Totoka River a bird in the hand

@Æthelwulf

There had been a bird following her for some time as she made her way back to the island. Not a seagull or pelican, but a creature that reminded her, somewhat, of the ravens that lived in Blackfeather Woods. But his plumage was different; his head was a deep blue, and his eyes bright silver. And he was smaller, too. He flew just above her as she traveled, by himself, and stopped to rest when she did, as well.

Maegi didn't much care for birds. She had tolerated the ravens in Blackfeather Woods, and had made several songbirds her meal when she was quick enough to catch them. Overall, she paid them little mind, and so it was a surprise to her when she stopped to rest near the river that emptied into the sea, close to the sandbar, that the bird was still there, having landed on the bank a few tail-lengths away from her.

"What do you want?" she asked, a little irritably. The bird opened its beak and croaked at her, then began to peck at the ground, looking for insects to devour. Maegi sighed, utterly perplexed, and began to lap at the water. She kept one eye trained on the creature, just in case it decided to do something crazy. . .like talk.

She was already of the mindset that she was going insane; a bird speaking to her would confirm it.

The bird following Maegi is a Common Grackle.