life mage

"I suppose I've always had a way with birds. Kept them for years.They're a lot of work, and I certainly wouldn't recommend them to everyone, but if you have the time and commitment, they're such a treasure.

Oh, you want to know about the crows? Well, yes. They're a bit different from my cockatiels in that they're not really my pets. But they like to hang around. I throw them some scraps every now and then and they seem to appreciate it- Oh yes, I know it's not exactly healthy, but they're scavengers. They'd be eating that sort of thing with or without my help. But... perhaps I should tell you the real reason that they hang around my home. The free food is one thing, but they know a side to me that even many of my friends don't.

This may sound silly, but... I've practiced magic for years. Yes, it's real, and no, I can't even begin to explain it. I was very young when the ability came to me, and it was as if my eyes opened to an entirely new reality. Suddenly I could see the underlying strings that held everything together, and with a shaking hand I started to tug at them. Year after year I became more bold, and eventually figured out that the universe doesn't like being pulled at too hard. I still have the scars to show it.

One area I particularly enjoyed was the manipulation of living things. I found others that practiced this magic, or 'sphere', as they called it, but found their circle to be rather unsavory. Angry people, burning with a hatred of the modern world. I was a doctor at the time, and it didn't sit right with me. Yes, I knew that i could cheat the laws of nature, but most people can't. The group of fellow life magicians never could understand that, so I preferred not to associate with them.

I'm sorry. i got sidetracked. Back to the crows. I was driving home one day and just as I was pulling into my driveway, another driver sped past behind me in a large truck. I heard a soft thud, and a mass of black feathers falling to the ground. The poor thing had been hit mid-flight. Parking, I left the car and went to investigate. The crow was still alive, but barely. Only a faint heartbeat and a few attempts at fluttering its wings confirmed it. The others watched from the trees, and objected loudly to my approach. Poor things, wanted to mourn their dead. A few even attempted to dive-bomb my head. But I didn't give up. I kept my hands on the injured bird until finally... yes. It cried out and scratched my hands up good, and I let it go so it could fly into the treetops with the others.

It was hardly the first time I'd treated a wounded animal. But... well, many creatures just don't understand the way that corvids do. They'd figured it out. I was the sweet old miracle worker that had saved a member of their family. They feel they owe me a debt. Now, clearly I don't expect much from them. But it's still amazing to see, these remarkable, intelligent birds. Even if they really owe me nothing, I still greatly enjoy having them around. So I keep them fed, and they're happy."