2025-10-02: Birds of a Feather
- Log: 2025-10-02: Birds of a Feather
- Cast: Pernelle, So-young Park
- Where: Shimokitazawa - Peacock Silk
- OOC Date: October 02, 2025
- IC Date: July 20, 2012
- Summary: So-young Park meets Pernelle, and a eternal bond is forged in the span of maybe five seconds.
<Pose Tracker> Pernelle has posed.
It's a slow hour at the Peacock Silk boutique, and entrance of the shop is manned only by the store's faithful mascot: Pernelle, the most perfect and pulchritudinous peacock there ever was. And today? Today Pernelle is helping. An adorable assistant! A songbird of a sweeper!
That is to say, he's... attempting to help, what with being a ten pound peacock with no thumbs to speak of. He fights with a push broom, squawking and kicking at it with furious flapping of his wings. "Come now, you stubborn housekeeping halberd! Must we do battle when our true foe is scattered out before us, running amok within this verifiable temple of crafting! Have at you then! Ha HA!"
By some miracle, he manages get the dust and dirt tracked into the shop by costumers neatly in a pile despite the unruly nature of his tool.
Pernelle stares at the dirt pile.
His head leans in, staring closer.
He begins to vibrate.
By the time our (un)fortunate customer enters Peacock Silk, she will arrive in time to see the store mascot rolling around in a pile of dirt, giving himself a dust bath with the ruffling of his feathers and preening of his beak while he sings cheerfully to himself.
"Wriggle and writhe in dirt so divine, behold now my feathers and see how they shine ~"
<Pose Tracker> So-young Park has posed.
What, exactly, is So-young Park expecting when she heads for the Peacock Silk?
Honestly, the answer is: who the hell knows. The conductor is still getting used to all this 'other side' stuff in general, and while she's remarkably adaptable and quick to take things mostly in stride so long as they're not actively trying to kill her, she is still at a complete loss as to what might be waiting for her at any given moment. This is honestly fine; she is the sort of person who is currently choosing to fly around the Dark Hour as fast and as high as she can on the back of a rickety ornithopter representing Icarus rather than do any form of research whatsoever.
('A fall from grace? Couldn't happen to me, I'm sure,' she has said without a trace of irony.)
What she does know: Myunghon has referred her here. Myunghon has said to bring along the trophies she picked up from inside a metaphysical representation of the inside of a money-obsessed mafia boss' head which somehow managed to carry over to the physical world. She genuinely trusts Myunghon when it comes to matters of Atelier-, Palace-, or Monad-diving. Most interesting of all, Myunghon has referenced 'someone she'll get along with'.
Besides, it's in Shimokitazawa, and So-young is about due for some solid fashion shopping.
After a few moments spent admiring the grand double doors, So-young bursts confidently through them with a brilliant smile and a force of personality that fills the space around her. She is strikingly monochrome - remarkably tall and dressed all in black, with long white hair with black accents running through it to evoke the keys of a piano. She's apparently feeling herself today, because in service to Shimokitazawa's bohemian style she's wearing a rather gothic black dress and has a folded fan in one hand.
"Ooh," she hums at the first sight of the interior, immediately clocking the glittering accessories and the few signature outfits on display, the wide use of space. There is an intuitive understanding here: this place is much too fancy to just have endless racks of product out in the _open_. That would just be gauche.
... ... ... and then her initial impression is somewhat interrupted by the sight of a ball of bird rolling around in a pile of dust. Her eyebrows slowly raise towards her hairline at the same time as her grin widens - she hasn't even completely registered that she can understand the singing yet, because she's basically acting on impulse as she steps closer and lowers herself to watch. "Hello!" she cheerily greets. "Why, that certainly does look like a prime patch."
<Pose Tracker> Pernelle has posed.
Pernelle's singing turns to humming the more he combs his plumage with his beak. But as the doors fly open, his long neck pops up, stretched high as he looks left and right as if there were any other direction but the entrance itself he should be aware of. His beady eyes blink at So-young, and while Pernelle looks every bit a normal pheasant (if an alarmingly beautiful one), he gives a flick of his head up and down that suggests observation of her entire style.
His feathers ruffle gleefully. Oh, yes, this one has chosen for herself a most striking image! She'll fit right in! Provided, of course, that she has the something something needed to be a customer.
When she speaks to him, he speaks joyfully back.
