Waitrat strike

[coral_sandhu]

There's a lot of worrying going on at home, so Coral is currently sitting on the floor in solidarity with the waitrat strike, and a small guitar.

"We've been expecting you to stand alone
To bring our food before it gets cold
So if we don't take advantage then we can move mountains

So you can complain today
Or we'll forget it all again
So we must hear your proclamation
When you speak of your exploitation

Cos if you tolerate this, then the rat pups will be next
Yes if you tolerate this, then the rat pups will be next
Will be next, will be next, will be next..."

Comments

[configuration_birdwatcher]

The demonstration has attracted a curious passerby, in the form of a seven-foot-tall combat droid with a small yellow bird on their shoulder. They're watching Coral and the marching, sign-carrying waitrats with their head cocked to the side, puzzled but interested; they find Milliways' waitrats to be admirable creatures, so they're inclined to be sympathetic.

[coral_sandhu]

Brooke looks up at the droid and smiles.

"Hello."

[configuration_birdwatcher]

Bastion waves, beeping a four-note greeting tune. Ganymede chitters as well, from his perch. // Hello.

They point at the protesting waitstaff with their manipulator arm. "Zwee?" // What's bothering the rats?

[coral_sandhu]

"They're on strike." Coral says. "And I'm a sympathetic activist."

[configuration_birdwatcher]

Bastion nods and watches the rats march, studying the tiny signs. There are one or two that are incomprehensible to the omnic since they reference cultural knowledge Bastion doesn't have -- such as why you would want to drink only two percent of your milk -- but the rest are clear enough. It appears the rats have been imperiled recently and aren't being properly compensated for it. (Bastion can verify the peril independently, having been around the bar after the shrinking incident.)

Well, that won't do. They join Coral in sitting on the floor.

[coral_sandhu]

"Shall I make you a sign?" Coral asks.

[configuration_birdwatcher]

Bastion casts a glance around for the sign-producing writing materials, and then nods. She seems to know what she's doing better than they would.

[coral_sandhu]

Coral gets a big sheet of cardboard, and writes 'I SUPPORT THE STIRKE' for them.

[configuration_birdwatcher]

Well, that's a simpler slogan than they expected. Bastion reaches over for a writing implement so they can correct the STIRKE part.

[coral_sandhu]

"Oh, sorry. I'm not very good at spelling." Coral says, watching them.

[configuration_birdwatcher]

"Bwee-bwrrr," Bastion says. They put the pen down within reach in case they need it again. It's translucent pink and shiny, which catches Ganymede's eye. // It's fine now.

Humans misspell things sometimes. Omnics usually don't; it comes from having entire dictionaries pre-loaded into their language processors.

[coral_sandhu]

"Hello birdie." Coral offers a finger to Ganymede.

[configuration_birdwatcher]

Ganymede looks curiously at the small human finger, tilting his head.

[coral_sandhu]

"Do you want to sit on my finger?" Coral asks. "You don't have to though..."

[configuration_birdwatcher]

Bastion beeps encouragingly at Ganymede, who gives them a skeptical look. This prompts another beep. // She just wants to be friendly. I think she'll be careful.

After apparently taking a moment to think about it, the songbird glides down and perches experimentally on Coral's finger.

[coral_sandhu]

Coral takes a little excited breath but keeps completely still.

[configuration_birdwatcher]

Ganymede is probably heavier than she anticipated. He only looks tiny because he hangs out with a semi-giant robot; he's actually about the size of a pigeon. He tilts his head at Coral and chirps some sort of commentary in birdsong.

Bastion pays close attention to this encounter, making a cheerful whistle. // There you go.

[coral_sandhu]

Coral whistles a little tune back at the bird.

[configuration_birdwatcher]

Ganymede chirps roughly the same tune back to Coral.

[coral_sandhu]

"You're so clever." Coral says to Ganymede.

[configuration_birdwatcher]

"Breeeoop," Bastion says to Coral, sounding very proud. // He is.

[coral_sandhu]

[ooc: Fade here? Thanks for the cute thread :)]

[configuration_birdwatcher]

(OOC: works for me!)