A/N: I'd like to apologize for my severely delayed update. My motivation hasn't been the highest, but it's by no means gone. I'll get back in the groove once Rio 2 comes out. This will be going on a sort-of hiatus while I write my Rio 2 stories, but I'll be working on it when I can.
I am moderately satisfied with this chapter, though it could have been better if not for the above reason. To whoever reads this, let me know what you think.
Enjoy, everyone!
Chapter 25: The Early Days
Hello and good day, my king and queen. How lovely it is to hear from you after so many moons. In case you were wondering, both I and my spouse are healthy and thriving. We have yet to decide on offspring, as you and Nikomedes have bravely done, but I digress. To answer your question, I lack the expertise to say whether or not your child has been born immortal. I am sorry to disappoint, as I wager you were hoping for a different answer. I am only aware of so much regarding the process, and the inheritance aspect is beyond the scope of my knowledge. Should the opportunity arise, do come and stay at my abode for a spell. We would be eternally honored and grateful to meet Ivanna, the future princess of your empire. When you and Nikomedes agree on a date, please send us a message so that we can adequately prepare our home. May the gods comfort your daughter when she is awake, and walk with her in her dreams. Best regards, Septimus and Eliza.
"And there's the verdict straight from the barn owl's beak. It's the one I was hoping not to hear, but had a feeling I would be anyways," I quipped dully.
I redirected my gaze from the missive to my daughter and sighed.
"He's not to blame. We'll figure out whether she has acquired immortality or not with the aid of time. We must simply be patient."
I looked her in the eyes and nodded assertively.
"The means to grant her eternal life will be available as long as Septimus is around. But that is a topic we shall discuss with her when she is an adult, not a chick."
"Indeed. There's no need for us to dwell on it at the moment."
A chain of vibrations traveled up my legs, and my spouse and I glanced down where our daughter lay. She was stirring from her slumbers, taunted out of her dreams by the sounds of our voices as they cascaded over her.
She stared at her mother and then at me, easily able to pinpoint our locations despite the fact that her eyes were still covered by a layer of skin. She began chirping every few seconds, making her needs quite clear.
Ambrosia stated, "I do believe our little one is demanding nourishment."
I replied, "I have the situation under control."
I fetched the ruby red apple from the platter with my mind – it had been part of our breakfast, but we had refrained from consuming it, knowing she would clamor to eat when she awoke.
Her appetite was ravenous, as she could not last more than three hours without begging for food. I carved out a crescent-shaped slice with a blade of energy, broke off a small morsel, and set it in front of her.
Detecting it, she stretched her neck and managed to work it into her tiny beak. She ceased chirping, and then resumed making her trademark noises once she had swallowed the morsel.
I delivered to her a trio plus one bonus fragment, and she devoured them.
She continued vocalizing, and Ambrosia said, "She may still be hungry. Try giving her another piece."
I complied, but Ivanna ignored it entirely.
"I suppose she's had her fill. What does she want now?"
"Hm… I think I know."
Ambrosia slid her wings under the blanket that cocooned our daughter and picked her up carefully. As she came into contact with Ambrosia's breast, she nuzzled her feathers and let out a single, pronounced chirp of what could only be interpreted as contentment.
"It makes sense that she is drawn to you, as you're her most trusted source of comfort and warmth."
"Every time I hold her in this way, the rush of emotions I feel never wanes. It's such a marvelous experience."
"Rightfully so, for you are a deserving mother."
She cracked a smile and professed sweetly, "Says the deserving father whom I adore beyond measure…"
"My soul oozes pure delight when you flatter me," I answered, touched by her comment.
Wrapping my right wing around her, I secured a pleasurable kiss from my mate. It was brief and yet oh-so-satisfying, as any exposure to her essence undoubtedly was.
When it ended, my mate began running her wing gently up and down Ivanna's back.
"With us being her parents, I believe she has a promising future ahead of her."
"She's a flower in bloom, and we are the sunlight that fuels her and the rain that nourishes her roots."
"That is a clever analogy. I like it."
"If she receives my curiosity and intelligence, she'll be in good hands."
"If and when you assume the role of poet, she can be your student if that hobby is of interest to her."
"We would make quite the team, wouldn't we? Our literature would be revered from the east coast to the west, and everywhere in between."
"I hope that will happen, though I won't be upset if it doesn't."
I snatched up the forgotten apple slice and snapped it in two, offering one half to my spouse. We chewed simultaneously, chuckling and grinning at each other.
"I think I'm going to copy her and indulge in a nap," she stated, assuming a recumbent position.
She continued, "You don't have to stay if you're bored."
"I shall never be bored when in the company of my family," I professed resolutely.
I lay down next to her, drawing the thick comforter up to the midway point of our wings. She smiled and rested her head on my neck, exhaling calmly.
"Sweet dreams, should you fall asleep."
"Sweet dreams, my dear. I'll see you on the other side."
She nodded and closed her eyes, saying nothing more. The placidity and quietude in the room weighed on my eyelids, gradually covering my sight organs and darkening my vision.
Ambrosia succumbed as the god of sleep graced her with his magical touch; another half-hour passed before I, too, was transported out of reality. Ambrosia and I were wading through a field of wildflowers, our full-grown daughter between us.
Why my mind's eye opted to craft a vision of the future was a puzzle I could not solve. It was highly unlikely that the dream was me foreseeing the future, but it offered me a glimpse of what she could become in a few years' time.
She was a daughter I could be proud of, the kindest soul contained within the shell that was her azure-feathered body.
