#the curious crow {Junim}

[misfitsandmischief]

@ensnchekov liked for a starter!

This was supposed to be easy. It was supposed to be a very quick in and out sorta thing. Of course it couldn’t be that easy for him.

Junim had just wanted to get something to eat. He had seen the two leggers time after time come into this room, say words at a machine, and end up with plates full of food! Is that how it had happened for him? No. He was a simple crow with simple needs, the current one being french fries... Well perhaps the more current one being a bath as he was covered in a liquid he could only assume was some type of broth from the taste of it, the little squishy vegetables that speckled the stolen red shirt he wore made him think maybe it was supposed to be soup that was currently dripping from him. Regardless, he had come here for french fries and that is not what he had gotten!

The crow boy stood, glaring at the machine in front of him, his feathers prickling out from the back of his hair. He was growing frustrated with this impossible bird he was on, all the gadgets were beyond what he had observed down on his green home, but this was starting to feel like the last straw. He didn’t know how to make this food maker work and now he was going to smell odd. 

A very accusatory caw emitted from the boy as he crossed his arms and sat against the wall, glowering at his bare feet.

“Why did you not work for me? You work for everyone else, why not me?” 

[misfitsandmischief]

It is good that the dwarf also likes to know him. It makes Junim’s feathers fluff up in excitement at the thought of having a new friend, and in fact he does think of this odd dwarf as a friend. Sure he hasn’t known him for long and he can’t say he even knows him that well, but he’s been so nice to the crow. At the very least he hasn’t tried to shoo him away or squawk at him, which is much of what he’s used to.

To hear that the fork is ahead of them makes him chitter rather happily, his head bobbing in a nod as he accepts that this is most likely where he speaks of. There’s not that many trees next to a fork in the road after all, is there?

“It is where I nest, yes. I have a rather nice nest and it is large enough for me and my siblings, but it also has a hole in the tree that holds lots of treasures. I like to collect shineys and fun things that two leggers leave alone. The best time to find treasures is when they do the nesting thing outdoors.” It was a funny thing for the crow to watch, and it always got him odds and ends when the silly two leggers left their stuff out and unattended. Thinking about it had him curious now.

“What is you’re nest like? Do you also share it?”

It's odd to think that crows and dwarfs could have something in common, especially something that makes up such a large part of what makes them them. What with the birds being...well, birds, living above ground, in the trees and in the sky, and dwarfs being so much better suited to being beneath the ground, hidden away in mountain tunnels, they seem so very different. In many ways, they are, but it's quite nice to know that they share an appreciation of shiny rocks.

"I am glad to know of you as well." Kili says brightly. There are those who think of ravens as nothing more than fussy messenger birds, and crows as nothing more than nuisances, not even useful in the same way as their larger relations. Kili, however, thinks of ravens as entertaining (if a little haughty) creatures, and crows as fun. Junim definitely reinforces that for him.

At the bird's question, Kili finds himself looking around, as if to check where they are. Although he knows, at least roughly, and his sense of direction above ground isn't half so bad as some, but it doesn't hurt to have a little look and make sure.

"It's ahead of us, if we're speaking of the same place. Not too far I don't think." He's curious now, wondering about the importance of that exact tree. "Is that where your nest is?"

[misfitsandmischief]

@mymanymerrymuses

Curiosity is a dangerous thing in the hands of simple creatures. Curiosity has it’s downfalls on occasion, this is something of a lesson that has been taught, though definitely not learned, to the two birds that sit in a tree just at the edge of a school yard. Truly its probably a miracle at this point that curiosity hasn’t killed the crows, and yet here they are, sticking their beaks somewhere else where they don’t belong. 

Now in all honesty it’s Junim’s curiosity that fuels just about every little mishap that happens to the two birds, he has a genuine want to learn about the two leggers they see walking about every day, wants to be able to blend in more when he himself makes the change and trots about. And yet somehow Aiden seems to be the one to drag them forward into the danger. If Junim is the mind, Aiden is the body, and one that doesn’t wait for instruction at that. 

