/=|= The Lost Raven =|=\

08

"A Home at Last"

"She's a sweet girl, Curtis," said the old woman as she and her husband watched a group of children frolic with the stranger they rescued just outside of town. "She loves to help around the house, and she's great with the grandkids as well."

Outside, the children raced around in circles in the vast yard, playing a weird version of tag. Tira was 'it' but when she was 'it' it was more reverse tag. She had to elude her pursuers, or else they'd capture her and tickle her until the next person was designated 'it.' Then the game would become normal tag, and 'it' would chase down the next person and tag them 'it' and so it'd continue until Tira was 'it' and everyone would chased her again. But it didn't bother her. It made sense since she was bigger and faster than all the children. Leveled the playing field, so to speak, and kept things fair and fun for her too.

"I know, Agnes, but I'm just saying our son-in-law won't be happy, that's all. He always says she gives him a bad feeling."

"Hmph! Everyone gives that man a bad feeling. He's too suspicious for his own good."

"Well, in his defense Tira isn't normal."

"Oh don't you start too."

"Now, now, I'm not taking his side. I'm not taking any sides. I'm just saying she's different, Agnes. It's like she never grew up."

"I think that's a charming trait."

"Agnes, dear, maturing and holding on to your childhood is one thing, but Tira is something entirely different. Maybe it's not her fault. I'm not saying it is or it isn't, but she never grew up. At all. She really is still a child just like all those kids out there. It's not charming. It's sad." As Curtis spoke, his wife crossed her arms and let out a very audible sigh. "Angus, I'm not saying this to insult the girl. I agree, she's been nice. But unless we understand what's wrong with her, we can't help her—"

"I don't think anything is wrong with her."

"Agnes, I didn't mean it like that." He looked down, rapped his fingers on the table awhile in thought, gathering his words to better express himself. "I don't doubt that if she had the opportunity to mature, she would have. And I think it's tragic that she's lived through whatever past she has and ended up in this state. But do you think it's right to pretend like she's fine? There's a charm to childhood, but isn't there more to life than just that? You don't want to rob her of that, do you?"

Now it was Agnes' turn to remain quiet in thought. She closed her eyes, still seeing Tira and the grandkids outside playing in her mind, smiling with bright faces all of them. So often people lose sight of such simple joys and pleasures as childhood. She herself lost sight of it once. And how she admired Tira for her gift … or curse … but Curtis was right. Ever since that stranger woke up, she sensed something about Tira. That other people wouldn't take kindly to her, that they'd mock her and take advantage of her naivety. That she couldn't make it on her own in her current state. They'd kept her close to the house, away from the cruelty strangers would bring to the poor girl for being different. Agnes had sheltered her, protected her, because deep down she knew Tira couldn't and shouldn't continue with such a juvenile mind.

The old woman bowed her head, and shook it ever so slightly back and forth. Like with her kids and grandkids, she couldn't be here to protect the young woman forever. She had to prepare this one for the world too and then set her free.

But tragic or not, there still was something charming, even delightful, about watching Tira run about and play. A full grown woman enjoying the simple pleasures of life without a care in the world.

When she opened her eyes again and looked out the window, she saw the children had abandoned their game of tag. The kids were awed by Tira's remarkable balance, dexterity, and flexibility. She would gracefully perform a handstand, smoothly transitioning up, walking on her hands a bit, and then ever so seamlessly bringing her feet to the ground in one flowing motion. The children attempted their own handstands, some fell down as children are wont to do, and they were all having a good time.

Agnes sighed. "If only the world could understand you, Tira."

…

Later that evening, Tira closed the door to her room which this old couple had so generously let her use (and even got her comfy pajamas to sleep in!). Setting down her candle on the stand, she quickly rushed over to the window and opened it, looked around, and whistled. A few moments later, her three friends swooped down and perched on the windowsill.

"Hey guys!" she greeted, seating herself on her knees, and scratching each one under their beaks in turn. "Guess what I got for you!"

One chirped and turned its head.

"Guess!"

Chirp chirp!

"Yep! Here you go!" and from behind her back she produced a piece of bread which she broke into three pieces. "One for you, one for you, and one for you. Yummy, isn't it? I helped make it!"

Chirp!

"Did too! You can ask Miss Agnes!" The three birds downed their bread in no time, and fluttered their wings approvingly. Tira beamed and bounced in place, "Glad you liked it! So, hey, I was wondering, what do you guys think of this place? Cause, you know, I was thinking these people have been really nice to me, and Mr Curtis said I could stay as long as I needed to so I was thinking maybe we could settle down here. "

Chirp chirp?

"Oh sure, we could still travel from time to time. I'm not saying we'd stop, but wouldn't it be nice to have a home. You know? A place we can always come back to, and people know us."

