"Ha ha, you won't get me." Chuck laughed and ran away from the blue toys, but of course not really fast because he wanted to give them a fair chance. He would like to keep those present and himself a little occupied in the castle on such gray winter days, because that way the time passed a little more pleasantly for everyone. Unfortunately, he turned his attention too much to Round, Dolls and Cracker that while he was careful that nothing fell down while he was running, the fast bird did not pay attention to where he was going. So what happened after some time was of course unavoidable and he slammed full force against the back of the landlord.
"I'm sorry. Me and ..." Actually, the yellow one believed that the small mishap didn't seem to be a problem, but when the bigger one turned around, he fell silent again. The face of his counterpart showed more than just bad mood.
"You were in my room!" Announced the monster rather calmly, but he could feel that he was about to get in big trouble.
"So I ..." When he tried to explain, swallowing, the other was already holding out a paw with a yellow feather of his in it.
"Let's just say I hadn't found them, how did you want to explain the disappeared curtains from the bed to me?" Then the voice grew puffier. The feathered one didn't really understand that, because the sleeping place, where the things are now missing, was not suitable for the huge guy anyway. This slept rather in a dark corner on several sheets, blankets and pillows. Chuck wondered why the guy didn't make a bed for himself. But maybe the wood or the time for it was missing so far.
"Um ..." He tried again, but the bigger one didn't just make him nervous with his anger. Nor did he think that the missing curtains would attract so much attention. A few days ago the other person even asked to clean up his room. Well, actually it was expressly emphasized that he should only help to collect the books lying around and there they were together. When the landlord didn't look, he ran through to dust everything off and at least remove the cobwebs. Why did every unused room on the property look better than the giant's bedroom? He was probably not doing his cleaning attack very cleverly, because he was then with an eye roll and he could swear, with a slight smile, freed from the spiders and their webs and then sent to the bath.
"Can't you even respect my privacy? You've been in every room here and I just let you get away with it!" Not really true, thought Chuck, because he hadn't even entered the winter garden yet. First, because he did not want to freeze to death on the way there, and second, the Lord would really eat him if he set foot in the holy place. It was just flowers. Yes, colorful and nice smelling ones, but still only plants.
"What did you do with those things?" The taller one clenched his paws into fists and trembled slightly, as if he really wanted to hold back his anger.
"I have ..." But of course he was not allowed to finish.
"So doing nonsense? If you absolutely wanted something to cut up, then you could have asked BEFORE!" That was now clear and the bird admitted that it was getting a little jittery again. But it felt different somehow.
"But let me explain it .."
"Why? Did you use it to build a hammock somewhere or did some other stupid idea that was floating around in your head? That you ended up here should have been a lesson enough for you that you don't always do the first thing that comes to mind." That came across very well and the bird was already thinking about it, but he didn't come here at all to help himself.
"I just wanted to .."
"What? Just think about yourself I wouldn't have cared if you were after the stuff in the old chamber. But the fabric on the bed was worthless to you. But apparently still good enough for your games. No, you know what, I blame myself too. I shouldn't have let you near my room and in future I'll lock it again." Only then did it hit the bird, what he has done. His intentions behind it suddenly seemed futile.
"I'm sorry ..." With that he ran off to his bedroom. Somehow it hurt inside him because he heard these words from the monster. It sounded so harsh and hurtful. Chuck was running so fast that no one noticed what his face might be reflecting. With burning eyes he closed the door quickly but also quietly and leaned against it from the inside with a heavy sigh.
What did he expect from a huge and rough guy? Forbearance and patience? Probably not. Nevertheless, the other was also right and the yellow man knew that. He dealt with the landlord and all the others here as he has always been used to being treated in a friendly manner. Birds turned away from him before when he crossed borders. That already seemed familiar to him. But here, where they are all trapped because of the snow, no one could simply show him the downside. His eyes fell on the window. The sky was gloomier and gray again. Thick flakes fell to the ground again all day. Maybe it would be better if he stayed in here for the rest of the winter, then he wouldn't bother anyone anymore.
"It's more than obvious now. Leonard has lost his mind." Gale said as she and the other henchman were thrown in front of the door. The two of them were supposed to hand out wanted posters showing a monster. She thought the idea of inciting the villagers to march into this forest and chase this made-up thing away was pretty stupid. No matter what her boss thought he was going to find there in his madness, in the end there was probably only a poor hermit living in a wooden hut.
"Maybe it's the cold." Ross said. The purple bird thought that they should quickly get this paper among the birds and then march back into the warmth.
"Maybe it would be if we didn't have to run around in the snow more than he did. Let's get the stuff to every house as quickly as possible and then we'll go to the tavern."
