#<- sometimes I say ‘waxwing’ like the bird and it makes me laugh

[spineless-lobster]

Icarus and melinoë are like the elementary school kids who would shyly hold hands on the playground and I 100% support them they are so adorable

[pizzapartyfanfiction]

The Menagerie Chapter 2 part c

Starling had spent nearly 12 hours hardly ever leaving the practice room. Waxwing noticed. She would have to pour her soul into her music to beat her.

A woman with fiery red hair came out of a blue practice room. She walked to Waxwing. “Wow. The princess actually makes an appearance down here. I’m shocked.” She said crossing her arms. Blowing a bubble from her gum.

“I’m not the princess here anymore.” Waxwing said getting more music sheets. She went back into her room. Pink accents, walls with a W painted on them in gold. The redhead followed her. “What’s got you so fluffed up? “ the redhead wore a leather jacket. A blue plaid shirt and a pair of blue jeans. She sat next to the pink clad Waxwing. “New bird.” She pointed towards the purple door. Music and singing coming from inside. “Woah...She sounds pretty good. She gotta name? Well..I mean...The name he gave her.” The redhead asked.

“Starling...the traditional genius child prodigy pianist.” Waxwing was dusting off her piano.

“Ooh. You’re intimidated. Classic Wing. Gotta be the best. C’mon she probably doesn’t even know what this is yet. She probably still thinks that Starling is her real name. She’ll learn it all though. When she loses her place at Swanage that’s how we all find out...but it’s too late. We all sig-“ she was interrupted by the slamming of Waxwing’s piano lid.

“ I know... what we did. Jay. Now if you don’t mind. I have a song to compose.” Waxwing bitterly said.

“Song day is in one week! You'll get your stage clothes before you get done.” Jay teased” Out.” Waxwing pushed her out and slammed her door.

Starling opened her door. ”Is everything alright? I heard a door slam.” Jay smiled. ” The door slammed”

“Oh.”

“You must be Starling. I'm Jay.”

“Hi Jay. You must be in the blue unit next to me! I hope you like Anne Murray! Cause I’m going to be listening to her quite a lot.”she said enthusiastically.

“Uuhh...Im more of a...New York Dolls kinda gal.” Jay chuckled.

” I'll have to give them a listen. Well I need to get back to it. Oh! We should have dinner together tonight. Can you have meat?” she asked. “Uhh..yeah. Wow. You're a real June Cleaver aren't you?” Jay tilted her head. “Oh I couldn't measure up to June. I'll make us a nice Chicken Parmesan. How does 7:30 sound?” She asked. “Sounds.... good.” Jay shrugged. Was she for real?

They parted ways and Jay knocked on Starling’s door at 7:30 as promised.

Starling opened the door but had a moment of hesitation.Are we...supposed to have people over?” Starling asked timidly. Jay laughed. ” Yeah that's kosher with him. Just as long as it's us.”Starling opened the door fully and showed her in. “Aw man something smells great.” Jay commented. “Chicken parm is one of the best things I make. ” she tasted her sauce and nodded.

“So uh your family teach you how to cook?” Jay asked watching her.

“My Nonna taught me. Mom was always busy and Dad worked away from home for the first 10 years of my life.” Starling plated food as she spoke.

“My big brother taught me..everything. He basically raised me.” Jay said. ” but he..died a little while ago. It's hard sometimes. I think that's why my music is so angry. I'm such a mess..”

Starling sat across from Jay. A hand moving to rest on her arm. ” It doesn't get easier...but that doesn't mean that your life has to be harder. It hurts when we lose someone. But if angry is what you wanna feel then that's your sound. I can't wait to hear your song on Song Day.” Starling comforted her. “Wow Star...The way you talk....you might be a good mom one day.” Starling’s cheeks flushed red.

She had wanted something more than..whatever she had with Swan...but the idea of having children.. “Yeah I can see it. You and Swan and two little tiny musical genius children.” Jay smirked. Starling nibbled her food and wiped her mouth. ” What do they look like?”

“The boy has your hair...Swan’s eyes...glasses. The girl has Swan’s hair and your eyes. But shes got Swan wrapped around her little finger.” Jay smiled and took a bite. Starling beamed.

“Such a strange..warm feeling when you think of things like that. Thank you, Jay. That was a lovely thought. But...arent you in love with him too?” Starling asked.

Jay laughed. ” No...I’m here for my own reasons. I think the only ones in love with him are you and Waxwing. Heron has her own reasons too. You'll like her. She's fun.” Jay said crunching on a piece of bread. The two finished eating. Jay left for her own apartment and Starling went back down to her practice room to continue work on her piece.

...

” A minor chord progression...here.” Starling said trying to have this piece be truly great.

“Chimes...or Triangle....Chimes...or Triangle...”

Starling weighed her options with a gesture of balancing.

Swan genuinely enjoyed watching her. She reminded him of himself when he was young.

“Chimes, Starling...Always chimes..” Swan said. taking a drag off of his cigar.

”Chimes.” she decided.

”Good girl.” he smiled.

He switched to Waxwing.

She looked like she hadnt slept.

“Can it be honey that your not sure. Thought we’d closed the book...” she mused. ”locked the door..” she sang.

“Well..youre actually trying. It should be an interesting song day.”

Swan switched to Jay. She was playing her blue guitar loudly.

“Hm. She even stands like him. Too bad her talent isn't as great as his.”

“Your friends all say, Sir, you don’t deserve her. I disagree, Sir, I live to serve Sir!”

He chuckled.

“I do love that spirit. Pun intended.” he said gently. Switching to Heron.

She was sitting. Not doing anything.

Hm. She must be finished.

He smiles. ”My newest hen seems to have enighted a spark. I'm very excited..” he said hoping his boss heard him.