Jailbird DAYS

01. Early Bird

01. Early bird takes place pre-prologue.
Hal - age 20

———

The early bird catches the worm. Such a common phrase, but it tends to hold some water.

Hal steadied his breaths, a quick but regular inhale and exhale as his feet hit the dirt path of a corn field. Bright, warm rays of sun peeked over from the top of the long stalks, covering Hal's freckled skin in a warm, golden glow. However, Hal did not feel hot. Sunrise was a welcoming warmth, not a blazing heat like the peak of day.
'Running in summer is always better done at sunrise' He thought to himself, 'it's calm and peaceful. Only the rows of corn and shuffling of gravel paths keep me company.'

Hal returns home at 5:42AM. His day is planned out meticulously from beginning to end: Wake up, run, shower, cook breakfast, so on. In no time, Hal is done with his shower, pulling the shower curtain across and stepping out as if he was on a runway. Stopping to look in the steamed over mirror, he looks at himself proudly in his uniform, using an open hand to wipe the steam away in the process. The embroidered star of his Idol Agency uniform glittered like gold in the steamed up bathroom.

The smell of fresh food soon attracted the rest of the household like ants to honey, sleepy-eyed and still in pyjamas. It was only six, after all.
"Good morning!" Hal chirped, happy as ever. One could wonder how he stays so chipper, even after so many years of hardship. In response, he'd probably just laugh and tell you it's because he is finally in a place that he feels happy, physically and mentally.

"What time are you back tonight, Hal?" His father asked, wiping the sleep from his eyes. "Should we be making dinner for you?"
"Hmm I don't think so tonight! Practice finishes at 2 today, but there's a radio session till 4 and some Polaroid photoshoots till 5. Carlos offered to buy us all drinks after we're all done for the day to celebrate his game coming out!" Hal explained, playing up everyone's breakfast: eggs, sliced fruit, some seeds and toast with an assortment of jams and butter placed on the breakfast table in pretty jars and butter dishes shaped like animals. Old-fashioned perhaps, but serve their purpose well.
"Well, we'll have the radio on. Remember Hylia is going back to university this weekend, so don't make any plans! We're going out to the Triation County Fair," His father called.
"I'll keep that in mind! I wouldn't miss the county fair for anything."

He slipped his shoes on, still laced up from the day before, and the day before that. Socks bunched around his ankles and shorts tied into a pretty knot around his waist.
"Cya mum, cya dad! Love you!"
"Love you too Hal, have a good day!"
He picked up his backpack and closed the door to the country house, making his way down the gravelled path.

Central Triation is far different than Haxley. It isn't as green, and everything seems just a little bit more imposing. Hal looked at the other birdfolk flying above, with a longing look on his face. He lacked the time to get his flight license, though it would make navigating central Triation much faster.

The world was just waking up for central Triation, but for Hal, the early bird always catches the worm.