You climbed your way up to a sparkling orange gem, floating in midair and giving off a mystical glow. Standing at the edge, you reached out for it, stretching out your arm and waving your hand, but it was just out of reach. Suddenly, the gem began to move and give off a dark purple aura, surprising you. The dark void expanded before taking on the form of a tall and slender avian, hanging upside down as he eyed you suspiciously.

“Trying to steal my stuff, are we? Well, that’s not very nice!” Turning himself rightside up, he lands against the floor with a loud thud.

“With manners like that I could just kick you right out! You’re unfashionably early anyway,” he began, waving his foot dismissively at you before checking his talons in a sassy way.

“The party hasn’t even-” He suddenly stopped, turning his head towards you as he blinked in confusion.

“Oh!” His beak curved into a huge grin as his long neck stretched and spiraled towards you, his face remaining stationary even as his head rotated. After leaning in close one of his eyes suddenly grew larger than his face, examining you closely as if through a magnifying glass.

“Wait a minute… Wait a minute…” He sounded intrigued, while you felt uncomfortable being scrutinized like this.

“Well, well! You’re alive!” he cheered, turning his head upside down.

“You’re not dead at all! You’re all flesh and bone, hoohoo!” He began to laugh, at one point even gasping for breath.

“Flesh and bone and… Hm…” He began to stare at you intently, wearing an almost psychic grin on his face.