~Wiseowl

I wake up. A girl (much taller then I am) leans over me and looks relieved when she sees that I am awake. I, on the other hand, am not relieved. THIS IS JUST ANOTHERS STACK OR MESS THAT I HAVE ADDED TO MY PILE OF TROUBLES!!! (Yes Admins, this is meant to look like I am shouting. Do not worry, Elisa and I have the same storyteller so no offence will be taken.) I try to fly away, but my wing is injured. The girl brings a hand down on me as if to calm me, and the look in her eyes I would have described as kind and caring. But she had to be just another B.I.G. scientist out to trick me. Then I took in the surrounding. Whoa! This was definitely NOT a B.I.G. lab. It was an old, metalic, run-down building that was used for who knows what. A moment later I found out. "That turns out to be one interesting package you stole, Starscar," a voice from behind me says. Are they talking about me? And they're thieves? Possibly a gang? "Sure is Boss," the girl replies. She must be Starscar. Freeze in panic. What/who did they think I was? "But how arre we going to feed it? And don't call me Boss," Boss says. "Are we supposed to teach it to steal?" Did they just call me an IT? And suggest that I STEAL? What is wrong with them?!!! I stuggle, trying to get out of the girl's grasp. "She doesn't like that idea." Smart girl. "Its multi-colored feathers might make us rich!" Boss declares. "I've never seen anything like them." I stop struggling in shock. "If you mess with my feathers I'll... I'll...... Peck your eyeballs out!" I forget to say it in the human language. (But I can't just turn into a human innfront of these creeps) "She won't like that either," Starscar reports flatly, noticing my unpleasure. But it's not soon until they will both agree on some thing to do with me. I have to get a plan, and quick.

I look expectantly at Rae."Well?"

"Ummm... I don't know yet."

I sigh. "We better get out of here before they come back. I have a friend who might just be able to help us. You need to make up your mind soon cause I can't keep this up for long."

Rae you really need to decide because without your decision we can't move on. 

I drum my fingers on the arm of my chair. "Where in Sailhaven could Manning be?". I stop for a moment and try to compose myself, but a minute later I am back to my nervous tapping, a distraction from the seconds ticking slowly by. "He should have been here by now!" I frown, searching for a reason to his lateness. "The Transient must have been acting up." I think. "A minor difficulty, and one that Manning could easily fix. But what else could have happened?" My brow furrows as I consider the various gangs that roam Sailhaven's understreets. "Is it possible that he got caught up in a street brawl? There are so many these days." A sudden clanging in the hallway interrupts my thoughts and makes me sit up straight in my chair, eyes riveted on the single doorway. I slowly reach for the control pad as it echoes of the steel walls, ringing throughout the hallway. As the last reverbration pings I tighten my grip on the pad, listening intently. Nothing but a harsh silence fills the air, laced with expectation. Then the footfalls start. Heavy, slow, and deliberate. Coming closer to the door with each ominous step. They pause just outside as I hold up the pad, ready to enter a command. My hands are sweaty from my rigid hold and I almost curse as the case starts to slip.                                                             "Miss Faye?" The deep, slow voice makes me jump, but I am instantly relieved.                     "Come in Manning" I say. Manning enters, a huge man with a stiff but innocently child-like face. "The Transient was acting up" he explains "and there was a bit of traffic on the Steelway. Nothing you need to worry about." I lean back in my chair satisfied.                                     "And the neotations?" I ask. "How did they go?" Manning shifts his feet, suddenly uncertain.      "Well, uh, Senator Prang, he, um..." I sit up straight, my voice cold.                                 "Well? What did he do?" Manning looks intently at his feet. I sit there,my face a stern mask as I steel myslef for the answer I know will come. It comes slowly, as if Manning is afraid of the words. "He revoked the propostion, ma'am, and he insists that he has the authority of the King." I clench my teeth, sinking into the plush upholstery. The words might have been expected, but that still doesn't take away the sharp bite of failure. Manning is still standing there, his head bowed. Finally, I sigh, and turn towards him.                                              "You may go Manning, thank you." He shuffles away, leaving me to think over his words.           Senator Prang. My lip curls slightly in disdain as the image of the sneering, selfish man comes to mind. The only obstacle to saving the city. I sigh again, slumping my shoulders in temporary defeat. How many times had the power-grasping worm refused to listen to the protests, the speeches, the pleas of the people. Refusing this proposition was only one of the ways he enclosed the King from the desperation of Sailhaven. But not this time. He couldn't refuse this next offer. 

I have noticed that there are two owl charries, both with connection to wind. I may mix you two up, and I appoligize in advance.