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  • Wrapping Christmas Presents

     “Gary! At this rate you’ll eat all the candy by the time we’re done wrapping!” Fireblaze laughed, snatching the bag of chocolate out of the rooster’s wing. “Please- they’re for giving to our friends!”
      With the chocolate safe, Fireblaze could focus on wrapping Christmas presents. Now, let’s see… she thought, Sandy and Dusty’s can go into the same bag, and… Fionita would like this scarf- I gotta send it to her early since she’s in a different state.
      She finished tying Anya’s gift with a red ribbon and Sophia handed her the scissors. With a quick nod of appreciation, Fireblaze cut the ribbon so that both sides were the exact same length. Perfect!
      Next she picked up the book she was planning to give to Hazel. She’ll like the green wrapping paper- the one with Christmas trees on it.
       Looking through the pile of supplies, Fireblaze noticed that the said green paper was gone. It was here just a second ago! she thought, with a mild pang of frustration, Maybe Sophie’s put it someplace…
      As she opened her beak to ask Sophia if she’d seen it, there was a loud rustling noise behind her.
      Fireblaze spun her head around to see Jilly, who had been peacefully playing with a ribbon a minute ago.
      The small brown hen was all tangled up in wrapping paper (not just any wrapping paper- Hazel’s Christmas tree paper!), and she was hopping towards Fireblaze!
      Tripping over the roll of wrapping paper that she had emptied in order to wrap herself, Jilly landed next to Fireblaze’s leg and looked up at her, smiling. “I’m a present for you!” she said.
      “Is there a gift receipt?” Fireblaze snorted, then let out an indignant cluck as Sophia’s sharp elbow prodded into her side.
      Once they carefully got all the wrapping paper off of Jilly (which was extremely hard because she had skillfully taped it to herself), Fireblaze was relieved that there was still some left undamaged. Her and Sophia managed to cut around the ripped parts and end up with enough wrapping paper for Hazel’s present.

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  • Jilly The Fly

      Lying on the living room floor, Fireblaze narrowed her eyes in desperate concentration, trying to think of more ways to solve the problem since none were reliable enough so far.
      Beside her, her friends Sophia and Gary looked solemn, too.
      “It’ll be okay,” Sophia encouraged her in a murmur, “I’m sure we’ll come up with something!”
      Fireblaze said nothing, and instead stared intensely at the paper in front of her. She reread the ideas that had been scribbled down on it- trying to figure out if one might be worth trying, or if they were all useless.
      “I’m a fly!” flapping her wings, Jilly ran in circles around the living room, occasionally jumping up on the couch, “Bzz! Bzz!”
      Well, you certainly are as annoying as one! Fireblaze thought, letting out a snort. She continued studying the page.
      Maybe if two of the ideas were combined…? she pondered, comparing each one.
      “Bzz! Bzz!”
      No! That wouldn’t do- none of them go together!
      “Bzz! Bzz!”
      Fireblaze shook her head, trying to rid her ears of the noise. Is there any idea that could-
      “Bzz! Bzz!”
      “All this buzzing is interfering with my thinking!” Fireblaze finally burst out, “Sophie- please make her stop- before I get a flyswatter!”

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  • Fear of the Dark

      It was night. Darkness filled the room, and although the moon was full its light could not penetrate through the closed blinds.
      Under her blanket, Dusty shivered.
      “Sandy,” she whispered to her sister, who was above her on the top bunk, “I’m afraid of the dark.”
      “The dark can’t hurt you,” Sandy reassured her in a soft mutter. Dusty heard her roll over in her bed.
      Clutching her blanket, Dusty tried to fall asleep, but shadows seemed to move across the room and she couldn’t help but imagine something hiding in every corner.
      “Sandy,” she whispered again, “I’m a scaredy-cat.”
      “I know you are, featherduster!” Sandy scoffed, her cluck filled with affection despite her teasing tone.
      Then her wing hung down from her bunk, beckoning to Dusty. “Come on up,” she invited, “You’ll feel safer here.”
      Hastily, Dusty crawled up the ladder, feeling instant relief as she snuggled up next to her sister.
      “It’s okay now, Dusty,” Sandy murmured as Dusty closed her eyes. She wrapped her wing around Dusty with a yawn, “I won’t let anything hurt you.”

