{"sf1_id":1662164,"sf2_id":"q1xQZgze","title":"Lovely Wings","author":"Alfa_Barf","words":3296,"posted_at":"2020-12-18T05:26:42.000Z","tags":["Avian","Greentext","Homfa","Hug","Human","Kingfisher","Second Person"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1662164-lovely-wings","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/q1xQZgze","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/01/65/0165041b-55f8-4713-a6b1-829283b91139","description":"[Greentext] When Anon takes a spill at the workplace, the quick-to-worry kingfisher responsible tries to make it up to him with a little motherly care.","content":"\\\u003eOtto Barker's Air and Water Show  \n\\\u003eOne of the biggest tourist destinations in the city, second only to Flood Frontier Waterpark  \n\\\u003eAn amphitheater rests on the edge of a grand lake  \n\\\u003eEmpty now, but soon to be packed with visitors from across the country  \n\\\u003eRamps, rings, and other obstacles float on the water's surface, while perches and even more rings stand tall for the aerial stunts  \n\\\u003eYou're Anon, the part-time stagehand  \n\\\u003eYou're up on the scaffolding helping to set up the lights and speakers in preparation for the show  \n\\\u003eMany of the performers are also here, doing their rehearsals  \n\\\u003eOne bird in particular has been distracting you from work for the last hour  \n\\\u003eShe's a gorgeous teal and gold kingfisher, lean and dexterous with a cute, narrow beak  \n\\\u003eNeedless to say, she's part of the sky team  \n\\\u003eShe's been doing swoops and corkscrews through the series of rings with unbelievable precision  \n\\\u003eShe eventually lands on a roost to take a break, and a stumpy muskrat calls out to her on a megaphone  \n\\\u003e\"Nice job, Perchia. When you're ready we'll get the fire going.\"  \n\\\u003eYou don't need eagle eyes to see Perchia's hesitation  \n\\\u003eShe stares at the obstacle course glumly for a while, with the muskrat tapping his foot as time crawls on  \n\\\u003eNot a second passes after she gives the A-OK are the rings ignited  \n\\\u003eYou can feel the heat even from your spot  \n\\\u003e\"Ready?\"  \n\\\u003eThe music starts again, with Perchia waiting for her cue  \n\\\u003eYou stop your work completely to watch her practice  \n\\\u003eThe music swells, and Perchia dives through the first ring  \n\\\u003eBut unlike the previous runs, her rotations and speed aren't as stellar  \n\\\u003eHalfway through the course she's missing some rings completely  \n\\\u003eSkipping whole segments…  \n\\\u003eBanking her turns too widely…  \n\\\u003eUh oh  \n\\\u003eYou barely have time to brace yourself before Perchia crashes into the scaffolding  \n\\\u003eA chunk of the support breaks, and your walkway turns into a slope  \n\\\u003eYou're thrown down the incline, trying to grab hold of something as best as you can  \n\\\u003eA shooting pain goes through your arm as your grip is jerked away by gravity  \n\\\u003eYou're banged up even more as you tumble downward  \n\\\u003eThen the scaffolding ends, and you're in a free fall to the lake below  \n\\\u003eYour back slams against the water's surface, immobilizing you with the shock  \n\\\u003eWith your arm useless and your spine numb, you start sinking  \n\\\u003eYou hold on to what little breath you had before it was beaten out of you  \n\\\u003eGetting…lightheaded…  \n\\\u003eYou begin to black out  \n\\\u003eThe last thing you see is a teal missile plunging into the water toward you  \n  \n\\\u003eYou come to your sense lying down with paramedics circling you  \n\\\u003eJust over their shoulders is Perchia, weeping heavily  \n\\\u003eShe's bandaged up a bit, but nothing too series  \n\\\u003eStill, you're a bit worried about the crash she took  \n\\\u003eYou aren't given a chance to move much before you're loaded into the ambulance  \n\\\u003ePerchia is still sobbing as she tries to get one last look at you before the doors close  \n  \n\\\u003eA few examinations and a day of rest later you're released with a small arm brace and little fanfare  \n\\\u003eThere's a sprain in your arm, but nothing that won't heal eventually  \n\\\u003eYou're called in by management early in the morning to file an accident report   \n\\\u003eLiabilities and insurance stuff…  \n\\\u003eLuckily, you get some time off with the promise of a little injury compensation for the incident  \n\\\u003eEmphasis on “little\"  \n\\\u003eWhat troubles you most is what you overhear from the muskrat in the next room  \n\\\u003eAnd broken hiccupping from Perchia  \n\\\u003e\"…Again, we're not firing you, alright? Don't worry about it. Just take a break for a few days and we'll give it another shot, deal?