Vinnie takes his time outside of the machine. He never really worked up the nerve to get this close to it before. Such a strange mix of organic-ish material and machinery itself. In his mind he was trying to deconstruct it into the most plausible parts, though he would never think about actually trying to disassemble this beauty of a beast. He placed a hand against the machine and feels its gentle thrum. Even at rest, it seems, the machine still breathed. “You are a good.” He whispers to it before leaving it with a gentle pat.
Vinnie leaps into Ven’s arms so that he doesn’t have to reach down for the hug but quickly, a bit self-consciously, hops off almost immediately after a squeeze.
Vinnie sees that his hosts have made their appearances most fancy and was happy to have scavenged a belt that he’d modified to have an artistic belt buckle looking like a leaf from his favourite tree back home.
There had been no need for clothing in the forest. Most of the tall folks left Vinnie’s people alone, many believed them to just be large squirrels and leave it at that. But being out and about in the wider world Vinnie knew there was purpose and function to clothing beyond just keeping one warm or to help cool one down. He knew many tall folks dressed themselves up like magpies and he thought it was a quaint custom.
“Thank you for inviting me, yes. Your Machine is astounding home.” Vinnie nodded as though speaking the most simple truth. “Wonderful heart,yes.”
Vinnie requests whichever earthiest tea they have. Nothing was like the pine needle teas his mom would make, with a little rosehip and a dash of cinnamon, but Vinnie wasn’t hard to please.
He places a hand against one of the doorframes and then gazed toward a different wall. Vinnie knew a cobbled together creation when he saw one. “All different but come together. The Spirit of the Caravan. The Soul of Creations. Yes… Yes.”
Vinnie startles when Ven yells up to Argo. He smiles up to Ven and brushes off his feet before entering. He marvels at all of the artwork and the patchwork of colour. Instantly any apprehension he had vanishes as everything about Ven and Argo’s home reminds hime of his own little caterpillar. Yes, Vinnie knew these were good tall folks but this absolutely cements the feeling in his heart.
He had not yet made his hosts artwork for their home, but Vinnie was still working on a few ideas and would like to know them better before attempting something sentimental.
This was the first time that Vinnie had seen Argo without his mask and was somewhat surprised. He’d seen many masks worn by many tall folks but he’d assumed the antlers had been a part of his get-up. Somehow knowing those were real antlers endears Argo even more to Vinnie. It was like taking in a whisp of home. Seeing his string beads Vinnie self-consciously fiddles with his own belt buckle.
“The Caravan is busy!” Vinnie waved his hand dismissively. “Vinnie is busy too!”)
Ven’s hand was surprisingly gentle as it set down on Vinnie’s shoulder which was a welcome surprise. He pats the tall one’s hand appreciatively. “Happy to be in your home. With you, yes.”
Of the selection Vinnie lands on a cinnamon chai blend. He waves off concern at the use of such a large cup for his small hands, but Vinnie has handled many hot things and holding tall folks tea cups would not burn his hands.
Vinnie admits his favourite music is still birdsongs. His family and people had their own songs and while he’s been with the Caravan he’s heard many lovely people sing many lovely things, but there is nothing like simply sitting in a grove listening to the birds. He is grateful for the opportunity to have traveled so far with the Caravan as he’s heard so many different birdsong which he has not before.
He wouldn’t want wings. Vinnie is absolutely adamant about that. Heights never bothered him, he could climb the machine while it roamed with no hesitation, but flying… no supports, no safeties, nothing to grab for far too long. No. Thank you.
Vinnie answers any and all questions Ven throws at him, usually with a funny story about his home to go along with it. He tells of his older sister, who for brevity he simply calls Vessa. She was always the shortest despite being one of his oldest siblings, but that was so good because it meant she could get in to the little crevasses when they were playing hide and seek and she could always reach whatever you dropped under the deck boards. His brother Fennes, on the other hand, was one of the biggest gatherers Vinnie knew. And that meant he gave the best hugs.
“…and that is why Frittess and Vunnen came home covered in honey and jay feathers!” Vinnine exclaims through breathless laughter.
Suddenly Vinnie notices that the room had become substantially darker than it was when he arrived. He’d gotten so caught up in memories from home he must have spent hours talking. “Oh. Apologies, yes. Vinnie’s been going on all about family for so long…”
Vinnie hesitates, unsure if he overstayed his welcome or if he should ask of their families in return or…. He decides to sip his cold tea and let his apology hang in the air.