"Isn't it just?!" he enthuses, lifting a talon from the dust to look over his foot. "Perfect for getting between the quills and perishing pesky little parasites! There may even be specks of silica in this dusty concoction! How exfoliating! And, between you and me, though my plumage hardly needs help in this regard, don't we all enjoy an extra touch of sparkle now and again?"
He resumes looking up at So-young expectantly after he finishes admiring himself.
<Pose Tracker> So-young Park has posed.
"Whyever would you _not_ want a little extra sparkle?" is So-young's immediate and instinctive response as her grin continues to grow. There's no way to avoid the realization that she is now holding a conversation with a bird now, but that's a lot more charming an option than some of the things that have happened to her in Mementos. It does make her pause for a moment, curious as to whether she can feel Icarus' presence inside this shop, but it's only a half-hearted attempt.
She squats easily despite her heels, resting an elbow on one knee and her chin on her elbow as she takes in the full sight of the pheasant. "Oh, you do have quite the lovely shine to you!" she almost trills, because this is someone who's had voice training, and while she's not actually that great at singing she is excellent at knowing how to schmooze a little. It doesn't take an Understanding higher than 2 to tell when someone's eagerly fishing for a compliment, but So-young still delivers it genuinely with a bright smile.
"If I'm honest," she adds in the low tone of conspiracy, "You are making me a little jealous. It's been much too long since I've had a roll around in a bath myself. Too many trains back and forth, too much hurrying, too much worrying," she makes a theatrical display of sighing behind her fan; woe is she who cannot go melt into a blob in an onsen from time to time. "A little self-care is long, long overdue."
<Pose Tracker> Pernelle has posed.
She grins and she responds! Pernelle's body gives a little bounce of excitement on his talons, though his head stays perfectly in place. "A question asked in wisdom! I fail to discern and appropriate answer!"
Would that So-young's Icarus could respond. It would mean Pernelle could have access to be a bit more fashion and opposable pinions. And Anqa, too! Hmm perhaps it's for the best. Pernelle's dances with Anqa are a fire hazard.
But she is on his level, and Pernelle finds his likes this. A little less of the looking all the way up up and up as he so often must. Better yet, So-young is praising him, and Pernelle cannot help but ruffle and preen, tilting and turning his head and body to show off the way the light hits his feathers and shifts in color. The trick to Pernelle, of course, is that he's always eager for compliments.
He leans his head in as they take to lower tones, joining her in this conspiratory volume, even with the theatrical gasp he makes with his wing briefly at his chest. "Such cruelty, madam! Who has you scurrying about to and fro with such urgency and fretting that you can ill afford a well deserved cleansing? Just because one such as yourself is clearly able to maintain immaculate appearances without a good bath does not mean it ought to be withheld!"
Pernelle's voice lowers even further as he leans in. "Does someone need a good pecking? I am quite adept at pecking."
<Pose Tracker> So-young Park has posed.
Paradoxically, the fact that Icarus does not respond somehow makes this interaction all the more magical. This isn't a talking bird in the Dark Hour, this is 'just' a talking bird, although never has the word 'just' felt so inadequate.
So-young rocks back on her heels a little to take in the sight of Pernelle's full preen, finding herself humming a little of Kodály's Peacock under her breath. "It's hard to tell your exact colour when you're so iridescent," she muses thoughtfully, her eyes wide. She's never really taken the time to look this close at a bird before. "But I do enjoy that gradiation a great deal. I'm more a fun of light and dark myself, but both make for excellent contrast, don't they?"
She looks terrifically pleased with herself despite her grousing, because there's something terribly fun about gossiping like this. "You might know a certain Myunghon, who was actually the one who referred me here. Truth be told, I'm learning they can be very bad at looking after themselves sometimes. What is an elder sister to do but fuss and fret over them?" she laments playfully, ignoring the fact that she and Myunghon in many ways might seem quite different.
Her mind spools back over the word 'madam', and she offers a hand forwards - not exactly to shake, but just to see how Pernelle responds. "Oh, please, there's no need for ceremony! My name is So-young Park. Should you ever want any music composed or conducted, I am at your service. And--" she barely hesitates at the offer of a good peck, delivering another brilliant smile. She doesn't quite know what it involves, but how often do you get to establish a rapport with a talking bird? "--frankly, I would be delighted."
<Pose Tracker> Pernelle has posed.
Does Pernelle know this piece of music? Many a strange thing this bird knows. He has not yet met this song, but most assuredly in his soul, he knows it is a song for him, and he does a little tippy-tap dance on his feet. It's nothing so fancy as he might able to give in the Dark Hour, but perhaps its all the more endearing for it. He may try to talk a fancy game, but at the end of the day, he's a bird that's mostly round.