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    • I ❤️ Dusty & Sandy.
      I’ll turn my back to you, both stars and blood alike.

      Reply

  • Buck’s Climb

      Grassy gazed up at the tall tree, which towered above her and the other chickens. “So tall…” she breathed, “Is that climbable?”
      Anya shook her head, “I don’t think any of us can climb it.”
      Upon hearing that, Buck instantly pushed to the front of the group.
      “Maybe you can’t,” the cream-colored rooster argued, “But I certainly can.”
      He stretched his muscular wings, visibly getting ready for the climb. “Stand back, ladies- give the man some space!”
      Heaving himself up to the first branch (in a way that he obviously thought looked very skilled and agile but was actually very awkward), Buck began to climb.
      Grassy’s eyes stretched wide in amazement and Flighty giggled at his clumsy climbing, but Anya frowned, looking up at the highest branch, which was thin and swayed in the wind. “It’s not safe!” she called anxiously, “The top branch won’t hold you!”
      “Are you calling me fat?” Buck exclaimed, a stubborn grin on his beak, “Oh, no- this is all muscle!”
      As he twisted around to face her, he let go of the branch, tumbling to the ground with a loud squawk. Grassy closed her eyes.
      “I’m fine! I’m totally fine!” Buck leaped to his feet, indignation flashing in his orange eyes, “That was… a planned landing!”
      “At least now we know why your name is Buck!” Flighty said cheekily.
      “Why?” Anya clucked, looking curious.
      “After the sound you make when you fall off trees,” Flighty responded. “Buk-buk-buckaw!” she imitated, making her voice sound squeaky.
      “No! I was named after a moose!” Buck protested, and tails twitched in amusement.

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    • Buck 😆
      I’ll turn my back to you, both stars and blood alike.

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  • The Little Jeep

      Fireblaze was in her living room, just about to turn on the television, when she heard the doorbell ring.
      I wonder who it could be- this early on a weekend? Fireblaze thought as she got up from the couch and went to see who it was.
      The door swung open as she approached it and there- on the front step- stood none other than Jilly.
      Her wings behind her back, she looked up at Fireblaze with a huge smile and shining olive eyes that betrayed joyful excitement.
      Fireblaze wondered what the little hen wanted from her.
      “Fire, I got you a jeep!” Jilly said, pulling her wings out from behind her back and handing a roller skate to Fireblaze, “You love jeeps, don’t you?”
      Fireblaze took the gift from her, speechless because of the sudden mixture of surprise, confusion, and gratitude she felt. “Um… thank you,” she stammered, putting on a smile, “That’s very… considerate.”
      Watching her take the roller skate, Jilly beamed, obviously triumphant that she had done something Fireblaze liked.
      Going back into the house, Fireblaze studied the roller skate as she walked through the hallway, wondering how one could think it was a jeep. It didn’t resemble one whatsoever! Maybe because it has wheels? she thought, remembering the time Jilly thought a lawn mower was a car.
      Then she remembered the look of excitement in Jilly’s eyes as she waited to present the gift… Her happiness as Fireblaze thanked her…
      Smiling, Fireblaze put her jeep on the souvenir shelf, where she could always see it.

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    • Aw, Fire’s so kind! And Jilly’s so sweet.
      I’ll turn my back to you, both stars and blood alike.

      Reply

  • The Note

      Sandy got out of bed.
      On the bottom bunk, Dusty was still asleep, breathing heavily because of her sickness.
      “Sandy, it’s time for school!” Mom’s voice came from the hallway.
      Sandy sighed. She hated to leave her sister, who was too weak to go to school until she recovered.
      “I’ll come in a minute,” she called to her Mom.
      Grabbing a piece of paper from the desk, she quickly scribbled something down and folded it.
      Quietly, Sandy slipped the note into Dusty’s wing and gently pressed her wing-feathers into a secure grasp, being careful not to wake her in the process.
      “Bye, Dusty!” she whispered, then dashed out the room to prepare for school.