She halted near a cluster of orange flowers and stuck her beak into one, breathing in its aroma. She then gazed at us with a smile on her beak, commenting on how wonderful it smelled.
Her voice was that of an angel's, and her eyes gleamed in the sunlight like the rarest of gems. The opals on her forehead and breast shimmered in all the colors of the rainbow, priceless hallmarks of her immunity to any mortal injury or affliction.
She was marvelous and fascinating, a perfect fusion of her mother's and father's qualities both internally and externally. How any being was capable of attaining such an immaculate design was a mystery to me, but I did not care to unravel it.
All that mattered is that I brought her into this world – with the help of my lovely spouse, mind you – and that she was my daughter to love and admire for the rest of eternity.
Day 27:
"I do hope Charlotte was able to maintain law and order," I told my mate as we shuffled back to our quarters in the wake of a meeting with the Council.
He replied, "I wouldn't worry about that. Ivanna may be feisty, but she knows that she must obey her caretaker. Otherwise, she'll have us to deal with."
"You make a fair point. Let's find out for ourselves, shall we?"
As we halted by the entrance, he dragged one door open and gestured with his wing.
"You first, my lady," he said genially.
I nodded and pressed on, pleased by what I observed as the bedroom came into view.
Charlotte – who had assumed the form of a blackpaw fox – was to Ivanna's left, seated on her haunches. Our daughter was playing with her peacock doll, tossing it a short distance into the air and catching it.
"How much of a hassle was she?" I queried as Niko closed the door and stood by my right side.
Our daughter stopped flinging the bird and looked at me afterwards, instantly identifying my tone. The skin that covered her eyes and rendered her blind was very thin, and we assumed she would open them soon, possibly today.
"Welcome back," the fox greeted with a toothy smile. "She was very well-behaved, which I applaud. I didn't have to reprimand her once, though for the record, that stuffed animal has kept her entertained the entire time."
"I'm glad it's functioning as intended. She usually has a short attention span, so I'm a bit surprised she hasn't disregarded it and searched for something else to do," he said.
Charlotte answered, "That is proof of how much she enjoys it."
"Yes indeed," my mate replied.
As I waddled for the foot of the bed, my child began chewing on the peacock's head. I chuckled and so did my spouse, who was plodding along behind me.
When I arrived there, I told her gently, "Please don't do that, Ivanna. It's not meant to be eaten, and you might tear a hole in it."
She paused and looked at me intently; she may have been unable to speak, but her brain was developed enough to where she could process and comprehend simple words and statements.
She dropped it and got to her feet, wobbling unsteadily. Having secured her balance she plodded eagerly in my direction.
She hugged me with her bony wings and laid her head on my right shoulder. I, too, embraced her, paying no mind to the sensation of the pinfeathers poking me like so many twigs.
"Hello, my sweet daughter."
An alto chirp bubbled out of her beak, a musical, upbeat note that conveyed how happy she was to see me. I stroked her back a few times, retracting my wings as she pulled away from me.
"Can I have a hug too?" he asked compellingly.
She shuffled towards the source of his voice, bumping into his breast. Daughter enveloped father as best she could, and he responded in kind.
He pecked the apex of her skull and declared, "I love you, and don't you ever forget that."
She squeezed him tighter in affirmation, implying that she had understood his message to some degree. She ultimately released him and spun around, and for some reason she sniffed the air.
What she did next painted a smile on all three of our beaks.
She bent her legs, waggled her lower body, and jumped, the springy mattress assisting her. She pounced on the peacock as if she was a predator and it was her prey, tumbling head-over-tail once.
She ended up facing the ceiling with her head end closest to us, commencing another attack on the doll.
"She's already forgotten my warning about damaging it," I stated with a shake of my head.
"Could you intervene, my friend?"
"You bet I can. Watch this."
Charlotte whipped around and leapt, landing inches away from her. She reared up and brought her paws down Ivanna harmlessly, massaging her sides.
"I have you now! There is no escape from my paws of doom!"
Ivanna let go of the doll and began squirming as the fox tickled her, giggling away. After a few seconds she altered her tactics, doing a 180 degree turn and dusting Ivanna with her bushy tail.
She jerked it out of our daughter's range twice before she could grab it, but relented the third time. Ivanna dug her short claws into the fur and tugged, wrestling with the appendage.
The tail's owner was unfazed, the force of Ivanna's pulling barely enough to move her – let alone cause her pain.
The fox quipped, "You're bound to have a lively time nurturing her if this is how she's prone to act. A limitless bundle of energy she is."
Niko retorted amusingly, "I hope she grows calmer and more controlled as she matures. Having a rebel for a daughter will plague me with gray feathers, and I don't want that."
I nudged him with my hip and glared at him slyly.
"On second thought, I'd welcome a set of 'battle scars,' so to speak. There will be trials no matter what, and by defeating them, I'll prove my unflinching devotion as a father."
"That's better," I told him, kissing his cheek daintily.
Charlotte grinned, and I watched my child roll onto her stomach. My expression became puzzled as she buried her face in the blanket and rocked it from side-to-side, which Charlotte noticed.
She faced the other way and asked, "What's going on? Is something wrong?"
Perplexed, I answered, "I don't know. She hasn't done this before."
Ivanna let out a strained half-squawk and went still; Niko and I hopped onto the bed, and I queried, "Are you alright, daughter?"
She tentatively sat up and I gasped, stunned by what had just unfolded.
Her eyes were wide open, drinking in the overwhelming visuals of the world around her. Their brown hue was creamy and rich, nearly identical to her father's but tinged with amber highlights.
