moment, visibly shaking.]