It was just a stroke of luck that saw Sybella near Diagon Alley during the day, and an even bigger stroke of luck that she’d kept her healer’s kit on her from seeing a client earlier that morning. The frazzled, disheveled and rather terrifying grey owl had found her while she was on her way to The Ivy Leaf to get a pastry when she was stopped just outside of the storefront by the massive animal. Blinking in confusion, Sybella recognized the hasty scrawl on the piece of parchment tied to the owl’s leg and went to snatch the letter from him.
Of course it wasn’t as easy as that. The owl clicked his beak ferociously, dealing the healer with a frustrating paradox of needing the letter, but not being able to fetch the letter from the animal who wanted her to take the letter, but not go near him. Sybella was not against using magic against animals if need be, but it seemed a bit of an overreaction to actually stun the poor thing when it looked like it had just been tackled and thrown out the window.
She had no choice but to sit herself on the narrow window sill of the shop and speak to the owl in low soothing tones. Eventually the owl seemed to let his guard down enough to inch towards her outstretched hand — and peck at it. Sybella drew back with a hiss before fishing in her purse to see if she had any treats. The third stroke of luck came when she realized she actually had something suitable, way at the bottom and leftover from God only knew what. Sybella didn’t have time to question. She just threw the scrap of dried meat to the animal and dove for its leg, managing to wrench it away before the beast had time to swallow.
“Basil,” She murmured under her breath before crumpling the parchment to stuff it in her pocket and hurry away, the pastry shop all but forgotten.
Knockturn Alley was mercifully not far, and when she reached the doorstep, she knocked loudly and rapidly. The letter didn’t describe much, just that her friend needed help and that she was to make haste. Her heart pounded in her chest as she kept knocking.
Of course it wasn’t as easy as that. The owl clicked his beak ferociously, dealing the healer with a frustrating paradox of needing the letter, but not being able to fetch the letter from the animal who wanted her to take the letter, but not go near him. Sybella was not against using magic against animals if need be, but it seemed a bit of an overreaction to actually stun the poor thing when it looked like it had just been tackled and thrown out the window.
She had no choice but to sit herself on the narrow window sill of the shop and speak to the owl in low soothing tones. Eventually the owl seemed to let his guard down enough to inch towards her outstretched hand — and peck at it. Sybella drew back with a hiss before fishing in her purse to see if she had any treats. The third stroke of luck came when she realized she actually had something suitable, way at the bottom and leftover from God only knew what. Sybella didn’t have time to question. She just threw the scrap of dried meat to the animal and dove for its leg, managing to wrench it away before the beast had time to swallow.
“Basil,” She murmured under her breath before crumpling the parchment to stuff it in her pocket and hurry away, the pastry shop all but forgotten.
Knockturn Alley was mercifully not far, and when she reached the doorstep, she knocked loudly and rapidly. The letter didn’t describe much, just that her friend needed help and that she was to make haste. Her heart pounded in her chest as she kept knocking.
Her family is well known throughout the Sicilian Mafia; if your character is attuned within those circles, they might know who she is.