She was silent, peering into my eyes with deep wonderment at witnessing my image for the first time. She slowly peeled her gaze away from me and stared at her father, studying every aspect of his appearance.
She refocused on me as I closed the distance between us, cupping her face in my wings.
"Your eyes are so beautiful…" I said softly.
Niko ambled closer and leaned in, as did the vixen.
"They resemble lakes of sweet chocolate. What it would be like to dive in and go for a swim…" he said, awed by their exquisite attributes.
I tucked my wings away, and out of her beak came an astonished squawk of her own.
"They complement her so well. I feel slightly… envious."
"I didn't think you had the capacity to be envious," my spouse commented.
I cleared my throat and replied, "I'm actually not. I'm satisfied that she's inherited that trait of yours."
"She is guaranteed to win over the hearts of everyone who makes eye contact with her."
Niko announced, "And if they don't, it is because they are blind."
"Yes," I affirmed.
"You are a special daughter, Ivanna, and one day you shall realize that. Never let anyone tell you otherwise, or they'll be answering to your mother and me."
She fired off a pleasant, high-pitched note of sheer jubilation, donning a smile that imitated the crescent moon.
"I believe you are destined to be as magnificent as I am."
My mate broke eye contact with her at last, reestablishing it with me.
"You misunderstand, my dear, for she already is."
Day 65:
"Please be careful," I told my daughter as she jumped onto the windowsill.
I felt a momentary spike of fear as she sat down and dangled her legs over the edge;I jogged up to the window and rooted myself to her right, draping one wing over her back as a precautionary measure.
She looked me in the eyes and said, "I'm not going to fall. You worry about me too much."
She gently-but-pointedly brushed my wing away and resumed staring out across the vast grasslands beyond the palace.
I refolded my wing and replied, "I'll always be concerned for your safety. I'd never forgive myself if you were hurt."
"I'm fine, I promise. I can take care of myself."
I wanted to issue a stern remark but held my tongue, as I didn't want her to think I was harassing her.
She's so young and, as expected, so naïve. She hasn't fully realized my obligations as a father, and how it is my duty to protect her.
Silence reigned supreme as we surveyed the fields, on the lookout for any dragons or other creatures.
A few minutes after our short-lived conversation, she proposed an intuitive question: "Everything out there belongs to you and Mother?"
Grateful that the subject had been changed, I answered, "Not exactly, as this world was created by the gods. It is the responsibility of every living being to look after it, your mother and I included. That said, we do not own this planet, but are simply borrowing it."
"Oh. That makes sense."
"There are three continents beyond the shores of Cydonia, but we are not in charge of them."
"What? Why?" she asked, turning to face me.
"When you are older, I shall tell you. The details are too… violent, and I'd rather not expose you to them."
"Okay. I understand."
She faced forwards and did not speak further, swinging her legs idly as she scanned the terrain.
Few children tolerate that kind of refusal, especially when they are on the hunt for information to satiate their hungry minds. I suppose Ambrosia and I have succeeded in teaching her to accept no for an answer.
I once again laid my wing on her, and she made no effort to dislodge it. Gazing at me sweetly, I felt as though she was pouring a river of warm honey over my heart.
I stroked the side of her face with my free wing and said affectionately, "I love you, for you are the greatest gift I have ever received."
"I love you too, Father."
I kissed her cheek, and she queried, "Do you know when Mother is coming back?"
"Sadly, I do not. It all depends on how many matters she and the Council have to discuss. I'll keep you company until then."
She nodded her head and pecked my own cheek, accompanying the gesture with a grin and a chuckle. We spotted none of the scaled beasts in over an hour of observation, but did spy a flock or two of birds migrating from north to south.
The weather turned overcast as noontime came and went, the earth and its associated features cloaked in shades of gray due to the diminished sunlight. Another side effect of the clouds' dominion was the ambient temperature dropping, but the conditions outside were classifiable as mild and favorable.
My daughter ultimately grew bored and terminated her surveillance, relocating to the bed for a nap. As I was quite bored too, I snuggled with her and surrendered my consciousness, sailing away on my cheerful dreams.
We must have slept for a decent three hours or so, as my biological clock informed me it was past four in the afternoon when Ambrosia returned and woke us from our slumbers.
She appeared worn down, though the affable smile on her beak was proof that she was happy to be home.
"Forgive me for being gone so many hours. Today happened to be a particularly busy day."
I extricated myself out from under the covers and drifted over to her, enclosing her in my feathery embrace.
"We survived your absence. We're none the worse for wear."
I retreated, Ivanna taking my place and hugging her mother securely.
"I missed you so much."
"I missed you and your father as well, but I won't be going anywhere for the rest of the day."
Ivanna backed away, inadvertently bumping into my midsection and giggling.
"I'm glad you've come back, my dear."
"And I am glad to be back in your wings, my handsome mate."
Starved for my affection she kissed me intensely, heating up my core.
She then retreated, held out her wings, and announced, "I've been wearing this robe for far too long, and it feels nothing but uncomfortable. Could you take it off?"
"It would be my pleasure," I responded humbly.
Grasping the sleeves with a pair of invisible clawed hands, I lifted the garment up over her head and dragged if off of her wings. I piled it haphazardly on the bed, enraptured by her lustrous round breast, my reflection visible in the ruby in its center
. "Are you staring at yourself, or staring at me?" she asked haughtily. I snapped my head up and locked eyes with her, blushing madly.
I replied bashfully, "You, because you're so, well, beautiful."
