Who wants to go home?

[paradisamods]

[It's been a long and busy past few days, and the giraffes of Terre Haute can sense the uneasiness among the weary travelers. Though some may not quite grasp why, others have a better sense of what's going on.

The three most vocal giraffes approach the group, who seems eager to depart. It seems they have a parting gift for the group, as well as a rather generous offer.]


[RAFFLE'S GIFT | BARRY'S OFFER | RAFFY'S SEND OFF | THE RIDE HOME]

Comments

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler is sitting on his wagon, Melvin crammed into the back along with the cottage (the mule looking exceptionally annoyed by this) as they're pulled along by one of the giraffes. The Once-ler himself seems pretty content right now, after all he's scored himself some new technology to take apart, and a faster route back to the castle. What's not to be content about.

So, he's relaxing and playing his guitar, working on a certain someone's birthday present]

♫ So I'm being pulled along by a giraffe
But my good lady please don't laugh
It's given me time to write you your song
But these lyrics just don't want to belong ♫

[Twang...twang. He pauses, looking up at the long necked creature pulling his wagon along. Another twang]

♫ I wonder how they do things without any thumbs

...

Giraffes are distracting

Na-na-na-nah ♫

[ino]

Oh~? A song for a lady?

[whichwayyoulean]

[He pauses in his fruitless guitar strumming to send her a LOOK. He knows what you're doing, missy]

Not like that. Lucrezia wanted a song for her birthday.

[ino]

Lucrezia, huh ...

[ nope, that smirk isn't leaving her face ]

I'm sure she'll like it.

[whichwayyoulean]

Stop that. I know what that smirk is all about.

And that's the plan.

[ensorceler]

[ Okay, Anne will have to laugh at that in passing DESPITE THE LYRICS REQUESTING OTHERWISE. Hearing silly songs makes her feel less like she wants to throw up, at least. ]

[whichwayyoulean]

[Excellent, it's not a complete waste! He'll grin, tipping his fedora to her]

Thank you, thank you. Tip your waiter.

[ensorceler]

[ The hell did he just say... Was that lewd?! Calling out, ]

Tip my what?!

[whichwayyoulean]

Oh, it's an expression. It's what singers say when they're in restaurants and bars and whatever.

...Kinda realising now out of context it probably sounds really weird.

[deductiongeek]

[Melvin wasn't the only one displeased by this situation. Conan had been deposited in the very small corner in the back not taken up by the cottage and the mule.

He was somewhat resentful about this.

And so, when the Onceler starts on the next verse, Conan hums along at the top of his voice. His horribly, horribly off key voice.]

[whichwayyoulean]

[Oh merciful jesus what is that sound?!! The Once-ler stops playing immediately to peer into the wagon]

Are you dying or something?!

[deductiongeek]

I'm singing along! [Obviously.]

[whichwayyoulean]

...It sounds like you're in pain.

[tapshoetomove]

[Luke was fussy at first for not being able to ride a giraffe, but it's probably for the best. Whatever space is left in the wagon, it doesn't take Luke long to curl up and drift off to sleep. It's been a long, tiring trip and the first time in a long time Luke has been this dirty, tired, and scared for his life.

His nap doesn't last long, when he's woken up by singing.]

Mm? Who's singing?

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler pauses in his playing to peer into the wagon]

Oh hey, you're still breathing. That's good.

[tapshoetomove]

'course I'm alive.

[He yawns loudly. He's still pretty sleepy.]

Was that you singing?

[theabjectauthor]

[in the back of the Giraffe-drawn cart in front of them, Lemony opens up his accordion case and plays a few experimental supplementary chords. hope you don't mind help]

Giraffes, you put us in a spot -
Good lyrical stock, you are not
While we're glad for your help
Pardon us as we yelp
For your names are quite tricky to rhyme....

[whichwayyoulean]

[Hey no, he always welcomes help]

See? It just doesn't work.

[theabjectauthor]

Perhaps if we went about it from a different angle.... [he thinks for a moment, watching the giraffes, then plays the chord progression again and gives it another go]

Long yellow legs, in the tall green grass
You carry us home, which is more than we asked
This journey was long, and thus, so is my song
Of your knobby and long yellow legs....

As we reflect, we have questions to ponder:
Of creatures and towers and visions of wonder
But myself, I still think, it's not easy to drink
Or make juice with your long yellow legs...

[he stops].... Too abstract?

[findatree]

[Ted is singing right along with you, Once-ler]

Giraffes with their necks so long
Watch how they pull us along
We'll be home before the day is through
Underneath this sky so blue

[whichwayyoulean]

Hey, that's pretty good. Well done, Tedster.

[findatree]

It was nice of them to take us back. They all seem really friendly.

[rose_of_battle]

[Oh dear gods, her ears. Sheena's in the wagon, staring at the other occupants, and stroking Melvin's coat.

As fast as Onyx can run, she's not doing so this time; she's keeping watch over a certain bird in another cart--making sure no biting is happening. And why isn't Sheena with them? She's making sure a certain young man is made to get out an walk.]

Once-ler, how in the name of Tethe'alla are you able to think with this going on?

[whichwayyoulean]

Oh come on, it's not all that bad.

[rose_of_battle]

Which part? The ride? Or the song?

[ooc: That was supposed to be "isn't made" to get out and walk...Poor Conan.]