[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/eE6lcKb.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/217175409903534080/310907722625318914/cooltext243099446643387.png[/img][/center] [sub]banner credit to [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/nitemare-shape]Nitemare Shape[/url][/sub] [center]---[/center] [b]Time: Early Morning - Present Day Location: Lost Haven, Maine[/b] Berenice had been people watching for less than ten minutes before her eyes caught movement quite near her. Two girls had sat on a bench next to the creek, and were conversing tersely for a few moments before the brown-haired one threw a pair of slender sticks out into the water. The sticks themselves flared in her sight, and now that she focused on them, the girls glimmered a bit too, with slightly different colours. One of the girls stared for a moment and then went after her little sticks, and it was but a moment before Berry knew she had been spotted. This was not normal, like the other large humans she had seen. One looked at her with genuine curiosity, and the other with what seemed cautionary optimism in her partner’s judgement. They began approaching, and she shifted uncomfortably on her perch, hands twisting together. No one had noticed her people watching before, and these two seemed awfully different compared to the other humans she had met. Though David had a similar sort of smell to him. Whispering to Carrie, Charlie gripped her staff nervously. “[color=honeydew]That’s- she’s not, she’s not what I’m thinking right?[/color]” “Harpy, Char. She’s got wings.” Carrie whispered back, clearing her throat she started with a hello, it was only rude to talk about someone while they were in earshot. “Good morning, little one. My name is Carrie.” Charlene remained quiet letting Carrie take the lead, Carrie was good with animals [i]and[/i] weird stuff. Instead she focused on studying the bird lady- [i]harpy.[/i] Her wings were pressed up against her body, what light that was coming through the tree shined on motley brown feathers on the top. Little scraps of cloth were tied around her human bust, her hair was an utter mess. Her human torso shifted from skin to white feathers. Where ten toes should have been there were talons, similarly to the claws on her hands. If she hadn’t been in a tree, surely someone would have noticed a bird lady wandering around in the park before Charlene and Carrie arrived. Lost Haven was weird, but not [i]that[/i] weird. “Can you speak or understand me?” Carrie asked, sweetly. Her friend was relaxed, completely at ease. Charlie had a spot of jealousy for that. Charlene thought to herself, [i][color=honeydew]Of course she would speak and know English. Sure. Make it weirder.[/color][/i] Berenice stared for a second. Her talons gripped slightly tighter into the tree branch, but the stranger’s voice didn’t sound agitated. Even more, Berenice herself wasn’t that surprised, even though most humans tended to put her on edge. Her golden eyes focused on the other one, though, the one carrying a stick much larger than the ones they had thrown and retrieved. She [i]did[/i] seem nervous, but the harpy didn’t feel as apprehensive as she normally would because of that. [color=82ca9d]“Ya, I can unnerstand you, walker.”[/color] Her downy feathers fluffed slightly, as she subconsciously tried to look just a bit larger. [color=82ca9d]“I have no food for you to steal, and I do not threaten younglings like the black clothed men think. I want a quiet day.”[/color] Carrie put up her hands then took a step back, Charlie did the same and put down her staff as well. “We aren’t here to steal food. My friend and I,” Carrie gestured to Charlie. “Are curious about you, actually. Worried more than anything, truthfully. We don’t see beings like you around here.” Charlie spoke up, clearing her throat. “[color=honeydew]Didn’t mean to bug ya, just noticed you were watching us. My name is Charlie.[/color]” Carrie nodded at her, encouraging her. “[color=honeydew]What’s your name?[/color]” This was a question that had perturbed the harpy for her entire brief life. She [i]knew[/i] that she had been named, though not how. [color=82ca9d]“My name is Berenice.”[/color] Something clicked in the back of her head that Amy had said was important. Her voice shifted slightly, and she suddenly sounded like a twelve year old girl. [color=82ca9d]“It is a pleasure to meet you.”[/color] Her head cocked to one side, much like an owl, and she was obviously studying them. Charlie’s expression became confused at that, it sounded like an imitated echo. Like it didn’t quite fit coming from a harpy. Carrie nodded, actively listening. [i]Why do I know these things?[/i] was a thought that plagued Berry. She knew that she had woken up with all the knowledge she had of the English language. She had no idea, however, as to the [i]why[/i] or the [i]how[/i] of it. She also had woken with knowing how to hunt, and otherwise fend for herself, but even so, how did she know that, and the thought struck her just now, [i]these humans would not be a threat.