Gwendoline was a creature of curiosity. She did not like to be out of the loop when it came to mystery and magics. The little bird was a bit superstitious, for lack of a better term. She had first wandered to the forest of the Rosebloods in the belief that the forest was haunted. Though she knew that not to be true now, she still often thought of what wandered and stalked the shadowy depths of the groves.

  The magpie jay often traveled into the woods alone, far away from the mansion. She lived here, but she was not a prisoner, no? She wasn't a fledgling anymore. She was big enough to travel away from home! Promise! She was even starting to grow her flight feathers! This is where the bird was now. Far in the depths of the forest: wandering. Walking. Wondering of what could be hidden under every stone and log.

  She had already found so many things! Like bugs! And mushrooms! They were all so wet and interesting? Where did the moisture come from? What did they eat? The jay tilted her head, making a note to revisit this fun place at a later day during the day when the sun was brushing its fingers through the thick tree branches.

  Continuing her nightlight expedition, Gwen continued walking. She enjoyed walking. It was a good past time. It was good fun. The jay giggled under her breath, her talons catching hold of small pebbles and twigs as she kicked them around her path. Her wings opened wide as she swept the ground, kicking up dirt and debris from the forest floor.

  Gwen continued to laugh as the wind picked up, ruffling her feathers and wings. She flapped and flapped, catching a few inches of air before her beak was stuffed with dirt as she face planted onto the floor. She whined, pushing herself back up to her feet. Stupid wind... She huffed, one of her cheeks puffing out in irritation, I wish I could fly...

  fly? She heard the wind whisper. Gwen hummed quietly under her breath, her crest puffing up. She stood up, navy blue eyes scanning the clearing around her. The wind picked up, ruffling her tense feathers. W... She started, Who's there?? The voices only grew louder. Over and over they whispered Fly! Fly! Fly!

  Gwen screamed out, flailing her wings as she was enveloped in an unearthly glow and lifted off the ground. The jay cawed and screamed, clawing with her talons at a foe that was simply not there. Hey! She screamed out, thrashing her wings about, L-let me go!! Help!!!

"SPEECH"

  The bird continued to cry out for a few moments, even after being caught. Her screams slowly died out as her wings grasped at Sephiroth's soft fur. She sniffled, reaching up to wipe her eyes clean of tears. She blinked, her eyes full of fear. She shook her head, her chrest puffing up. That is not how I wanted to have my first flight... she mumbled sorrowfully under her breath.

  Deeming Seph as a safe perch, she slowly stood up, her talons clinging on to the lion. She wobbled slightly, her wings opening to balance herself. Gwen blinked owlishly, staring down at the ground. Her ears were ringing. Everything felt so weird. Was gravity always this weird? She felt like she was going to throw up. Gwen whined, rubbing at her aching temples, pushing her bangs out of the way. She shook herself and ruffled her feathers, blue eyes shut.

  She shook her head before turning to Seph's worried face. Gwen huffed, forcing a smile as if nothing happened. H-hello, Sephiroth! F-f-fancy meeting you here! she shakily cawed. She was big and strong. She wouldn't let this effect her experiences flying. She was going to fly. One day.

"SPEECH"