voice;

[faceguy]

[The voice coming over the radio is pretty upbeat, despite the nature of the topic he’s about to discuss. And also on the young side - for people who don’t know him, it’s an easy guess that Leo is a teenager or very young adult.]

Sooooo… I’ve been thinking, since we picked up new people. Last time, when our group got here, the convoy was totally empty, right? But this time we were already here. So, were we the first stop? Or did everyone before us get… uh, well, you know.

[He makes an uncertain noise through his teeth.]

But personally, I think we were the first stop. But not the first convoy! Maybe there’s multiple, or maybe the train goes in a loop. I dunno, but it’s probably something like that.

But what about those weird summoning circles? Does someone activate them when the convoy is coming? Or do you think it’s something about the convoy that activates them?

[There’s another option, that they activate regularly and some people who are summoned here get unlucky, but… yeah, he doesn’t feel like suggesting that.]

I guess I’m just spitballing theories here. There’s, like, nothing to look at right now. Just bush after bush. Seemed like a good time for some… thorny topics. Heh.

Comments

[undyingcrow]

Well, that rules me out. Between the feathers, wings, and my talons, I'm looking less human by the day.

[He pauses, scratching his neck with his talons, though it goes unseen.]

Though, frankly, I'd almost welcome a change to my legs at this point. At least then, I wouldn't have the misfortune of monster traits from my waste up and completely ordinary human legs beneath.

[It just feels more mismatched than if he were more of a beast, okay?]

[faceguy]

Heh. You're turning into one of those, uh... what do they call them...

Like the bird version of a reverse mermaid!

[Truly cursed.]

[undyingcrow]

...Reverse mermaid. Really now?

[Leonardo... Why must you implant such horrifying images in his mind?]

[faceguy]

[Sorry buddy.]

Hey, it's fitting!

[undyingcrow]

Reverse siren, perhaps. They were originally depicted as avian in nature, despite modern interpretations conflating them with mermaids.

[...]

Regardless, I'd still sooner have my lower body changed and be done with it.

[faceguy]

Whoa, really? [Huh. Learn something new every day... not that whether a siren is a mermaid or a bird really matters that much to Leo.]

Well good luck. Hope you get your chicken legs soon.

[undyingcrow]

Chicken legs... Well, I regret to reform you that if the Moon Warp is any indication, I'm far more likely to develop tiger legs, with a matching set of ears.

[What a strange combination of traits, really, and yet...]

It was almost as if I became an off-brand griffin. I'd even developed a hooked snout, reminiscent of a beak.

[faceguy]

Tiger legs and a beak? Man. That sure is a mix!

[And since he's part turtle, part human, he feels like he can say that.]

Too bad. I kinda wanted to see the chicken legs.

[undyingcrow]

Who knows? Perhaps someone here will turn into a cockatrice. At this point, it wouldn't even surprise me.

[Does Leonardo even know what a cockatrice is? Well, he'll find out soon enough.]

[faceguy]

A whoa-whatta?

[Nope.]

[undyingcrow]

An unholy fusion of a snake and a rooster, sometimes known as a basilisk. Their abilities vary between depictions, but petrification is a common feature in their skillset.

[Picture it, Leo. Embrace it...]

[faceguy]

...Yeah, I don't know if I want to see it that bad.

[He's not sure he wants to!]

[undyingcrow]

Not even a little curious? My, my...

[Sorry, Leo. You opened yourself up to this.]

[faceguy]

I think I got enough of that when my brother spontaneously grew a snake tail.

[undyingcrow]

Ah. Was that during the recent storm?

[That would align with the harpy and naga traits other Drifters developed, at any rate...]

[faceguy]

Yeah, when he first showed up.

[Leo kinda dropped the ball at the time. He still feels bad about it.]

I didn't get hit with it... managed to stay dry! Somehow...

[undyingcrow]

I think most of my changes were subtle. A desire to perch and soar to high places, the ability to manipulate the wind... My avian traits were unrelated, but perhaps their presence is to blame.

[Still, to lose one's legs...]

How did your brother adapt to the change?

[faceguy]

Oh, he hated it. Not that I blame him.

[Leo would hate to lose his legs, too. Especially if he just found himself somewhere other than home.]

But he has his legs back now, so he's up and kickin'!

[undyingcrow]

Well, it would be rather inconvenient to have to learn an entirely new form of movement, when legs are so deeply intertwined with your everyday actions. For a snake, legs are hardly a concern, but for a bipedal turtle... well, that's an entirely different matter.

[Akechi would also hate to lose his legs, of course. Fortunately, he's in the clear for now.]

On the other hand, growing new limbs is also fairly disorienting. Suddenly, I take up significantly more space than I did before.

[faceguy]

Oh yeah, I bet that's pretty weird... Hey, is it hard to like, fit in beds and stuff now?

[Leo already has a hard enough time sleeping so that sounds terrible.]

[undyingcrow]

Regrettably, yes.

[You can just hear the growl in his voice.]

The quarters within the Convoy aren't exactly what I'd call spacious, and just a single pair of wings is cumbersome enough.

[And then there's Serph, with multiple sets... He can't say he envies him, really.]

[faceguy]

Too bad. A lot of beds don't have any support for my shell, so, I kinda get it.

[He sighs.]

Wish I had my sleep mask, too... [Bummer.]

[undyingcrow]

Frankly, I could do with some earplugs myself. With so many people living in shared quarters, it's hard to escape the noise...

[It's not unfamiliar, per se. He'd spent some time in crowded orphanages, but now they're in a Convoy full of monsters.]

[faceguy]

Heh, I'm used to that, at least. My dad's snoring used to pipe directly into my room.

[In a way, the sound is kind of nice.]

But if you're not used to it, it must suck. Hope none of your changes give you better hearing...

[undyingcrow]

Unfortunately, if the first Moon Warp was any indication, I will get sharper hearing in time...

[There's an air of resignation to his voice.]

I suppose it'll help identify threats in advance, if nothing else.