fourteen; a new owl at the end of the year, what was I thinking?

[onlyapparate]

[[Strikes are all 60~100% Hackable, depending on how close you are to him.]]

This is it, everyone! The final stretch! I hope you're all studying your hardest! I'm rooting for you all, even those of you whom I don't teach. And I'm not discussing the guests we had outside of that strange teacher and the rather sweet student. Castiel, this is directed at you.

As for me, I have some... rather strange news? My owl, Black, passed away last month. (And yes, his name was just "Black.") He was quite old, so I can't say I was too surprised. It's a bit sad, considering Grandpa got him for me, but, well... it's inevitable. Well, regardless, that isn't the strange part. The odd thing happened last weekend, when I decided to make a quick run to find a new one. That's not to say that the ones the school provides aren't excellent, but we tend to get a lot of post over the summer at home-- but I digress.

Long story short; as I was walking by, this owl began squawking incessantly at me. The owner of the store came to see what the fuss was about, and was surprised. It turns out the bird was a female Madgascar Red Owl, very expensive and for as long as the owner had her, she had always been very quiet. I assumed she didn't like me, but the moment the owner opened her cage, she flew up and perched on my shoulder, quiet as can be. I couldn't get her off to be honest, not without her squawking angrily again, so I ended up purchasing her, only... As soon as I got back to Hogwarts, she flew off my shoulders and that was that. I didn't even have time to give her a name.

She did reappear a few days later, of course, but she's a bit odd. For starters, she gets my mail wrong. I've been finding it in my office, in my room, in the classroom? And even in random places that I don't frequent very often. She's completely unpredictable; sometimes she'll fly in and perch on my shoulder once again, gazing at my surroundings like a hunter stalking its prey. It's more endearing than worrisome, I suppose, but I do hope she doesn't strike at anyone when she's looking like that. For some reason, she's oddly possessive of me.

In any case, if any of you happen to see any post addressed to me, can you stop by my office and hand it to me? I also need to buy a better perch for my owl, my shoulder is starting to hurt. I've been calling her "Red" for a few days now, but I don't want to continue my grandfather's trend of naming birds after colors. Do any of you have any suggestions?

[[ooc; if anyone wants to say they got some of Tobi's mail, feel free! It's probably all junk, bills, or letters from old co-workers who take pity on him. Unless you want to plot amoungst yourselves and have letters you might have sent Thobari end up in someone else's hands.]]

Comments

[voice]

[itscalled-faith.livejournal.com]

[NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO YOUR SHIT THOBARI. Castiel doesn't know that his evil!self showed up again.]

Anna.

[voice]

[onlyapparate]

...Pardon?

Re: [voice]

[itscalled-faith.livejournal.com]

Your owl needs a name. I suggested.

[voice]

[onlyapparate]

"Anna"? [ Not that it's any stranger than naming your pet after a color, I suppose. ]

Any particular reason?

[private]

[itscalled-faith.livejournal.com]

[BECAUSE... he trusts you a little.]

The woman who taught me blood magic, that was her name.

[genki-ni-yuuki.livejournal.com]

I haven't named my cat yet either.

[onlyapparate]

What is it (he? she?) like? I'm sure we can come up with something!

This could be speculation but... doesn't it seem like we're all getting pets now that the school year is almost done?

[genki-ni-yuuki.livejournal.com]

It's a boy, and he's being a pain in butt. He slept all over my robes and got fur on them.

That... is true. You, myself, Spencer and Professor Crane.

[onlyapparate]

He sounds like... Well, I imagine you know who he sounds like. What color is he?

Things have a strange way of playing out, don't they?

[genki-ni-yuuki.livejournal.com]

I know, that's what I thought too, but I know another idiot that I know though an old job too. He's a nice smoky gray.

[numbersnfigures.livejournal.com]

Ah, she gave me quite a fright when she swooped into my room and dropped a letter on my desk. I'm so used to the standard brown horned owls that the Ministry uses that seeing such a beautiful specimen was unexpected. I was about to open the letter when I realized it was addressed to you. Thought it was strange... makes sense now.

I gave this suggestion to Dr. Crane was well: perhaps name her after someone you admire - historically, scientifically, so on and so forth. Descartes has taken to her name pretty well I think.

[onlyapparate]

She... seems to enjoy leaving them everywhere. Perhaps she thinks it's some sort of game.

Someone I admire...? Perhaps... No, it'd be strange to name a pet after her...

[strikes like 10% hackable, sorry Spence.]

[numbersnfigures.livejournal.com]

Maybe... Owls are one of the most intelligent species of birds, though not as intelligent as ravens and crows. Still, the owl should know where to deliver the proper mail.

Yes. Like... an author you enjoy reading or ummm.. maybe someone who had an impact on your life?

[onlyapparate]

It's strange, but I get the feeling she does it on purpose. I wouldn't be surprised if she delivered humiliating mail to Yukimi and embarrassing mail to Kallen or Maron. Not that I get that much mail, mind you...

Asahi is the only woman that comes to mind...

[oh, whoops, he didn't mean to write that. If you're quick, you might have caught it before he scratched it out.]

[numbersnfigures.livejournal.com]

Would the owl really know the content of the mail though?

Asahi? Who is she?

[its-cor-aline.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about your other owl Professor...losing pets is always hard.

Maybe you could call your new one Scarlett? It's another word for the color red but it sounds more like an acutal name.

(ooc: That owl really is gorgeous!)

[onlyapparate]

Yes, it was... it brought back a lot of fond memories for me, however, so it wasn't all negative.

I appreciate the suggestion, but I feel as though if I name her after a color, I'll continue my grandfather's trend... Something else perhaps, but what...

(ooc; right? It's hard to find a red owl nowadays xD)

[yukimi-mama.livejournal.com]

I don't see what's the big deal about birds.

[onlyapparate]

Well, I need one, for starters. How else am I going to get mail delivered over the summer?

[yukimi-mama.livejournal.com]

I just make Maron send my mail.

[onlyapparate]

Yes, well, unlike you, I don't like troubling others with things I can easily do myself.

[zealotringly.livejournal.com]

I-- I'm sorry to hear about your loss....

I do have an extra perch if... you want it. But that does explain the letter that was addressed to you that was delivered to me.

[onlyapparate]

It's... it's alright. It's only natural that this day would come.

I'd like that. Wh-what was it? The letter, I mean?

[zealotringly.livejournal.com]

True, but still...

It's in my office. I can bring it by or if you'd want to come pick it up... I'm not sure. I didn't open it.

[onlyapparate]

Yes, it's... He was... aside from the house, one of the only gifts I still had from my Grandfather.

But it's alright. I can sense that this new owl will be a sort of new beginning for me. Or at least help me get started down that path.

Oh. Thank you. Yes, I'd love to-- I mean, I'll stop by as soon as you'd like. It might be important.

[ Just listen to those excuses &hearts ]