A Quest For Grace

by Bluetech

There is a new face prowling the jungles of Rio, and she seems perfectly normal on the outside. As Blu and Jewel will soon find out, looks can be deceiving. They set out on a mission to turn her life around and teach her that hope exists everywhere.

3. Straight From The Source

Chapter 3: Straight From The Source

"Mhm, wack oop. Mhm?"

The disjointed noises streamed into my ears from a point just in front of me. I broke out of my sleep to better understand them, my drowsy mood tinged with displeasure at being awoken so soon.

I yawned and cleared away my blindness by blinking, somewhat surprised to see my children staring right at me.

"Helena, Calisto, what have I told you... about waking me up early?" I said negatively.

My daughter replied with a soft, "But it's not early, Mom. It's about two hours before noon."

I internally smacked myself and replied, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know I had slept in so late. Is there anything you need?"

My son hopped closer and said, "Um, we're kind of hungry. Can we go out with you and have some breakfast?"

They didn't want to leave without me. That's so sweet.

"I appreciate your kindness, my dears. If it's this late, we might as well start the day off with some delicious food."

"Great!" replied Helena in a hushed tone. "But what about Dad?"

I turned to my right and saw Blu snoozing inches away from me, his left wing draped over my back.

He's so handsome, even when he's asleep. I don't think it would be fair to disturb him...

"He can stay here and rest. We can bring him back some breakfast after we're done eating."

"Let's hope he doesn't wake up before we get back. He'll probably go into panic mode and spend two hours looking for us!" chimed my son.

"Let me slip out of the nest, and then we'll go. I'm going to have to be really careful with his wing..."

I stood up very slowly and worked my left foot over the edge of the nest, setting it down lightly. As I scooted away at a careful pace, his wing began sliding off, and I raised my right to dampen the movement. His wing tapped the mossy nest floor without a sound as I pulled my right leg out.

I grew a smile of accomplishment and whispered, "We won't be gone long, Blu. Don't worry about us."

Moments after the words left my beak, Blu snorted and rolled in my direction. His feet stuck straight up in the air, and his wings were drooping over the edges of the twigs.

I faced my children and chuckled at his humorous position for a few second before urging them out with my wings.

Once we were outside of the hollow, we were free to talk normally.

"What do you want to eat?" I asked politely.

"I'm craving some berries!" said Calisto energetically.

"I'm fine with berries too, Mom. There's no need to picky, because then we'd have to split up!"

"You do have a point there, daughter. Do either of you know where any berry bushes are?"

Calisto looked down at the ground mid-flight, deep in thought. He popped his head back up and caught my gaze.

"I think there's one to the north of the clearing, next to a fallen banana tree. I remember snacking there yesterday evening."

"I'm glad you're observant, son. Now come on, let's fill our stomachs with some juicy berries!"

I boosted my flight speed as I performed a banking left turn, speeding past my children in the process.

"Hey, wait up!" they cried in unison. "We're not as fast as you!"

I braked with my wings and allowed them to catch up, flashing them both cheerful smiles.

"One of these days, you will be, my dears. I'll be the one following you eventually!"

"Oh Mom, you're not that old!" protested Helena.

"Yeah, you're still living in your prime years!" added Calisto.

"I guess you're right. But enough chat. We need to focus on finding that berry bush..."

With my son and daughter flanking me, I powered on to the north, leaving the clearing behind and diving into the cool jungle.

Before long, Calisto's prediction held true as my eyes caught sight of a fallen tree a few feet away from a healthy berry bush. It had already rotted away in several places, while the rest of its trunk was cloaked in moss.

I landed in front of the tree and walked up to the bush, the rich, sugary scents already filling my nostrils. Calisto came up on my right side and sniffed the air.

"Don't they smell delicious, Mom?"

"Yes they do, son, Eat as much as you want, but don't make yourself sick. Upset stomachs are not fun, trust me."

"Alright, Mom."

I plucked berry after berry from the bush, tossing them into my mouth and chewing them until all the juice was squeezed out. Their taste was sweeter than a mango's, and I found it hard to stop eating.

After gulping down over twenty of the small violet balls, I felt my stomach gurgle. I looked down at my belly, and I could tell it was swollen.

My son and daughter had also crammed their stomachs, and so we relaxed in the shade for a few minutes to let our food settle.