"But he said ..." She quickly interrupted the smaller one.
"As far as I am concerned, you can ring and knock on every door to give out this sad spectacle, but I don't feel like doing it, because it will take the whole night with the many residents." She announced and put on the first pieces of paper on some houses. First she should act on a grieving widow and now trumpet whining that this creature depicted on the paper is supposed to have fetched, kidnapped and even devoured Chuck in the forest, when he was collecting firewood.
Perhaps the villagers here didn't seem the brightest, but they certainly weren't so stupid as to accept such a made-up story. Even if she had to admit that the picture was drawn in great detail. Leonard probably also had a flowering imagination if he wanted to achieve something. Suddenly the guy was able to work because neither of them did all the posters. Maybe he had another poor soul do this paperwork as well. But they were slowly running out of money. So how was the pig going to do this, but maybe she shouldn't ponder on it.
"I don't really care." Gale was more likely to speak to herself.
"What did you say? I don't understand you so well because of the wind." Yelled the companion over to her, because he was standing a little further away on a terrace.
"I said you should hurry up. I finally want to get this over with!" She shouted annoyed back, because they had just rummaged around twenty houses and this village still had about a hundred of the huts. She should probably be grateful that Leonard let them both go out in winter clothes. If freezing wasn't such a bad death, she would lie down here in the white snow and wait. Unfortunately, she also got feelings of guilt about her missing fiancé. As if dying was the easiest solution for her right now and she didn't deserve it. Was that why she stayed with the two pigs to punish herself? She didn't really know.
'Catch me.' She paused, because she suddenly remembered this part of the village. Yes, they had played in the snow here as children. The purple bird tries to shake it off because she didn't want to look weak and cry again. Nobody but Ross would see it, yet she didn't want to allow it in front of him again. A strong and beautiful woman like her does not allow herself to be pulled down by the past. Gale just had to look ahead. Even if she wasn't sure where that seemed to be. The cold probably made her feel that way too. She glanced at the dark sky and wondered when the sun would show up again.
"Can you believe that he just dared to do this? I thought that he would at least show me a little respect if I let him live here." The host couldn't calm down after talking to this yellow pest. He believed there was an unspoken understanding between them, that there were limits.
"I can't believe that you haven't run a hole in the ground in the last hour." The lady said from the music box, because she had been watching her interlocutor trudging back and forth in front of the fireplace for what felt like an eternity. If the bigger one was in this mood, you had to let him babble and march for a while, because no matter who said what, it was still not heard. Usually this never took long if something happened before their feathered guest showed up. With Chuck the giant got really upset. At the same time, it seemed to the singer that he didn't want that. Admittedly, the fast bird acted a little rashly sometimes, but he still had a good heart.
"Maybe you should ..." She tried to suggest that the big, thick-headed owned someone an apology, because she heard him roar again earlier.
"Which side are you on?! He stole from me. Yet again. And should I now crawl to him? No, you can definitely forget that. Let him stagnate in his room, pouting!" The monster spoke his last word with crossed arms and turned away from the figure, because even if he wasn't hoping for much, the yellow one still disappointed him. Yes, these bed curtains were attached to an unused bed, but it were the only things he can call his own. That and the plants he was trying to take care of. Anything else on this property shouldn't be his because it only got him into trouble. Everyone wanted a great home. With his he got a free curse that couldn't be undone.
Because it was getting darker again outside, he caught his picture in the window. He hurriedly pulled his hood back over his face. He was a horrible monster and had a horrible character too. So everything fit together. Why couldn't spring come any faster, because he didn't want the bird here anymore. Didn't this have family and friends who missed it? Wasn't there a fiancée? Rather unintentionally, here and there he heard some details about the life of the yellow one. Although he wanted to forget all useless information again, but this did not work out. He also resolved beforehand not to spend so much time with the unwanted guest and it turned out differently. Why did he even do that? The answer was simple. He was fed up with loneliness. So strong and superior and yet he longed for someone. The others in the house always flinched quickly when he got moody. He knew that this happened often. Chuck, however, dared to put a stop to him in his way. Not like the lady from the box, who always wants to lecture him.
"Um, sir. I think you should see that." Ashes said rather hesitantly, because he always didn't quite know how to behave when the bigger one was angry.
"What now?" Annoyed, the addressed turned around and the blue trio hopped into it with reluctance. The toy was also fled beforehand when it got loud. But the monster put its eyes more on what they were carrying. It was the red fabric that was very similar to the curtains on his bed, but now looked different. In another fit of anger, he grabbed the thing and held it up in front of Stellar.
