Establishing link……………………………………………………………………………Link Established

Transferring Operation details…………………………………………………………………………………

- - - File 2: A Bird's Eye View

- - -Objective 01 - Create a Negima story in over 2,000 words.

- - -Objective 02 - Cannot utilize the names of any characters.

- - -Objective 03 - Utilize the present tense.

Proceed with Operation.

A Bird's Eye View

I ruffle my plumage in the dawning light. Everything is still and silent, peaceful. A perfect way to begin the day. I stretch out my wings and flap them twice for good measure before taking off. I dive from my nest before pulling up and catching an updraft, allowing the warm air to carry me high into the sky, far above the tallest branches of the tree that is my home.

Far below, the city is spread out, allowing me to get my bearings. A flap of wings, and angling of my body, and my direction is changed, heading for the downtown area. There were always some exquisite scraps there, if one knew where to look. A heavier beating of wings to my left startles me momentarily, but as I half turn my head to glance at the source, I relax. Not a hawk or an eagle, which would have been an utter nightmare to get rid off, but a girl. Her eyes have a glazed far off look one gets when in deep thought, and her magnificent white wings beat the air with an economy of movement which betrayed her as an experienced flyer.

I like her. She is bird-kin, it is plain to see. She notices me, and offers a small smile before diving down into a patch of greenery amongst the silver and grey of buildings. I watch her dwindle, cawing in recognition of her. Amongst the flyers of Mahora, she is the one I respect the most. Not some mindless predator, slaved to her instincts, nor one of those machines, lacking a will and soul of their own. A female like her is rarely come by, her serenity an inspiring example to all. I look away and look about for my destination, a particularly extravagant dumpster found outside a small food store which smells of brunt pigs and noodles. At least I think that's what they're called. Tastier than worms in any rate.

Spotting my favoured haunt, I dive down and spread my wings as I near the metallic box. I land on the rim and gingerly hop from one leg to the other, turning my head this way and that, looking for any potential predators. Cats were often the worst, but now and again, some crazed demon hungry for a snack would fell satisfied with a feathered morsel. Seeing nothing outward in the alley, I jump down into the dumpster and begin foraging for breakfast.

After several minutes, I strike the mother load. A still warm pile of noodles, with an added bonus of some chunks of meat. I greedily fall upon my discovery, gobbling much as much as I can as fast as I can. Hey, it's a basic survival principle. When eating, we tend to be exposed to danger. Hence we either eat fast or in flocks. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Its down to personal taste in the end. Managing to put a sizeable dent in the trove of food, a sudden noise startles me. I jerk up and glance about, before taking off with an annoyed squawk as a man hits the lid of the dumpster and falls inside, the cover falling neatly close with a clang.

I alight on the railing of a fire escape hanging above the alley, and inspect what is going on down below. Might as well know why my breakfast was interrupted. A boy is standing confidently in the middle of a group of older men. Thugs I suppose would be the right description for them. Fools. How could they not see that the kid was a demon? I mean, dog ears and tail were clearly visible! Well, they were going to learn the foolishness of tangling with that creature really quickly.

My thoughts are proven a few moments later when the ten guys are all scattered over the alleyway, unconscious, and the kid dusts off his school uniform before grinning in triumph. I caw, applauding the youth. He looks up at me, momentarily startled, but regains his composure rapidly. With a look of disgust he departs. I shrug as best I can. Hey, you can't always have the audience of your choice. You gotta make do, right? And anyway, the kid isn't bad, as far as demons go. Sure he lacks the grace of the bird-kin, but the dog-kin have their own admirable qualities. Like never having tried to eat me for instance.

Anyway. Meal over, I too take my leave. Spreading my wings once more, flapping for all I'm worth, I fly out of the alley and across the street, gratefully flying over and air conditioning unit, the heated air giving me an updraft to ride, allowing my wings some moments of rest. I circle lazily, the streets receding below me as I look about for a new destination. The day was yet young, and there were few people about. I cock my head, thinking. I could drop by the island, the one with that castle on it. With any luck someone would've left the window open, allowing m to make use of the warmth and comfort inside for a nice kip. Or maybe someone would be reading something again, allowing me to peer over there shoulder and read too. Maybe if I was really luck, I'd find someone reading a history book. In any case, it was worth a check.

Decision made, I bank sharply, breaking my spiral, and glide towards the island in the middle of the river snaking its way alongside the city. I drop my altitude slightly, inspecting the layout of the streets below me, checking to see if anything's changed. Some construction had progressed on the new corner shop, and a new pavement was being laid down near the arcade, but that's about it. The commercial buildings slowly faded away, only to be replaced by the homes of those who lived here. They aren't really prepossessing, but were pleasing enough to look at from above. Then I see a single figure running amongst them, hurling newspapers into the front lawns.

