A WHISPER OF FEATHERS

The sunlight pierced through the canopy, illuminating a dappled expanse of leaves. A gentle breeze rustled through the branches, whispering the scent of damp earth and blossoming vines. And then, the air stilled, broken only by the subtlest sound: a rustle. A pair of wings, ruby, unfurled in the sunlight. They perched for a moment, observing ove