Sorry for the long wait. It's been busy with exams and other stuff, so hope you enjoy :)
Will waited on the edge of the Spix macaw territory expectantly, keeping an eye out for the old falcon and owl. The day before, the blue bird had received a notice of his old friend, Zeel. Zeel was also an agent, so he expected that it wasn't just for a friendly visit, and possibly a routine check up on the area. On the notice, the falcon had also mentioned that he was bringing over a new recruit as well, and that excited William. He was very enthusiastic when it came to meeting new people, as long as they weren't trying to kill him.
Will suddenly felt a presence beside him and swiveled his head his mate Larissa. With her, she had their two sons and one daughter. It would be their first time meeting Zeel, since all the other times they were too young to remember.
"When did he say he would be here?" she asked impatiently. This was the fourth time she had returned to check up, and she wasn't one for patience. William shrugged, looking forward uneasily. He started to feel worried. It wasn't like Zeel to be late. Then again, he did forget to mention where exactly he would be coming from. For all Will knew, the agent could be waiting for him at his own home. Just that one thought gave him the urge to return, but if he did, he might miss Zeel's arrival. And for his children's sake, that was something he didn't want.
As they were about to give up hope and turn to leave, Roderick froze and stared into the tree line. Will returned to his side and put a wing on his shoulder.
"We need to head back. We'll come back later, okay?" But he didn't move. Will's gaze soon followed his, then he was thrilled to find a familiar bird flying towards them. "Larissa! They're here!" A loud sigh of relief escaped her as she returned to his side. Within seconds, the large owl landed before them with a falcon in his talons. It seemed that his injuries were still bad enough to render him flightless, so the owl, Fortune, was always by his side. In fact, the falcon looked more frail than before. His last operation here really did do long term damage.
Not too far behind lingered a black owl, perching itself beside them. Will assumed that this was the new recruit mentioned. He looked quite young, and had head feathers that looked like horns. His yellow eyes appeared to glow, and Will felt a shiver as the yellow orbs were set on him.
"It's great to see you again, Zeel" Will openly admitted, stretching open his wings. Zeel at first was surprised by the gesture, as his was leading to a shake with his wing, but then accepted and returned the friendly hug.
"Likewise." They broke it and Larissa did the same. And then when Fortune greeted them, he hugged them both, and rather tightly. After all the greetings were exchanged, Zeel began conversation. "It has been too long since our last meeting. How has life been to you and your family? Have you fared well?"
"Yes, we have" Will replied happily, holding his mate closely by his side. Both smiled happily, as did their children in front of them. Zeel knelt down to their level.
"And these must be your children. Time really does fly, because the last time I saw them, they were so small. And now look how big they have grown." Both of the boys beamed while Emma half hid behind her mother. Larissa tried to urge her forward, but gave up when she wrapped her wings around her leg.
"Let go Emma, and say high" Larissa requested in a soothing tone. "Zeel is a friend." Emma cautiously stepped out into the open, then after a hesitant look, slowly walked towards the falcon. He ran a wing across the top of her head, and she looked calm once more. The two brothers walked up to Fortune curiously, and without warning, were brought into a crushing embrace.
"Help!" Lucas squawked just as he and his little brother were brought in. Will strolled over, chuckling as he did, and politely insisted on Fortune letting them go. He did it without pause, and they dropped to the ground. Will ushered them to their mother before engaging in conversation with the large owl.
"How have things been?" he asked.
"Excellent. We have encountered the Agency only a few times, with no casualties" he replied with such speed that Will almost didn't understand. William raised a feather to point out that was not what he meant, but then decided against it, since it wouldn't do much. He then turned his attention to the black owl they had brought in. Fortune answered the question in the blue macaw's head before he could even ask it, "That is our new recruit. Joined two weeks ago." Will slowly nodded, not taking his eyes off the bird that stared right back.
"Hi there" he said politely, waving a wing over to the owl. It stayed very still, almost like a statue. William leaned closely to Fortune and whispered, "Can he talk?"
