A man with golden locks journeyed through the autumn forest, twigs and leaves crunched underneath his feet and the hooves of his trusty steed. High above them, perched inside the canopy of trees, echoed jays along with the bitter wind that carried a fragrance — a mulchy mix of the forest's perfume and the faint but raw scent of rust.
The man tugged on the horse's reins, halting their movements, and in the stillness, a series of heavy coughs echoed. He frowned. Turning around, the man walked over to a maiden, her body bundled in a thick winter gray coat, as she weakly leaned on the horse's back.
Her long tight curls stuck to her sweat-stained face, and she greeted the man's sullen gaze with smiling amber eyes. A snow-white handkerchief covered her mouth — coated with small blood patches.
"Ines..." His tone was apologetic, and heavy guilt lay on his soul. They escaped the previous town without proper preparations due to a mistake in his shifting ruse, and as a result, Ines' already deteriorated health has worsened.
"...Armel? Pourquoi avons-nous arrêté?" [Why did we stop?], her voice trembled.
Armel dabbed the sweat on her face with his sleeve, "You need a proper rest. So, we will continue our journey tomorrow morning."
"Non-" Ines coughed, "Non, je peux continuer!" [No, I can go on!] Her protest was riddled useless as the horse settled down on the forest floor, nestling in a patch of soft moss and dried grass. Armel felt grateful that at least the animal understood Ines's condition. However, Ines looked less than happy.
Armel chuckled sadly, bending down, "It seems Bisou believes otherwise."
He removed the patterned coat draped over his shoulders and folded it. Placing the fabric between Ines' head and the horse as a cushion, "Du Repos. [Rest.] I promise to return before sunset."
Before he could stand, Ines grabbed his sleeve, "Où allez-vous?"[Where are you going?]
Armel scooped Ines's hand in his and held it tight, "Our rations are low, so I will search for a way to replenish them." Ines chuckled, her dry cheery lips curled into a smile.
"Oh, is something funny?" Armel grinned, his shoulders relaxing at the sound of Ines's fairy-like laughter.
"Comment allez-vous trouver de la nourriture? Chasser?" [How are you going to find food? Hunt?] Ines teased Armel, eyeing his less than suitable attire for catching game.
He held his head confidently, "Do not doubt me. Hunting is but one of my many skills."
"Quoi que vous disiez, Monsieur Armel." [Whatever you say, Sir. Armel.] Ines coughed through a laugh. The cough persisted.
Armel's smile fell, "Before sunset...I promise." In an instant, a thin layer of smoke enveloped his body, and he shifted into a bird. Stretching his wings, Armel took to the sky, searching for food before the sun fell.
Armel's search, after a time, yielded giant prey: a massive airship drifting towards its goal, no doubt full of passengers and ample food stocks.
And they had left a window open.
Armel gained access with ease in the form of a common fly and quickly spotted the perfect target to mimic. A tall, charismatic fellow with a chuckle like a foghorn was the beau of the ball. He walked where he pleased, and those around him seemed to near-universally regard him favorably. As long as he didn't retrace his steps — unlikely since he had just left the kitchen — this "Tybalt" man would be the perfect façade to secure his needed rations.
Armel buzzes through a crack in the dining hall door and rests on the upper floor railings. He waited for the passengers to flood out of the hall, and once the final guest departed, Armel began his plan.
Armel zoomed under the closed kitchen door, weaving through empty chairs and tables. With no one inside, he shifted into "Tybalt." A tall man with broad shoulders, a short beard, and a classic suit. It did not fit Armel's taste but would suffice.
The large kitchen showed constant use, so he had a limited time window. It was oriented inwards, with several items of furniture scattered across the room and large workspaces lined neatly in the center. Armel grabbed a woolen sack, laid over a chair, and searched each cabinet for rations to steal.
After a few fruitless results, he finds the location of the items he needs. A large pantry with a vast collection of canned foods and dry ingredients. Next to it was an ice chest with meat, cheese, milk, and other perishables.
Armel worked quickly. Not wanting the bag to be too heavy, he only snatched a few items — two jars of canned peaches and beans, one bag of dried fruits and vegetables, a loaf of bread, a thin slab of meat, and half a block of cheese.
Armel tied it up and hoisted it over his shoulder with his sack light but full. Luckily the kitchen sported windows, so with a short shift, he could fly out with his sack and make it back to Ines before nightfall.
Armel turned to the closest window and opened it. The winter breeze combed through his auburn hair. He readies himself for a shift but pauses when he hears the door opening.
A small child with vibrant yellow hair and a warm, innocent gaze stood. She seemed to have sought refuge and perhaps an afternoon snack in the kitchen. Her sky blue eyes sparkled, obviously recognizing the form he was emulating.
Etoile, the child, bound over with a rabbit's eagerness, signing excitedly to him, "Tybalt." 《You will never guess what happened!》 her hands rapidly signed in the air, similar to how Ines used to communicate. Unfortunately, Armel did not take the time to learn the hand language. He gulped, wondering if she spoke French.