She smirked and responded, "Ah, typical male behavior towards a female who has exceptional sex appeal."
"That means you can't blame me. You're simply irresistible."
"Right you are. As a matter of fact, I love it when you stare."
"What's, um, sex ap-peal?" our child questioned bluntly.
"I'll define it when you're more mature, as it's not something you need to know about at your young age."
"Alright, alright," she muttered, somewhat put off at being denied another explanation.
"So, did you bathe her as I asked you to?" my partner inquired, all suggestive talk aside.
A spear of guilt shot through me, her query a too-late reminder of the assignment I had failed to complete.
"I'm sorry, dearest, but I forgot. I hope you're not upset," I said sheepishly, acknowledging my error.
She crossed her wings and glared, none-too-impressed. Ivanna stepped forward and remarked bravely, "It's my fault too. I didn't speak up. Don't be mad at Father only."
"I see. I admire your honesty, so I have decided to not get angry. In the future, however, strive to be more responsible."
"You have my word," I answered.
"Good."
Ambrosia motioned at Ivanna and ordered, "Come, daughter. You may bathe with me, as I am in need of a thorough cleansing myself."
I stabbed my chest with my longest primary and asked, "What about me?"
"I encourage you to join us. We are an inseparable family, so why not shower together?"
Ivanna was keen on playing and splashing about in the tub, but a no-nonsense warning from Ambrosia brought her back in line.
Constantly being doused by the showerhead's unending spray, we washed Ivanna judiciously, liberating the dust, dirt, and grime from her plumage. She laughed uncontrollably when we touched her rump and belly, rendering the bathing session fun for all.
Upon finishing with her, she contributed by scrubbing the parts of our bodies she could reach, Ambrosia and I tending to each other simultaneously. Once the bath concluded, I smothered her with a towel and dried her, more hilarity ensuing as I tickled her sensitive spots.
I carried her into the bedroom and plopped her on the bed, blowing air into her midsection until she was out-of-breath from laughing. Putting an end to my entertaining assault, I let my daughter recuperate.
She brought her system under control in a couple of minutes and sat up, pressing down the ruffled patches.
"We should leave the palace and enjoy the outdoors. I doubt any storms will be born, so the threat of rain is nonexistent," my mate suggested.
"That sounds nice. I'd like to relax on the bench next to the fountain."
"Me too, because playing with Father has made me a little tired."
"Hold on, let me see your wing feathers, Ivanna."
Ambrosia sauntered up to our child, who unfurled her flying appendages and held them open.
"Hmm," she said as she inspected their undersides.
"Your primaries and secondaries seem sturdier and more developed than they were a week ago. I think you're ready for your second flying lesson."
"Do I really have to?"
"Yes, you do. Learning to fly is a critical skill that every bird must master. There is no alternative."
She brought her wings in and replied dully, "I guess I could try again."
"You did well the first time, but I want to see you improve."
"Agreed. Do your best, and make us proud."
Down in the courtyard, my mate and I perched on the bench, our daughter standing on the grass two feet ahead.
"Propel yourself up to the top ledge of the fountain and glide."
"Yes, Mother."
She clambered onto the rim of the bottom level and leaped, beating her wings to assist her. She cleared the gap without much difficulty, the transition to the third and highest level being no harder.
She was a good eight feet above the earth, her body silhouetted against the ashen sky. Steadying herself, she crouched down and jumped, flinging open her wings.
Aiming for the cemetery, she descended at a shallow angle. Her left wing dipped low, but she rolled the other way and also avoided an over-correction.
She touched down a fair distance away, dashing towards us excitedly. There was no sunlight, but a gleam of satisfaction sparkled in her eyes nonetheless.
"That was so easy and fun!" she exclaimed.
Ambrosia praised, "I'm officially proud of you. Excellent work."
"You are a natural," I remarked, applauding her with my wings.
"Thank you. Here I go again!" she decreed, bolting up to the starting point.
Her second glide was longer and more eventful than the previous one, as she banked to the right halfway through and reversed direction. She touched down a short distance past the fountain, alacrity fueling her footsteps.
"I must commend you, daughter. For a beginner, you're faring exceedingly well."
"She's a fast learner, a trait I believe she inherited from me."
Ambrosia said, "I'd argue you are correct."
"What next, Mother?"
"I want to see how successful you are with powered flight. Do as you have done, but flap your wings and gain as much speed as you are comfortable with."
Our child nodded and scaled the fountain, poised determinedly on the lip.
Spreading her wings wide, she waggled her tail and hurled herself into the air. She beat them once, twice, three times, ascending and increasing her velocity.
My optimism was twisted into alarm on the fourth stroke, as her right wing swung downwards out-of-sync with her left.
Thrown off balance, the precious lift necessary for flight dissipated. She issued a panicked cry as she began to drop, erratically beating her wings in a vain effort to stay aloft.
"Ahh! Help! I'm falling!"
"I'm coming!" I yelled.
I scrambled after my daughter, but gravity brought her down faster than I could run. She hit the firm ground face first, sliding to a stop.
"Ow! My beak!"
As I reached her position, the wail she released sliced the air – and my heart. She covered her head with her wings and began crying, her back heaving.
"I… I quit! I don't… want to do this… anymore!"
When I helped her to her feet, she promptly gripped my sides roughly and buried her face in my chest.
Desperate to placate her, I said, "There, there. It's going to be alright."
Ambrosia rushed over and squawked, "Oh no! Are you alright?"
"N-no! What... do you think?!"