"Do you see what he did with it?!" As if he wanted to prove something to the dancer, he lifted the material in front of her into the light, because she couldn't see it well beforehand, as the others hardly moved away from the door when these occurred.
"Oh, I was so wrong about our nice guest." First he wanted to know why she said that so sarcastically, but then he looked again at the red rag himself and was noticeably surprised himself.
"He separated the fabric from the unused curtains and knitted a sweater out of it. Given the size, I just assume it's for you. How selfish of .."
"Oh shut up!" With that he quickly left the room and slammed the door behind him. He didn't need her mockery or the looks of the others right now. So he marched to his bedchamber. A growl rang out from him as he switched on the light with candles and held the garment up in front of him. It looked nice and soft. He just didn't understand why the yellow guy was doing this for him. Maybe he wanted to pay him for his hospitality. But that red cloth was his before, so it didn't matter. A friendly gesture. Now the bed curtain was again useful for more than just looking at when he went into his room.
"But I definitely won't wear that!" He said grimly to no one, because he was alone in here. After all, he didn't ask the bird to do that either. An annoyed growl sounded again in the room and he slipped the piece on. Of course, the damn sweater had to be against him too and also fit. His claws clenched, although he couldn't be angry with anyone but himself and his hasty mouth. In the end he was no better than his guest either, for they both liked to act without thinking. When the next realization hit him, he let out another grumble. Now he had to apologize.
"No, I'm not doing this!" After all, there was nothing to apologize for. This was his home and everyone had to follow his rules. That wouldn't change for a stray bird that only stayed here for a while. Soon the yellow would disappear forever with the spring and he got his peace again. Even if he tolerated the time with the feathered one, that didn't mean he needed more of it. Someone like him didn't need anything or anyone.
And yet, the monster liked to read books with the yellow nuisance. Irritating, but it is better to eat in company if they needed both meals. The rest here didn't need any food. What about the chatter that sometimes went on for almost forever? That came across as an annoying habit. Even so, that hardly bothered him anymore. He couldn't admit it out loud, but he welcomed the fact that someone filled the oppressive silence.
He realized that they couldn't leave this situation like that for the rest of the winter. Maybe he didn't want to either. Unfortunately, his legs carried him to the bird's guest room faster than he would have liked. He had to blame himself a little for that, because he gave the yellow the room near him. Actually only so that he could be back quickly if something should happen again. With a repeated growl, he realized that he was so far advanced that he didn't want anything else to happen to the feathered one. He tried to convince himself that he just didn't know what to do with the corpse if an accident happened. But reality showed him something else. A monster like the one he portrayed actually managed to worry about another living being against his will. That could also be the reason why the chatterbox upset him faster than the other residents here.
Now he stood here in silence and nothing could be heard from outside the door. He raised a paw to knock, but then paused. The feathered one was probably already asleep and he should go again. He would willingly use that as an excuse, but there was no dinner yet and the bird has never gone to bed this early. Before that, they never argued. Was that a fight? He yelled at the smaller one and this ran away. It felt more frightened again. It could be that Chuck had heard him come here with his heavy steps. Nevertheless, this preferred neither to open the door nor to say anything. Maybe better that way. If you have nothing good to say, you better not let anything out.
When the monster was about to turn around, he realized that he was being watched. Ashes, Schweets and the little ones, stood by a corner at the end of the hall and apparently wanted to know what he wanted to do now. With a stern look and an arm movement that indicated that they should find another pastime, he chased the creatures away. This seemed difficult enough to him. He didn't need an audience for this. At least he should politely knock first, if there was still nothing to hear, he would just leave. He thought he was a coward because he got a slight stomachache before a simple conversation. But as far as he could remember, he was never good at getting along with others and was therefore always alone. But he always found it best not to have to rely on anyone, because in the end you will still be disappointed. Exactly. If he did, he wouldn't have to talk to that annoying bird at all. The winter cannot really last so long that the presence of the uninvited guest became too annoying for him.
"Yes?" But then there was a hesitant answer from inside the room and the monster dropped its thoughts from before. Surely he shouldn't have knocked so persistently. On the other hand, the feathered one deserves at least a little apology and maybe something like a thank you for the really comfortable sweater. Besides, he didn't want to know how and when the chatterbox had measured his measurements. Then the bigger one heard that the guest was tampering with the door and in panic he drew his cloak in front so that you couldn't see the item of clothing underneath. He also didn't want to rub it too hard under the bird's beak that he liked this thing. On the other side, he could have just left the sweater in his room.
"You can come in." With the words, which sounded very strange, the door opened a crack. Actually, he didn't really want to enter. But how else did he think would it work? Should they talk in the hallway where the others overhear them? No, it didn't have to be. So he entered cautiously, because he didn't want to frighten the yellow one anymore. Otherwise he would get in trouble with Stellar again. He didn't feel like doing that either.
