***Briar Burns ***
"Yes little fledging, they're coming quite soon"
The healer attentively speaks, her bold voice smooth like silk.
Carefully, she pours some clumpy ointment onto her wrinkled hand and tenderly rubs it on my exposed skin.
She gently allows the emollient salve on my back to seep in. Cautiously, she traces around the two large bumps that protrude out of my flesh.
The ointment is greatly unpleasant, leaving a paint that shoots through my back like an poison-dipped arrow.
The plump woman doesn't seem to take notice. Her cheerful expression is hidden by wisps of long grey hair. And some minuscule glasses.
She is an okay lady, older but not that wise. Usually clumsy, but helping in some sort of odd way.
"All done! Now remember, humans are not allowed to see you whatsoever, so stick to the mountains where you belong,"
She lovingly instructs, this time her voice emitting as firm and demanding.
Well, the Mountains don't sound that appealing.
I nod my thanks and gather up my combat boots and spiked wallet. It's time hit the city.
___________________________
***Aahna Patel***
Think, think, think!
"Mrs. Hempton, if I may"
The stern teacher looks my way and offers a curt nod of approval. Her permanent frown never daring to shed a smile.
"We, us, are Wingeds. Like humans, not like humans. We posses the ability to grow wings, likewise to birds. Because we have longer lifespans than our avian counterparts, our wings develop much later on in life, at the ages between 9-37, depending on the species"
I swear I could hear a faint sigh exhale from Mrs. Hemptons mouth. At the age 30, her wings had yet to grow.
Some of the students in my class already had full wings but she remained grounded.
My gaze slowly drifts up to my grumpy professor, with another nod she gives me a quick praise and carries on speaking to the class.
"Ms. Patel is a role model to you. Think and act like her."
Mrs. Hempton makes her way towards her large, wooden desk. With a spindly hand she pries open a large cabinet and reveals our new homework.
"Class, I want you to write a summary of our species on these papers. Hand it in by next class or I'm deducting grades"
A melodious tune of grunts and moans rise up from the students and repeat like a never-ending pattern.
"And Ms. Patel, you are dismissed early,"
With a beaming grin, I tuck in my chair and grab my books.
Big cities tend to induce anxiety on me, but confidence is with me today.
