As we approach the ferry dock, I notice the boat was aways off and leaving as I panic, <Dangit, I think tihs is the last boat, we better catch it, or we have to wait till tomorrow.> I say as I start to fly towards it.
I see Shiners out of the corner of my eye slow down as he shouts in my mind, <Mike, stop, > he says as I just ignore him. I'm sure I can make it to the boat in time. I watch him start to follow me as he shouts two more times before giving up as I pulled too far ahead to hear him well.
Soon, I'm well on the way to the boat, surprised as it isn't as far away as I thought it was. At least it saved me some of my energy, as I was getting tired by the time I reached it. Landing on one of the bridge railings, I look back and see Shiners still a distance away, catching up.
I see Shiners starting to catch up as I watch him, though I'm confused. Why is the ferry dock getting bigger? And it was about this point Shiners catches up, <You idiot...the boat is coming in, not going out.> making me realize my mistake and groan inwardly loud enough I'm sure the captain heard.
Glancing over to Shiners as he lands next to me, as I glare as best as I can, though it's hard when my nares are beet red, <Why didn't you tell me the boat was going in?> I ask him.
Shiners fluffs his feathers out and attempts to peck at me with his beak. <DUDE, why do you think I was yelling at you? I could see the boat was coming in, but you were in such a hurry, I couldn't get your attention.>
My nares redden even more, <Yeah...sorry, I thought you were telling me it was too far to fly, and I didn't want to miss the ferry. I think this means that we have to wait until tomorrow for the next boat.> I say. I'm a little disappointed, but probably better than trying to fly over to town in the dark.
<I guess, well, after we dock, let's grab something to eat, I'm tired, and I bet you are too after that.> he says as he head-butts me, <Just listen to me more.>
I glance over in the direction of the dock, <Yeah, I'm getting hungry, and I doubt the captain be kind enough to provide us food like the trip here.> I'm already thinking I could use a nice rabbit or mouse, or maybe something different.
Once back at the dock, I fly off in the direction of one of the trees overlooking the beach and think, <So what should I eat? Mice and rabbits are a little cliche?> I ask as I eye some of the seagulls, licking the inside of the beak despite myself. Though, is that a bit too much like cannibalism?
Shiners thinks, <Well, look around, what makes you the most hungry? You got some ducks, ducks, more ducks, and those weird-looking ducks.> he says, pointing to some birds that I think are scoters.
I gulp, looking at them, the scoters....nahhh their beaks are too weird like something is broken. Looking around, though, I hear the classic duck call, and look in a small creek near the water is a pair of mallards and suddenly my interest is piqued. I've never had it, but Peking duck is supposed to be good, so would raw duck be as good?
<Hmmm...I think the malards over there would be a good start. I heard duck really tastes good, though part of me thinks eating birds is akin to cannibalism, even though I'm pretty sure it's normal. I mean, I eat chicken, but that wasn't live chickens> I say as I watch them move, my instincts already trying to tell me how to best catch as I feel my talons clench on the branch, slightly getting ready.
Shiners shakes his head, <Nahh, I eat most kinds of birds after they have expired, of course, but it's natural. not much difference between a duck and a rabbit, just one looks vaguely more like us.>
I tilt my head to the side, agreeing for now, <Well, I think I will try the mallard first, if that fails, I can always go back on rabbits.>I think. Noticing that the sun was starting to set soon, I probably should grab that dinner to go. I drop off of the tree and begin to circle above them, glad that my shadow wouldn't pass over them.
After a few more circles, I decide to fly at them up the creek so the sun is behind them, not the most stealthy approach, but wouldn't want to risk a shadow. Soon I'm skimming over the water, talons outstretched as my wings beat. My heart is racing with excitement and hunger, this is it, the test of my hunting and eating something more than rabbits.
As I near them, the female spots me and gives a startled QUACK and starts to run and flap her wings as she moves to take off, but my sights are on the male. Thankfully for me, he is confused for half a second and is slow to start taking off as I rush in and swing my talons down at him. I feel the elation as my talons grab his back and latch on, squeezing him as I take back to the air, his scared panicked quacks go silent as I squeeze.
I fly up to a tree and think not for the first time, <I really need to learn how to land with something in my talons, how do my bald cousins land in a tree with a fish?> I ask as it feels like I will slip from a lack of balance.