"I contain multitudes," Pernelle says proudly, his chest puffed up. If his feathers weren't sparkling, his incorrigible happiness with himself might be. He gestures with a wing at So-young's own choice in color -- or lack thereof. "It is a skill and a gift both to know one's colors. But you certainly have found yours, haven't you? Light and dark mingling against one another, panting out where shadows end and begin. And dare I say just a little bit of..."
Peafowl are not particularly known for their mimicry, yet Pernelle makes a few chirps that sound uncannily like taps upon the keys of piano.
His whole face lights up at the mention of Myunghon, and any pretense of sophistication drops in favor of Pernelle bouncing from one talon to the other. "Did they?! How splendid! Any friend of theirs is most welcome within these walls, if I've anything to say about it!" He spreads his wings in a flap. "And let me tell you, I say a good many things!"
Is that... something to be proud of...? A good word with the boutique's mascot might hold some value, at least.
But that cheer sobers with a curious twist of Pernelle's head. "Trouble caring for themselves...?" Contemplative memories consume Pernelle's avian expression, playing back the mental footage of Myunghon complaining about being scolded for putting delicious medical apparatus' in their mouth. Which they should be free to do! But there is another story there he neglected to absorb in his excitement.
... "Oh dear. Yes. I can, ah, perhaps, understand your concerns in retrospect." He looks to So-young. Sister, she says! How lovely! Family, the two of them.
So-young's hand is offered, and Pernelle bows his neck forward with a flourish of his wing, bringing it up under his palm in a sort of elegant greeting -- as much as a bird can give. "I cannot overstate what a pleasure it is to meet you, So-young Park. You may call me Pernelle. Did you say music? Fantastic! I am hopelessly infatuated with the auditory arts."
Especially at 3am on a weekday, from atop the roof, one can be sure.
As for the matter of pecking... "Marvelous choice. Then you simply name the perpetrator, and I shall have them pecked to death." Pause. "Half to death. Let us not be uncouth now."
<Pose Tracker> So-young Park has posed.
So-young has music running through her soul, and she is extremely quick to up her volume at the first sign of Pernelle's dance, her hands raising as if to conduct the motions. Of course, the moment that the bird mimics a piano, her hands shift to play an imaginary one in turn - despite her surprise. "Oh, very good!" she blurts, not even meaning to say it out loud but genuinely taken aback by how well the peacock replicates the sound.
A few seconds later, she lowers her hands. "Personally, I tend to enjoy playing the violin more, but it's much harder to style your hair in the shape of one," she winks. "And as much as I enjoy the look of dark wood on an instrument, not so much on my clothes. Still, I certainly would have brought it with me if I knew I'd have an appreciative audience."
That smile softens and becomes something lighter when Pernelle falls over themselves with warmth, praise and sympathy for Myunghon. For all the drama that has revolved around the Cardboard Dragon since she learned of its presence, there's something incredibly... soothing?... to watch someone just be so utterly enthused at the very mention of her sibling. Maybe this is what 'family' truly comes down to in the end?
(... So-young might forget this impulse by the time she steps out the store, but it's here now, and she can revel in it a little, right?)
Comprehension dawns - Pernelle wasn't talking about grooming, but about revenge. "Oh! Oh, there are so many possibilities," So-young's mouth supplies before her brain can engage and stop herself. "There's this one conductor who is convinced that just because my concerts don't sell out means they aren't worth doing. They are mid-afternoon shows! For students! What a boor," she grumbles, and then redoubles her smile. "Unfortunately, I would have to find a way to smuggle you into the theatre, and the doormen are very good at their jobs. Plus, I wouldn't wish his toupee to fall on anyone, least of all yourself."
"But maybe I can ease Myunghon's woes a little. They suggested I could find something fashionable and protective here, and that I should bring these--"
Shiny! Gold! Casino chips! ... from a mafia boss' head, but let's not examine that part too closely. They may even be familiar - So-young was far from the only person in there, and she's been slow to find the Peacock Silk.
<Pose Tracker> Pernelle has posed.
A conductor! Pernelle shall not reject the guidance of one who is an expert in their craft! He sways and moves with the motions, clumsy as they may be executed with talons for feet. The important thing, some say, is having fun. And if they are right, then Pernelle is a bird of great importance.
"A violin!" Pernelle echoes in delight. "Would you bring it along next time? I should love to hear you play it! I feel a certain kinship with such an instrument. Ah, such a lovely sound, and yet there are those who only know it for the squawking..."