My mate locked eyes with me and frowned, stricken with grief. My heart sank into the pit of my stomach, and the negative aura radiating from my lover was tangible.
Her expression screamed: Why did this have to happen?
Blind to the answer, I shook my head remorsefully.
"No more for today. We're done here," she ordained wistfully.
Ivanna whimpered in anguished gratitude, her sobs becoming less pronounced. She separated herself from me and stuffed her head under her mother's right wing.
"I w-want to go h-home," she pleaded, her words inciting heartache in the souls of her parents.
Ambrosia spoke with Annabelle telepathically; we were whisked through the alternate plane and deposited in our chambers. Mother and daughter curled up beneath the blankets, the latter trembling in despair.
I climbed into bed with them, exhaling a forlorn sigh as my head met the pillow.
"I'm so sorry…" Ambrosia muttered.
I nuzzled my child's neck, and she moaned, "I'm hurting… on the inside…"
"Shhh, my child, it's over now. We're here for you."
Day 70:
Niko and I were situated on either side of Ivanna, who was busy consuming the fruit portion of her lunch. Though she rebounded from her "accident" faster than we expected, a temporary stay was placed on her flight training.
To dig up the bad memory by asking her to try and go airborne again was cruel. Furthermore, it would only succeed in stifling the recovery of her wounded confidence, and common sense dictated that we not compromise her in that way.
To watch her hit the ground and unleash tears had stung my soul harshly, but I had since shoved the emotional pain into a dark corner of my mind and dismissed it.
She plucked the stem off of the last cherry and ate it whole, peering up at her father and grinning as she chewed.
After swallowing, she smacked her beak and said, "All done!" in her bright, cheery voice.
She then went after a sprig of broccoli, a crunching noise being heard as she munched on it happily. This was one example of her uniqueness, as most chicks would deem vegetables unappetizing and ignore them.
Because she didn't mind eating her greens, she was healthy and growing at an appropriate rate. She was generally obedient but did have her combative moments, so my spouse and I were grateful this was one less matter we had to confront.
"Are you enjoying it?"
She glanced up at him and hummed, "Mmm hmm."
He nodded and kissed her cheek, which coerced her to giggle. There were four broccoli trees in total, and once they were all gone, she began dining on one of the two apple slices that constituted the last portion of her meal.
When she bent over to grab the second, Niko snatched it away with his telekinesis and waved it around in a teasing manner.
"Too slow, I'm afraid," he taunted.
She grunted in an annoyed tone and crossed her wings, glaring at him staunchly.
"I'm only joking. This rightfully belongs to you."
She beamed when he handed it over, erasing every last trace of her former displeasure. She bit it clean in two, chewing and gulping down the remnants of the first half and then the second.
Niko fetched the cloth from the platter and wiped the stains from her beak, polishing it to a dull shine with the other side.
He questioned, "Was the food tasty and delicious?"
She bobbed her head energetically.
I then asked, "Do you want anything else?"
She shook her head and patted her plump midsection, signaling that she was stuffed.
"What should we do now? Venture into the forest and go for a walk so Ivanna can observe the marvels of nature?"
I pondered his idea, but another that I deemed more important weaseled its way into my thoughts.
"Not yet. I think we should meet with Annabelle so she can discern if our daughter has any untapped powers, magical or otherwise."
"It's not surprising she is able to judge someone's hidden potential, as gifted as she is."
"We're going to visit Aunt Annabelle?"
I responded, "Indeed."
"Yes! I love visiting my favorite aunt!"
She scampered off the bed and skidded to a halt by the door, sweeping her wing through the air.
"Come on, hurry!"
My mate and I faced each other and smiled, hardly strangers to this common behavior of hers.
"Alright, alright, we're coming."
Spurred on by her enthusiasm, we joined her and exited our living quarters, thus commencing our journey. She kept pace with us, always staying a few steps ahead as we trekked for our close friend's chambers.
She garnered the attention of many of our subjects, earning many hellos and waves and even quite a few hugs. As we plodded up the winding staircase inside the spire, she stepped wrong and slipped.
"Woah!" she exclaimed, toppling backwards.
Niko, or more specifically, his belly, lay in her path. It absorbed the force of the light blow and essentially caught her, albeit inadvertently.
"Oops! I'm sorry, Father."
He guided her back onto her feet and replied, "It's alright. I'm here to protect you, even if I suffer an injury in the process. At least I was lucky... this time."
He winked at her, and she chuckled.
It took us ten additional seconds to ascend to the top of the spire, Ivanna seizing the initiative and striking the door with her foot repeatedly.
The female macaw did not answer, and so I said, "We should go inside. Ivanna, you lead the way."
"Okay."
As we entered, we discovered the macaw in question. I quickly realized Annabelle was engaged in a meditative session, one I had seen her perform many times before.
She was sitting cross-legged on the floor of her dimly-lit abode, hemmed in by a circle of loosely-spaced ivory candles with her wings drooping at her sides. Firmly shut were her eyes and stone-still was her body, save for the languid pulsing of her breast.
Six orbs representing the six elements of magic were arranged in a ring; they hovered in front of her chest, slowly orbiting around a common point in space. Deeply immersed in her trance, Annabelle was oblivious to our presence, her mind and body effectively sealed off from the waking world.
I glanced at my mate and said, "I think we should journey to the forest as we had planned. It would be disrespectful to interrupt her intensive ritual."
He shrugged and responded, "The decision is yours. Shall we go?"
Wait, please. I know you're here. I'll be breaking out of my trance shortly, ordained her telepathic voice.
