Avian Invasion

"I guess we're really doing this…"

My freshly filled stomach is rumbling with anticipation as the weight of my decision finally sinks in.

"Where will she sleep? She doesn't hate fried eggs for breakfast, right? Crap, what about the bathing order…"

Before I realise it, I find myself pacing around the sofa. All kinds of potential issues pop in and out of my head as Mira trots out of the bathroom.

"What's the matter, Noa?"

"Just getting things ready…?"

She wears a small pair of shorts and a top so short that it manages to cover barely half of her torso. This girl doesn't even care about the exposure as she continues drying her hair on the sofa in front of me. I should be concerned about the amount of skin present, but my brain is still in panic mode. As such, I realise another problem to add to the list. She only pulls out clothes like that under specific conditions.

"We still need to do laundry! What time is it!?"

It was bad enough that Ange thought our apartment stank. Having a pile of dirty clothes spilling from the hamper is the last thing I want our guest to sleep next to.

"Mira! Can you clean up the floor!? I'll be back in a bit!"

"Hm?"

She hardly has time to look away from the TV before I'm out the door and in the cold outdoors. Mira may not be the best at using a broom, but having her clean is better than not cleaning at all. Considering how long the rinse cycle takes, it will be a while before I'm back upstairs.

"I still need to check the fridge to make sure we have enough…"

A chilly breeze pushes past my face as I quickly descend the creaky stone steps.

"Do we even have enough spare towels in the closet…"

Nobody passes by as I mutter to myself, at least no human does. I failed to notice the sound of flapping wings and the small crowd forming on the rails above.

"She stays over starting tomorrow, so I still have some time to get some things done before they get out of school…Ah!"

My journey reaches its end without me realising. It takes me walking directly into a brick wall to get a grasp of my surroundings. Heat begins rising in my face as I look around the area.

"Good thing nobody is here…"

After a deep breath, I turn into the laundromat and begin loading the clothes into a washing machine at the back corner.

"Haaah…"

A sigh escapes as pieces of fabric fly past my face and into the machine. Being this flustered about having somebody over is draining.

It isn't even the first time. Ed has spent the night plenty of times when after school tutoring runs late. We normally just throw him on the couch and he leaves whenever the sun comes up. There is no stress at all.

"They're rabbits…"

These words have become a form of self-suggestion as of late. Ever since the spell placed on me by a certain mysterious man was broken, I've been at a constant battle with my nerves. That magic must have really been something if it inhibited my instincts enough to bring me into the shower with a girl. Now I have to always keep an eye on the amount of skinship I let Mira have, else my heart wouldn't survive. Part of me wants the spell reintroduced into my system.

At least my mind is mostly functional now. If I convince myself that Mira is a rabbit, I can even handle the task of washing and folding her underwear. However, I haven't brainwashed myself enough in regards to Ange yet.

"Haaah…"

It also doesn't help that this was a request from Mark. He has been a great help and I want to be able to repay him well. Were anything to happen to Ange while she's with us, I would offer him the blade needed to cut me down.

"Haaah…"

"Quite the heavy sigh, young Noa."

"Huh?"

I turn around, expecting to see a person standing behind me. The voice should be one that I recognise, but I likely won't need something like that to remember the one speaking to me.

"AH!"

My rear reaches the ground from surprise as I take in the sight.

What feels like one hundred pigeons have completely taken over the apartment laundromat. Machines, hanging lights, benches, even the floor isn't safe from their talons. I should have been the only one here, but I've soon found myself outnumbered and outmatched by the flock. This number could easily carry me away into the sky if they so chose. 

Yet, despite there being so many birds, I only feel one set of eyes on me.

"S-Silver!"

"That is correct!"

All sound is drowned out by the sudden flapping of wings. A storm of grey bodies fly in circles through the air before forming a single mass directly in front me. By the time I stumble to my feet, the mob dissipates with a tall man standing in its place.

"Speak of the devil…"

"Now, now! That is no way to greet an old friend!"

The mysterious man removes the top hat from his grey hair and bows. Despite knowing almost nothing about this guy and having only met him once, I feel slightly relieved by his presence. Only someone as strange as him would understand the mess I've found myself in. Or at least, I should have been relieved.

Even with this grandiose entrance, the unease in my stomach still makes me restless. To maintain my sanity, my hands resume their work.

"What brings you down here?"

"Happened to be in the neighbourhood. One of my performances took longer than anticipated."

Silver expands a deck of cards from who knows where. Considering the grey suit and frilly ribbons across his chest, it doesn't take a genius to imagine what his show entails. The real question is whether this magic is the usual kind, or the supernatural kind.

"So you put on shows for a living?"

"Of course not! My profits are earned in sales!"

"Selling magic?"

"No, selling insurance."

I turn away from my task to stare at the tall man. Noticing my gaze, he stops balancing a castle of cards in his hands and looks back. No matter how long we stare at each other, Silver never reveals the joke.

"Is it like…some kind of special insurance?"

"Homeowner's insurance. Surely your parents have also taken such precautions?"

"Uh, yeah…I guess…"

Here I was expecting there to be some kind of catch. Turns out that this strange man is a proper member of society.

"I would offer my business card, but I would feel ashamed to use my usual tricks on your family."

The cards begin to float at his hands. With a snap of his fingers they form a ring that spins slowly in the air.

"The other associates use such roundabout methods to convince their customers. It is simply easier to meddle with their minds directly!"

"So there is a catch!"

Magicians are scary. Not only is he able to make himself appear from thin air, he was able to make Mira appear in public records with just a piece of paper. I have a lot to be thankful of Silver for, but the idea of having somebody this powerful around just adds more worries. I might have to take back my request of having this man putting another charm on me.

"Now for my other order of business…"

Silver makes his cards disappear before taking a seat at the closest bench. He leans forwards and stares towards the entrance, opposite from where I'm working. The dark night is somewhat visible beyond the pair of clear doors.

"How have you been, young Noa?"