Chapter Text
“Long long ago, before the Empire came to be, there was a child glowing with light. The poor child fell from the Aether in the middle of the forest until he was found by a spider.
Despite not having multiple eyes or multiple legs, the Spider treated the child as if he were his own. The child had a blue cape with five glowing symbols in the middle. White hair that gradually turned into a golden color, and skin as brown as oak wood.”
“So, just like me?”
“Just like when you fell here.”
“The spider loved the child very much, and would never wish any harm to come to him moving forward.
“One day, when a friend injured his knee, the child did not know what to do. They didn’t have food, didn’t have healing potions – they didn’t expect one of them to get hurt while exploring the nearby caves, the Spider said it was safe!”
“Oh, no…”
“That was when the child put a hand on his friend’s knee, and the injury suddenly vanished, like nothing ever happened to it. The friend looked at his once injured knee – the scrape and the blood were all gone. All that was left was a tear on the fabric that once protected the skin. Unfortunately it left the sky kid a small pain, as if a piece of him just crumpled like a prune.
“The Child didn’t just put his hand on the injured knee, he wished that his friend would feel better and that was what happened. Light came from the glowing core in the child’s chest and then it healed his friend.”
“That’s such a cool power!”
“It is a cool power. To be able to heal just like that is such an amazing thing to do. Unfortunately for the child, he didn’t know the effects his light has on this world. Because in his homeworld, their light works differently. They’re all the same after all, a lightborn.
“They say that if you consume the child’s light, every single one of your problems would be solved. No one would go hungry, no one would die on hospital beds, and everyone would be stronger than they were before. The child was innocent. He didn’t know that healing his friend would lead to such a disaster.
“The child told the Spider everything that happened in that cave and with every word that came out of the child’s mouth, the Spider’s eyes gleamed with doubt. He didn't believe it at first. But when he saw it happen, this time, the child was healing a wounded soldier who faced a warden on her own, the Spider thought of every possible way to exploit the child’s light.”
“That’s horrible.”
“I know. Which is why we kept you hidden from everyone.”
“Does this mean I can’t go out? Ever?”
“No, not any time soon…”
“...”
“B— But, you will! Eventually.”
“Can we continue with the Story, Mr. Pangi?”
“Sure, man.”
Ahem.
“The Spider loved the child as a son, but as soon as he saw what the child could do, that love turned into greed. He realized that the child was a walking miracle, something that the people would need, he wanted to use him for his own advantage. And just like that, the child’s life went terribly.
“Slowly, every time someone gets hurt really badly, the Spider would immediately bring the child to them and force him to heal them. ‘The kingdom is in need of your power, child.’, ‘Everyone will suffer without your light, child.’ All those things were fed into the child’s mind until he was bled dry by the one he loved the most in the entire world. He gave everything he could to the people and with every piece of light torn from his wedges—”
“Wedges?”
“The glowing things on your back.”
“Oh.”
“And with every piece of light torn from his wedges, the child slowly turned dim and grey. The Spider even found exploits, hidden within the walls of their library, to forcefully rip every winged light from every wedge. With only torches to replenish his light, his five wedges became four, until it became one. Like a butterfly trapped in a spider’s web, he was too weak to fight back.”
“...”
“But! Just as the child’s last wedge was about to fade, a brave, handsome aetherian pangolin in light, shining, shimmering armor broke through the iron doors with scales made up of heaven steel and a tail heavy enough to even break netherite armor! He whisked the child away from the Spider’s Kingdom.”
“Isn’t that just you, Mr. Pangi?”
“Hey now, let’s not get off track here, shall we?”
Ahem.
“The brave and handsome Pangolin whisked the child away before his last wedge could be taken by the cruel Spider and fled to safety. The spider ordered an entire search party and an army all over the world just to find the miracle child. But the brave pangolin—”
“I get it, Pangi, you’re the best!”
“You bet I am!”
“The brave and powerful pangolin was too smart. He knew how to hide his tracks and to keep the child safe. It was too risky to fly up in the sky or build an aether portal where non-aetherborns could see. So they ran away and hid until the spider’s army couldn’t reach them anymore.
“The pangolin brought the child into a small village. The child was so weak he could barely even stand. His hair was losing its color, his cape was fading into shades of grey instead of the bright blue they once had. Thankfully he was an aetherian, and what can aetherians do to Sky kids?