The spheres exploded into puffs of colored smoke, blending with the smoke emitted from the candles and dissipating. She sighed a lengthy sigh, undoing the tension in her rigid muscles and slumping somewhat.
A whirling vortex of hues raged behind her pupils when she peeled her eyelids back; she blinked once, and they returned to normal. She stood, extinguished the candles with a flick of her wing, and smiled cordially.
"Greetings."
"Greetings," Niko answered.
"Aunt Annabelle!" Ivanna exclaimed, running up to the elder female.
"Hello, my darling niece. Everything seems sunnier when you're around."
Our daughter hugged Annabelle's waist affectionately and skipped back over to us, pressing herself against her father's stomach. I parted my beak halves to make amends for my family's disruption, but her intuition kicked in.
Holding up one wing, she declared, "You need not apologize. I meditate for no longer than two hours, and my time was nearly up."
I replied, "As you wish, my friend."
"So, why have you come?" she inquired.
I explained to her our mission, her expression morphing from one of elation to one of intrigue
. "Hm, that is a compelling request, and I cannot refuse."
"Thank you," Niko said.
"You're humbly welcome."
She sauntered up to Ivanna and affixed her wings to our daughter's shoulders.
"I haven't done this in quite some time, but I assure you my judgment will be accurate."
"I need to concentrate, so silence is a must."
I shut my beak with a pronounced click, Niko nodding to the macaw instead. She inhaled, exhaled, and brought her eyelids down over her eyes.
Annabelle applied a slight amount of pressure to Ivanna's shoulders as the seconds ticked by, our daughter repositioning one foot to compensate.
I held my breath, and Niko's puffed-out cheeks were evidence that he wasn't letting any air escape either. It was amusing, but I willed myself not to laugh and looked away cancel out the stimulus.
I waited anxiously for thirty seconds until she retreated one step and locked eyes with me.
My soul replete with suspense, I queried, "What is the verdict?"
"I can detect a magical Spark buried within her, and I am certain that with my tutoring, she can unlock her true potential and become a talented mage."
Thrilled, I swiftly asked, "What kind of magic will she wield? Fire? Water? Wind?"
"It's too early for me to tell, unfortunately, as the Spark is dormant. It will grant her a random power when it triggers, or perhaps more than one, if she is especially lucky."
My partner questioned, "Can you estimate when it will awaken?"
"If I could peer into the future, then yes, I could. But since I can't, the answer is no."
"Oh well. At the very least we have a terrific event to look forward to," he replied.
"I'm going to be a mage! That sounds fantastic!" our offspring proclaimed.
She grabbed her father's wings, partially opening them and shaking them eagerly.
"You were special as an egg, and you are special now, my child."
Ivanna then froze and asked, "Wait, what's a mage? I'm confused."
Niko articulated, "Someone who battles with a variety of magical attacks."
"A mage is also someone who weaves their own spells and devotes himself or herself to studying literature on the subject," Annabelle clarified proudly.
"I can't wait! It's going to be so much fun!"
"Trust me when I say it is a fascinating lifestyle, as I speak from experience."
Ivanna replied, "Uh huh. I want to be like you."
Touched, the mature female responded, "Work hard and practice while under my tutelage, and there is no limit to how far you shall go."
Annabelle glanced up and said, "When it happens, I would advise that you bring her here so that I can collect some information on her raw ability."
"We sure will. I pray her Spark ignites soon," Niko replied.
"Perhaps the gods will oblige and fulfill your request."
"I concur."
"Care to stay and chat?"
"I'm sorry, but we have plans to go on a sightseeing excursion into the forest.
" "Ah. Family time takes precedence over time with friends anyhow. I bid you farewell, and have a safe trip."
I hugged her and answered, "Farewell."
Niko and Ivanna made to leave, pausing at the threshold for me. I waved goodbye to the female and she waved back.
I closed the door and turned around, only to see my mate stumble and topple forwards. I failed to grab hold of him, his beak striking one of the steps with a thwack.
"First Ivanna slipped, and now you."
I hoisted him to his feet and squawked, "Are you hurt?"
His grin was absolutely puzzling, and I narrowed my eyes. "No. I must confess that I did that on purpose."
"On purpose? You could have cracked your beak. What am I going to do with you?" I protested shrewdly.
"Continue to love me, I hope," he retorted smugly.
I rolled my eyes and quelled my annoyance, welcoming the intended humor into my emotions.
Shaking my head in mock disdain, I quipped, "You two are already causing trouble, and it's only the afternoon."
Day 80:
"Observing the landscape may be entertaining, but you've stared out the window for half an hour. You need to bathe before your father returns."
I sighed and turned on one foot, eyeing my mother unhappily.
"But you said you don't know when he'll be back," I protested.
"That does not matter," she said, laying her book upside down on the bed and approaching me. Rubbing her beak against my neck, she sniffed through her nostrils.
"Because you haven't washed them since yesterday morning, your plumage is emitting an unpleasant odor. You are a young princess, and I will not stand for you smelling like the mouth of a dragon."
Her comment was too rude for my taste, and I viewed it as an insult.
Father always talks to me nicely, even when he's being stern.
"Why must you be so harsh? I don't smell that bad. And look, my feathers aren't dirty!"
I puffed out my chest and opened my wings, demonstrating them to her. Unfazed, she pointed in the direction of the bathroom with one wing.
"There is more to your feathers than their appearance. Now go, unless you want me to discipline you."
The way she stared me down with her cold blue eyes – and the fact that she was almost twice as tall as me – was intimidating. I also disliked having my rump swatted, so I was left with no choice.
