Private Witches and Familiars

Even in the midst of the forest, Sascha felt like something was missing. As he flitted through the trees in bird form, a place that was almost familiar with its colours and sounds, though the trees themselves were different species from the ones in Germany. But the comforting feel of his witch was gone. And he didn't really know what he was doing trying to find someone else.

That absence was why he was out here alone instead of at the school or somewhere else where people would be. Sometimes it just felt like it made more sense to be lonely that way.

He wasn't expecting to see anyone else, but whoever she was didn't seem dangerous, so he shifted into his human form to walk towards her. Sascha waved at her greeting, returning her smile with a shy one of his own. It still felt odd being so open around strangers and he didn't know what to say. He glanced at the girl's book with open curiousity, before shuffling awkwardly a bit, still silent.

Sascha shook his head. He wasn't exactly shy just... unused to interacting with many people and talking. "I'm Sascha." It was weird having to give out his name - he usually forgot.

"I am only... being alone here." He spoke hesitantly, still unsure what to say. But he perked up when Shiro mentioned herbs. "Herbs? For school?" He took a closer look at the book she'd been reading, recognizing the plant from its picture though he still couldn't read English. "That one?" Sascha pointed at the page to be sure.

Even though he couldn't smell any particular herb yet, he figured the catgirl had better senses than him. "I can help. I am good with plants."

Sascha gave a small smile in return, unsure what to do about the compliment, looking between her and the book, just waiting patiently. He nodded when she asked about the plants. And shook his head when asked if he was in the same class. But he didn't speak again until he heard she was a witch.

Then Sascha's eyes widened. "I am.. for helping a witch! I know plants to help witches." He looked at the picture again. "Be careful and not get poison."

"Not in your class. I want to help." He paused, tilting his head to look at her out of the corner of his eye, suddenly a bit nervous. "You will still let me help? I am in.. special class. For English and things."

"We both be careful. I help. I am good helper... know lots of plants." Now that he knew Shiro was a witch, Sascha was talking a little more, but it still felt weird speaking out loud. Around his witch he'd spent most of his time in sparrow form to not get caught, so even with her he'd been speaking telepathically.

Sascha took the book. He couldn't read English yet, so he just flipped through looking at the pictures. Not quite the same as the real thing, but they were good enough to figure out what they were. "You are looking for which ones? Assistant..." He nodded. It sounded almost right, and he didn't exactly know what he was. He'd done everything by instinct, guesses, and learning as he went. "Special assistant. Made for it."

Shiro's last question made Sascha pause. Shaking his head, he actually teared up a bit. "One witch.... I was hers... she.... died."

Sascha wiped his face with his sleeve and blinked at Shiro. "Only person I know before... I miss her. " He spoke softly, looking at Shiro's hand on his like he didn't know what to do with it. But other than the tears, he was still calm. He'd just never learned to hold back expressing emotion.

"Lots of magic... can feel it. Many people," Sascha nodded. "Cat girl is nicer than real cats for bird boy like me... You are nice... And I still can help?"

Lifting up the book towards her with his free hand, Sasha tilted his head and repeated his earlier question, "You are looking for which ones?"