I already knew Damian Ashelocke didn't like chickens or the fowl deities Gabrielle decided to have at the Navel. I've just found out he's not too fond of ducks either in this flashback tale of back when it was just 'Brie and himself at the Navel...
Warning, this story contains what appears to be non consensual actions between ducks. I used to see this myself on a semi-regular basis when I lived in an apartment on a duck pond. Often I'd shake my head, thinking, "If you were humans, you'd be in jail."
The bird’s bill was rounded, less ferocious. His green and black feathers were muted, sleek, and tapered. The duck paddled across the pond, seeming more mild mannered and easy going than any chicken.
Until he mounted another duck with the same green and black feathers, holding him under the water.
The other bird struggled, but his captor held him fast.
“Duck on duck rape,” Gabrielle observed, utterly unfazed by the attack on the pond.
“You’re late,” Damian muttered, glancing at his master out of the corner of his eye.
‘Brie leaned forward to press her hands upon her knees under her full skirt. Feathers hung down from a girdle around her waist.
“Ah, well, I made you wait in a lovely spot.” Gabrielle glanced the water.
The two ducks surfaced. The victim spluttered, shaking water off his back. The attacker swam away, looking entirely too satisfied.
“Both males.” Gabrielle lifted a hand to cover her twitching lips. “To think there are those whom think this is against nature.” She raised an eyebrow at Damian. “Spoken like someone who knows nothing of nature.”
“How can you be so calm?” Damian pointed a shaky finger at the damp duck. “This poor creature was just violated! We ought to…” He trailed off at the sight of the violated creature in question, paddling after his attacker with a coy quack.
“What ought we do?” ‘Brie cocked her head in her protege’s direction. “Just what should we do?”
The victim continued to swim, side by side with the duck who despoiled him. The guilty bird held his feathered head high, without a care in the world. Nor did he turn back to look at the one who followed him.
“This isn’t right. He shouldn’t get away with it,” Damian muttered. “Birds are trouble. Almost as bad as spiders.”
Ravager and victim let out a series of derisive quacks as if they were laughing at the fool arachnocratic boy. The two ducks paddled away from Damian on webbed feet.
“Every animal can be bad, including the human shaped ones.” Gabrielle tilted her face up in the direction of the setting sun. “I considered collecting wooden ducks for the Navel, only their feathers and bills are too subdued. Chicken deities are much more fitting for my shop.”
“Why?” Damian studied the purple and rose clouds, swimming across the sky. “Why do you like about them?”
The question lay between mentor and student, heavy with double meaning.
For a moment, Damian fancied the colors in the heavens were swimming in his aunt’s irises. The ones closest in hue to his own.
Was there any place in this world where she wasn’t watching, waiting? Somewhere he wouldn’t see a reflection of her predatory attitude acted out by a bird or a beast?
“Maybe a better question is why don’t you like them?” ‘Brie turned to gaze at her protege from beneath lowered eyelashes. “Think about it, Damian.”
Damian bit his lower lip and looked down at the ducks.
They drifted over water dappled with light, all conflict forgotten.
If only Damian could do the same.
No comments:
Post a Comment