Although that had hurt just slightly, Crow was glad to see that the other bird had agreed to his offer of friendship. After all, if he wasn’t going to be rude to him, well then Crow had no reason to do the same either. It was an equivalent exchange between the two, a fair trade, just like the ones he often did in the market.
About this carnival being “the best of the best” however, he wasn’t sure he could agree. Nearly every single ride in the carnival looked like it was falling apart, and more than half of it flickered and failed to light up. In his very far away memories, well he could remember that carnivals were amazing, always lit up like stars in the sky. This was nothing like that.
“Best of the best? I…I’ll have t’go with your opinion on that one. If you say so, basically.”
But then an offer was extended to him, to take him to look around the carnival. As much as he didn’t really want to stay very long, especially in such a decrepit place, well…he didn’t have anything better to do. And he…was making a new friend, so perhaps he could stay for just a while.
“W-Wait I—” But before he could even voice his approval, he was already being dragged away by the other Crow, who seemed all too excited to get him on a ride that would surely end his short life. “Y-Yes I would prefer if I didn’t die while at the carnival, you know.” Crow responded with a small, but clearly nervous chuckle.
“Whaaat? Us Crows are durable, you got nothing to worry about! A fall from the Ferris wheel or an ejection from the rollercoaster won’t need nothing more of a patch up!” And that was on rare cases. Crow usually found himself walking ably after any sort of fall, no matter the height or the state of the ground. So why was this Crow so worried? Was he as much of a loser as he had originally thought? Or maybe he was more like his friend Seto… physically weak but emotionally strong.
Well, that was hardly useful in a place like this.
“Look, you got nothin’ to fear.” He looked back at as he walked, tipping his hat towards the fellow bird. “If something happens, I’ll catch you! You don’t look that fat, so it’ll be no problem! Let me protect you and everything will be alright!
… But I guess we could start off slow. Maybe the merry go round? The Haunted house?”
Crow couldn’t even try and hide his amusement. A sly smile was permanently plastered on his face, despite the slight jealousy brewing beneath his grin. Crow was his name, a name that actually belonged to him, that his mother had given to him, that he’d made something out of. But then again, he couldn’t really be so angry, could he? With so many people existing in the world, it was highly likely that someone would share his name.
He just…didn’t understand why it had to be this guy. He seemed friendly enough, but part of him questioned him. Perhaps it was because of the way he talked to him, the way in which he carried himself. He didn’t exactly know, but Crow wouldn’t be impolite. Not yet. Even if the other kid was being rude, Crow would remain the better person here.
“A loser, huh?” Please. If this kid knew who Crow was, the power he had with the Black Ravens in London, he certainly wouldn’t be calling him such a thing. Then again, how would this Crow know that he’d successfully created a black market run entirely by young children and adults? Or that he’d helped to bring down a villain in his home alongside the great Professor Layton? No. How could he know?
He laughs again, taking a few more steps towards him into the light, leaving his ‘kooky mask’ behind.
“Well I certainly am glad t’be in your favor,” He says in a mocking tone, resisting the urge to roll his eyes before he offers his hand in greeting. “Name’s Crow, Crow. Though y’already knew that! Sorry t’intrude on your home, but what can I say? I got curious. Ain’t somethin’ y’see everyday, y’know?”
His hand smacked loudly against the boy’s outstretched one, shaking it with great mirth and a prideful smile, “Can’t say that I blame ya then! My carnival’s the best of the best!” Granted… it had lost some of it’s original shine, with some of it’s rides decorated instead with a scarlet rust rather than glimmering lights and metals. But it wasn’t like it was his fault; blame the techies that abandoned it in the first place!
Besides that, he had managed to get a few of them back to their original glory. The merry-go-round, the ferris wheel, the tea cup rides…. he was having some trouble with the rollercoaster, though. But a bit of danger only made things more fun.
Which reminded him…
“Allow me to show you around, fellow Crow! Ain’t too glad that I’d hafta… but this place ain’t getting as much visitors as it needs to see! So, c’mon!” And he took a steady grip on the hand that shook his, pulling the boy along with him.
“Some of these things don’t feel right unless there’s more than two people! Let’s see… gotta make sure it one that’d break so easily though…”
Much to his surprise, his slight musings to himself were met with a response, in a tone that irritated him as he first heard it. When he looked up, there appeared to be a boy, simply nestled between the metal bends of the ferris wheel. He couldn’t believe his eyes - it was so high off the ground that he couldn’t imagine 1. how he got there or 2. how he was planning to come down.
Whoever this kid was, he was calling Crow an imitation, and he couldn’t understand why. It seemed like a crock of lies to say such a thing; after all, this kid didn’t even know him. Didn’t know his name, barely what he looked like, since he was wearing the Black Raven’s disguise, he didn’t now anything! So how dare he call him such a thing?
