Pixie Hollow

4: Flying Lessons

Flying Lessons

       The rest of us left pretty soon after Tinkerbell, the atmosphere was too awkward and tense between everyone. Fawn took me back to the middle of Spring Region and we landed in the trunk of a large, elegant oak tree in the midst of what looked and sounded like thousands of baby birds. "In case you hadn't noticed, this is the most popular area for bird's nests. Most of the birds here are mum's with their youngsters who haven't left yet. We gotta help the baby ones out in learning how to fly mainly. I'll take those little guys," Fawn pointed at a small nest just above our heads, where I could easily hear the sound of baby birds chirping at the top of their lungs, "and you can take that nest over there." This time she pointed at a nest on the neighbouring tree.

       "But - I -" I started to protest, I was terrified of working alone. "You'll do great, don't worry. It comes naturally to us. Just flap ya wings and tell them to do the same." I nodded slowly and gulped, but didn't protest again. Fawn gave me an encouraging smile and flew up to nest above, and after a second I turned a flew towards the one opposite. I landed a bit in front of it on the branch and approached the nest slowly. I rested my hands delicately on the side of the nest and peeked my head over the top; a large, beautifully lilac bird with huge puffed out chest was asleep in the middle, her head nuzzled into her neck. At first I thought she was alone and began climbing over, when a head suddenly popped out right in front of mine. I jumped back a little bit, startled by the huge, huge eyes that stared at me so surprisingly. It was just a chick with positively huge blue eyes to match it's huge but adorable head, and an oddly tiny beak. It cocked it's head to side and chirped some more. No sooner had I gotten used to the baby bird, when two more popped out from behind it's back, all of them where the same gorgeous purple-y colour as their mother, but each had a different colour streaked through the feathers as well. I couldn't help but smile, they were so sweet.

       I climbed into the nest and they all circled around me instantly, I laughed and stroked all of their heads. I saw the mum open her eyes slightly and hoot, but then she smiled and went back to sleep. "So who's first?" I suddenly felt like I knew exactly what to do, the blue-streaked chick waddled up to the edge of the nest and I rose into the air to be elevated just in front of him. I smiled as encouragingly as I could and stroked him some more. "Watch me little guy, I'm flying! It's simple, just copy me, alright?" Blue (it'd temporarily named him that to make things easier) tweeted to show that he understood. I decided to back to standing next to him to show him better. I faced him directly and pointed at his wings, he gave them a little wriggle. "Exactly! Move your wings like mine, just give it a try." I started to flap my wings slowly, up, down, up, down. Slowly, Blue started to do the same and then we were in the same rhythm. "Now speed up a bit, come on, you can do it." Updownupdownupdown, pretty quickly he caught that rhythm too. "Stay in that rhythm, are you ready to fly?" Blue chirped loudly and excitedly, so I silently lifted my feet off the nest and turned into the open air. I help Blue under his wings and guided him up slowly, and then released - he was flying! I flew alongside him for a bit and then let him go alone. I watched from a small branch as he sailed through the air, and complete pride filled my heart.

       The next one, Pink, was just as enthusiastic and went through the process quickly. Not too long later she went to join her brother quite happily in the sky. Then I went to help the third chick, her streaks weren't just one colour, they were a rainbow of darker purple, green, blue and orange. Her eyes were even bigger and brighter than Blue's, but this time they were amber, a beautiful, mesmerising Amber. I went to stroke her but she scurried backwards, she was scared. "Amber, it's okay I won't hurt you, I promise." Her beak was quivering and she back away some more next to her mum. The mum woke up again and nuzzled Amber's head with her own, but then gave a tiny push in my direction. I patted her head and she started to calm a bit but still looked apprehensive about flying. "It's easy, just copy me and you'll be flying in no time." I took her wing delicately and led her onto the edge of the nest. I took both wings and stroked them until she opened them a bit. "Good, now watch my wings and do the same." I started up the slow flapping, but even slower this time. Up. Pause. Down. Pause. Up. Pause. Down. Her majestic wings spread even further and began the slow movements with ease, so I sped up. Up - down - up - down. She copied this easily as well so I rose into the air just like I had with the other two, and guided her up as well. I went cautiously with her, so I flew backwards to be watching her and making her feel safe all the time. She hooted at her siblings circling above, and then she looked back at me. I gave her an encouraging smile and nod and then flew off to meet them.

       I watched the three birds for a moment, they chased each other through leaves, diving everywhere and dipping upwards ever so often. I laughed and then went up to join them. All three circled around me, and Amber came closer and nudged my shoulder with her head affectionately. "I'll see you tomorrow, you better be just as good then!" I waved and then flew to the ground where I could see Fawn talking to some other fairies. "How'd it go?" asked Fawn.

        "Good... great actually." Much easier than I'd thought.

       "Ya see, there was nothing to be afraid of!" I nodded and looked up, the sun was fast setting and the sky was going from a clear, baby blue to much darker one pretty quickly. "Think we might as well call it a day." Said Fawn, and then she said goodbye to the other fairies around her and we set off together.

       "Oh! I just remembered, I have to drop by Fucci to get my clothes! Do you know where it is?"

       "Of course, their shop's on the Home Tree, but I know a funner way to get there." Fawn winked and suddenly dived towards the ground. I screamed when she didn't turn away at the last second, but instead she disappeared into the ground. "F-Fawn?" I called, flying closer to the point she'd vanished. "Just follow me, there's nothing to be afraid of!" came a muffled voice from what I now could see was whole in the ground, slightly hidden by some flowers. I flew through it, where Annabell was waiting for me in an underground tunnel. "Whoa, what is this place?"

       "There's an entire network of underground tunnels that all us Animal-talent fairies use. They take you all over Neverland, and then there's one going straight up the Home Tree." She smiled and started flying down the left tunnel. When we got to a crossing, she stopped. "Which way now? I bet you know." She stated calmly. I looked through the tunnels and without thinking, said "left."

       We flew like this for a few minutes, knowing the turnings with ease until eventually the tunnel sloped up. I could see the tunnel going up for ages, right to the top of the Home Tree, and along the way were little holes to come out at. Fawn led me about two-thirds of the way up, and then made a left into a further tunnel before rising out of a hole in the side. "Fucci's by far the most popular thread. Most threads aren't even in the Home Tree, let alone have their own tunnel!" We walked out onto a small, golden, well-lit room with shining wooden floors. Delicate vines twisted out from ever direction, displaying hundreds of beautiful dresses and outfits. Fairies ran around the shop, carrying bags and weird conker-like things. A line of fairies were stood in front the desk against the wall. Behind it I recognized one of the fairies who'd made my dress. Further behind her I could just make out an arch way with loads of nearly-finished dresses and more fairies busily making them.

       "Annabell!" A fairy called who had just come out of the archway clutching a pile of clothes. I recognized her as the one who had added the pixie dust, she must be Rendell. I quickly hurried over to the desk and got into the queue, "don't be silly, I've got your stuff right here." I hesitated, took a glance at the fairies waiting patiently in the queue, but then walked over to Rendell. I looked again the conker-like things in everyone's hands, and realised that must be how they pay for the clothes. But I didn't have any... "How much-" I began but she cut me off.

       "On the house, it's your first day, how can I expect you to pay?" I smiled and thanked her a lot, she then handed me the clothes, tied together with a vine and placed inside an acorn-shell with a handle. "Hope you like them, see you soon!" I waved and then Fawn and I walked out of a door in the side. Beyond this was a ledge, and above the door I noticed a large sign with golden, delicate writing across it, reading 'Fucci".