( video. )

[archivy]

[ The video switches on-- not unbeknownst to Ivy because she remembers the video feed the second it starts, but accidentally no less, and she leaves it in. She's settled on the couch, legs dangling over the edge of it.

There's a tiny owl perched on her hand and Ivy is peering at it, quite seriously. The owl peers back. ]

I would have thought that you could change form. I am a child still, I believe that is the way it is supposed to work. Daemons do not settle until a later age.

[ The owl gives a hooting sound. ] But you are not simply a child.

[ Ivy nods briefly, cut short when Timur jumps up on the couch and Ivy's other hand holds back the cat before it can bat its paw at the owl which has flown from Ivy's hand to settle on her shoulder. ]

You don't need to worry. I won't let him eat you.

Comments

[worldofourown]

How absolutely charming~

[archivy]

Yes.

[ It comes out flat, neutral. The owl has no compunction about neutrality, hopping towards the device until the screen is almost filled out with its beak. ]

You should leave her alone.

[worldofourown]

[ Silly owl. Karl does what he wants. ]

Why? Has she a tummy-ache?

[archivy]

Because I don't like you.

[ And then there's Ivy's hands closing around the owl and pulling him back, settling him on her shoulder again. They look at each other silently for just a moment before the owl gives in, hiding his head under a wing. ]

Was there anything that you wanted, Mr Fei-Ong?

[worldofourown]

Should your opinion matter, Mr. Owl?

[ Focusing on Ivy. ]

Nothing in particular. But you should tape your little friend's beak shut.

[ Video ]

[bettercallit]

Either you've acquired a talking owl or I'm finally losing it.

[ Video ]

[archivy]

You are not losing it, Agent Barton. It is a curse and he [ pointing at the owl that promptly preens ] is my soul.

[ Video ]

[bettercallit]

That explains the intenseness of the eyes.

[ Video ]

[archivy]

Do you like my eyes? [ Subtle preening. ]

video;

[anunluckypenny]

Is this the one where part of your soul shows up as an animal?

[Not the most eloquent description of the daemon curse, but...]

He's cute--the owl. He suits you really well.

video;

[archivy]

It is. He is very cute, isn't he? [ She's petting the owl, which is preening. ]

video;

[anunluckypenny]

Incredibly! And probably crazy-smart like you are, right?

video;

[archivy]

He is smart, but he is not the Archive.

[flensing]

That's a handsome friend you have there.

[She probably means the cat, but the owl can preen too if he likes.]

[archivy]

[ The owl does preen. The cat doesn't since Timur didn't understand a word of that nor was he paying attention. ]

Thank you.

[flensing]

Do you mind if I ask their names?

[archivy]

The cat is named Timur. The owl does not have a name. [ She should perhaps give him one, but then he is her soul, not that of the Archive and she doesn't have a name other than Archive.

So she doesn't know what to call him. It isn't something she experiences often. ]

[uprouse]

Are you certain you're speaking to the right one? The cat may have much more to worry about than the owl.

[archivy]

What makes you say that?

[uprouse]

Don't they say that owls are stronger than they seem?

[archivy]

He is a young pygmy owl. He would be no match for Timur.

action;

[saidrepent]

[Yes, Raymond has noticed the little feathered addition to the household. He just hasn't decided to comment on it until now.]

And here I was under the impression that souls weren't a thing that actually existed.

action;

[archivy]

[ Looking up. ]

I do not know whether it holds true for all worlds, but I could have told you that they exist in mine.

action;

[saidrepent]

[He glances at the owl again, then gives a slight shrug.]

I've been accused of not having one on several occasions, but I can't say that counts for much.

Re: action;

[archivy]

[ There is a long pause before she answers. ]

I could tell you. If you would like to know. There are ways to find out.