[ dextera gasps softly, and leans closer. now that a significant part of the shell has been cracked off, dextera can see something—okay, well, it’s unsurprisingly colorless inside even if the egg had color, but the little grey-skinned chick is moving. it’s grotesque, and yet, dextera finds himself captivated. ]
[ dextera’s naming sense is unique, as evidenced by leliel’s name amongst all those chickens named after baked goods. he feels like he should keep in with that theme rather than his own, to honor their origin. ]
Not yet. But I think… something like its mother’s… would be good.
[ dextera hasn’t tried half those things, but when saber says one particular word, it jumps out to dextera as an absolute necessity. any other name would be doing the chick a disservice. ]
[ dextera does not know who archer is, which makes him all the more reluctant to let one of his precious chickens go. of those who exist, bagel seems like the best candidate for going to a new home, but… ]
Ah, pardon me. I thought you might have known him.
[ Tristan seemed to know of Dextera, at any rate. Perhaps it was only passing knowledge. ]
He is a melancholy but sincere and well-meaning man. He was more interested in the chicken's eggs, as his housemates are avid cooks. Their names are Jim and Xie Lian, and I can personally vouch for their good character.
[ Sensing Dextera's hesitation, she adds: ]
But it is not a pressing matter. Merely a thought for the future.
[ melancholy… sincere… well-meaning. dextera searches his memory. ]
Ah… he asked me about…
[ guren’s defense force.
dextera had been in the throes of agony when archer had posted to him, and dextera doesn’t remember much from that period of time. from his perspective, as well, it’s been months.
remembering the defense force, or archer’s interest in it, however, does somewhat assuage him. ]
[ dextera is pleased, in fact, and it’s visible just beneath the surprise on his face. saber is so kind, and gallant, and intelligent—it’s hard to feel like he’s the sort of person she would like to spend her time with. ]
I am glad to hear it. I would welcome you to my abode as well, but I fear there is little of interest there.
[ Some people would say it's beneath her station to be playing at a livestock farmer with a somewhat delicate, mild-mannered man, but she loved the most humble of her people, and Dextera and his small flock remind her of them. It's nice to spend time in a small, peaceful bubble like this, a break from the nonsense of Chroma and her often complicated knights.
The egg wiggles once more, and the crack widens into a split. The two halves of the shell tilt away from each other, exposing a quietly heaving mass of gray feathers, but the chick halts in its progress as if too exhausted to come out fully. ]
[ such is dextera’s gentle comment, before he looks to the egg once more. it’s breathing, it’s alive, but for the moment, it doesn’t seem to be attempting to finish the process. in response to it, dextera shifts forward, leaning his weight on his palms to get a better look at it.
he doesn’t want to touch it, in case he harms it by accident, but he can’t help but think of how easy it would be to pluck it right from the rest of the shell. ]
[ But this is new territory for Saber, who rarely had time to sit around and watch an egg hatch. She joins Dextera in leaning forward for a better look at the chick, though not as far as he. Sensing his temptation, she continues: ]
Let us wait a while longer. It was strong enough to break its shell, so it should be strong enough to revive itself. And overcoming difficulty on one's own is what builds character, no?
[ saber’s advice is true and correct, but it doesn’t make him worry much less for the little bird. he supposes, though, that if it comes to the point that it can’t break out, then they could step in. any earlier, though, and it could damage the delicate balance that nature tries to strike with its creations. ]
dextera doesn’t think that bagel is going to be doing any crushing under any heels anytime soon, and hopefully he never encounters any enemies in his idyllic chicken life, but he can appreciate the enthusiasm, especially from a warrior like saber. ]
…bravo, Bagel.
[ he can’t yell, but the whispered encouragement is earnest enough to match. the chick, whether responding to them or not, does seem a little more able to pick itself up. go, go…! ]
[ Volume is only half of what matters, with heartfelt feelings the other, so Saber is happy to have Dextera join in with as much as he can manage. ]
You are doing wonderfully, Bagel! You have come too far to give up now!
[ The chick clumsily stumbles to its feet, swerving left and right unsteadily before plopping tired to the ground again near Dextera. Saber makes no move to help it up, looking instead to Dextera with a smile of support. ]
[ dextera visibly twitches when bagel struggles to walk, but it’s so close, and then—saber finally gives him permission to touch. it’s not as if the chick’s actual mother isn’t close by, but dextera has been tending to these ladies for so long, that he’s practically one of the flock. ]
Bagel…
[ tentatively, he reaches out… and touches one of the chick’s wings. ]
[ when the chick stirs, but doesn’t actually seem able to keep moving, dextera takes the opportunity to gently scoop it into his hands. it’s so small, it fits perfectly in the cup of his palm. ]
[ Saber watches as the chick settles into Dextera's hand, its head burrowing feebly into the warmth of his palm. Then she looks to the expression of quiet but powerful joy on Dextera's face. She has ever seen love bloom so beautifully in a person. ]
It has been a journey, but a worthwhile one. Congratulations, Dextera. I know you will care for Bagel as dearly as if he were your own child.
[ dextera nods. he wouldn’t have come this far if it weren’t for saber’s assistance and support, and he’s proud of the hens for all banding together during this strange new time. ]
You can come visit him whenever you want.
[ and he will… reluctantly… give consideration to tristan’s request. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ dextera gasps softly, and leans closer. now that a significant part of the shell has been cracked off, dextera can see something—okay, well, it’s unsurprisingly colorless inside even if the egg had color, but the little grey-skinned chick is moving. it’s grotesque, and yet, dextera finds himself captivated. ]
It’s really… alive.