\"  \n\\\u003eIt's heartbreaking to imagine the bird so stressed out like this  \n\\\u003eThe casualties weren't even too severe, and you're more concerned over the nasty collision she took  \n\\\u003eYou're leaving the offices when you hear your name  \n\\\u003e\"Anon, wait!\"  \n\\\u003eFor how choked up she is, Perchia definitely has a beautiful voice to match her stunning plumage  \n\\\u003e\"A-Anon, I'm so, so sorry! I didn't mean for you to get hurt!\"  \n\\\u003eThat part's a given; it WAS an accident, after all  \n\\\u003eYou tell her you're glad she's okay, and apparently still has her job  \n\\\u003e\"Oh, you heard that?\"'  \n\\\u003eShe sounds pained more from that than any injury  \n\\\u003e\"Well, we're going live in a few weeks, and it's too late to train someone totally new. But…\"  \n\\\u003eShe sniffles and wipes her eyes  \n\\\u003e\"I think they considered it. Between the accident and flubbing those rings, they weren't too happy with me. I think I'd be out the door by now if they weren't so impressed with how I dove in after you.\"  \n\\\u003eThat's right, you remember that  \n\\\u003eIt was a pretty nice dive (from what you could see), and she probably saved your life  \n\\\u003e\"Thank you,\" she chuckles, rubbing her neck  \n\\\u003e\"I'm better with water than I am with fire, I guess.\"  \n\\\u003eThere's a long, awkward pause  \n\\\u003eYou thank Perchia for her help and concern  \n\\\u003e\"Wait! Look, I want to make things right, and since we both have some time off I was hoping you'd…let me…take care of you?\"\"  \n\\\u003eShe hides her face in her wings  \n\\\u003eEither she's embarrassed or already expecting rejection  \n\\\u003eYou don't want to crush the poor girl's spirits, but she really doesn't need to do THAT much for you  \n\\\u003e\"It's really no trouble, honest! I'd feel really bad if you got hurt again because of your arm.\"  \n\\\u003eHer eyes well up with tears  \n\\\u003eYou give in, if nothing else than just to keep her from crying again  \n  \n\\\u003eNot far from the showground is an apartment tower where Perchia lives  \n\\\u003eIt's available to both humans and anthros, and you can a see a few other birds flying up to the balconies of their homes  \n\\\u003eUnsurprisingly, her place is one of the highest up  \n\\\u003e\"It's not often I have to use the elevator,\" she says. “This is kind of exciting!\"  \n\\\u003eYou've never paid much attention to how the bird anthros go about their daily lives  \n\\\u003eSo it's a surprise to you when Perchia has to unlock her place with her feet, using a keyhole in the floor  \n\\\u003eImmediately it feels like walking into an oversized nest  \n\\\u003eFabrics and cloths of all shapes and sizes are hung around the place for no particular rhyme or reason  \n\\\u003eA few lamps are visible through the open spots in the crisscrossing decoration, making beams of light pour in  \n\\\u003eEgg-like beanbags litter the floor, most of them untouched  \n\\\u003eIt's a cozy space no doubt, and there's a deliberate sort of “lived in\" feeling adding to the comfort  \n\\\u003e\"I'm sorry for the mess,\" Perchia says. I didn't have much time to clean up.\"  \n\\\u003eYou don't see a bed anywhere, just chairs with blankets and sheets draped over them  \n\\\u003ePerchia walks over to one and drops the back into a reclining position  \n\\\u003e\"I knew this would come in handy someday!\"  \n\\\u003eDoesn't look like she shares the space with anyone, so it can't be seeing much use  \n\\\u003e\"Yeah, it's just me,\" she says. “I don't…have a lot of friends.\"  \n\\\u003eShe rubs her shoulder with her wing, which is more of a fanning motion that makes a slight breeze  \n\\\u003e\"Don't get me wrong, a lot of the people in the show are nice, but the other birds can be a little snobbish. I had to get in really good shape just so they'd stop looking down on me.