n

n

n

"Are you really sure that you're riding Kuro? And wearing that as well,

" Gwen voiced out while gesturing at me.

n

"What is wrong with it?

" I replied, ignoring her comment about my dress.

nYes, I am wearing a dress. I forgot to change into riding gear earlier, and we're already here anyway…

n

"Well, you know, because The Hunt is next year. Are you seriously thinking of making Kuro your mount by then?

" Gwen bounced back.

nI glanced at her,

"Why not?

"

n

"Are you not afraid of the people's opinion?

"

nI stared at Gwen blankly.

n'Who cares about them? They are not the ones who'll be doing it, so why would I bother listening to their yapping? If any, they would probably start gossiping amongst themselves again.'

nGwen caught the look I was giving her and nodded.

n

"Forget I asked that…

"

nHeh~ Gwen must know me very well.

n

"Come, let's see who is faster! Bella or Kuro?

" and grinned at her--

"The one who reaches the border, wins. Game?

"

n

"They're both yours, why are you pitting them to each other?

" Gwen pointed out.

nI climbed on Kuro's back and situated myself after I put a saddle on him.

n

"For fun…

" I said as I readied both of us--

"On the count of three! One. Two. Three!

"

nKuro then bolted like lightning on the field, racing like the wind, with Gwen hot on my tails.

nBoth of us reached the borders in no time at all, with our hearts still pounding from the adrenaline.

nIt was a pretty close call. Kuro had surpassed Bella for only a mere meter of distance between them, but my cute fox seemed a little miffed about it. I could already feel that he would start running around the estate every day to practice his speed.

n

"Is the forest part of the Herman Land?

" Gwen then asked out of the blue.

nBoth she and I gazed at the dense canopy of green woodland that expanded in front of us.

n

"I actually have no idea… Maybe?

"

nThere is no clear border that we could see before our eyes. Just trees.

n

"It wouldn't be trespassing if we go in, then?

" she then muttered.

nI looked at her with a knowing smile,

"Do you want to go?

"

nGwen returned it with her own, looking very excited.

n

"Is it okay?

"

n

"I think so…

"

nNo one is here to stop us anyway…

nI climbed again on Kuro's back before the two of us ventured inside the forest. It wasn't dark or anything, it was actually pretty bright, even though we are being surrounded by tall trees.

n

"It doesn't feel like there are monsters in here,

" Gwen commented after a little while.

nI hummed at her words, agreeing with her.

nIf there might be really monsters, Kuro would probably be able to pick up their presence pretty quickly. Because he is a monster himself, and he is also very sensitive when it comes to that.

nI remembered when the three of us, Nathan, father, and I, went hunting inside the great forest of Rosenthal last year. I brought Kuro with me to train him, which had brought us in an advantageous situation.

nHe could easily feel other monster's presence. All of us had quickly noticed it when he would start looking alert, and would sometimes chuff while looking past the trees. That is our sign that there are others nearby…

nBecause of that, we were able to hunt a fair amount of animals which we brought home for a feast. We had also observed a few monsters.

nWe never really tried to kill them, they were only minding their own business anyway. Thus, we did not try to bother them and remained watching silently on the sidelines.

n

"It's kind of peaceful…

" I uttered and stared at the clear sky.

nI know I shouldn't have said that because I noticed that I jinx myself all the time. Therefore, it wouldn't be impossible if it happened today as well, after letting that statement out.

n'So far, not a single monster in sight...'

nJust then, we heard a crying sound not far away from us.

n'And I jinxed myself…'

nAh, but it's not yet confirmed if it is a monster though! It might be just an animal that is trapped or something. Moreover, Kuro had not acted yet so we are still safe, I guess.

n

"What's that?

" Gwen whispered and got alert.

n

"It sounds like a bird to me…

" I answered while straining my ears to the direction of those cries.

nIt had continued for the next few seconds, and it was accompanied by a fluttering sound.

nMy eyes strayed to Gwen who also met mine.

n

"Do you want to check it out?

