This is the Cirno News Network with a important silver alert! Just recently, we have learned that our loved workwolf has disappeared. She was out and about scouting in the forest of magic, in which she has disappeared. Fear not for her safety, as we have all available tengu out searching for her. Hopefully she is successful with her scoop, and will bring back the news that we all are hoping for.

If there are any sightings of her, please contact us by hook or by crook. Except Kirisame, if you value your possessions. That's one crook that even we wouldn't ask you to contact.

Thank you, and enjoy the show. This has been THE STRONGEST! Now back to your irregularly scheduled fic.

Sparrow That Has Lost the Will to Sing

Heh… What's that rustling sound? There shouldn't be anything moving in the woods. At least not this time of day. Well, except the fairies. That could always be an option. But have they decided to come and bother me now? Feh. Always hate the stupid things. Always buzzing around and jumping for joy and trying to pluck my wings.

At least they didn't wake me up to hear the birds singing. Always hate listening to that. Too many bad memories, listening to them singing. Good thing that my ears muffle sound well when I pull them shut. Otherwise, I don't think I could even manage a little bit of sleep.

Might as well go ahead and get the stand up, then. If I'm not going to be getting back to sleep anytime soon, I might as well make the best of it. Not like I'm going to have any customers come by anytime soon. Why is it that humans insist on traveling in the forest at night, when that is the time that our kind is out and about? Should consider themselves lucky that we aren't all quite as bloodthirsty as I used to be.

Meh. At least the pine is comfortable this time of year. Even if I don't need it to keep me warm, it's nice to have the old home ready to be used. …I need to remember to think Wriggle for letting me keep it. She really shouldn't have let me keep that big old tree for me to use. I'm not a small sparrow anymore, though. I need my space.

Say… I still hear that rustling. Whatever could that be coming my way? It doesn't sound like a fairy. Something bigger… Hrm. What could it be? Just let me brush aside the twigs here, and… Well, definitely not a fairy. But a cat is fine, too.

What are you doing here, little cat? You're not one of the nekomatas that torment this land. That much I can tell. Heh, well, whoever you may be, you might as well come with me. I'm certain that I've a spare piece of meat for you to eat. Maybe after that I can scratch behind your ears. It'd be nice to have some company, considering no one is going to show.

Aww… Running off already? Fine, I suppose. Didn't think that even that cats disliked me now. But fine. Maybe you'll come back once I get this opened up. Not that you'll probably like the smell of meat cooking, but whatever.

Wait a moment, why is my stall already opened up? Has someone been stealing my stuff? Oh dear… Oh dear oh dear. Calm down Mystia. It's not like someone found out where you keep your stash. Just go ahead and get inside, and then I'll be able to check what was taken.

Geh. At least they didn't get into the liquor. That's not exactly cheap for me to get hold of. No way that anyone should just go ahead and walk off with them. The thing is… What was stolen from me? If not what was expensive, then could it have been one of my eels? I've not the chance to go and fish a few for tonight, but the ones in the bucket should still be good.

Let's see now. We have two… five… seven… eleven… Wait a second. I had twelve the other night. Where is the… twelfth… Well, hello again cat. Are you enjoying that eel there? You know, when I offered you food, you were supposed to wait for me to give it to you. Neh. I suppose that you're just being a cat, aren't you? Now, I have to figure out who opened up my cart.

Wait a minute. Just one, little minute. Where has that hat come from? I recognize that one… Satori. Yes, I know you are here. Might as well come out.

So, here to steal some more of my food? That's what I thought. Thieving undergrounder… Do you even have something to pay for it this time? Oh, what am I saying? Of course you don't. You never do. At least you only bother to steal the food that I can get for free, instead of the sake I have to pay for.

Heh? Who are you? And why are you paying me? For her? Well, if she's your responsibility… Wait. She has a keeper? That is such an odd sentiment. I never even knew that wild youkai had someone that she would even pretend to listen to. But if you're looking after her, why did you let her get out of control and steal my eels?

