The Child of Ravens

Chapter Sixteen: Intelligent

Warning: Cursing, Violence

It's common for people to vilify crows, often focusing on unwanted behavior but overlooking more relatable or redeeming qualities. The American crow, for one, has been the subject of extermination attempts in the past, including the use of dynamite on large winter roosts. Those efforts ultimately failed, however, and thanks largely to its intelligence and adaptability, the American crow is now more common than ever across a range of habitats, including farms, towns, and big cities.

To address a question I got a bit ago, the reason these chapters aren't directly word for word the same as the episodes of LMK, is because I'm in them, which means that the story is naturally going to change. In cannon, I don't exist, but in the story I do, which means that things are going to change as well. Make sense?

Humming as she inspects the fruit laid out before her, Cai picks up a mango to make sure it isn't terribly bruised or mushy, smiling in satisfaction at how ripe it was, adding it to the scale for the vendor to weight alongside the pineapple, cantelope, strawberries, plums and peaches. Noticing a bowl full of lotus flowers that were being sold as well, raising a brow in confusion, before turning to the stall owner.

"Um, sorry to bug you about this, but what's with the flowers?"

"Ah, well, lotus' are often used in cooking, and my mother-in-law sent so many to me, that I decided to give them out to people with orders large enough, which you actually qualify for, if you'd like some?" Motioning to the bowl, the bird woman humms in curiosity, inspecting the pink plants for a moment, before nodding with a smile, making the stall owner crack a grin as well. "Excellent! I'll get those and this fruit packed up as well!~"

Handing over the bag of items, the owner waves Cai off as he walks off towards the next stall, only to stop at the feeling of a wet nose poking at xier wings, turning and looking down to see a familiar dog, "Oh, it's you!~"

"Quan! Quan!" The pair looked up, to see an unfamiliar figure walking their way, the man...teenager? stopping at the sight of the corvid, who stood next to his dog. "Ah, there you are Quan!" Running over, the young adult took Quan's leash in his hand, bowing in thanks, "Apologies, Quan must've smelt your scent and got curious!"

"Ah, he's alright, we're old friends, right buddy?" Holding out a clawed hand, the raven laughed as xier hand was affectionately licked by the massive canine, much to the surprise of the stranger walking him, watching as this unknown female took out a knife and a plum, slicing it up and holding a few out to the eager furry baby, who immediately--and gratefully--snatched up the treat in a few short bites. "Yeah, you're such a good boy~"

"I see, I'm glad he's not been a bother and--huh?" Blinking in confusion at the hand being held out towards him, the stranger looked up to see a smiling Beast Person. "Um..."

"Name's Cai, what's yours?"

"Ne--Lian," Taking the clawed appendage in his own normal one, Lian shook Cai's hand, as Quan snacked on his fruity treat.

"You out shopping today?"

"Ah, no, I'm just talking Quan on a walk whilst my mas--teacher, is busy," Heaving a tired sigh, the halfling stifles a giggle at the resigned expression he was given. "He's insisted I get out of the pa--house more, stating I work too much, and that I need some 'fresh air'."

"You do look a little pale," Snickering at the offended look they were given, Cai couldn't help but let out all the withheld laughter, nearly doubling over at the sight. "Can't say I'm any snrk, different though!~"