2. However, that all quickly changes with one visit to the Crystal Empire. While sitting on a balcony, watching a snowstorm roll in over the mountains, Athena catches a cry of distress. Following it out into the Frozen North, a fourteen-year-old Annie stumbles upon what seems to be a mop of ragged feathers. Upon further inspection, she finds its a barely-conscious, rather gigantic owl (a Great Gray Owl to be precise). Annie can quickly discern the poor bird has a broken wing and has been out in the storm for quite some time. After she and her mother are able to save the raptor, the two end up becoming rather close.
 

 
3. From there on, Athena and Soot are quite a pair. While one of the largest owls on the planet, Soot is quite mellow and calm. She spends quite a bit of time sleeping on her perch, or on top of Annie’s head. She makes a habit of creating nests in Athena’s crown (making for the best bad hair days) and sleeping so deeply, her owner will occasionally forget she’s up there. She quite likes it when she and the owl hang out in the Sanctuary, quietly reading while Soot makes little chirps and hoots of contentment.
 

 
4. “I’ve got my eye on you, rabbit-killer, you mark my words…”
 
 
“Yeah, like I’d ever eat something so gamy as you.”
 
 
“How dare you?! You don’t think I can get you kicked out of here in an instant?”
 
 
“I’d like to see you try, old man. You’re not the boss here.”
 
 
“Oooh, is that a challenge, raptor? We’ll just see who’s boss here. Right after my nap…”
 

 
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
 

 
First post of 2020! Here’s to an amazing new year, and an amazing new decade.  
Also, Q the clownfish is 100% MLP cannon (he was Discord’s treasure in one of those elementary-level novels lol)