Chirp?

"No, it won't be like the guild. Well, maybe kinda-sorta, but not really. I mean, we won't ever get that back, but this is about as close as we can get. The next best thing, you know?"

Chirp chirp!

"All right!" She swept all three up in her arms, and hugged the three birds. "You guys are the best!" She gave each one a kiss on top of its head, then watched them disappear out the window into the darkness. Still beaming, Tira hopped over to her bed playing an invisible game of hopscotch on the floor, and plopped down, pulling the covers over her.

It was a different life than what she was used to with the Bird of Passage, but she knew things wouldn't be the same. That's okay. She never expected to get that back. She might get a chance to be part of the crowd after all.

The Goddess is still dead, but being a part of the crowd isn't half bad!

…

Over the next few weeks, the old couple gave Tira more and more exposure to the outside world. As they'd expected, one rowdy clique itched at the chance to harass her. The Korven boys—the three sons of Sir Richard Korven, the richest noble of the town (and the parasitic friends who sponge off them.) They always picked on people who they deemed "outsiders" which was anyone outside their powwow. But Tira didn't seem fazed by them, their rudeness, their catcalls, and their insults. But all those times, either Agnes or her husband (usually both) were nearby. Still, they no doubt wanted to get Tira alone, and no doubt schemed to make it happen. Not a conspiracy caliber scheme by any means. No, they weren't dedicated enough for something like that. But they kept their eyes and ears open for an opportunity to show itself, and should that happen, they'll jump at the chance to exploit it. Then as if reading her mind, Tira smiled and gave her a hug. "It's okay, Miss Agnes. I'll be okay. I'm used to it." And she skipped ahead to pick out some fresh food from the market.

Agnes chuckled to herself. A mystery, that girl was. Sometimes she seemed so young, naïve, and innocent which made Agnes want to protect her like her little grandchildren, and then she'd turn around and say something paradoxically perceptive, observant, and wise. Then Agnes would realize she's quite capable of taking care of herself, making Agnes feel foolish for being so protective. A mystery, indeed. Such a sweet innocent girl.

The old woman eyed the Korven clique, and no surprise, they were eyeing Tira. But it wasn't the boys who would make a move. Sir Richard Korven, himself, would cause trouble today. The blonde haired blue eyed man whacked Tira's hand with his cane as she reached for some carrots.

"Ow! Hey! What's the big idea?"

Agnes and her husband hurried over and got between the noble and Tira, "Is there a problem, Mr. Korven?"

"Indeed, there is a problem. But it's not my problem," the wealthy nobleman said, removing a piece of lint from his fine suit, "you see, you're a year in debt to me and there's nary any sign of you repaying."

"We've had a bad year—"

"That, I can understand. Even sympathize with. But you seem to have taken in a tenant," the noble pushed both Agnes and Curtis aside, and, with his cane, touched Tira's cheek, forcing the shy girl to look up at him, "how much rent are you collecting, and when can you start paying back your debt to me?"

"This girl was robbed and left for dead outside of town. We only did the charitable thing and are helping her get back on her feet."

Korven sneered, "the world has enough peasants, it certainly wouldn't have missed this one."

"How dare you!" Agnes snapped.

"It's okay, Miss Agnes," Tira said, "if I'm causing you and Mr. Curtis any trouble, I can go."

"No," both Curtis and Agnes said in unison. "No, you can stay. We'll figure something out."

"Hey father! How 'bout we take in the girl that way—"

"This filthy rat will come nowhere near my home."

"But—"

And the middle aged noble swung his cane and smacked his middle son good upside the head. Then he twirled around, "now hear this, everyone. From henceforth, you shall refrain from selling anything to these peasants until they have paid me back in full."

Now it was Agnes' turn to protest, "but—"

Richard swung the cane, and smashed the old woman in the head. Curtis immediately went to his wife.

Tira's jaw dropped, "Hey, that was—"

And she too felt the bully's cane on her head. She could have dodged to the side easily. Hell, she could have disarmed the jerk and shoved that cane down his throat, then took on all three of his offspring by herself. But she didn't. She let the cane hit her on the head. She fell down on her butt and cried, and when she pulled her hand away from her injured head, she pretended to faint at the sight of blood. And the Korven clan laughed as Curtis and Agnes carried her away.

And even though her body remained limp, and her face expressionless, inside Tira laughed too …

Writer's Note:

Sorry for the delay. Was a little busy with Summer vacation, 4th of July Weekend, and everything. =)

For this story, I imagine Tira looking like my version of her from SCIV's editor. Link to My Tira pictures located in my profile. (I would link here, but won't let me for some reason.)