Wild Hen Chase [OPEN]

[Celeste McCalmont]

Celeste had come to the marketplace to sell some of her recent creations, and had made a decent amount, actually, although she was a little disappointed it had been more on plain dish sets than on the beautiful floral embossed vase she'd been so proud of, or her little deer statuettes. Still, beggars couldn't be choosers, as she was more than aware. She'd brought Henrietta in her basket along with her two newly hatched chicks, not wanting to leave them unattended in the henhouse while she was gone all day long. The adult chickens she trusted to wander away from home without much trouble, but she would hate to lose the new hatchlings.

All had been well until a dog had decided to pick a fight with Henrietta, and even after the hunting hound had been dragged off by its owner, the hen had been all up in arms. When Celeste had tried to scoop her up and put her back in the basket, the stubborn creature had squawked at her and taken off down the street. Celeste had hesitated a moment too long, glancing at her little table filled with ceramics and wondering about leaving it alone, and given the silly thing a head start. Now, almost a block away, she still couldn't get ahold of her.

"Oh, come now Henrietta, you're just being dramatic!" she argued, chasing after the still complaining chicken. "Please, we need to go home."

[Michael Gregor]

Without a queen to guard, the queens guardsmen were sitting around, twiddling their thumbs a lot. At least the ones that hadn't gone to Tresteria with their queen and were left behind. To say Michael was bored out of his mind was an understatement. Between training, more training, entertaining a five-year-old, and deep cleaning the house from top to bottom twice. Micahel Gregor was about ready to cause trouble. And by trouble, it usually meant finding something to occupy his attention. He was pretty sure if he didn't find something soon, his brother was going to strangle him as Michael kept bugging Killian for work. His brother had been more than happy to at first until he'd run out of things for Michael to do, and then Michael had become even more annoying.

Michael was out on a walk with Danny, giving the boy something to burn off energy. "But whyyy is it blue?" The little boy asked. "I dunno why! Why is the grass green?" Michael threw back at his son. "Because it just is." Danny said. "Then the sky is blue because it just is." Michael told him with an amused look. The boy just huffed at him, before he was pointing a head. "Look Papa a chicken!" He exclaimed excitedly. Ah yes...Bird...Angry clucking, pooping, messy bird. He looked to where Danny was pointing and could see the runaway hen as it tried to avoid the woman chasing after it.

Being a man who liked to watch people, more specifically how a person moved, Michael took a sudden interest in the running woman. What sort of guard would he be if he didn't protect the people from a raging demon in the body of a chicken? "Do you need help?!" He called out, as he began to jog forward. "C'mon Danny." Michael called after the boy. Thrilled that they would be dealing with the chicken, Danny ran after him. Michael tried to stare down the angry clucker but that didn't seem to work, so he instead made a move to grab her as she ran at him.

[Celeste McCalmont]

"I can't really say no, can I?" she answered with a laugh. Celeste was gaining on the runaway hen, or so she thought, but she must have looked pretty silly for someone else to decide she needed help. She threw an apologetic smile to the man and the little boy who headed off Henrietta from the other direction. She was caught between them now, so surely she couldn't get too far out of reach. Henrietta loved being held, so Celeste couldn't fathom why she'd decided to run away, unless it was just out of boredom.

She advanced slowly on the chicken, crouched low so she could scoop her up, but the guard's sudden grab for her startled the hen. She puffed up and scolded him, flapping her wings to buffet him backwards. The motion sent her back closer to Celeste, but as soon as she thought Henrietta was in her grasp, the chicken nipped at her fingers and took off, flying up to sit on the canvas awning of a nearby fruit stand.

"Oh, that's just mean!" Celeste complained, putting her hands on her hips and stomping one foot.

[Michael Gregor]

A demon in the body of a chicken indeed! Michael was sure the bird wanted to claw or peck his eyes out, and grumbled a curse, mindful that Danny was present. The hen puffed up at him, squawking her war cry as she flapped her wings. "Watch out Papa!" Danny cried at him, Michael tsked, reeling back. He could take on multiple armed men at once, but a bird that was better of rotisseried? It was nearly shameful!

He wasn't going to be made fool out of by a damn chicken. Michael was no chicken. The woman nearly had the Hen when the demon bird turned and nipped at her, and Michael scowled. See! Clearly a demon! He wanted to yell at Killian. Proving to his brother no good came from birds except for dinner. He eyed the beast as it flew up onto the awning, glaring at her as he could hear her faint clucking.