"Alright, Mother, you win," I said unenthusiastically.
She folded her wing and replied, "Everything goes smoother for the both of us when you don't argue. Keep that in mind, my child."
She hopped back onto the bed and resumed reading; noticing that I hadn't moved, she shot me one final questioning gaze a few seconds later. I complied with her order and wandered into the bathroom, shutting the doors quietly so that she didn't think I was provoking her.
After watching my parents several times, I knew how far to turn the knobs to avoid freezing – or worse, burning – myself. I breathed in and out deeply, relaxing as the water climbed up my legs.
When the fluid touched the underside of my belly, I sat down with a gentle splash, immersing myself in the sea of penetrating warmth. I glanced down at my feet, flexing my claws idly as the water steadily rose.
Mother does treat me slightly firmer than Father does sometimes, but I can't blame her. She is nothing like him in many ways, and her uniqueness is why she is so special. I wouldn't exist if it weren't for her – and more importantly, her desire to raise a child like me, even if I am a bit difficult…
In that moment, I made a mental note to tell Mother how I felt about her. Father did the same throughout the day, so what he says to her must be important.
When everything below the middle of my breast was underwater, I shut off the flow and dunked myself.
My entire body soaked, I thoroughly washed and preened myself, in that order. I also cleaned my… well… other end, because my parents told me it was a hygienic practice.
I opened up the drain and climbed out, slipping on the rim of the tub thanks to my wet feet. I broke my fall with my wings and not my beak, luckily.
My feathers were sticking up in several spots after I dried my plumage, but I didn't bother dealing with them.
Mother will take care of them, I mused.
She studied me as I walked into the room, delivering a smile and a nod.
"Much better, except for those few messy patches," she complimented.
I jumped onto the bed and, setting her novel aside, she pressed the troublesome feathers down.
Looking up at her, I stated, "I love you, and I'll try to behave like I should more often."
"I love you too, and I'm happy that you've made such a choice."
A logical thought crossed my mind, and I voiced it out loud: "You're strong-willed, and so am I. Like mother, like daughter, I guess you could say."
She chuckled and patted my head tenderly.
"That explains why we are inclined to battle every now and then. I can't argue with such an educated observation."
"That sounds like something Father would say."
"It does, doesn't it? My my, I can hardly believe I've been blessed with a daughter like you."
I beamed at her, replying, "Thank you for making me feel special."
"I give credit where credit is due."
With that she picked up the book and focused, silently asking for silence itself.
I don't want to go anywhere and leave her all alone… I said to myself.
My mind made up, I lay down by her side, comforted by her presence. She averted her eyes from the page and gazed at me, stirred by my loyalty.
She resumed reading, a smile ever-present on her beak. Being this close to her lulled me into a dreamy state of mind, and I didn't resist as my eyes closed of their own accord.
I must have dozed off, because I was awoken some time later by a flurry of sounds.
I blinked three times and stretched, my eyes darting to the dark blue figure by the entrance. My spirits were lifted to new heights; I hopped off the bed and hugged him securely.
"Welcome back, Father."
"Hello there, Ivanna. I'm sorry I cut your nap short."
I let go and said amusingly, "That's okay. I'm not the kind of bird who should be sleeping in the daytime anyways."
"Hm, you make a fair point. My conscience has been unburdened."
He embraced me and then strolled onwards, and I turned around where I stood.
That is so romantic… I thought as they kissed.
Mother asked, "How did your day go?"
"It went smoothly, and I was able to handle nearly all the situations by myself. Once the visitations ended, I met with the Council to talk about a few things. That was the highlight of my day, as we engaged in a rather heated debate."
"Ah. I find them invigorating, because they serve as exercise for the mind."
"They certainly do. I was never one who argued much, be it with my family or friends, but I'm enjoying these discussions."
"Not only are they rewarding, they are necessary. Our reign would be utterly stale if the Council members always favored our opinions without voicing their own, and the Council itself would be pointless."
"Would you like something to eat?"
At the mention of food my stomach rumbled, as I had already processed my breakfast and was empty again.
"I sure would. I'm hungry," I told them, placing my wings on my midsection.
They looked my way and grinned.
"It's settled then. We'll have lunch as a family," Mother said.
"What would you like to eat, daughter?"
"Um… strawberries and a green apple, please."
He nodded and turned towards Mother.
"And what can I get for you, my dear?"
"Honey-glazed banana slices and an orange."
"I'll be back shortly with our meals," he squawked as he waddle for the doors.
"Thank you, Father," I said.
"You're welcome."
He and Mother swapped airborne kisses, and then he departed.
"He's such a courteous soul. It's impossible not to love him," Mother said with a sigh.
"I agree. I couldn't have a more wonderful father."
He returned swiftly, averse to making us wait – especially me and my gnawing appetite. The fruit was delicious, and there was a potent sense of togetherness as I feasted with my parents.
I offered up an apple slice for two banana slices, and I also gave away a strawberry for one orange slice. Mother had no issues with the trades, since she was fond of my fruit selection and wanted to have some.
Mother and I were subjected to a splash of worry when Father began choking on a grape that had lodged itself in his throat. He ejected the saliva-coated orb when she head-butted him in the chest, rescuing him and putting an end to his ordeal.
He was shaken up and battled a residual coughing fit, but his suffering fled as suddenly as it had come. He drank some his pineapple juice, which quelled his coughs.
I may have been the hungriest, but my insides lacked the capacity to hold as much as theirs could. As such I abandoned my fruit first, stuffed and unable to swallow another bite.
