An Outdoorsman's Guide To The Calls Of Common Thieves

The Four Find Outers

22/05/2024-23/05/2024

After leaving Pike with new information about the window-breakers, Ryan and I talk our way to the park.
"Have you seen any rare birds here?"
"Yeah, there are a few."
"I'd love to learn how to recognise some. Even common ones."
"I can teach you if you want."
"Lead the way."

Love Like You - Steven Universe, Rebecca Sugar

We take a leisurely stroll around the path as he points at different trees and I try to find something recognisable about the birds living inside them.

"Over there is a White-tailed Ptarmigan."

"A white-tailed what now?"
"Ptar. Mi. Gan."
"Ptar. Mi. Gan. Ptarmigan. Oh yeah I see it. Is it the one with the white base and brownish spots?"
"Spot on." I laugh at the pun. What can I say, I'm a sucker for cheesy jokes, and Ryan is just full of them.
"And that one, the Mountain Chickadee, not to be confused with the Black-capped Chickadee." He shows me a picture of both.

"Am I supposed to see a difference?"
"The trick to telling them apart is ... here. You see the head?"
"Yeah? Ohhh I see. It's black-capped. I get it."
"You're a fast learner."
"I try."

"So you take these photos yourself?"
"Yup."
"Impressive. I would love to take wildlife photos, but I fear that when I eventually encounter a rare animal, I'll get a shot of my thumb instead."
"Trust me, it's a relatable experience. We host regular competitions for that kind of thing."
"What, thumb pics with a bird in the back?"
"I wish. For rare birds."
"Ooh, fun."

I love competitions, and I am as competitive as anyone who tries to go into medicine. However, this is also a chance to return his offer, so I guess it's my turn. Plus, he loves birds.

"Well when one comes up, could you help me take some photos?"
"Of course. We could submit some together ... if you'd like. I mean you don't have to, um..."
"Yeah, I'd love to. I mean I wouldn't like love to- I mean I'd love t- I mean like to-" I cup my hands over my mouth, embarrassed. I need to stop talking, because that smile on his face is making me tongue-tied.
He chuckles. "Cool."
"Yeah. Cool."

"Oh look! A Mountain Chickadee!"
"Nice one!"
"Not to be confused with a Black-capped Chickadee."
"Glad not to be the only tree nerd in Haven."
"Ahh, now I see what you were doing."
"No no, you-"
"-mhm, mhm yeah-"
"-I wasn't trying to make you a tree nerd, I just-"
"Hey tree nerds, what's up?"

YOLO - aespa

A familiar voice interrupts.
Z: "Hey Alex, hey Steph. I guess it's official then."
S: "What's official?"
Z: "I'm officially one of the two Haven tree nerds."
S: "Oh, we knew that from the moment you started hanging out with Ryan."
R: "Hey!"
Z: "It's kind of fun though. I know my Black-capped Chickadees from the mountain ones."
R: "Thank you Z."
A: "Aww."
R + Z: "What?"
A: "Nothing."
S: "So what are you guys up to? Moving the documentary dates outdoors 'ey?"
R: "Uh.. I mean..."
Z: "Umm.."
It seems that neither of us really know what to call our 'hang outs'. Steph sure does have some suggestions though.
A: "We came to find you guys about the break ins."
Z: "You mean the window-breakers?"
A + S: "Window-breakers?"
Z: "I mean, that's what I've been calling them. When you hear a window break, there's a high chance it's them."
S: "Hold up- you've seen them?"
Z: "If by them you mean their muffled voices? Yeah. Ryan and I heard them last night around the corner of the way to the Lantern."
A: "So the nature documentary has turned into a crime documentary."
R: "We just bump into each other when looking for clues."
S: "Conveniently bump into each other?"
R: "Yeah."
A: "Well we're in. This is clearly something. We're ready to help."
R: "Wait, really?"
A: "I mean if we can do something about it, it's not right to just sit around and wait."
S: "We solved the last mystery, let's bust this one too."
R: "Sweet."
Z: "You guys wanna come round to mine? We can brief you on what we know already, come up with a plan and stuff."
A: "Sounds good. You ready?"
R: "Let's go."

Cloud 9 - Beach Bunny

The four of us make some pizza, before sitting down to sat and chat up a plan.
A: "So they were on the jewellers last night?"
R + Z: "Yup."
S: "I'm not seeing a pattern here."
Z: "I though there might be too, but maybe they're just thieves."
R: "But there are patterns in other places. Like how they only steal display items."
A: "Maybe we should tell people to take down their display items?"
Z: "That's a good idea."
S: "Do they know we're after them?"
Z: "I don't think so. Actually I don't know. They shouldn't, right? Other wise they'll be alert when we're near. That's both a good and a bad thing."
R: "Depends if they're good at masking their reactions."
A: "But I'll know if they're masking their reactions. So will Z. You know, body language and all?"
Z: "See I've never dealt with stuff like this before. I can give it a try though."
A: "So if we can see when people are on high alert..."
S: "All we have to do is alert them. And we all know how good I am at distracting people."
R: "I still can't get over Diane's face. Red as a tomato."
A: "See I don't know how Ryan's gonna distract anyone, because he goes red as a tomato whenever he lays eyes on a certain someone."
R: "I do not!"
A: "Then how do you know who I'm talking about?"
Everyone looks at me for some reason, and Ryan's face seems to heat up. He really is as red as a tomato. Hold on-
S: "This is actually a good plan."
Z: "I know right? We're like the five find outers and dog. But there's four of us. And no dog."
They all stare at me blankly.
Z: "Never heard of Enid Blyton, huh?"
They all shake their heads.
Z: "Aww."
S: "Anyways, who do you guys think is guilty?"
A: "I actually have no idea. The evidence doesn't line up with a specific person yet. But I have heard that phrase before."
R: "Yeah, I was thinking that. Mayb-"
crash!