[Video]

[truthdecided]

[An 'unfamiliar' face projects through the Pearls... except if you look closely, it's not that unfamiliar. The shape of the plumes on his head carry the same general silhouette as a certain Rookidee...

But now he's larger, longer, and has a noticeably bigger beak. In fact, he looks far more like a crow than he did before!

And so Akechi fluffs up his feathers a bit and addresses the Pearl at last.]

Greetings. This is Akechi. I realize that this transformation may be a bit alarming, but I thought it best to announce my recent evolution so that no one believes I've disappeared.

This new form is far more suitable, though I wish it hadn't been so overdue. Still, it seems that being put into highly dangerous situations is one way to provoke evolution.

I suppose this does bring up a curious question, though. To evolve, or not to evolve. For me, it was a no brainer, but others may be less enthused about changing their physical forms yet again. Evolution is, after all, irreversible.

So humor me. Do you wish to evolve, or are you content as you are?

Comments

[truthdecided]

True. It's simply a matter of choosing the tailor. Firoza-san is someone I can trust, if nothing else.

[Not that he can't trust the locals, but he does still remember that incident with the scarf...

Though, that was an Impidimp's prank.]

[edgewater]

[ she knows it's because he's young and a touch melodramatic, but man does he talk all funny sometimes. she can't help but giggle a little. ]

You know, most tailors aren't gonna kill you.

[truthdecided]

True, but I have high standards for my attire. ...though, frankly, wearing trousers in this form would look ridiculous, so I've mostly stuck to neckwear.

[Bird bodies were not designed for pants! He will die on that hill.]

[edgewater]

You're too fancy, Akechi. I don't get how you do it. [ how he so stubbornly continues to do it when he's a bird living in a cave! it's... kind of admirable? how much he sticks to that principle, anyway. ]

Can't imagine you'd have a good time pulling your pants up neither.

[truthdecided]

I've learned to manipulate my feathers in surprisingly versatile ways, but it still wouldn't be ideal.

[His beak is more stable, as are his talons, but well... that presents its own share of problems.]

As for my 'fanciness,' I've always had to curate my image due to societal stigmas. It's rather irritating.

he's sooo funny without even trying

[edgewater]

It's not like you need to do that anymore.

[ shrug. she doesn't think she'll ever get it. that world is so far separate from hers that even the time she spent mucking around in byzantine high society made her more confused about most of it. ]

HE REALLY IS. absolute weirdo

[truthdecided]

True, but it's like muscle memory. One does not simply rework their entire way of thinking overnight.

[He heaves a small sigh. He knows he should, despite everything.]

now all of China knows he was an unwanted child

[edgewater]

Yeah, and you gotta put in a lotta effort to unlearn it. [ she knows it well enough! ]

Though, uh. What sort of societal stigmas, exactly? If you don't mind me askin'.