How Dream got his mask and other stories

The Crow and The Traveler

no TW, but if you think one needs to be added tell me

--

Once upon a time, there lived a Crow. She lived on a bridge, and was the Guardian of the forest like her ancestors before her, asking everyone a riddle to ensure they could enter.

One dark autumn day, a man clothed in green approached the bridge.

"Stop!" Crow hopped down from her perch in a nearby tree. "You must answer a riddle to pass through here!"

The man turned around, and wasn't surprised to see Crow. "Hello. How are you, little one?"

Crow was surprised to hear someone asking her about her day, although it never really changed. 

"I've been waiting for travelers like you." she answered brightly.

"Do you ever leave your bridge?" The traveler asked. 

She squawked. "Of course not! Its safe here! Do you ever settle down?" 

He smiled. "I move for the same reason that you stay. Its safe to move." 

Crow grew confused. "Don't you have a family? Friends that visit you? How will they know where you are?"

"Oh, I've lived years and years on this earth. I have watched many of my friends and family grow and age. "

"Don't you ever get lonely?" The crow questioned. 

The man stared at his shoes.

She quickly apologized. "You still haven't answered your riddle. I have wings, but never lift off the ground. I go over, never under, and I don't eat. What am I?"

He pondered this for a moment.

"I have wings of my own." The traveler said. 

She was shocked. Surely he didn't choose land over sky? "Then why do you walk on the ground like a commoner? Surely it's better to fly!"

A moment of silence passed between the two of them.

"Remember how you asked if I got lonely all by myself?" Crow nodded.

"I walk so I may find new people to make friends, new people to share the little things that I've found in this world that make life the smallest bit better."

Crow understood what he was saying, as many travelers had come past and answered her riddles, but none had truly talked to her.

However this man had avoided every riddle, instead asking about her life and wellbeing. This man had felt misery and worthlessness and wouldn't wish it on other people for the world.

"May I come with you?" Crow asked in a small voice.

The traveler smiled and invited her onto his shoulder, placing a short length of rope with a golden heart around her neck.

And as the years went by, the two noticed that Crow hadn't aged at all.

They had no idea why, nor did they go searching for answers.

Little did they know that the day they first met, Lady Death looked down on them and smiled, for nobody should be alone for forever.