\"  \n\\\u003eShe lets out a sigh that sounds like a whistle  \n\\\u003e\"And it's just not easy making friends with mammals sometimes.\"  \n\\\u003eYou don't see how it's NOT easy for her  \n\\\u003eShe seems so sweet and her performance so far is wonderful  \n\\\u003ePerchia covers her face, her beak poking through her feathers  \n\\\u003e\"Well, m-make yourself at home!\"  \n  \n\\\u003ePerchia is like a doting mother  \n\\\u003eAny time you move to reach something, even with your good arm, she rushes over to help  \n\\\u003eYou're not even allowed to stand without her trying to hold you down  \n\\\u003eYou futility try convincing her your only injury is in your arm, and even then it's not that bad  \n\\\u003eWhen she needs to go to the store, you worry she might strap you down so you won't get in trouble  \n\\\u003e\"I'll be right back! Don't…right back!\"  \n\\\u003eShe heads out to the balcony and locks the sliding door behind her  \n\\\u003eThe beautiful kingfisher gives one quick peek to you before making a graceful dive off the ledge  \n\\\u003eShe's definitely not heading in the direction of any store at first, as she circles back into full view  \n\\\u003eChecking up on you already?  \n\\\u003eMaybe showing off a little bit?  \n\\\u003eTrue to her word though, she has a satchel of groceries with her in minutes of leaving  \n\\\u003eA lot of chopped veggies, grains, noodles, and very lean slices of fish and meat  \n\\\u003eGuess birds don't like to carry a lot of canned foods or heavy bags when they make these kinds of trips  \n\\\u003ePerchia sings as she cooks  \n\\\u003eShe's shockingly good at it to boot  \n\\\u003e\"Oh, hehe, you're too kind, Anon.\"  \n\\\u003eWhy wouldn't she go into a musical field with that kind of voice?  \n\\\u003e\"Every bird thinks she can sing, unfortunately, and there's a lot of competition out there. You can't even get work unless you join some kind of agency.\"  \n\\\u003eNot many birds go into performing, then?  \n\\\u003e\"Theater and movies? Of course! But just the kind of stuff that's safe and shows off their plumage. Not many want to be flying through rings of fire.\"  \n\\\u003eAll the more reason you think Perchia is such a talented one  \n\\\u003eShe covers her face yet again, flinging soup splatter off her spoon everywhere  \n\\\u003ePerchia is pretty fond of noodle dishes, and she serves you ramen for lunch  \n\\\u003eWell, it IS the food of choice for a young bachelor(ette)  \n\\\u003eIt's pretty damn good ramen as well  \n\\\u003ePerchia waits until you're practically done with your bowl before even making a dent in her own  \n\\\u003eWhen you're finished she tries to get you to take some of hers  \n\\\u003eNot like there isn't more in the pot…  \n\\\u003eEventually you have to get some blood flowing in your legs, putting Perchia on edge  \n\\\u003e\"You're not leaving already, are you?\"  \n\\\u003eYou don't think she's the type who cries to manipulate people, but man is she easy to upset at times  \n\\\u003eYou tell her you just want to go for a walk and stretch a bit  \n\\\u003e\"Oh, great! I'll come with you!\"  \n\\\u003eShe hurries to clean up a bit, noticing the blankets covering the reclining chair  \n\\\u003e\"You know, you're welcome to stay a few nights.\"  \n\\\u003eThings are moving pretty quickly now  \n\\\u003eMaybe a little too much  \n\\\u003eBut Perchia seems to sense this, and she waits for your answer without the tears or pushing you too hard  \n\\\u003eWell the place is cozy, the food's good, and she seems like a really cool friend   \n\\\u003eSure, you'd be hap-  \n\\\u003e\"EEEEEEAAAAA! Great! We can swing by your place if you need anything!\"  \n\\\u003eSo, you end up stopping at home, having to take a bus part of the way to get there  \n\\\u003eYou don't want to impose, so you ask how long she's comfortable having you  \n\\\u003e\"Just take everything you can pack!\"  \n\\\u003eThat's the greatest, creepiest non-answer you could get  \n\\\u003eYou return from the excursion a few hours later carrying several bags of your stuff  \n\\\u003eYou're a little worried how much space your things are going to take up in such a cramped little abode  \n\\\u003eYou stack your belongings neatly into a corner  \n\\\u003ePerchia immediately spreads them around on the floor casually and waves dismissively  \n\\\u003e\"What I have is even too big for me. Besides, I don't like to spend much time here anyway.