melodiesofeternity | Player Plot: Bizarre Bird Behavior!

Player Plot: Bizarre Bird Behavior!

Should you happen to have missed it, the plotting and information post for this event can be found here.

A. Choco-Chaos!

Perhaps the first thing anyone notices is the noise, the incessant squawking and warking of so many startled and disgruntled chocobos. Then comes the smell. Ew! In the early morning hours dozens, maybe even hundreds of chocobos invaded many of the cities of Vaikuntha, and while for the first few minutes some may have been elated to see them, attitudes quickly change. The chocobos are panicked, running around without much rhyme or reason, trampling on flower beds, knocking over merchant stands, and making such a ruckus even the dead couldn’t sleep through it. Any food they find is destroyed within minutes, and anything they’re curious about meets the sharp end of their strong beaks. While they’re generally harmless birds, they have the capacity for devastation.

And none of that mentions the, uh, other mess live animals tend to make.

Despite being within the city limits, they are far from tame. Any attempts to approach the birds will be met with either an angry warning wark, a display of puffed feathers, or the chocobo just straight up bolting away. This seems great, as maybe they can be corralled, but… Nope. While this works to an extent, as soon as the birds get too close to the city borders they turn tail and jump straight over the heads of the people attempting to be rid of them, running back into the city to make even more of a mess in their renewed panic. What is there to be done about them?

B. Lurking Lunchers

Should anyone be so inclined as to find out why the chocobos feathers are so ruffled, they need only walk to the edge of the city. Stalking around just beyond civilization are fearsome beasts known only as chocobo eaters. Based on the feathers stuck between their huge teeth this is probably an apt name. The monsters have little interest in humans, but become very interested when a chocobo wanders too close to the outskirts of town. The chocobo eaters are quite aggressive and will gladly take on anyone bold enough to make a challenge. Adventurers may attempt to fight them, but it seems like just when you send one packing, another bigger monster shows up. Was that a baby chocobo eater you were just fighting? You could have sworn it was an adult, with how big it is!

C. Fight or Flight

At last the time has come. A gold chocobo trotted in from off the horizon and rounded up what she believes to be able fighters, herded them into groups, and partnered them with a chocobo that will fight by their side. Ironically it seems to be the feathered member of the party that actually knows what to do, and the teams are led by their respective birds out into the battlefield to take on one of the ferocious beasts waiting out there for lunch. Fight as hard as you can and don’t let the birds down. Defeat might not mean death for you, but it certainly would for the chocobos!

Once the battles are won and the flocks free to return to their natural habitat, some of the brave battlers will find themselves with new feathered friends. Others will not, but everyone will have a handful of greens. If you missed this opportunity to get a chocobo, or you have a taste and want even more, head on over and check out the chocobo capture/breeding system that will be available from now until Eternity.

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[He can hear the chocobo, it's being so brave and it deserves the biggest hug when they're done.

When the chocobo eater lands on its back, he fires rapidly at his abdomen, the underside exposed, that has to be more vulnerable, right?]

Come on, it's going to go for much longer, right?

[Aim, fire. Aim, fire. All Prompto can really do, is just hold up his end of the fight.]

[Prompto should be focusing less on the chocobo and more at the chocobo eater who, after that fire attack, looks a bit agitated. And lunges at them, slamming his fists mere centimeters away from Prompto and only because Ignis threw another fire spell at it.]

We got it on its last legs! Focus and let's finish this!

[Ignis runs around the monster, trying to get its attention away from Prompto and Noctis, giving his best to keep the damages at the minimum.]

[He was right about one thing, though: the chocobo eater's abdomen is definitely more vulnerable to attacks. The trick is trying to hit it hard enough so it drops on its back to expose it.

Noctis sets another fire spell loose before he rushes over to check on Prompto and the chocobo. The chocobo is fine, save for being a bit freaked out.]

Hey hey, shh... Calm down, boy.

[Leave the chocobo to him, Prompto. Focus fire while Ignis distracts it.]

[Prompto gives Noctis a little nod, because he knows the chocobo is in capable hands with Noctis. His best friend would do anything to take care of a cute chocobo.

He aims, and fires. Again and again, this gun isn't terribly strong, and not very well suited for fighting chocobo eaters, but maybe he can get something stronger at a later date.]

Just a little more!

[Ignis can feel the monster's attacks weakening under their combined assault. He keeps his attention on the chocobo eater, trying to lure it away from their chocobo that made distressing noises.

The monster lunges and Ignis, while managing to repel majority of the attack and send the beast back, it knocked him back considerably, knocking out one of the blades from his hand. There was a numb feeling in his wrist from the force, but Ignis doesn't pay attention to it right now-]

Now-! Finish him off!

[One good fire spell should be more than fine to wrap things up.]

[He didn't need to be told twice.

Patting the chocobo's dark feathers one more time, he tucks the rod close for a moment, focusing all he can into the next spell. That when the fire spell is shot off, he has to use the glorified stick for support a moment.

Yeah, screw dignity. He'll use a doll next time.

The chocobo eater falls one last time, but instead of writhing on its back, it reaches one last time, before going still. Burnt to a crisp and full of holes. The chocobos of this area in particular had one less predator to worry about.]

Everyone okay? [He asks, standing up straight; though he looks at Ignis when he says that, having seen that knock back.]

[He's watching, gun in hand when the chocobo eater falls and doesn't move again. He holsters it and raises his hands in the air.]

Yes! We've still got it!

[It's important when they're fighting that they don't die. Death is not something they're planning for.]

Let's celebrate by eating something good tonight!

[He'll offer Ignis a fistbump, then Noctis, and the chocobo will get a hug.]