[/i] How did she know these things? She shook her head, as if getting rid of an offending mite, and stared down at the young women, unblinking. Since she was adopting the tree as her temporary home, and they had been polite, she was struck with the need for hospitality. [color=82ca9d]”Do you like fish?”[/color] Carrie noted, “We’re going to sit down, if you don’t mind. Charlie and I have been walking all night.” She slowly crouched then put her hands on the ground as she did, not breaking eye contact with Berenice. When Carrie sat Charlie did the same, relieved to be sitting again. She let out a sigh. Her staff was beside her, even from here she felt like she could at least defend herself a little bit if need be. “I like fish, you like fish don’t you Charlie?” Carrie asked, friendly and light. Charlie gave her a look, then replied. “[color=honeydew]Yeah sure. Fish are cool.[/color]” “[color=honeydew]It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Berenice. So what- uh brings you to this side of Lost Haven? Magical folk usually stick to their own little pockets, are you lost?[/color]” Charlie asked leaning back on her palms, breaking eye contact to look around for anyone who might have been paying attention. Thankfully morning joggers weren’t interested enough to stop let alone look their way. Carrie hugged her legs, still smiling. [color=82ca9d]”No, I was born here.”[/color] With that simple statement, Berenice stopped paying attention to them and her head swivelled over to the creek. She hopped along branches, moving like almost like a sparrow, with a hop-skip and flutter of wings. When she was over the water, she stooped over for a second, then swung her wings out and swooped down across the surface, talons out to snatch a pair of tiny trout from the creek. With just as sure a movements, she pivoted midair and swept past the girls, releasing her prizes as she did and dropping the now very dead fish onto their laps rather deftly. With a flirtatious dip of her wingtips, she guided herself back to the branch she had been on, braked with a few flaps, and perched again. [color=82ca9d] “This is my home. Or, at least, my home is very near this place.” [/color]As she adjusted back to face them, her head rotated again in the same manner. [color=82ca9d]”What are these magic folk you speak of?”[/color] Charlene wasn’t so sure about being fast enough to defend herself now, instantly regretting she wasn’t on her feet. Carrie stared wide eyed at the fish in her lap, as did Charlie. Carrie looked to her friend then gave a sheepish shrug. “You said you were hungry for breakfast right?” “[color=honeydew]You owe me.[/color]” Charlie said, with both hands she peeled back the flesh from lacerations and popped a chunk of bloody fish flesh in her mouth without flinching watching Carrie. The witch who always struggled with her resolve when they played truth or dare as kids. Carrie gingerly peeled some flesh away, picking off the scales. Procrastinating, her face was pale. “[color=honeydew]Go on, it’s not that bad.[/color]” Carrie squeezed her eyes shut, trying desperately not to gag. She chewed the piece of fish briefly then swallowed. Holding her stomach, waiting for her gag reflex to relax. Charlie grinned at her, answering Berenice’s question. “[color=honeydew]Magical folk like you, like me and Carrie. She’s a witch and I’m an alchemist. Reason why we ask is ‘cause it’s not safe for people like us to be out and about in the open like this anymore. Hell, it wasn’t really that safe before but now...[/color]” She trailed off, picking at some scales on the trout in her lap, Berenice had mentioned something about black clothed men. Had she already run into the Hounds of Humanity? Oh no. Carrie nodded, “Yeah, if you need help getting back home or need somewhere safe to stay for the day I have space-” Charlie tugged on her arm, “[color=honeydew]Carrie no, you want to paint a target on your back? I’m sure there’s another way we can help Berenice, y’know assuming she even wants help.