"So, Mom, do you have anything important to do today?"

I turned towards my son and replied, "Not really. I think that today is going to be a lazy day. Is there anything you would like to do?"

He shook his head and replied, "Not right now. I want to go see my siblings in the evening, if that's okay with you."

"Sure, son. I don't want you staying out too long, though. You can leave as early as you want, but I want you home no later than an hour after sunset."

"You got it, Mom."

I nodded to him and turned to the left, seeing Helena crouched down on one end of the dead tree.

"Would you like to go with your brother, Helena?"

Her eyes twinkled as she said, "Sure! I'll keep him in line and let him know when it's time for us to leave. He can get a bit forgetful."

Calisto's stern voice countered, "I am not forgetful! Everyone loses track of time when they're having fun, you know."

Helena smirked and replied, "I don't think lounging around and talking about random things with Matthias and Renato is classified as fun."

"Maybe for you it's not. It's how we brothers bond."

"I think you're just trying to make excuses so that you can stay out later."

"Whatever, Helena. I am not! How about we focus more on resting and less on fighting?"

"Fine, but only because Mom's here..."

As the heated squabble died off, I huffed quietly and thought, Ahhh, children are so wonderful and amusing sometimes. They argue over the smallest things...

The shrieks, croaks, and squawks of the various jungle creatures broke the silence every so often, growing more and more annoying as the minutes went by.

My stomach finally stopped gurgling about fifteen minutes after I stopped eating, and so I decided it was time to fly back home.

I preened my feathers briefly before announcing, "Calisto, Helena, we need to go back home now. Your father may be worried about us, and me especially."

Helena cried, "I was wondering when you'd say that, Mom!"

"What are we waiting for? Let's go!"

"I guess those berries gave you both an energy boost."

"They sure did!" Calisto said forcefully.

I joined my children in flight and had only flapped my wings three times when a blurred shape struck me dead on in the chest. Whatever it was, it must have been very light and moving very fast, since I felt no recoil or pain from the blow.

"Mom, look down there! It's a tiny bird!"

I threw my gaze down at the ground and saw a bright blue shape dusting itself off, muttering words that I couldn't hear.

I drifted back down to the dusty earth and studied the creature, instantly recognizing it as some sort of hummingbird.

"Are you hurt?"

The six inch tall bird pointed its needle-like beak at me and chirped, "No, I'm fine. I'm sorry for running into you. It's because I detected some very delicious flowers around here. Wait, they're they are!"

The hummingbird shot into the air and sped over me, its wings beating so fast they were invisible. I turned around halfway and stared upwards, watching in awe as the bird darted from flower to flower.

"Um, who and what are you?"

The darting shape plunged into two more orange flowers before dropping down and hovering in front of me.

"I'm a Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, and my name is Chase. I'm a messenger for my family's information network."

What in the world is that?

"Hello, Chase, I'm Jewel. These are my children, Calisto and Helena."

"Hello, Chase. Nice to meet you!" they greeted.

"Nice to meet you all, as well. Would you like to hear some news?"

Intrigued, I replied, "Yes, but first, what is an 'information network?' "

Chase bounced around in my field of view as he spoke, unable to remain in one spot.

"My Mom and Dad operate an information hub a quarter mile from here. They meet with many other hubs around the jungle and keep track of any important news that the larger birds, such as you and your offspring, would like to hear. For example, a Harpy Eagle was sighted this morning patrolling an area two miles to the west of here. It's my job to fill anybody in with any current developments."

"Wow, that's... amazing! I never knew anything like that existed here, let alone throughout the whole jungle."

"Yes, that's how it is for most other species. They usually aren't concerned with what goes on outside of Rio, but we're working on that. Now, about that news..."

"Oh, right. Let's hear it."

"It turns out that there's a peculiar owl located a mile to the north of here. My Mom told me she was a female, and that she was awake and hunting near a waterfall."

A peculiar owl, and a female at that. Wait a minute... I think I used to know a female owl! Oh man, what was her name?

My mind racing in the wake of Chase's speech, I asked, "Do you know what that owl's name is? I vaguely remember seeing someone like her."

"Is that so? Well, I don't know her name, but I'm sure my Mom does! I can go check and get an update on the owl's position, if you want."