“They can replenish their light. It took a few days, but he was back to five wedges, even without a Winged Light! Thankfully, the child wasn’t fading anymore and was now back to his usual glow.
“Eventually, after all those travels, they arrived in a small village. There weren’t many people around. There was only one inn and just ten houses that don't even count as houses. Sure, there were small farms here and there, and a few cattle, but that only does so much. Everyone was tired and hungry, yet they were still smiling.
“Sure their village was small and everyone knew everyone there, the way they were living was utterly hopeless, but they kept on going, because they’re alive. That’s the human spirit.
“The villagers were very kind to them. They helped them settle in. Brought them food, offered them water, and a room at the inn. Even when they don’t have much, they still gave them the best they could. They saw a tired child, and they helped them in. They didn’t even let them pay, which made our travelers very grateful.
“They didn’t want anything in return, but the child… The child saw how sincere they were, and saw that the world isn’t as bad as his life back in with the Spider, and people in the village aren’t quick to take advantage of him, he decided to help and give them a wedge.”
“Ouch.”
“Ouch indeed.”
“It was painful, very painful. But the child didn’t mind, he just bit his tongue and took the pain like a champ! And since there weren’t enough Winged Lights to give to every villager, he gave it to their soil instead, which absolutely helped everyone. There was an overgrowth of everything, and the thin cattle became healthy, heck even the people were glowing! Not literally. But they became so healthy, they thanked the child for his generosity.
“Though the Pangolin was concerned, since he didn’t want the child to be taken advantage of again, he saw that the people only had good intentions, and was even concerned when they found out that taking a wedge hurt the child very much. And that was enough for him.
“Now, word spread around quickly. The travelers familiar with the village noticed that the once struggling village became prosperous. The people were happier than usual, the food tasted amazing, the water wasn't muddy anymore, as if a miracle happened there. A villager told the travelers that the miracle was by a young boy in a blue cape with a handsome, brave, and smart pangolin.
“People started coming over because they heard about it. Some were passing by, and some settled. Those that settled though, were always interrogated by our beloved pangolin who just wanted the best for the child. Sooner or later, the village expanded. Sturdy houses replaced the ones with weaker builds, the small farms expanded, the village expanded so much that there was now a gate protected by strong people who decided to guard their home from hostility.
“As the years passed by, the village grew along with the child who grew into a beautiful beautiful man. Or a woman, depending on the day.”
“Just like Zam!”
“Because the child was Zam! But I thought we already knew that, Parrot?”
“I know that!”
“Moving on!”
“The village became a town, then the town became a city, then the city became an empire. The Zam Empire.
“Remember when I told you that word spread quickly? Well, it also reached the ears of that wretched Spider, who now became a king of his own kingdom. Unfortunately, the greed in the Spider’s heart became an obsession. He had seen what the child could do – had tasted the light. Even though his kingdom was also prosperous, it was not enough, for he had still wanted that power.
“Unfortunately for him, the child had already grown, along with the wedges on his cape.”
“He got thirteen wedges now.”
“Right on!”
“The child was a child no more, and isn’t the same defenseless sky kid the Spider had once loved. He was now the emperor with very loyal subjects that would protect him and the empire at all costs. Which is why he could never take him back ever again.”
—————————————————————————————————————————
“The Farlands is a kingdom known for their exploits and strong military power.” Parrot recites from a book bigger than his own head, hands too small to even support the massive book. Only the hard-shelled book cover was the one truly supporting its own weight. “They own a massive army of immortal Null soldiers, capable of destroying civilizations. Ruled by the King of Exploits, JamatoP.”
Pentar nodded, adjusting his posture. He pointed at another kingdom to the south, surrounded by purple and red dots that he himself put there. “Now can you tell me about this one? Without looking at the book this time.”
Seriously, he doesn’t get why the Emperor— Well, Empress for the rest of whenever, wanted him to teach Parrot the entire history of kingdoms when he barely even knows what goes on in every one of them, except for the Mafia, he escaped from there after all.
“The Kingdom of… Cindercrest.” The small child lit up, the core on his chest lit up, pulsating happily when he remembered the name. “It’s a new Kingdom that rose 13 years ago and is seeking allyship with civilizations far and wide. I remember seeing Zam holding a red envelope with a golden ‘S’ written on it.”
“Very good, now let’s not lose track here.”