I hold onto the duck, least it wasn't squirming as that would be awkward in more than a few ways, some less pleasant than others, as I stretch my feet out and backwing as I near the tree, aiming for one of the bigger branches.
Finally, gently and with all the grace of a boulder rolling down a hill, I land, my one foot grabbing the branch as I try to balance on it, while still holding the duck in the other. And almost immediately fall off as I have to flap my wings frantically a few times before I finally right myself and feel like I'm not going to fall.
After a few moments of settling and making sure my foot is FIRMLY gripping the branch, I look down at the duck feeling hungry, though...how do I eat it? That's an awful lot of feathers, do I pluck it like I've seen a falcon do, or do I just tearing stuff off? And what about germs, should I go wash it? Though it already was in the water and not wet....ughhh.
I eye it as I hear Shiners respond as he lands near me with a beak full of fries, <Are you going to eat it, or admire it?> He asks as I shake my head a little bit, I'm getting to it, yeesh!!!.
Leaning down, I let the eagle go ahead as I grab at its back and pull, getting some of the feathers and meat underneath as it feels both ticklish and good once I swallow it.
I soon finish it as it tastes good, though my stomach feels upset, though how much is reality and how much is just me being nervous. Either way, it was good, and now that it was starting to get dark, I yawn, <Okay, I've eaten. If you want, you can have anything else left.> I say.
He bolts down the last fry and shakes his head, <I'm good, I know those birds are toxic.> he says, making me jump and panic, before I hear his laugh and realize he's teasing me. I shake my head, <Well, we got a boat to catch tomorrow, so I'm sleeping...> Soon, I tuck my head under my wing and fall asleep.
I'm soon asleep, and the next morning grab a quick mouse and return as we see the boat starting to load. I remain in the tree thinking I will let it get out of dock a ways, as I don't want to give them an excuse to think I'm trapped again or a problem.
Soon, the ferry finishes its loading and is off on its way back to my town. Once it feels far enough, I drop off the branch and start to fly in the direction of the ferry, and soon we catch up to it as Shiners laughs, <I wonder if anyone will recognize us, or if it's even the same Captain.>
Banking so that I land on a rail near the bridge, this time trying my best to avoid being spotted too much on the radar. Alighting on the I fold my wings as Shiners lands on a wire near me and stretch my wings a little bit, <Feels good not to have to chase the boat this time.>
Shiners gives a small chuckle as he's about to say something, when one of the crewman that was returning to the bridge looks up, and goes, "Oh shit," before running inside. Did he look familiar? Was he one of the guys from the other day? Or am I just imagining it?
Sure enough, I see the captain come out, who is rather impossible not to remember as he looks up at me and just stares. I can't help but give a small shrug with my wings and a small skree as he just throws his hands up in the air, "Oh, just forget it, he seems to be happy, and I'm not paid enough to chase an overgrown chicken."
I can't help but groan, <Well, good thing that unless something goes horribly wrong, I should be able to turn into a wolf within the next few days.> It is a little nerve-racking, but this trip kinda just makes me accept that I'm going to get famous whether I want to or not. Doesn't mean I will make it easy, but does mean that I don't have to hide all the time. Hopefully...
The rest of the trip went fairly well, other than the occasional photo taken, which I totally hammed up by spreading my wings a few times. But soon we came into view of town as I look towards Shiners, <Well, that was a rather nice trip.> I think, being glad that it's over, but also glad I took it. Felt like I was finally growing up in a few ways.
Finally spreading my wings and chuckling, <Now let's get back home, or my parents might ground me for being late.> I say. We had told them we may need an extra day, but still want to be better safe than sorry.
<Probably a good idea, plus I don't want to get yelled at by your parents for keeping you out.> he says as we drop off the ship and fly off. I give a little glance back and spot the captain having what looks like a relieved look on his face as we fly off.
Soon I'm flying over my home and see my mom and dad in the living room reading, but looking out the window at the same time as I give a small circle hoping they will see me, my dad does. Shiners smiles, <I will go down and let them know how it went. We can meet you at the shed.>
I give a light Skree, <Sure, see you there in a few minutes.> I say as I fly down to the shed and feel glad to be home. It’s a fun adventure, I get to try new food, and see an awesome movie. But now I was tired, and kinda wanted a small nap and then figure out how to turn into wolf.