[/color]” Charlie added for Berenice. The witch glared at Charlie, “I did not just eat a raw fish for nothing. You said so yourself, it’s not safe for anyone of us. She may be a harpy but she’s one of [i]us[/i]. Trust me on this, Char. I got a good feeling.” She softened considerably, patting Charlie’s hand. Berenice though about their offer, producing a gurgling sound like a relaxed but talkative crow might as she did. These ones seemed to be nice, and they were offering her protection. The David had offered the same, or at least help, before he had been swallowed by the fiery Lord of Wally’s World. But except protecting her from a very ambiguous [i]they[/i], no one had yet told her what these dangers might be. Out of all the adults she had met, however, these two seemed genuinely interested in her well being and not studying her. [i]That might not be completely right[/i], she thought, fixing her gaze on Carrie. Charlie’s slight frown warmed a little at the noise Berenice made, despite the strange aura surrounding the harpy she was… admittedly a little cute. Carrie smiled warmly when Berenice fixed her with her gaze. Her resolve hardened a bit. After all, she was no youngling, even if she hadn’t been here very long. [color=82ca9d]“Krrrr. Why is it not safe? The open is where I belong, and my nest is far towards the setting sun, so if there are great beasts in the steel jungle, I should know.”[/color] Her feathers settled down, though, and she moved a few sideways steps along the branch, closer to them. Her neck, even as human as it was, still craned forward like a raptor’s, as if eager for answers. Charlie offered looking up to Berenice, finding a bit more of her own resolve as she spoke, “[color=honeydew]Bad men with guns, who want to hurt magical folk. They’ve-they have killed some of us, not to spook you…[/color]” The more she spoke the weaker her argument grew with Carrie. Her friend nodded. “[color=honeydew]If we can get you back to your uh… nest? Then that…[/color]” She sighed, defeated. “[color=honeydew]Means we’re [i]all[/i] safer. What do you say Berenice? Do you want us to help you get back to your nest?[/color]” Carrie nodded eagerly. The harpy made a low, shrill whistling sound through her teeth. [color=82ca9d]”It would be good to go home, but you cannot fly, and most walkers do not seem to like me,except for the younglings.”[/color] She shifted down the branch again. [color=82ca9d]”How do you move quickly on those legs?”[/color] Carrie squeed with delight, clapping her hands. “This is going to be so fun!” The alchemist noted, “[color=honeydew]Back to my original point, how do we get Berenice from here to where’d you say? West? [i]The other side of the city,[/i] without a car?[/color]” “We just need a disguise. I’ve probably got some illusion charms or something kicking around at home.” Carrie said, waving off the problem as if it was nothing to worry for. She fixed up her hair bun a little finally taking into account how strange Berenice looked as it were. “Nobody is up this early anyway, we’ll be [i]fine.[/i]” Charlene had some severe doubts, then shrugged picking up her staff the fluorite crystal lighting up in the morning sun. “[color=honeydew]We walk, Berenice. We’re gonna have to stop at off at Carrie’s place to find something to disguise you with. She can work some witchy woo magic and hopefully come up with something.[/color]” “Don’t call it witchy woo.” “[color=honeydew]It’s nicer than calling it a trick.[/color]” “Whatever, Charlie.” Sensing they were ready to move, Berenice launched herself out of the tree and took off into the air, ascending quickly on a thermal and getting herself even with the tops of some of the larger buildings in the area, and then circled about, watching them with her exceptional vision and keeping a steady holding pattern above them so she could follow. These were the times Berenice loved best, when she was up in the air, tracking something. Admittedly, she was not going to dive out of the early morning mists and slam into them with her talons like she would with a rabbit or something, but the hunting alone wasn’t really a large portion of the enjoyment for her. The skill it took for her to stay steady in the air and watch the ground, keeping herself from outpacing them and avoiding the gaze of some of the few other humans in the area; that was [i]really[/i] fun. She did a few tumbles and loops just because she could. [center]---[/center] [b]Time: 7:00 AM Location: Carrie’s Duplex, Lost Haven.[/b] The walk back Carrie’s place was short, Carrie had a difficult time not watching Berenice fly Charlie tugging her out of the way of other pedestrians or avoid wandering into a stoop. Charlie was curious as well, sneaking the odd look up. Berenice’s wing span was much larger than she initially thought, even past that brief show of fishing she had done by the creek. It was really something to see her fly, she wondered briefly if she could snag a feather for Harry. Carrie walked up the set of stairs, spiraling up to her apartment. Standing on the concrete landing Carrie fiddled with her keys. The porch was surrounded by potted plants all in bloom, green and healthy. A little overhang flowerbed on the railings notably from Nathaniel Croll’s own garden, Charlie’s grandpa loved talking shop with Carrie when it came to the garden. Charlie waved up at Berenice gesturing her to come down. “[color=honeydew]This way! We’re going inside![/color]” Berry spotted the signal and swept down out of the sky like a thunderbolt, braking out of her dive only to have to turn about and circle once before she found a spot on the railings empty enough to accommodate her. Her head swivelled to and fro in wonderment at the assortment of plants, and she was on the verge of asking when a scent, or rather several scents, caught her attention. Her nostrils flared three times as she sniffed. [color=82ca9d]“You keep food even in the middle of the square nests here? That is impressive, but surely it is harder to hunt.”