I would've smiled if I could've. But facial expressions are pretty much a no go when you have a beak. Instead I content myself with falling lower to get a better look at her. Of course its her again. As if the hair wasn't enough of an indicator, the bells heralding her passage were. I know her too. She goes to the same class as the bird-kin. Not sure what to make of her either. She tries her best, works hard, and supports everyone she can. She also has one mean temper, often getting into fights, has a mean right hook, and the magic canceller aura. A strange girl indeed, I could never puzzle her out. I flap my wings once more to maintain my momentum, and watch her skid to a halt, blushing slightly. Curious, I circle around the building and over her again, looking for what made her stop.

Ah! Typical, it would be him of all people. He stands, leaning slightly against the doorway, the paper he had caught from the girl in his hand. He pushed his spectacles up with his free hand, smiling at the girl as she stammered a greeting. I laugh inside. Her infatuation with the ageing man was well known, even to the pigeons. Well, best to leave her to her intimate moment, I snicker mentally, and so I leave the happy couple and resume my course for the island.

There is a real variety of people living here. Demons, students, teachers, policemen, fighters, scientists, a robot or two, and almost certainly a vampire (the bats in the forest like to gossip. Not the best source of information but I take whatever I can get these days). And mages of course. Can't forget about those guys. I suppose it's thanks to them I am what I am today.

From what I gathered, a couple of years ago, my ancestor (who was particularly stupid) got himself involved in a fight between a mage and a vampire. Long story sort, that amount of magic in the air is bound to warp something or other. That was my ancestor. And well, here I am.

Anyway, as lovely as memories are, that's all they are. Memories. Not of much use to a bird. Still, that lovely in-flight theatre had passed the time nicely, and here I was at the island. Even at this height its an impressive edifice, a defiant stand against time, daring it to try something to mar its unblemished walls. I caw once more, announcing myself to my guests as I swoop down. Beating my wings, I soar at the front entrance, noting the lack of activity. Well, it was early morning yet. I twisted my body around and flew parallel to the wall, all the way around, looking for a way in. An open window usually did the trick. And lo and behold, one was there!

Wasting no time, I fell straight for it, not wanting to pass this chance. Executing a manoeuvre worthy of a peregrine falcon (and damn, are those things fast, and bloody proud of it too) I spear inside through the small gap offered to me, the warm, bright outside replaced by the darkened avenues of books inside. I glide silently amongst the towering cases, stuffed with book, searching for the Three. I zoom through shadows and dust, my black orbs scanning the surrounding area, my ears searching for their voices. Nothing for a minute and then…there! Straining my wings, I flit in between a pair of cases and spread my wings, killing my forward momentum.

Turning this way and that, I decide to settle on a bust of some long dead mage, overlooking the small cluster of tables in the middle of the ring of bookcases. There the Three are up to their usual mischief again. The silent, most observant one was reading a book again and drinking something undoubtedly distasteful. I hop around to see over her shoulder at the book she's reading, not paying much attention to the other girls. Oooh, a historic text today! I can see some etched carvings of what looks like the castle I'm in now, and some runic words, but before I can begin to try to decipher them (as if I'm qualified for that…) the book worm snaps the book shut with and irate sigh and puts it on a steadily growing pile in the middle of the table.

I tilt my head, in order to get a better perspective on things. The blue book worm was being questioned by Green and Purple. She said nothing, just sipped her juice and opened another tome, flicking through its pages. Green and Purple shared a look and Green voiced some comments, causing Purple to turn red and stammer about something or other. I can't possibly comment on what they are on about, but it may be something to do with that child who often teaches them. Speaking of which, morning was getting late, and so I hopped off my trendy perch and took wing down towards the girls, expertly landing right at the centre of the table, releasing a loud squawk to make sure the Librarian Trio took notice of me.

They noticed alright, leaping away from the table as if I was a vulture. Honestly. I'm hardly intimidating. Purple scuttled away as Blue gazed impassively at me. Green was doing something with that pad and stick she always carried with her. I tilted my head in query, but received no answer. I noticed Purple returning with a broom, so I quickly took flight again and headed for the open window. No way was I going to let them animal abuse me! Their cries of indignation and chatter about me were left behind as I skimmed through the avenue of books.

With a caw I slip through the gap in the window and back outside. Beating my wings to gain some height, I look about, making sure no predators had spotted me and chosen me for their next meal. Luckily it seemed the falcon had chosen to take the day off. Feeling joy at my current luck, I alter my course and fly back to the downtown.

All that acrobatic manoeuvring had left me peckish. What?! I'm a bird! Food and sleep come first! Now excuse, me, I have a dinner to acquire.

- - -File 2 Evaluation…

- - -Objective 01 - Complete.

- - -Objective 02 - Complete.

- - -Objective 03 - Complete.

- - -Overall Operation Result: Success.

- - -File 2 Ends- - -