[Ignis breathes a sigh of relief when the monster falls on its back, finished off with that last spell. And he feels lucky for it too. He picks up his blade, feeling the numbness in his wrist but nothing he didn't experience before. It's just been a while. Without his usual speed, he needs more than just quick thinking.]

No problems here, [Ignis informs Noct when he makes his way over, returning Prompto the fistbump, holding back a wince. Yep- he sprained his wrist. Nothing ice can't fix when they get back home.]

We definitively will. How is the bird? [He heard distressed noises earlier.]

[As if to answer the question, the black chocobo saunters over to Ignis and lightly bumps its head against his side...

Before taking its prize of the dagger that was knocked out of the injured hand with its beak and rushing over to Noctis instead, dropping the dagger at the royal's feet.

... And kwehs happily, looking at Noctis as though waiting for him to pick it up. :)

Oh, no.

Noctis looks to the chocobo, then to the spellblade at his feet, and finally to Ignis before it returns to the bird. Gingerly bending down to pick it up without breaking eye contact. The fact he does this seems to appease the black chocobo, as it makes a sound that somehow translates to approval as Noctis stands again. Rod in one hand, dagger in the other.

He places the rod in a holster on his back so he'll at least have one free hand to return that fistbump Prompto offers. Before distracting their new companion so Prompto and Ignis can take a look for any injuries the troublemaker may have gotten with a gentle scratching behind its jaw. Something the bird seems to enjoy very much.

(He'll return the blade before they make it back to town.)]

[He's pleased enough to get his fistbumps returned and he sees that wince, but they can tend to Ignis' wounds when they get back. As long as he can walk back then it should be alright.

If anything else attacks, he'll try and take Ignis' position and take the heat off the other two.

He stifles a laugh when the chocobo steals his blade but Noct distracting the bird gives him a good chance to give him a look over.]

Hey there cute bird. [He grins and starts stroking those feathers, looking for any injuries.]

[Ignis was caught off guard (more like distracted by his wrist) when the chocobo, in broad daylight, stole his dagger. And he couldn't do anything but stare. Because lashing out isn't in his nature and chocobo looked so... cute and happy for giving Noct a gift.

Which was Ignis' dagger.

...at least it didn't take it away somewhere where he can't find it. He'll take it later from Noct.]

He should be fine. We didn't let him engage the beast directly. [If he has the strength to steal stuff, he's fine.]

[Noctis has to stifle a laugh as well, but he can't help the grin at Ignis' reaction.]

Yeah, but he did try to help scratch it's feet.

[Such a brave bird, attacking its predator. He hugs its neck, gently stroking the feathers carefully with the hand not holding the dagger.

No injuries, but the bird does sadly kweh in Ignis' general direction.]

Looks like he's more concerned about you, Iggy.

[Prompto finishes petting- checking over the bird who is unharmed and since Noctis is giving it a hug, he goes over to Ignis, holding out his hands.]

Let me see?

[He's not Ignis, but they've all gotten hurt enough that they all knew first aid anyway, even though Ignis is definitely the best at it.]

Maybe if we take care of you, the chocobo will let you have your dagger back.

[He's snickering, sorry, it's just so funny.]

[Alright, what is this? Why are they all collectively ganging up on him? ~~He's supposed to do that.~~]

It's nothing, probably not even a sprain.

[But he does obediently let Prompto check his hand. This is what happens when one can't handle weighty attacks. The wrist is a bit red and swollen but no other damages.]

It will pass within 24 hours.

[He's been through worse.]

If you're sure... [Noctis isn't about to argue. Ignis knew the most about first aid out of all of them. Yet when he releases the black chocobo to say:] Let's head back into town. Get something to-

[-celebrate, he was going to say. Before the bird raced back to where the monster fell and grabbed something with his beak. Wandering right back to Noctis and dropping the item into his hands. ...Is this a potion?]

Thanks, buddy. [It gets a smile and little neck pet. The bird kwehs happily.

And if they knew anything about black chocobos and their penchant for only giving items to those they deem worthy... Oh, dear.]

[Usually Gladio was there to take the bigger hits, but without the missing fourth, they were going to have to find a way to manage. He poked Ignis' hand gently a few times, trying to get a sense of any injury, but it looked okay. It really didn't seem serious so he let go of his hands.]

Probably right, a day or two, should be fine.

[How many times had he sprained a wrist or an ankle temporarily? It wasn't worth using a potion on usually, not when they had to keep them for bigger injuries.]

Cool! We survived! Mostly unharmed!

[Prompto whoops for all of their benefit and grinned at them, and the bird was on the move, bringing something else to Noctis, earning a snicker.]

I think you made a new friend Noct.

[It is in Gladio's lack of presence that Ignis realizes just how much they count and rely on him, especially when it comes to battle. Ignis can come up with a most devious plan for the battlefield but without the support, they are very hard to put into action.

He feels lucky that the things ended the way they did.]

I never doubted either of you.

[And their skills, despite the fact that they were all almost basically newbies with their new skills.

Ignis just sighs, crossing his arms as he watches the black chocobo.]

It seems that he wants to stay with you, Noct.

[Not to mention suddenly jump in and block those attacks that came out of nowhere. Much as he gave him grief when Gladio came back after facing the Blademaster, downplayed how much they missed him... He can't argue that he misses the big guy any less than the others do.]

I think you're right.

[His face is going to start hurting from all this smiling at this rate. Especially as the black chocobo kwehs and flaps his wings, as if confirming what the other two are saying.]

Alright, take it easy. You can come with us.

[King's orders. None of them can question it. This seems to please the bird as it practically coos, nuzzling his face into the young monarch's cheek.]

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Player Plot: Bizarre Bird Behavior!

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