The world that Echo lived in was almost entirely made up of screams, growls, and moans. Whether it was because of pain, intimidation, or anger, it filled the air ever day and every night. He was actually starting to become deaf to it. It was just noise now, almost as common as the rustling of scampering feet. But that scream was awful.
What in heaven's name would make that noise?!
Echo was taken aback, and was literally taken back, having jumped a good foot away and crouching down on the ground. He looked way up to the tall man, wide eyes blinking. "Ah. Ah... Ah?" Echo knew that animals were far more
The stranger had finished his panic attack in the time it took the smuggler to regain his bearings. The jarring experience made his mind go blank, but they were back and were welcomed with a smile. A smile and a tilt of his head. Crouching on the balls of his feet as if on a perch, the short man looked up at the pair, elbows on his knees. He enjoyed how clever people were. And how ignorant they were. Because even though the girl's response was casual, you can't unsee what you saw. And he knew.
"Give?" He snapped his crooked gaze at her. "Oh, no, no, no." The hooded beak shook it's head. His fingers rolled as if to pet a delicate ball in the air,"I'm not fond of gifts." His hands clasped each other tightly. He seemed very interested in the lovely pair for a while, slowly nodding his head as if to daze off into another world. But really, his hands were puzzle pieces coming together. All he needed was the pieces he as missing.
"No." He lifted a finger into the air, his body following it until he was on his toes, dirty from the bare travel. "Not a gift nor a loss from me." His hand grazed the air and fell upon his stomach with his chin- er-beak, high. "But a barter for the poor sartor?"