text: "Tommy, how are you doing tonight?" John doesn't have time to put on his shirt so he covers his chest with his arms. Tommy walks closer dripping water on the ground. The fire that John built is crackling while burning his plumage; a small pile of feathers is next to him. John moves it under his body with his leg. "Not much, just decided to go out for a swim. What are you doing?" Tommy sits on the ground next to him. "I thought it was a lovely night to built a fire," John replies. "That's true." Tommy reaches to the ground and picks up a feather. "Are you roasting a turkey?" "No, it must've fallen from a bird earlier." John notices one of his feathers is sticking out from his armpit. John scratches to keep it hidden. "It doesn't look like a feather from any bird in the area." Tommy hands it to John to take. John adjusts his arm and grabs it. He fakes an inspection. "I don't know anything about bird. All I know is that I hate when the chirp outside my window in the morning and wake me up," John says. "I love birdwatching. There isn't much else to do around here." "In that case, you are probably excited about seeing a new bird." John hands the feather back. "It looks like it came from a tropical bird. They tend have to have brighter feathers whereas the species native to here tend to have more subdued colors." "Maybe its the light from the campfire?" John cringes. Bright feathers are a symbol of youth and vitality in his species. Their skin doesn't wrinkle and inspecting plumage is the primary means to determine age. "No way, this thing is bright green for sure. It looks like it came from a parrot." "Oh no, does that mean we have to be on the look-out for pirates?" John sweats. Why won't Tommy just leave. "Very funny, but I doubt pirates go to the middle of the forest." "Maybe the parrot just migrated. I hear they adore crackers." "Migration." Tommy sets the feather down and shakes his head. "I had a talk with Diane today about the lasting environmental impacts of the Mieran invasion. We don't really have any information so it was mostly speculation, but parrots weren't migratory birds. If they did migrate and they migrated here, that could be a sign of larger issues." "Maybe it escaped from a pet store. Don't you and Diane have a pet cat?" John tries to change the subject desperately. "Deb ran away last week. Diane is pissed about it," Tommy says. "Oh, that sucks. Maybe the cat is nearby." John suppresses his smile "I doubt it. That cat has probably been killed by a wolf or something. Even if I did it find it. Diane would still be mad at me." "Why would she be mad at you?" "I don't know. She and I have just been drifting apart and arguing a lot more recently." Tommy looks at John. "You've always been a good man. Can I tell you a secret?" "Sure." John says as he scratches his chest where his nipples should be. "I've started having an affair with Lindsay." Tommy looks at the fire. "I know I'm trash. I was at her place before I started swimming tonight." "Oh, that's not good. How does Lindsay feel about this?" John laughs at how small Tommy's secret is. "Lindsay and Diane have never gotten along so I'm sure Lindsay enjoys that she is torturing Diane, and Diane will probably be even more angry that I cheated on her with Lindsay." "I really don't know what to say." "It's fine. I just need someone to listen." Tommy looks at the night. "When Diane and I first started dating, I always felt good about myself around her. Now, I just feel like a failure. Lindsay makes me feel better." "What do you mean?" "Diane is incredibly smart, and she makes me feel like an idiot sometimes. She is also very particular and organized. Lindsay isn't a slob, but she understands that messes happen." Tommy starts to cry. "Who I am kidding. I am just making excuses for my own shitty behavior." "Don't say that." John rubs Tommy's shoulder. Tommy looks over at him. He jumps back in shock. "Where are your nipples dude?" John looks down. "It's not what it looks like." John holds his hands up to defuse the situation. "Are those green feathers under your armpit?" Tommy spots the feathers that John was hiding. "Oh my god, you are the parrot. Are you a spy for the Mierans?" "No, I love humanity and hate the Mierans." "I don't believe you," Tommy walks away. Without thinking, John runs over and grabs Tommy's neck. Tommy begins to struggle, but John is much stronger than he. Within a few seconds, he's dead. John weeps over his body. He hasn't killed anyone since he was free of Mieran influence, but his safety comes first. And he will ensure that he stays safe.