I'm going to try for this one. :)
Name:
Effigy
Gender:
Male
Age:
54 years
Story:
Never had a crow so old be put up for adoption. Sure, when Plague Hounds were ready for work they weren't young, but this nicely patched fellow was a rare case. 54 years is creeping up to middle aged, and my mind couldn't help but wonder why this beast was in training for so long. What challenges did he face after being created by my fellow Scientists? I sat quietly with about ten other freshly picked SIT, or Saviours-In-Training. I was an exception, I had the honour to be a Scientist for my government. I looked into the barren eyes of the Crow, trying to figure out it's past. Did this creature have a fluke in its design? No, it couldn't be, could it? It's tail was round, it's ears curved like any other hound. Of course, its pattern was a bit strangely balanced, but it wasn't an uncommon occurrence for an artist to get a bit creative. The Crow seemed to be staring at me through the barred cage it was locked inside, hollow and cold. It didn't make a sound, not a single whimper as it sat on the cold floor. Suddenly, the trainer opened the door and walked inside the white room.
"Today, you all will be given the chance to become a Saviour for your government. You have been hand-selected by your leaders to become part of this organisation. Do not take this lightly, ladies and gentlemen. Even though you have been chosen, it does not mean you will leave here today with a Plague Hound. Understood?" The trainer cooed to us sternly. Her voice was cold and uninviting, despite the small smile in her eyes. Such recital of these words over and over would conclude in such a tone, I suspected. "So, lets see who our furry friend will chose. Stay seated, and stay calm. If this is your first line-up, I suggest you don't tremble. Crows do not like weakness." The woman unhooked the cage door, swinging it wide open and moving out of the way. We waited.
Slowly, a pointed nose stuck out of the shadows of the box. A soft clicking noise filled the room, the sound of bone against bone signaled the opening and closing of the Crow's jaws. Ears pricked, it quietly climbed out of the cage. No wonder, I thought, this Crow was in training for so long. I could see it now. Every few pawsteps he took a gait would show. This Plague Hound was crippled. Suddenly, curiousity washed over me as I glanced to my right. Surely these SITs wouldn't want a deformed partner. I could see in their eyes the dissapointment as the looked over the creature, the dissapointment of might being chosen by a crippled dog, whom would be troubled by walking, let alone running to catch mice. I was surprised they even took the time to train this beast. I stood up, meeting the trainer's questioning gaze. "Ma'am, I am a Scientist, and by looking at this Plague Hound, I don't think he is fit to serve his government the way he is supposed to. Perhaps I should bring him to my lab where he can keep me company and perhaps I could fix his limping. I hate to say this, but I believe none of these Saviours in training want a hound who can't even walk without falling."
"Fine." The girl replied, though I could hear the gruff anger in her voice. I could understand her feelings. She had trained this animal for many years, and for what? To rot away in a lab? I decided I would give her some comfort.
"Miss, don't think he will go to waste. It would be good to have a Crow to keep us scientists safe in the lab from Death's Door. There won't be a lot of running, either, because of the small amount of space in my division's room. He will have a safe, happy home while doing at least most of his job," While I spoke, she was slowly clipping a leash to the Plague Hound's neck. She made her way carefully to me alongside the creature and handed me the leash.
In a soft tone she whispered, "Please, take care of him for me. Don't let him die.." I replied a reasurring 'never' and picked up the crippled animal into my warm grasp. I made my way to the door and one of the SITs opened it for me. I walked out and heard a soft purr coming from the creature in my arms. A soft, warm feeling rolled over me as I slowly walked back to headquarters.
"I think I'm going to call you Effigy, because you are now the symbol of the 11th division of the protecters of the earth. You will keep us safe, and in return I'll keep you warm and happy. We are partners now, so you gotta take care of me as I will do to you, ya hear?" The creature seemed to smile at me and gave my hand a cheerful nip. Laughing, I playfully scolded him. "That's enough, haha. Lets get you some food. How does some freshly baked salmon sound?"
? (made random fan art)
