Symbiosis

I walked down the path, clutching my bag. My eyes darted around at the people looking at me nervously. A cloak hid my pale features, my white hair, my light amber and blue eyes, and my wings. My large wings, white and speckled with black and gray spots, marked with the colors of a loner, of an owl, of someone who doesn’t belong in sight. Someone who belongs in the shadows.

I gathered ingredients for my dinner, meat and carrots, berries, and spices. I walked up to the bread stand, waiting in line. I asked for a loaf and paid, waiting for my bread. I looked around, many other races of Arians walking around the market and mingling.

My eyes caught sight of a certain stand, one that was familiar, a happy memory flashes in my mind. One with my mother, when I didn't have to worry about people hating me because I had certain wings. It was a honey dessert stand. One of my favorites was Honey Scales, I looked at my hand and saw the coin in my hand. I closed my hand over it and sighed. I didn’t have enough money for one, just barely enough for the potatoes I needed.

“Hey! Boy, get outta here! I got more costumahs’ than you!” The lady who had just handed me my bread yelled at me. Judging from her accent, she wasn’t from around here. I felt hurt by her words, especially since I had just got there and was waiting in line for her to be finished. Instead of voicing my concerns, I just nodded slightly, put the bread in my bag, and left.

Before I left the market, I grabbed two potatoes and walked up the path that spread throughout the forest. I checked my bag for everything and once I counted everything, I started running up a hill. I got up to the top of the hill and spread my wings, lifting off of the ground and flapping so I could get to a safe enough altitude to glide.

I glided in the air, swerving gently in the high winds. I’ve always felt trapped, like a cockatoo on a polished wood stick. But out here, in the forest, I feel free. Like I could do anything. In the forest, It’s secluded and quiet. So people can’t judge me for being an Owl Avian.

I clutched the bag full of produce close to my chest, flapping my wings now and then when I was losing altitude. I spotted a small house In a clearing and little far off and banked left, tucking my wings in slightly so I can lose enough altitude to get to the ground.

As soon as I got to the grass, I tucked my wings in tight to my back. I grabbed the doorknob and twisted it, opening the door. The dusty cabin is dimly lit with the golden hour lighting. I looked around, it was unusually still. I put down the bag of produce on the kitchen table. I started the fire and transferred some fire over to a few lanterns.

I look around some more. I wonder if the ruckus I've been making will make her come out of her hiding spots. My eyes land on the hallway to my right. I get up and walk over to a room, peering inside of it.

"Emi? Are you here? It's me" I called out into the dark room. Suddenly a small figure walked out of the room. She had small wings, growing out of their fluffy feathers and brown hair that was very long and curly. She was around 7 years old but I don't know her full age, since I found her on the street when she was a baby.

"Lanci?" She looked at me and then her face lit up. She ran up to me and hugged my waist. I kneeled down and hugged her. "Lanci, what's for dinner?"

I got up and held her hand, leading her to the table. She called me by my first full name because I don't like nicknames, so she called me Lanci, my full name is Lanci Havas Tuku, I set her in a chair. She parted her wings comfortably.

"We are having some stew with some Galdoberry jam on toast. Galdoberries were very hard to find and were very expensive, but today was my mother's death anniversary, and Galdoberries were her favorite.

Emi clapped excitedly. "Yay!" I smile, and I feel my shoulders rest. Seeing her happy is all I want for her. I stirred the stew before grabbing a ladle that was hanging above the fireplace and serving it in a small bowl.

I give it to Emi, blowing on it for her. "Thank you, Lanci!" She says, smiling before digging into her stew. I nod and serve myself a bowl, sitting down and eating for myself. At the end of the night, I sent her to bed and gave her Mr. Raven.

"Goodnight Lanci"

I smiled "Goodnight sugar plum"

I closed the door and sighed, putting my cloak on, slipping my wings through the slits in the back. I look at the moon, it's a full one and the grass is silver, the trees dark against the light. I walk into an unopen spot, this time not following the path.

I'm nocturnal, so I only need 5 hours of sleep every two nights. Today was what I call my 'skip day', where I don't feel tired at all at night. I continue walking, getting lost in thought before I hear a branch snap behind me.

I spin around, my eyes falling into slits. I had very sharp eyesight. I pull out the dagger from its sheath placed around my thigh, holding it up next to my chest defensively. I take two steps back wearily, unsheathing my talons in my left hand.

I hear another snap behind me. I start spiraling, am I getting surrounded, or is this person very fast? My heartrate speeds up, I can't pinpoint this person...or people?

Suddenly I get knocked down from behind before I can whip around. I writhe beneath the person, then I remember that I have strong wings. I position my wings under the person, thrusting them upward, throwing the person off of me

Then I turn around, pouncing on them, placing my boot on their stomach and pointing my dagger at their temple, holding down their neck with my sharp talons, pressing them into their neck.

They were fast, but they were small and easy to overpower. I look at the person straight in the eye and notice he is a male. I seethe. "Who are you and what do you want with me?" He struggled beneath me, fighting.

And then I realize he is Royalty.