Mother and Father wiped their platters clean about fifteen minutes later, and she invited him to bathe with her.
He graciously accepted, undressing and throwing his robe at me. I dug myself out of it and laughed along with him, and then they disappeared into the bathroom.
I ambled up to the mirror, a pair of brown eyes peering out at me from the silvery deep. I rotated to observe myself in profile, my full belly bulging out.
Equipped with my mother's azure body and my father's cobalt blue wings and tail, "cute" was the term I would use to describe myself.
Mother is very beautiful, so maybe I'll be beautiful too when I'm older…
I slapped my belly with a wing, and it recoiled by wiggling back-and-forth. I did it again and giggled until, surprisingly, I burped.
Oh dear, I did not expect that to happen!
It was unladylike, andI felt slightly embarrassed even though no one was in sight.
Waddling away from the mirror and perching on the ledge, I allowed my mind to wander like a snowflake riding a weak winter breeze. When I felt the urge to do so, I relieved myself.
I wasn't counting the minutes, but my superiors were lingering in the bathroom longer than usual. I was curious as to why, so I figured I would ask them.
When they emerged, I queried, "What kept you?"
"Oh, nothing really," Father replied, looking strangely flustered.
Mother commented, "We care for you day and night, so we simply craved some alone time with each other."
"Okay. That's a good enough explanation for me."
"It seems she has absorbed your curiosity," she said, giving Father a sidelong glance.
"Curiosity is the conduit through which intelligence is obtained," he answered.
"That's true."
Mother began whispering in his ear, her eyes trained on me. He faced her when she finished speaking, his expression skeptical.
"What were you saying? Is it about me? It's not nice to keep secrets."
My father cleared his throat and said warily, "We believe it is in your best interests to undertake another flying attempt."
The painful memory resurfaced, and I rejected the idea immediately.
"No, I won't do it," I retorted, stomping my foot. "It's not in my best interests, it's in yours."
Mother exhaled and replied, "Accidents happen, but it's how you move on that matters. To think you can spend the rest of your life on the ground is foolish."
"So I'm foolish now? Do you have any other insults in store?"
She shook her head regrettably but said nothing, and Father started walking towards me. I showed my back to him in defiance, crossing my wings in anger.
"Ivanna, please."
He circled around from the left and stopped in front of me, grabbing my shoulders and preventing me from turning away.
"If you dedicate yourself to a goal, you will succeed in achieving it. Your accident was a setback, yes, but only when you give up is your mission a failure."
I lowered my wings and looked down, mumbling, "What if it happens again?"
He propped my head up and looked me in the eyes.
"Don't let the past influence you. I have faith that the skies shall be yours today, if you are up for the challenge."
I leaned to one side and spied my mother, her face obscured by behind a mask of melancholy.
He's right… why do I allow one mishap affect me so severely? Life goes on, and like my mother, I am a fighter!
"I realize this is a vital milestone for me, and I'm committed to passing the test."
Drinking in the smiles that spread across their beaks, I smiled just as widely.
This is my chance to prove I can be the daughter they've always wanted me to be.
They pursued me as I marched out of the palace; I ascended to the fountain's highest point, perching on the skull of her marble replica. I warmed up with two glides, thereby exercising my muscles and sharpening my concentration.
Perching on my assigned post, my mother called up to me: "I know in my heart you can do this. Apply everything we've taught you, and fly as free as a bird."
"Aim for the clouds, and your wings shall take you there," Father affirmed.
Casting my apprehension into the very winds I planned on riding, I leapt. As my feet left the marble, I beat my wings with all of my strength.
I sensed a split-second stab of dread as I lost a few inches of altitude, the air sneaking in-between my feathers. Concentrated jubilation sprang forth as the wind began streaming past my wings.
I was traveling forwards, weightless in the ocean of air. I couldn't deny the incredible feeling, and I knew right then what was happening.
"I'm flying! I'm flying!" I shouted for the entire world to hear, especially the two birds below.
I angled myself upwards and rapidly gained height, triumph fueling my flight muscles. Aiming at the white, puffy cloud above, I streaked towards it, ignoring gravity's effects.
Just as I was about to pierce its underside I rolled my body, slicing the mass of droplets with my claws. I righted myself and swung around, cheering as I sped towards the faint blue specks on the ground.
I beat my wings hard in reverse as a braking maneuver, though I still landed hard and tumbled head-over-tail. I was unhurt and overloaded with pride, my heart pounding.
"I flew! I flew!" I squawked, out-of-breath.
"You did... and I'm so proud of you..." Mother answered, a beady tear glistening at the edge of one eye.
Father said emotionally, "You've exceeded my expectations. You are a superb flier, and I am honored that you are my daughter."
I launched myself at my parents and squeezed them, and they hugged me in return. "This is a day… I will remember… for years to come…" Mother said shakily.
Locked in their embrace and empowered by their admiration, I felt more alive than ever.
A flare of energy went off inside me, reminiscent of an explosion.
I gasped as I was shoved backwards, my hold on them being broken. I stumbled and plunked onto the grass in a sitting position, shocked by the sudden repulsion.
It was my parents' turn to gasp, their beaks dropping open.
She muttered, "Ivanna… look up…"
I tilted my head back, stunned by what I saw. It was almost too good to be true, and yet it was true.
A frozen ball of white snow hovered over my head, glittering majestically in the sunlight.
My astonished father said, "Your powers have awakened. I can't believe it... you're an ice mage..."
I
I
I
V