True that. It is hard to keep her under control, isn't it? Especially since you're a human… Wait. You're a human. Really? And you've got to look after her? Well, best of luck to you. Knowing her, she might even injure you if she's not careful.

Already had that happen, eh? Well, if you know what you're getting into, I'm not gonna try to wave you off any more. Still, as long as you're here… You want a plate, yourself?

Well, of course I'm willing to serve you. Just because I'm in the middle of a forest serving eel and lamprey doesn't mean humans aren't welcome. It just means that I don't get as much business as I could. Well, you are right. I could move closer to village itself, but they're uncomfortable with me being too close. Not that I blame them too much. Not with my history.

What did you expect I used to do? Look at me. Not that I can read that well, but even I know that most books can't be judged by their covers. What did you think these talons used to be for, though? They sure weren't used for chopping meat and cutting cords. Not in the way I use them nowadays.

Heh. I don't plan on eating you. Don't you know how bad that would be for business? Not to mention how mad Wriggle would be at me. She is the only company I have for most of the year. I'd hate to have it where she ignores me for a season or two.

Not to mention I have my own reasons for not eating your kind anymore. Mostly because I'd like to think I'm better than that. When I woke up for the first time, it was easy to stay nice and simple. You can imagine that seeds and bugs wouldn't sustain one as large as I, don't you agree? Of course, if I found some seeds the size of my head it might be different. But the flower youkai hasn't been around until recently. Meh. Not like she would even do such a thing if I asked her to.

Oh! I suppose I should get to cooking that meal for you, shouldn't I? Feh. So sorry, so sorry. Sometimes, it is just so easy to get caught up talking about yourself, don't you know? I just hope I'm not being too much of a bore. After all, isn't it usually the barkeep's job to listen to their customers? I'm turning that on its head, aren't I?

A name? Well, I suppose I never did introduce myself. I call myself Mystia Lorelei. …No, my name was not originally Daybird. Wherever did you get that idea? Heh. Well, just because I am friends with Wriggle doesn't mean that our names must be so similar. Although that would be interesting, wouldn't it…

Sorry, had to snap out of that thinking. I do tend to let my mind wander at times. It's the only thing that keeps me sane some of these days. Not to mention the many recriminations that I've put myself under… Well, I'm sure you can imagine.

Ah, now there we go. The fire is going, and your eel is slowly roasting away. You are correct; that fire isn't as hot as it could be. However, I think you would much prefer it if you eat what is best, and not simply what is quick. Besides, that will give me some time to talk.

Do remember that I am a songbird youkai. And even if I will not allow myself to sing, I need to allow myself to talk instead.

Why indeed would a bird not allow herself to sing? Do not believe that it is because I have myself caged, human. Don't you know that even the caged bird sings, for no one can take it away? I will point out, though, that there is something that can take it away. My own consciousness would not allow me to sing, now that I know what it is that my voice is capable of.

All that I have is a curse, human. A damned curse that I was unaware of. Vocal cords that are enchanted to mystify and confuse, to blind one those that may pass by. I would sing for you, human, but I would not want to do that to you. Even if it was just the blindness, I would not force you to endure a hex that strains them so badly.

That isn't the biggest problem… Something that I was completely unaware of. Not only does my voice blind those who happen to hear it, it robs them of their conscious. It muddles the thoughts of others, causing them to act as they shouldn't.

Yes, indeed. It slowly drives them insane. A voice that robs many of their peace of mind, and leaves them perfectly open to suggestions, both sane and not. True bedlam that it is…

What's worse is that I knew not what I did, human. Don't you agree? At least the blindness could be an unfortunate side effect. I'd hate to submit someone to the sounds so horrible. At least it would be understandable. At least I could explain that away. It isn't permanent, after all. I could remove it quite easily.

But the madness… I hated it. I hated that I had forced others to submit to my song. Once they listened to a few mad notes, would they ever be able to say no? You are right, human. Even if they were already insane, it would affect them. Maybe it would drive them back towards sanity, or further into insanity.

