She.
Stands very still. Watching him flit about from place to place. Absentmindedly playing with the keys. Her finger rubs the cool metal and trace every detail of the ridged edges.
he.
Hears the light jingle of the keys. Like a mating call he is lured to it. Taking a cautious step forward, uncertain of this girl with the slightest of smiles. He chirps.
She.
Through lazy lashes, eyes his every movement. Pretends disinterest in his slow trepidicious ways. She starts humming to herself. To him. To herself.
he.
Relaxes in her sounds. Preens his bright feathers. Wonders if she notices. Hopes she is looking. Then takes another more sure step forward. Keeping an eye for any sudden movements.
She.
Smiles to herself. Knowing that his bluster is all that. Just bluster. Her call has found it’s mark. Her spell, it’s recipient. Gingerly she reached into her bag and removes an item. Dangling it from the tip of her fingers.
he.
Freezes at the sight, his heart races. He eyes the long bars of the cage. So sure of his direction he now quivers at the thought of being held captive. A mixture of feelings flood his chest.
She.
Just stands. Knowing that if this pretty bird wants to sing for her. She must be calm. She must be quiet. She must be patient. She waits.
he.
Has been free his whole life. And scared. And hungry. And alone. So he takes another step forward. Fighting the fear of the unknown. Trusting in her quiet.
She.
Takes a deep breath to quell the raging storm of excitement inside. The dangling cage is the carrot on a stick. She allows it to just sway in the wind between them.
he.
Is so close he can almost reach out to touch this trap. Entrapment. (In trap men) He smiles. Shakes his feathers one last time and dares to look up at her.
She.
Notices the smile. Sees the fear behind his eyes. Feels the longing in his body. With deliberate and stead movement she places the cage next to him.
he.
Is at a loss. He expected her to grab him and shove him in the cage. Slam the door and lock him in. But there it sits. Empty. Next to him. Inviting.
She.
With more certainty in her voice then she feels. Knowing that he could fly away at any moment. “Well? Try it on. See how it feels.”
he.
Startled by her words. Her sure direction. He does as she says without thought or self preservation. He slides the cage around him. Swift. Like his last flight.
She.
Can’t help but exhale as she realizes she was holding her breath. A little too long. Steady. She taps on the cage bar. Testing it’s resolve to hold him in. She closes the lock.
he.
Looks up at her and melts. His last bit of defiance flows out of him. He relaxes. Locked tight. The keys in her hand. Secure. Finally. He knows why the caged bird sings.