[/color] Charlie flinched away stumbled with her back against the wall clutching her staff at the sudden descent from Berenice. “[color=honeydew]Fuck me, you’re fast.[/color]” Carrie wasn’t fazed. “Yeah, food and shelter protected inside.” She unlocked the door and a chorus of various animal noises resounded through the door. It was a wonder how her neighbours put up with it. “Come on let’s get inside, Charlie you keep her company while I go find my charms.” She stepped inside, saying hello to her various pets. A couple dogs padded up wagging their tails. One was her old chocolate labrador his tail like a whip against Charlie’s leg, and a younger brown wiener dog snorting happily. A cat perched by the window watching Berenice curiously. While off in a free standing perch was a raven preening by an open window. It corked responding to Carrie’s hello. A couple cockatiels were whistling with her arrival. In the living room was largely set up for the pets, while as you travelled further in she kept a medium sized aquarium in the hallway, decked out with mini fake coral reefs and caves. Carrie walked up to the tall standing wire jungle where her ferret slept and opened the door wishing her a good morning. The ferret waddled to the edge of the door looking about. Charlie patted the chocolate lab sitting on her feet, the animals all seemed to come about and all their attention went to Berenice’s arrival more so than their favourite human. The siren made her awkward way through the door, with the waddling steps most raptors had, and stared about her in awe at the variety of creatures in this small space. Feeling slightly vulnerable on the ground, she flapped her wings once and got onto a counter, where she could more safely observe everything. She croaked at the raven in its own language, which seemed to surprise it, and then crowed at the other birds in turn, grinning toothily as she listened to their responses. After greeting her cousins she leaned down from her perch, talons digging into wooden panelling with an audible creaking, and stared at the land-based animals. After a few moment, she straightened up. [color=82ca9d]”This is a good nest, Car-lee,” [/color]she said, still grinning. She was obviously very pleased with her surroundings. [color=82ca9d]”All these animals are healthy and happy. Should I sing for them?”[/color] She combed a hand through her wing feathers as she talked, straightening out a few mussed ones in an idle fashion. Out of the corner of her eye, however, she kept a half measure of attention on the ferret. It looked [i]delicious[/i], and while she would not be rude enough to eat it, she was sore tempted. The dogs sniffed curiously at Berenice while the grey tabby cat approached warily behind the dogs. Charlie commented, correcting her. “[color=honeydew]Carrie, Berenice.[/color]” She pointed at Carrie then placed her hand flat on her chest. “[color=honeydew]I’m Charlie.[/color]” Idly commenting as she approached the Raven, “[color=honeydew]The zoo seems to like her.[/color]” She clicked with her tongue, the raven hopped off his perch and onto Charlie’s arm climbing up to her shoulder. Charlie scratched at his head. “[color=honeydew]Hey Oscar, must be in a good mood today to come see me before Carrie.[/color]” He gurgled a little then pushed his head against her fingers. Charlie noticed the cracks in the wood Berenice made, wincing. “[color=honeydew]I’ll fix that before Carrie notices. She has a pretty hefty security deposit on this place ‘cause of the pets.[/color]” Charlie whispered to Berenice. Carrie had disappeared into a side office, audibly moving stuff around and talking to herself. Berenice glanced down at where her talons had made a mess. [color=82ca9d]”Oh, was it important? Sorry. I have never been inside a square nest before. Though it is much smaller than I thought it would be.”[/color] Her stomach gave a grumble, and her face twisted. [color=82ca9d]”Car-lee, what do I do? Amy said I shouldn’t go inside places like this!”[/color] There was a note of panic in her voice, and she had begun leaning and bobbing from side to side, very much like a small child who is waiting to go to the restroom. Charlie squinted, “[color=honeydew]Go inside…?[/color]” Her expression dropped and she looked pained upon realization. “[color=honeydew]Okay calm down, I’ll show you to the bathroom. Just hold it as long as you can.