♤ [Video]

[deal_me_in]

Would tablecloth be too much?

[The view is from the bar looking across at the rest of the establishment that most by now would recognize as The Deep End. A pair of boots are crossed there just at the edge of the camera's frame, propped up on the counter. The whole image jolts with the sound of a snicker.]

-pff. Yeah, I don't even know why I asked. Not the kinda vibe I'm going for here. Maybe some of the tables just need some polishing. Any takers?

By the way, how long's frozen pizza last? I figure I should ask that before I offer leftovers...

[Faintly from the doorway there's the sound of...well, it's difficult to tell at first but clearly it catches the Hunter's attention as the video swings towards the entrance to the bar.]

Sundance, you hear that? I mean, call me crazy but I coulda swor-

[The video blurs as Cayde stands up rather abruptly, the tablet angled oddly as he forgets he's been recording, but it captures a strangely shaped shadow at the doorway that clucks and bobs along. One can barely register what it is as it enters before there's an exclamation from the Exo and the tablet's abandoned in a dizzying fumble.

It lands on the floor showing the Exo gently scooping up a brown hen before the tablet tips over and blacks out.]

Comments

Audio

[kree_soldieress]

[The video was very disturbing and Lauri-Ell was scared for him. Was this a dangerous creature?]

Mister Cayde! Is all well! Please respond! Do you need rescued?!

[Video]

[deal_me_in]

[The screen's still black, so it's still on. There aren't any shouts or sounds of gunfire, but Lauri-Ell would be able to hear Cayde's laughter.]

Aw- you have no idea what's going on, do you girl? Oh, hang
on a sec-

[The images blur again as the tablet is picked up, the Exo's glowing grin lighting up the screen. He has a chicken perched on his shoulder.]

Someone say something over here?

Re: [Video]

[kree_soldieress]

Yes, it was me. Cayde, there is some form of fiend on your shoulder!

[Video]

[deal_me_in]

[Cayde laughs at that.]

Oh hey Lauri!

This here's no fiend! This is the very best chicken you'll ever meet. She's even assisted me in battle!

[He reaches up to pet said chicken.]

Say hi, Colonel!

[kree_soldieress]

[A friend? She is so confused.]

Chicken? What are chickens?

[deal_me_in]

This! Chicken! And the finest specimen of fowl that you will ever see!

[Cayde holds the hen up.]

[kree_soldieress]

[This is... a strange creature.]

It has feathers?

Audio

[doubled_speed]

CAYDE! Dude! Is that a fucking hen!?

DIBS ON EGGS!

[Video]

[deal_me_in]

Golly! Give her a chance to acclimate, yeah?!

[The Exo has the chicken settled in the crook of an arm. She stretches her neck out a bit to peck at the screen as he walks back around the counter with her.]

Re: [Video]

[doubled_speed]

Yeah, giving her a chance. I'll start trying to figure out foods here she might be able to safely eat. But still, eggs man. I can cook 'em up for your ramen too.

[Video]

[deal_me_in]

Eggs do make ramen magical.

She's particular of sesame seed muesli and purified spring water with a sprig of parsley, but I guess we can't be too picky here.

[doubled_speed]

Well, we don't have that, but, uh, I'll try and figure something out. She deserves to eat.

[deal_me_in]

There's gotta be something chicken-safe... What do the local birds eat?

[renoreactor]

Hey, your screen blacked out! Hey!

I guess they really like chickens?

[deal_me_in]

Whoop- sorry about that, got a little excited. Just haven't seen my girl in a long time is all.

[The Exo props the tablet up on something now that he's settled in again, now with chicken in arms. He strokes her feathers.]

Say hi, Colonel!

[renoreactor]

[Reno's eyes light up and there's an extreme close up of her smiling face.]

There you are! And is that your pet? That's so cool! Hi, Colonel!

[deal_me_in]

[Somehow that metal face grins. That much is undeniable. Amber light spills out of his throat whenever he opens his mouth to speak.]

She is a Class-A battle hen and a veteran of the Red War.

[He sets the chicken down to let her wander about the counter.]

[renoreactor]

_{[That only brings about an excited gasp and an even brighter sparkle to her wide violet eyes. There's no incredulity to be found on this girl, oh no. Cayde could've brought out a banana slug and she'd be just as impressed.]}

Woooooow! A battle hen! Enterprise has an eagle, but I didn't know hens could fight too! Did she get any medals?

[deal_me_in]

[The Exo laughs. He likes Reno already.]

Well no, but she deserves 'em. Someone did make her a cute little Hunter hood and a horn to match me but I guess she left her stuff at home.

[Video]

[only_an_echo]

[It's just like the Exo to give other folks menial tasks he can easily do himself, but at least he's asking up front this time. Echo's about to comment on it right as the feed starts blurring.]

Cayde- what are you doing- ?

[The longer he tries to watch, the more his own eyes hurt. But that doesn't clear anything up when the tablet finally ends up on the floor at its new angle, the images quickly snuffed out once it tips over.]

Cayde? Cayde, do you copy?

[Video]

[deal_me_in]

[There's still sound, albeit muffled, so the comm's still on.]

Good girl, yes you are. How long have you even been... Oh- hang on, that sounded like-

[The blackness shifts to a familiar sight of glowing eyes inset in a metal face. It breaks into a grin.]

Hey Echo! You volunteering to do tables?

[Video]

[only_an_echo]

[Oh good, he can hear everything. Echo's brow continues to furrow once the tablet is right-side up again, the frown evident now that both of their faces are so close to the screen like two old people.]

I was about to say no, but it looks like you have your hands full.

[Video]

[deal_me_in]

[Cayde laughs, shifting the tablet slightly enough to capture the feathery friend tucked in his other arm.]

Well, yeah, actually I do. Have I ever mentioned Colonel before?

[Video]

[only_an_echo]

[Echo snorts, pulling back the tablet at a comfortable distance.]

Not that I recall. I don't think we've met.

[Video]

[deal_me_in]

That much is obvious! She just arrived! Don't think you would've met her outside of...ah, you weren't here the first time that Calibrations stuff happened.

[He sets the tablet back up so he doesn't have to hold it, settling into a chair so he can freely pet his chicken.]

She is a war veteran!