Beneath broken stone and warped metal, a solitary raven panics as it senses imminent danger. It escapes certain death mere seconds before the structure finally crashes to the ground. On soaring above the devastation, the bird spies a wet-eyed woman...
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She was bending over the small basket she'd brought into the room. I heard her humming an unfamiliar tune as she sorted through the laundry before she proceeded to open drawers in a large wooden dressing table.
I continued watching as she placed some of the clothing inside. She swayed her hips to the tune she carried and busied herself with her chores.
I was acutely aware of my heart beating a little faster. The sight of her body stirred me. Then I heard a voice, a man's voice. "I like how there is more of you now."
The woman slowly turned to face the man.
Distantly, I heard myself gasp. It was the wet-eyed woman! Her eyes were sparkling, but not with tears. The corners of her mouth twitched, and it curved in a mischievous smile. She was beautiful.
My eyes raked over her, and I noted her swollen belly. The sight filled me with joy, although its significance remained elusive.
Something white and soft hit me. I looked up to find the woman standing with a pillow. "Are you trying to tell me that my butt's big?" she asked, feigning offence.
I could feel myself starting to laugh; it was an incredible sensation. I felt uplifted, euphoric watching this human exchange.
The man's voice spoke again. "I am just saying it suits you and there is ... well, more for me to hold on to..."
She hit him again, the pillow split and feathers filled the air.
I saw male hands pick up another pillow. This person used the cushion to hit the woman on her hip: not too hard.
The image rippled started to fade.
No! I felt panic as I saw her image waver.
They continued to duel, and more feathers buffeted and floated in the room.
Again I felt anxious as the room shimmered, like a reflection in a pool with ever-increasing ripples. Suddenly it stilled, and the vision was clear once more.
I watched, oddly envious, as the man pulled the woman close. They fell onto the bed, their limbs entwined.
I could almost feel her closeness. Then she whispered something; a name. Was it my name? Did she know my name? I strained to hear her. It sounded like...like... The room started to swirl, as water vanishing in a drain.
No!! What did she say?
Caagaw...
I cracked an eye open as the first rays of the sun shimmered over the horizon. Sweet chirruping was all around; the dawn chorus heralding the start of a new day. It took a few moments for me to realise I had been dreaming. Again.
The dream left me feeling sad, yet happy, confused and unnerved. But, I could clearly remember the wet-eyed woman's face - smiling - no tears.
My body ached, preventing me from dwelling further on my dream. I shuffled slightly on my perch, then flexed my wings, eradicating the stiffness in my muscles.
As I stretched, I glanced in the bedroom window. I swear I nearly fell from my perch at the sight which met my eyes.
Three bodies lay tangled on Vernon's bed, one being the man himself. His arms were wrapped around two women, one on either side of him. They lay, heads resting on his chest, smiles curling their lips.
A movement to the right caught my attention, and then I saw Amy, emerging from the washroom. Naked!
Perhaps that explained my dream, I thought. I must have either heard or seen the lovers enter the room last night. Maybe I witnessed more before sleep claimed me, but I could not recall.
It would perhaps elucidate why a raven would fantasise of a woman, and long to be the man who held her in his arms.
Although no-one had bore witness to my dream, I could not help but feel both foolish and oddly disappointed that it had been a mind-trick and nothing more.
To rid myself of the remnants of my fantasy, I gave myself a good shake.
I glanced back into the fisherman's boudoir. By all accounts, it seemed Vernon had astounding stamina. As squeals of delight erupted from the room, I decided it was time to leave the fishing supplier with his little harem.
Something still called me north, and so I took to the skies once more.
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