“Right. Sorry. Uhm. It is ruled by Emperor Saparata, who is also the general of his army. They’re known as the kingdom full of Aether-Void variants.”
“Very good! Wow, you’re a smart one, aren’t you?” Pentar clasped his hands. “Now let’s continue on with the treaties.”
They went on for another hour, flipping the thick book Parrot had on his hands. He studied it page after page with Pentar by his side, who was also familiarizing himself with everything written on it. He taught Parrot about the peace treaties they formed with other civilizations from the overworld and the Aether. Mostly the Aether, pretty easy for a Lightborn such as their Emperor to form an allyship with Skyborns.
Time had passed and it was already time for Pentar to tend to his duties, dismissing Parrot, who was now putting everything back to its shelves, he didn’t even ask for help with the giant history book, which really concerned him very much lest he wanted the lightborn to break his back.
——————————————————————————————————————————
The moment Parrot put back the heavy book back to the lower shelves on the history section, he bid his mentor farewell in the most formal goodbye he saw Zam do every time she had to meet some important people. He was expected to be the next in line to Zam’s throne, he should act like it. Pentar bowing his head in return was the only thing he saw before immediately leaving the study, still with some questions stuck in his head that he couldn’t bring himself to tell Pentar.
The maids greeted him on the way outside, walking from hallway to hallway on his own little feet. The light from the windows illuminated his figure as he headed to where his little legs took him.
Before he knew it, he was in the courtyard. The sound of clanking of metals and loud explosive noises reached his ears as his head wings tried covering them up. The courtyard was their beloved builder’s masterpiece, somewhere destruction of any kind isn’t allowed unless you’re gonna fix everything right after. Thankfully there wasn’t a single person in the courtyard, save for the two who were in the middle of a zone filled with pits and holes.
Eugh. Horace is going to have a field day with this one.
He saw a boy his age with wings so dusty, the particles rained down from them with every move. Golden hair flowed through the wind as he attempted to place a TNT minecart on an activator rail before a gray-feathered avian bigger than him destroyed the thing before the smaller one could even shoot an arrow.
“Faster, Theo! How many times do I have to tell you, you need to be quick or you’re dead!” Shoebilly barked, the destroyed TNT minecart in his hand was quickly replaced by a sword, swinging towards Theo, who barely reacted, pulling his sword out to parry the larger bird.
“I’m trying! I’ll get this right, I swear!”
Parrot watched in awe, the fact that Theo is learning the hardest PvP kit out there – a young avian his age, a cockatiel hybrid at that, was learning carts like he was a prodigy of some sort, learning from the best himself.
“Again!”
Theo was already panting, his wings puffed out as he wiped the sweat that dripped down his forehead. Netherite sword disappeared from his hands, replaced by a rail as he readied his stance – his hands trembling from the rigorous training, Parrot felt sorry for his friend.
He set down the rail, backing up with his eyes not leaving Shoebilly as he pulled out another TNT minecart, only to lose his balance after placing it on the rail. Theo instinctively tried steadying himself only to fall in one of the holes from the carts.
A sharp, sickening crunch reached Parrot’s ears, instantly followed by Theo’s scream before it was muffled. The minecart tumbled after him, pinning his legs against the jagged edges of the pit.
“Theo!” Parrot shouted, his core flaring up in his chest as he ran towards the pit, forgetting the etiquette lessons engraved in his brain.
“Shit!” Billy cursed, immediately running over to the injured cockatiel, picking up his axe and returning the TNT minecart to its ‘item’ state.
When the cart disappeared from view and into Billy’s inventory, Theo still had his hands on his mouth, tears falling down from his face as he tried suppressing his screams. His legs twisted in a way that no legs should look, his cargo pants almost ripped from the sharp edges of the cart, so much blood was seeping through the fabric.
“Your highness, this is unsightly, please don’t look!”
Parrot’s chest tightened, the sight was too much for him, there was so much blood coming out of Theo’s small body, the metallic smell invaded his nose as he knelt down, his small hands touching his friend’s mangled knee.
Theo could only scream louder.
“Wait, what are you doing?!” Billy touched Parrot’s wrist, attempting to get it off of Theo, but the moment Billy's skin made contact with Parrot’s, a sudden burst of light came from his core and traveled down his palms. The light that only Parrot could see almost blinded him, bursting through the gaps of his fingers as Theo's legs snapped back into place – his bones aligned itself with the cracks merging together, the flesh, once scrapped and wounded, developed new tissues and stitched itself back. The blood was still visible, but at least it stopped spreading.
