Snowcon Forest

Ruffled Feathers

"Oh Darling, this place looks marvelous! I'll have to shoot my next movie here!"

"It's too cold fer me! I'm gonna freeze me feathers off!"

"And that is why you wear a coat in the winter, Conductor!"

"But yer not wearn' one!"

Hat Kid sighed and slapped a hand to her face, already worn out by the arguing that was going on between the two bird directors.

She had started her day out by returning to Dead Bird Studio, wanting to see the Conductor and DJ Grooves again. Well, it was mostly Grooves she wanted to see since she and the penguin had hit it off and formed a good friendship, the Conductor was just an added bonus.

Then again, listening to the bickering that was still going on, bonus was not the word she would still use.

Perhaps annoying, or irritating would be a better description for the loud bird.

Anyways, the DJ had been extremely curious as to what she had been up to since she had last visited the studio. The next ten minutes or so were filled with stories about her experiences in the snowy Subcon Forest, discussing Snatcher, the Subconites, and Moonjumper.

She, of course, did not mention the general angst and strife that existed within the forest and its inhabitants. The penguin did not need to know about that!

When her tale was finished it had taken him a couple moments to process all that she had told him. The spooky ghost that ruled over the magical forest, his shadowy minions that joked around and talked about free real estate, the goofy corpse that loved teasing said spooky ghost. It was quite a bit to take in.

But he was not one to be deterred by such strangeness, not after having worked beside the Conductor for so many years, and actually found himself rather interested in this strange forest.

"Do you think you could take me there, darling?" DJ Grooves asked. "I need some inspiration for a new movie and this forest just might be it!"

Hat Kid nodded her head, agreeing to take the DJ to Subcon in order to help him be inspired for his next movie that she would hopefully star in pleasepleasepleeeeeeease!

No matter how strange it had been to act in each of the bird's movies, especially the Conductor's because Train Rush had just been confusing and life threatening, she did enjoy the chance to be on screen and act.

Besides, think of how much money she would get this time, especially if she got Snatcher to write up her contract!

Suddenly the ceiling started groaning, as if it would break at any moment, which startled the duo out of their movie obsessed thoughts. Confused and slightly worried, the penguin and child looked up then backed away from the creaking structure.

What happened next was, unexpected, to say the least.

The Conductor suddenly, and literally, dropped in on their conversation.

Apparently the aggravated bird had been eavesdropping from one of the ventilation shafts in the ceiling.

He had been curious as to what his competitor and previous enemy had been discussing, but rather than ask the duo what they had been speaking about, because that was too normal for someone as interesting as the Conductor, he had decided to spy on their conversation.

The dusty, disgruntled bird stood up, brushed himself off, and demanded they allow him to tag along so he too could explore Subcon. Hat Kid agreed, not immediately seeing any harm in allowing the Conductor to join her trip.