" I asked her.

n

"Can we?

" Her eyes were wide and sparkling as if she was excited, but also a little nervous.

n

"Let's go!

"

nWe went to the place where the sounds were coming from. It got louder as we advanced, indicating that it was closer.

nThe two of us, while still sitting atop our mounts, emerged into a small open space. On the ground, were broken branches, and underneath them was a figure of something blue. It was flapping its wings, trying to break out of the pile, and kept crying out.

n

"It's stuck!

" Gwen remarked.

n'Yeah, I could clearly see it too Gwen.'

nIt doesn't look like it's dangerous because Kuro was not being hostile. He is actually rather curious and kept wagging his tail.

nYes, tail. Not tails. I have learned that he could manipulate his body of his own will. He could appear small if he wanted to, and he could hide his tails either. Cool right?

nWithout hesitating, I dropped down from Kuro and slowly sauntered to the pitiful bird. I made sure that I was not making any big sounds to not frighten it. If it went crazy because of fear and started flapping some more, it might end up more hurt than before.

n

"Be careful Nadia…

" Gwen uttered in a low voice.

n'Yes, yes… I will if you're that worried…'

nI crouched down and gazed at it. It was a bird, the size of an adult owl. A young falcon, to be precise. Falcons like this tend to grow big like the eagles, so I know that it's still not old. Its left wing was stuck on the branches, and so were its claws. I think that it tried to swoop down but ended tangling itself on the tree when it broke.

n'But I'm just guessing… I actually have no idea. Hehe~'

nThe falcon was still crying and trying to get away, which is only hurting itself more. If it continued doing that, it would surely break its wing.

n

"Sshh… I'll help you…

" I whispered to it and slowly reached out.

nI have no idea what Gwen and Kuro were doing, but I could faintly hear someone pacing back and forth. Gwen had not come down, that would be Kuro then…

nThe bird ceased its cries as if it could understand what I said, and stopped moving about as well.

n'The animals in this world are awesome… They all seem smart.'

nI carefully started unraveling the branches off of its wing first, before moving on to its claws. I also noticed that it had a gash on its hind legs, which was still fresh.

n

"You're hurt…

" I noted, talking to it like I would with a person.

nMy hand was slowly patting its back, calming it down, as I bit my lower lip, thinking of something. Then I pulled out my handkerchief from my dress pocket and tied it around the bird's wound. I stood up and left it on the ground, as it tried to adjust itself.

n

"Ohh, is it injured?

" Gwen asked behind me.

n

"Mhmm, but not that severe. It's only a gash,

" I answered while still staring at the Falcon.

nThe bird flapped its wings again and made a cawing sound.

nI smiled at the bird.

n

"Are you thanking me? You're welcome~

"

n'I sound like an idiot, don't I?'

nI wonder if I can take it back home with me...

nI had been deliberating that while I worked on freeing it. It looked so cute so I was tempted to bring it home, but who knows if it has already an owner?

nAnd if I did bring it, Nathan would surely tell me off again. Saying that I am slowly turning the house into an adoption center…

nOh well…

nI still wouldn't get to do it anyway, because the bird then flew away after lingering for a while. I watched as it goes further and further until it was out of our sights now.

n'Too bad, I really wanted to have a pet bird…'

n

"It left…

" Gwen commented for the nth time today.

nPretty sure that she could be a great commentator if she wants too, judging from how she had been stating the obvious ever since.

n'Just kidding. I love you the way you are, Gwen~'

nJust then, something silver and shiny caught my eyes. It came from the spot where the falcon was.

nI bent down again and picked it up from the ground. The shiny thing was a name tag, and it had an address written on it.

nVon Brandt.

nThat was what was written, and underneath it was the address. Surely, it was a family surname and it totally sounded unfamiliar.

n'This is probably where it lives…'

nI tightly clutched it in my palm, feeling the coldness of the metal.

nI guess I have to visit this address to give this back, and then I could check up on it at the same time.

n