That is how they find themselves snooping through the school, their small heads peaking into nooks and crannys, their wings and feet taking them from hops and bounds to clumsy landings in out-of-sight places. Had the day stayed relatively quiet they probably would have been in and out, their curiosity quelled if not satisfied. The quiet was broken at the sound of people though, and hearing any sort of excitement was always due for an investigation. Right? 

Of course getting into the gym had been the tricky part, the door was out of the question so the two had needed to fly about until they had found an open window, Thankfully it was higher up and not as noticeable because while they had found a way in, their entrance had not been the most graceful thing. A few feathers fallen and much hopping through the rafters later and they finally had settled on a spot to sit and watch what was going on below them. It was something of a game, that was about the extent of either of the crow’s knowledge, but it sure did look fun.

[misfitsandmischief]

@mymanymerrymuses

This was becoming less fun.

Everything had been fine when he first came aboard the shuttle. The crow had managed to weave his way through the boxes and crates and hop from here to there and find some shiny things to play with. It had been fun, the new things to sift through and the different crates, some holding more shiny metal and others cloth, some even with food. Of course it was fun, it was new!

Then the door had shut, the dull thud freezing him just as he was pulling some sort of fabric from a box and sending him into a small panic. Okay this was fine. It was fine, right? Someone would come and open the door again and he would take off and everything would be fine. 

Except nobody ever came. No, instead the entire room he was locked in started moving, a whirling sound coming from the opposite side of the door. The movement had settled out into a smoother sort of hum but he could still tell he was moving. He didn’t know where he was going, but apparently he would be going whether he wanted to or not. 

That of course happened yesterday, or at least he thinks. It was one long sleep ago and that was close enough to yesterday for Junim. Now that it was today and he had snooped through everything he wanted to snoop through thrice, it was getting a lot less fun. He was thinking about looking in the box that had the food again when the room started shaking again. It hadn’t done that since he first got on, did that mean it was done moving? Maybe that meant the door was going to open! 

With a final shudder the room stopped moving all together, the noise stopping with it. Yes, this was it, it had to be it. He hopped his way over boxes to the door he came in and sat, waiting for is chance to fly out.

[misfitsandmischief]

*** Tag Dump

[misfitsandmischief]

This is good, he has someone offering him help and it is a good thing. He can accept help from a two legger. He himself is in his two legger form so there’s nothing to cause any suspicion or unease from the others, he looks the same... more or less. He can do this! 

“Thank you very much.” The crow smiles at the other, his hands full of napkins as he continues his task of cleaning. At least this is easy and he knows how to handle it. Use the napkins to soak up the liquid, and then dispose in the small circle hole that he’s seen other people put napkins and paper things. This he can definitely handle without an issue. He even manages to wipe the area where the liquid had fallen from the replicator and the little bits of mushy carrot on the tray before he does so. 

With the area clean he has time to focus on the question he’s asked, but it’s got him more than a little confused. The two legger had said this was easy, and yet he has asked him of toppings? For fries? The inquiry has his head tilting in confusion, his brow coming up slightly. Did...did humans put other things on their fries? Was that something he was supposed to do? The last time he had checked they just came in a bag and were a bit salty. That was... Plain.... right? That had to be.

“Just.. Plain..?” He had tried to keep the question from his voice but he wasn’t sure how successful he had been. Hopefully it was enough that he wouldn’t be questioned about it. He just wanted his fries and to go back to his nest, he didn’t want to get questioned because then he thought he could get into trouble. He wasn’t here for trouble, only to learn and explore. 

He’s a strange man, Pavel can’t help but think, noting not only his demeanour, but his attire as well. Sure, he’s no stranger to wandering in and out of his quarters at night to the mess in nothing but pyjamas and slippers, but he’s never seen anybody wandering around the ship barefoot.