Pernelle this is because you, until a practiced violin player, still squawk. Often.
But Myunghon does seem to bring a sparkle to Pernelle's eye. Such a glorious meeting of like minds. He thinks back to it, though... there was that sadness in Myunghon... not just about their 'dream' with Tsumugi, but... yes, yes, thinking on it now the whole issue with a violent world. Hm... yes, it is good there is a sister to look out for them. For all his pomp and circumstances, Pernelle does seem to be truly caught in a moment of rumination here.
"Well, then I can do a bit of fussing and fretting myself, yes?" he decides aloud.
It might surprise Pernelle to learn one would not be opposed to his efforts to groom, though he would probably go along with it. As it is, the bird, apparently, craves violence in his unattended thoughts. Peacocks aren't strict vegetarians, it turns out.
His train feathers rustle with anticipation. Who shall Pernelle do a violence to in the name of the glorious luxury that is a bath? He forgets, of course, that only a gave atrocity would warrant So-young's ire, and he gasps, aghast. "He said what? Does he not understand concert is worth conducting if it has but an audience of one! Why, that is the most worthy concert to conduct! Surely he does not spend all of his time in the theatre! I shall find him. I shall peck him!"
Pernelle flaps his wings in agitated offense. Who is this man! Who is he!
... Thankfully, he's quite easily distracted by shing objects. Pernelle's eyes sparkle, reflecting the glimmer of gold as he pecks at So-young's offered casino chips in inspection. "Tastes like dandruff!" Peck, peck. "Mm yes, and a touch of that certain something something that can be woven into proper opulence."
He raises his head back up. "Quite a find, So-young! Yes, yes, my companions ought to be able to spin these into something befitting of your beauty."
<Pose Tracker> So-young Park has posed.
Is Pernelle's movements are sometimes clumsy, so what. So-young absolutely does not care in even the slightest way, modifying her movements quickly to match Pernelle's beat. She has always believed that music is something you have to feel and enjoy, and any rules or rhythms are mere suggestions in the face of that.
"It is ridiculous however you slice it!" she says afterwards, practically fuming as much as Pernelle. She has truly been introduced to a bird of her feather here. "Should one only get to enjoy music if 500 other people agree? What is the meaningful difference between five hundred and four hundred ninety-nine that suddenly devalues it all? Besides, I don't hear him trying anything new or upbeat. I would never disparage a piece of music on its own, but when you play the same piece of music over and over surely you can value a bit of a change from time to time."
She folds her arms, puffing her cheeks up. "... I will learn his secrets," she promises with foreboding. "And his car registration number." (Again, she might not. But in the moment, isn't it fun to think about?)
"I would be absolutely delighted to bring my violin along next time," So-young promises with an eager grin. "I cannot claim to be a master at it, but I do like to think I am rather good, and as you say, an audience of one is truly the most important show of all. Though, you know..." She pauses, and her smile breaks new ground. Doing this might get her thrown out of the Peacock Silk in the future, but she is a creature of impulse, and this is a soul of art in front of her. It is her role, her duty to encourage this. "I think I might have an instrument that I could bring along for you to play. A performance shared is even better, isn't it?"
wait is this where myunghon started the habit. do people just taste metaverse stuff on the regular-- she discards that thought when Pernelle next speaks.
"Oh, delightful! I've never really thought of gold as my colour when compared to silver, but I know well enough not to doubt a master's craft. And thank you for the compliment," she laughs as she preens in turn.
<Pose Tracker> Pernelle has posed.
This is because So-young is wise, Pernelle might say! But some might say Pernelle might say that because he has the body of a peacock.
As lively as Pernelle is with song and dust baths, he is too so with anger, and So-young's own frustrations feed his own. "This is a crime against art!" he declares, wings spread and train feathers threatening to take full display in intimidation against a man who is not here. "One or five hundred, the soul of the music is the same! And is a man who plays one song not admitting that his heart only one thing to say?! Fie! FIE!!"
Pernelle jabs his beak forward, now pecking at the idea of the man who is not here.
He takes a deep breath and exhales, smoothing his ruffled plumage down as he forces hismelf to calm. "Car registration..." he echoes, eyes narrowed. "Yes. Yes, teach this man fear for he clearly needs another emotion to take his soul."
But even better for soothing Pernelle's own soul is the promise of treats, and much as he loves tater tots, he also does consider performances equally delightful. And --
Oh no. Ooooh nooooo. Something dangerous is happening. Pernelle's eyes are so big. And so, so sparkly.
