Chapter Text
Crows will impress potential mates by bowing, strutting, and puffing out their feathers.
Schwarz was a smart bird. After all, he was a crow. The human that he was contracted to, named Genau, could also be considered smart, if a bit oblivious. “Why?” one might ask. Because, to his absolute horror, Genau apparently did not know how to court his mate.
The female human named Methode, also a mage like Genau, was what most humans would consider a stunning beauty. With golden hair that flowed down her back in waves, and mesmerizing blue eyes, it was a wonder that someone as dour as Genau could land someone like her. But beneath that elegant exterior lied the heart of a predator, as one of his fellow avians discovered the hard way (“This is what you get for being such an annoyance!” Schwarz had crowed as said bird was held upside down by their legs). So, Schwarz would always give a wide berth whenever the lady was around.
Currently, the pair were sitting on a stone bench. Genau was feeding pigeons, and Methode was watching him. Schwarz perched on a nearby tree. He wasn’t sure why the man was feeding random birds and not the one he loved, but the lady was quite particular about feeding times, so he would let it pass. And well, he wouldn’t deny himself a few treats too.
However, the lack of action was something that Schwarz could not settle for. Deciding to take matters into his own talons, Schwarz flew down as the pigeons finished eating. Methode stiffened, an obvious sign that she had yet to become used to having him in close proximity. Ignoring her, he cawed at Genau. “Oi! Do something! Like this!”
The crow began hopping around, spreading his wings and tail feathers as he crooned.
“… What is it doing?” Methode asked as she watched Schwarz’s movements.
“Dancing. Although, I don’t know why. His mate isn’t anywhere nearby.”
“Of course not, bird brain! I’m showing you how to court your mate! Now dance!” Schwarz cawed, flapping his wings indignantly.
But obviously, Genau didn’t understand, only staring at him in confusion. He stood up, intending to leave, but Methode caught the cuff of his sleeve.
“Genau, do you know how to dance?”
Genau looked down at her, a barely contained grimace forming. “Sense taught me.”
“Oh, my, that’s quite the face you’re making!”
Ah, yes, that time where the miniature adult female barked so many insults at the man for stepping on her toes and hair (“My hair doesn’t even reach the floor, how do you keep stepping on it!?”), and then forced her partner with glasses to take her place when Genau blamed the large difference in height for making things difficult (“You’re short.” “Wh— you— Falsch! You deal with him!” “What!?”).
“Sense was a terrible teacher.”
“What about you?”
Schwarz watched as Genau processed his partner’s words, glancing down at Methode. Methode only smiled up at him. “Could you teach me?”
A short pause hung in the air. He went down on one knee and held out his right hand. As Methode placed her hand in his, Genau gently pulled her away from the stone bench, positioning her other hand on his shoulder before placing his on her waist. Slowly, the man guided her through the steps and motions of a dance.
Schwarz believed he had seen one like that before—beyond the broken footwork between Sense and Genau, the dance was akin to those in the evening gatherings that took place in grandiose structures, where numerous humans dressed in fancy clothes. If he was lucky, there would sometimes be leftover food that he could snatch.
Well, it seemed that his mission was accomplished. As the couple swayed on the cobblestone, Schwarz soared into the sky.