“Tuck ya wings in, Jaq, ya look ridiculous… How’re ya THAT scared?”

       Jaq yelped with the new comment on their appearance, forcing their ruffled feathers down against their back; though all that did was loosen their train of thoughtful calm and bring back the waves of anxiety they weren’t proud of obtaining.. A wince from Jaq was all it took for Rilno to wrinkle his beige nose in distaste. “Jaquaryda, relax,” he ordered, swiveling his golden wings to where they pressed against Jaq’s in an attempt to flatten them himself. Jaq hunched their shoulders, shuffling on their feet with narrowed eyes. “I’m. Trying.”

“WOAH! This place is HUUUUUGE!!” Claerin announced to practically everyone within a mile radius. Their parents furiously shushed her, but that didn’t stop the excitement that carried along the ivory-lined walls made of such smooth rock you would believe the sediments themselves to be avian-made. Jaq cocked a brow at this thought. Maybe they are, since the rocks didn’t crack or crumble from the weight of the ceiling. The four of them stood within the center of the main campus building, where multi-colored tapestries depicting bloody past wars and the past Chordatan teams that scored the highest along the years hung from every corner. The ceilings themselves seemed to challenge the height of the redwood trees, with multiple wooden boards strapped along the top for roosts and perches; each was decorated in golden paint swirled in beautiful patterns.

       All light was created by amber-colored lanterns hidden within vegetation that coiled around each decorated pillar like vipers. The giant fireflies decided to light the room with their warm bodies of fire, Jaw thought with a comforting sigh. A wide, polished-wooden arch the size of a small school marked the center of the room, a phoenix with crackling candles sat atop its peak like how a predator would hide from its prey. Underneath, a few avians stood with serious expressions. Jaq felt a shiver run down their spine once they came to the conclusion on who they are. Those are the headmasters of the NEST, readying themselves to meet the new students before the beginning of the year, and they don’t seem very happy about it, either.

“Jaq, come on,” Laz softly encouraged, having shooed Rilno away to replace his spot behind Jaq; a move Jaq was more than grateful for. A cool white wing wrapped behind their shoulders, beckoning them towards the anticipating leaders of the school. Just what they need to calm down. With each light, silent step, Jaq could almost have sworn everyone could hear their deafening heartbeat, and if they didn’t, then they made it obvious that they’re acting like they did. The leaders were sitting down on a semi-circle bench coated in Chordatan colors and the signature Chordatan emblem, The Phoenix, their outfits pristine and well-fitted; their faces all presenting smooth skin and deep eyebags. Each had turned to watch the family’s every move with calculating glares.

       One, a pale-feathered Kestrel, gave one of the warmest grins Jaq had ever laid their eyes upon. Even Laz’s hearty smile was nothing compared to how motherly the female presented herself. It was a lot more comforting than the cold, deathly stares her fellow leaders gave. Despite this, to Jaq’s dismay, the grin did barely any help to contain their anxiety. Why is she being so kind only a few seconds ago she was all grrr like the others and now- “Welcome to NEST Academy, Jaquaryda.”

       Jaq blinked, their thoughts being pushed away by a feminine voice. The Kestrel’s singing tone was honey-lathered and sweetened to the point of intoxication. Laz felt it, Jaq realised, for the Owl stiffened behind them. “What do you think? The place does look nice, right?”
“You ask this all the time, Ranaia, you know their response,” one of the other leaders, a Black Kite with brown wings, scoffed. Ranaia chuckled with a roll of her eyes, like this is an average occurrence in the grand scheme of things, and gave the Kite a bump of the hips before leaning forward. Her rusty-colored feathers shined in contrast to her comrade, leaf-green eyes aimed at Jaq’s general direction. “Now, now, Kanga, all students are different, correct? Give them a chance to answer.”

       Kanga appeared to want to argue with Ranaia, but with the Kestrel’s stare of authority, he wrinkled his nose, grew quiet, and gave his attention towards Jaq, who could barely hide a flinch from the cold stare Kanga’s grey eyes gave. The final Headmaster, an old Peregrine with a missing ear, cleared his throat and opened a single coal eye. The other two immediately paused their increasingly loud conversation. Jaq was curious about the amount of command the old avian had, until they noticed Ranaia and Kanga’s feathers ruffling in alert, which made Jaq’s heart drop. This must be a rare occurrence.

“Dolnkoah… You’re awake?” Kanga whispered, a voice so quiet Jaq could hardly believe he scoffed only a few minutes earlier.

The Peregrine snorted. “I’m not dead, Kanga, lighten up.”
Their voice was worn down and craggly, like the rocky drop at the bottom of a cliff.