Maybe something was weighing on his mind and he simply didn’t notice. He’s been there plenty of times.

He pulls to yank his fellow officer to his feet and frowns slightly, looking at just how much of his uniform is dark and stained with what Pavel is absolutely certain had to be chicken noodle soup.

“No problem,” he says, shaking his head. Suddenly, Pavel’s brows furrow in thought as he turns his attention to the replicator, studying it carefully. There are a few soggy vegetables still on the tray and he can see the soup trails where some of it began to drip down the edge.

Is this one broken? I might have to bring this up to Mister Scott.

It’s a possibility, he can’t rule it out, but it seems an unlikely one; none of the others here seemed to have any issue with it so far.

“Only french fries?” He steps aside to get out of the way of his cleaning efforts. “Okay, easy—do you want any toppings or condiments on them? Or just plain?”

[misfitsandmischief]

Cold. That is the one thing that is registered to the crow's mind as he shifts from foot to foot, pulling up the hood on his well used jacket to try to cover himself more. He hates the cold. Granted had he been a smart bird he would have left the cold for warmer areas, could still do so probably, but as it is he's not all that smart of a bird. Too much people sense.

The cold is enough of a distraction that he hadn't noticed something was off. The feathers on the back of his neck had started to prickle when he realized he was being stalked, his eyes shifting to try to find the danger in the immediate area. It wouldn't do for something to sneak up on him, and yet...

The moment the cat pounced on his foot the crown man jumped, a rather loud squawk coming from him as he turned to face his foe. His foe being... A cat? Oh. Had he been in his normal form he would be panicking by now, probably from under the creatures paws, but as a human? The cat was actually kinda cute.

Junim crouched down slowly, his feathers settling down a bit as he did so, and offered a hand out with a small smile.

"Sorry, little beastie, I'm not pouncing size and I don't plan to change now. If you promise not to try and eat me though, I can give you pets."

@misfitsandmischief - I can’t believe I’m writing a starter largely as a cat, but here it is XD

She is stealth. She is skill. She is silent as the wind in a barren field. She is……… A cat that should not be out on the streets. She is a sweet little calico that should definitely be curled up at home with the owner that has spent the last hour of his lift searching every spot in his home for her, only to find no cat, and an open window that he definitely did not open, so somebody is going to have to die for that one.

For now, her owner is trudging the streets, bundled in his warmest coat, and trying not to feel dumb for yelling ‘Pudding! Where are you Pudding?’ over and over again.

Pudding herself has no regard for all of that though. She only has eyes for her prey.

He’s taller than the typical bird, that’s for sure, but she knows. That black hair is nothing but feathers to her eyes, and so, the hunter stalks. She’s crouched, she’s ready, and so, Pudding pounces.

Perhaps, were her target only this very large almost-bird’s foot, she’d have succeeded in besting her prey on the first try.

[misfitsandmischief]

The crow can’t help but to nod his head, in both agreement and excitement, dwarfs are wise if they also enjoy the sparkly stones. It’s one thing Junim knows all crows are fond of as well, not just in stones but also anything that shines, and that means he has a handy little stash hidden in a tree fairly close by. If it would get him extra cheese he is more than happy to part with a stone or two. 

“I do not know of Dis, but I am glad to know of Kili.” This two legger dwarf is rather interesting to say the least, and rather kind and fun to say more. He’s really rather happy he met him, even if it was under odd circumstances. 

Looking about he makes a decision, he must stop at his tree before they get to where it is they are going, he needs to get some shiny things to take with him. Kili deserves a shiny as well, he is after all the one taking him to cheese and possibly other things. He’s been a very good companion. 

“Do you know where the fork in the road is? In front or behind? I must visit the tree there.” If it’s behind that may be a small issue, but one he would deal with. He could just fly fast.

"Aye, as they ought to." It is only a fool who looks to command a chef in his kitchen, or so Kili's come to learn. At any rate, letting Bombur run the kitchens the way he sees fit has lead to nothing but loyal staff and good food, so if there's a better way to do it, it's not one the prince knows about, and clearly neither does his uncle.

