It was the day of days. The day when the sky was its bluest, the wind was its windiest, and the town was its...towniest. It was as if the planets had aligned to create the sweetest of summer days when absolutely nothing could go wrong. 

"[i]HELP![/i]"

[i]Almost[/i] nothing.

A dark blur streaked cut through the cerulean sky like a knife, a trail of soft brown feathers falling in its wake. Birds squpacked in alarm as the tumbling form fell through the air at rapid speed. A set of wings outstretched before the landing, stifled the descent. Slowly the fell. But not slow enough. With a yelp of pain and surprise, the young harpy collided with the ground, talons flipping over beak as he gradually rolled to a stop. "Nailed it," he groaned as he shakily pushed himself up. Deino gazed around, the landscape tilting and whirling as he boggled mind adjusted from the fall. It wasn't his first bad landing, nor was it the worst, but it still took a while before the blurs before him became a familiar site.

Winding. A bustling little town with a life full of merriment and quirk. And, sitting before him with a dazzling aroma drifting from its entrance, was a familiar little restaruant. Deino smiled to himself in satisfaction. The Glass Key Cafe. The perfect place to sit back and take a break. Brushing the dust off his feathers and sending a sheepish greeting to the onlookers that managed to catch is, ah...interesting...arrival, Deino hurried into the establishment.

"That was quite the fall there, you alright?" Anzo asked the harpy as he strolled towards him, a look of concern on his insectoid face. 

Deino looked up as the large beetle approached him, his face flushing in embarrassment. "I'm fine," he said with a nervous smile. "I'm used to crashing all the time. Thanks, though." He felt his shoulders relax as he noticed the other customers lose interest and turn away, but his jumpy demeanor remained. Though this bug fellow was certainly friendly, new people were always nerve wracking to talk to.

The big bug felt some sympathy for the distressed harpy before determining he'd like to befriend the little winged creature. "Well, me and the mates are having some sandwiches if you'd like to join us," he invited the fallen flier with a warm buggy smile. "It'd be on me by the way." 

The harpy felt his cheeks heat up further, his words a stuttering mess at the bug's welcome. First a crash, and now a total stranger was paying for his meal? What a mess he was! Deino meekly nodded thankfully, his talons scratching nervously at the wooden floor. Despite Deino's stumbling start, the beetle was kind in his actions, and there'd be no harm in making a few friends. Besides, who'd turn down a free meal? "I would like that very much," he said with his fragile voice, "Thank you, Mister...?" The harpy paused. "I don't believe I caught your name, kind sir. I'm Deino."

"Hello Deino. You can just call me Anzo. And no problem, it's your tax money anyways," the guard joked--well, technically it wasn't a joke considering his paycheck was the people's taxes--prior to ambling over to his table. Seated in his chair once again, he motioned for the restaurant employees to bring them more sandwiches. "I'm a town guardsman, what is it you do?" 

"Wait, what?!" Deino stared at the guard with a panicked expression, though any question remained unspoken as Anzo returned to his seat. The harpy hurried after, wincing as his wing or tail feathers accidentally knocked over a glass or two before sitting across from the beetl. He fiddled with his satchel, eyes hungrily flickering to the sandwiches for a moment before turning back to his new companion. "I'm a courier," he explained. "I deliver messages, packages, birthday cards--whatever anyone needs sending, really." The soft tremor in his voice melted away as he continued to describe his job, a semblance of comfort in his form as he straightened up. "I'm actually quite good at it. Never have I delivered a package late in years."

"Impressive. Guess we both work for the government, and ultimately the people then, aye? But you're probably a little better at your job than I am at mine, heh," he said while a plate of sandwiches landed on their segment of the table. Anzo grabbed one of the sandwiches, proceeded to wolf it down, and nudged the plate towards Deino, wanting him to eat. It was only when the bug was chewing that he recognized the glasses his new friend knocked over, but he didn't bring it up or make a joke at his companion's expense, not wanting him to embarass him. Most of his attention was consumed by something else anyways. "Hey uh, ya happen to hear about that watchmaker?"