\"  \n\\\u003eYou would have never guessed that from how shut in she kept you today  \n\\\u003eBy now it's getting late in the evening  \n\\\u003ePerchia at least gives you enough privacy to get ready for sleep  \n\\\u003e\"Goodnight, Anon,\" she says  \n\\\u003eThe bird sits up in one of the other chairs, as though meditating  \n\\\u003eShe must sleep like this, because you never see her change positions even in the middle of the night  \n\\\u003eEven if she accepted you into her home with open wings, you don't want to burden the poor girl to exhaustion  \n  \n\\\u003eShe's already awake before you  \n\\\u003eBreakfast is waiting as well  \n\\\u003eHash browns, waffle sticks, fruit…  \n\\\u003e\"Sorry, I didn't cook any eggs.\"  \n\\\u003eYeah, that might have been a bit of a problem for her  \n\\\u003e\"Tell me about it. They're so hard to carry safely from the store when you're flying.\"  \n\\\u003eOh  \n\\\u003e\"Hehe, you haven't met a lot of birds, huh?\"  \n\\\u003eGuess not, or at least enough to know about their egg-laying culture  \n\\\u003eIt's another meal where you're offered part of her food on top of your own, giving her more time to plan the day's events  \n\\\u003e\"So, anything you'd like to do? Did you still want to go over to the waterpark?\"  \n\\\u003eWait, “still\"?  \n\\\u003e\"O-oh? I guess that conversation must have been part of my dream last night.\"  \n\\\u003eFreak-out in 3…2…1…  \n\\\u003e\"I-I-I MEAN, uh, you were in the dream, but I wasn't, we didn't, ngghh…\"  \n\\\u003eShe's hard to console with just words, so you try a different approach  \n\\\u003eYou hold out your arms for a hug  \n\\\u003eThis actually works, as Perchia creeps closer to you  \n\\\u003e\"Careful, your arm…\"  \n\\\u003eIt feels much better already thanks to her  \n\\\u003eEven though it might be a few days before you can go to the waterpark, what with the brace and all  \n\\\u003e\"So you won't need me soon, then?\"  \n\\\u003eIf she's happily offering her home to you, you're not going to spurn her help for a bit longer  \n\\\u003ePlus, you need to make it up to her for her hospitality  \n\\\u003e\"No! I was repaying YOU. I don't feel like I've done enough….\"  \n\\\u003eMaybe being a friend would be a good start?  \n\\\u003eHonestly, you never knew just how much you liked birds before holding one in your arms  \n\\\u003eEverything is soft, but in a different way than a “furry\" anthro is  \n\\\u003eShe has an incredibly athletic physique, yet she feels much lighter than you'd expect  \n\\\u003eThere's a remarkable warmth radiating from her body, especially with her wings folded over you like a cape  \n\\\u003ePerchia laughs nervously  \n\\\u003e\"I-I don't want to sound like I'm blaming you or anything but…when I miss a cue or don't fly fast enough, it's because I get distracted by you, Anon.\"  \n\\\u003eThe last thing you'd believe is that a beautiful performer has the same feelings for you as you do her  \n\\\u003e\"I'd feel bad if anyone got hurt or…worse…because of me, but it was even harder to watch it happen to YOU.\"  \n\\\u003eYou ask if it was because of you that she had trouble with the fire rings  \n\\\u003e\"No! Well, no, I mean…a little bit. I just didn't want you to see me mess up, and I ended up doing it anyway. The heat only makes it worse when you're already a bit flustered….\"  \n\\\u003eThere's a bit of guilt in her eyes  \n\\\u003eBut it could be a reflection of your own  \n\\\u003eYou were holding her back, technically speaking  \n\\\u003eWould she even be able to perform if she knew you were watching?  \n\\\u003e\"Actually….\"  \n\\\u003eHer voice has a budding speck of confidence you haven't seen much so far  \n\\\u003e\"Knowing a good friend is watching would put me at ease. I was afraid you'd judge me before, but….