Inked Wings (16+)

Third Event - The Motivator

"In the smallest gesture of kindness - a warm smile, holding the door for the person behind you, shoveling the driveway of the elderly person from next door - you have committed an act of immeasurable profundity, because to each of us, our life is our universe."

Martha's prediction proves correct.

They arrive at the same time as Malik and Noel, by engine. They pass long canyons and take a right and two lefts through tight spots. A maneuver which leads them to an opening.

A shack awaits them, considerably large and worn down by time.

'Is this where you live?' Noel yells at Angel while he jumps down from the engine he came with. 'Looks taken by storm and recently swallowed by a giant then gagged back out.'

Martha bursts out laughing. She and Noel make acquaintances.

When they do, Martha suddenly pulls him closer, bending over and whispering:

'You should see Angel's room. Even more depressing. There's blood forgot to be cleaned.'

Noel gulps. 'What?' He puts on a smile. 'Whose blood would that be?' He mumbles.

Martha points to Angel with her hips, her rose-red arms intertwined toward the sky.

He passes them. 'What ideas are you putting in his head?'

Malik chuckles. 'Martha's messing around. Noel recognizes that.'

'I don't, actually. I don't know any of y'all.'

Martha shrugs, her voice pitched. 'You can never know a person. Not really.'

'It's true when they say everybody for themselves.' Angel adds, matter of fact.

'Glad to see you guys are having fun when the rest of us are working our backs off.' A new voice rings.

Standing at the shack door is a man with a strong, muscular build. He has marks under his chin. From behind his legs, another one creeps. A more delicate build, she watches from behind him. Both are hybrids.

He is a human-canine Kenan. 'Listen -'

She's an Aven-Canine. Twelve types of feathers sit in patterns, all over her body.

Martha chirps, greeting them with open arms. 'Alexei, you unhappy, soulful bastard! How've you been?'

Birdie crawls out from behind him. She jumps into Martha's big arms.

'Missed you too, little bird.'

'You better count me in.' Malik joins them.

Angel regards them with a smile. 'Don't exclude me from the fun.' He opens his arms.

Birdie hops from Martha, to him. They embrace tightly. Once they break the hug, Birdie asks, looking at Noel:

'Is this the little one we have heard about?'

'Yes, it's him.'

'Hello, what's your name?' Birdie approaches Noel. 'I am Birdie. Wanna be friends?'

'Uhm, what is- What are they saying?' Noel seeks confirmation from Angel.

'I will tell you, if you ask me to help you.'

'I just did. Just tell me what they're saying.'

'I take it you don't understand her.'

'Well duh, I don't know sign language.'

'Stop being mean, Angel.' Malik intervenes. 'Birdie is hard of hearing, Noel. It's fine if you precisely write her what you want to say. Just ask her to please write back.'