Parrot felt a piece of him burn, as if there were pins and needles pricking him from his back, spreading to his core, but he couldn’t concentrate on that pain, not when his friend was suffering the worst out of both of them.
“What the…” Parrot could hear Billy’s voice, the grip on Parrot’s hand loosened as he witnessed a miracle before him. “It’s gone?”
Theo’s hands were still trembling from the physical trauma he just went through. The pain was still there, even when the injury was gone. Parrot could still see the pain in Theo’s face.
Parrot immediately panicked, taking Theo’s hands off his face, only to see the cockatiel bite his lip in an attempt to quiet down. His core pulsed, the beating hammering against his chest. “Theo, a—are you still in pain? Does it hurt a lot?” Parrot’s voice trembled with his shaky hands holding Theo’s wrists. “Tell me please…! Does it still hurt?”
Billy raked up Theo’s pants to his knees, just to see the results of what happened. All they ever saw was that the blood stopped seeping after all, he needed to inspect his student. That kind of injury was something no PvPer would want to have. Their legs are just as important as their hands and arms.
Billy’s breath hitched, his eyes scanning Theo’s fully healed legs. There weren’t any lacerations, no bones sticking out – no traces of injury were left save for the blood on Theo’s pants. “It’s… it’s gone?” Was there even an injury in the first place? Of course there was, there was still evidence of that dreaded thing and Theo was still wearing the bloodied pants. He couldn’t help but look at the royal next to his student. “It’s healed…”
Theo stared at his own knees, the pain expression on his face almost immediately disappeared once he saw the state of him, realizing that the pain he was feeling was completely gone for reasons he couldn’t begin to comprehend. “W—wait, it doesn’t hurt anymore?”
“Wait what?” Parrot looked at Theo’s legs once more, letting go of Theo’s wrists as he inspected the skin. There was nothing. “It… worked?”
“What worked?” Another voice echoed from above the three-block pit. There stood Pangi at the edge of the holes, a hand on his sunglasses that was put above his head, holding his hair away from his face.
Oh, He knew he was in trouble.
“General, I—”
“Mr. Pangi!” Parrot immediately cut in. “Nothing happened, really, Theo just fell and… we’re helping him up.”
Pangi’s blue eyes scanned the whole area, lowering his sunglasses. The light pulsing from Parrot’s hand and his cape with colors that matched a military macaw’s wings has a dimmed wedge (not to mention the flurry of particles, similar to fireflies, were swirling near Theo’s legs, slowly disappearing into the skin. It was something only Aetherians and Lightborns can see).
Pangi could only sigh. “Parrot, you don’t need to lie.” He descended unto the pit, very light on his feet as he knelt down near Theo, his expression now unreadable due to the sunglasses covering his eyes. “Is everything alright here?”
Billy immediately bowed, pushing down Theo’s head to bow along with him. “Yes, General.” He answered sharply. “There was a severe mishap with the minecarts that injured Theo, but…” He glances at Parrot, who had his brows knitted, clutching the hem of his dress shirt. “His highness had completely healed him.”
Pangi only pushed his glasses up his nose bridge, his eyebrows raised staring at the blood stains on Theo’s pants and on the stones he sat on. Then he looked at the cockatiel’s legs – not a single scratch, completely clean, save from the light particles still floating around him.
He cleared his throat. “Healed? I see no injury.” Pangi said, eyes scanning the whole area around the courtyard. “Bro, I don’t see anything!”
‘... Bro?’
“What’s up with him?” Theo whispers to Parrot, who just shrugs his shoulders.
“There’s literally nothing here, are we hallucinating?” His booming laugh almost disturbed the birds resting on trees. “Y’all are joking. Was it a regen pot? I believe I made you carry some, right, Your Highness?”
Pangi literally almost never calls Parrot ‘Your Highness’.
“General, his bones were literally almost sticking ou—”
“You’re hallucinating, Captain!” Okay, that was very invalidating to hear. “Y’all saw nothing, y’all heard nothing, y’all are just tired from all that training, okay? Okay.”
“Right…” Billy slowly nodded his head, a look of concern slowly crept up in his face before he realized. They were never allowed to speak of this. They weren’t told why, they were only hinted at it, considering Pangi’s horrible, horrible attempt at covering it up. He needs to learn how to lie.
