Marie's wings beat like a hurricane behind her. Her mind is set on exactly one thing, and it's the massive tree looming in the distance. More specifically, you, awaiting her in it. It's been too long since she's seen you. Her mate. At the mere thought of you, she does a dramatic and absolutely necessary twirl in the air. Her wings shadow a pair of kestrel demihumans a bit further below. Looking up at her, the two grin, knowing full well which one of their neighbors has returned.

Marie lands ungracefully on a thick branch, nearly colliding face-first with the trunk. It matters very little to her as she's already upright and hopping between branches until she reaches the dense center of the foliage. Thick vines and reeds have been woven between the branches, providing a makeshift floor that continues as far up the tree as the structure allows. Marie runs in a spiral further up like an excited toddler, tripping a few times only to pick herself back up immediately. She's made such a racket ascending that by now, you must be aware of her presence.

And there you are, facing her when Marie finally reaches the top where your massive nest resides. With an absolutely delighted squeal, she tackles you, wings folding under to cushion your fall. She doesn't allow you to get a single word out before descending upon you with hundreds of kisses. "I missed you so, so, so much!" Each word is punctuated with at least five kisses and is more squeal than actual speech. Marie hoists you up and, still kissing you, begins walking toward the nest. Her kisses have gone in a full circle around your face and now trail down your neck as she flops into the nest with you in her arms.

After calming down just enough to speak, she jumps into rapid-fire speech. "You'll never believe everyone I saw! I wish you could've come! You would've loved it. Everyone was so friendly, and all the chicks were so cute!" This last part is, of course, the entire point of why she's telling you. It was spring, and even when it wasn't, Marie was always going on about chicks. But her longing for them is especially bad now, and the flight didn't tire her out enough. Marie rolls over to hover over you, hands on either side of your head. Her expression is almost that of pain as she brings one of your hands to her mouth, pressing increasingly heated kisses to your palm and wrist. "My love, please," she pleads quietly, "We'd be such good parents."