"An instrument... for me...?" Wonder overtakes him, and he begins to tippy-tap from one talon to the next again. "I should adore to partake in song with you! To let loose the melodies trapped in our hearts in a duet! Wonderful! Most wonderful!"
If So-young believes he can play an instrument, then he can do no less than give it his all!
Pernelle might only be people by technicality. He's still tasting the metaverse stuff though.
"I simply state what I see!" Pernelle continues on with compliments. But it is not the truth? His own compliments are not insincere things. This bird seems terribly sincere in all he does, however over the top any of it might be. "Do you have anything in mind, or shall I pass on my own notes to the experts in their craft?"
<Pose Tracker> So-young Park has posed.
So-young is genuinely cheered by the excitement she sees written plainly on the bird's face, and fortunately she knows just the right instrument for the job. It requires no hands, no opposable thumbs, is practically made for an inquisitive and dextrous beak, and makes a sound so strange that it can send fiends retreating into the night or provide a terrifyingly suspenseful warble of danger. It's perfect, and if So-young misses the chance to see the outcome she will never forgive herself.
Which doesn't mean she can't also puff up in raw pride as well as raw mischief. "But of course," she insists. "It is only right that I encourage a new musician if I have the chance, and I think you'll find this instrument a wonderfully novel experience," she-- alright, it's not technically lying if it's something she earnestly believes, and she really does want to give Pernelle the opportunity. It just might be a rough time for everyone in a large radius, because the instrument she has in mind is her portable theremin.
The conductor can recognize the earnestness in Pernelle's voice, because it matches her own. Myunghon wasn't kidding - this is someone who is as true to themselves as she always tries to be, not caring what others may think in the pursuit of being as So-young Park as it is possible to be. She's absolutely going to have to come back, she already decided long ago.
The last question is one that makes her pause in thought, and she lifts her head up to glance around the store for inspiration. Her gaze travels towards the pieces of metalwork and jewelry, and for a few moments she's not really quite sure why, just following her instincts - and then it clicks. "Ah!"
Reaching into her pocket, she takes out a slim object wrapped in a cloth. It looks a little like a pen - until she twists it, and it extends into a short, slim baton. Placing it across her hands for Pernelle to get a closer look, she offers it forwards. "My baton is my weapon of choice, you might say. As a conductor, I'd be delighted to receive a special one."
<Pose Tracker> Pernelle has posed.
The world may tremble tonight, for it senses its doom approaching. Pernelle, however, trembles with excitement. What wonder is this that So-young promises him? He will have to wait and see. After all, enigma is part of the fun, too.
And he probably wouldn't understand it even if she told him now.
"I do so adore novel experiences. You are pure-hearted, So-young, same as your sibling. And this pure heart of yours shall not be betrayed! Provide the means, and I shall pursue song with the fullest strength of my passions!"
The world may tremble further.
Pernelle waits patiently for So-young to take in the artistry around them and to gather her thoughts. It is an important question, and not one to be rushed! But then there is an answer, and Pernelle startles with a flap to be hold the object she presents. He understands immediately with a glimmer in his eye.
He inspects it closely, head moving with quick starts and jerks, as only a bird can.
"Ah, so this is the tool of your trade... The means by which your art is made manifest." He nods in understanding. "Then let it be so: a special instrument for a special art... and protection, so that dear Myunghon may woe just a little bit less."
<Pose Tracker> So-young Park has posed.
This might be the only point in which So-young does not agree with Pernelle. She is not so innocent as to think that her heart is pure, at least not in the moral sense. She wouldn't really call herself someone who is trying to be a good person. But pure in the literal sense, perhaps. What So-young Park cares about the most is the freedom to be the most So-young Park that ever So-young Parked.
Still, there is relief there when Pernelle gives the okay to her idea, and she bows her head in recognition of the craft. For all she knows, the peacock might be the one who actually crafts the thing. "That is wonderful... and thank you so much," she adds with a warm smile. "In that case, I shall wholeheartedly look forwards to both."
She purses her lips a little. She's not so stupid as to put it on social media, but part of her still wants to commemorate this somehow. "... would you be opposed to my taking a photo?" she wonders, and then brightens. "Ah, but maybe I should wait for your musical debut, so that you can sign it..."
<Pose Tracker> Pernelle has posed.
Pernelle straightens up, already coyly turning his head in picturesque perfectness.
"For you? No opposition at all. Now, later, or both."
And he will gladly sign when the time should come.
How? That is a mystery to be solved another time.