Little Mystic

Vanellus miles, says Gaius, adressing the masked bird. What brings you out this dark night?

Are you talking to me, old person? asks the masked bird.

I don't see myself as an old person, says Gaius.

I don't see myself as a vanellus miles, says the masked bird.

Sounds like an icecream, says Philosopher Smith.

Why? asks Terence.

Vanilla, says Philosopher Smith. 

Vanilla and millies, says Terence. What are millies?

Millepedes, says Surfing with-Whales. 

I don't identify with any of this nonsense, says the masked bird. What was your question?

What brings you out this dark night? says Gaius.

I was dozing, says the masked bird. Then I hear this crackling sound and I wake up and this infant's barging through my habitat. And also a man.

Me, says Surfing-with-Whales.

You, says the masked bird. You I like. You said I was mystic.

Yeah I did, says Surfing-with-Whales. 

The infant tells me he's seeking a parrot, says the masked bird. A parrot which he intends to lure with a stick.

With an apple core on it, says Terence.

A parrot to go on adventures, says the masked bird. Of course I declined.

Not being a parrot, says Gaius. I assure you that doesn't matter. Several of his parrots have been oystercatchers. And one was a crane. One was a balloon.

A balloon? laughs Philosopher Smith.

It didn't last long, says Gaius.

The thing is, says the masked bird, I have family obligations.

We quite understand, says Gaius. You can't just up sticks and go travelling.

However, you seem like good people, says the masked bird. May I propose you take one of my chicks as your parrot? On loan of course. 

This is most unusual, says Gaius. 

The chick I refer to is quite unusual, says the masked bird. An adventure could be beneficial.

What do you think, Terence? asks Gaius. 

Does that mean we don't need the stick? asks Terence.

We can still keep it, says Surfing-with-Whales. It might come in useful.

What's his name? asks Terence.

He doesn't have a name, says the masked bird.

Mystic, says Surfing-with-Whales. 

If you like, says the masked bird. I'll bring little Mystic round in the morning.

The masked bird turns and disappears into the night.