Winter 60, 517
The Tidepool Bar
One of the biggest benefits of living in a settlement as small as Syka was that word tended to get around quickly. Tai had only been in Syka for a little over a tenday, but word had spread that an aspiring parrot trainer had settled into their small community. Maybe Randal was partially responsible. Tai hoped so.
She heard about parrots roaming the area from various people on a near daily basis. If Tai were less invested in her career, she might find the conversation she was dragged into fairly annoying. As it was, she nodded politely at the anecdotes people provided, and offered advice on how to deal with the wild birds if they were being malicious. It wasn’t until today that Tai had heard the first bit of information that drew her interest enough to invite action.
“They’re pretty noisy most of the time. I don’t mind it much. A few customers have complained, but what can you do about it? I heard you were looking for some of the little ones though, so I thought I’d let you know.”
Tai rather liked the owner of the Tidepool Bar. Stu was an easy-going and light hearted individual. Tai hadn’t had many opportunities to interact with Priests before. If they were all like Stu, she wouldn't mind meeting more of them.
Tai stared up into the cluster of trees just off the edge of the dock leading to the Tidepool bar. Through the thick of leaves Tai could just barely see a hollowed out cavity from which a furious chirping emanated. A single, bright red, wild parrot glared down at Tai from near the entrance to the nest, daring her to come closer.
“Thanks for letting me know Stu,” Tai said thoughtfully. “Any idea how old they are? I can’t see them very well from here.”
“All I know is that the noises started up maybe a tenday ago,” Stu replied.
“Their eyes should be open then,” Tai said excitedly, turning towards Stu with a grin. “That means I can imprint them! Assuming they aren’t too far enough along in their development.”
Stu smiled at Tai in an easy going way. “I’ll take your word for it, Tailyn.”
Blue, of course, had come along. Tai’s partner was sitting on her shoulder and had been eyeballing the parent bird since they had arrived. Frequent bribes had been necessary to keep the bird from launching off Tai’s shoulder to attack the ‘intruder'. Apparently all of Syka belonged to Blue now, and she was not tolerant of invaders in her territory. Blue would have her moment in a minute. First Tai had to survey the situation.
Tai noted with relief that the cavity was not too terribly high off the ground. Tai’s tailbone still twanged from her past climbing misadventure and she was not looking to repeat it. The tree in which the nest sat had rough bark and branches which should make it relatively simple to scale. Tai had learned from her previous mistake; she had brought her pair of climbing claws, as well as her grappling hook just in case.
(Words 518, Total 518)
The Tidepool Bar
One of the biggest benefits of living in a settlement as small as Syka was that word tended to get around quickly. Tai had only been in Syka for a little over a tenday, but word had spread that an aspiring parrot trainer had settled into their small community. Maybe Randal was partially responsible. Tai hoped so.
She heard about parrots roaming the area from various people on a near daily basis. If Tai were less invested in her career, she might find the conversation she was dragged into fairly annoying. As it was, she nodded politely at the anecdotes people provided, and offered advice on how to deal with the wild birds if they were being malicious. It wasn’t until today that Tai had heard the first bit of information that drew her interest enough to invite action.
“They’re pretty noisy most of the time. I don’t mind it much. A few customers have complained, but what can you do about it? I heard you were looking for some of the little ones though, so I thought I’d let you know.”
Tai rather liked the owner of the Tidepool Bar. Stu was an easy-going and light hearted individual. Tai hadn’t had many opportunities to interact with Priests before. If they were all like Stu, she wouldn't mind meeting more of them.
Tai stared up into the cluster of trees just off the edge of the dock leading to the Tidepool bar. Through the thick of leaves Tai could just barely see a hollowed out cavity from which a furious chirping emanated. A single, bright red, wild parrot glared down at Tai from near the entrance to the nest, daring her to come closer.
“Thanks for letting me know Stu,” Tai said thoughtfully. “Any idea how old they are? I can’t see them very well from here.”
“All I know is that the noises started up maybe a tenday ago,” Stu replied.
“Their eyes should be open then,” Tai said excitedly, turning towards Stu with a grin. “That means I can imprint them! Assuming they aren’t too far enough along in their development.”
Stu smiled at Tai in an easy going way. “I’ll take your word for it, Tailyn.”
Blue, of course, had come along. Tai’s partner was sitting on her shoulder and had been eyeballing the parent bird since they had arrived. Frequent bribes had been necessary to keep the bird from launching off Tai’s shoulder to attack the ‘intruder'. Apparently all of Syka belonged to Blue now, and she was not tolerant of invaders in her territory. Blue would have her moment in a minute. First Tai had to survey the situation.
Tai noted with relief that the cavity was not too terribly high off the ground. Tai’s tailbone still twanged from her past climbing misadventure and she was not looking to repeat it. The tree in which the nest sat had rough bark and branches which should make it relatively simple to scale. Tai had learned from her previous mistake; she had brought her pair of climbing claws, as well as her grappling hook just in case.
(Words 518, Total 518)