Frieren's hands reached for the curtains. The fabric calmed her more than the tapping ever could.
Once she pulled the curtain completely, she found a grey bird holding a paper, frowning as if it had been waiting the whole time.
She watched three cars streak past before returning her gaze to the bird with a sigh.
"So, you decided to come?" she said.
"What brings you here?"
The grey bird clutched the paper with an almost human impatience.
It stayed unnervingly still, like it was waiting for her reaction.
The bird trembled the paper insistently, almost scolding her for taking too long.
"Okay, okay," she said as she took the paper and unfolded it.
"Hello, Frieren. It's been a while—oh, it's been centuries, actually. Heh…
I've thought we could meet and have a drink, if you're interested, or if the bird reached you at least.
The bird will guide you to my place when you're ready.
With all respect — K."
Frieren blinked slowly at the message before tucking it away.
The words lingered in her mind, heavier than she expected.
A faint tightness pulled at her chest, something old and familiar.
Even the bird seemed to watch her, as if waiting for a decision.
Frieren's fingers hesitated on the fold, her brow tightening at the name signed below.
The bird hopped once and shook out its feathers after she hid the paper, almost approvingly.
"That could be only you…" she whispered as she crossed her arms against the cold glass of the window.
Then the bird jumped in front of Frieren.
She watched the cars glide by, letting their motion quiet her thoughts.
The bird jumped onto Frieren's shoulder, taking a rest.
After a while, the bird gently tapped her shoulder.
Then Frieren stared at it. "It's still early," she said as she tapped the bird.
The bird didn't notice Frieren's finger reaching it; night had already settled outside, softening the bird's senses. It only flapped its wings once.
"Ah, you can't see now."
Frieren placed her finger gently near the bird's feet, and it slowly climbed onto them.
She set it beside the desk, where it perched beside the key, grooming its feathers with quiet dedication.
She placed a piece of bread on the desk, letting it eat.
She sank onto the bed, eyes drawn to the ornate lamp overhead
The warm glow pooled softly across the ceiling, blurring her thoughts.
She exhaled, long and tired, letting the room cradle her.
Frieren's eyes softened, her fingers twitching slightly as if still feeling the bird's small weight.
She eyed the switch, remembering how the woman earlier had pressed it with such ease.
The bird mimicked her gaze, tilting its head at the switch.
Frieren didn't bother; with a simple snap, a faint magical shimmer turned the room dark.
"Goodnight," she said to the bird, who had already locked itself in.
Only the faint hum of the night outside remained.
Frieren pulled the blanket slightly over her shoulder.
A faint crease formed between her brows, a small sign of a memory tugging at her.
"So you came all this way… Kraft."