Chapter Text
He found his way to my homestead, one snowy day. There was a blizzard, one of the worst I've experienced since locking myself away here and I think a lot of my animals won't make it to see spring. He was easy to spot; a bright red blur amongst the stark white and grey flurry of ice. He fought the wind current as it whipped him around like a ragdoll, and finally he landed atop the barn in a crouched position, grabbing hold of the roof and huddling against the storm as best he could.
He was magnificent, if I was being honest with myself. His wings were large and a brilliant red, the windswept hair on his head a golden yellow, and his eyes a shade darker, like amber gems. Though he lacked mass, he definitely had muscle that showed against his skin tight long sleeved shirt that sported many rips and tears. My brain came to a quick conclusion of power behind his lean frame, if he were to withstand the winter winds well enough to make it this far inland. I stared dumbly, like a deer in fright, though it was more from surprise at another living being. Finally his sharp gaze fixed itself on mine, noticing me standing there like a duck on water. The black markings in the corners of his eyes made them appear so much more intimidating. He could have been merely studying this stranger in front of him, he probably was, but I felt like a small field mouse under the watchful eye of a raptor.
But I was no field mouse. Far from it. Fire filled my veins, stilling my cold shivering. I inhaled deeply and shouted, "Leave! You're trespassing on private property!" My voice bounced and echoed around the mountains, loud and clear over the raging storm. My quirk gave me the ability to project my voice, there was no mistaking that he had heard me, "You have seconds before I shoot!"
At this he smirked. For a few seconds his snarky expression enraged me, but I suppose if I were a big bad bird of prey, a small girl who appeared to be without any means of protecting herself would be amusing to me too.
He dove from the roof of the barn, aiming straight at me. He was almost too fast for my reflexes, but I hadn't managed on my own for years for nothing. I took another deep breath and pursed my lips together, rolling my tongue and pushing out a pressurized whistle that shot out like a bullet. It landed on his right wing, in the middle of some of his longer plumes, exploding the gorgeous color, and he fell to the ground and tumbled in the snow less than a few yards away.
"Leave." I warned again, "I won't go easy on you next time."
He gathered himself into a low, defensive, crouch and glared at me. I glared back. He threatened my safety. He's ruining my solitude. His very presence meant that my valley wasn't as inaccessible as I'd thought. Who ever he is, I hate him already.
He snarled, baring his fangs at me, and kicked up a bunch of snow with his powerful wings. I shielded my face from the ice, and to my surprise, he'd fled. The treeline wasn't far, but I caught a glimpse of his crimson plumes retreating behind the brush and finally out of sight. Hopefully that was the last I'd see of him for good.
I ran back to my cabin, turning to look one last time at the spot I last seen him between the trees, making sure he was gone for good. Once I was satisfied that he wasn't coming back, I retreated into my own home to wait out the storm.