10-08-2020, 01:34 PM
I yawn sleepily, and snuggle my pink nose more firmly against my golden sides. But the sharp caw of the parrot that had woken me sounds again, and I blink open bleary green eyes.
“I’m sleeping!” I shout. The bird replies with another screech. Huffing irritably, I untangle my gold and white legs and stand upright. The parrots have been drawn into my dreams before, and they had not responded well. Grandmama says that they are jealous of my ability, but she doesn’t have to hear their mean-spirited shrieking whenever she tries to get a midday nap.
My feet stomp heavily, and I kick out at the trunk of the tree where the bird sits. My ringed and glowing fetlocks don’t make much of an impact on the thick trunk, but I feel better for having done so. I probably looked as cool as the big kids when they’re practicing, I think to myself. With that in mind, I rear up and lash out at a hanging vine of red bougainvilla. I can hear Papa’s voice as I do it, just like he sounds when teaching Halcyon, Asena, and my other siblings.
“Barley, you’re the most awesome! I was wrong when I said you were too small to fight. You should be the Champion of Ischia.” My mimicry is imperfect, but it is clear I am throwing my voice, especially as my own true voice comes after. “I will be the very Best Champion! I will represent the Island bravely and without fear!”
Lost in my game of make-believe, I had not noticed the boy coming up the trail. When I see him, I let out an ear-piercing shriek of terror that would put the parrots to shame, and then vanish completely from sight.
@[Torrent]
“I’m sleeping!” I shout. The bird replies with another screech. Huffing irritably, I untangle my gold and white legs and stand upright. The parrots have been drawn into my dreams before, and they had not responded well. Grandmama says that they are jealous of my ability, but she doesn’t have to hear their mean-spirited shrieking whenever she tries to get a midday nap.
My feet stomp heavily, and I kick out at the trunk of the tree where the bird sits. My ringed and glowing fetlocks don’t make much of an impact on the thick trunk, but I feel better for having done so. I probably looked as cool as the big kids when they’re practicing, I think to myself. With that in mind, I rear up and lash out at a hanging vine of red bougainvilla. I can hear Papa’s voice as I do it, just like he sounds when teaching Halcyon, Asena, and my other siblings.
“Barley, you’re the most awesome! I was wrong when I said you were too small to fight. You should be the Champion of Ischia.” My mimicry is imperfect, but it is clear I am throwing my voice, especially as my own true voice comes after. “I will be the very Best Champion! I will represent the Island bravely and without fear!”
Lost in my game of make-believe, I had not noticed the boy coming up the trail. When I see him, I let out an ear-piercing shriek of terror that would put the parrots to shame, and then vanish completely from sight.
@[Torrent]