“What’s going on here?”
——————————————————————————————————————————
The ticking sound of the metronome was the only thing making noise inside the Emperor’s study. Zam sat behind the dark oak desk, her pen set down neatly along with the documents that hold the Empire’s concerns. She massaged her temples and eyelids, still very composed to the eyes of the overworld species. But to Parrot and Pangi, Zam’s glow was flaring up wildly as her core pulsated strongly.
Fuuuuuuck, he messed up. Pangi messed up real bad. He knew Billy and Theo didn’t believe him. He tried his best to cover it up, he really did. Maybe intimidation would work better next time something like this happens again— not that Pangi would allow it to happen again, obviously…
“So.”
Pangi flinches.
Zam only looked at Shoebilly and Theo, eyes never leaving the two avians. “You found out about Parrot’s abilities.” She said, her voice deceptively calm.
Theo looks at Parrot with pleading eyes, a little intimidated by the weight of the Emperor’s gaze. What kid wouldn’t cry when someone looks at you like you’ve committed a serious crime against the entire empire?
Zam’s eyes landed on the younger Lightborn. “Parrot, since when did you learn how to take a Winged Light from your Wedge?”
“I—”
“You know what? Don’t answer that.” Zam dismissed, taking a deep breath before straightening her back.
“Your Majesty.” Shoebilly called, straightening his back. His wings tucked neatly on his back. “The incident was due to my student’s inexperience and my carelessness. It was our mistake that His Highness had stepped in to heal Theo.”
Zam’s expression almost faltered, her eyes landed on Theo’s trembling figure – still shaking from experiencing that pain she assumes. He was holding Parrot’s hand for support, his figure half hidden behind Parrot, as if he wasn’t taller than her crowned heir. She let her shoulders relax. “Theo.” She called, which only made the cockatiel flinch. “It must’ve been a terrible experience. Are you okay? Still hurting?”
“I— I’m okay.” He responded. “Parr— His Highness completely healed me. I don’t feel any pain at all!”
“Good.”
A wave of relief immediately hits Theo as he breathes out a sigh that didn’t go unnoticed by the people in the room. He slowly let go of Parrot’s hand and came out from behind, his shoulders finally relaxing.
“Pangi?”
Pangi flinches the moment Zam’s eyes are on him. Thankfully, his eyes were covered with his sunglasses, no one can see the dread in his eyes. His gaze darted everywhere but at Zam, but her light being almost everywhere in the room doesn’t make it any better for him. All that strength, all that intimidating Skyborn persona he kept was thrown out the window.
“Really?” Zam deadpanned, her regal composure almost failing. “You called one the best PvPers out there delusional. Are you being for real right now?”
“Hey! I only said he was hallucinating.”
“That is literally the same thing, oh my God!” Zam almost threw her papers out. The regal facade fading almost immediately the moment her hands flew to her golden hair, gripping them in utter frustration. “He can literally see invis particles from a mile away and you think gaslighting him was a good idea?”
“Well, I wouldn’t call it gaslighting...” Pangi mumbled. He looked so small despite being taller than everyone in the room, his pride almost shattering if not for the other three people in the room with them trying not to intervene. Curse them, honestly.
“Tell me, Pangi, what is gaslighting?”
That shut him up really quickly.
“Whatever, enough about that.” Zam sighed, plopping her back onto the chair’s velvety back rest, her hands pinching the bridge of her nose as she crossed her legs. Her eyes landed on the pair of avians who were ready to bolt when the situation called for it. “Come closer, you two. Pangi, make sure no one’s listening.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” His voice, though turned professional, couldn't hide the little hint of sulkiness from the other three in the room. He walked towards the dark oak doors, walking out of the study as he guarded the doors from outside.
As soon as Pangi was out of the room, Zam let out a heavy sigh, looking in between Theo and Billy. Blue eyes locked into the younger lightborn, who was still standing in place with his brows knitted. “Parrot, come here. Next to me.”
With a look of guilt, Parrot walked over, his steps shorter than it usually was. He stood right next to Zam – near her chair, and looked up at his foster parent, lips pressed together – tense, until Zam’s hand reached his hair.
“No one’s in trouble, okay?” She reassured, her voice turning gentle as Parrot relaxes. “If you weren’t there, Theo would’ve suffered severe consequences. I can’t punish you for that. Even if it was reckless.” She, then, turned to face the two Avians in front of her. “Well then. You know what Aetherians are, correct?”
