Hitherby pops into a person in one of the parks where she has a bird or some bugs and ask someone nicely if they know where the rich people live hereabouts.
You say "Hitherby, though you get some odd glances, you are told that there is a nice expensive residential district just that-a-way."
Hitherby says, "Yay!" and does a little skip and abandons her host to begin bird-and-bug chaining to, ultimately, a bug near or (if possible; probably isn't) a pet in one of those houses.
Hitherby has to be able to see them, which means that she can only skip to a pet if they're lounging near a window.
You say "After some investigation, Hitherby, you find what looks like a nice expensive house with a young woman lounging idly in a room with an open window on the second floor."
Hitherby says "Ooh! Even better."
Hitherby pops into her head, if she can ...
<
<
You say "Hitherby, you fail."
You say "With surprising strength, she manages to force you out."
Hitherby mutters an ancient fell curse in Dragonfly, from the time when bugs ruled the world. But
not a blasphemous one.
Hitherby looks for someone else. She has a sense of fair play, and wouldn't bop into that girl even
when the six hours are up. Lost fair and, er, square :)
Demiurge says "You can see an older man at another window."
Elsewhere, Hitherby will try him, then. Will roll again if you like, or you can roll for me :)
Demiurge says "Do roll."
<
<
Hitherby says "Not my day :)"
Demiurge laughs. No, you just make it. He fails. You're in.
Hitherby wiggles her arms and legs to make sure that the body is decently healthy, and
then looks around the room.
Hitherby says, thoughtfully, "Most of his money will be in a bank. If I were hiding a
bank somewhere around here, where would I put it?"
Demiurge says "There's a wallet sitting over to one side. It looks expensive and thick."
Hitherby says "Oh, yah, those things."
Hitherby peeks inside.
Demiurge says "Plenty of notes, a number of those plastic credit card things, gold
fountain pen."
Hitherby says "Is this guy's picture on any of the plastic thingies? I got yelled at by Pat
for taking money out when someone's picture wasn't on the plastic thingies."
Demiurge says "His picture is on one of them, together with a name - Justin
Viverson."
Hitherby says "Oh cool, I've always wanted to be a Viverson." He frowns. "Okay.
Let's see. Can't drive. Have to get to a store. This is Washington D.C." He tucks the bills into a
pocket, stands up, and yells, "Driver!!!"
Hitherby's hope springs eternal. :)
Demiurge says "Nobody springs out of the corners of the room to help."
Hitherby's general scheme is to get a lot of food to the roof of a building near the
opera house and bribe tons of birds to hang around until things go down. Besides, a hundred birds
will probably provoke a reaction from someone in the meantime.
Demiurge covers her eyes. Right. :)
Hitherby heads out of the house, she supposes, and heads towards the closest store
she knows of at a brisk jog.
Hitherby meets up with a bee or something for backup en route.
Hitherby says "A very fierce bee!"
Demiurge nods.
Demiurge says "The host seems healthy enough, if a bit stout. What sort of store are
you looking for?"
Hitherby says "A medium-sized one, big enough to have lots of stuff but small enough
to care. The first quality is more important."
Demiurge says "What _sort_ of store. That is, what is it supposed to sell?"
Hitherby says "Oh! Grocery-type stuff. Meat, birdseed, nuts, stuff like that."
Hitherby says "Doritos."
Demiurge nods. Okay. You manage to find a backstreet one you know reasonably
close, though you get some odd looks in the street.
Hitherby admits that she's mildly addicted to eating Doritos, but only when she's a
seagull.
Hitherby makes a grand entrance, hoping that someone will notice. (It's okay if no one
does :)
Hitherby flings open the doors, bestrides the store like a giant, et al :)
Demiurge says "The shopkeeper and a couple of customers turn to gape, then close
their mouths as they realise they're gaping."
Hitherby walks up to the shopkeeper.
Demiurge says "He pauses. "Ah. Can I help you, sir?""
Hitherby says, firmly, "My name is Justin Viverson, and I am very rich and eccentric.
I wish to feed birds. A lot of birds. A *lot* a lot of birds. In fact, I have always had this desire.
I have numerous bills; can you help me make the proper selections?"
Demiurge says "The shopkeeper blinks, but decides not to discourage someone who
wishes to pay him a lot of money. "Sure. You want it, we got it." He begins hauling out bags of
birdseed."
Hitherby says, thoughtfully, "Is it possible to hire someone to drive it and me down
to the Opera House? My car is in the shop. Perhaps an assistant of yours?"
Demiurge says "The man says, with the air of one who will handle any madness as
long as he gets paid, "We can call you a taxi, sir, no problem.""
Hitherby beams at him.
Hitherby pulls out his bills, selects about half of them from each category, and sets
them on the counter. "Please do."
Demiurge says "The man pauses, takes a deep breath, and shuffles some back before
pocketing the rest and slinging several _large_ bags of birdseed across the counter. He then
retreats to use the phone and call a taxi."
Hitherby peers at the ones the man shuffled back, but is not entirely certain why they
are undesirable. Rather than admit his ignorance, he tucks them back in his pocket with the rest.
Demiurge says "Eventually, the taxi arrives."
Hitherby hefts the bags, or at least two-three of them, and walks out to the taxi.
Demiurge says "The taxi-driver leans out of the window. "Hey, mate, you got much
of that stuff?""
