Hello again. Today I followed a bird.

Sorry, I know I should probably start with the tophat and explain how that whole situation worked out.

But this is a crazy awesome bird and if I don't write about it right away I won't be able to calm down.

Well, following may be a poor choice of words to describe what we are doing.

See, we were walking through the woods, sure are lots of woods in these parts aren't there? Not that I am complaining mind you. I love the woods. The stilted sunshine between the trunks. The creatures, both big and small. All the cool fruit and hilarious fungi.

That was a pun by the way. Kind of. I tried it on Onica and she just glared at me. Then again she is in a foul mood right now. I will try it again later.

I love the way the wind loses its bite as it flows through the trees, and becomes whispers in the leaves. Oh, and the smells! The rich scented loam of fallen leaves. Just a hint of bitter and sour rot from the fallen trees and fungi. All cut with the sharp scent of the occasional pine tree, and with just a hint of animal musk under it all. Lovely complex smells!

Hm, I seem to have become rather sidetracked. No matter.

So, we were walking through the woods. I happened to glance up and saw a birds nest. Not that rare a sighting in the woods I know, but this was no ordinary birds nest! It was truly massive! I could have probably fit three of the original Ivers Dream side by side in it with room to spare.

Naturally I was up the tree and in the, sadly, empty nest in a flash. Much to the despair and annoyance of my companions.

Onica in particular seems rather distraught. She is currently cradling her head in her hands while curled up into a ball and muttering to herself. "Why do I follow him? I know it will lead to disaster. But what if Lena gets hurt following him into these idiotic diasters? Stay strong Onica, he will die someday." I think she is exaggerating a bit. What we have here isn't a disaster. It is an adventure!

Once we were all settled into the nest. Julius and Lena had followed me up quite quickly despite their grumblings, and Onicas pouting and pessimism. Outnumbered and probably unwilling to leave Lena to whatever, no doubt terrible, fate I was headed toward she followed us up shortly after. She wasn't happy about it though.

Within seconds of her arrival in the nest an ear-splitting screech split our ears. Because that's what they do, obviously. Then a colossal bird swooped down, grabbed the whole nest from the top of the tree in its talons and took off for parts unknown. Naturally we were still in the nest and along for the ride.

To adventure Mr. Bird!

So we have been flying since then. The sun is going down. The dying light plays off of our carriers feathers. Deep blacks and grays mottle its feathered form. A flat face set with round golden eyes point forwards, and thick fully feathered legs lead down to the Lena sized wicked black talons that have hooked onto the nest.

It is very floofy and soft looking. It has powerful broad wings that beat the air with disturbingly little sound. If this thing came at me from behind I wouldn't know it was there until I was in its grasp. Probably far to late by then.

That said, it is a pretty bird. I wonder how it tastes?

Not that I would eat it mind you. I owe it for carrying us so quickly and smoothly. Still, I can imagine. Drumsticks the size of Onica.

Ah, I'm drooling.

Julius and I are leaning on the front edge of the nest. Gazing down at the passing vistas far below. The forests peter out into rolling hills and twisting rivers. Ahead are tall grey mountains. The twilight paints everything is golds, purples, and oranges. Lovely.

Lena is huddled further back close to the talons of our new friend. Thats how I could judge them to be roughly Lena sized. I don't think she is enjoying this as much as I am.

Onica is as I said. Curled up in the center of the nest. Alternating between glaring at me and the bird as she mutters threats and oaths. She's kind of a scaredy-cat huh? ...don't tell her I said that.

The hat, or Mr. Hat as Lena calls it is setled firmly on my head. Yup, he decided to come with us. I am glad, it will give me more opportunities to make up for my egregious errors. He goes by Fen Worthy to all of us besides Lena. It is the name on his label, and he has taken it as his own.

Fen cried all night long, and come morning he had calmed down enough for us to have a good talk. He is only four years old. A classy kid though. He spent most of his time around posh folk and has adopted much of his dialect and mannerisms from them. So he is proud, haughty even, and upright. He values his word and takes great pride in his appearance. When I complimented his feathers he preened and praised himself for almost a half-hour straight.

Fen seems like he will fit right in with our group. He desperately wants to 'travel abroad, and see the world. Apparently his first wearer was always going on and on about his time traveling abroad, and since he never seemed to have any inclination of doind so again Fen took matters into his own hands(?) and left.

Sadly a fancy hat can only get so far without a set of legs. Even one that can fly. Apparently Fen can manipulate air as well as lightning, but finds lighning far more interesting and fun. So While he can shock someone all night long he can only fly in short bursts of a few minutes before he must rest.

Everytime Fen rested he would get grabbed by somebody. He learned to zap them and they would most often drop him and leave him be to rest. Not the fella I bought him from though. He got that copper cage after his first shocking confrontation with Fen. Poor little guy has been locked up in there for nearly a year by his reckoning.

Then along came me. I still feel awful for what I did.

Well, we just reached the mountains, and the sun is gone. The bird shows no sign of stopping. I wonder if it will fly all through the night.

I guess one of us must sleep eh?

I will bid you a good night then Mr. Bird. Don't drop us in our sleep okay?

Goodnight.