[Gift] A Gift!

It was a secret to no one that knew them that Cyla adored jewelry. It wasn't just an accessory to them; it was a language of its own. There was an unspoken expression in every piece worn on any person as far as they were concerned. Each piece had a story to tell, a sentiment or a sparkle that spoke of its creation and purpose. On this particular morning, Cyla woke up with an all too familiar itch. They sat before their vanity mirror, head hanging over a box of all sorts of bracelets and rings and necklaces, and they huffed. They wanted something new. Something breathtakingly unique to adorn their collection of baubles and chains.

First to come to mind was the market square. It seemed like the perfect place to start, in theory. Cyla, dressed in layers of flowing lilac silks that shimmered like sunlight through a glass prism, strolled among the colorful stalls. Merchants beckoned with rare finds and one-of-a-kind treasures, voices competing with one another among the cheerful clamor of the crowd. Cyla's eyes flitted from case to case, scanning an array of gemstones, intricate pendants, and gleaming bangles.

"Not bad," Cyla muttered, running a finger over a bracelet of carved jade beads. But they already owned something similar. A silver ring with a crescent moon caught their eye as well, but they quickly dismissed it. It lacked the pizzazz they were looking for.

What should have been a hop on the train and a short shopping trip turned out to be much longer than expectd. Hours passed and the treasures of the market were unfortunately blurring together in their head. Nothing ignited the spark of excitement Cyla longed for. By the time the sun dipped low in the sky, they left the market empty-handed, their mood tinged with disappointment.

Back home, Cyla's cozy workshop beckoned. It was their haven, filled with jars of beads, spools of wire, and trays of half finished projects. If the market couldn't offer anything exciting, why not make something themselves?

They got to work with a determined hum, pulling out materials and tools. Gold wire twisted deftly between their fingers as they strung beads of bright purple and pastel pink into delicate patterns. But halfway through, Cyla backed upand frowned. The design felt uninspired. They dismantled it and started again.

This time, they opted for something bolder: a choker of crimson velvet adorned with dangling onyx shards. As they held the finished piece up to the light, they tilted their head. It was… Fine. But just "fine" wasn't going to cut it, much like the plenty of options earlier at the market. The choker joined a growing pile of rejected projects on the table, followed by a long drawn sigh.

"Too clunky," Cyla complained to themselves, discarding a bracelet that looked more like a small belt. "Too plain," they sighed, setting aside a dainty anklet that lacked the necessary flair. By the time Cyla was faced with the moon hanging overhead, their workshop was a whirlwind of abandoned attempts. Cyla slumped in their chair, feeling more frustrated than when they'd started.

"Maybe today just isn't the day," they murmured, rubbing their temples. They were about to pack everything away when a soft tapping came from the window. Cyla turned to see Ceecee, their ever-curious cuerasu companion, perched on the sill. The glossy bird with the tiny leaf tufts adorning its tail cawed and tilted her head as if to say, "well? Aren't you going to look?"

Cyla approached, expecting the usual shiny trinket Ceecee often brought home. A bottle cap, a stray button, perhaps a coin. But what they found made their breath catch. Lying on the sill was a necklace, a cascade of delicate gold chains layered with effortless elegance. The chains shimmered faintly in the moonlight, each one slightly different in texture and length, creating a harmonious, almost ethereal effect. It was stunning.

"Oh, Ceecee..." Cyla whispered as a soft smile graced their features, lifting the necklace gently. "Where did you find this?" The cuerasu cawed again, hopping in place as though proud of her offering.

Cyla turned the necklace over in their hands, marveling at its craftsmanship. It was exactly what they'd been searching for. Bold yet refined, intricate yet wearable. Slipping it around their neck, Cyla walked to the mirror and beamed. The gold chains glinted against their skin, catching the light with every movement.

"It's perfect! How did you know?" They hummed, glancing back at Ceecee. The crow puffed out her chest, clearly pleased with herself.

Cyla sat down, feeling a warm wave of contentment. Sometimes, they mused, the best treasures are the ones you don't seek. Today had been a lesson in patience, creativity, and the unexpected joys of friendship. They reached out to scratch Ceecee's head, earning a delighted squawk in return.

"My clever little thief. Thank you." Cyla said with a grin, grabbing a handful of seeds and holding them out to the bird. "You've outdone yourself."

As they settled in for the night, they didn't even take off he necklace. It still rested lightly against their collarbone as they drifted off to sleep. Cyla couldn't help but feel a newfound appreciation for their bizarre stroke of luck. And Ceecee, perched proudly nearby and pecking at the seeds of her labor would most likely agree if she could speak a word or two of her own.