I suppose you would be skeptical. After all, I could be singing right now, and you would never notice. Feh. No way to prove it otherwise. But you're right… One such as I has little reason to change my stripes. Little reason at all. Especially as I had such an easy life…

What else would I do? I used to eat humans. At least when I had the chance. I'm not dumb enough to go chasing after them when they want to kill me, after all. But… But I didn't just limit myself to that. Especially once I wised up enough to realize that I had much more at my disposal than strength and speed.

That's why I began this stand in the first place. It was the ultimate bit of trickery. Why bother to go out and hunt for the humans, when I could just lure them in with offers of food to cure their ills? Ills that I had imposed.

Granted, that couldn't last very long. I did my best to make the food last. Even as active as I can be, I don't need an entire human even once a week. At least I knew that the small ones weren't as satisfying. Softer meat, but there is so little. At least the fat on their bones was useful for keeping my energy up.

Meh. You shouldn't be so surprised. Most of the youkai around here are wild in some manner or the other. That would include me as well. At least, it used to. Even a few years ago, I didn't bother to not be one. All I cared about was eating and singing.

Even Wriggle can't get me to sing for her, anymore. Not after what it did to her. Have you met her? I forgot if you said whether you have or not… Heh. I've not the greatest of memories, if you can't tell. Still too much of a birdbrain. It is the truth, so don't give me that look.

But you know how she acts. Quite the odd way to for one to compose themselves, especially in this land. You should know that she didn't quite come by it naturally. How else should one expect her to act after hearing a song that drives her insane? Well, I can't honestly say how she should act. But she should be normal.

Indeed. Who even wears something like that in this day and age? I suppose her mind decided that since she was such a tomboy, she might as well act like one. Why she picked that way, I've no idea. I'm… I'm afraid to ask, myself.

Worse is, I had to have that pointed out to me. I wasn't even aware of the insanity that I provoked with my song, the mania that rose in the mind of others. The madness that I was inspiring within her. The Yama is quite good at making you listen, especially when you try to beat her in a fight.

Feh. You running from her as well? Can't say I blame you. She's quite the frightening person to listen to. And she doesn't even use that rod for scolding others. She could… To be honest, I'd prefer if she did use it. I'd rather take the rod on my back than the words she uses to torment your soul.

Pardon me if I spare my memory of the words that she used. I'd much rather forget that I ever heard them. But even though I didn't care about the humans I'd mislead with my voice… That little firefly that I had always considered my friend, though…

Meh. I need a drink.

Don't mind me if I crack this open. Not like I've got anyone else coming by here wanting to drink sake. Maybe it will be a little strong… Hrm. Yeah, it is a tad bit strong. Old sake. Whatever. It'll still get me drunk after a few rounds.

Such epiphanies are hardly good for the mind. I hardly slept a wink for weeks after that. I was practically one of the undead, stumbling about like some sort of zombie. And you know what happened after that? Do you know what happened? She came looking for me. I had driven her insane, and she was worried about me. Not that she knew, but I could scarcely believe it.

That night bug tried to ask me to sing for her as well. To sing… As if nothing was wrong. Oh, how I tried to explain to her. How I tried to make her understand that I could no longer do that for her. I might be a songbird, but I couldn't let myself sing.

How could I do that to her? When she wasn't even herself? Feh. I was no "old bean", I was her friend! I could not do that to her. Not when I… I…

Heh. Thanks… I think I needed that. Another shot down the hole, eh? Keep me calm… Prevent anything embarrassing from passing my lips. Just make sure to not let me drink too much. I don't want to risk having my buzzed self start to sing, after all. Perhaps you should make sure you have an extra sock on hand. I'm sure the satori has one.

That's what I thought. Crazy youkai… Heh. At least Wriggle finally understood I could no longer sing as she so wished me to… How I wish I could. She did have a lovely smile on her face when she listened. Hrm. Maybe I'll find a way some day… No, don't think like that. That would just be asking for trouble…

Yup, just trouble. Meh. Oh well. But that leaves me where I am now. Just sitting here in the middle of the forest with my stall. At least for once I have customers who don't plan to run off on me. At least you're not going to do that, right?

