Outside The Gilded Lily and Beyond

[DaevaDude]

((Narrator's Note: This thread branches from "Into a Gilded Cage"))

As Hector suggests to Heathcliffe that they go elsewhere to converse, both notice a shadow pass overhead as something moves through the glow cast by a nearby streetlight. Turning to follow the movement, they notice a large, black crow settle swoop down and roost atop the shelter of a nearby bus stop. It cocks its head and looks at both gentlemen, then flaps down onto the edge of a nearby garbage can. It dips its head in, and goes about pulling out various items, letting them drop, then pulling out another.

[Heathcliff Staley]

"Err...you didn't happen to murder a talented young musician and his fiance' last Devil's Night, did you?" Heathcliff asks, eying the bird warily.

[Heathcliff Staley]

"Yes, but," he says, advancing on the bird, "I have to satisfy my curiosity first."

Heathcliff, having reminded himself of the ominous nature animists attribute to the crow, looks to see if there's anything out of the ordinary about the trash can the crow sits upon, or in what it has removed...like an eyeball or a finger.

[DaevaDude]

Narrator Note: Go ahead and roll Wits + Animal Ken for Heathcliffe and Hector. If you don't have Animal Ken, that would be wits -1.

[Heathcliff Staley]

Spoiler

2009-05-31 12:18:51 Heathcliff rolls 4 to Wits 2 + Animal Ken 2 (10 Again) 6, 9, 5, 8 2 successes

[DaevaDude]

Narration:
As Heathcliffe and Hector approach the bird, it leans back away from them, lifting its wings. It turns its head back and forth between them, its eyes red-rimmed, then lifts up from the edge of the garbage can and aloft with a few hard beats of its wings.

Heathcliffe realizes he's never seen a crow, or indeed any bird, behave like that. The way it reared back was more akin to how a human would back away from something or someone, and its head movement was more like the side-to-side glance of a human than the rolling manner in which birds usually move their heads. Most telling, though, was the fact that it didn't caw to express its displeasure with being approached. He's left with the distinct, and rather uncomfortable, impression that despite appearances, this crow's behavior is more human than bird.

[Heathcliff Staley]

Heathcliff watches the crow fly away with a puzzled expression. He decides to wait to discuss why he felt that bird was 'wrong' with Hector until they are in the privacy of the Lily. For now, he simply looks into and around the recently vacated trash can.

If it wasn't a bird, that means it was here for a reason, he thinks.