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

[boltaction]

[ text that's unfamiliar lights up near jaskier in response; it types itself out, glowing a faint, electronic blue. ]

You said she's yellow?

[cointosser]

Oh, yes. Lovely yellow feathers. There are a few that are a bit silvery, I suppose, underneath all the yellow. And she sheds them like mad.

[boltaction]

A big flightless bird, domesticated... but yellow. Huh.

[satanicpanics]

yeah
that's a muppet, dude

[cointosser]

Er... should she not be yellow? What if that means she's dying? Shit. She seems perfectly healthy! I don't know, I've barely taken care of chickens before eating them!

[cointosser]

I assume you meant to elaborate in a more helpful manner...?

[satanicpanics]

nah
not really

but that joke would have been way funnier if you actually knew what a muppet was

[aquaveiled]

Oh, it's Donut!

[cointosser]

While I find your lack of aid disappointing, your honesty is commendable. And I do enjoy learning new things, if you wish to explain what a muppet is.

[cointosser]

Donut! Himeka, this isn't a joke! I don't want this lovely creature to die because I do not know its dietary needs!

And I DO know what a donut is!

[aquaveiled]

No, no, not A Donut. MY Donut!

Tell me, does she make a sound that's kind of chirpy? Like a "kweh"?

[cointosser]

[Just know that the confused frowning he is doing at Himeka's messages are going to cause permanent wrinkles. "Her" donut? Like... like a name?]

I have no idea what you're talking about but -- wait, now that you mention it, she does make a "kweh" sound! Himeka, you know what this is? Are they from Solvunn?

[aquaveiled]

[ He should really be used to this by now. ]

You should try saying "kweh" back. Just make sure your intonation is right or you may be insulting her clutch or plumage.

[ Maybe. ]

I do! Moglad would too, if you asked him.

No, not from Solvunn but they've appeared here too. They're native to Eorzea on my star.

[a_better_man]

Well that, Master Jaskier, sounds like a big chicken.

A very big chicken.

[boltaction]

Uh, wait, no! No no no! That's probably just her natural color! I was only curious because it sounded like you were describing an eerily similar animal from my world, that's all.

I'm sure she's fine!

[cointosser]

[Another pause.]

I can't even tell if you're fucking with me or not, but that seems awfully mean-spirited of you if so.

[So probably not...]

Wait. From your sphere? How -- how could it have gotten here from your sphere? [Perhaps that's a silly question considering they're here, but all of the people from different spheres have been... well. People. There wouldn't be a use in pulling some large bird from it.

The idea of asking Moglad simply never occurred to him.] And they're called... well, I assume you have named one Donut, but that is not what it is. And what the fuck do they eat? She seems to eat everything I put in front of her. Are they pack animals? Carnivores? She's not going to suddenly decide I'm next on the menu, is she?

[supersoldier]

[Wait. Wait, what.

... ]

That looks like a chocobo.

[nomnoms]

[ ARE WE DRAWING ANIMALS WE LIKE ?? ]

[funbreaker]

[ So Reno didn't just send him some drunken 3AM text after all?

Hmm. ]

As Himeka has already deduced, that looks a great deal like a chocobo, save for the little sprigs sprouting from its head and neck. Perhaps those are embellishments?

They are large, rideable birds from our star. Some people even race them, but they are often used to transport goods or to take an adventurer from place to place. Wild ones tend to live in forested areas rather than deserts, though they are quite capable of protecting themselves when the need arises.

[ He could probably go on, but that's a decent primer on chocobos, he thinks. ]

[cointosser]

Mat, my dear, sweet apprentice. I do know you and appreciate your input, but I am very aware of what a chicken looks and sounds like. This is clearly not a chicken.

[oversurge]

What'd I tell ya?

[cointosser]

[For the love of fucking Melitele, is this finally a straight answer??]

So you've seen one before! A chocobo... what an adorable moniker. I can't tell if she understands the term, but she seems to react to it? Have I finally found my answer?

[Thank you, pigeon man. One could count on you to know more birds than pigeons.] Are you also from Eorzea, then?

[cointosser]

[While normally an answer like this would be annoying -- this is an information-gathering attempt, thank you -- there is not a world in which Jaskier does not encourage all artists, even novices.]

While I do appreciate your portrayal of a -- a cat -- that is a different animal than the one I attempted to illustrate. However, you certainly have the basics down. The very basics. Absolutely ground-level basics. And that's an accomplishment!

[funbreaker]

Can you truly blame me for being a tad skeptical, given your report?

[cointosser]

[While that is not exactly criticism of his art, it comes dangerously close. You better watch yourself, Thancred.]

Embellishments? It's called a crest, dear, and many birds have similar. My apologies if you do not have a head to wrap around the sort of art that comes from my sphere. The very talented art from a proficient hand.

[However, in typical Jaskier-fashion, he's instantly distracted.]

Rideable, you say? Like a horse? You ride these things? I... oh. That does explain the size. What about saddles? Is it normally ridden bareback? Must they be kept together, or will one thrive on its own? I did notice the very large talons, but they do not entirely seem inclined to use them. At least not on me, nor any other people. In fact, I would say she must be quite accustomed to crowds.