\"  \n\\\u003eYou give her a tight squeeze, patting her on the back  \n\\\u003eYou have enough time off to see all of her opening shows, if she wants you there  \n\\\u003eShe responds with a giggling tweet  \n  \n\\\u003eThere's a fair amount to do around the city apart from the water shows and Flood Frontier  \n\\\u003eYou spend most of the day with Perchia just milling about the streets, checking out the shops, and getting to do things unfit for a loner or too intimate to do with a large group  \n\\\u003eLike taking scenic pedicab rides, or getting cheesy pictures at photo booths  \n\\\u003eThe bird obviously spends much more time than you do here when she's not practicing for performances, but still rarely gets to experience everything the city can offer  \n\\\u003eBetween the excitement and caring for you at her place, she's absolutely spent when it starts getting late  \n\\\u003eYou're preparing for bed while she sits on her chair, fidgeting to get comfortable  \n\\\u003eYou ask if she always sleeps like that  \n\\\u003e\"Well, I don't HAVE to, but it's just natural to me.\"  \n\\\u003eIt could be the fatigue talking, or it could just be her way of warming up to you  \n\\\u003eBut Perchia's certainly getting bolder when her wings spread open and she scoots back into her seat  \n\\\u003e\"Would you…like to try it?\"  \n\\\u003eYou sit on her lap, and her wings wrap around you like a cloak  \n\\\u003e\"You can lean back, if you want.\"  \n\\\u003eHer chest, shoulder, and neck are downy touches better than any pillow you've ever felt  \n\\\u003eHer breathing is slow and hypnotic, gently rocking you into relaxation  \n\\\u003eShe coos a soft lullaby, barely passing out of her beak and into your ear  \n\\\u003eYou can only imagine this is what it feels like to be a bird's young chick, encased in a feathery protection  \n\\\u003e\"I'd love for you to stay here with me,\" Perchia says  \n\\\u003eShe's clever, you'll give her that  \n\\\u003eShe waited until you were too tired to say “no\"  \n\\\u003eAnd now she's swaying you to sleep with the idea planted into your dreams  \n\\\u003eIt's definitely the most refreshing rest you've had in years  \n  \n\\\u003eA cloudless day over the lake  \n\\\u003eThe amphitheater is jammed with humans and anthros of all kinds  \n\\\u003eThere are a surprising number of them in bathing suits, whether they're just coming back from the waterpark or expecting to get drenched here  \n\\\u003eThe show has it all: water skiers and paragliders, watercraft pulling synchronized pyramids of balancers, high divers and even stuntmen shot from cannons  \n\\\u003eIt's not too long before the “air and water show\" introduces some heat  \n\\\u003eLanes of flame streak across the lake surface and a fiery curtain rises close to the front row, drawing everyone's attention skyward  \n\\\u003eIntense drumming sounds from the speakers, and Perchia appears on her perch  \n\\\u003eWith a proud flourish, the kingfisher leaps from her tower and soars through the flaming rings  \n\\\u003eEach one she flies through is snuffed out in her wake  \n\\\u003eShe moves with an ethereal precision even more awe-inspiring than her rehearsals  \n\\\u003eFinally comes the “tunnel\" of shrinking rings aimed at the audience  \n\\\u003eShe told you there was a surprise added on at the last minute, inspired by the day the two of you were brought together  \n\\\u003eComing through the final ring she sails at the water right before the amphitheater  \n\\\u003eSome of the crowd recoils in fear of the incoming bird  \n\\\u003ePerchia plunges under the surface like a dart  \n\\\u003eThe higher seats lean forward to try to find her, while those in the front keep their distance from the screen of fire  \n\\\u003eBefore the ripples have a chance to settle, a teal-and-gold missile shoots back into the air  \n\\\u003eShe twirls above the audience, tossing glistening droplets in every direction  \n\\\u003eThe crowd screams and cheers as they're sprinkled  \n\\\u003eThat's the cue for the fire curtain to recede, as if doused by the graceful kingfisher  \n\\\u003ePerchia climbs higher and out of sight, getting the biggest applause you've heard in the show  \n\\\u003eEspecially from you, clapping with two good arms until they both become sore  \n\\\u003eShe doesn't show up again until after the performance is over, where a line of entertained guests are getting pictures and her autograph  \n\\\u003eYou expect this will go on for quite some time, every day of the show  \n\\\u003eBut you patiently wait for her to finish with a smile on your face  \n\\\u003eAfter all, she's your ride back home"}