when opportunity knocks

[Straia]

sometimes we want what we want --
    -- even if we know it’s going to kill us.

There’s a particular raven that catches her attention, and Straia focuses her magic into the bird so she can see and hear what is happening. The girl who speaks to the raven now is a familiar one. How could Straia forget the unafraid filly from so long ago? She had impressed her then, and now, it seems, she had become even more. Certainly not a filly now, though apparently a bit of a thief.

The raven seems to understand, which should be strange enough in and of itself. Though to be fair, any raven might be interested in the shiny things being proffered to them with such ease, though most would not stay with a horse so near. Still, this raven is calm and collected, and nods at the request. It understands the offer, and so far as it can tell, it gets the better end of the deal. Protection just for doing exactly what it might do anyway - hide shiny things.

The bird hops forward, leaving its branch to take the offered feather in its beak. Then it swoops lower, grabbing the two eyes in its feet before winging off in, perhaps shockingly, the direction of Nerine. It would do as told, though perhaps only because it was being controlled (though possibly it would have taken the eyes regardless). Though Straia doesn’t spare the magic to figure out what’s going on with the eyes, she figures it can’t hurt to know where they end up. It might be useful.

It’s a few moments between the raven disappearing and Straia appearing nearby, walking casually as if she has no idea what just happened. ”Popinjay,” she says, drawing out the name slightly with something that sounds like affection. ”You have grown.”

-- straia

the raven queen

@[Popinjay]