Armel copies "Tybalt's" charismatic smile, "Bonjour petit. Je suis désolé, mais je suis pressé et je n'ai pas le temps de parler." [Hello, Little one. I'm sorry, but I'm in a hurry and I don't have time to speak.]
Etoile stepped back, her posture signaling she knew something was off immediately. That he was not the man, she knew. When her amiable smile fell, Armel knew he misspoke. Not waiting around any longer, he shifts into an eagle, ignoring the girl's surprise as she jumps back further. He held the sack in his beak and spread his wings to take off.
"Stop!" Etoile cried, slapping both hands over her mouth. At that moment, the small voice echoed in his ear, and he froze in place.
She glanced around the kitchen nervously, but it was just the two. "Go to sleep, please, birdie," Etoile whispered.
Armel, now frozen, slumped to the floor, releasing the bag from his beak. A glass jar full of canned peaches rolled along the ground, stopping at her feet. Etoile tip-toed carefully, moving to close the window he had sought to escape through.
What to do now? She thought.
A disorienting but convenient series of events occurred during Armel's unconsciousness.
The door to the kitchen swung open.
Etoile turned, frozen when she saw the real Tybalt there. She looked down at the Armel, in his bird form, then suspiciously up at the man, breathing in relief when he signed to her.
《Little star, why is an eagle in the kitchen?》he asked shortly before scooping Armel's unconscious form into his large hands.
Etoile gestured to the bird, then signed. 《It looked like you! Then it turned into a bird and tried to fly away!》
《I think it must have been very hungry.》
Tybalt chuckled warmly, cradling Armel under one arm and brushing through her hair. "We'll find Maria and confine it until it awakens," he said aloud since his hands were occupied.
Etoile nodded. Even without the sign from Tybalt, she had realized that the mysterious intruder was like them. 《Special?》 Etoile followed him. Even if Armel had not meant to harm them, he tried to steal from their stores.
Tybalt nodded in confirmation. He bore no ill will towards Armel, the intruder, and it would have been him in his place not long ago, stealing from those more fortunate than himself.
The pair had made their way to a room accompanied by a woman named Maria. Tybalt knocked on Maria's door, calling softly to the woman within, "Excusez-moi, mademoiselle," he playfully asked after her, unintentionally flirtatious in tone.
Maria, who had just finished practice, was settled onto the powder puff in front of the vanity, taking out a fountain pen and a piece of paper to write a letter to someone off-ship. Upon hearing Tybalt's voice, Maria's cheeks flushed at his tone.
She quickly glanced at her reflection in the vanity mirror and rose quickly to smooth out the wrinkles in her dress before taking a seat once again, attempting to look casual.
"Entrez," Maria called in reply, hoping the blush in her cheeks had faded. She smiled, thinking he had come alone, but quickly realized something was amiss.
Tybalt stepped inside with a grin and showed off the sleeping eagle cradled in his arm. "I hope I am not disturbing you. We have stumbled across another individual with unusual talents..."
He presented the eagle, adding, "This bird was originally a man. Apparently, he can change shape. He assumed my form earlier, but Etoile saw through his disguise."
To say that Maria was confused by the bird would be an understatement. She rose slowly, almost fearful that the bird would awake and attack them. "How curious," a man that could turn into a bird. It was certainly something new.
"Ah, there is a bird cage in the pièce de stockage." Maria recalled.
Tybalt nodded but added, "I do not think it would set a proper first impression for this bird to awaken in a cage. There is yet an empty room to keep him...I would appreciate your presence to avoid further confusion and to assist in treating him should he have sustained injury."
He was right, of course. There was also the issue of if Armel changed back into a man, he would be squeezed into a bird-sized cage.
"Oui Monsieur, I will stay with him." Maria rose from her seat, picking up one of her books to take with her since she did not know how long it would be until their new friend woke. "I have never tried to heal a bird before."
《Can I come too?》 Etoile signed, looking between them. She wanted to be there when the bird-man woke up.
"Of course," Tybalt said, beaming at his daughter, before stepping back out of the room. Along the way to the empty quarters, Tybalt mentioned, "The bird is not bleeding, from what I can see, but the man himself may be. I must also assume he is hungry, considering his motive and desperation."
The two girls followed him to the empty room, which had naught but a bed and a chair. "I will wait for him to wake, then." Maria had no idea what implications there could be for using her power on an animal, so she waited for Armel to awake.
《I will bring him a snack!》 Etoile ran off to prepare something, soon to return with her arms filled with a bowl of canned peaches, muesli, and a pitcher of water. All of which she very carefully carried back to the room.
Armel awoke in a daze. His vision spun, and his head throbbed. What had happened? He did not move, collecting his scattered thoughts that seemed to be of no help in this situation. The young girl discovering him is the last memory he can recollect. Anything after that is pitch black.