I have to find out who that owl is and go see her! I just know she's important to me. I can feel it in my bones!

"Go right ahead, Chase. Me and my children will be waiting patiently for you to return."

"Right away, Jewel! I won't be gone more than five minutes."

He whirled around and sped off like a rocket, his blue plumage flashing brilliantly.

"Whoa, Chase is really fast! The title of 'messenger' suits him very well."

"You bet, sister. It's like he's part of a hummingbird-based spy network! That sounds so cool," Calisto said excitedly.

"Too bad you have to be one of them to participate," said Helena indifferently.

"Is all the stuff he was spewing about that owl really true, Mom?"

I turned to the left and locked gazes with my son, my expression curious.

"It sounds that way, Calisto. Any doubt we have should be cleared up when we see that owl for ourselves..."

As I waited for Chase's second arrival, I lazily tapped my feet on the dry ground and scratched lines in the dirt.

Helena and Calisto cooperatively created simple drawings of animals. Chase burst out of the foliage shortly after they had finished drawing me, ruining my outline as they jumped in shock.

Chase buzzed up to me and said rapidly, "Our latest intel reports that the owl is roosting near the base of the waterfall, and her name is Grace."

Chase's final word set off an explosion of memories and positivity inside my head.

Oh my, they've found Grace! All this time, she's been alive, while Blu and I were thinking she was dead! We have to go see her, and at whatever cost, set things right...

I stumbled back, dumbfounded, and my children raced to my side.

"Mom, are you okay?" they both asked worriedly.

I steadied myself and replied, "As fine as I'll ever be. Calisto, Helena, don't you remember Grace? The owl that your father and I told you about, the one with the disease?"

After a few tense seconds of silence, their eyes widened as my hints jogged their memories as well.

"Grace, the Striped Owl? The one who left the same day she met you and Dad?"

"Exactly, Calisto! They've found her, and we're going to welcome her back with open wings. Would you like to come with me and meet her?"

They threw questioning gazes at each other before whirling back to me, their faces beaming.

"Sure, Mom!" they both replied.

"Don't we need to drop off some food for Dad before we go?" added Calisto sharply.

"Hmmm, you're right."

I rotated around and asked, "Chase, can you lead us to her location?"

The minuscule bird nodded at a rapid pace.

"No problem, Jewel! I've been told that she's asleep now, so she won't be moving anytime soon."

"Alright. We'll have to make a detour stop on the way, though. Can you follow us to our home?"

"Yep! Detour or not, I'll still be able to guide you to Grace's resting spot."

I turned around again and said, "Calisto, Helena, grab as many berries as you can carry. We'll leave them in the hollow and then let Chase take over."

"Alright, Mom," they responded smoothly.

They hovered above Chase and I, plucking off berries and caging them in their claws.

Once they had gathered as may as their feet could hold, I oriented myself towards the south and took off, beating my wings steadily. Chase had no problem keeping up with me, and even my children strove to fly at a brisk pace.

We dove and streaked through the foliage skillfully, coming upon the clearing in no time at all My children stashed the berries away for Blu to eat when he woke up before zipping out of the hollow as stealthily as possible.

Helena then tore a leaf from one of our home's upper branches and used her claws to write "Gone out, be back ASAP" on the leaf's surface.

I waited until she emerged from the hollow before motioning for Chase to take the lead. Due to his unfair flying speed, he chose to ride on my back and guide me verbally.

Off to the north I flew, the wing-beats of my son and daughter plainly audible behind me. Chase efficiently guided us into a patch of jungle even I had never explored before, adjusting our course as we powered on.

Deep into our journey, Chase began to inform me that we were drawing near Grace's location. I slowed my flight accordingly, veering sharply to the right after passing a grove of banana trees.

One minute later, the faint murmurs of a waterfall – aptly named the Northern Tiger Falls – were detected by my ears. A sense of abrupt apprehension took over me as we drifted closer.

It's been so long since Grace has seen us, and we're meeting up with her without any sort of warning. What if she rejects me and my children? What if she refuses to talk with us, to let us help her? I hope she'll understand that we've come all this way to cheer her up and show her that we've missed her deeply. Please, let our efforts amount to something productive...

The murmurs eventually grew into a constant medium-pitched roar, and Chase instructed me to land in a cannonball tree.

