001 // This is how it feels kissing the sky

[kawkaw]

Characters: Master Crane [Crane] (Tsuru no Ongaeshi) and YOU
Campaign: Break
Format: Either or
Open
Summary: Crane has 24 hours to just be himself, and he's not going to waste the opportunity

A. Journal Entry
Sender: Crane (Tsuru no Ongaeshi) | Master Crane
Recipient: Everyone

First of all, since it seems that we've had more people arriving, I would like to welcome the new Aspects. If anyone needs any help, you can reach out to everyone most of us, and we'd be happy to assist you.

Second of all, I would like to...apologize. Those who know me would be more familiar with a human named Jien Huang, but that's not what I really am. I actually have more in common with my Essence than I've been able to admit until now.

The truth is, my Essence didn't give a human the ability to transform into a crane. Like my Essence, I am a crane that was given a human form. 'Crane' isn't just a title used for the journals, but what I'm referred to as back home.

It wasn't my intention to be deceitful, and for that I am sorry. The quirk given by my Essence has been quite strong, and it's only thanks to some...outside intervention that I'm able to admit the truth in the first place. I'm hoping that, since revealing the truth now, I'll be able to be more honest in the future, even after the effects of this suppression stone wears off. But don't be surprised if you find me in human form again after today.

B. Around the Index

[ Since arriving in this world several months ago, Crane had taken great care to keep his true form a secret. He'd only dropped his human guise when he was in the woods near his home, and even then he'd tried to be careful to not be seen when he was flying.

At the moment, though, thanks to the Quirk Suppression stone he'd purchased in the store, he no longer held any of those reservations. He'd never understood the desire to hide his true self, especially since there were other non-human aspects, but it was only thanks to the stone that he's able to feel comfortable with being in his true form.

And since he only had 24 hours before the stone's effects wore off, he was definitely taking advantage of that freedom today. Being able to fly was especially something he sorely missed, which was why anyone would be able to see him out and about, flying just about everywhere through the Index. Most of the time he flies low enough that people in town are able to wave him down if they want to talk.

But other times he soars high up in the air, just to feel the wind in his feathers. People still might be able to see him flying overhead, but they'll have to really call out to him if they need him. ]

Comments

[bladebabysitter]

Don't worry too much. When your actual species is very different from most, trying to blend in is understandable. And staying that way, even when you see how other xenos are treated, is understandable too.

[kawkaw]

I suppose. The problem is also that I'm much weaker in my other form. My abilities are less effective than they are in my natural state, so this quirk of trying to hide what I really can put myself and others at risk in a dangerous situation.

[bladebabysitter]

Strength comes from experience. That's true on any world. What good is raw physical power if you can't work together with someone?

[kawkaw]

That's just it, though. All my experience is with my natural form. I've managed to make do as best as I can, but I'm not as strong fighting in my human guise as I am with how I've trained all my life. But my Essence makes it hard to resist using my human form, even when my real form would be better suited for helping.

[bladebabysitter]

Just with your natural form? So in human shape, you've lost your judgment and analytical abilities

B

[lifesa_witch]

[ As Crane flies around, he may or may not notice two ravens flying around as well. It seems to be that one is teaching the other about flight...

... which one assumes because only one can talk.]

I'm going as fast I can, you're the one going too far!

Kaw, kaw, kaw!

[kawkaw]

[ He tilts his head a bit as he flies a bit behind the two, watching them for a moment. Then, with a few flaps of his wings, he hurries to catch up with them. ]

Uh, excuse me...do you need some help?

[lifesa_witch]

[ The one with the very clear Magica voice snaps at him. ]

Of course not!

... Kaw. Kaw-kaw!

[ You probably don't need to understand animal-speak to guess that was 'um, but I'm clearly helping you???' ]

[kawkaw]

[ ...oh. Yeah, he recognizes that voice. ]

...Sorry. My mistake then. [ He glances briefly at the other raven. ]

Good luck.

[ It's hard to tell who exactly he's directing that at. ]

A

[forachange]

Sender: Ferdinand the Bull (The Story of Ferdinand) | Wembley Fraggle

So what I saw you as when we were working on the story together, that was a crane and what you normally are? Hmm. Having to lie and hide yourself so much must be hard. I'm sorry, Crane.

[kawkaw]

Yes, that was how I normally look, without most of the clothes.

It definitely hasn't been the best, but I think the Essence made it easier in a way? It was easier to keep up the disguise because that's how it worked in the story.

It's hard to explain.

[forachange]

Yeah, I don't totally understand it, but that happens sometimes. I'm kinda used to it!

Well, I'm really glad that when I met you, I got to meet you right from the start!

[kawkaw]

It's pretty much just the quirk of my Essence.

I'm glad we were able to meet that way as well. I'm hoping in the future I won't be as worried to be in my true form around the Index.

A

[itsasteel]

This place turned you into a human? Oof. Like there aren't enough of those around already. Can't ya just turn back into a crane and stay that way?

[kawkaw]

Well, I can switch between my regular form and human disguise. But part of my Essence's quirk is trying to hide my true form. That's the part that's been difficult to overcome.

[itsasteel]

Eesh. So if I run into some crane-like human later, all I gotta do is say I already know you're a crane, and then you won't need to hide it anymore? Because there's nothing to hide? Is that how it works?

[kawkaw]

I'll look more human than anything. But if you meet someone calling himself Jien, then yes, just remind me that you know what I really am.

I'm hoping that's how it'll work, at least.

B

[gobetween]

[Something Crane might not be expecting so high up in the air is a Fraggle, but that's exactly what happens. To Crane's credit it's Gobo who wasn't watching where he was going, instead he was studying a piece of paper in his hands, held on tightly so the whooshing wind didn't blow it away. He glanced up- then let out a yelp and whipped himself up and away, dodging around Crane- then a further shout when that sent him into a brief, unplanned spin.

Finally putting on the brakes with a midair skid backward, the glow of his anklet wings fading some just to keep him hovering, he shook his head and looked up.]

Whoa, sorry about that!

[kawkaw]

[ Crane just manages to stop himself as Gobo goes spinning, and he carefully flies up to meet the Fraggle, hoping the slight wind magic he's using doesn't blow the little guy any further off course. ]

No, that was my fault, I should've been more careful. Are you all right?

[gobetween]

Yeah! Yeah, I'm alright. [He seemed to startle a bit so he could check a satchel he had hanging off his shoulder, but was satisfied that that was okay too. Then he looked back, glanced him up and down, and gave him a quizzical look.]

Who...?

[In his defense, he did actually read Crane's post before.




He just doesn't know what a crane is and hasn't put two and two together yet.]

[kawkaw]

Oh, sorry. [ He nods his head slightly in lieu of a proper bow. ] I'm Master Crane. I'm not sure if you had a chance to see my journal entry earlier, but...

A

[ricebird]

Huh. Honestly, Jien-san, I had wondered. That fairy tale actually comes from my country back home.

[Hopefully the quirk won't bite back at him for outing itself once it kicks back in.]

[kawkaw]

Crane is fine. And I apologize that I wasn't straightforward in the beginning. This story isn't one I'd heard of back where I'm from.

[ Mostly because there were no...humans. ]

[ricebird]

No no, it's fine, Crane-san. Like I said, I'm familiar with the story, so it makes sense.

So, do you come from a world like Della-san's, with animals instead of people?

[kawkaw]

Pretty much. Though even then, it seems like we're pretty different. She had a lot of features that were more human-like than bird-like.

Whereas if I wasn't wearing my hat, people might confuse me for a non-speaking crane from a distance.