He's about to tell the crow that he doesn't need to worry, as long as they don't try to take more than can be spared, cheese should be easy to obtain, but before he can the suggestion of a bargain is made, and Kili can only laugh.

"I'd say you won't need to trade, but there's not a dwarf in these mountains wouldn't appreciate a sparkly stone!" If anything, Kili rather thinks it might make them like the bird, and if they like him they may be more generous.

"It could earn you extra cheese, I suppose, if it's a very lovely little rock." The laughter it will likely bring, as well, would serve as quite the bribe for cheese.

"Junim." Kili repeats, mulling the name over as he walks. It's a good name, fitting for the crow, he thinks. "Well met, Junim. I am Kili, son of Dis."

[misfitsandmischief]

It’s rather fun, riding on the others shoulder as he walks along. It does take a moment for him to figure out the rhythm of the movement so he can keep his head from swaying so much, but all in all still fun. His questions are being answered as too! That makes him happy. 

“So these cooks have the rule of the kitchen? And if they so no then it is no. I can do that I think, but I really hope they don’t say no to cheese.” The thought has his head drooping slightly as he considers the thought of not getting the cheese he was offered. It would not be a happy thing for him. But...

“Would they agree if I brought them a gift?” Surely they would. He is always more prone to doing things if there is something in it for him, perhaps the two leggers are the same? “I know where there are very pretty stones. Some of them sparkle. Would they take a trade for the food things?” 

It’s funny, this entire time he’s been chatting with this two legger names hadn’t come up, but perhaps it would be best if he knew his since he was invited and a guest.

“I am called by many things, but my name is Junim.”

For a second, Kili thinks the crow is going to fly away. He's pleasantly surprised to realise that he's wrong, and, in fact, has to adjust his own position slightly to accommodate the creature on his shoulder.

Honestly, it's easier than he expected, what with the crow weighing rather a lot less than a raven, and Kili's lucky that his hair hasn't fallen from the single clasp he pulls some back with, as it often does, so he needn't worry about loose pieces getting trapped beneath little feet.

"Off we go then." He says happily, giving a small nod before he sets off, heading towards the mountain gates.

As well as being easy to carry, the crow is still rather easy to speak to. They aren't exactly face to face, but all Kili has to do is turn his head a little, and he can see the bird well enough to feel like a real friendly conversation.

"That'll be up to the cooks, really. If you ask and they say 'no', then, no." But it's good that he understands that there are rules. That way, Kili doesn't need to worry so much about getting chased out with a spoon. Apparently, despite understanding rules, the crow doesn't understand the concept of a guest. Kili finds himself smiling at the questions, shaking his head.

"It means you can come in because I invited you. So, yes, it might mean you get more cheese-" Kili doesn't tell him that otherwise he'd probably get no cheese. "-and you might get other things as well, if they can be spared for you. I think it would be best if you stayed with me, someone might not realise you're my guest if you don't." He shall have to make sure he tells people, Kili thinks, which then leads him to a rather abrupt next thought.

"Oh, what should I call you?"

[misfitsandmischief]

He will be a guest? This is a first for him and suddenly his curiosity is overflowing, questions forming in his head as he considers the word. His questions will wait though, he doesn't want to miss out on the ride he was offered before. With a hop and a few wingbeats the crow pulls himself through the air to grab at the others flat feathered shoulder. It takes him a moment to shift his weight appropriately so he can settle and keep steady, and then he's nodding.

"I am good and nicely, I won't touch things if I am told to not touch. Am I allowed to touch if I ask to?" Who knew what he would find in this new place to explore.  Of course he would be good, he would try to be on his best behavior, but some things are very hard for a crow to resist.

