Bird Boy and His Ghostly Sidekick: A Night Out with Toby & Charlie

By Elrondo Sparklebeard, Supreme Spokeself, Elf Liberation Front, Chief Social Media Whizz at Ink Weavers (note on that in next post), and Unofficial Winner of Best Beard Sparkle 700 Years Running

Greetings, my sparkling readers! Today, I’ve managed to corner two of the most chaotic entities currently fluttering—or floating—through London: Toby, a shapeshifting druid with a flair for midair mischief, and Charlie, a three-hundred-year-old ghost with an eye-roll that could collapse a small building.

Yes, it was dangerous. Yes, it was magical. And yes, I took copious notes.

Here’s what went down.

Elrondo: Toby, let’s start with you. Describe a typical night in the city.

Toby: “Typical night? Well… I launch from my bedroom window, wings out, feathers glinting orange and black. I dodge pigeons, honk at red buses, and occasionally scare a tourist or two. I land atop statues, flap dramatically, and avoid any spectral council members who might scold me. Basically: chaos, a bit of danger, and a lot of fun.”

Elrondo’s Note: I am not exaggerating. Chaos was literally spilling over the parapets. I may or may not have had to dodge a talon.

Elrondo: And Charlie, how does ghostly life compare to Toby’s… airborne antics?

Charlie: “Honestly, I think ghosts have the advantage. We judge chaos without consequences, while Toby crashes into it. Also, we can sneak into places undetected… which he never does.”

Toby: “I prefer dramatic entrances!”

Charlie: “…and dramatic crashes. Which is why I follow him around. Someone has to stop him from breaking the entire Thames Bridge.”

Toby & Charlie over London

Elrondo: Toby, I hear you’ve developed some… flying rules?

Toby: “I've got a top 5 flight rules, straight from the bird's mouth (he giggled. i didnt see the funny side myself:

1. Always check for open windows before entering buildings.

2. Never startle a cat mid-leap—it’s disrespectful and terrifying.

3. Flap before you flap—momentum matters.

4. Snacks are optional, unless they’re enchanted—they make great in-flight bargaining tools.

5. Remember: gravity is not your friend.”

Charlie: “Rule six: If you survive the landing, you earn bragging rights for life.”

Elrondo: City life, Toby—what’s the hardest part?

Toby: “Humans. They have no sense of personal space, traffic rules, or the importance of dramatic aerial entrances. Also… pigeons are relentless.”

Charlie: “Humans also scream at the wrong moments, which is… fascinating, but frustrating.”

Elrondo’s Note: Both of them agreed that London’s nightlife is infinitely more interesting from the rooftops than the sidewalks. I concurred, while carefully holding onto my glitter quill.

Elrondo: Quick-fire round!

Elrondo: Favorite landmark to swoop past?

Toby: Big Ben, obviously. It’s very photogenic mid-loop.

Charlie: Tower Bridge—best for ghostly pranks.

Elrondo: Scariest encounter?

Toby: A ghost who didn’t appreciate my unannounced acrobatics.

Charlie: Toby’s expression—enough said.

Elrondo: Best city snack?

Toby: Hot chestnuts from street vendors.

Charlie: Ghostly ectoplasm. No, just kidding. Humans make terrible snacks.

Elrondo:

Toby and Charlie may be chaotic, unpredictable, and downright dangerous at times, but they also make you question: if life gives you wings (or ghost powers), why not fly? I, for one, have decided to start carrying a small umbrella.

Stay sparkly, misfits.

Elrondo out.