As Calisto and Helena alighted next to me, he jumped from my back and flitted about in front of me.

"Just follow the river down below, and you'll be within visual range of Grace."

"Thank you so much, Chase," I responded sullenly. "When this is all over, we'll let you know how it goes."

Chase let out a playful whistle and replied, You're welcome, friend, but there is no need. We'll find out sooner or later the outcome of your meeting. We have eyes and ears in high places, you know! I must seek out some more nutrition now, so I will be going. Good luck, Jewel!"

Chase zoomed off to the east, his iridescent feathers flashing briefly as he flew through a ray of sunlight.

I was a bit unnerved by his statement, since he implied that some of his species would be watching, but the sensation faded away in mere moments.

"Are you ready, Mom?" Calisto asked strongly.

"I suppose I am, son. There's no turning back now. I hope that this won't turn out to be a huge waste of time and energy."

"I think we should approach her on foot. We need take things cautiously, not rashly."

I sighed and responded with melancholy, "You're right, daughter. Come on, let's get this depressing show on the road..."

I executed a slow descent from my perch and touched down next to the speedy waterway. I trotted off upriver, keeping away from the muddy bank and the churning river a foot below it. The moan of the waterfall was a constant rumble in my ears, souring my mood more than it already was.

As I slipped past a cluster of fronds, the river widened immensely and became a large, deep pool. Clouds of mist from the large waterfall up ahead filled the air, spreading out in all directions and rushing past us.

I lifted my gaze towards the canopy and scanned the treetops for Grace's telltale ivory plumage, only to have my concentration interrupted by a nudge to my side.
"What is it, Calisto?" I said in a clipped tone.

I studied the treetops where his outstretched wing was pointing, my heart skipping several beats as I spied a cream-colored shape huddled up against the trunk. The only relief I could draw from the situation was that she was facing away from us.

"Looks like I, or rather we, found her," Calisto said with hollow pride.

I let loose another disheartened sigh and opened my wings.

"Although I have no idea how she'll react, all I can say is that I've waited over two months for this..."

My heart shriveled from a crushing mix of fear and longing, I pushed myself into the air, aiming for the far end of Grace's chosen branch. I made sure to leave enough room for Helena and Calisto once I touched down, doing my best to prevent the bough from shaking.

I motioned for my children to stay behind me, and after summing up all the courage I could, I swiveled around and tiptoed up to the dreamily silent owl.

In a painfully slow maneuver, I extended my right wing and brushed the tips of my primaries against her left. I held my beak shut, because I knew that my voice would most likely bang on her sensitive ears and startle her.

When she did not respond, I pushed my wing against her with slightly more force, bending my primaries moderately. She twitched noticeably without opening her eyes, and so I pushed one final time.

"Huh... what... leave me..."

Her head gave a small shake as I refolded my flying appendage, and my body was bathed in a powerful sensation of nervousness.

Her eyes opened halfway as her head swiveled towards me, her beak clacking drowsily. What happened next nearly knocked me and my children clean off of the branch.

The instant her slotted eyes met mine, they shot open and revealed two chilling black orbs full of dread and terror. Out of her beak flew a deafening shriek that made me flinch back and squeeze my skull between my wings.

"Jewel... what the hell are you doing here?"

Grace's blood-curdling scream dropped off, though my ears still rang for at least ten seconds.

"Go away! Please, I don't want you here! Take them with you, whoever they are!"

I glanced up and saw that her back was plastered against the trunk, as were her extended wings. Her feet scrabbled for purchase on the branch, settling one in front of the other awkwardly.

"Meu Deus, Grace... I expected a bad reception, but that was insane..."

"I'm sorry, but I want you to leave me alone!"

I affected a sorrowful gaze and replied, "Grace, please, let us help-"

"No! I'm sorry, but I'm leaving!"

The distraught owl sped off, sending gusts of air over me. I threw a hard look at my children and threw myself into flight, knowing that they would understand the message.

Grace's form was not hard to keep track of as I chased after her, made easier by the fact that she wasn't as fast a flier as I imagined her to be.

"Grace, please wait!" I called out desperately.

The fleeing owl did not reply, veering sharply to the right and diving down at a steep angle. I mirrored her maneuver and neared the ground, my focus breaking as I heard Calisto's panicked shout: "Mom, where are you? Helena and I can't see you! Mom?"

