Chapter 7 - Learning to Fly
“Tongue-tied and twisted, just an earth bound misfit, I.”
-Learning to Fly, Pink Floyd
A few hours later...
“That's it! That's right!” exclaimed Rak. “Now, just angle your wings slightly.”
“Okay, I see now.” Amethyst angled his wings and made a perfect landing. “That wasn't that hard.”
“Flying is not hard to do, Amethyst. Besides, now that you are a crane, it will soon be second nature to you.”
“I sure hope so.” said Amethyst. “I appreciate your help with flying. I've learned a lot already.”
“You've caught on real quick, that's for sure. By next set you'll be a pro.”
“Next set?”
“I believe...if I'm correct...that your human equivalent is a week.” replied Rak. Amethyst nodded in understanding.
“Well, you are a wonderful teacher, Rak. Thank you.” Amethyst said with sincerity, bowing slightly.
“Hey...um...Amethyst. I...I'm sorry about yesterday. I jumped to conclusions. I do it a lot. I guess I'm a little overzealous.” Rak said, lowering his long neck.
“Hey! Don't be sorry. You had every right to arrest me. I mean, I was encroaching on your territory. And besides, I feel I should be thanking you.”
“Thank me? For what?” asked Rak, shaking his feathered head in confusion.
“If you had not brought me to Thyatira, I may never have had the chance to become a crane. Now, thanks to you, my wildest dreams have been realized.”
“But I brought you...” began Rak.
“Shush. I will not have you put yourself down. You were only doing your job. Let bygones be bygones, I say.” Amethyst held out his wing. “Let's shake on it.”
“Shake?”
“Oh...I guess cranes don't shake wings. It's a human thing. We do it when we meet someone, and we also do it when we want to thank someone. Is there a gesture that cranes do for that?”
“Oh...I see. Yes, there is a gesture.” Rak replied. He stepped close to Amethyst and tapped his beak on Amethyst's beak. “That would be it.”
“Okay, let me try it then.” said Amethyst. He tapped Rak's beak with his own. “Thank you, Rak.”
* * *
A chorus of crane song filled the Throne Room. The cranes sang a song of praise to Skyah, in thanks for a new crane. The song was usually sung whenever new cranes were born. But, in this case, it was just as applicable. The song was one of joy at the arrival of a new crane, and a song of hope for that crane's future. After a few minutes, the song came to an end, and the throne room was filled with silence.
“My dear brothers and sisters!” cried out Queen Saria. “What we have just witnessed is a gift from Skyah, a new brother to walk among us! Let us all be joyful in our hearts!”
“Hear, hear, o queen!” cried Elder Pir.
“Hear, hear!” cried the crane gathering.
“Now, you may all return to your duties, dear subjects.” said Saria, dismissing the crowd. One by one, the cranes flew out of the Royal House, returning each one to his business. Soon, only Saria, Kani, and the eight counselors remained. Saria turned to the counselors. “My dear council, you may be dismissed as well. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
“Yes, Queen Saria!” said Elder Maskanai, speaking for all the counselors. “As you wish.” The eight of them flew out of the Royal House, heading to their homes and families. Saria and Kani watched them go. Soon, the throne room was eerily quiet. Kani spoke up.
“It worked. It's amazing!” Kani cried happily.
“Yes, it did. I was confident that it would work. The history books never lie.” said Saria.
“And he is so handsome!” Kani added. Saria turned, surprised. She looked at Kani.
“Kani...I have never heard you speak this way before. I am very much surprised.”
“Yes, well...” stammered Kani. “I know I just met him yesterday, but I think I might be falling for him.”
“Are you sure? Could it not be tsia?” Saria asked. Tsia was the crane word for “crush” and “infatuation”.
“I'm not sure yet, Saria. But it's something that I have never felt before. I have felt tsia before, but this feels somewhat different.” replied Kani. She remembered yesterday fondly, when he had stroked her feathers. It seemed almost a kind and loving act; it seemed than more than just a fleeting thing. “Only time will tell, I guess.”
“So it shall, my dear Kani. I just hope that his heart will be set on you too, or else you might get hurt at heart.”
“Somehow, I don't think that will happen.” said Kani confidently. She went back to thinking about Amethyst. Her heart beat faster.
* * *
“You know, I think that's enough practice for today.” said Amethyst. “I think I've got the idea now. We'll work more on my flying another day.”
“Alright, then. Let's call it quits for today.” replied Rak. “So...now what?”
“Well...” began Amethyst. His stomach growled. “I am starving. What's to eat?”
“Well, we've got to find our food, Amethyst.” said Rak. “It's going to be a big change for you. I know for a fact that humans barely have to do anything for their food.”
“Yes, that's true.” Amethyst looked around. “So...where's a good place to start?”
“Right here is good. We'll start off with something simple.” said Rak. He waded slowly through the marsh, peering down at the water. All of a sudden, he struck out quickly and grabbed something with his mouth.
“What's that?” asked Amethyst. Rak held it up for Amethyst to see.
“Water beetle.” said Rak, gulping it down. “Tasty little things, they are.”
“Ugh! A bug? I hate bugs. I couldn't see myself ever eating one.” Amethyst cried in disgust.
“Come on, Amethyst. Just try it. You're a crane now. You've got to learn to be like a crane. We cranes eat plenty of things that a human wouldn't, but you're not human anymore, so what do you have to lose?”
“Well...I guess you're right.” Amethyst said. He peered at the water. Looking closely, he saw several water beetles. He struck out at it with his beak. He missed. “Crap, it's hard to get them!”
“Try again, Amethyst. You can do it.” encouraged Rak. “Go ahead.”
“Alright. Here's take two.” said Amethyst. He looked closely at the water beetles again. He struck out at them, and grabbed one successfully. He felt it wiggle helplessly in the tip of his beak.
“Excellent! You got it!” exclaimed Rak. “Now, go ahead. Eat it!”
“Here goes.” said Amethyst. He tilted his head back and consumed the beetle. He let the taste fill his mouth. His eyes opened wide.
“Well? What do you think?” asked Rak.
“Oh...my...goodness. That was delicious!” said Amethyst. “I never thought a bug would taste so good!”
“Plus, the fact that you are a crane adds to it too. If you were a human still, you probably wouldn't have enjoyed the taste.”
“I see your point.” replied Amethyst. “Now, show me, what else can we eat?” |
Submission Name: Story of Amethyst, Ch. 7
