"A girl with limping legs," whispered Skeleton Crow, who was currently standing behind a large tree. His body had already transformed into that of a human, with black clothes with holes in his broad arms, which resembled wings. "Do I have to change my appearance to be more handsome so she will look into my eyes?"
In the village, it was not too crowded because there were only ten houses. Many people were busy going to the forest to look for firewood or hunting, so they could survive.
Only a few small children were playing in some places, then some teenage girls had to look after the house while taking care of their younger siblings.
"Looks like I have to change my appearance." Skeleton Crow brought his palms together, his eyes looking straight ahead and concentrating. A puff of smoke emerged from within his body as he looked tidier and more like a normal countryman.
"Looks like my look is perfect," he whispered, looking at his brown clothes as well as his slightly tattered trousers. "Oh, there's one more thing I have to do." His hand was raised, and then appeared a bundle of firewood that was not too much.
His forefinger was pointed at one of his legs, leaving it badly injured and covered in blood all over the place. "Perfect!" He nodded, then approached the limp-legged girl's house.
At that time, she was preparing dinner by cutting vegetables using a makeshift knife. There were also sweet potatoes that she would boil for later.
"Miss! Miss!" Skeleton Crow started his plan. While carrying a small amount of firewood, he waved at the crippled girl.
She looked up, frowning, and was a little worried. "Yes? Did you call me, Sir?"
"My leg hurt. I'm very thirsty and tired of carrying firewood. I've been looking for help around here, but all I've found are children. Can you help me, Miss?"
She looked doubtful because receiving an unknown guest would not be by prevailing social norms. 'But he is injured. How about this?'
"Miss?"
"A-a moment, sir. Please wait here first!" The crippled girl immediately went to the middle of the village, then asked some of her friends and some small children to accompany her. "I don't want to be the subject of gossip and shame on my mother and father," she said and pleaded with her friends. "But if you guys stay with me then that won't happen. You can be witnesses that I did nothing with him."
"Okay!" the most popular girl among them agreed. Thus, making everyone who played there agree.
Together they went to the lame girl's house to accompany her. Seeing that, Skeleton Crow blinked his eyes repeatedly.
'Damn, I forgot there are very strict manners among humans. Unlike the birds who are free to approach anyone, including females who already have a partner, humans are not even allowed to talk to foreign men. Especially if they are very young, which is usually easier to get entangled in the devil's whispers to commit immoral acts.
I really won't touch that girl. But if there are a lot of humans who come and watch us, of course, I will have to expend more energy to make them forget what has happened. It must be very tiring.'
"Sorry, Sir, but we have pretty strict social norms. Since we are not a husband and wife, that's why I had to bring my friends so no gossip would arise," she said.
Skeleton Crow immediately smiled and nodded kindly. "It's okay, Miss. I have no problem with that. Most importantly I can get a drink and be allowed to rest here for a while. You can do whatever you want."
She smiled and nodded. After asking him and her friends for permission, she went to the kitchen to get some water. There she daydreamed. 'Looks like that young man is kind. If he has bad intentions he will mind if I ask my friends to come and accompany me. I will treat him well. Moreover, his face is very handsome.'
She screamed and chuckled non-stop. After finding a jug and a glass made of bamboo sticks, she went into the yard and found the young man sitting watching the children play.
She didn't realize that he had done something to her friends.
"Here's a drink for you, sir," she said, laying water for him. "I still have the leftover boiled sweet potatoes from this morning. Maybe you're hungry."
"Thank you, Miss." He grabbed the jug and downed it without using a glass. "But I will only drink this water. I happen to be full. Oh, yeah why are there no adults at all, Miss? Has something bad happened? I happened to be traveling to sell firewood but couldn't find a market."
"Oh, where are you from, sir?"
"I come from the South, close to Mount Khung."
"Mount Kung?" She widened her eyes, looking at her friends who also gave the same reaction. If she was more careful then she would see blank stares from them. "It is very far from here, sir. You should have found some markets on the way."
"Is that true? Wow, that means I'm lost. This is indeed the first time I go to the market and sell firewood. Usually, my brother does it. But because he's been sick so I have to replace him."
"There is a market not far from this village. But with your injured feet, I think you'll have a hard time getting there. Do you want me to go to the market and sell this wood to you?"
"No need!" Skeleton Crow shook his head, feigning hesitation. "Your leg hurts too, Miss. I can't let you do that."
"Oh, my leg is fine, just a little limp. But I'm still strong if I have to walk to the market. Usually, I also do it to help my parents."
"Then why are you still here, not come with them?"
"It seems my parents are punishing me because I intend to work outside. You see for yourself, sir, how is the condition of my house. We are poor here. That's why I wanted to go to work as a maid in a jewel shop. I believe I can make a lot of money there because our buyers are rich people as well as nobles."
"Working for someone else, let alone just a merchant, will not earn you much, right? Why don't you become a servant to the nobles?"
"I do want it, sir. But look at my condition. My leg is limping. None of the nobles would accept me, because they thought I wasn't capable enough to finish the housework. Even though I am a strong girl."
"Is that true?" Skeleton Crow, feigned surprise. "If that's the case, then will you show your skills?" Suddenly he raised his hand and pulled the ball that the children were playing with to stick to his hand.
The crippled girl gasped and immediately backed away. "Wh-who are you?"
"Me?" asked Skeleton Crow grinning. "I am…"
***