Dear Ginyami (20/3/2023) PV

A series of three clear pecks at Ginyami's window announced the arrival of an owl. When let in, the dark brown bird tipped its head and extended one dainty talon to show the scroll it had brought. Only with Ginyami's welcome would the bird enter and look back up to him with sparkling jade-colored eyes surrounded by black "spectacles" of black feathers. Although the owl's eyes followed Ginyami for a few moments, it would not stare expectantly at him nor otherwise pressure him to take nor write a letter. The dapper little creature didn't even turn its head to look at any reward mice located nearby, but would instead look politely elsewhere. Yet, for all the etiquette on display, a twinkle of dangerously sharp intellect could still be found deep in those eyes of silver-slicked green.

March 20, 2023

Dear Ginyami,

Please welcome this young owl, Hiranur, as my gift to you. For Turks like myself, it is New Year's Day-- Yılgayah-- better known to others as the vernal equinox. My people celebrate this day with a festival called Navruz, and it's said that on this day, the whole world falls asleep for a moment and reawakens anew. I am grateful to have you in my life and wish you great success in the coming year. I hope you will call upon me if there's anything I can do to help make your dreams come true. Hopefully Hiranur will help.

As a boobook owl, one might not expect great speed due to Hiranur's smallish size, but when navigating human-made environments it is often intelligence which becomes the wellspring of speed rather than the length or power curve of one's wings. It has taken me a while to train her, but she exhibits apex intelligence, reliability, efficient flight, and an aptitude for learning the finer points of human etiquette. In fact, I dare say this bird is more consistently polite than I am.

Unlike Karakuş, who is liable to break into someone's bedchamber during the most inconvenient of moments, Hiranur can read the social environment around her and would not insist on immediate attention, especially if a recipient is less than adequately dressed or clearly busy with something intensive. Rather, she will make her presence known and be patient until it is the right time.

I must warn you though-- because of this owl's great social awareness and overall intelligence, she is a rather curious sort. If you offer her opportunities to snoop, she will take them. While she is too polite to ever be a thief, you might discover her in some unexpected places if left unattended for too long as she tries to figure out the layout of your living arrangements. Please just be clear about where you want to draw the line with her little investigations... Still, the amazement she has for spatial layouts is exactly what makes her so speedy. In fact, I think you'll find Hiranur to be the fastest of the owls who have yet visited you... and possibly also the cutest. Have you heard her call yet? The "booo-book" sound she makes is where her species gets its common name.

Speaking of which, it seems you have an interest in my funny little owls' names. Hiranur is a Turkic name that means, "light of the diamond," which refers to the intelligence I saw in her eyes even from the day she first opened them.

I hope that Hiranur will keep you good company when I can't be there to do the same.

Thinking of you...

-Valentin

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This post was made with permission from Valentin's player, @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood