Epilogue
It's hard to believe what can transpire in less than a year. Several months ago, the Redshore upper class was rocked by a sham wedding that never happened. It ended as quickly as it started, with no word of explanation after. The "groom", Zephyr, immediately rejoined the side of his actual wife, Serena. The two moved from Redshore and relocated to a suburban neighbourhood, where they had a little eaglet son. Neither Zephyr nor Serena longer work in Redshore City, and have seemingly cut all ties to the city. More's the pity, I'm sure. Serena does still write to me on occasion, but I don't yet have the lack of shame to respond to her. Maybe one day. But for now it is best she focuses on her family without my presence.
As I lean against the balcony railing, watching the waves gently cresting the shore, a small smile curves my beak.
As for the "bride", Cadence; I stayed in Redshore. Severed of my ties to the upper class and elite, my career understandably took a hit, but not one it couldn't recover from. What was far more damaged was my reputation. No longer am I welcome among the snobs and well-to-do, but the joke is on them. Try as they might to exclude me from their ranks and cast me down to the commonplace, there is no erasing the fact that for one night, however briefly, I was Queen of this city, commanding their attention like none else.
As I watch the sea foam ebb back towards the ocean, I feel his presence besides me. As he crosses his arms and leans over the railing with me, I place my hand over his, nuzzling under his chin. Even without looking I can feel his smile.
I live here with Klaus now, in his home. Our home. Having sold mine and using the money while I rebuild my career.
"Shall we join them on the beach?" Klaus asks. I look down, and see the animals I am proud to call my friends. Meena and her boyfriend are sheepishly sharing an ice cream. Miss Crawly and Porsha are sunbathing. Rosita and Gunter are building sandcastles with the piglets while her husband relaxes. Johnny, Nooshy, Ash, and Buster are playing an impromptu game of beach volleyball. The smile I wear is real from the inside out.
"Yes, let's."
As we leave, I feel a wave of trepidation. I haven't seen the group since my apology. The memory flashes to me;
Head held high, I open the doors to the backstage, where I know they will be. Buster smiles to me and nods. Meena looks at anything in the room that is not me. Gunter and Nooshy look ready to pounce and tear my feathers out. With dip and a dramatic sweep of my wings that would've made my Klaus proud, I offered them my most humble of apologies. As humiliating as this prostrating of myself was, I had to do it to assure them of my sincerity.
So why do I feel nervous? They accepted my apology, or so they said. Maybe I'm still living too much in my past life, where an apology was nothing more than a debt to be collected upon at a later date.
"Don't worry about feeling nervous," Klaus states as if reading my mind, helping me step over some stones, "it was awkward at first for me, too. But it gets easier. Ugh…" He grimaces as his ballet pumps sink into the sand, "Cadence, these really aren't the right shoes for this."
"Well you're the one who wanted to come to the beach," I whip my head to the air with a smile and pull him further along the dunes despite his protest.
"Hey, you two!" The excitable little koala runs up to us, and I try to stifle a giggle at his ridiculous-looking Speedo. Still, it is nice that his natural charm makes this situation easier. "Want to join mine and Ash's volleyball team? Johnny and Nooshy have a height advantage and we could use some taller animals!"
"Hey, it's not our fault that we're just amazing and you guys suck!" Nooshy calls back.
Klaus and I both draw back in horror at the very thought of playing some sweaty, dusty game in the dirt. We look to each other.
"Uh-" Klaus begins
"- As you can see, Buster dear, we're not exactly dressed for it. Maybe some other time," I smile to Buster. "When Hell freezes over." I add, whispering to Klaus. He smirks and nods. Buster shrugs.
"Well, you're missing out. Why did you come to the beach if you didn't wanna have fun?" He walks with us to rejoin the group, who seem slightly cautious, if accepting, of our presence. I motion back to Klaus's house with a sweep of my wing.
"We live just up there now."
"Really? Right by the beach? That's neat!"
"Yes," Klaus replies, "very convenient for long, romantic walks on the beach, isn't it, Cady?" He pulls me in for a hug but I struggle against him, freeing myself ungracefully, thankful once again for my dark feathers.
"Klaus, please -! Not in front of everyone!"
He laughs and leans towards me, "that's revenge for earlier."
I push him aside playfully and approach the others. Feeling out of place and not sure what to say, I reiterate my apology once again.
"I-I just wanted to say again how sorry I am… again. I really do hope we can all still be friends and-"
"Cadence, dude, don't be such a stiff. You worry too much," Nooshy gives me a playful punch on the wing that hurts more than she probably intended. Probably. "We already said we forgive ya. If we can forgive Porsha for being a grade A drama queen -" Porsha winks and grins, "- and Klaus for trying to show up Johnny -" Klaus huffs and looks away, "- Then you got nothing to worry about, okay?"
"She's right," Johnny puts his arm around Nooshy's shoulder, "let's leave it all behind us now, yeah?"
Were I not so trained at composing myself, I'd have shed a few tears at their genuine sincerity.
"You guys are… really great," I manage to squeak out with a smile. "But please, don't make this about me, go back to playing beachball or whatever."
"Volleyball," Nooshy laughs as she jumps back to the court. "C'mon Ash, you be on my team this time since Buster thinks it's so unfair. It can be girls versus guys."
Klaus seats himself on one of the vacant towels and pulls me into his lap, resting his chin on me. I hold his arms in place around me and breathe deeply, savouring this fleeting moment. A sense of freedom washes over me, engulfing me and warming me, for the first time in my life. Here, in the arms of my beloved, in the company of my true friends, I see a side to this city I've never known. I close my eyes. The gentle rolling of the waves as they hit the shore and retreat, the joyful chatter and laughter of my friends, is almost like a song to me. A cadence, if you will. The cadence of Redshore.