On Grim Wings

Where The Raven Feathers Fall.

Another night, another day. Orella had watched the streets with intense longing. Hearing those below go about their days, arguing, discussing even laughing at times. It all felt so close yet so far. Another night, another day. Where had the time gone? She had celebrated her twenty sixth birthday yesterday...or was it the week prior? The only guests she was allowed in her penthouse were her teachers and her attendant. Another day. Another-scream? She looked to the window, though it could be gruesome and loathsome, witnessing the combatants was the only break of monotony her life contained. Though this scream sounded different, it was deeper than the norm. Far louder too. Perhaps a fable had come to the city? She'd only heard tales of such beasts; fantastical, mystifying and horrific. She shot down the idea in an instant, even if a fable were to approach the city, it'd be killed within seconds of entering the walls as it was descended upon by hunters. No, such a creature could never enter. So then...what caused the sky to shake? A figure entrenched entirely in black swiftly lunged to the top of the building nearby. It's beaked mask darted left and right as it seemed to check for pursuers, before it's vision stopped on something. It took Orella but a moment to realize that she was what the cloaked figure had laid eyes on. She quickly ducked down and hid. Her father had always told her not to let herself be seen by the public, for they were wretched things that would want only the worst for her. Yet... curiosity won over and Orella slowly looked again. No being stood on the rooftop, save for the pigeons. Orella chuckled at the idea of her mysterious cloaked figure secretly being a group of pigeons, conspiring together. Nothing but another daydream she thought and went back to her day. Another day, another night. The next evening, Orella passed the window once more before deciding to look to that same rooftop again, hoping to see the pigeons up to their game again, she jested to herself. Alas the pigeons had grown wise to her counter operations and had scattered to the streets below to harass a couple that had decided to have a late lunch!

"I'll catch you again, my feathered friends! You can't play the same fool's card on me-" her internal musings were interrupted by a sudden tapping, a gentle yet firm sort of rapping. A distinct tapping at her chamber door.

"Huh. Must be that time of the week again." she shrugged and approached the door. "I'm on my way Erik! Just give me a mo-"

She stopped as the door opened. The figure stood before her, now morphed from a simple day dream to a waking nightmare. The shrouded being looked upon her in what she could only assume to be curiosity or perhaps hunger, the glassy eyes of her mask hid all intentions from Orella's eyes. Yet to her surprise the figure performed a curtsy and asked in a deep feminine voice.

"Pardon Miss Tepes, May I have the honor of entering your abode?"

Her father would kill her if she let in a stranger and Erik would probably have a heart attack on the spot! And yet...perhaps it was loneliness or curiousity.

"Um... sure I guess, just don't....eat me."

The figure paused before entering.

"I assure you Miss Tepes, I'm not the sort to consume the flesh of another person. Merely a raven at your doorstep, wishing to know more of such a fascinating individual."

With that the woman walked in. Now that her specter stood before her she could tell that the woman beneath the cloak and mask had a sort of grace to her, like the noble women of her books. Yet in spite of that her entire figure was cloaked in black body armor, only interrupted by four rings that remained on her left hand.

"Does my visage bring you unease? If you'd prefer it, I can depart whenever you'd please."

"No! Er, no, it's fine. I'm just...unused to such heavily outfitted guests...or well, guests in general."