Oh, I see. The satori's passed out? Odd. She's not that much of a lightweight. Usually she can suck down a few bottles before finally going down. Maybe that's just the liquor talking… Eh. Oh well.

So, where are you traveling to from here? Or are you just one of those crazy humans that routinely take walks through forests that contain man-eating monsters? Well, it's not really an insult. There are plenty of those around… Crazy humans, I mean. There are a lot of man-eating monsters, too. Unless you have been one this entire time, and it has just been a disguise?

Fehe. That would have been funny, wouldn't it? Knowing my luck, you'd be one of those youkai that are still quite insistent that we kill and consume all the humans. Beh, I say. Better to let them grow like cattle. And then, the cattle shall grow cattle and swine and sheep, and we can eat those!

Well, after eels. Eels do taste much better, I'll admit. Don't you agree? Of course you do. That's why you're here, after all. I have one cooking? Oh, yeah, that one. It's got an hour or two. Slow cooking is what I like the best. Makes it fall off the bone! Quite literally, I do say. Quite literally.

Hrm. Perhaps I've had a wee bit too much of the sake, hrm? Oh well. At least I get to have it this time! Not often that I get to have my own drinks. Perhaps I should do this more often, then. Course, that would mean I would have to have customers.

Do you think the humans would mind if I moved closer to the village again? Maybe a mile or two past Kirisame's shop… That would be close enough to the village I might get some passerby? Or maybe I should try and set up something more permanent by the lake… Get some nice scenery. Of course, then, I'd have to worry about the vampire that lives on the lake ruining business for me.

Wonderful! If that vampire is gone, there's not much of a reason not to move out there. …Well, except that I'd have to leave my tree. My wonderful nice tree that she has let me keep.

Feh. You know what is good for helping me decide? Drink! Mehe, oh yes, that is a very good idea. Perhaps we'll figure out something wonderfully inventive while we are under the influence, yes?

Oh, no worry, no worry at all. Your food won't be burning. And wherever you are heading toward will not disappear in the next few hours. Of course, you probably shouldn't take my word for that. Especially if you hear me sing.

After all, a night sparrow is incredibly bad luck, isn't it? And there is no wolf here to watch over you. Just a drunk cat and a drunken satori. Fehe. Oh well. Now, go ahead and drink up, human. I'd hate to be the only one having fun. What, getting sloshed isn't your idea of fun? Bull! C'mon, just a sip and you'll see what I mean!

Well, if you're not having it, I shall! One for you, one for me, and one for that firefly that won't stay out of my head!

A/N This was an interesting chapter, now that I think about it. I went into this wanting to play up one particular portion (specifically, whether Mystia was the night sparrow of legend that brought misfortune, or the one that brought good fortune), but that was left off at the end. If you're wondering what I meant about the wolf watching over the MC, that is the legend in particular that I was speaking of.

Instead, looks like I instead focused more on the her relationship with Wriggle, and her past. Now, one thing that is intriguing about Mystia, in my mind, is that she is one of the more openly malicious youkai. Not only does she act like a man-eater (or a con at best), she looks the part as well. Compare her to the other birdies (Tokiko, Okuu, Aya and Hatate) and which of them seems the one you'd least like to see in a dark alley?

Well, disregard Utsuho's arm cannon and the powers she got from eating a goddess. Because then it wouldn't even be close.

The thing is, I first wanted to make her be an aversion of that. She is a good person, in spite of being such a monstrous creature. But I felt that to be a little too cliché, so I had her go back to her canon backstory. She only changed when Shiki's lecture proved too much for her to handle.

Anywho, as to the last chapter:

Mr. Muss, many apologies. I should have realized who it was by the quips. As for Rinnosuke, after consulting the script, I will have to answer in the negatory for that. He is not on schedule for Disk 2. Granted, neither was Rengeteki, so who knows? The five magical stones from way back in SoEW are probably gonna pop up sooner or later, so there's always the chance he could pop in here.

Digressing, I shall see everyone soon. Please read and review as always, and until next time!