Letting Go (Open)

[Leopold]

Leopold sat in the backseat of the van, staring down at the small cage, from which several noises were coming. "It's alright, girl," he whispered. "I know you don't like being in there, but soon, you'll be free." A tear glinted in the youth's eyes. Serenity, the Krider's hawk he had been taking care of, was leaving the raptor centre for the wild. He couldn't help but tear up a bit - he was losing a companion...but it was all for the best. She would be free. She would fly high into the skies; she would catch and eat her own meat; she would have her own territory to live in.

Her DNA flowed through his veins. She would live on in the wild, but she also had made a great stamp upon him. He was happy to have had the privilege, and he felt she'd been the one to allow him to take and use her DNA, even though hawks didn't understand things like that, and he knew it. He reached his hand into her kennel like cage, and gently stroked the side of her head. She liked that, but only when he did it. He hoped for her sake, that she hadn't gotten so used to him that she'd be unable to live in the wild. He'd check up on her every now and then if he could.

He had invited a few of his friends to go with him. Fellow Animorphs, of course; he wanted them to see his friend go free.

[Nancy]

Nancy sat in the middle seat. Her face was upturned and staring out the window towards the sky. She felt a bit special, as cheesy as it sounded, that she was going to watch a wild animal being returned to the wild so it could live on its own and be free. Thoughts raced through her mind. I wonder, how is Leopold really taking this? I know what his exterior says, but what is he really feeling? Is he...happy? I don't I could be happy. It would be like giving away a puppy after a year of having it.

She unconsciously smoothed out a small wrinkle in her skirt. Then she smiled, still staring out the window. She imagined herself flying through the air and how wonderful it must feel. At least, I think it would. I've not had the nerve to try it yet but other birds must like it. Nancy glanced down at the digital camera that was hanging around her neck. She had brought it along to capture the special moment, not that she knew what she would ever do with it, but Leo would probably like it.

She smiled at the thought and looked out the window again.

[Mark]

((For reasons of logic... the car must have a driver. Hope I'm not stepping on toes.))

The man loved what he did, Mark had to admit it. Seeing the way that Leopold took care of his charges and treated them almost as if they were people rather than the wild beasts that they were... It was hard to believe sometimes. He smiled. "Come on, cheer up. You'll both be happier that way. I doubt you'd feel anything from gratitude if you were in her place." He tapped a short beat on the steering wheel and raised his eyebrow. "You do fly more often then anyone else here after all. Ney?"

"Try to think about how beautiful she'll be when she finally takes wing. A regular sky queen if I'd guess." He looked in the rear view mirror for a second to check on the others, then focused on keeping the ride smooth. An angry hawk in the vehicle would be more likely to hurt itself then not. "She like music?"

[embergryphon]

Keith kind of understood how Leopold felt- he'd had to leave his pet ferret, Duce, behind after he'd acquired him when SPECTER recruited him, and he knew that even people like him, who tried not to let anything bother them, could be hurt by losing a friend- even a friend who was just an animal.

Maybe even moreso, when they were just an animal. He'd never met a human who was willing to eat Cheetos and watch bad Sci-fi movies at three in the morning with the same regularity as Duce.

He was in the front seat, next to Mark, and he usually just watched the trees through the windshield- but occassionally he glanced back at the kennel where the hawk was held. He kind of wished he could see her better than just a bundle of feathers through the air slats- he'd always thought raptors looked beautiful. "It'll be awesome," he said, grinning, at Mark's comment about the moment she took to the air. It was where she belonged, after all.

[Leopold]

Leopold was so grateful to have friends like he did; he'd never really had many friends, which was why he'd turned to the birds. This Animorphs thing had really made his life better, he realised. He understood what Mark was saying, and smiled. "Mm...try some classical music. She really seems to like that." He'd played that for her before; it was very soothing to the hawk.