"Come down Chicken!" Danny called up to the Hen, and Michael glanced down at his son before looking at the woman. Now that she was closer, he could get a better look at her. She was certainly pretty. His dark eyes went up to the chicken and began to take his jacket off, Plopping it down on Danny, who gave a muffled protest. He began to roll his sleeves up, determined to have this bird caught and returned to her owner, Michael was not going to take any nonsense from the bird. Not when he had a woman to impress.

If Ian could see him now... "Right, you mean chicken. You've caused enough trouble, come on down before I arrest you." He told the bird as he approached the awning, seeing how the best way would be to get her down. "Papa's a guard." He could hear Danny whisper loudly to the woman. "He and uncle Ian protect Queen Alexandria when she's home." He could hear the pride in Danny's voice and didn't have to look to know he was puffing his little chest out.

Michael spotted an empty crate and flipped it over so he could stand on it. He was tall in general, but the extra boost would put him on even level with the demon bird. He stood up and slowly reached for the chicken, careful not to make any quick movements in case he scared her.

[Celeste McCalmont]

Celeste couldn't help giggling when he threatened to arrest Henrietta, although she at least covered her mouth with her hand to muffle it a little. It was nice of him to try and help, but she thought he might be taking it a little too seriously. Henrietta always came home, even after her most stubborn fits--probably because she knew Celeste would feed her some nice cornbread when she returned. The little boy's voice caught her attention, and she looked down at him with wide eyes, being sure that she raised her eyebrows and looked suitably impressed.

"Oh wow! That's quite an important job! Queen Alexandria is an amazing lady, you know. She's worked very hard to make this a safe place for us all to live...and it sounds like your Papa has too, hm?" She glanced back up at the dark-eyed guard as he was climbing up to reach for Henrietta, making sure they were okay before she crouched down to the little boy's level to talk to him. She pointed up at the chicken. "That's Henrietta! She's my best friend, really, but she likes to be a little dramatic. She's got two little babies back at my stand, they're still all yellow and fluffy. I'll show you if we get her down." She winked at the boy before standing up again and watching the man lean towards the chicken.

Henrietta clucked fretfully and edged away from the reaching arms. Celeste sighed. What on earth had Henrietta so worked up? Hmm... she didn't have any treats to offer, she'd already given them to the little chicks earlier. Maybe calling to her would help? She looked down at the little boy. I have an idea. Put your arms out like this," she demonstrated, "And say 'Here, Henrietta!'"

She did it took turning back to Henrieta and holding her arms out to make a little basket for her to land in. "Come down, Henrietta!"

The hen ignored Celeste too, but once the little boy followed instructions, she hopped down from the awning, using her wings to glide lightly into the little boy's arms. She nuzzled her head into the crook of his neck, cooing softly as she settled in.

[Michael Gregor]

Danny's eyes went wide as the woman talked to him. "Your best friend is a chicken?!" He said in awe, his little mouth going wide. "She's got babies? She's a mama?!" All this information about the chicken was exciting Danny. He liked to learn things and to be helpful if he could.

Danny mirrored the woman.

Meanwhile...."You've caused quite a disruption, and your reign of terror ends now cluckie." Michael said under his breath in a tone that would make anyone think he was talking to a villain of sorts. The way the devil bird was looking at him he'd 100% believe she was a villain, and demon in a small bird. But again...He had a damsel in distress who wanted her precious chicken back. Michael only hoped she wanted her back so badly because she was dinner.

His movements were slow as he approached his prey, trying to keep himself calm and not just try and snatch her up. He heard Danny and the woman calling to her then, and then the bloody chicken attacked him. Clearly she was making a move to claw out his eyes! The way she spread her wings and hopped towards him. He brought this arms up to shield his eyes, but then he was tumbling backwards off the crate. Unable to keep himself on it and went crashing to the ground. Into the dirt, with feathers flying around him.

