How I Got Here

It was sunny on my last morning with my family. I always seem to leave on sunny days. Maybe dark days are for arrivals and sunny days are for leaving? Who knows.
 
On that last morning, we had our breakfast then bolted outside to play hide and seek. Mam always told us to wait until everything had finished digesting but we didn't care. We were too young to care.
 
Normally, I hide in the canopy. Most young flyers do. But not me, not that day. I decided to hide in the underbrush. I ruffled out my feathers and tried my best to look like a bed of leaves.
 
I waited for hours. Feeling pretty chuffed with myself, I wiggled about and preened. I didn't notice the footfalls coming up from behind me. It wasn't until the net was engulfing me that I noticed anything was amiss.
 
I wasn't loud enough for my family to know what had happened. They all just assumed that I was hiding really well.
 
-
 
After several weeks in that damned cage, I heard a familiar voice. The traveling merchant who passed through town was gloating about his find. "You'll get so much gold for that one," the merchant said. "I expect a good finder's fee. What wizard doesn't want an adorable owl for a familiar? If they say anything about him speaking, just tell them that's what sets familiars apart from the beasts."
 
That was the last night I cried. I vowed to not only find my way home but destroy poacher operations around the world, starting with this one.
 
-
 
Whimpering from a nearby kennel woke me up. A small pup crying for her family. Most turned away from her cries. One monkey reached inside and stroked her fur until she fell asleep. The monkey nodded at me, then fell asleep, too.
 
It was a beautiful moment in the gloom.
 
-
 
Eventually, I was "purchased" by some wealthy family as a birthday gift for their daughter. She was in school to become a wizard. Her mother cried out, "Fae'Delin has the power inside of her, she just needs a familiar to channel it. It has to be worth a shot."
 
I didn't know who this "Fae'Delin" was, but I did know that I finally had a shot to leave my cage.
 
-
 
Fae'Delin wasn't much of a wizard. She was more of a bard/sorcerer in a wizards' school. Her grades were passing, but only just. Coming from a long line of wizards on both sides of the family, it's safe to say that she had a lot to live up to and little regard for their traditions.
 
Since I wasn't much of a familiar, it all kind of worked out. We bonded over our shared birthday and desire to break free from our roles as soon as possible.
 
On my 16th birthday, Fae'Delin gifted me an Enduring Spellbook. I still use it for my paintings. It's become my most prized possession.
 
We played our roles well enough for her family and school. In private, however, we developed a plan to leave. When Fae'Delin graduated, we'd make our great escape. We'd travel to her new school, set up a mailing address, then travel the world. One of her friends would have access to the mailbox and take care of any mail on Fae'Delin's behalf.
 
She had no desire to continue in her family's footpath. Instead, she preferred life on the road. So, we traveled the world together.
 
Eventually, we found my hometown. My parents practically trilled with excitement - I was home. But their happiness was laced with grief. I hadn't left, I'd been taken.
 
We didn't know how to fit with each other either. I was a different Owlin to the sweet boy they remembered. There was an undercurrent, something lost or buried.
 
Fae'Delin and I were trying to decide what comes next when a letter arrived. Addressed to me. Who could know I was here? And what could they want?
 
Aid. my aid. Someone knew of my abilities and thought I could be helpful.
 
And maybe they could help me, too.
 
-
Anywhoot. That's how I got here.
 
---Hobbies---
In Trilbert's spare time, he fills up a magical book with illustrations of various beasts. Each piece is dedicated to a person or animal held in captivity. 
 
Observing beasts and drawing them. Started in the kennels/cages.
 
---Goals---
Trilbert is going to dedicate his time and resources to tracking down poachers and destroying their operations.
 
---Random Tidbits---
Fae'Delin is probably a bard, maybe a sorcerer. She passed school but only just. Her parents believe that she has gone away to further pursue her education.
 
Trilbert was the smallest hatchling in his nest. Even after his growth spurt, Trilbert never quite reached the same height as his siblings. 
 
The Wirlwind brood is located in a small town on the outskirts of a forest. Their houses are built into and around the trees in the area.
 
It's fairly common for the hatchlings to play in the woods as much as they play in town.