A Crazy Bird Lady in a Snake's Den!

A rare smile stretched across Aeluri’s face as she strolled down the trail that descended from Basilisk Fang’s formidable fortress. Cool mountain breezes caused long black hair to sway in the wind. Wildflowers dotted the hillside, a pleasantly colorful sight compared to the dull grays within the guild’s hallways. Leaves, grass, and branches rustled with the air movement, a constant visual of green motion. Small birds bickered in the trees, their noises drifting down from the heights. The fresh air and sounds of nature were bound to make anyone feel at peace despite the rugged appearance of the terrain.

Umbra bounced around the hillside beside the mage, running, leaping, and pouncing like a kitten on caffeine. Birds just barely missed his swiping claws as he chased them around. A change in scenery and new smells gave the black cat a plethora of energy, and he had no qualms with spending it all on a little fun! The two intended to stop in the town below their mountainous home to check out the new bakery that had opened up. It was rumored that they served cinnamon rolls, Aeluri’s favorite. The thought of a giant, warm cinnamon pastry caused her mouth to water and her pace to increase. She had to get there before they were sold out!

A chorus of loud squawks suddenly came from around the next corner of the trail. Such a loud noise would cause Umbra to jump into Aeluri’s arms in fright, his play at once forgotten. The mage slowed to a stop and the two looked at each other in confusion. The only birds that lived in the mountains were songbirds and raptors, not… parrots?

Around the bend came a female figure, toting a large cart full of bird cages. Dark blue hair covered one eye and a pale face, with similarly-colored eyes to match. She seemed to be lost in thought, trudging along with the heavy weight of bags and bird cages. What a peculiar person, Aeluri thought with a tilt of her head as she observed the approaching woman, earlier smile gone without a trace. Who on earth would own so many birds? Her eyes narrowed as the realization of the other’s path registered in her mind. The trail they both occupied only lead to the fortress above, which must be her destination.

Aeluri forgot her own purpose and planted herself in the middle of the path with determination. The other woman would not be allowed pass without a few questions first!

Notes: None!

Blue eyes changing to red and black. A surge of magical power in the air. These things did not faze Aeluri, though they did make her raise an eyebrow in curiosity. The woman before her obviously had something unique about her besides a large collection of birds, though it wasn’t clear exactly what. She had mentioned business with the mountain-dwelling mages, and if she was seeking to join the guild perhaps she would fit right in.

The loud hissing of the giant black bird perched on the lady’s shoulder startled both Aeluri and Umbra. The poor black cat scrambled over his friend’s shoulder and hid in her bag, peeking his head back up to watch the girl and bird, eyes as wide as moons. His fur was puffed out to maximum size as fear coursed through him. Aeluri, however, maintained her composure. The girl was apologizing for her pet’s behavior, but the look she gave Aeluri’s companion did not go unnoticed. “Excuse me?” Umbra yowled incredulously from his hiding place. “Do I look like some sort of house cat with no self control? How dare you accuse me? I could take on your stupid birds any day lady!” Such a hot temper paired with his fearful appearance was an nonthreatening sight, however. Aeluri rolled her eyes and booped the cat’s nose to distract him from his outrage.

“Now, you mentioned going to the home of Basilisk Fang...” she started, preparing to grill the young woman with questions, but was interrupted by a tall figure blocking her view. It was Iris, one of her newer guildmates, sticking his pale face uncomfortably close to the stranger. His apparent fascination with eyes unnerved Aeluri, considering it meant elongated eye contact. She hated being stared at and she suspected that the cloaked woman with the birds would too.

“Excuse me, eye boy, we were in the middle of a conversation,” she grumbled, stepping around the lanky mage so she could see the newcomer once again. Connecting Iris’ arrival to their current location, she gave him an amused glance. “You didn’t have to follow me all the way here, you know. If you wanted company all you had to do was ask, I don’t always bite.”

Looking back to the girl with blue hair, she continued. “As I was saying, if you want to join the guild, we can take you there.” Muttering about missing out on cinnamon pastries, she turned to head back up the mountain path. Umbra peeked once more over the brim of the bag, eyeing the two others and the birds nervously.

“Come on then! We’ve got some climbing to do.”

Notes: None!