"Also, what is a guest? Is it special? Does it mean I get lots of cheese? Can I have things other than cheese? Does guest mean I can explore? Are there things other than kitchen I can go to? Do I need to ride with you to new places?" With every question the crow thought of another, his excitement causing his feathers to fluff up a bit.

That is something Kili hadn't really factored into his plan (though, in his defence, it was a very quickly thought up, very small plan). Usually, kitchen staff don't like animals being around the food. Kili hums, thinking it over for a moment, and then he decides, screw it. He'll stick with the plan and he'll just make it work.

"You probably wouldn't be welcome, if you went in on your own. But you'll be with me, I'll make sure they know you are welcome. You'll be my guest." Actually, that's a funny thought. Kili's used his Prince status to get away with more than one silly thing, but he's never brought in a crow as a royal guest before.

There really is a first time for everything. And just like the other silly things he's done, he has to do something to make sure it doesn't really get him into trouble.

"You will have to act nicely though. If the cooks tell you to stay away from something, you do. We'll only get your cheese if we're nice to them. Luckily I know the head of the kitchens well, and it should be fine." Bombur's fairly new to the role, only taking it on once everything was up and running again after the reclaiming, and Kili knows he runs it well - often strictly, to keep to standards - but he expects the chef will only laugh and point him towards whatever cheese can be spared for a pair of scavangers.

"No one will throw anything at you. So, are you coming?"

[misfitsandmischief]

“Kitchens?” That has the birds feathers ruffling a bit. Kitchens mean two leggers. Two leggers with knives. He shakes himself as if to be rid of the word and it’s meaning and idly steps from one foot to the other, back and forth in a nervous sort of way. 

“I am not welcome in most kitchens...” That’s an understatement. The last time he had snuck into a kitchen he had been yelled at rather enthusiastically by the female he hadn’t realized was there. Then there had been throwing! The throwing of wooden sticks and flat breakables and a piece of bread! Granted the bread had been the one thing he hadn’t minded being thrown at him, but after the bread came a person with a knife. He hadn’t cared for being chased out... and without the bread! 

Of course this would be a different scenario right? If he went with a human the other two leggers wouldn’t chase him out... would they? 

Junim eyed the strangely nice two legger person and thought for a moment. He was offering him food, cheese to be exact but food nonetheless. He said he could take him to a kitchen and he even offered him a ride on his shoulder. This would be okay, wouldn’t it? 

He hopped closer, coming to stand just a few feet from the other and looked up at him. 

“If I come to this kitchen with you, you can promise nobody will squawk and throw things at me? If you can I will go.”

Now Kili feels just a little bit bad. He maybe shouldn't, because not having cheese is kind of Kili's default state, and it's not as though he knew there would be a bird here that wanted some, so he didn't have chance to prepare and bring cheese with him.

But he hasn't really seen birds get sad before. He's seen ravens get huffy, and sulk, he's seen them get annoyed and puffed up. That's all a fairly standard part of dealing with such creatures and requesting their help passing messages.

Feeding random birds that aren't being used as messengers isn't exactly common practice. Kili's committed now, though, and when the crow has started looking happy again, he doesn't want to ruin that.

"Oh, the kitchens would likely be the best place." Although he knows the stores would have more cheese, taking the crow straight there would only get him into trouble. Going to the kitchens would mean less cheese, and a few odd looks, but a prince can scavage enough scraps, (it's one of Kili's favourite perks of the title, in fact).

"We'll have to go into the mountain, though it's not too long a walk." Kili explains. Then, sizing up the crow, significantly small than a raven, he decides to make an offer that he hopes isn't offensive.

"You'd be welcome to sit upon my shoulder, if you'd like to come along."

[misfitsandmischief]

At the mention of having good cheese the crow bobbed his head in agreement. If the cheese he had eaten was anything to go by then they did indeed have very good cheese, and he wanted more if this two legger was offering. Maybe he should be a bit more cautious, this was after all a stranger, but in his defense it was a very nice stranger and he didn’t seem to mean him any harm. 