      Dusty’s eyes flickered open and she squinted at the bright morning light.
      She moaned, not feeling strong enough to get out of bed just yet.
      Then, as she rolled over, she noticed that she was holding a small piece of paper in her wing.
      Puzzled, she unfolded it, and read the note inside.

      Dear Dusty,
      I’m at school but I will be home really soon to hug you. I’m thinking about you the whole time until then.
      Hope you feel better soon.
      Love, Sandy

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  • The Doughnuts

      Sitting down at a table, Sandy and Dusty breathed in the warm, sweet smell that filled the doughnut shop.
      “I’ll go get us drinks,” Sandy said, putting down the box of doughnuts. “You can start on your doughnut, I’ll be back soon,” she called as she dashed away towards the soda dispenser.
      Dusty took out the chocolate doughnut she had ordered, leaving the box open since Sandy would soon return to have her strawberry flavored one.
      Gazing at her sweet looking doughnut with satisfaction, Dusty then noticed that hers had more icing than Sandy’s.
      She got a butter knife and used it to peel off some of her creamy white frosting, then carefully spread it on Sandy’s doughnut, smoothing it to make it look nice.

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  • Lost

      Fireblaze stood on the sidewalk by the intersection, jumping to the side as she narrowly missed being hit by Sophia’s wing.
      “Sorry!” Sophia called, her cluck muffled by the violent wind, which was tearing the map she was holding from her grasp, causing her to flail around wildly as she tried to get a grip on it.
      “Get a hold of yourself!” Fireblaze snapped as she was once more almost knocked off her feet by the struggling hen.
      “I would love to, but I’m trying to get a hold of this map first,” Sophia responded without looking up.
      Fireblaze sighed as she thought about how slowly they were traveling. With the addition of such problems as disobediant maps, there was no telling how long it would take.
      Sophia finally won the battle against the map, grasping the stubborn paper by its corners and cluching it tightly. Her triumphant look quickly faded as she studied the map more closely, and it was clear that she was unable to figure out which line represented which road, where they were, and where to turn next.
      Watching Sophia struggle to read the map reminded Fireblaze just how lost they were. A lump formed in her throat. I just want to go home…
      “We’ll be okay,” Sophia came up to stand next to Fireblaze, “Don’t worry, we can’t be lost forever.” Irritation grew inside Fireblaze and she struggled to contain it.
      To make matters worse, Sophia wrapped her right wing around her sympathetically, almost allowing the map to escape.
      A low grumbling sound escaped Fireblaze’s throat.
      Sophia looked at her with confusion.
      “For the record,” Fireblaze huffed in an attempt to make her emotions less confusing, “No- I’m not worried, and yes- we can be lost forever if you lose that map!”
      She sighed, “Please just focus on what we’re doing instead of constantly comforting me.”
      Sophia looked mildly hurt. “Well if you don’t want my friendship then what am I even doing here?” she snapped.
      “Easy,” Fireblaze replied, and the beginning of a grin showed on her beak for the first time, “My phone’s dead so you’re filling in for Siri until I can get it charged.”
      Rolling her eyes, Sophia went back to struggling with the map.
      “You’re holding that map upside down, by the way,” Fireblaze pointed out casually and Sophia’s eyes widened as she realized why she had been failing to interpret it in the first place.