I was painfully torn between the urge to abandon my pursuit and find my offspring, or chase my target until she gave up and confronted me.

I am never going to forgive myself for this...

"Just land somewhere, my dears! I'll find you as soon as I can!"

I looked to my left and saw an ivory form gliding just above the damp earth, which then banked harshly to the right once more and passed right beneath me.

"Grace, all I want to do is talk! This is... ridiculous..."

My wing muscles now burned in protest, and I knew that I had to end this wild chase soon. As I banked to the right, the owl shot nearly vertically upwards.

I tried to brake, but both she and I were moving too fast. Her left wing caught me under my head and flipped me onto my back, sending me into a harrowing plummet. My righting maneuver was not quick enough, and I crashed to the dirt, skidding to a stop.

Grace's flashy form vanished before I had a chance to glance up. I sat there, coughing and aching, for a good three minutes.

Oh Grace... why did you put me through this? All I wanted to do was console you. If only you knew that we still value you as a friend.

I dusted my dirt-caked feathers off and dedicated myself to locating my son and daughter.

"Calisto? Helena? Can you hear me?"

I heard a distinctly feminine voice echo from a point far to the right of me, confused and scared. I flapped my wings and flew towards the source, but after one minute of listening and scanning, I never found Helena.

I assumed that Calisto was with her, which halved the effort I would have to invest in my search.

They were but two months old, unaccustomed to the perils of the jungle and easily frightened. A Harpy Eagle could spot them and dive at them, or worse, a snake could sneak up and grab itself an easy meal.

Oh, why am I thinking like that? I have to find them! If only Grace were here to help...

I landed roughly in a banana tree and greedily sucked in oxygen, raking my gaze in all directions and listening for my children's shouts.

Calisto's voice flooded into my ears this time, but it sounded much closer and clearer: "Mom, I'm scared! Where are you? Wait... Mom, is that you? Grace!"

Grace? Grace found them! I guess she had a change of heart. Maybe now she's calm enough to reveal why she is so troubled...

Orienting myself in the direction of my son's relieved squawks. I ascended higher and drifted around the trunk of a leaning cannonball tree, coming upon an endearing sight: My striped Owl friend was soothing my children with her wings, though her face was sagging with negativity.

I plunked myself down on the thick base of the branch and exhaled greatly.

"Grace, I'll forgive you for running away, but only because you helped me find my son and daughter."

Grace sniffled and stared at me, her ear tufts drooping as they did on the distant day she left us.

"Jewel... I'm so sorry... for everything that's happened since that fateful evening... for everything I put you and your family through. I was a coward, and I haven't stopped feeling horrible. I've contemplated killing myself, but I... can't do it..."

In a calming gesture, I worked my way down the branch and laid my wing on hers.

"Grace, I accept your apology, but you're not a coward. You've suffered through countless attacks, and yet here you are, still alive. That shows just how brave and spirited you are..."

Grace sniffled once more as I leaned over, locking eyes with my son and daughter. They jumped from the branch and landed behind me, their expressions mellow.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, Mom. If Grace hadn't found us, you wouldn't have either. We got lost, and we didn't know how to find you."

"I hope you don't think I'm a bad mother for leaving you behind. I wanted to go back and look for you, but I wanted to talk to Grace too..."

They both shook their heads, and then Calisto replied, "We understand, Mom. We weren't alone for too long. Helena and I protected each other. That's what siblings are for, right?"

I gave him a triumphant nod and said proudly, "Right, my son. You should always be there for each other, especially when life gets you down. I love you, Calisto. And I love you too, Helena."

"We love you too, Mom..." they replied sweetly.

I gave them each a tender kiss before spinning around to Grace.

"Are they... your newest children?" she asked with melancholy.

"Indeed they are. I let Blu pick their names. They sure keep us busy, but we love them so much."

Grace sniffled meekly and wiped a half-formed tear from her eye.

"I guess it's time for the truth to come out. I'm tired of running, Jewel. I'm tired of keeping it locked away, especially from you and Blu."

"You're right, Grace. My family and I will do our best to help you, but you have to make the first move. Whenever you're ready..."

I crouched down onto the branch, which was wide enough to prevent me from falling to either side.