He groaned but what emerged was a high-pitched whistling. It sounded weak, and Armel's eyes shot fully open when he realized he was still in his bird form. He struggled and flapped his wings, finally taking a moment to search his surroundings.
He was on a bed in a small room. With three strangers, two faces he recognized, "Tybalt" and the blonde child. Armel flapped his wings at them, then groaned as his head throbbed again. He tried to shift, but it wasn't easy. Was it the pain? He usually doesn't feel any pain in the first place. What was wrong with him?
He hopped into a corner and kept his sharp gaze on the three, creating distance between them. Only breaking contact to stare hopelessly at the orange sky. Dusk was coming, and he needed to return to Ines.
Armel cleared his throat. Bird sounds echoed in the room, slowly shifting into something legible, something human. Then he spoke, directed at Tybalt, "...Monsieur, if an apology or debt for stealing is what you require, I will oblige. My only request...allow me to leave. I must return before dusk."
Tybalt stood in a corner opposite Armel, scratching his head in thought — Etoile hid behind Tybalt, watching with child-like wonder. The man showed no surprise at a bird speaking and replied, "Thievery in the name of preserving a life is not a crime I have any right to punish."
But he also inquired, "Why dusk? I would be content to send you on your way with supplies, but since we are of like nature, I must at the very least insist we have a chat before we part more permanently."
Armel remained quiet, uncertain if continuing a conversation with a man unfrightened by him was the best course of action.
While Armel hesitated, summoning her courage, Etoile lifted the bowl of peaches and came out from her hiding spot behind Tybalt, walking cautiously towards Armel. She set the bowl down before him, then quickly ran back to hide behind the man.
Armel remained in the corner, unmoving and wary of the fresh fruit bowl. He scanned the crowd. Were they also the same as him? Different. If so, he didn't have much choice but to answer the man, especially when he had no idea what abilities these strangers possessed.
After a moment, he replied, "...Ma sœur..." his voice trembled faintly, "I must return to my sister before dusk. She is alone...and unwell." His gaze filled with guilt as he watched the slowly setting sun.
"Monsieur Oiseau," Maria started, shaking herself out of her stunned reverie that a bird had just spoken to them. "Are you injured? If you change back, I can heal you. If your friend is unwell too, bring me to her and I can help." She raised her hands, showing that she meant no harm.
He did not answer Maria when she spoke. He had no interest in being helped by her, not until she mentioned healing Ines. His eyes widened, "...You can heal?" He took a small step out of his corner, did not move an inch more, but focused on her.
He asked again in disbelief, "Can you heal her?" Armel had no interest in being treated. He has learned that his wounds and pains recover faster than the average person, although the quick process isn't pleasant. But if the madame could heal Ines, he'd give anything.
Maria nodded. They had made a small breakthrough, "If she is human, then yes." Maria looked to Tybalt, then at Armel. She stepped towards him, "Please, Monsieur, allow me to heal you first."
Armel's heart leaped in momentary excitement until he instinctively retreated to his corner when Maria tried to walk closer. He apologized but did not move, "Excusez-moi Madame. Although your insistence is appreciated, my wounds are minor and do not require such attention."
Unable to properly transform, Armel felt vulnerable. He did not want anyone close at the moment, "If you could...please remain there so I may shift back."
Armel waited for a moment, and when no one made signs of movement, he closed his eyes. He hasn't had to focus this hard since the Beast incident, so Armel was fearful. However, his worries dispelled as he felt his bones cracking and organs bend —unpleasant but welcoming.
Slower than usual Armel had returned to his former state, barely avoiding knocking down the bowl due to his length. He brushed aside his golden locks and examined his body for any abnormalities. So far, he saw none. Clothes, hands, legs, and everything else was in their place, "Parfait." He smiled.
Tybalt applauded softly and assured Armel with a twinge of sympathy, "You and your sibling may have this room, should you choose to join us. The cost of room and board is your loyalty and labor, but you will find our load light and our terms generous."
He adjusted his weight to favor his cane. "I will inform the Navigator we are to touch down nearby. You will have ample time to retrieve your sister and return, whereupon she will be in the skillful hands of our own Sainte Maria."
Tybalt stepped toward the door and opened it. "My name is Tybalt LeGrand. If you would supply your name, I am certain the lot of us would be delighted to make your acquaintance."
Armel did not believe in such generosity, not with terms like loyalty and labor. Armel was suspicious but tired of traveling at the risk of Ines' health. So he'd believe it, believed such a generous man exists, "...My name is Armel...and if I may know, what exactly is this place?"
He has wondered since sneaking in. With the exotic costumes and a large number of people, some with powers, his previous thought of this being just a simple ship must be wrong.
"The world's only traveling airship circus," Tybalt explained with a wide grin. "And for those with talents like ours, a home in the skies."
Then, he slipped through the doorway to tell the Navigator to set down.