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  • Vacation

      “Fire, I’ve been thinking,” Fireblaze’s Mom said as Fireblaze took a seat on the couch, wondering what to expect, “You’ve been… working… a lot.”
     Fireblaze bristled at the way she said “work”, knowing all too well that Mom didn’t approve of the things Fireblaze considered work, which often included rebelling against teachers, protesting against rules, and pushing boundaries- but all for good causes! “Yes,” she clucked briskly, “Your point?”
      “You’ve been working too much in my opinion,” Mom’s voice was terse. “Which is why I’ve decided you need a vacation,” she added, brightening, as she held out a booklet, “You’re going to stay at a cabin for a few days.”
      Fireblaze tensed, not knowing whether to feel happy or enraged.
      Normally she would be delighted at such an opportunity- she was maybe even delighted this time but to stop her from working? This was an insult!
      “I’ll drop you off at the campsite tomorrow,” Mom said before Fireblaze had time to argue, “You can pick a friend to go with you.”
      Still unsure how to react, Fireblaze just groaned.

      Stretching, Fireblaze stepped out of the cabin and onto the wooden porch, surrounded by grass.
      Sophia followed her out- bright-eyed and lively.
      “You look cheerful,” Fireblaze huffed, her feathers itching to go back home as she remembered all her unfinished duties.
      “Um- yeah?” Sophia clucked briskly, “I’m in nature, I’m free, I have the whole day to just.. explore.” She studied Fireblaze with an intent, understanding look, “Why wouldn’t I be cheerful?”
      Fireblaze glanced around at the green woods. Sophia was right that this was an enjoyable place. It wasn’t that she didn’t like it here. In reality, she was torn. She wanted to enjoy being here- but how could she when there was so much she had to finish- there, at home?
      “My Mom picked the wrong time for this nice trip,” she clucked bitterly.
      “I get it,” Sophia smiled sympathetically. She gave Fireblaze a sidelong glance, “But now that you’re here you might as well enjoy it.”
      “It’s not like I can help worrying about what’s going on at home,” Fireblaze sighed, “How can I not worry- I’m needed there! My friends need me…” she glanced down at the boarded floor, “My work needs me.”
      “You worrying here won’t get any work done back at home,” Sophia said plainly. Fireblaze shuffled one foot, realizing she was probably right. “So I suggest you stop worrying and relax. True- that might not get your work done, either,” she added, “But at least it’s a lot more fun.”
      Although fun in nature did sound appealing, Fireblaze cast her a doubtful glance.
      “Oh, Fire- just enjoy!” Sophia coaxed, a smile on her beak as she looked around “Breathe!” Her cream feathers blew gently in the breeze as she closed her eyes and drew in a long breath. “Ah, the pines…” she murmured, then glanced back at Fireblaze. “Do you even know what pines smell like?”
      “Of course I know what pines smell like,” Fireblaze retorted, “I’m surrounded by nothing but them for miles!”
      “Yeah, but did you ever take the time to smell them?” Sophia pressed.
      “Of course I did,” Fireblaze mumbled as she took in the scent, surprised at its refreshing sharpness.
      The hens stood in silence for a minute, then a smile curled up Sophia’s beak and she placed her wing tip lightly on Fireblaze’s shoulder.
      “Tag,” she clucked quietly, her brown eyes shining as she met Fireblaze’s gaze with spirit and excitement, “You’re it!”
      “Hey!” Fireblaze leaped up, watching Sophia dash away through the tall grass.
      Forgetting her worries and doubts, the slender orange hen raced up the slope. Gusts of cool wind blew wildly at her face. As the lush forest surrounded her, she relaxed into the energy pulsing through her. She was fast. She was free. Her amber eyes narrowed in determination as the seriousness and concern that had weighed her down lifted and she pushed herself to run faster. Work could wait. Sophia… not as likely.
      A laugh escaped Fireblaze’s throat as she neared her friend and hurried to catch her.

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    • “Of course I know what pines smell like,”

      Why is that so funny? 😝
      Lupin is awesome!

