The Fallen Aerie- The Tale of Hugo Spectre

There must've been something before this; there was something before this. A different kind of life, a cozy home in a village, that was the life that once belonged to a tall messy golden haired boy. A boy so bright, intelligent, so full of life, even for his age. Hugo Spectre was his name, and he was far beyond playing in the meadows and gardens or gazing up into the sky. Instead; he helps his dad in his humble shop towards the entrance of the village. Hugo's mom always baked fresh goods and sold them in different parts of the village or to tourists. Tourists, a peculiar thing to encounter. They were fish out of water in his village as much as any one of the villagers would be in their modern world. So what if this little village wasn't as well known or never exactly had frequent visitors? It didn't matter.

"Aye! Hugo! How's it going mate? How's that new design comin' along? Yer ol' man still helping you out with it?" A local village boy asked Hugo, working at the counter while his dad worked in the back. Hugo gave a shrug, his circular purple ringed glasses falling down slightly off the bridge of his nose. "Eh, I haven't fully finished it yet. Dad's still helping me sew the cape's fur trim. Along with the emeralds Ma got for it. Traded a lot for it, and I think it was worth it! Now I have enough to make something for all three of us!" Hugo chuckled, grinning from ear to ear as the emerald earring swung with his hearty laugh. The customer's copper eyes then caught sight of something outside, soon shaking Hugo's shoulder profusely. "Mate! Check this out!" The local customer exclaimed as he pointed to the sight of a young 15-year old platinum haired boy, an owl perched on his gloved hand and trusting him like an old friend. Along with two other birds; those being a cardinal and a sparrow. He wore a worn out pancho, torn pants along with boots. Yet he looked injured with a swollen knee and a leftover rope tied to one of his boots. Hugo was... perplexed by the kid, he had never seen him in the village before... Well— Hugo had only heard about him, unpleasant stories about the kid; the nature kid is what they called him. But he had never had the chance to fully see him for himself. He never spoke to anyone, no one even knew where he had come from. The other kids always made fun of him for his quiet and kind nature however. Such mockery must be hard to forgive yet this kid was strange. He always came back and forgave with a silent voice. Or the animals would come to his rescue. Hugo had never truly encountered him for himself, perse... However, he had heard the unpleasant tales of those who had. It made Hugo feel more bad for the kid rather than the person telling the story, trying to make themselves look like something they'll never be: a hero.

"Calm yourself, Jules. He's harmless. He's just with his flock of birds." The local customer, Jules, shook his head with a click of his tongue. "Tch, as if! One time he had a bear come to his aid! Ye hear that Hugo!? A real life grizzly bear!! He's just a silent freak. One that can control animals- or maybe he can talk and chooses not to. Tch, coward." Jules hissed as the platinum haired boy was now out of sight. "Jules, he's just a child. We're older than him, we should know better and look out for the younger kids. Not pick on them." Hugo suggested as Jules gave a scoff, some of his chestnut colored hair swaying along with the motion. "Are you mad!? Have you gone nuts Hugo?" Jules proclaimed with a shocked tone, almost sounding offended by such a claim. That they were picking on someone different; Typical. "You see that owl mate? That kid's owl almost tore me to shreds last week! I'm lucky to still see four eyes!" Jules instilled as Hugo scowled with an irritated glare. "HEY! Don't call me that! I'm not a four-eyed peasant, Jules! Four eyes is such a petty insult and you know it. You're just upset he had something to defend himself." Jules groaned, his amber eyes rolling at Hugo, exasperated at the deferential attempt in defending the young 15-year old that no one knew anything much about. Only the rumors remained. Not that Hugo listened to any of them; it wasn't worth a squander of his time.