Bloody Birds (Solo)

[Aello]

Spring 2, 511 AV Aello was leaning up against the wall of an alley. The alley was empty save for herself, her belongings, and of course, her trusty sparrow Yune who was sitting atop her knee. Aello's knees were tucked upwards and into her body as she fed Yune a few blades of grass she had gathered for her before leaving the forest between each bite of the soulmist mixture that was in her mouth. She had been chewing leaves that smelled like peppermint, an old piece of bread she found in the trash, and half of a banana someone had tossed into the pile. Not the best taste, but better than what she was used to. The bird was chirping as Aello held the tiny pieces of grass out to her. "Suppose you like that," Aello muttered as she shoved the mixture into her right cheek with her tongue so that she could speak clearly. The bird simply chirped in response. "Thought so," Aello muttered as she pushed the mixture back into the center of her mouth with her tongue and continued chewing. Aello took a moment to rummage through her bag for her eating knife. The bag had been resting to her right side, and it only took her a moment or two to locate the knife. When Aello pulled it out of the bag it seemed to glimmer. Even in the pale light of the alley. She turned the blade over in her right hand for a moment, as Yune tugged the last piece of grass from between her fingertips. Boy was she hungry, Aello thought as the bird continued to nibble on the green stem, and Aello's left hand took the knife from her right. But which finger to prick? Which one owes me blood this time? Aello wondered as she returned her eating knife to her right hand. That one is far more dextrous, her brain whispered, far more capable of doing the job. It was then that Aello brought the tip of the silver blade across her left pointer finger. The slice made her feel numb, caused crimson blood to trickle out of a thin line. Hardly seems more than a paper cut. Aello shrugged as she put the knife back into her bag, and lifted her bleeding finger over her mouth. She parted her lips, welcoming the blood in. It dripped off the sides of her fingers, onto her lips. The blood felt warm, her lips so cold. Aello lowered her hand when her finger stopped bleeding as the bird continued to chirp madly. Aello licked the blood off her lips. She wanted nothing more than for the bird to shut up. Now was not the time for it to sing to her. The stryfe would destroy you if they found out you're making soulmist, the left side of her brain whispers, she knows, the right side shouted back, but there is little she can do about it. She must finish the mist. It is apparent she had bitten off more than she can chew, the left replied, before her brain grew silent, as the bird's song continued to echo throughout the empty alleyway. A touch of winter still lingered on the air as Aello chewed. It wasn't quite cold and windy anymore, but it wasn't warm either. It was something in-between, but it was enough to make her feel chilled. Especially as her heart pounded and beads of sweat appeared on her brow. She had never been out in the open before, where anyone could see when she practiced her magic. The danger made her nervous, yet gave her a strange thrill at the same time. An adrenaline rush; it was all a game. A game in which she must race not to get caught; for the consequences could prove deadly. A game in which she raced against an invisible clock, a clock that neither party knew existed. A clock that told time neither could see. Not she, or any of the stryfe, or anyone else that may happen upon her. It was a game in which she was the only player who knew that anyone was playing. OOCMust... get... competent... spiritism. Just two points... so close.

[Aello]

Aello continued chewing on the soulmist mixture as the bird chirped and she absently ran the fingers of her left hand over its head. Its feathers were ruffled slightly from the wind, which merely made the feathers feel softer than usual. Such a good bird, Aello thought as she rubbed the bird's head. It had started to quiet down, and to hum lightly, kind of like how a cat purrs when it is happy. Bet it likes that, her brain said, it seemed amused, as though the creature were simply too easy to satisfy, and it needed more of a challenge. Something like the game she was playing. The only thing that truly distracted her from the unpleasant taste that danced across her tongue, and the soulmist scent that floated up to her nostrils. The soulmist was starting to grow cool. The tips of Aello's teeth felt like ice. It will be ready soon, her brain whispered as she gave a slight nod in response, and continued to chew more furiously. She wanted to be done. To win the race with the invisible clock. Aello reached into her bag and pulled out an empty jar. She would store the soulmist in there, same as always. She put it down beside her and continued to pet the bird with her left hand. A speck of blood had appeared on Yune's head. Must be from that pricked finger, her brain whispered as she ignored it and absently continued to pet the bird. The soulmist mixture was growing colder. Excellent, Aello's brain whispered as she chewed for a few more minutes, until her mouth grew so cold, it felt as though it contained its own personal blizzard, and her teeth had turned into tiny ice blocks. It is ready, Aello's brain whispered as she picked up the jar and opened the lid. She lifted the jar to her lips and blew the soulmist into the jar. An off-white gel that gave off a strange and unidentifiable smell filled the jar halfway. The jar grew cold, and seemed icy around the edges. When she was done, Aello put the lid back on the jar. She shoved it back in her bag. Best to hide the evidence. "Ahhh... much better," Aello commented as she closed her eyes for a moment and rested her head against the wall. Yune was chirping again wildly. "You say something Yune?" Yune kept on chirping. "You know you talk too much. You should really just quiet down sometimes and enjoy the silence that surrounds you." Chirp! Chirp! Yune said. "Fine Yune, we can engage in a short conversation, what do you wish to talk about?" Aello asked the sparrow. Chirp Chirp! "You like the weather we are having?" Aello asked. "It is rather nice," Aello added absently. Chirp Chirp! The bird said angrily. "Ohhh, you're still hungry!" Aello giggled as she pulled another few blades of grass out of her pack and held them out to Yune, who instantly stuck her beak out and grabbed them from between Aello's fingertips. "Well you could mind your manners and be polite about it you know," Aello scolded, as she stuck her finger out for the bird. Yune hopped up on it, her tiny talons digging into the flesh of Aello's right index finger. Aello raised her finger to her left shoulder and the bird hopped on. "That's a good girl," Aello said as she fed the last blade of grass she held in her hands as a treat. Yune munched on it happily as Aello gathered her things. She didn't want to be caught dead in that alley. "Time to go love," Aello said when she had gathered all of her things. She stood up, and looked all around the alley. The coast seemed clear. "Got to beat the clock..."

[Seth]

Aello: +2 Spiritism XP +1 Birdkeeping XP Lores: Cutting One's Self Safely, Making Simple Soulmist, Basic Communication with Basic Birds. The Method behind my Madness : You communicated with the bird a bid, so you get some Birdkeeping! You also used Spiritism, so I gave you some XP in that. Hope it was enough. I love Aello! Keep up the good work!