But he didn’t have any cheese? What good are the silly flat feathers and the odd pouches the humans wore around if not to carry cheese in? 

The crow deflated a bit, his happy hops stopping as he lowered his head for a moment, wondering why he was offered cheese if he would not be getting cheese.... But the window was being open once more as he was told he could get some for him. Was he hungry? Always. Always hungry.

“Yes! More cheese please!” He was hopping from foot to foot in excitement when he stopped, his mind having processed the final bit of that statement. 

“Come with you? Where are we coming to?” His head tilted as he chittered his excitement. A new place to explore? Would there be more than just cheese?

Ah, that makes sense. With all the caravans making their way into Erebor lately, there have been plenty of things getting dropped and lost along the way. Luckily nothing very important, or at least nothing important that Kili has heard about, but apparently scraps of food have been amongst the fallen items.

At least it hadn't gone to waste, since this bouncy little creature found it.

"We do have good cheese." And while dwarfs do eat a lot, there's definitely enough to share with a friendly-seeming bird.

"I don't have any on me. I don't just carry cheese around with me." Though that is quite a funny idea, that he might just wander about with cheese in his pockets, looking for crows to share it with.

"But I could get you some, if you're really that hungry. You could come with me, and we'll find you some more cheese." It might look a bit odd, if Kili were to come walking through the mountain halls with a crow, but in all honesty it would not be the weirdest thing he's ever done, and he thinks it could be funny.

[misfitsandmischief]

At the rather loud bit of laughter that echos from the two legger, the crow hops away just a few steps, his feathers ruffling as he turns his head this way and that to observe the other in his amusement. Had... had he said something funny? Surely this wasn’t because of him. The loss of ones cheese was a very serious matter, whether it was due to being eaten or otherwise. 

“Where?” He asked him a question... that was... new. Usually when he spoke he was ignored or given an odd look and backed away from rather quickly. But this two legger had asked him a question. 

“Off the road. A traveling nest hit a bump and some fell off the back of it. The cheese was very good..” He had maybe... eaten it all rather quickly. In his defense it had been a very poor day for scavenging and bugs just weren’t filling to him at the moment. The cheese though had been very filling. but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t take more.

“More? Yes!” The crow quickly took the few hops he had retreated and then some closer even to the other, his head bobbing in a nod as he ruffled his feathers in delight. 

“You have cheese? Will you give me cheese as well?”

@misfitsandmischief said: "I had cheese, I ate the cheese, the cheese is gone." From a sad cheeseless Junim

There are times that being able to speak to birds is very useful. There are times when it's...less useful, or at least less fun, which Kili would very much say is when said birds get a touch stroppy with him and his kin. Angry ravens aren't much joy to be around, after all.

But Kili likes to think that such corvids, temperamental though they may be, are more positively inclined towards him than they are to other members of the Durin line.

Which is why he doesn't feel any real worry that he might be pecked as he doubles over laughing at the poor, cheeseless crow. He doesn't usually talk to crows, but oh boy, this one might just change that.

"Where did you even get cheese?" He wheezes the question out, because he doesn't know of anyone who would be out here feeding cheese to crows.

But, as Kili gets his laughter under control (to spare his aching sides), he realises that this bird does look awfully sad without any cheese.

"...Would you like some more?"

[misfitsandmischief]

After pouting for a bit the crow realizes he needs to move. He knows there aren't that many two leggers here, but there's enough that he can feel a few stares and his cheeks are warming because of it. Of course they would look, he messed up something so simple and easy.

His hands came up to smooth the feathers at the back of his head when he heard a set of footsteps, his eyes glaring at the small amount of liquid that had missed his shirt and fell to the floor. He had to clean up and then he would leave, back to the plant room to scavenge some bugs or something. Again. This would have to be something he tried on a different night. One with less of an audience.

His thought process was interrupted by a voice that sounded too close and a hand in front of him. The crow man froze, blinked, and then slowly looked up to see someone standing in front of him. Oops. He'd stayed to long.