He was gonna roast that chicken and cover her in gravy and down her in fine wine. The air got knocked from his lungs, and he was slow to get up, but when he did he saw the feathered monstrosity in the arms of his son. At least one Gregor man had caught the beast. Danny was holding her gently and was giggling as it sucked up to him. Casting her wretched spell on his son. No Danny! Don't fall for it, she's a beast! A devil beast! She's dirty! He wanted to cry, instead, he picked himself up and dusted himself off as best he could before walking over. "Papa! She's best friends with a chicken!" Danny exclaimed quietly. Not wanting to be too loud for fear of startling the queen clucky. Michael glanced at the woman and arched an eyebrow at her. "Oh really?" He said. "Can I be best friends with a duck?" He abruptly asked. "Do you think uncle Ian would mind?" Would Michael mind if Danny ditched his brother for a duck for the honor of Danny calling him his best friend? "No, No not at all, but you Know Danny, I hear rocks also make great pets and best friends. They're the holder of all your secrets. They're also clean. Uncle Ian used to have one." Danny didn't look too keen on the idea of having a rock for a best friend. "Why would he do that? It's weird." Danny said. "Uncle Ian is very weird." Michael confirmed with a nod of his head, even though that wasn't what Danny was implying. Michael was already smirking in amusement at what Ian would come to tell him now about what Danny said to him. He loved his brother, he really did. But he loved fucking with him too.

"Papa, Henrietta is a mama! We gotta get her back to her babies right?" Danny's little head turned to the lady, and he grinned widely up at her. "Do the babies have names?" He asked curiously? He adjusted his hold on the chicken then, holding her more securely.

[Celeste McCalmont]

Celeste had seen the man tumble backward and started forward to help him up, but he was already climbing to his feet before she reached him. She bit her lip and clasped her hands behind herself to keep from reaching out to help dusk off the dirt and feathers that had settled on him in the resulting cloud.

"Papa! She's best friends with a chicken!" the little boy announced, and somehow to hear it announced that way made her suddenly feel quite silly. It was all well and good when she said it herself but--oooh, and the guard was giving her a look. She smiled sheepishly and shrugged; there was no point in arguing with the truth. Luckily, Danny was already recapturing the attention of both adults, rescuing her from her embarrassment.

"I think a duck would make a lovely best friend. They're not nearly as sassy as the hens can be," she told him seriously, although her emerald eyes sparkled with laughter as she glanced at his father. "See, rocks might be clean, but they're not very cuddly. I think you want a friend that likes hugs like Henrietta does."

"We gotta get her back to her babies right?" The boy asked, and Celeste nodded. "Mhm, they need their mama to watch them. They're in their basket, back at my stand." She told him, gesturing back down the lane.

"Do the babies have names?"

Not yet! I was waiting to see what they were like before I named them. They're both girls... Would you like to help name them?" She suggested, smiling warmly at the boy. He was so sweet, it put her right at ease. Perhaps making friends with children would be easier than with adults. She laughed at herself a little and turned to the boy's father. "Do you mind walking back with me? That way Danny can meet the chicks, and I think I owe the two of you something for helping me chase down this sassy-pants." She crouched down to scratch under Henrietta's chin as she spoke, making a face as she called her a 'sassy-pants.' "She's not usually so rude, you know, just a bit spoiled. But she has the best eggs, and she knows it." She winked at the guard as she rose to her feet.

"Sound like a deal?"

[Michael Gregor]

No no, don't tell him that, or he'll really want a duck. Michael wanted to tell the woman at her commenting that rocks weren't very cuddly. Danny didn't need to know that little tidbit of information. He also doubted the chicken loved hugs. She was just appearing to be docile to turn his own son against him and into a bird lover. Stay strong Danny!

"Can!?" Danny all but screeched in excitement, and Michael was panicked for a second wondering if the devil with feathers was going to attack him. "Easy Danny, you can't go yelling like that, or else Hen...rietta..." He tested the chicken's name, and it left a sour taste in his mouth. "Might get startled." He told him gently. "Oops, Sorry." He whispered loudly.

Michael looked to the woman then as she turned to him. "Of course!" He told her quickly. Now walking her back was something he most certainly could do and he was a very capable man. He was arched his brow again as she talked to the feathered beast. A chicken tamer. That's what she was, but he most certainly would not have called the chicken a sassy-pants. His choice of words would have been demented beast. Danny was giggling at the woman though, Michael practically watched his son turn to the dark side then. His little face looking in adoration at the beast. He even gently bonked his forehead against the chickens. Nooooo, Danny!