[/color]” Oscar flapped off her shoulder as Charlie beckoned Berenice across the living room to the small bathroom. She opened the door and felt like she was asking an obvious question. “[color=honeydew]Do you… know how to use a toilet?[/color]” Berenice shook her head miserably, looking around. Everything in here was made of smooth surfaces! What sort of creature could use such things? [color=82ca9d]”Don’t even know which one it is.”[/color] “[color=honeydew]Okay watch me.[/color]” She said, lifting the lid on the toilet and squatted over it and said, “[color=honeydew]You sit like this on the toilet, since you’re not wearing pants you’ll only have to worry about doing your thing. Then when you’re all done you flush the waste away like this,[/color]” She pushed down the lever and the water swirled away. “[color=honeydew]Now you try.[/color]” Charlie stepped away giving her and her wings enough room, but already the soap dispenser and toothbrush were swept off the counter. “[color=honeydew]I’ll turn around and give you some privacy alright. Oh and-[/color]” She said pointing to the toilet paper roll, “[color=honeydew]Clean yourself up after by using the toilet paper there and throw it in the toilet.[/color]” The siren listened as attentively as she could, watching carefully. As soon as Charlie was out of the way she scrambled onto the furnishing and turned around. There was a series of horrible screeches as her claws fought for purchase or the porcelain, before she finally balanced herself out. A few minutes later, she hobbled out, then turned around and darted back in to flush. She gave Charlie an aggravated look as she exited. [color=82ca9d]”Clean myself with paper? Is a silly thing, Car-lee. Paper falls apart when it gets wet and sticks to feathers. Hands do not belong near that place, but I [i]had[/i] to! Toilets are disgusting!”[/color] She placated herself by hopping over to where the grey tabby was watching her and cooing at it softly. Charlie squeezed the bridge of her nose after seeing the poor toilet. “[color=honeydew]The toilet too I guess.[/color]” She rolled up her sleeves and paced over to Berenice’s original perch crouching in front of it. “[color=honeydew]It’s [i]Charlie[/i], ch-ar-ley.[/color]” She enunciated slowly rubbing her hand over the wood trying to remember what sort of wood it was. Muttering from memory what wood was largely made of, “[color=honeydew]Carbon… Oxygen, hydrogen…[/color]” Magic seeped from her hand into the cracks of the wood panelling feeling out the other trace elements, pulling the space between the panels back together it filled with a little light when her hands pulled away it was in one piece once again, the grain a little off. Standing up, “[color=honeydew]You said you wanted to sing? I thought that was only, sirens or whatever. Mermaids.[/color]” Berenice looked up from her position, breaking the staring contest she had started with the cat. [color=82ca9d]”I can sing very well. Don’t know what a siren is. Amy told me what a mermaid was, but I didn’t know they could sing. Singing underwater would be hard.”[/color] She straightened her back, and her ribs expanded as she took a deep breath, and then started, as she always did, making it up as she went. This time she wanted to try something new with her song, so she began with quiet, almost inaudible notes, and slowly built up in volume and intensity, adding in little trills and other notes from songbirds as she went. Out of her control, the magic began to flow out too, as slowly as the first notes, rolling invisibly over the animals and instilling tranquility on those nearest her. Charlie noticed the animals first when she was listening focusing on sealing over the damage the toilet suffered. They all gathered in a hypnotic gaze at Berenice, she began hearing the sound a little differently changing from unrecognizable to something more pleasant. Carrie popped her head out of her office to then her eyes went wide, “Charlie! Stop her from singing!” “[color=honeydew]What’s the matter? The animals like it.[/color]” She asked, “[color=honeydew]It ain’t that bad.[/color]” “No you- ugh you dumb nerd, harpies have enchanting voices. They can compel those who hear their song to do what they want. I’m still finding the charms, I think Crispers hoarded them away somewhere.” Carrie said returning to the office. “Don’t get brainwashed.” Charlie huffed and grumbled something about nonsense fairy tales. “[color=honeydew]Hey Berenice, can you stop singing, please? It sounds nice, but I…[/color]” She was losing her train of thought, “[color=honeydew]Holy shit, Carrie’s right. Cut it out, Berry. I’m feeling foggy.[/color]” [color=82ca9d]”Oh, okay.”[/color] Berenice settled back to her ‘seated’ position. Her wings drooped onto her back, clearly disappointed in not being able to sing, but she had noticed people got weird when she did so. Her head craned over to look at Charlie. [color=82ca9d]”Car-lee, what does she mean about harpies? Is [i]that[/i] what I am?”