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Which means it will soon need a name. Have you put any thought toward what it will be?
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[ dextera’s naming sense is unique, as evidenced by leliel’s name amongst all those chickens named after baked goods. he feels like he should keep in with that theme rather than his own, to honor their origin. ]
Not yet. But I think… something like its mother’s… would be good.
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[ And she loves breakfast, so she'll love whatever name they decide on, no matter what. ]
I can think of toast, donuts, crepes, cake, bread rolls, bagels...
[ she'll keep going ]
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[ dextera hasn’t tried half those things, but when saber says one particular word, it jumps out to dextera as an absolute necessity. any other name would be doing the chick a disservice. ]
…Bagel.
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[ by whose standards
The crack in the egg widens, and then widens some more until it reaches around the entire egg to meet itself. ]
... Ah. By the way, Archer has expressed an interest in having a chicken of his own for his household.
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[ dextera does not know who archer is, which makes him all the more reluctant to let one of his precious chickens go. of those who exist, bagel seems like the best candidate for going to a new home, but… ]
What kind of person is he?
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[ Tristan seemed to know of Dextera, at any rate. Perhaps it was only passing knowledge. ]
He is a melancholy but sincere and well-meaning man. He was more interested in the chicken's eggs, as his housemates are avid cooks. Their names are Jim and Xie Lian, and I can personally vouch for their good character.
[ Sensing Dextera's hesitation, she adds: ]
But it is not a pressing matter. Merely a thought for the future.
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Ah… he asked me about…
[ guren’s defense force.
dextera had been in the throes of agony when archer had posted to him, and dextera doesn’t remember much from that period of time. from his perspective, as well, it’s been months.
remembering the defense force, or archer’s interest in it, however, does somewhat assuage him. ]
…if he wants them to cook the eggs… that’s okay.
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[ Did they talk about a next round? She's saying there's gonna be a next round. ]
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[ it’s not that he’s opposed to it, but rather, he’s surprised that saber would continue to involve herself in the matters of his chickens. ]
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Of course. It is an important project, is it not? And coming here has become a treasured part of my routine.
[ Her routine is a little pathetic, all things considered, so it's nice to have something to look forward to... ]
Unless you have any objections?
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[ dextera is pleased, in fact, and it’s visible just beneath the surprise on his face. saber is so kind, and gallant, and intelligent—it’s hard to feel like he’s the sort of person she would like to spend her time with. ]
I’d be happy to see you here. Anytime…
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[ Some people would say it's beneath her station to be playing at a livestock farmer with a somewhat delicate, mild-mannered man, but she loved the most humble of her people, and Dextera and his small flock remind her of them. It's nice to spend time in a small, peaceful bubble like this, a break from the nonsense of Chroma and her often complicated knights.
The egg wiggles once more, and the crack widens into a split. The two halves of the shell tilt away from each other, exposing a quietly heaving mass of gray feathers, but the chick halts in its progress as if too exhausted to come out fully. ]
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[ such is dextera’s gentle comment, before he looks to the egg once more. it’s breathing, it’s alive, but for the moment, it doesn’t seem to be attempting to finish the process. in response to it, dextera shifts forward, leaning his weight on his palms to get a better look at it.
he doesn’t want to touch it, in case he harms it by accident, but he can’t help but think of how easy it would be to pluck it right from the rest of the shell. ]
Is it… okay…?
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[ But this is new territory for Saber, who rarely had time to sit around and watch an egg hatch. She joins Dextera in leaning forward for a better look at the chick, though not as far as he. Sensing his temptation, she continues: ]
Let us wait a while longer. It was strong enough to break its shell, so it should be strong enough to revive itself. And overcoming difficulty on one's own is what builds character, no?
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…you’re right.
[ the chick wiggles. ]
Oh…!
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It seems Bagel is as firm in spirit as the bakery good he has been named after.
[ It does feel a little lackluster just sitting on the sidelines and watching, though... ]
Perhaps he can find encouragement in our support. The cheers of an audience can reinvigorate the weariest warrior. For instance...
[ Saber cups her hands around her mouth and raises her voice into an almost-shout. ]
Have heart, Sir Bagel! Crush the enemy under your heel!
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dextera doesn’t think that bagel is going to be doing any crushing under any heels anytime soon, and hopefully he never encounters any enemies in his idyllic chicken life, but he can appreciate the enthusiasm, especially from a warrior like saber. ]
…bravo, Bagel.
[ he can’t yell, but the whispered encouragement is earnest enough to match. the chick, whether responding to them or not, does seem a little more able to pick itself up. go, go…! ]
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You are doing wonderfully, Bagel! You have come too far to give up now!
[ The chick clumsily stumbles to its feet, swerving left and right unsteadily before plopping tired to the ground again near Dextera. Saber makes no move to help it up, looking instead to Dextera with a smile of support. ]
Go on. It should be safe to pick him up.
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Bagel…
[ tentatively, he reaches out… and touches one of the chick’s wings. ]
…he’s warm.
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[ The chick stirs slightly at the touch, but it seems too tired to move away or toward Dextera. ]
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…
[ dextera inhales. ]
We did it.
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It has been a journey, but a worthwhile one. Congratulations, Dextera. I know you will care for Bagel as dearly as if he were your own child.
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You can come visit him whenever you want.
[ and he will… reluctantly… give consideration to tristan’s request. ]
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