caughtinanetwork | Time for some culture, everyone

[The camera flicks on, showing a young troll sitting down, a large book open on his crossed legs. There's a stack of books behind him, and the gentle lighting and general hush all around him indicate that he's in the library.]

I found this book of human poetry, and found a beautiful poem. I had no idea you humans had it in you. This is true highblood lyricism; if I didn't know better, I would think this Samuel Taylor Coleridge fellow was a blueblood.

[He clears his throat, then begins reading from the book.]

To a Young Ass, Its Mother Being Tethered Near It, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Poor little Foal of an oppresséd race!
I love the languid patience of thy face:
And oft with gentle hand I give thee bread,
And clap thy ragged coat, and pat thy head.
But what thy dulled spirits hath dismay'd,
That never thou dost sport along the glade?
And (most unlike the nature of things young)
That earthward still thy moveless head is hung?
Do thy prophetic fears anticipate,
Meek Child of Misery! thy future fate?
The starving meal, and all the thousand aches
'Which patient Merit of the Unworthy takes'?
Or is thy sad heart thrill'd with filial pain
To see thy wretched mother's shorten'd chain?
And truly, very piteous is her lot--
Chain'd to a log within a narrow spot,
Where the close-eaten grass is scarcely seen,
While sweet around her waves the tempting green!

Poor Ass! thy master should have learnt to show
Pity--best taught by fellowship of Woe!
For much I fear me that He lives like thee,
Half famish'd in a land of Luxury!
How askingly its footsteps hither bend?
It seems to say, 'And have I then one friend?'
Innocent foal! thou poor despis'd forlorn!
I hail thee Brother--spite of the fool's scorn!
And fain would take thee with me, in the Dell
Of Peace and mild Equality to dwell,
Where Toil shall call the charmer Health his bride,
And Laughter tickle Plenty's ribless side!
How thou wouldst toss thy heels in gamesome play,
And frisk about, as lamb or kitten gay!
Yea! and more musically sweet to me
Thy dissonant harsh bray of joy would be,
Than warbled melodies that soothe to rest
The aching of pale Fashion's vacant breast!

[He carefully closes the book, his face as close to beaming as he's willing to get in public.]

Magnificent.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

How about, I promise to come over and play with you, and you let me take control of your body for juuust a little bit. I, uh, need to in order to try to make proper friends with Equius or else, well, he probably won't let me come over and visit you!

nooooooo i want you to come play with me okay okay i'll be a good bird you can order me around its okay what do you want me to do but you have to promise to come play with me later

Thanks! [And with that he'll start the commune, simply moving Darkleer away from Equius and getting him to sit down. Quiet, unmoving, completely tame for the time being. It felt better to ask first, even if it was for just something small like this.]

[Whoah, what is this? If it weren't for the blue feathers and absurdly enthusiastic greeting, Equius would think it was Pounce in here with him instead of Darkleer. He sits up, looking first at the bird, then at the SFC.]

Whoah.

[Darkleer will just sit for a while now, Summoner smiling as smugly as possible.]

As you were saying?

[Equius hates being wrong.]

Yeah, okay, so you're talking to Darkleer. Can you ask him to stop jumping on people? He's getting too big to do that, and it's not an issue if he jumps on me or Darkleer, but if he jumps on Gamzee, he might hurt him.

Uh, I can ask. "No, I dont want to, I love Equius I want to play with him. I was getting bored out in the backyard Pounce doesn't feel like playing with me." Just a, uh, excerpt. I can make him, but uh, I would rather ask? He's just an energetic soul. But you can train him to not jump on people. [Pause.]

I could train him, uh, if it's really a nuisance? [Smile.] I don't mind.

He said that?

[Crap. Equius looks at his pet, and now he feels bad. With all the drama recently, he hasn't been paying as much attention to the birds recently. He opens his arms and gestures; if Darkleer wants to come sit on his lap now, that would be just fine.]

It doesn't bother me, but I don't want anyone else getting hurt.

[He looks into the SFC, his former arrogance gone.]

You're good with animals like Tavros, right? Can you help me train him?

Uh, want me to take off the commune? Heh, he'll probably run and jump at you. [He could make Darkleer just walk over and sit down, but he's pretty sure Equius wants him to walk over of his own accord. Or... run and leap over.]

Heh, and of course I am. I mean, I lead entire legions of them.

ooooh yes yes i want to go over there i want to jump on equius equius is my favorite he is the best one i want to jump on him can i can i can i

Yes, that's okay. I'm used to it.

[A small laugh and smirk and he drops commune, letting Darkleer free.]

[And, exactly as expected, Equius gets tackled backwards when Darkleer explodes out of his crouch with a joyous wark. There's a flurry of troll limbs and blue feathers, and Summoner gets to hear a rare sound... Equius chuckling.]

Yeah, I'm sorry, buddy, I've been pretty busy lately. But we'll go to the park now, okay? Just you and me, and we'll go to the pond so you can swim.

[Okay... Equius chuckling is ... cute. He already likes kids to begin with, and now Equius actually seems like a kid with how he sounds. And the resemblance to Darkleer while chuckling? Kind of... weird, but, really endearing. Lysunder can't help his own smile.]

Heh, good to see, I hope you both enjoy yourselves. Darkleer's really happy to hear that, Equius.

Yeah, I bet he is.

[Equius sits up, a blue feather stuck in his hair and an excited chocobo rubbing his head under his chin, and graces Summoner with the tiniest of half-smiles.]

I'm holding you to what you said, though. He needs to learn not to jump on people, and I could use a hand with that.

[Pause]

As long as you being around here won't upset Darkleer. My ancestor, not the chocobo.

Please, hold me up to it. [Grins, half lidding his eyes.]

And I'm sure your ancestor will be fine.

All right, I will.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to take someone to the park.

[Darkleer warks joyfully at the word "park," and stands up and runs in circles around Equius.]

See ya Tinkertot. And later, Darkleer. [Wink.]

Time for some culture, everyone

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