"I guess we do." Deino smiled softly as he eagerly took a sandwich, quickly devouring it in two bites. The meal was heaven on his tongue, and he eagerly reached for more. He had left his tree with a full tank of energy, but flying long distances always left him tired and starving. Several rations of snacks and seeds were settled in his satchel for any emergencies, but there was nothing better than a platter of food to really revive him. 

His head tilted ponderingly at the mention of the watchmaker. The man was no stranger to him, but he was far from being a familiar face. There several times in the past he'd visited the shop. Quick little visits that merited little attention. Time pieces that had shattered from falls or became waterlogged from rain. They were either fixed or replaced quickly enough hat memories of visiting the store were vague and faded. What did persist in his mind, however, was a certain sense of curiosity upon entering the shop and, ultimately, meeting its owner. He was a strange bloke, who seemed more at home with the cogs of clocks than their owners. Not that Deino minded, not really. He felt the same wah with an open sky and fresh air. "Somewhat," he admitted. Letters came and went, the news and rumors blending into a fine mush that the harpy slowly learned not to mind them all too much unless they were interesting or important. Most of them weren't. "I hope he's alright."

"Damn, you were really hungry, weren''t you?" Anzo commented after seeing how quickly his new companion devoured the sandwich and reached for another while the dung beetle had only eaten a little over half of his food. He gave a small smile before opening up his sack, allowing out the stench of dung, a small notebook, along with a pencil, and the big bug looked at him inquistively. Having recently been told from some of his friends at the tavern about the watchmaker, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Someone had gone missing under his watch... or lack thereof. It might've been nothing and Anzo really hoped it was, but if it wasn't nothing he'd never be able to forgive himself. He had to know that Old Man Skilton, a member of the beloved village he swore to protect, was okay. 
"I hope so too. No one in here knows where he's gone, but maybe you can help me. Have you heard anything? Anything at all?" 

Deino tapped a finger on the wooden table, brows creasing in concentration. For once, he actually wished he's paid more attention to those letters. "I'm afraid not," he admiited apologetically, bowing his head slightly. "Just that he's kept to himself a lot more than usual lately." His eyes lit up with an idea. "If you's like, the two of us can go to town and ask around?" The harpy rummaged around in his dack before drawing out a banged up compass. Its needle spun in nonsensical directions, and the bronze back looked dented and worn. "I've been meaning to head over Nich's myself to get this fixed." He smiled ethusiastically at the chance to help his new friend.

"Well, that's still something I suppose," the beetle wrote it down then returned it to its pouch in his bag. He nodded when offered help from his new companion. "We can ask around on the way. I'd like to take a look around at his shop in case there's any clues, but I need to get a warrant from the mayor first." 

Deino taking out his compass caused the big beetle caused him to remember his own object that neeeded fixing: his telescope. He must've left it there for an eternity! How could he have forgotten it? It plays a critical role in making sure there's no trouble afoot in the village! Anzo knew why and felt a pang of guilt before paying attention to Deino again. 

"I have to head to Nich's after too. Well, might as well go there together, aye?" The guard said as he left more than enough money on the table to pay for the sandwiches before wrapping up the remainding few, holding them instead of placing them inside of the poop-filled bag. 

"Sounds like a plan." He turned to the exit, walking ahead as he, this time [i]carefully[/i], made his way out the door. 

The walk to Nich's was quick enough. Deino walked beside his newfound friend, chatting along with Anzo. Well, listening more like. Still, it put the harpy in a cheery mood and before he knew it, they were at the store. 

Anzo pushed the door open and saw Niche and Father conversing. "Good morning Father, Niche," he said before dropping the meat 'n' cheese sandwich on Niche's desk and strolling off to the side of the room, not wanting to interrupt their business. He'd wait for his turn.

Deino gave the two a small wave before following Anzo along to the side. He reached for his broken Compass and tapped a small rythym on the bent brass, patiently waiting.