Soon, they were there; it was a very grassy field with some trees for shelter. It was no doubt there were mice in that field: food for Serenity to catch and eat. He knew from experience that the hawk loved the hunt. It was part of her nature. As Mark stopped the vehicle, Leopold stroked her head, smiling at her. Her injury had been caused by a car hitting her; people threw litter in the road, which attracted rodents, which the hawks hunted. It really was disgusting.

He was so glad that she was able to be healed. He was both happy and sad - happy she'd be flying free in a world made for her. Sad that he probably wouldn't see her again...except, maybe, when he looked up. "I think I'm ready."

[embergryphon]

Keith was sitting on the hood of the van, giving Leopold and the hawk some space. Partially, of course, because the animals at the circus were always a little edgy when there were crowds, and this bird was less tame than them- and partially because he didn't really do bittersweet scenes with much grace. He figured he'd be a better support system from back here, with the occassional encouraging smile.

It was a pretty little field; he hoped the hawk liked it. Really, before this whole Animorph thing, he'd never given nature or animals all that much thought- but this was pretty cool. Hawks were just naturally awesome animals- beautiful, powerful, predatory- and seeing one being returned to the wild after being nursed back to health was awesome. He was looking forward to it.

"Go for it," he said, just loudly enough so his voice would carry to where Leopold was standing, but, he hoped, not so loud it was intrusive. He had an issue with that, sometimes.

[Mark]

Turning off the engine, but leaving the key on, he slipped a mix tape into the casette player and got out. Looking out on the overgrown field he wondered at what had made it. Was it a burn out, just a place where some trees fell and opened up some ground and sky, or a planned thing. He didn't know. He just knew that it was a nice place.

"I hope you're ready. She looks like she's been ready for a while." He smirked and pulled the small remote out of his jacket pocket. Pointing it at the van he pressed the [>] play button before putting it back in his pocket and leaning against a nearby tree as the song started.

Come fly with me, let's fly lets fly away... If you can use, some exotic booze; There's a bar in far Bombay... Come fly with me lets fly lets fly away

(Frank Sinatra - Come Fly With Me)

"Go on, if you morph she won't care if you're up there. In her mind you're the same."

[Nancy]

As Nancy got out, she breathed deeply as the fresh air filled her lungs. The wind was softly ruffling the grass and she could glimpse a few strands moving randomly, probably by a mouse or such. It was beautiful. She had no doubt that the hawk would want to live there. "It's really nice," she said softly, almost to herself.

She stopped a few paces away from Leopold and the raptor. She turned the camera on and aimed it across the field. With a barely-audible click, the scenery was captured. Then another click, and the van and the three humans and the bird were captured. Then a third click. Leopold and the hawk. She was glad she brought her camera. She didn't say anything to Leopold though, as she just stood there, supporting him with her silence.

[Leopold]

Leopold nodded, getting the container that held the hawk. He held it gently, but was strong enough to lift it. His friends’ words of encouragement or presence made him feel better, as did Mark’s choice of song. He smiled at Serenity – such a fitting name for such a beautiful hawk – as he set the container in the grass and opened it. He held out his arm, and let her climb onto it.

“Go on,” he told her. “It’s time to return to where you belong.” The wild, her own mice, her own field...he hoped it would make her happy. After what seemed like forever, she spread her wings and took off, disappearing into the forest. Leopold stood up, and looked over at the others. He wondered now what; they really didn't have much to do at the current time. Maybe they could go get a burger or something.

[Mark]

As the bird finally took wing, Mark nodded in satisfaction. He watched the hunter fly off to explore her new home and waited as the quiet sounds of the forest returned. ...And may you find comfort in the arms of the Anemoi "Come on," He said after a long pause. "We don't want to keep her from getting comfortable by staying here. Why don't we see if we can rent a pedal boat or something." Maybe focusing on friends and having fun would help Leo to not think about the departure of his ward. I know I'd be regretting losing something I've worked so hard to help.