‘Flurry the Falcon’
Prompt: Zimbits + Mistaken Identity + Secret Crush
There’s something disarming about the Falconers’ mascot, Flurry: an anthropomorphic white falcon with a penchant for leaving snacks in the nook whenever Marketing films a new episode of Falcs TV.
When Jack has to do outreach, he likes working with his teammates, but he loves working with Flurry because the kids give Jack a whole five seconds of attention before lunging after their costumed character.
It’s heaven.
Logically, Jack knows the guy in the suit has to work in the front office somewhere but Jack’s never been able to figure out who it is. He doesn’t spend much time with PR and marketing, he just goes where he’s told and smiles when they drop him in front of a camera.
“Hey, Snowball,” he chirps when the PR intern has pried the last child from Flurry’s legs. “Finally free?”
Flurry waves in greeting — he never speaks at public events, it’s a rule — and Jack is proud he only fumbles a little when he signs a clumsy ‘look [I have been] practicing’
Even wearing gloves Flurry is faster than Jack when he responds, ‘Nice work, Jack’
Flurry’s sign for ‘Jack’ always makes Jack’s heart flutter. It’d taken a while for Jack to realize he had his own designate — a quick ‘J’ before the sign for ‘goal’ — but now he can’t miss it.
“Long day?”
‘Done soon.’
Jack smiles and poses for more photos before getting an arm around Flurry’s shoulders — the huge falcon head still knocking against Jack’s face — and he leans in against the pained mesh earhole to say, “One day I’m going to figure out who you are in there.”
Flurry waves at a small child before signing back, ‘You already have. I’m me.’
“You say that every time!” Jack laughs and elbows the padded chest of the costume before lifting a small child into his arms for another photo op. “One day I’ll figure it out, I’m only a little dense.”
“Jack’s got a crush on the mascot,” Snowy teases. “Why else would he volunteer for every Junior Falconers event?”
“I do not,” Jack defends, pulling on his pads. “If I have to be on camera, I like not being the most exciting person in the room. That’s all. Kids love Flurry.”
“I heard front office is looking to change his name. Too close to ‘Fleury’,” Thirdy says, knocking Jack’s kneepad with his stick. “You gonna be bummed if that happens?”
“Fuck that,” Snowy chides. “We’ve had Flurry as long as Fleury’s been alive. I’ll be bummed.”
“Still confusing.”
“Do you think they need help with a new name?” Jack wonders aloud, not surprised to be ignored.
He makes a decision to stop by the front office and find out. Maybe actually meet Flurry in person. He just needs to get through practice first.
“Jack? I thought that was you,” Georgia is still in her chair when she rolls out into the hallway. “What are you doing up here?”
“I want to help with Flurry. I have an idea for a new name.”
“Oh,” Georgia’s brow furrows. “Eric Bittle handles everything about Flurry. I’m a bit surprised you don’t already know that?”
Jack fights the rush of embarrassment, glossing the comment and pointing down the hall.
“Marketing, right?”
She nods and rolls back into her office while Jack checks nameplates until he finds an open door and a young man typing away at a computer.
“Bittle, right?” Jack greets, holding out a hand. “George said you’re working on rebranding Flurry.”
The man startles and spins, stares for a second, clearly confused, before rising to reach out and take Jack’s hand.
“I am, indeed,” he says, with a humor Jack can’t quite place. “Call me Eric.”
It’s only when Bittle stands that Jack gets a good look at his ‘coworker’ and realizes he’s cute. Really cute. Also shorter than expected.
But still cute.
“Uh, right, Eric? I heard you were, uh,” Jack loses his train of thought, taking in the adorable bow-tie at Bittle’s throat. “Flurry? I want to help Flurry.”
Eric smiles broadly and lifts his hands in front of his chest and shows they’re shaking. It takes a moment to realize it’s not just a gesture, Bittle is signing at him.
‘Nervous?’
Jack blinks, looks around at the pictures on the walls, pictures of a white falcon and signs, F-L-U-R-R-Y?
“Took you long enough, Zimmermann,” Eric chirps, dropping back into his chair. “All you had to do was come upstairs.”
Jack’s mind goes blank.
“Snowy was right,” he blurts, feeling the heat rising in his cheeks. “I have a crush on the mascot.”
Eric’s eyes go wide and his cheeks go pink, but Jack is probably bright red so it’s okay.