"Of course I can talk!" the black owl exclaimed, startling the macaw family. Emma shot back to her mother, and the two boys almost jumped back off the tree they were all perched on. "Sorry. I did not mean to startle you. Why, I never would be so rude to a hero." William's brow creased slightly as the owl bowed to him quickly.
"I see I'm quite the celebrity" Will murmured to Zeel.
"Indeed you are. You did stop two Agency leaders almost single handedly." Will appreciated this, but also thought it to be a bit too much. Will's eyes squinted at the falcon, then he swiveled his head towards the recruit with a friendly face.
"What's your name?" he asked. There was no pause before he answered.
"Jameson...Jameson the black owl!" His wing shot up in the air, like a fist pump. Will slowly nodded.
"Okay. So, this is my mate, Larissa," he started with a wing around her and bringing her forward. "and these are my children. Lucas, Roderick and Emma." With each name, they brought themselves to attention before him. Though Emma was hesitant.
"Hello, kids." Emma stepped back when the owl made an approach. "It's okay. I'm a friendly guy" he tried to reason with a smile while holding out his wing. She peeked our from behind her mother, then after some thought, very hesitantly touched his wing. "See? Friendly." Will felt his heart warm as she heard his daughter's laughter, and her smile.
"Okay, that's enough. Honey, can you take them home. Me and Zeel need to talk." She nodded and started to gather them up.
"Jameson. Go with them" Zeel nodded. He nodded obediently and went with the family. When he was gone, Zeel gave another order, this time to Fortune. "Stay with him. The Agency could be anywhere." He gave a wing salute and flew after them.
"Still as cautious as when we first met" Will snickered, his wings crossed against his chest. Zeel's eyes became like slits to form a glare, but in a friendly way.
"And you are just as carefree" he countered. Will chuckled half-heartedly, amused and mildly surprised by his response. But just as he expected, the agent went straight onto the purpose of his visit. The real purpose. "William. There have been possible sightings of Agency operatives in this area." Will rolled his eyes.
"Of course. You never visit just to say hi." By the look on Zeel's face, he wasn't happy by that remark. He frowned, and didn't bother making a reply.
"Have you seen anything odd recently?" he asked.
"No. Everyday day here has been completely ordinary. So back to before, why haven't you visited?" This time, Zeel did answer. He didn't seem to happy.
"It has been very busy since the Agency dispersed. That has made it harder for us to find them. Is that enough complaining, or do you have more questions for me?" Will opened his beak to answer, only to close it again. "Very well. Let us go back to your family, then" Zeel said, his expression lightening up now. But Will still had a scowl as they left.
Will was the first to arrive, flying into the hollow with the scowl still on his face. Zeel came in soon after and greeted everyone again. William stalked off to the other end. Larissa looked back and forth between the two, and with a worried look went over to her mate.
Meanwhile, Jameson was showing off his gadgets.
"And check this out" he said, pulling out a small metal stick. All three kids looked at it in confusion. Before any of them could ask what it was, something clicked on it and it suddenly extended, becoming thicker towards the end. Lucas recognized the object as a bat. It resembled a baseball bat with a dark shade to it. Emma was caught by surprise and darted behind her two brothers, who had also flinched at the sudden movement.
"That. Is. Awesome" Lucas remarked, smirking with his eyes on the bat. Zeel came over and calmly placed a wing on the bat.
"Jameson, that is no toy. It is a dangerous weapon. So please, put it away." The black owl nodded and folded it back before putting it back in his pack. "Thank you for your time, but I'm afraid that we must leave now. We may come again, so until then, farewell." He bowed his head slightly in farewell then left with Fortune and Jameson in tow.
"Goodbye, Uncle Zeel!" The kids called out after him. Larissa and William came out just in time to say their farewells, then they were gone.
"You could have been nicer" Larissa suggested to her mate, and all she got from him was a groan.
"Well he could have visited more often. Sure, he's busy with saving the world, but he's like family. I..." The male blue macaw let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping. Larissa knew the perfect way to cheer him up.
"How about we have a day alone? I'll drop the kids at Bia's. She'd be happy to look after them. What do you say?" she asked with her wings wrapped around his chest. He smiled and nuzzled his beak against her head.
"I'd be glad."