Secret Santa || The First Crow
Ever since he was a child, the eccentric Jonathan Crane liked to scare birds. It didn’t matter the species, if they had a beak and two wings they were fair game. It was a simple whim, nothing more.
Until one day, things changed.
Jonathan was on a walk, headed to Gotham Central Park. The park was home to various birds, but mostly pigeons from the city. Pigeons were an easy target, and a fun one at that. They are plentiful, making a scare very rewarding if someone where to gang them up and scream. And no one screams like Jonathan Crane. Hroo. Hraa.
Today seemed like any other day, he opened the gate and saw the trees welcoming him, the wind blew slightly and it seems like perfect weather.
So, off he went. With a brisk pace, he headed towards one of his favorite benches and a pond. But before the water could reach his eyesight, he heard a racket would could only be described as an ear-splitting screech.
When he approached, he could see a sea of grey, it was the whole flock, or most of it he thought. In the middle of the ruckus, was a small fledgling crow, fighting for it’s life. No one could have known why the pigeons were on the offensive -- and Jonathan knew that if he didn’t intervene, this innocent crow was done for.
He stopped briefly before the storm, as if contemplating. What would be gain, why is he considering helping, is this really that much of a conflict in his heart?
It was, but he had no more time to consider. With a flash, he ran into the flock and hollered like a beast from a children’s book. Quickly enough, the birds dispersed. In the middle of the pathway lay the injured corvid. Jonathan swiftly scooped it into his jacket and left.
____
Later that day,
Jonathan took the crow into his farmhouse, located in rural gotham. This marks the first time someone other than Crane has been to this place. Usually animal avoid it, most likely due to the smell of putrid chemicals.
Once inside, Jonathan pulled the fledgling out of his jacket and placed it on the kitchen table. He carefully examined the creature, slowly moving it’s wings to see if they were broken. It seems as though this bird has no major injures, however it’s wing may be sprained and he is lacking in feathers. Most likely from the beaks of the cruel park pigeons, he thought.
The crow was quite insist that he didn’t like being poked and prodded, but was too weak to really fight back in any capacity. Jonathan, not usually one for mercy, decided that this poor creature would not be able to fend for itself without a some rest and recuperation.
Jonathan pulled out some bandages from a nearby first aid kit and wrapped the slightly injured wing to keep the crow from flapping it and causing more damage. The crow didn’t seem to happy with this, but Jonathan cooed at it and calmed it down. Years of reading has given him immaculate knowledge on all types of birds, so amazingly enough he knew just want to convey with his voice to calm it down.
He didn’t own a cage or anything that could keep the bird safe, so Jonathan decided he would let his little friend hop around on his own and explore. The farmhouse was kept fairly clean aside from the occasional pile of books and research and without the ability to fly Jonathan knew the crow couldn’t get far. With that, he sat the crow down on the floor and watched him from the comfort of his favorite chair.
____
A few days past and the crow was showing steady improvement, it was eating, and was generally active. Jonathan watched him every day as he got better and better, but for Jonathan this moment was bittersweet. He didn’t really understand this feeling he was having. Caring for something is not a thing he is used to. His child self would have left the bird to die, so why did he save it?
He kept pondering this. Scaring birds was one of his passions, and while he did get to do so to the pigeon gang, he still didn’t understand why he saved the very thing Scarecrows are suppose to spook away.
Maybe, just maybe....this crow was special. Meant for him.
Jonathan thought about it for a day or two, slowly growing closer to his roommate in the meantime. Late in the week, he was watching his crow devour some cheese topped with honey and suddenly realized this bird needed a name. But what?
He considered a few different options, but eventually settled on “Edgar” after his favorite poet. And wouldn’t you know it, the crow loved his new name and answered to it almost immediately.
Perhaps this crow came into his life for a reason, Jonathan thought.
As time flew by, Edgar fully healed and became a pet for the great Master of Fear. He even joined Jonathan on his nightly frights. The two became inseparable, and it was the first time Jonathan could say that he felt love. It was only then that he understood that this bird was really put on this earth just for him. Something about that seemed magical, in a way he could not explain.
Edgar loved his “dad” too. It was a match that would stand the test of time, and perhaps lead to more corvids in the future. Something Jonathan was ready to embrace.