The Owl Realms (Discontinued)

Chapter 7- The Training

   Basmah lands on the plat-form with an awkward clunk as I face plant into the splintery wood of the Cental Hollow. I scramble out from beneath her and wobble to my feet, chips of bark clinging to my forehead. The golden perch gleams heavenly in the dawn light and reflected beams glitter onto my feathers. Basmah laughs hardily and smooths out my rumpled places with her talons. “I’m sorry for the rough landing, love,” she rasps, “but I’m not used to carrying such weight!” I gently rub my forehead with my wing as I giggle, “It’s alright, really, I’ll live!”

     Suddenly, an excited, “AKEELA!” echoes around the tree, and I spin around to see an ecstatic Bridget hopping towards me, her white feathers fluttering gracefully and her ice-blue eyes sparkling. Basmah strokes my head with her talons before hooting, “Well, I’d better be along. Good luck, love.” I nod, smiling thankfully, as Basmah leaps into the air and glides away back to her hollow. 

    Bridget slams into me with all her might, her voice coming out in overjoyed laughter, and I fall over clumsily, my forehead once again colliding with the rough wood beneath me. “Ouch!” I screech as Bridget stiffles a giggle. “Oops!” she hoots loudly, “didn’t mean to knock ya over!” I get to my feet and dust myself off with my wings. I turn around and shoot a look at my friend, who is aggrivatingly smiling with all her might. “This can’t be real, right?!” she shouts, “our first training session!” She inhales deeply, her snowy white chest puffing up like a blowfish. I roll my eyes playfully and nudge her with my wing. “So, nothing’s started yet?” I ask. Bridget shakes her head so forcefully that I’m afraid it’s going to fly right off her body. “No!” she hoots, “the anticipation is killing me! Callum should be here any moment!” I picture the snowy white soldier teaching us battle moves, and a shiver rolls down my spine. I won’t lie.. he’s very attractive.

    “C’mon!” Bridget’s obnoxious voice snaps me back to reality again. “Let’s go meet up with Noah and Nataani.” she shouts. I roll my eyes again as I follow Bridget over to the golden perch where Noah and Nataani are waiting. Bridget also slams into Nataani, who’s sandy feathers are rumpled up in annoyance. She’s knocked backwards slightly, and spins around to face Bridget and retorts, “Do you mind?” Bridget shrugs off the snobby comment and saunters over to stand beside Noah. He turns away shyly, his messy chocolate feathers swaying, and his olive eyes flitting to the ground. He’s always had a crush on Bridget, and although he’s shy around every owl, he’s especially shy around her.

    “Hey guys,” I hoot warmly, “long time no see!” Nataani scowls at me, her green eyes squinting indifferently. “Not long enough, if you ask me,” she mumbles. I ignore her usual crudeness. Ever since we first met, this sandy she- owl has been a stick in the mud. She’s never nice to any owls her age. Sometimes I feel bad for her, she doesn’t really have any friends. I hop over to Noah and hug him with my wings. “Hey, slow-poke!” I hoot jokingly. That’s been my nickname for him ever since his 'Welcome to the Unit’ ceremony. As Bridget and I were accompanying him for the Unit greetings, he lagged behind us most of the time due to his shyness.

    Noah smiles meekly as he whispers, “Still callin’ me that, huh?” I laugh happily. “Of course!” I reply, “I’m never letting that one go!” Bridget squeals impatiently, and I jump with surprise. “UGH!” she shouts, “WHEN IS HE GOING TO GET HERE??!” I reach forward and clamp her beak shut with my talons. “Be quiet!” I rasp sternly, “other owls are still asleep!” I release her beak as she blushes slightly. “Oops,” she breathes, “right. I forgot.” I giggle softly. Noah is admiring Bridget’s eyes again as she rants on about the mouse she ate last night or something. They’d actually be a cute couple once they get older, I think to myself. But, now is not the time to be thinking about mates. We’re still young, and need to focus on the present.