[/color] Charlie blinked at Berenice, she knew next to nothing about such creatures from myth but it seemed Berenice didn’t really know much about herself either. A pang of sympathy for her shot through Charlie. “[color=honeydew]Hey Carrie, where’s your grimoire encyclopedia on supernaturals?[/color]” Carrie’s answer came, “Top shelf, beside the tv.” Charlie nudged the stepstool out of the way able to reach no problem and pulled the large grimoire free of the bookshelf. With two hands she held the book close then she shuffled in around the pets close enough for Berenice to read over her shoulder. The wiener dog scrambled onto her lap. “[color=honeydew]I’m far from being an expert on these sort of things, alchemy deals with the real world pretty exclusively.[/color]” Carrie snorted loudly from the other room. “[color=honeydew]But I know a thing or two about research. Being on your own is tough, I’ve got my family and would probably be as lost as you if I didn’t have them to teach me about my magic. We all need a little help. Yeah?[/color]” Charlie said smiling up at Berenice. “[color=honeydew]Let’s look up Harpy.[/color]” She opened the tome, flipping past pages upon pages of hand drawn pictures of various creatures of legend. Notes, pasted articles of supposed sightings, printed pages, it looked like a particularly well loved scrapbook of the strange. She stopped on a page about them, Carrie had drawn male and female faces with bird like features, a few other birds as birds and combining certain details into a human. Berenice quorked quietly as she saw the drawings, craning her head over Charlie’s shoulder. From this close, it was obvious she had no idea what toothpaste was, and her faint odour still remained on her skin, musky and slightly smelling of death. She extended a hand out and pointed at the pictures. [color=82ca9d]”Does this mean there are more like me?”[/color] Charlene caught a whiff of her body odor and bad breath, but got a good look at her mouth full of canines. Charlie hardly flinched away from the smell, having dived into her own fair share of dumpsters. It was raunchy but none too offensive to the scavenger. Bird ladies that could pluck fish straight out of a creek could smell however they wanted to smell. “[color=honeydew]I think so. But look here,[/color]” Noticing a main difference between the harpies drawn on the page and the one sitting over her shoulder. “[color=honeydew]This one doesn’t have a human torso like you do, her arms are her wings. Way more bird than human. According to this description, while they are strange hybrids in nature…[/color]” Charlie lifted the page to read the handwriting, “[color=honeydew]They typically do not have the gift of human speech or song. So you may look like that but according to this you’re not quite harpy.[/color]” Carrie popped her head out, “I thought harpies could.” “[color=honeydew]According to your own notes, that is a no.[/color]” Charlie said, then started flipping through the tome again. “[color=honeydew]So maybe my stupid guess from earlier about mermaids wasn’t too far off base?[/color]” It landed particularly on Sirens. Charlie was surprised. “[color=honeydew]I thought Sirens were always like, fish people who could sing. Looks like they’re humans with bird features as well but can sing like you, Berry. Shit, Carrie. Your memory starting to slip?[/color]” A singsong shut up drifted out of the office. “[color=honeydew]Let’s see what the notes say,[/color]” She said. “[color=honeydew]So according to myth, Sirens were creatures that would lure Greek sailors off course with their enchanting voices and singing. Mainly to shipwreck them, presumably eat the sailors or steal their resources. You see here,[/color]” She pointed to the drawings, “[color=honeydew]They are similar to harpies but the important thing being is having magical vocal cords to enrapture those around you. So you’re a long way from Greek waters, there Berry.[/color]” She laughed to herself, “[color=honeydew]Ah this is really fucked up, we went looking for a magical disturbance last night and wind up finding a siren.[/color]” She shook her head. “[color=honeydew]Strange. Where does your magic come from? Do you know?[/color]” She swiveled to Berenice. Berenice shook her head. [color=82ca9d]“I don’t know. Until Cay-ree said it, I didn’t know I could sing people like that. I was born three and a half weeks ago.”[/color] She reached up and scratched at a mite in her hair. [color=82ca9d]”The first thing I can remember is waking up in the place where my nest is, but it was smoking and it smelled like lightning and awful things that were burnt. I can show you.”[/color] she was fidgeting now, eyes sweeping over the pictures in the book. Another sketch caught her eye, near the bottom of the page. It looked like the mermaids she had seen on another page, but it had a question mark next to it. [color=82ca9d]”What about that one? Is that a siren, too?”