"Um..." He pulled in a breath trying to calm his nerves as he slowly reach out to the hand he was offered. He could do this, he could interact with a two legger, he could stay calm and not shift. There was nothing to fear, of course he wouldn't shift.

"Thank you." His reply had come out a bit softer than he had intended. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Thank you. Yes, please I would be happy for the help. The replicators do not seem to want to help, it is mean." The small glare he gave the machine was the least he wanted to do, but he couldn't peck the metal in this form it would only hurt.

"I was just wanting french fries." A small step sideways had put his bare foot into the puddle of soup and sent an unpleasant shiver up his spine. "I... must clean first." With a bit of a defeated look the crow trudged over to where he had seen napkins and he started to collect a handful, both to wipe the floor with as well as his self.

He’s always hated being stared at for being the odd one out—it took him the better part of a day to recalibrate the Enterprise’s systems to accept his vocal inputs without issue and longer still to program various dishes into replicators that the Americans at Starfleet would never think to include in the database.

This, the frustration that rolls off the man in waves, he sympathises with heavily.

Luckily, or at least Pavel would think so if he found himself in that position, fighting with the replicator, the mess is fairly empty at this hour, with most of the officers having retired to their quarters for the night. A few of the officers still around throw glances the man’s way, some with raised brows, others with their faces scrunched up, while the rest simply ignore the scene unfolding on the opposite side of the room.

Pavel switches off the screen of his PADD before he stands and leaves it behind to save his spot.

His brows pinch together when he smells something that reminds him of chicken noodle soup in the air the closer he gets; it takes only a moment of looking down at him and seeing the state of his shirt for Pavel to conjure up an image of what must have transpired in his head, and it involves hot soup with no bowl being shot out at him.

Is he hurt? It would have been hot.

“You have to be very clear about what you want from the replicators. Trust me, I have had to adjust them enough times to know.” He offers a hand. “I can help you. What do you want?”

[mymanymerrymuses]

It's odd to think that crows and dwarfs could have something in common, especially something that makes up such a large part of what makes them them. What with the birds being...well, birds, living above ground, in the trees and in the sky, and dwarfs being so much better suited to being beneath the ground, hidden away in mountain tunnels, they seem so very different. In many ways, they are, but it's quite nice to know that they share an appreciation of shiny rocks.

"I am glad to know of you as well." Kili says brightly. There are those who think of ravens as nothing more than fussy messenger birds, and crows as nothing more than nuisances, not even useful in the same way as their larger relations. Kili, however, thinks of ravens as entertaining (if a little haughty) creatures, and crows as fun. Junim definitely reinforces that for him.

At the bird's question, Kili finds himself looking around, as if to check where they are. Although he knows, at least roughly, and his sense of direction above ground isn't half so bad as some, but it doesn't hurt to have a little look and make sure.

"It's ahead of us, if we're speaking of the same place. Not too far I don't think." He's curious now, wondering about the importance of that exact tree. "Is that where your nest is?"

The crow can’t help but to nod his head, in both agreement and excitement, dwarfs are wise if they also enjoy the sparkly stones. It’s one thing Junim knows all crows are fond of as well, not just in stones but also anything that shines, and that means he has a handy little stash hidden in a tree fairly close by. If it would get him extra cheese he is more than happy to part with a stone or two. 

“I do not know of Dis, but I am glad to know of Kili.” This two legger dwarf is rather interesting to say the least, and rather kind and fun to say more. He’s really rather happy he met him, even if it was under odd circumstances. 

Looking about he makes a decision, he must stop at his tree before they get to where it is they are going, he needs to get some shiny things to take with him. Kili deserves a shiny as well, he is after all the one taking him to cheese and possibly other things. He’s been a very good companion. 

“Do you know where the fork in the road is? In front or behind? I must visit the tree there.” If it’s behind that may be a small issue, but one he would deal with. He could just fly fast.