"I'm sorry." It rang out softly from a dark corner as the door closed behind him. Something was wrong with the feathered guy's voice, but he couldn't figure out what it could be. Only one candle burned in here, and it didn't give off much light.
"I really didn't want to mess with your things." The tone sounded somehow scratchy and the bird's breathing also sounded a bit sniffy. Had the other caught another cold? He expressly ordered that the feathered should not go out in this weather. The guy acted more like a chicken than a full-grown bird.
"You should be sorry, because ... Tell me, where are you?" Under other circumstances, he wouldn't care that he couldn't see the yellow one, because that also meant that this wasn't looking at him. An irritating feeling in him, but demanded that he must look his guest in the face. Probably just to make it clear that he didn't have to worry about a very vulnerable guy any more. If that was the case at home, the feathered one should live next to a doctor.
"Oh, now just come into the light!" Yes, he knew that his command was being uttered louder again, but he wasn't the one who made this conversation difficult. And then he caught movement in the shadows and he immediately grabbed it with a paw.
"I'm really trying here to ..." The larger being broke off his sentence in shock when he realized that Chuck was crying. This tried in vain to stop it, but the water continued to run down the eyes. The monster looked around for help until it remembered that they were here alone. Carefully he put the sad bird down on the ground again, otherwise it would just continue to dangle so weird in the air, because the moment he caught the depressing face, he automatically held the yellow one away from him. Probably a reflex, because he thought his appearance was the reason for this outburst of emotion.
"I ... um, didn't mean to yell at you." Somehow he had to start improving the situation and now asking the figure in the box for help would be a bad idea. Even if he didn't like to admit it, he didn't want his reputation with the little creatures to sink any more than it did before. The mood in this place was always bearable, in his opinion. At least until this intruder got here and destroyed everything. No, that's not true and he knew his character was just as guilty. It was just so difficult to change or get used to something new over the course of a season.
"Come on. Stop that." The larger being slipped that out more like a request, because it did not find it easy to look at the other in the room. The bird looked so vulnerable. Just like before, with the cold or the head injury. That didn't go with the babble beak. A handkerchief lying on a dresser caught his eye. He grabbed the part and pushed it towards the wailing yellow.
"It ... Before that I got loud too and it didn't bother you. So why now? Because I said that you don't think. Listen, it ..."
"It's true." That came a little more clearly from the bird. This just stared straight out and focused on a spot on the wall.
"Hm?" The bigger one asked, irritated, because he wasn't expecting this now.
"I never think before I do something. That is also the reason why nobody from the village will miss me if I stay away forever." The yellow guy wrapped his wings around himself.
"But what about that fiancé?" The monster was reluctant to mention this, because he didn't want to admit that he was listening.
"She certainly doesn't even like me. Her uncle just thinks I'm a nobleman or something and will therefore give me his niece and his money. I ..." A sigh interrupted the words of the feathered man and he then looked up with those watery eyes into those of the monster.
"You were right from the start, because I just want to marry this woman so I can get rid of my debts." They both looked at each other for a moment in silence until Chuck stroked his face with a wing to wipe the tears away. After that he didn't even dare to look up.
"Well at least you're honest." It rang out with a puff, but it didn't sound angry. So the bird gradually looked up again.
"What?" The homeowner had the feeling that something was expected of him.
"Don't you want to throw me out now?"
"I want to get rid of you all the time. But just because you confessed this little story to me doesn't mean you should freeze to death outside. I think ... H-Hey, why are you crying even more now?"
"It's just, I have ... *sniff* ..not yet able to talk to anyone about it .. *blowing his beak* .. because I was afraid my new friends would avoid me here for the rest of the time." The yellow wing wiped the face again.
"So you thought it would be better to confide it to the terrible creature first before you run off to your friends with it." The bird blinked the water from his eyes.
"I didn't really plan ... to tell anyone at all. But now that I've let it out, I feel a little better. Thank you."
"For what? If I hadn't gotten loud again, you wouldn't have turned into a fountain and told your boring secret." The monster found the little one's smile almost more irritating than the wailing from before.
Chuck, who was further down, couldn't stop looking forward, because his host turned out to be more and more of a good guy. Of course he would certainly get to hear something about the matter. He also saw the red sweater under the dark robe. The bird decided it would be better not tease the other any further. For now it were thanks enough to him that his gift was accepted at all. There was also a strange feeling in him that was almost like joy and relief. Still, there was something else. Perhaps he was just overwhelmed by feelings that he should leave it to think about it for now.