to everyone

[cointosser]

Greetings to Summoned friends and strangers alike;

I come to you with an inquiry -- rare for me, I know. As much as I like discovering things on my full own efforts, I can admit I'm a little perplexed with the current predicament. On a recent bout of monster huntering in the desert (not on my part, of course), my companion and I came across a most peculiar specimen. These great beasts appear to be quite domesticated, and are not suited for a desert environment, what with their thick plumage and docile nature. One was caught in the midst of an absorber's hunt (which I do insist all stay away from; the monster hunter in question was very aware of how to deal with one) and injured, while the others appeared to be a mother with a chick.

Now, I have studied the Free Cities' bestiaries to the best of my ability, and have not seen mention of such birds before.

I thought saving the beasts would be all to speak of the story, but I'm afraid one has followed me back to Cadens and taken a liking to me. However, I do not have the heart to turn her away, and thus have taken to stabling her alongside a family horse. She did not appear to mind being tied or bridled. She is in fact a terribly sweet creature, and though she seems happy enough to eat the hay provided, I would be remiss if I did not attempt to find out her proper diet.

And so I ask, friends, thus: have you any knowledge of a similar creature? She is large in stature, towering over myself, and with bright golden plumage. She does not appear to be capable of flight.

[And because he's a little medieval man, there's a portrait following the letter:]

Comments

[cointosser]

Don't scare a man like that! Think about your words before you send them! Though, my apologies if I confused you -- I am suspecting this creature does not belong here at all, and as you can imagine, I'm a tad stressed about the situation. What are the animals you were speaking of? Some sort of equally gigantic desert bird?

Er, to be fair, I don't think they were meant to be in the desert, but their feet are large enough that the sand doesn't appear to be much of an issue.

[cointosser]

It would have been quite helpful if you gave me the answer instead of gossiping between each other, lightning man!

[oversurge]

Yeah, yeah, everyone's a critic.
Next time, I'll give it to you in triplicate.

[oversurge]

You already got your answer, plant man. What am I gonna waste my time repeating it for?

Anyway, caught one runnin' outside my window a couple nights ago, so looks like you ain't the only one seeing chocobos.

[cointosser]

Because it's helpful, Renaldo, and every man should strive to be better than he is.

Wait, really? Where are you? We led the few we found to a watering whole, but I cannot imagine someone with your -- complexion -- is spending much time out in the desert.

[aquaveiled]

That's incredibly mean-spirited of you to think I'm being mean-spirited.

[ When has she ever lied to him? :( ]

Not a clue! Mayhaps the same way we showed up?

Yes, mine is called "Donut". I named him that because donuts are his favorite food. But you probably shouldn't feed yours donuts or else she'll end up like him.

[ She doodles out a little portrait for reference. ]



They're called Chocobos. You're supposed to feed them mostly vegetables and grains, I've found. They do like having companions, whether it be bird or man.

[oversurge]

It's Reno, thanks.

Your under-toasted ass really gonna be the one to give me shit for that?

[ There's a question that's been asked which he's totally not answering. ]

[cointosser]

Yes, yes, I've got it now. And that's Master Bard Jaskier to you.

Do not let my gentle and elegant demeanor betray you. I do, in fact, work. Possibly much more than those less blessed than myself. Both in complexion and in endurance. I remember one of us lagged a bit behind during our last race, and it wasn't me, so...

[cointosser]

[At last, Himeka gives him the information he'd been waiting for. However, there is a long moment where he has to deal with the dawning revelation of, exactly, why her portrait is so far from the one he made himself (artistic styles and levels of talent excluded.)]

Himeka. Please tell me you did not overfeed your chocobo to the point it became... made of circles.

[cointosser]

I emphasize -- truly emphasize -- the point that doughnuts are not a grain, nor a vegetable.

[oversurge]

Yeah, whatever.

And don't go spreading lies just 'cause you're jealous of how pretty I am.

[funbreaker]

Please, that won't be necessary.
Now that we have this confirmation, do you plan to tame one of your own?

[aquaveiled]

Donut didn't exactly come with a guide, Jaskier! They just gave him to me and said he was to be my new mount. And much like you're saying, he was happy to eat whatever I was having.

[ She's helping him learn from HER mistakes. ]

Mayhaps to a dangerous degree...but he was happy, so who was I to refuse him? Donuts also made me happy. It made perfect sense!

[oversurge]

Ugh, you kidding me? Hell no.

Might try to convince the horse guy to take a few on, though.

[ Taming these things is extra work, and Reno's not about that life. ]

[funbreaker]

[ Well then. Someone is defensive, but based on the little that Thancred knows of Jaskier (most of it rumors and chatter from those in the castle, now), he can't say he's surprised. With that sort of fame also comes a massive ego. ]

I will say that art is hardly my forte. I'll assume this is merely a stylistic choice, then.

[ No need to get into an argument over it when there are far more important things to discuss. ]

Yes, normally you would saddle them before riding, though someone skilled could likely manage bareback if needed.
One will thrive on its own if given enough attention by the one who keeps it, I suspect. This one sounds as if it's already been domesticated, so you're in luck there.

[funbreaker]

A decent idea. I certainly wouldn't mind having a few on-hand at the stables.

[ As someone with a breadth of survivalist skills, Thancred might even be able to help the "horse guy" in this task. And Reno will simply ride his coattails, it seems. ]

[a_better_man]

But how can you be sure?

How many giant magic chickens have you seen before?

[supersoldier]

No, my Planet is called Gaia. But they are common there, and come in various colors. I had created a green one for my own Horizon domain to show Ciri once.

You said this one was golden?

[nomnoms]

[ He recognizes the word CAT ]

[cointosser]

Please elaborate on what detail the dot at its hindquarters is meant to portray, and why you felt the need to include it.

[nomnoms]

[ no reply appears

a mystery! ]

[cointosser]

[what did he do to deserve this sort of treatment. he's FAMOUS, you know]

[lightkeeping]

I like it better as a real animal. Kind of cute.

[boltaction]

Sorry, sorry... but yes. They're called tomas. They're big and sturdy avian, with powerful legs. Except they're blue, not yellow.

Maybe she came from one of the rifts? There have been a bunch of weird creatures getting dumped out of... tears in reality here in Solvunn. I guess that means it must be happening in the Free Cities, too.

[satanicpanics]

yeah so where im from we have like
these puppet characters
you've got a frog that plays the banjo, a vampire that teaches counting, that kind of shit

there's also a bird with golden plumage who is incapable of flight and towers over full grown human men

honestly sort of scary when you really think about it??
i don't know why they show that shit to kids