"Deal." Michael said after she winked at him. The corner of his mouth quirked up into a side smirk before he was holding his hand out to her. "Michael Gregor." He said introducing himself. "And our bea-Chicken wrangler here is my son Daniel." Said. "Hi! I'm Danny!" The little boy said as he began to walk ahead in the direction that the woman had pointed out where her stand was.

[Celeste McCalmont]

Celeste grinned at the boy as he 'booped' his head against Henrietta's. The chicken seemed perfectly calm and happy now--you'd never even know she'd just gone on a little rampage down the street. She was just making soft little coos and clucks like she was talking to the boy as he talked to her.

She was relieved that the guard accepted her deal; she'd been a little worried about trying to coax the chicken out of his son's arms, seeing how happy she was to be there. She was a little startled by his offer of a handshake, but she took his hand and shook it eagerly.

"I'm Celeste McCalmont," she told him, although the accent she still carried from her home country made it sound a bit awkward. She wished it didn't; she worried that people thought she was lying. "It's lovely to meet you, Michael. And you too, Danny!" She turned to follow the boy as he walked ahead of them. They weren't too far from her stand, actually--she was lucky they'd stopped Henrietta from getting any farther down the street. As they approached, the guard and his son would be able to see all kinds of ceramic dishes glazed in cheerful colors, vases with floral inlays, and a variety of little statuettes of different animals, but especially all kinds of birds. Behind the tables, next to her wooden stool, was a picnic basket where the little yellow puffs were peeping anxiously.

"Right up here, Danny, with the dishes and things." she called to the boy, then spoke more seriously to the man who walked alongside her. "I really do appreciate your help. She's never run off like that before, but a dog tried to get at her babies, and she got a bit upset." She gave him a sidelong look as a mischievous smile tugged at her mouth. She'd noticed the man seemed a bit nervous around Henrietta, and she couldn't help wishing she could make him understand her a little better. "I think you can relate, hm? If Danny were in trouble, I bet a whole army couldn't keep you away."

[Michael Gregor]

Michael’s head tilted to the side curiously as the woman, now introduced as Celeste, accent showed through. He wondered idly where she was from, and couldn’t pin the accent despite all the traveling he had once done within the brotherhood.

“Nice to meetcha! I like Henrietta.” Danny declared with a beaming grin, and Michael internally could feel his soul leaving his body as his one and only son decided he liked the little beast. The small group continued down the way and Michael noted the ceramics and pottery. Instantly taking an interest as he was a fan of art. One of the few that he actually knew that appreciated good craftsmanship. Or in this case, craftswomanship…

Danny followed Celeste instructions, gasping quietly at hearing the little chicks. Michael could practically see his son bunch up with energy, clearly wanting to run the rest of the way to the chicks, but could see the small gears turning in his head and was proud that Danny continued to walk to not scare the little chickies or their mother that he was carrying. If anything, Danny walked slower, more cautiously to not scare them.

Michaels dark eyes glanced over to the woman, offering her a small smile. “Not a problem at all, we were out for a walk.” He said with a shrug of his shoulder. Sure he hadn’t planned on getting dirty on said walk, but hey. He got to meet a pretty woman.

He chuckled then at her comparison of him and the feathered beast. Tilting his head slightly. “You can bet on it. There would be a whole fleet of Brotherhood ships as well.” He said. There would be too. If anything or anyone harmed his son, there would be hell to pay. Thoughts of Danny’s mother came back to him and long forgotten tendrils of anger and rage licked up from his belly. When Danny was involved, there was nothing Michael wouldn’t do.

[Celeste McCalmont]

Celeste laughed with delight as the little boy announced he liked her birds. At least one of the men did! She hoped Danny's father would warm up to them when he saw how they interacted with his little boy. "And she likes you, Pollito," she answered warmly.

Michael's answer about a fleet of ships made her frown for a moment. Brotherhood? It sounded like some kind of club, not a government. But what kind of club had a fleet? She didn't understand. She didn't want to expose her ignorance, however, so she didn't question it.

"Here we are, little ones," she cooed as she crouched next to Danny and ruffled his hair before opening the basket of chicks for him to see. The babies peeped even more loudly as they spotted their mother nearby, and Henrietta stretched her neck towards them, obviously eager to be back with her babies.

"We can let them out of the basket since we're here to watch over them. Here…" She gently tilted the basket, little by little, until the little chicks were able to hurry out of it onto the ground. "Bueno. Can you set mama down with her babies, Danny?"