Gold and Wine

Chapter 2

Paul had been right to his word and returned with a small plate of water crushed with berries. He looked at the bird first, smiling at it as he came in and set the plate down on the bed. His other hand held materials like small bits of wood and bandages.

"The brothers down at the kitchen would like to meet him. We need to give him a name," he chuckled as he slowly pulled the creature from its box and rested it down on the bed next to the plate. It only thought for a minute before jabbing at the berry and water mixture haphazardly.

"It's going to have to be released soon," I reminded Paul who only looked up at me and smiled.

"Nothing says he won't come back at some point, these birds remember faces very well."

"Adonis," I mused quietly. Brother Paul looked back at up me, stroking the head of the bird who looked up in equal curiosity.

"Sorry, I was busy with some Greek Mythology books. My mind's just filled with sirens and strange creatures. Adonis was the lover of Aphrodite and Persephone."

"And it sounds like Adonai," Paul added, turning back to the bird, "I think it suits him very well, don't you Adonis?"

The bird only croaked in response before turning back to its berries and eating it greedily.

"Well, I'll have to bandage little Adonis' wing, but we should be done before having to head to None."

So, the room fell into silence with Paul slowly working with Adonis' wing. The bird croaked in agitation, to which Paul apologized as he finished it. Eventually, he was settled back into his little box where he was then left to his own devices while Paul practically dragged me to Mass, being just a few minutes late.

I couldn't focus during the hymnals, constantly thinking about whether Adonis was safe or not. It annoyed me to no end, considering how my first greeting of him was a finger injury. Still, the bird was acting off instinct, and so wasn't something I should take entirely to heart. The mass continued before we came to receive the Host, followed by further hymnals, the Kiss of Peace and dismissal until Vespers. As soon as we were released, my first journey was taken immediately to check on Adonis who was no longer in his box but hopping along my bed.

He was pecking at my pens with interest, probably the colours.

"Adonis, you'll hurt yourself," I whined as I stopped him, bringing him back into the box, "more than you already are."

Adonis only looked up at me, letting out a jesting croak in response. I've never seen a bird with attitude and it almost seemed as though Adonis saw me as something he could fight, with or without the broken wing. I sighed, sitting on the bed beside the box.

"I'll have to figure out where I can keep you so you won't get into trouble."

I think he understood that part, his head bowing in guilt as he curled against the side of the box.

"I can't bring you with me everywhere, you might disturb the brothers." 

He croaked in response, demanding more of an explanation.

"It's not my fault you're loud," another croak from him and it sunk in that I was having an argument with a bird who probably only made out base sounds and thought I was just some other bird with a throat condition. Letting out a frustrated sigh, I held my head in my hands.

"We're going to bring food back from Vespers, and then I'll be back after Compline to take care of you, is that alright?" 

Adonis seemed to understand that much, confirmed by his silence.