“Yes, your Majesty. They’re from the realm beyond the sky.” Billy responded immediately. “No Overworlder, Netherborn, nor Voidborns can enter unless someone with authority allows their entry.”
“Wait, how do you know these things?” Theo asked, his voice hinted a little suspicion towards his mentor as he eyed him from head to toe.
“Theo…”
“Yeah, Parrot?”
“Did you forget Shoebilly is a knight commander of Cindercrest?”
“... Oh… OH!!” Theo yelled out, finally connecting the dots. “Emperor Saparata’s an Aetherian!”
“Heh… fortunately, His Majesty Saparata is quite fond of Lightborns like Her Majesty.” Billy added with his head held high. “And I’m guessing the problem lies with us knowing there’s another one, instead of just you, Emperor.”
Zam let out a satisfied hum. “Very quick to catch on, Captain.” She commended. “See, there’s a reason why we’re hiding Parrot. He may be a smart one, but he’s still a child. Children can easily be exploited and I’ve already suffered from it.
“What you just witnessed earlier was a fraction of what Lightborns can do for this world. Sure we weren’t familiar with it at first, considering we’re not from here…” Her voice quieted down at the mention of their origins. “But we’ve come to understand the way our light works in a living world.”
“Living world? Does that mean there’s a dead world too?!” Theo gasped, looking at both Zam and Parrot for answers.
Parrot gave the younger avian an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Theo, I don’t remember where I came from.”
“All you need to know is that we came from a different world, Theo.” Zam shot him down quickly. “You both just need to promise me that you won’t tell a single soul about Parrot’s existence. Understood?”
Billy dropped down on one knee with his head bowed down. “You have my word, Your Majesty.”
Theo followed Billy’s example, though his movements aren’t as sharp yet. “Yes, Your Majesty!”
A satisfied smile made its way into Zam’s face as she looked at Parrot, then to the letter she set aside moments prior. “Now that that’s over, you both are dismissed.”
Billy immediately hauled Theo into his arms – that only embarrassed the younger avian even further, until they were both gone, leaving the two lightborns in the study. Zam’s posture relaxed as she slumped back into her chair with a sigh.
She looked at Parrot with such adoring eyes, seeing herself in the younger lightborn. How naive she was back at the caves, how Arachn1d manipulated and treated her before Pangi saved her from the basement. She smiles at the innocent glimmer in Parrot’s eyes.
“Parrot.” She called. “There’s been something I’ve been meaning to tell you. Pay attention.
“Delegates from the Farlands would be arriving within the day. King Jamato would be joining us this time to discuss exports. Parrot, I want you to stay in your quarters for the time being and until the delegates leave the castle, you are not allowed out.” Parrot opened his mouth to complain, but he was shut down with just a flick of a finger. “And to make sure you’re not getting yourself into trouble, Flame would be guarding you.”
“But Zam!” Parrot reacted, placing his hands on Zam’s arm rest. “With all due respect, I’m not weak!”
“Parrot.”
“And, and! I’m strong enough to defend myself! Flame’s been teaching me how to use a sword and—”
“Parrot!”
“Mother, please—!” Parrot’s eyes widened as he covered his mouth, the words came out of his mouth without hesitation.
Zam stills. Her core brightens while Parrot dims slightly. Her eyes widened for a moment before it softened. She adjusted her seat before placing a hand on Parrot’s shoulder, both lightborns now facing each other as the flurry of light inside the room calms.
That was the first time he’s ever called her Mother, or any names for Parental figures.
“I— I mean, Zam…” Parrot’s voice quieted down as he hid his core from her eyes. “Why does every time someone from outside visits, you always tell me to hide. Why can’t I just… walk around?”
“I’m not risking it, Parrot.” Zam could only shake her head, her grip on Parrot’s shoulder tightened as she sucked a breath. “You are the most important person here. You’re the only one I have from our homeworld.”
Silence befell in the study, save from the ticking sound of the Metronome on Zam’s desk.
Parrot’s gaze fell on his shoes as he pressed his lips together, his eyebrows knitted in frustration as he clenched his fists under the ruffled sleeves of his dress shirt.
“Now Parrot.”
Parrot looks up. “Yes, Zam?”
“Go to your room.”