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He was slowly making peace with the idea that wild magic might actually not be as dangerous as he was thought to believe. Or at least the palisman that somehow followed him back to his room wasn't as bad as he initially believed.
So far it hasn't done anything bad.
He was just looking at him and chirping - no matter how much he shushed it, - and pecking at his things, - no matter how many times he shooed it away. It was a very curious little creature.
And, dare he say, cute. Very cute.
Something that Hunter started to believe it knew very well. And it was using it to its advantage.
Other than that having it in his room was a very lackluster experience. Other than the fear of being discovered with it, that is. But so far it hadn't cursed him or threw a spell at him, or spit acid. No, instead of anything malicious, it made a nest in his cape that he left on his bed.
"I still think you should leave," Hunter said.
The bird only turned its head at him and chirped merrily. Then went back to preening itself.
Why he hadn't handed the creature over to his Uncle was beyond him. Logically speaking, it was his duty, not to mention that it would ease his Uncle's cures. But he couldn't bring himself to do it.
Hunter blames it on it being too cute - and certainly not because of the utter mess his last mission turned out to be.
He was still cautious of it, and always kept an eye on it. No matter how adorable it was still a thing made out of pure wild magic.
Either way, he should be heading off to get dinner before it gets cold and the good portions are taken. He fastened his mask in place. Then he contemplated taking his cape back, but it wasn't necessary to get food, so he decided that the palisman could have it for a bit longer.
And a tiny part of him didn't want to disturb it.
"The window is open," he tells him as he is about to head out of the door. The palisman tilts its head with an adorable little chirp.
"I suggest you leave before I get back. Alright?"
"Chirp."
"I'm not joking, if somebody finds you here-" he didn't even want to think about that possibility. "Just stay quiet, at least. Okay?"
"Chirp."
"I expect that to be an agreement to the rules."
"Chirp," it nodded this time.
"And I am holding you to it."
What was he doing? Talking to the bird. Ludicious. His Uncle taught him better and this is what he is doing? Well, he just has to work extra hard to make up for it, even if his Uncle knows or not - and he hoped he would never figure it out.
But maybe Hunter could turn this into something useful. He could take the opportunity to study it. And maybe with the palisman here, he could figure out a way to break his Uncle's curse. Yes, that would make all of this worth it and absolve him of all wrongdoings.
When he returned the palisman was still there. It greeted him with a happy little chirp.
"Seriously, stay quiet," he chastised it. "Don't you know how much danger you are in, straying in the Castle?"
"Chirp?"
"Well, I am telling you now," Hunter said. "If somebody finds you, they will certainly hand you over to the Emperor."
"Chirp. Chirp." The palisman only said then jumped onto the windowsill and looked at Hunter expectantly. It even flapped its wings and nodded in the direction of the open sky.
"I don't know what you are saying," Hunter said flatly. "But you are free to go and stretch your wings."
It looked out for a moment, before hopping back onto the bed and closer to Hunter.
He groaned. "Why can't you just leave? You are made of wild magic, aren't you supposed to be at least a little wild or something."
It only looked up at him with that innocent look in its one good eye.
"I swear, you have no sense of survival."
It only continued to chirp with what Hunter could decipher as foolish joy at seeing him. And he still couldn't fathom why. But despite knowing better he still sat down and the palisman easily jumped into his lap and settled down comfortably. Lost in what to do, Hunter carefully patted the bird. It made a little cooing sound, so at least it was being quiet.
Seriously, Hunter had no idea what he was doing.
He just hoped he wasn't making a horrible mistake.