[/color] Charlie blinked at her, [i][color=honeydew]Three fucking weeks old?[/color][/i] Carrie finally came out of the office holding a studded [url=https://img1.etsystatic.com/139/0/11285240/il_340x270.1027540557_kyap.jpg]silver hair beret[/url]. “Did I hear that right? You’re only little over three weeks old? You must have been created-” Her expression fell at the realization, her expression sullen as she studied Berenice’s face. Someone created a siren, at no doubt the cost of a woman’s body used. The witch played with the beret in her hand, frowning. “Yes, there has been a lot of confusion over which is which. If Sirens are either bird or mermaid, or both. From what I researched, it hasn’t been conclusive. I don’t exactly have a lot of resources. My coven is pretty small.” She took a deep breath in, shaking the sadness. There was no real point to dwell, beyond hoping Berenice being the only one created in such a way. There was no way of knowing for sure, just assumptions. “Here, Berry. This is an illusion charm, if you wear it it’ll make you appear human. My grandma knew some vamps in her day, real dead lookin’ ones. This beret helped them blend in no problem, made them look like a normal human. Let’s see if it works on you.” She offered it to Charlie who plucked it out of her hands, “[color=honeydew]I’ll put it in your hair for you.[/color]” The siren bent her head so it would be easier for Charlie to set the beret, though the tangled mess of her hair presented an additional challenge. While Charlie was working on getting it set, Berenice looked at Carrie. [color=82ca9d]”What is a coven? Is that the cooking thing? Have I been saying that wrong?”[/color] Carrie laughed a little, “No, it’s what we call a group of witches. My family mostly.” With the beret finally set on her head, Berenice shifted uncomfortably. It [i]tingled[/i], but it wasn’t painful like she had been expecting. She looked down at her talons, still gripping the counter, though gently this time. Glancing up at the pair, she said, [color=82ca9d]”Did it work? It tickles, but I still see [i]my[/i]feet.”[/color] Looking at them from a seated position on the counter was a woman in perhaps her late teens or early twenties, normal in every aspect. She was on the small side, perhaps five and a half feet tall, with slender limbs. Her face was precisely the same, though her hair, having been combed out a bit and then disguised, tumbled down almost artfully in long, lazy golden-brown curls. Bright green eyes flashed from underneath, a light smattering of freckles across the nose and cheeks adding just a touch of childlike features to a face just a touch too long. Her chin was narrow and pointed, but as the image mirrored Berenice’s features and she smiled nervously, they could see that the wide grin that came through lent an almost impish look to the woman. She could easily be an actress or a singer for some semi-famous band. The disguise, however, seemed to neglect clothes, so she was left wearing only her little modesty cover across her chest. Carrie smiled at Berenice keeping level eye contact while Charlie casted her eyes up and away. “That’s the idea, you look normal to yourself but to everyone else you look human. No wings, you have fingers and toes. Right now, very naked let’s get you some clothes.” Carrie beckoned for Berenice to follow her over to her bedroom, to her closet somewhat organized but bursting with colourful fashion choices. Skirts, dresses, breezy clothing brought out of storage for the summer. Charlie noted at their backs, “Pants might be a bit ambitious, try a dress or a skirt!” Carrie held up a [url=https://cdn3.lulus.com/images/product/xlarge/1320434_205634.jpg]light blue sundress[/url], squinting at Berenice. “Charlie! I know this sounds weird but I think I might recognize her a little. Her face is ringing a bell.” It was Charlie’s turn to snort from outside the door, she leaned with her back up against it. “[color=honeydew]Right, like you have seen a three week old face before.[/color]” “No, can you put your skepticism on the back burner for like, an hour? We are deciding on how to dress a siren.” “[color=honeydew]Fine, fine. Why do you think you recognize her face?[/color]” Charlie wasn’t a fan of where this conversation was going, nervously she gripped her staff. “She was [i]created[/i], Char. Nobody is born and looking like an almost adult in less than a month, that’s even a stretch by magical standards. Someone was crazy enough to take a woman and mix her up with some bird and magic.” Carrie tapped her chin, a sort of sadness coming over her again. “Local.” Berenice was half paying attention to the conversation, half trying to figure out the complex geometrical requirements necessary to get her wings through a dress. She took the sundress, careful of her claws, and got it over her head and shoulders fine, but stopped so she could remove the tattered remains of the shirt from her bust before the dress continued its journey. She had to stop again, with the dress covering most of her front and hanging from the connection of her wings to her back, and gave Carrie a pleading look. [color=82ca9d]”I think I messed it up.”