Just as he opened his mouth to say something, the kid leaped off the ferris wheel, and Crow took a few steps back, jaw falling slack when he noticed how gracefully he landed. Sure, Crow did parkour but to leap from that height was incredible!
…and he was still talking. Wait a second - did he say a crow’s gotta protect his turf?
How interesting.
He let out a smooth laugh before pulling the disguise off and setting it on the ground next to him. He then leaned back a bit, putting his hands in his pockets before looking over at the boy.
“Who am I supposed t’be? Why, I’m Crow! And by what you said, I’m assuming you’re Crow too!” He let out another amused laugh, though on the inside, he was slightly ticked at their sharing of names. “I guess y’could say we got a murder of crows ‘ere!”
“….”
Quite honestly, though he hoped it wouldn’t show, it took Crow quite a bit to process this new information. He thought the guy was copying him simply because of that kooky mask. To actually think this so-called-bird-of-the-same-feath had the same name as him… it caused a strange feeling to bubble up inside, one that he couldn’t quite describe.
He would say it was a mixture of jealously and joy.
Jealousy because it was his name! Not anyone else’s! Hadn’t he changed his name to reflect that? Instead of being a serial number, he chose something that individualize himself from the rest of his ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’.
And joy because…
… well, he had his name! Did that mean one could steal things other objects? Things intangible like names and hearts and hopes and dreams? It was just what a pirate wanted to hear!
“Now I can’t deny it, thought I caught myself a loser at first! But you got the same name as me, maybe you ain’t as bad as I thought! Still a loser but not as much so! Congrats, you’ve earned a bit of my favor!” And Crow nodded sagely, as if were actually something to be proud of.
“But I can’t let you off the hook. This is my carnival. My home. What are you doin’ crawling around and around here?”
The Black Raven needed to spread his wings.
To move about the town and see what he could find. Surely, there had to be more than what he’d seen already. It was a brisk night, perfect for a little exploration. A crescent moon shone brightly in the sky, lighting Crow’s path as he made his way from rooftop to rooftop, donning the garb of the Black Ravens.
Much to his surprise, he came across the last thing he expected to see in a place like this. It was enough to make him stop, teetering on the edge of a building and having to stumble back to catch his balance. There in the distance, he could’ve sworn he’d seen the lights of a ferris wheel flash.
“What the…” Crow pulled the Black Raven mask off a bit to allow himself to rub his eyes, and when he looked back up, it was there! Completely lit up, but in dim light, a carnival. How strange! However, it had completely piqued his interested, so he threw on the cloak once more and changed directions to make his way towards the carnival.
Once he was near it, he hopped down from the building he stood on and walked in, pulling off the mask but keeping it near his body.
“Now then…when did this get here?”
“What do we have here? An imitation of the best? Should I be flattered~?” The boy’s voice taunted quite loudly, dashed with a touch of cruelty and curiosity. Swinging back and forth on the rails that formed the ferris wheel, He cocked his head to the left and to the right. How long has it been since he had seen another human? If this duplicating beast was a human that is… either way, it had been quite a while. Which meant it was time to investigate!
His fingers flashed open and down and down he dropped, landing on the ground with a soft thud.
“A Crow’s gotta protect his turf: No other birds are welcomed here, ya know! Get my drift, you followin’ me, comprehending my words?” His words fluttered out of him like a quick flock of birds; would he ever stop? It seemed doubtful as he scrutinized the fellow, breaking the boundaries of personal and getting as close as he can.
“Who are you supposed to be anyhow? C’mon, speak up now!”
This account will no longer be affiliated with UPM. I’m sorry for the trouble but could the members of that group please unfollow this account? I’d truly appreciate it!
And I wouldn’t want to clog up your dash, ha ha~
“Now now, was it really necessary to call me a loser? Anyway, my name is Splendid. And you?”
“I call them as I see them, pal~! Anyways, I’m Crow! Just Crow— not bird-boy, annoying pest or pervert, you got it?
… What kind of name is Splendid? How lame!”
[Badou snorted and waved off the skepticism on his swag, same ol same ol’] Jus’ makin’ sure mang, ya never know. Depth perception’s shit enough, don’t need no hairy shit ta happen an I end up needin’ a seein’ eye dog. Tch Heine would roll over at that….though yanno th’medicinal weed would be pretty nice.
Dunno who ‘m supposed ta be, probably a rock star or a rocket man, but I am Badou Nails, hard boiled bad ass extraordinaire, who’re you? Th’Crow from that one movie with th’same oh so original title? Figured you’d be taller. An a lil more Fabio lookin’.
And his confusion over this man’s speech only multiplied as he continued, his brain almost ceasing to function as he tried to comprehend the words that spilled from Badou’s mouth.
“What’s wrong with your mouth!? You malfunctionin’ or somethin’?” A small reached out and he pressed his hand against the older man’ lips.
“Sounds like you’ve been eating too many rocks and honey if you ask me. Talk like a real man!”
