Bird Furious

“Yeah, well, you acquire priorities depending on who you are, I guess.”

She stashed it into her bag. “Anyway. How are you feeling?”

“If we’re acquainted, and we don’t kill each other, that’s friend enough for me.”

She took it and turned it over in her hand. “Thanks,” she said softly.

“Debatably, yes. Technically, no.”

“You’re doing great. This is helping.” She slumped. “Though if you should happen to have any marshmallows…”

“Useful to know. Thanks.” She looked around the hall. Wish I could pull out my flute… but I can never just play. Always gotta add more harmonies, countermelodies…

“It’s a constant occurrence. I’ll forget once we finish talking.” She sighed.

“I’m scared—maybe that’s why we’re all here.” She shuddered, then rubbed the pendant again. “I’m sure it’s not that, but I can’t help worrying.”

She hunched her shoulders. “I know, but… I’ve just gotten to the point where I keep forgetting.”

She rubbed a blue stone on a chain around her neck to calm herself. “I’m sorry. I’m not usually so snappy—it’s this whole thing. I mean, I don’t know if we’re supposed to kill each other, and I don’t want to do that, but I also don’t want to die. It’s easier to be mad, sometimes.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I can’t help thinking that… all this is happening because I’m here, and if I left, it would all just… go away. But I’m too selfish to do that.”

“I should just shut you up,” she grumbled. “I can’t believe this.”

“It was something I… fell into. Not something I really sought out.” She clenched and unclenched her hands. “Though… I am surprised you’re alive, and kind of waiting for my natural influence to kick in.”

She bit her tongue hard. “Look, I’m very wound up, so I suggest you get out of here before I do something you’ll regret.”

“I didn’t… know beforehand, I guess. It was part of my story.”

“It just… was. You were in my story.”

“Stars and…” she grabbed her head. “This is the most I’ve sworn in three months.” “Yes,” she said, teeth clenched, face red. “Why is everyone picking on me?” “That’s right.”

“That was different.”

"Seventeen." Should I..? I should. I know I told them I wouldn't, but if they met this guy... no, no, no. Stop thinking like that. Bad thoughts, go away.

"I guess I learned something, though. Trying never helps." Her eyes unfocused as she gazed over a sea of memories.

"Do you want me to?"

She looked away. "The first time I tried was to save Joel," she said softly. "His sister went to a not great headspace after he died, and I wanted to... make things easier. I told her how to protect him, and she did, but he died the next day. She... she turned on me. Called me a bringer of woes... she was right. I should never have thought... I should have learned my lesson that day. But then it was Naya who needed saving, and I came so close... I never learned. So eventually I went back to the agency. They wiped my involvement I need the books, and I went to the clinic."

She growled in exasperation and turned back to the flames.

"Princess life was rigorous, but it was easy. I made my own problems when I started trying to save fantasy characters."