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  • Late-Night Meeting

      Fireblaze opened her eyes and sat up in bed.
      The clock read 1:02 am.
      After several nightmares had reminded Fireblaze of all the problems; All the missions; All the tragedies she needed to prevent… she couldn’t go back to sleep- she had to make plans!
      Below her on the bottom bunk, the twins, who were at her house for a sleepover, were fast asleep. Fireblaze climbed down the ladder.
      “Hey, wake up,” she whispered, shaking Dusty.
      “Huh?” Dusty’s brown eyes flickered open as she looked up at Fireblaze in confusion.
      “Emergency meeting,” Fireblaze explained, “Get Sandy.”
      “I could try, but she’s a tight sleeper,” Dusty mumbled, glancing to where the yellow hen lay stretched out comfortably next to her sister’s now-empty space.
      Fireblaze huffed quietly. “So she’s bad at waking up?”
      “She’s good at staying asleep,” Dusty corrected.
      Fireblaze pushed past her and crawled across the bed to Sandy.
      “Sandy,” she whispered. Sandy didn’t stir. “Hey, Sandy!” this time Fireblaze’s whisper was almost as loud as a normal cluck.
      “Go to sleep, Dusty, it was just a dream,” Sandy murmured in her sleep but didn’t wake up.
      “Emergency meeting!”
      “It’s the middle of the night…” Sandy muttered.
      “One o’clock in the morning could technically be considered, um… morning!” Fireblaze retorted under her breath.
      “Come on, Sandy. Please?” she begged.
      “Wake up!” Fireblaze gave her friend a rough shake.
      Sandy rolled over.
      That’s it! Fireblaze thought, having lost her patience, Time for desperate measures!
      She leaned in, close to Sandy’s ear.
      “Sandy, get up,” she whispered softly, “Dusty’s hurt.”
      Instantly awake, Sandy bolted upright, alarm flashing in her eyes.
      Dusty, who was standing by the bed, blinked innocently.

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  • Good Enough

      Fireblaze sighed. Once again, she had messed up.
      Her feathers bristled with disappointment and anger at herself.
      “Hey,” Sophia padded up to the miserable hen, concern in her expression as she noticed her friend’s agitation, “Take it easy.”
      “I can’t,” Fireblaze huffed, letting her shoulders droop, “I made too many mistakes!”
      “Fire,” Sophia looked at her, her eyes like deep brown pools of clear, shining water.
      “Stop trying to be perfect. You will never be perfect. Only Jesus is.” Her voice was intense but soft. “And you can stop trying to be good, too.”
      Fireblaze glanced at her.
      “You are already good, Fire. You are good enough just by being you so stop trying so hard,” there was affection in her smile.
      “I know,” Fireblaze agreed, “But there’s always room for improvement…”
      “There is, but don’t rush it,” Sophia touched her lightly on the shoulder, “We can’t grow up in one day.”
      She took a pace back to look at Fireblaze. “Just be a good chicken. Trust me- that’s enough.”
      Sophia’s clear gaze burning into hers once more, Fireblaze found herself nodding, feeling a weight lift from her.

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    • Everybody should just receive advice from Sophia, because she’s wonderful at giving it! <3
      Squirrelflight lover

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  • To Take Out the Anger

      Fireblaze rolled over in bed, visions of syringes dancing through her mind- reminding her how much she hated them.
      She tried closing her eyes, but rage made her feel wide awake.
      Beside her, Cicely -whose house Fireblaze was at for a sleepover- was asleep, her breathing soft and steady.
      Fireblaze felt bad waking her friend, but what could she do? She was angry, tired, awake, and overwhelmed. She needed company in her struggles.
      Sitting up, Fireblaze gave the small brown hen a hard nudge.
      Cicely’s soft brown eyes opened and she looked around, confused. “Huh? Fire?” she looked up at Fireblaze. “Are you okay?”
      “I randomly had this really strong urge to beat up a shot,” Fireblaze explained her feelings.
      With a sleepy sigh, Cicely slid off the bed and stumbled over to her desk.
      The dim desk lamp lit up and she quickly sketched something on a piece of paper she’d grabbed.
      “Here,” Cicely came back up to the bed, handing Fireblaze a simple drawing of a syringe and a marker.
      “Thanks,” Fireblaze mumbled.
      Sitting up in bed, Cicely waited as Fireblaze gladly scribbled out the syringe on the picture.
      Then, with Fireblaze’s anger taken out and her peacefulness restored, the two friends curled up together and were soon asleep.

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