Grace visibly relaxed herself as well, letting out what must have been the most powerful of all sighs.

"Two years ago, right before I departed Brasília on a journey to the coast, I was attacked..."

My heart increased its pace as I asked, "Attacked by what?"

"A Coral Snake."

The mention of the deadly reptile – which had nearly claimed the life of my mate while our children were still eggs – caused all three of us to jump.

When the branch stopped quivering, I mumbled, "Are you serious? How did you survive?"

"I don't know, Jewel. I was bitten during sunset, only mere minutes after waking up. I was roosting in a huge banana tree, and the snake that bit me must have been resting in between the fruit. I probably startled it while I was stretching, and I even have the scar to prove it."

Ceremoniously, Grace extended her left wing and turned slightly away from me.

An ugly patch of discolored, featherless skin nearly four inches across sat halfway up her side, a stark contrast to her lovely plumage.

My children gagged softly and cringed, but I held my gaze until she re-folded her wing.

"I thought it had given me a dry bite, and so I went out hunting as usual. About an half an hour later, the pain hit me, and that was the worst night I would ever live through. It felt like I had been splashed with boiling lava, and I could do nothing more than squirm around on the ground like a helpless worm.

I begged for someone, anyone, to kill me, but no one ever came. I screamed and screamed until my voice gave out, and then... I went unconscious. I hoped that I would never wake up, but the rising sun next morning told me otherwise.

I was so dizzy that the world was unrecognizable, but I was also incredibly numb. I spent that entire day in the exact same spot, unable to move or call out for help. By the time I saw my second sunrise after being bitten, I managed to get to my feet, though my wings were still useless.

When I inspected my side, there was a big purplish spot, and all my feathers near near the wound had fallen out. It ached so bad that I had to walk with my wing dragging the ground. Every step was massively painful, but I forced myself to keep going.

I fed on whatever I could find on the ground: dead chicks, young snakes, and even fruit. I kept myself alive, unaware of how badly my internal organs had been damaged by the venom.

The bruise took a month to heal and shrunk down to how big it is now, but my feathers never grew back. My sixth year of life started off miserable, but as the months went by, my condition steadily improved. By the time I turned seven, I believed that I had avoided any side effects from the bite. Once again, I was proved wrong."

"You had your first seizure, didn't you?" Calisto asked hesitantly.

"Sadly, yes. The feeling of being burned alive returned full force, except it was concentrated in my brain. It claimed me while I was on my way to Rio de Janeiro. I don't know what I did to trigger it, and now, I realize that there is no trigger.

Anyways, back then, they only came about once a week. Although the pain was unbearable, they only lasted for a few minutes, and then my life returned to normal. Well, my new normal. Every day that I went without one only made me dread the next even more, since I feared it would be that day when I had another.

They increased in frequency by the time I turned eight, torturing me two or three times a week. I made it to Rio de Janeiro last June, and that was when I decided to check up on my parents. I was doubtful that they'd welcome me back into their lives, given my chronic disease no less, but that didn't even matter, because I didn't find them.

They had either relocated or died, and there was no way I would be able to track them down. So, I came here, to this odd place called the Blu Bird Sanctuary. Nothing much has changed since I made my home here, but at least now I know how this rain-forest got its name..."

I was trapped in a stunned silence as I absorbed Grace's testimony, as were Calisto and Helena. Grace seemed to not mind, staring at us expectantly as we blinked and cocked our heads.

"That's so sad... and yet... so amazing," my daughter whispered.

"Grace... I don't think I'll ever forget this meeting..." my son added exuberantly.

"There's a few more things you should know."

I cleared my throat and replied, "More dark secrets? Grace, I don't know if our brains can hold anymore tragic information..." I said sarcastically. "Go ahead and tell us, if you wish."

She drew in a deep breath and said softly, "When I was young and living with my family, I would often go after small birds and chicks. Your kind are too big for me to eat, but I would occasionally snack on hummingbirds, young motmots, and other manageable winged creatures."

I couldn't help but frown as I thought of Chase being skewered by her deadly talons.

"Do you... still prey on birds?" I asked after gulping.

"I can tell by your face that it sounds wrong to you. If it's any consolation, I don't feed on any sort of bird anymore. After that Coral Snake completely and irreversibly scarred me, I swore that I would enact vengeance on any snake that I saw.

