#macawparrot

The scarlet red of vibrant feathers catch the attention of Tech's bespectacled eyes. He pauses in the doorway to the lecture hall, his attention thoroughly piqued, no matter the lecture on *Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics* which starts in five minutes. And no matter he purchased advanced tickets specifically to see Dr Se's lecture. He is almost positive the red feathers he's spied in amongst the trees on campus is a *macaw*.

The bird spreads its massive wings, which are adorned in speckles of blue and green to complement its bright red feathers, then it swoops directly for him. Alarmed, Tech holds out his arm, like Wrecker showed him to do when his brother was able to summon Tech into the woodlands for his zoology courses. Wrecker had been birdkeeping a cast of hawks, but surely, the principle would remain the same with a parrot?

*Stand with confidence,* Tech recalls Wrecker's instruction that day. He had adjusted Tech's arm, adorned with a thick raptor glove, then sent him a Wrecker-branded grin. He had been pleased Tech was there. *Cast out your arm with the sturdiness of an tree. Root yourself in the ground. Then trust the bird will land with you.*

Tech may not be wielding a protective raptor glove now, but he *is* staring into a gorgeous array of colorful feathers as the bird descends towards him. Maybe his glasses had been reflecting the sunlight, and drawn the bird's interest? Maybe he was about to be mercilessly attacked by a New World parrot?

*Trust the bird, Tech!* Wrecker's voice echoes in the back of his mind.

Trust the bird. He can do this. Trust the macaw.

But what was a macaw doing on *campus?*

Moreover, what was Tech *thinking* offering his arm to it? He *could* be attacked, or worse, lose his glasses. He won't be able to watch the lecture without them! Or get home! Or survive the teasing from Crosshair! Or-

The bird lands effortesly on Tech's outstretched arm. Tech lets out a relieved breath, marvelling up at the sight of the parrot, now seeing its vibrant reds, greens and blues up close. Its eyes are a very gentle blue, eyes which marvel Tech equally the same.

"Hello," he tells the bird.

It makes, from what Tech can remember from Wrecker's crash course in zoology, a pleased bird noise. Its feathers ruffle on the back of its neck, and apparently satisfied, it begins pruning the feathers underneath one of his wings. It does not move from Tech's arm, not even as Tech moves it gently to adjust to a more comfortable height.

"Where did you come from, then?"

The bird stares back at him, continuing to clean itself.

"Or do you not talk?"

The macaw has a look of intelligence behind its eyes, especially as it bobs its head a few times at Tech's words. It doesn't answer him, nor does it 'parrot' his speech like he understands parrots are able to do. Wrecker would know. But alas, it is *Tech* with an unexpected macaw on his arm, in the middle of campus, because *he* decided to offer it somewhere to perch. More likely than not, it is an escaped pet, and someone is looking for it.

The bird moves up his arm, towards Tech's shoulder. Still somewhat alarmed, Tech goes cross-eyed as he tries to follow its movements, where the bird moves to comfortably perch on his shoulder. Noticeably, it avoids the leather strap of his satchel, so as to not damage the bag. There, it regards Tech a final time, then it says, "Let's go for a walk." In perfect English. Albeit in a scratchy 'parrot' accent, but it's English no less.

"A... A walk?" Tech asks.

"A walk," the bird repeats.

"I... see." Tech swallows, glancing between the entry to the lecture theatre, then to the path leading off-campus. It's only a two minute walk home. "Well, will you stay on my shoulder? I have a brother who would love to see you. Wherever you came from."

"Walk."

He takes one last look at the lecture theatre's doors. Then Tech sighs.