Attikias sighed inwardly. It was cold (it was always cold, here), and it was dark at night, the only light the ones dancing overhead. It was mystifying, in some way, but the elf was more concerned over the fact that he'd spent too long getting here, only to have to look around in the dark.

He knew roughly where he was, at least- he'd been this way before, many times, traveling through the caves. He'd have to see more of Ursa if he wanted to live in Cepheus. He didn't mind the cold too much, and he liked the snow, but the presence of Mother weighed in the back of his mind. Would she find him here? Would they touch his children as they passed through? He shook his head, fear weighing low in his gut. No, they'd probably be fine- and, if they were touched by her, he could clear the infection right away.

Yeah. They'd be fine.

He'd gone through a long swathe of flat Ursa, straight out from Tunnel E. He figured he could make some sort of wagon nearby, set it up so Carja could carry it, and set the logs to float down the stream of the tunnel, perhaps? Or-- well, they'd figure it out. Maybe Attikias could get someone from the Forge to do it. Who knew.

But, the forest- here, in front of him, was one that didn't have anything between it and the tunnel. This would be good, he figured, and he came close to inspect the trees. What constituted good trees to build with..? There were those around in Cepheus, but the pine seemed sturdier, as if hardened by the cold, and he knocked his hand against a nearby tree in thought.

A few echoing calls sounded from the distance, and Attikias swung his head, looking to them. Huh. Mother? Probably not, and he continued on into the forest.

As he wandered, looking at the various trees that could be used as support, the soft calls grew louder.

And, when he stopped above a rise to look over the forest, he could feel something perch on his head.

Spooked, Attikias jumped forward, letting out a yelp as he twisted around. Whatever was there had gone in a flutter of wings, and the elf held his hands up, wary of... Something. What was that? He froze for a few seconds, and sparrows descended down once more, looking at him.

... Were they like spinners? Slowly calming himself, Attikias watched them as they fluttered closer and closer, holding out one hand as they seemed to approach. Spinners didn't usually land on people, as far as he knew?

Maybe these ones did. Slowly, as if hesitantly, one- a few- drifted to him, one landing on his outstretched palm and another at his arm. Their little talons dug in a little, but they were soon squabbling over each other before Attikias raised one finger to stroke the breast of the one on his hand.

Huh. They didn't flinch away, really- the one poked at his fingers with their beak, but they didn't gnaw too much, rather only inspecting him. They were... Sweet. He kind of enjoyed them.

Maybe Ursa didn't have its bad parts.

Raising his hand and still reached with his one finger, Attikias stroked the bird's cheek, humming gently. It didn't seem... scared. Not like a predator should. And it wasn't a Greater, unless a bunch of them lived together? No, it wasn't saying anything, and he frowned gently.

Didn't Pride have a- what was it- familiar? No-- what was her name, the little hare... Attikias thought for a moment, still petting the little bird as he thought, watching as it curled into his touch.

Until, the one higher up on his arm got a little too close. The one on his hand turned and squeaked angrily at the other- defending his touch? He didn't know, but it got the attention of the rest of its flock, trying to get as close of a perch as they could. Eventually, the one on his arm fluttered away, leaving him with the first bird to receive the rest of his petting.

So, how did Pride connect with his hare- no, Mischief? Magic, right? Attikias huffed inwardly- why'd it have to be magic? Well- he knew why, because that was just life. Sucking in a breath, Attikias tried to focus his magic on the bird on his hand.

But when magic stung his fingers, he jerked back, startlin the bird off of its perch and the rest of the flock to jump back. "Shit--" he huffed, watching the bird fluttering off back to its flock.

"I'm sorry, little guy." Why did magic continue to dislike him? He frowned inwardly, pulling his arm back with slight frustration. People like Pride and his twins got it so easily- Asteri, Vivilene... Was it that he was trying to do bigger spells? Why was it always stuff like this, where he tried to put his own magic in things, that he struggled with the most?

He may have just answered his question.

If so, then, how would he get better..? Just by, what, trying? Attikias sighed out through his nose, folding his arms. Well, perhaps he could try getting a familiar somewhere else.

As he stood in place, grumpy as ever, the birds slowly came back to him.

One perched on his shoulder. Another, landed on his hair and nestled in. Another even tried to perch on his tail, only to slide off as he flicked it. He looked like a very angry, tiny, purple tree, with all of them flocking about him.

Attikias frowned even more, raising out his arm again and watching as a few more of the flock gathered on it. They seemed to be warming up to him, and the elf relaxed his shoulders, feeling the one on his head make itself at home.

It was the a different one than the one he spooked off that landed on his hand, but it didn't flinch when he drew it closer. Why were they so friendly? Attikias hummed, going to rub its breast with his knuckle. With this, he brought a spark of his magic, running it through that gem-studded hand and into the bird.

Something latched at the back of his mind.

Slowly, the vision of his own face trickled in. Startled, Attikias flinched back, all the birds except one remaining- the one on his hand. It only tilted its head (and the vision swirled, and Attikias suddenly felt very queasy), hopping forward. The swirl of senses dulled as he got used to it, and he stared.

Did he just make a familiar?

Drawing the little sparrow closer, Attikias rubbed his knuckles on its chest, feeling the sense distantly, feeling her roll her wings as she nestled into his hand. What was this..? The elf's brows furrowed as he held her back out. "I... I guess you're mine," he said hesitantly, drawing his hand back. "Do you-- want to come home with me?"

A faint pressure at his mind. A pleasant thought- was she... Happy? He wasn't sure how to interpret it, but when he raised his hand to his shoulder, she gladly hopped on. Huhm. "I guess I'll show you around where we might live, okay?" He reached back and petted her a little more before heading back to Tunnel E, his little sparrow in tow.