Snakes are all that I eat, and I will never change my reptilian diet. It may not be enough to cure me of my disease, but it helps ease my soul. I'm sorry if I come off as cruel and unforgiving, but they were cruel to me, and this is how I make them pay collectively.

To this day, I have never figured out if my survival is a blessing or a curse, and I don't think I ever will..."

Grace perked up as her last statement faded away, as if a great weight had been lifted off of her shoulders.

She fixed her beady black eyes on me and said with energy, "Well, there you go, Jewel. My entire disease history in a nutshell..."

I cracked a smile and queried, "Did spilling all of that out make you feel better?"

Grace put on a sheepish expression and mumbled, "Maybe just a little."

I contemplated saying goodbye to Grace, as I couldn't think of anything more to talk about. However, I didn't want to seem rude by simply bidding her farewell and leaving.

Luckily, Grace spoke up and saved my tail feathers: "Jewel, since I've told you so much about my history, I think your new additions should return the favor."

I craned my neck and saw that Helena and Calisto appeared very eager to take Grace up on her offer.

"What do you say, my dears?"

"Sure!" piped Helena.

"I'm up for it!" contributed Calisto.

"I'll let you two have the spotlight, then!" I responded in acknowledgement.

I fluttered off the branch and alighted behind my daughter, allowing both her and her brother to inch closer to the owl.

"You have a very attractive name, Calisto. Go on, tell me more about yourself," Grace said enthusiastically.

"Thanks! Well, I was born after Helena..."

My son and daughter spent the better part of an hour pleasantly explaining their natures and memories to the owl. Their upbeat tales visibly empowered the owl, washing away any grief and insecurity brought up by the re-surfacing of her past.

When all was said and done, both Grace and my children were content and filled with glee.

Inwardly, I was just as pleased as them.

Grace no longer hid her evil secrets from me, and naturally, I was even more thankful that she was my friend. I had proved to her that she could trust me, and by the same token, I knew in my heart I could trust her.

Before I departed with my offspring – who by this point were showing signs of homesickness – I assured Grace that our friendship was as strong as it had always been.

She promised to me that she would pay a visit to our home tomorrow, but asked me to repeat her history to Blu as soon as I was comfortable.

We all bid her lighthearted goodbyes and wished her well as she drifted off in the opposite direction.

My thoughts then turned to Blu, and despite the warning note we left him, I was instinctively sure that he would throw a fit.

As we flew on, a short term problem barred our journey: I had no idea where we were.

We plowed on towards the south, but the undergrowth didn't look right, and so we grew deeply confused. Luckily, we came upon a banana tree with a hole that pierced straight through it. We couldn't help but sit by and watch this information node operate.

Inside the hole was a small gathering of hummingbirds; some stayed behind while others scurried off, and then the roles would switch.

Once we had been satisfied with our eavesdropping, we asked them if someone could lead us to our home in the clearing. Another flashy blue Swallow-tailed Hummingbird by the name of Katrina offered to guide us, and we were quite shocked to find out that she was Chase's older sister.

After swapping brief greetings, Katrina clung to my neck and steered me home. In under ten minutes our clearing lay in front of us, and I realized that Chase had indeed led us far to the north.

Katrina chirped goodbye and mentioned that she would inform her brother of our encounter.

As soon as the speedy female sped off, I heaved a sharp sigh and entered the hollow, my muscles tensed in preparation for Blu's concerned fury.

He was standing in front of the nest with his wings crossed and his eyes narrowed. The anger was scorching his face, but in his eyes lay pools of anxiety.

"I don't care how cliché I look and sound, but where have you three been? As a mate, I am upset, and as a father, I am consumed with worry for my children!"

"Blu, I know we left you high and dry for a few hours, but let me say this: today has been one crazy day."

"Uh-huh. Do you care to explain what made your day so crazy that kept you occupied for so long?"

Calisto, Helena, and I shared vicious smirks before hopping closer to Blu.

"I suggest you get comfy, handsome, because we're about to take you on a wild ride..."

Blu donned an inquisitive mask and shot me his own smirk, plopping his stomach on the floor.

"Hit me, Jewel. I want to know everything."

I drew in a deep breath and began, "It all started while we were eating breakfast..."