Here To Stay Is A New Bird

This is not an unfinished drawing. Lately I've really enjoyed sketching from the elbow: just getting my visions down on paper with minimal fuss or cleanup. The texture of the pencil tells the story, and I'm kind of living for it.

Owlcoholik suggested that I give fellow feathered friend Kittiwake some screen time. Our eagle, per the rotten hand fate dealt to her as a fledgling, suffered emotionally and physically in foster care up until her adoption as a tween. Her new mom and dad, excellent birds that they are, did everything in their power and more to repair the daughter's body and mind. It was not easy and there were harrowing episodes to be sure, but Kittiwake, Sally and Glen struggled through together.

Kittiwake will tell you that the thing that made her feel strong for the first time was DIY. Glen and Sally are industrious avians, and they taught their daughter to build, repair, cook, clean, grow and maintain just about everything around the house. Knowing that she does not have to depend on anyone--unless she wants to--gives Kittiwake peace of mind. She is neither cynical nor naive; yes, the world is a nasty scrap heap, but you can also garbage pick some decent stuff out of there and build a nice gazebo if you're so inclined.

And so, grownup Kittiwake works as a costume builder/mender at the Sous La Mer, and she supplements her income by building, fixing and cleaning stuff for the good people of St. Charlies. A mutual friend introduced Kittiwake to Doctor Of Chiropractic Medicine Bridget Boudica MacGowd, who called upon the bird to do some busy work that Red wasn't inclined to do herself.

Read: clean the pool, and cheer up Valerie.

The arrangement wasn't sexual at first. Well, not blatantly. Red simply thought she'd hire some willing eye candy to remind Val that being a lesbian is just the best! But Kittiwake quickly charmed both women, and darn it, she liked them too, that couple of crazy, needy, mercurial hotties. It wasn't long before the three started hanging out when there were no odd jobs to be done. Booty shorts optional.

When We Fly (c)Kae