Birds of a Feather

Prologue - Great Grandfather's Memento

...Dream Sequence...

"Kaera, Kaera..." An elderly man's voice called out to me.

'Someone's calling my name... Who is it?' I wondered. 'It's so familiar... Like a voice I know...'

"Kaera, it's me." The voice became clearer and then I knew who it was.

"...G-Pa?" I called back.

'It's my great-grandfather who died when I was five years old. But what is he trying to tell me?

"Kaera..." His voice was getting fainter now.

"What? I can't hear you, G-Pa...!"

...End Dream Sequence...

I blink sleepily, realizing with a start that I'm sitting upright and holding my pillow tightly to my chest. I sighed and put my pillow down.

"A dream..." I muttered.

'I don't remember ever dreaming of G-Pa before...' I thought. 'And for some reason it felt so real...'

I glanced over at the clock on my bedside table and nearly screamed in shock.

"Oh no! It's 7 o'clock! I gotta get ready now or I'll be late for work!" I yelped as I scrambled out of bed.

I took a shower and then got dressed. Upon looking in the mirror, I brushed my long black hair and fixed my bangs so they weren't in my icy blue-grey eyes. I then hurried over to my jewelry box and opened it. The morning sun glinted off my ring, a precious treasure of mine, and I picked it up. I smiled fondly at the blue-green opal heart shaped stone set in a silver band with swirl designs. This ring is a very special memento from my late great-grandfather.

'Maybe I'll wear it today.'

I slipped it on my left middle finger and held my hand up to my face.

"I wonder how many years it's been since I last wore it..." I murmured.

...Later that day...

"Phew... There sure were a lot of visitors today." I mumbled.

After closing time at the art museum, I leaned down to look at a beautiful crown in a display case in awe.

'This 11th century solid gold diamond tiara was just put on display today.'

I looked closer and just for fun started imagining myself wearing it. I giggled and straightened up.

"It sure is a very beautiful tiara..." I said.

Suddenly the security alarm went off.

'The alarm...?! Oh no, someone must have broken in! I thought they beefed up security because of the tiara though! Shit, I need to call the police!' I thought and started to run towards the desk when I ran into two guys dressed in black holding a painting. One had a black leather jacket and the other had a furry dark gray vest.

"W-Who are you?!" I demanded.

"Oh, there's someone still working!" The guy with the leather jacket said in surprised.

"Let's get out of here!" The guy in the furry vest urged.

The two started running.

"H-Hey! Wait! Stop you thieves!" I yelled chasing after them.

It was dark though and I ended up slamming into something.

"Oww!" I groaned.

I looked up and saw it was a stand with a huge bronze statue on top. The statue was wobbling dangerously and began to lean towards me.