Hitherby calls out, "A modest amount! Are you very hungry?"
Demiurge says "The taxi-driver mutters something inaudible, then gets out of the car
to open the boot so that the bags can be dumped in there."
Hitherby puts the bags in, as soon as he figures this out, and fetches the others. Then
he smiles brightly at the taxi-driver, gets in, and says, "Please drive me to the Opera House."
Demiurge says "The taxi-driver rolls his eyes, and does so."
Hitherby peels off a quarter of the original roll of bills, again distributed among the
various types, and gives them to the man. "I wish to put the bags there," he says, indicating the
nearest building with a flattish roof. "Out front will be fine."
Demiurge says "The man gawps. "How the hell am I supposed to get these up to the
top of that building, mister?""
Hitherby says "No, no, just," He waves his arms around. "Park in front. I will
transport them up."
Demiurge says "He shrugs, and takes the money, then dumps the bags. He seems
eager to get the deal over with."
Hitherby nods. He marches up to the building, after the taxi driver is gone, and raps
smartly on the door.
Demiurge says "After several minutes, a young woman in a maid's outfit answers the
door."
Hitherby says, "My name is Justin Viverson, and I am very rich. I am hoping to rent
the roof of this fine building for a period of at most three days. Is this feasible?"
Hitherby smiles his best smile at the maid.
Demiurge says "The girl blinks. "'Fraid not, mister.""
Hitherby says "I assure you that this is entirely legal; I wish only to feed birds. I have
numerous bills."
Hitherby takes out his money and offers it to the maid.
Demiurge says "She begins to edge back. "Hey, mister, you go away or I'm calling the
cops! I warn you, I know karate!""
Hitherby smiles suddenly. "Perhaps we can settle this with a wager. If I can transport
these bags to your roof without touching your house or using any artificial aids, you will allow
me to use your roof for three days; otherwise, I will give you this money and go away." He smiles
winsomely. "It is the best offer I can make you; my business is urgent."
Demiurge says "The girl slams the door in his face."
Hitherby grumbles. Any other houses with suitable roofs nearby?
Demiurge says "A few, yup."
Hitherby hms. I suppose that I shall knock upon the door of another.
Hitherby does not particularly care about permission, but does not want to be
interrupted :)
Demiurge says "Nobody answers the next door, but you can hear a dog scurrying
behind the door."
Hitherby is nothing if not persistent. It helps that it has several other bodies doing
more interesting things, like flying around and eating smaller bugs.
Hitherby considers, looks up at the sky, and says, "I will make one more attempt, and
then I suppose we will see what we will see." That stated, for the benefit of anyone up there that
cares, he tries a third.
Demiurge says "Third door is answered by a young man, who nods politely. "Can I
help you?""
Hitherby smiles at him brightly. "Sir," he says, "my name is Justin Viverson. I find that
I must make a very unusual request; however, it is wholly legal and I will be paying you a
substantial sum should you decide to assist me."
Demiurge says "He shoves his hands in his pocket. "Sure. I'm listening.""
<
Hitherby gestures towards the bags of birdseed. "I am in need of your roof for a
period of time not to exceed three days, most likely two. I cannot --"
Hitherby continues, "... cannot explain why, except that I am trying to fulfill a promise
to someone. You may have," and he pulls the sheaf of remaining bills from his pocket, and
presents them. "these outright, if you agree. I can probably obtain substantially more if necessary,
although I am cash-poor right now." He considers. "Incidentally, I do not intend to inhabit your
roof so much as to provide food for the birds there. I may stop by, but I will absolutely minimize
all personal disturbances to you."
Demiurge says "The young man tilts his head, thinking, then shrugs. "Sure. You need
a hand lugging that lot upstairs?""
Hitherby passes over the money. "I would not mind," he admits. "But it's unnecessary
if you have better uses for your time."
Demiurge says "He shrugs. "Sure. No hassles, man.""
Demiurge says "The young man comes out to help carry the stuff in."
Demiurge says "The young man helps. The house seems fairly untidy. Primitive."
Hitherby looks around for a bird. She's hopeful, but knows that just spotting one is
unlikely.
Hitherby says "(Once on the roof.)"
Demiurge says "A couple of birds come by to peck at the grain. The youth watches
with curiosity."
Demiurge says "He says, "Hey, man, neat.""
Hitherby pops into one of the birds, trying all three if it has to. Then it nods to the
man, and leads the way back into the house as Viverson.
<
Demiurge says "The young man follows, glancing back at the birds."
Demiurge says "(No problems with the possession.)"
Hitherby explains to the other birds, "Grain gift from angel. Bring other birds, watch
for demons, and eat all you like."
Hitherby says "If angel asks, come help?"
Demiurge says "The birds twitter a yes. They might even keep their word."
Hitherby nods. She starts spreading the word from other places, too.
Hitherby lets the birds know how much it appreciates this, and how wonderfully lovely
they are.
Demiurge says "The birds appreciate this, naturally."
Hitherby jogs Viverson home, she supposes. Much as it would do him good to have
to fend for himself a little.
Demiurge nods again. :)
Hitherby cycles around the birds on the roof that give her permission (why not ask,
at this point?) and so forth as the day wears on. And that's her action until something happens.
Demiurge nods.
Hitherby . o O ( Mental note. I wonder if that guy might be worth recruiting. He liked
watching the birds eat. )
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