I stared at the note and the plate of meat, feeling a little nervous. The faint scent rising from it was strange. It smelled good, but not as strong as it would to a human. It?s raw... but somehow it looks like the tastiest thing ever, more than a good chocolate cake. Next to it, something was giving off warmth: a blanket and what looked like a couple of pocket warmers. I moved over and nudged them. The heat felt wonderful compared to the cold I'd felt so far.
I gave Shiners a questioning look. <How does Charlie even know about me? Did he see my clothes or something? And why ground beef instead of a burger?> My head was too rattled and I was rambling questions in mild panic, though a hint of hope - if Charlie knows, then I'm not fully alone. I looked around for any answers, but there weren't any. Only the lingering scent of food and the faint trace that someone had been here. I couldn't tell who, since the things I expected to smell were missing, but it still felt somehow familiar.
Shiners gave the plate an inquisitive look. <I was keeping an eye on you from a distance. I had a feeling that you would be turning into a bird. But I didn't know what kind, or how much of you would be there at first. Would you attack me as food if you saw me?> I wince at this as I was glad I was aware, but he was right. <So it's possible that he found you as you transformed. We'll have to ask him, though it's probably too late tonight.>
<Well, I'm relieved if he knows about me, but still nervous and a bit scared. Will he react violently, or suspiciously? Hopefully, the food is a good sign that he won't be a threat.> I eyed the food and gave it a cautious sniff, then glanced toward Shiners. <I assume it's safe? I mean, I know it's dangerous for predators to eat food left out. But I doubt anyone wanting to harm me would put their name on it, especially not Charlie. And who else would even know what happened?>
And... I was too hungry. I would eat a dead mou - okay, maybe I will eventually have to, I think nervously, feeling my stomach complain about no food.
Shiners chuckled a bit. <It looks fine. You were saying you were hungry, right? I'd eat it. And heck, if you don't mind, may I have a little bit myself? Saves me from finding something that's been dead for a few days.> Part of me wants to spread my wings and hiss, MINE!, but I quickly tamp down on that - plenty of meat, and he had helped me.
I laughed. <Go ahead. I doubt I can eat all this, and you're my friend. I can't leave you starving while I eat.> Now that I'd said I was going to, I realized it would be harder than I thought. My beak was designed to tear food, not grab something soft. I leaned down to try to pick up the meat with the hook of my beak. I could really use an avian knife and fork here. Then I leaned to the side to scoop some into my beak, and it worked a little better.
From there, I could finally taste it. I caught more nuance in the flavor, but it wasn't sharp or strong. It was a strange mix of sensations. I eyed the food cautiously. <Weird, it's almost bland. I can taste it, but not as strongly as I'm used to.> I lick the inside of my beak, trying to figure out the sensation; there was something missing, and it's not the herbs and spices I would want from a burger - something simpler.
Shiners moved over and gracefully grabbed some of the meat in his beak, eating alongside me. <The taste is pretty strong to me. I don't know what your sense of taste is like now, or what it used to be, but either way, I'm happy about this. We'll have to thank Charlie tomorrow.> I give a nod of my head, thinking the last thing I want to do is show Shiners how terrible I am at hunting. Heck, can I even hunt? I know instincts, but would they work?
I gave a nervous nod, more than a little concerned about how that conversation would go. Let's hope he doesn?t show up with a net... or a straight jacket, if I've gone completely bonkers. The thought of being captured suddenly has me shivering. Would they figure out I was human, or worse, would they send me to a zoo, or back to wherever I'm from? <Well, hopefully that will go well - and that you don't get completely bored of having to speak for me. I'm getting full and probably should get some rest after all the excitement today.>
He gave a nod and finished up. <Well, we may have to figure out an easier method to communicate. Though if Charlie does know what you are and accepts you, he should be able to help too.>
<No matter what happens, having you around is a good thing.> Taking a breath, something finally hit me that I hadn't had time to think about. <Why are you helping me? I mean, I'm glad you are, but what's so special about me?> I'm glad he?s here, but curious still.
He shrugged. <Like I said, I felt connected to you. Maybe it's because you're a shapeshifter and I'm smarter than most ravens. Or maybe it's just that we can talk to each other. Ever since I met that shapeshifter long ago, I've wanted someone else to talk to. The few times I tried talking to humans who weren't like you, it didn't go very well. And I've never met another animal like me who could communicate the way we do. It might just be selfish, but if I help you, I won't be so lonely. I'd have a friend.>
<I get that. I can't imagine how lonely I'd be without you. I could've tried talking to my parents or Charlie, but it wouldn't have worked. They'd probably just treat me like a pet. Even if my family doesn't accept me, it's great having you here to teach me and help me. But I really hope I'll be able to go home.> The idea of how I would be now without Shiners - would I have flown into a tree, or still be flapping about trying to get off the ground?
With a bit of difficulty, I placed my wing over his back as a sign of friendship. It felt good, the first contact since this crazy day started. <I'm getting sleepy. We should rest so I'm ready for whatever comes tomorrow.> I hope nothing crazy, but I will have to wait and see.
Shiners gave a nod and looked around. <We should be safe here for the night. I'm sure this is where Charlie will show up.>
I glanced over at the hand warmers and the blanket and gave them a nudge, lifting the blanket to be sure nothing else was there. Giving my feathers a quick fluff and shake, I suddenly felt a little better, not quite as cold as I'd expected.
My brain kept telling me to crawl under the blanket, but my body said it wasn't needed. It was something I'd have to think about later. I think, for now, I'll use the blanket. If it gets much colder, that might be dangerous, and it's probably safer to test my limits when I have a warmer place to retreat to.
<Would you like to join me? There's room for two, and it's definitely colder than I'm comfortable with.> I hesitated for a moment, wondering if Shiners would even notice the cold, being a raven.
Shiners gave a raspy chuckle and looked at me. <I'm fine with the cold. I'm used to it. But looking at your eagle form, I doubt you're used to it much.> He moved over and nestled against the blankets beside me. The extra closeness helped as I relaxed a little.
I nodded and moved to the blanket, grabbing it in my beak and shaping it into a half nest around myself to block any wind that might sneak in. I yawn; it had been a crazy long day. Well, weekend.
There were still so many things I didn't understand, not the least of which was that I was now an eagle. Being human again felt like something far off in the future. I glanced at Shiners as he settled beside me, giving me what must have been a smile before closing my eyes. The cold still bothered me a little, but not enough to keep me awake.
I closed my eyes, settling in for the first night of my new life. I didn't know what would come next, but for the first time, I felt ready for it.
