'I wonder what I should do right now? Thinking about finding a continent would jinx me once more.'
'Things just keep happening every time I want to do it.'
'Does this planet even have continents? What if it's just archipelagos, islands, etc.'
[There are continents]
'The ocean is quite vast then, well, at least I won't ever get tired of seeing such beautiful sceneries.'
I said as I looked at the fading sunset, feeling a sense of calmness overtake my current emotions.
'If only peaceful times such as this could last forever.'
So with that thought in my mind, I kept gazing into the beautiful orange sunset.
The sky darkening as the sun's grace faded to another part of the world.
Without moving a single bit, I laid atop of my clouds, the moon hanging overhead.
'The cold nights like this are so comfortable, really makes me wonder as to whether I'm more of a sun person or a moon person.'
Winds blew past me and my brown hair became scattered, covering my eyes.
'Come to think of it, I wonder how I look right now?'
'System, rate my appearance!'
[An objective 9.6 out of 10]
'My, how generous, well, not that it matters much.'
I suddenly felt sleepy, my mind slowed down as I felt myself slowly succumb to the mortal desire to drift into the dream world.
...
Alto's eyes closed as he fell asleep, still rested upon the clouds, his brown hair which he was punctilious in keeping neat became messy.
Some birds circled around him, like the sea creatures from before. They were also curious about this enigmatic figure floating in the sky.
Not moving yet staying in the clouds, some observant birds tried to step on the clouds but merely passed through it.
Puzzled, a daring bird perched itself on Alto's arm.
Alto being deep asleep did not wake up when the bird did so.
It seems like Alto is a heavy sleeper, able to sleep through with even the loudest or most annoying of disturbances.
Though not that exaggerated, some truth does exist within such a statement.
The bird, looking like a mix of a crow and raven, it cacawed loudly at it's fellow birds. As if saying that it was superior to them.
In response, the flock of birds began to cacaw loudly.
Alto was stirred awake, confusion painted across his face.
.....
'A bird? The Rhynchos Corone? I thought that these birds avoid anything other than their own species, excluding the ones they hunt.'
Observing the birds, they didn't seem to notice that I have already woken up from their, what seems to be beakering.
Some even decided to get up close and personal and physically fought with each other.
Though, with all that said, it could not be denied that they were simply having fun, none were hurt at all.
'I guess playful bickering and fighting like this is what makes their bonds as firm as steel.'
[Quick Trivia: Rhynchos birds are actually one of the most loyal birds despite their human levels of intelligence]
[They would rather die than choose to abandon the companions they have forged a bond with]
'Cool, definitely my favorite types of birds now.'
'Now birbs, silence.'
I waved my hand a bit and caught the Corone which was perched on my arm.
When my hands covered it, I felt its soft feathers, yet it was oddly firm.
Suddenly finding myself patting the little bird, it got confused and immediately became aggressive.
*Caw* *Caw* *Caw*
Frantically trying to escape my grip, it pecked my hands.
'Ah, how cute.'
Ignoring its frantic movements, I kept patting its head gently.
....
For a moment, ocean blue eyes with a tinge of gray locked in with hauntingly black ones.
A moment devoid of action and motion occurred, eyes darting left and right, between the Corone and Alto.
In this very moment, all they could focus on was each other's eyes, absorbed in their own world.
.....
'This Corone is cute, I'll keep it' I decided with a chuckle that broke the silence.
"You're my friend now, hehe"
The Corone looked at me with a deadpan stare on its face. Seemingly able to understand what is just said.
One which I never thought was possible for a bird to make.
But, when fantasy is present, all possibilities are never absent.
With a caw, the Corone escaped my hands and perched itself on my shoulder.
"Haha, I'm a pirate now, fear me!"
A light hearted statement escaped my mouth, unable to extricate myself from the delightfulness of this very moment.
'It seems like I have a fondness for animals, particularly to birds. I wonder if such moments will continue to occur from now on... I hope it will'
Perhaps the jubilant moment affected me too much, and when it wore off, I felt a strong sense of pessimism.
'Bad thoughts are to remain bad and trashed, I should remain positive so that I won't become an unpleasant person in the future.'
'Now, what do I do about this flock of Corone?'
'I'm no bird expert, that's for sure, I don't even know what they eat.'
As I was pondering on any viable solution, familiar panels containing text appeared within my range of vision.
[I will guide Alto to become a bird expert]
[You need not be alarmed]
'System to the rescue!'
My unhealthy reliance on the system once again prevails!
This is definitely not gonna bite me in the ass sooner or later.
....
Alto soon received a set of instructions and ways of taking care of birds in general, of course, the topic went more in depth in regards to the issue he had.
Frolicking with the flock while studying how to take care of them was a great joy for Alto who never really had any companions.
Of course, the system was his parent, he didn't consider it as his companion.
More of a being who's every word and action should be studied and followed if possible.
Sort of like a role model, except it wasn't technically a living being yet.
And so
Hours passed with Alto's playing around with the clock, unbefitting of his current looks but suitable for someone his age.
When Alto learned of everything the System provided, he decided to test it out and went out with the flock of corones to search for food.
......
'Alright, the culmination of what I learned in the past couple of hours will come to fruition now.'
'This won't take too long, since the flock's diet is merely some fishes that hang around the ocean surface and nearby sea weed.'
'But, it seems like I won't need to help much, since they can survive without me before, it makes no change as to whether I help them or not.'
'However, the presence of natural predators generally causes them to die in mass.'
I concluded and observed the Flock.
....
Hours of patient hunting and feeding later, Alto emerged wet and exhausted.
Due to the clingy nature of the Corone birds, Alto had to accompany them when they dived in the ocean.
Of course, this was merely a trivial problem, he could instantly dry himself with his elemental manipulation.
And dried himself he did.
.......
'Now, it seems like I have two goals in mind, one short term, the other long term.'
"Find land and never lose my original self."