Putting on my headphones, I closed my eyes. Before turning on the music, I enjoyed the rustling sound the beautiful drooping leaves of the willow tree made in the wind. There was a bird singing. Suddenly, I heard a loud noise. I pulled off my headphones and looked around me.

Quoth the Raven,

Laying a few feet from me, in the grass, was a raven. It had bright purple eyes and ruffled feathers. Its left wing was twisted at a strange angle and I heard Kanato yell. He ran over to the bird and began to pick it up. He was holding a rock. I teleported next to him and snatched the bird.

"Give it back!" Kanato whined.

"You're going to kill it, aren't you?" The violet-haired psycho nodded. "Then I won't give it back." I teleported to a spot where it was safe and I could give the bird some medical attention.

Nevermore...

The bird was quiet and it cooed slightly when I placed it on the table. I fished some bandages from my pocket and straightened the broken wing. I wrapped the bandages gently around the bird's wing.

Hello

A quiet, slightly gravelly voice filled my head.

"Hello?"

So, you can hear me?

"Yeah I guess. You're the raven, right?"

Yes. My name was Grimm. You rescued me from the jaws of death. I must thank you. You must rename me to complete our contract, master.

"Uhh... ok?"

What is my name?

"I'll call you...Edgar Allan Poe. But just Poe for short" Poe cawed in approval and ruffled his feathers. "Pardon me asking, but what are you?"

I'm a person who became a demon. I'm trapped in this body, and I serve a master. Someone who saved my life. If I find the right one, I'll be freed.

"Interesting. Name's Liu. I'm a half-blood vampire."

Those exist?

"Pal, a few minutes ago I didn't think you were real."

Fair enough.

~~~

As expected, Reiji wasn't hot on the idea of me bringing a bird demon into the mansion.

"It's a filthy bird! Kill it or let it free!" Reiji snarled.

"See. That's where you're wrong. Poe here is more than just a bird-"

"I don't care. Get rid of it." Reiji pushed his glasses up his nose pointedly. "It's not good manners to bring a stray animal into your home."

"Poe, please talk to Reiji." I asked the bird, and he happily spoke.

I'm not filthy.

"What was that?!" Reiji looked spooked.

"Poe. He can talk." I glared at the violet-haired man.

I'm not just a filthy bird, now am I, Reiji-san?

"Fine. I'll make you a deal. You can keep him, but he must stay in a cage while in the house. You can have him out of it while at school and in your room. I'll talk to the teachers about allowing him in class." He looked up "But you have to give me more of your blood."

"As for fucking usual."

"What was that?"

"N-nothing!"  Reiji sighed

"I'll send for a cage big enough to fit...Poe."

Thanks for understanding. I must serve my master.

Reiji shot me a look that read 'can you believe this guy?' And I chuckled.

~~~

"So, Poe. What can you do?"

A variety of things.

That didn't clear it up at all.

Magic, shapeshifting, and summoning. I can fly through the fabric of time to carry messages. But I do have a limit, mind you.

"Cool. I can teleport and bite peeps." I opened my mouth and poked a fang.

Cool.

Poe was perched on my knee.

"So how old are you?"

As a human, I'm about 19. As a raven, over a hundred.

"That's pretty cool. How's your wing feeling?"

Almost healed.

~~~