First trait point

Time rolled back, and the Crow's memories unfolded like a wing stretching into the past. The desert sky dimmed, shifting into the familiar colors of a time long forgotten. The wind whispered around her, carrying the scent of something far more enticing than what her present world offered—an oasis.

The Crow recalled it from above, circling lazily through the hot air, her single eye gleaming. Below, the two-legged creatures gathered—wingless, strange, but covered in shiny trinkets that glittered like stars. They were giants compared to her, but they didn't matter as much as what they brought with them. Shiny things, yes, but more importantly, food. Food that made her caw in joy just from the smell of it.

The memory zoomed in, centering on one of the smaller two-legged creatures. It had thrown something at her—a piece of heaven. She remembered diving toward it, sharp beak tearing into the flaky surface. She couldn't name it, didn't need to. The texture was perfect, soft inside, and it filled her like nothing ever had before.

In the memory, she could still taste it. Her beak tingled with the recollection.

The oasis had been more than a place to scavenge—it was a paradise, until the dangers grew too many, and the risks far outweighed the reward.

The memory snapped back into the present, and the Crow woke with a sudden start, cawing into the night. Her feathers ruffled as hunger stabbed through her gut with renewed intensity. It had always been there, but now it was unbearable. She couldn't ignore it any longer.

Driven by this gnawing need, she took flight, pushing past the grogginess and weakness that made her wings heavier than they used to be. Normally, she wouldn't dare fly toward the nest of the two-legged creatures; there was too much danger there, but now, desperation outweighed caution. And it was because of you.

The Crow's mind was a blur of simple thoughts, but you kept up easily. Different views of the oasis flickered in her head—vantage points from rooftops, hiding spots among cacti, and streets where the two-legged ones roamed.

Her body trembled with the effort of staying airborne. There was always the option to search the wide desert for carcasses, but the vultures ruled there, stronger and meaner than her. They had taken her eye in a scuffle, after all.

Her thoughts were simple, raw:

Two-legged creatures, must take food, careful.

This was fine, you thought. With your human knowledge, how hard could it be to find some breadcrumbs for the crow? After all, her survival was somewhat important. And as she flew, you felt your bond with her grow more tangible. There was something connecting you, something that she fed into you—a pulse of energy, an exchange you hadn't fully understood before.

The Crow began to glow in your view, though she didn't seem to notice. Only you could see it. You reached out mentally, exploring the bond. There was something there that you could take, something you deserved. It felt like this was part of the price.

You were a ring that needed hosts, and in return for your power… the hosts paid you. This was the exchange. This energy.

Host (Crow): Trust = 0, Control = 5/100. Total host bond = 5, Next trait acquired at 10

The numbers shifted as your connection solidified further:

+5 Control = 10 (due to proximity/as long as you are in the Crow's stomach, you have double Control gains).

Host (Crow): Trust = 0, Control = 10/100. Total host bond = 10, Next trait acquired at 20.

And now, a new possibility opened. A choice awaited you.

Choose one:

[Heat Resistance Lv.1]: The Crow has endured scorching days under the desert sun. Can withstand moderate desert heat without discomfort.

[Iron stomach]: Food is always needed, but not always fresh. The Crow has kept down a lot of bad meals. Can eat worse food and not suffer as badly.

[Stealthy Shadows]: The Crow can blend into the shadows more easily, making it harder to detect when moving through darker environments. 

[Save the point]: Keep this point for later. 

Saved points - 0 

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(These traits will always be available for purchase -AS LONG AS YOU ARE WITH THE CROW- so you can get more points later and come back and buy these traits. Also, once bought, the traits are yours/the Ring's to keep. The Crow might die but your next host will still have the traits you buy -if you give them access to them-. Also, the higher the bonding value, the stronger the offered traits become. You can get points from doing cool shit as well as bonding.)