Avian

Wild Ava

Ava had a golden tan complexion, dark brown eyes and thick black hair that came to her shoulders. Avians' were small, only about five to eight inches tall, with wings like a bird. Avas' wings were dark brown with light spotted ventrals. She belonged to a tribe of Avians that built their homes inside the tops of large redwood trees. Every Avian had their own den within the trees, with door ways shaped like the hole of a squirrels' nest. Just big enough for a bed and a small living space with a table. Avas nest was located on the outer reaches of the tribe. She preferred the solitude over the more populated parts.

Tucked in her bed made of soft leaves and moss, she used her large wings as a warm blanket. The sun began to rise, as it did, she twitched.  The soft morning rays of sun peered through the gaps in the trees. Morning light brought chattering song birds and rustling activity among the forest.

Ava lifted her face, and then buried it back into her plush wings. She was not a morning person, how could she be, when she had been up almost all night scouting for food.

It was spring time in the woods, and food was plentiful if you could beat the other critters to the it. Avians scouts did all of their collecting after dark because it was the safest time to be out. Humans lived fairly close to their home and it was too much of a risk to be seen during daylight. 

Including Ava, there were about nine others that would scout as a group.   Ava would leave the nest after sundown and scavenge for food among the forest. when times where harder, they would push the limits and venture to the nearby park where food was always in good amount. Leftover chips and crumbs laying on and around benches. packed garbage's always were hot spots if you could beat the other critters.

But the parks where extra dangerous. Not even some scouts would risk flying into the open human territory. Ava was brave though, and her thirst for adventure left her among the few that ventured there.

The leader of the tribe was an older Avian named Warren. He was old and wise, but, his wings were growing weaker.  Warren loved Ava like a daughter.

When Ava was a baby her parents were killed by a fox. He took her under his wing and watched her grow into the wild and free spirit that she was. He always cautioned Ava about going too far. But she was becoming a women now and with every day, would push the boundaries of their world.

The suns warm light shine through the hole of her den, suddenly a cold shadow entered the doorway. Then a familiar voice.

"Never a morning person."  A scruffy voice said.

Ava peered through her feathers. "morning Waren." She replied with a yawn.

"Ava, How was your night?" warren asked.

"It was good, we spotted a Fox den on the far perimeter of the territory..." Ava paused, and quickly changed the subject. "We gathered a good amount of wild raspberries and pine nuts though." 

Warren sat at her small table, tucking his large weathered wings closer together. "You know Ava, You don't have to be a scout?" He paused a moment. "Ava, we have a problem."

Ava sat up slowly, touching her feet on the natural wooden floor and stretched. She blinked tiredly and ruffled her feathers. Her black hair pointed in all directions. She focused loosely on Warren. He looked at her intently with concern.

He continued when Ava didn't respond.  "There is a human in the park."

Ava didn't look surprised. "Nothing knew." she breathed.

"He was spotted several times by the other scouts! He's been acting very strange." Warren stood up and started pacing slowly. Ava stayed seated, and looked down at the floor.

"He comes around at the exact same time, right near sundown by himself. Looking into the trees as if searching for something. But What? Then he pulls out a fresh slice of bread, and puts it onto the bench nearest to the tree line." Warren scratched the white scruff on his cheeks and furrowed his eye brows.  "We've always seen humans feeding the animals, but is different... I just can't put my wings on it."

Ava remained quiet.

Warren stood and bent down to look at her face. "AVA, this HUMAN is searching for something!"

Ava looked up at him, "Yeah, every night he comes along, then 10 minutes after he leaves a squirrel steals his bread.  He's harmless."

Warrens eyes got big, "You mean you know about this!?"

"Ya, he comes every night, every time wearing the exact same black hoodie."

"For goodness sakes Ava! If he sees you?—Humans have been trusted before, and they broke that trust! Our kind has dwindled down to nothing, we've had to rebuild everything!...Ava, I command you not to go near there until this strange behavior has stopped!" He sighed, as Ava looked out side into the trees.

"What if he doesn't mean us harm?" she asked

"Its TOO risky." Warren cautioned. "promise me, promise me, Ava...."

She looked into his eyes, and sighed, "promise."

Warren sighed. 
"Thank you.... Well I know your probably hungry, get something to eat." With that, he walked towards the door and flew off.

Ava smiled, "You have to kill me first." she said under her breath. She stood up and fixed her hair. A small bowl formed from a leaf wedged into one wall made of bark was filled with clear water. she bent down and splashed her face, then grabbed a small dry cloth that hung on the side to dry. A basket made of dry pine needles held all kinds of fresh berries. she grabbed one and bit in. walking to the entrance with berry in hand she stood on the edge with her knees up, crouching with perfect balance. She ate the last of her breakfast, stood up and stretched her dark wings. as they unfolded and extended, the inside revealed glistening light ventral's. She breathed in the crisp morning air and leaped from her perch.