Bird Furious

Girl: “You're Thaidakar, then?” Scribbles a couple of notes “Perfect. Good to know you’re still here.” Looks around “Anybody else?”

Fortunately, there was a toad who could give her a proper burial.

A young (maybe nine year old) girl opened the door and walks in, consulting her clipboard. She’s wearing a black suit with a skirt and leggings and high heels Girl: adjusts her glasses “Excuse me if I’m intruding.” Looks up, pencil hovering over clipboard “I’m looking for Nameless, TAAron, Thaidakar, and Haly.”

Ah. Then yes I use it.

The intended meaning of the word ‘Kanara’ is unknown, but the documented meaning, ‘ice that feels’, has been interpreted differently by many different people. But which meaning has been true since the beginning? Is Kanara ‘one expected to be stoic, but who feels for those they hurt’? Could it be ‘one who feels keenly for the woes of others, but is frozen and can do nothing to lend aid?’ Or could the meaning be completely different, some brilliant idea never yet stumbled upon? If we but had access to the ancient archives of Kella, would these questions soon be completed? The door banged against the wall, admitting a frazzled, excited looking Valy. Haly closed the book. “What’s up?” Valy’s mouth moved for a moment without actually speaking, but her gleaming eyes spoke volumes. “Kodoria Taslin says to suit up. Haly… I think this is rectification. I think we’re going back to Kella. I really think we are.” Haly’s chest froze and she forgot all about breathing. What was this feeling? Fear, yes. But the fear was only the seasoning, sharpening the excitement that crept building, swirling around in her soul faster and faster. “R…really? Really really? Are you kidding?” ”No.” Valy shook her head, her voice rising. “Haly, this is it! This is my chance! Never in my lifetime—I didn’t think—This is a dream. Do you have ANY IDEA how long—yes, yes you do. There’s no way you could not.” She drew a shuddering breath. “I just can’t believe it. I don’t even know how to feel. If he beat us once…” “No!” Haly bolted up, knocking the book to the ground. “We’re stronger. We’re so much better this time—and we know what to expect. We won’t lose an Ancient again. We’ve got this.” Valy nodded, swallowing. “You’re right. Do you have your things?” Haly stood and grabbed her bag. “Yeah. I like to be ready to move.” Valy nodded again and led her out into the corridor. Not only was Haly Xairim. Not only did she live in the mountain. Not only did she get to be a part of this. She would fight in a battle for history books, one that would be remembered either as a triumphant return or a final, crushing defeat that would stamp out any hope the Xairim still had. Life was good. No, life was AMAZING.

GAZE AND TREMBLE IT IS THE TURTLE THAT BREATHES DIRE PETULANCE ITS BREATH WEAPON WAS BORN OF A TYPO

Only now do I realize what an honor this is. Thank you very much! GUYS I HAVE MEEEEEME

If by Oxford comma you mean this— ; — then yea, frequently. If you don’t… then no idea. What battery percentage is your device at right now?

I’ve read the Books of Bayern, but I didn’t finish Princess Academy. It just didn’t suck me in the first time. I’ll try sometime, though.

My ability would be not being able to stop talking about my world. Which, you know, I already have.

‘Halcyon’ is the last part of my author name, thus The Halcyon Girl. That’s… literally it. But I’m proud of it!

Yes I do.

I’m in Colorado. Put me in Denver; that’s close enough for me.

What wisht thou

If you had to live in an object, what would that object be?

I have been summoned

Rachel (from Beyonders Brandon Mull): walks in “Um, hi. Support group?”

Haly lay back on the bed in the room Valy had found for her, exhausted but happy. That… that had been a perfect day. She was Xairim. And she had the rings to prove it. She lifted her hands and smiled at the thick silver bands around each middle finger. Someday those would channel energy into her, making her an unstoppable force of nature. It would be years—maybe decades. But all of a sudden, everything was all within reach. All her dreams she’d never really believed in were reality. Briefly, she wondered if TAAron was okay, or if he’d woken up yet. He’s fine. He’s got Nameless and the clinic doctors. Haly laughed out loud. And I’ve got the Xairim.

Valy, a Skyfolk girl with brown hair, bright green eyes, and an interesting past, blinked. “Sure, you can come to training sessions. Pick a door, any door.” She swept her arm around the stone corridor at the many doors, then walked over to one of the arch windows in the wall. “I’ve got to find you a room, roommates, and some sort of map thing. Good luck!” She grinned reassuringly and flew out through the window and up the mountain—presumably, Haly couldn’t see from here. This was the dream. Training as a Xairim inside the mountain itself, speaking Kellan all day, someday maybe even Fledging and summoning the Radiance for herself. Haly walked through a door, picked up a sword, and ferociously clashed with another girl, her heart singing, this is where I belong.

Outside the Nayorian door in the belowplace, Haly felt a strange sense of loss. She’d miss this clinic, dangerous and insane and deadly as it was. She’d miss Nameless and Ranryu and TAAron and occasional Wizard sightings. She’d miss Calano and Emma and… and everything. It’s okay. You’re trading something good for something better. This clinic was just a stop on the journey. With a deep breath, she stepped through the door and began the walk to Xairim.

Haly: walks over to TAArons bed “Bye, TAAron. See you later.”

WAHAHA NONE OF YOU HAVE ANY INKLING OF MY VERY EVIL PLOT THAT I HAVE

Haly: “No, but I’m not really leaving the clinic, technically. It’s a door in the Belowplace. It’ll be fine.” Smiles again “Thanks for helping in the library earlier, with Karden. I’ll see you sometime.”

Haly takes a deep breath “I’ll visit… it’s just… Nayo. It’s perfect. So yeah, I’m leaving.” Small smile

I WILL DESTROY. I AM EVIL. I WILL OVERWHELM THE HIERARCHY. I WILL GATHER ALL COPPER AND SMELT IT DOWN INTO A MONUMENT TO A LEAF BEING SNEEZED.