Chapter Nine
Human
I woke one morning to the sound of a large parade of elephants, circus freaks and complete and total randomness. Looking out my window, I noticed that it was all for one guy.
The noise from the congregation that was heading towards the palace was making my head hurt. The song was getting on my nerves, whoever written it had no musical talent whatsoever, what a minute, I wrote that. Why did I write that song? I guess I expected Aladdin to sing it, but what I got was stupid Genie ruining it with his terrible impressions, his annoying and modern pop culture references and the fact that he took it way out of proportion with the whole parade through the city, on a pack of elephants, a slew of monkeys, a pride of lions and a large marching band. But that's Genie for you.
I decided to go to the throne room to get a better look of the situation. Seeing Aladdin in the white robes, made me immediately think of Sultan. I guess that was the point, and if he was foreshadowing something, the message couldn't have been clearer.
Jafar came in looking like he had just gotten up from bed, which is a bad thing. His beard was tangled up more than it usually was; his clothes were matted and smelt like urine. Jafar must have been dreaming something really good or really bad because he was smiling the entire time.
The Sultan was delighted at Aladdin's entrance, "Wonderful, simply wonderful. Who are you boy?" Aladdin bowed humbly, "You can call me Prince Ali" Jafar sneered, having recognized that Prince Ali was the same Street Rat from all those years ago, but not wanting to make a scene bowed respectively, "Welcome to the Palace...Your Most Gracious Majesty" I rolled my eyes in absolute disgust, Jafar was waiting for the right moment to strike. I had to get them away from each other.
Flying over and landing on the Sultan's shoulder, I squawked "Polly want a cracker" the Sultan laughed as he gave me three of the foul disgusting crackers, which I had to force myself to shallow. At that moment Jasmine came in the room, "Ah there you are Jasmine" the Sultan said happily, "This is-""I know who he is father" Jasmine replied, "and let me tell you something" she pointed a finger at Aladdin, "I am not about to let myself be thrown around by you or anyone else here. I am not simply a prize to hang on your mantle" With that she stormed angrily out of the room, I then hung my head; I had to stop myself from crying. Flying back over to Jafar, I rested my haunches on the throne.
The Sultan sighed, "Don't worry about her, Prince Ali" he said, "I'm sure she'll come around eventually" Aladdin nodded, and allowed himself to be shown the rest of the castle, taking the standard tour of the suitors.
"Don't think this changes anything Iago" Jafar sneered when they left the room, "I will become Sultan. One way or another" I laughed, "Sure Jafar, you'll be Sultan, and I'll be a human." I stopped, realizing what I just said, "That can be arranged" Jafar yelled menacingly, "I've seen you eyeing Jasmine at dinner, in the garden, almost every place she goes, I've seen you." He was practically on top of me now, crushing my legs. "It's a shame really" he continued as he eased up a bit, "that you're in love with her, when you know it is forbidden. What would Jasmine think of you if she found out?" Standing up, I looked him straight in the eye, "Why bother? She doesn't know I exist anyway" I flew back on top of the throne, "Besides, Ali seems pretty dead set on her"
Jafar put his hand on my shoulder; it was cold and felt like a dead fish, "Poor Iago. I want to help you, I really do." "I don't want your help" I yelled, "I can deal with this on my own" Jafar laughed, "No you can't! You're a weak, spineless fool. If you want Jasmine to see you for anything than what you already are, let me make you human." I shook my head, "If Jasmine is ever going to love me. I want her to love me for who I am Jafar!" I was now directly flying in his face, "I won't let you use me to manipulate her. Can't you see that she's not interested? Apparently not your creeper rapist. You're the worst kind, howling and biting at-"Before I could finish insulting him, Jafar grabbed my beak and slammed me against the wall.
Raising his staff, Jafar looked at me, "I curse you. You shall remain a human until you get Jasmine to fall in love with me or I become Sultan!" "That'll never happen!" I yelled in return, "You're nothing but a crazy" Jafar shot a blot of fire at me, it grazed my feathers, "psychopath!" Jafar then brought his staff down on me, the last thing I remember was his evil and menacing laugh.
Waking up hours later in a small guest room, I had for a minute forgotten where I was. Then I remembered what happened. Sitting up from the bed and looking at the mirror, I saw a slightly tanned skinned man with a thin mustache and long wavy black hair. It was me, Jafar had made me human.
I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to do. On one hand, I wanted to immediately tell Jasmine wanted happened and perhaps convince her of my own feelings, but on the other hand, I knew that being with Jasmine would be dangerous because Jafar would be expecting me to do his bidding. Then there was the matter with Aladdin. If I even went near Jasmine, he might go off, I'm pretty sure I could take him in a fight if came down to it, but I didn't want hurt him, or anybody for that matter.
Coming up with a story to explain myself, something I would have to do, I began coming up with different ways a conversation could go, and various ways on how to get out of it. Unlike Aladdin, I think of every possible outcome before I start lying, that way 95% percent of the time, the odds are in my favor.
Playing the part of a visiting nobleman who was staying at the palace on secret political matters involving the possible union between Saudi Arabia and Israel, I walked out of my room and began to tour the palace. It was then I realized one major detail about humans, I looked down and noticed that I was completely naked.
Running back inside the safety of my room, I noticed another thing, the window was open and Jasmine had a clear view of my body. Not a comfortable position by any means. Closing the window as fast as I could, and for some reason wanting to open it again, I began finding clothes. Unfortunately, all of the clothes in the dresser were two sizes too small, for this was the Sultan's spare room and for some reason, I had muscular build. Which meant two things, one- as a bird, I'm stronger than I think I am and two- It would be really hard for Jasmine not to notice me. Compared to Aladdin, I was like every NFL player who ever lived combined, that's an extreme exaggeration I know, but I like to think that's what it would've been.
After finding some clothes that I managed to squeeze myself into, which was a long black Egyptian cotton and silk blend, I began, for the second time, to walk the palace grounds.