[/color] “One sec, Berry.” Carrie helped her shimmy it back over her head and opened the shoulders for her to step into it. “Careful now, one leg at a time.” Slowly they managed past her talons and legs then up. Carrie guided Berenice’s arms through the small sleeves and slipped the dress onto her shoulders. Helping to adjust the fabric around her sleeves. “Underwear too?” Carrie asked out loud. Charlie answered, “[color=honeydew]Yeah, stray wind, flight. Goin’ commando is not recommended.[/color]” Carrie nodded then went to a dresser muttering something about buying a new pack recently. “Here we go, hopefully they fit. Just bought them brand new, so it’s not so, y’know. [i]Ick.[/i]” Handing Berenice a pair of underwear. “Careful with those too, they just cover your bottom.” Berenice looked at the piece of clothing apprehensively. Muttering to herself about silly human modesty, she carefully fit her feet through the opening, but became swiftly more disagreeable as she pulled them up. It became a slog to put the thing on, as she had to pause almost every inch to adjust feather out of the way, and staunchly refused to try and get it near her tail. However, the disguise illusion looked fine, and it seemed like this was about as far as they were going to get with clothing, as shoes were completely out of the question. [color=82ca9d]”I do not see why I have to have this,”[/color] she whined. [color=82ca9d]”I was perfectly fine without all this cloth.”[/color] However, she seemed to at least be somewhat satisfied, as she plucked at the dress fabric and made a noise like a pigeon coo. [color=82ca9d]”Are we going to my nest now?”[/color] Charlie came around the corner and gave her a thumbs up. “[color=honeydew]Lookin’ good. Yeah, real sorry Berry but this is how we’re going to get you from one end of town to the other without being noticed. Remember you have to walk like us too, or this whole thing is just going to be for nothing. A flying girl is just as bad.[/color]” “[color=honeydew]Let’s go-[/color]” “Crap!” Carrie was looking at her phone now. “I totally forgot I picked up an extra shift today!” Charlie’s expression dropped, “[color=honeydew]What! We were out all night and you didn’t think you had a shift this morning? I can’t take her across town by myself-”[/color]” Charlie said. Watching her friend fly around her room for her uniform. “[color=honeydew]Can’t you call in sick?[/color]” “No! I already promised I’d be there!” Carrie defended, rather weakly. “I’m sorry Char, but you can handle this. I know you can.” Without another word in edgewise Carrie flew out of the house in record time, pushing Berenice and Charlie out the door and locking it behind her. “Text me!” Was the last thing she said before running off. Charlie drummed her fingers against the staff in irritation. Letting out a sigh she turned to Berenice, “[color=honeydew]Guess it’s just you and me. Come on, you said you lived on the West side right? Any landmarks or anything you can remember that is around your nest?[/color]” [color=82ca9d]”Krrr. I fly across the water towards the rising sun for a little bit and play at the park. It is on a rock point outside the paved areas. There are many trees below the point. Does that help?”[/color] The siren scratched at her ear idly. [color=82ca9d]”I could maybe find it on a map? I have never used one, though.”[/color] She walked expectantly towards the front door, trying to see how this illusion was going to work. She couldn’t help but watch her own feet, trying to catch a glimpse of the magic she could feel working, but to no avail. However, it was immediately obvious that it [i]was[/i] working, though her awkward waddling steps caused her to appear to be walking extraordinarily slowly. She glanced back at Charlie, and the image blushed a bit. [color=82ca9d]”I do not know how long I can walk, Car-lee. I do not move on my feet very often, but if this is the way than this is the way.”[/color] Charlie thought a bit, “[color=honeydew]Many trees? There’s a couple parks on the west end, but no rock points… unless you’re out past Carver, all it’s hiking trails for the cliffs that way.[/color]” She brought out her old smartphone, clunky and older than most generations of phones. She brought up a map frowning at the device. “[color=honeydew]It’s going to take a long ass day of walking, so no better time to get used to it than right now. Trust me, I’m an expert at it.[/color]” She laughed sending off a quick text to her mom letting her know where she’ll be.