They waited.
They watched.
They spread the word.
The young one had told them of the Amy. The strange human with the ability to fix whatever ailed you, and the willingness to do so while expecting nothing in return. At first, the news had been treated with skepticism, as was only to be expected. The young often had wild ideas.
Yet he had been right. The Amy was real, and she had not only helped the young one at his time of need, but had accepted him into her own nest and fed him, given him shelter, taken him into her flock in a way that was extraordinary.
It wasn't unknown for her kind to help them, but it was rare. And never had one of the others done so much for them. Apparently simply because she could, or possibly for some arcane reason they didn't understand. Perhaps the others were more like them than they'd realized. Or perhaps the Amy was the odd one out. It was a puzzle, but one well worth solving.
So they passed on the information, even as it was met with fresh incredulity. Yet they had ample proof of it being true, and the more of them she helped, the more proof there was and the more the word spread far and wide. Skeptics became believers in moments as they watched her heal injuries and disease that in times past would have left the sufferer crippled, or dying. Never had so many been so healthy.
The debt of gratitude they owed her was beyond easy understanding, but all felt it. No one was sure why this was happening, the actions of the others often being beyond easy explanation, even though at different times their motivations appeared quite obvious. Fighting for territory, or mates, or food, all of that was fully recognizable, but then this sort of thing happened.
The others were weird, it had to be noted. Even if their constructions and habits were useful in many ways, and food was plentiful around them due to how much they seemed to waste, they were bizarre and alien as well.
But now… Now, they had an ally in the ranks of the others. Not only the Amy, but the Vicky as well, and their male parent, the Mark. There was also the Carol, but no one spoke of her. Except the young one, who found her funny.
He, it also had to be said, was a touch odd himself. Always had been, but ever since he'd explored the area near the big water and found the glowing fluid, which being young he'd decided looked intriguingly tasty, he'd definitely been even odder than before. The older and wiser among them would have steered well clear of something out of the usual like that, but not him. Luckily, it didn't seem to have done him any major harm, and the Amy would presumably have fixed anything wrong in any case.
Odd or not, though, he was correct. The Amy was a friend to them, and friends were important. Friends were to be protected, as they protected you in turn.
So they watched. They waited. They discussed their observations in low voices while keeping an eye on the others, just in case hostile actions took place. The Amy had her own friends among the others, some of whom were remarkably intriguing in their own right and gave them the distinct impression were far more dangerous than they looked, but even so it was beholden upon them to repay the Amy if they could.
It was also vastly amusing seeing the reactions they provoked among the others, the young of whom seemed to find them… slightly worrying.
And they spread the word. Scouts came and went, ensuring that news of the Amy was passed on, drawing them in from far afield. Each that was healed and returned to their own homes spread the word further. Skepticism was replaced with awe, and respect, and a sense of belief that something incredible was happening.
No one could determine what might happen next, as the future was a mystery, but for the moment every one of them was more than content with their current situation and were quite determined that nothing should be allowed to interfere.
The Flock watched, and the Flock grew.
Pity those who would threaten the Amy and her flock, for the Flock was her flock.
Whether she was aware of this or not.