Nesting Authority Expansion

 Cranford was so pleased with Rosa’s decision to move into the west end of the cedar tree, opposite Tex.  But he had a crisis in his own mind that no one was aware of, one that had been keeping him from resting well at night.  It wasn’t a bad thing; it was an overstimulation coming from the memory of Thistlewyn’s moving day.

In all the time that Cranford had been holding the position of Nesting Authority Director, the process of getting the tenant moved in and settled had never gone so smoothly or been so lovely as it had when Steve was involved.  Steve had brought a new light and definition to the term, “new tenant.” 

Not only had Steve breathed new expectations into the process, but he had also made Cranford question the parameters that he had created years before.  The process of moving Thistlewyn into her new place made Cranford question whether he was the best leader for the job.

After giving it some thought, he decided to take a trip down by the creek to see if the expansion project had begun.  Perhaps he might be able to speak with a peer about his concerns.

As he arrived, he could see Thistlewyn freshening up.  He landed across the creek from her and acted as if he wasn’t aware of her presence. 

After a moment he heard her say, “Well, top o’ the morning to ya, Sir.” 

Cranford looked her way with a surprised look on his face and cleared his throat. “Good morning, Ma’am. May I join you?”  She replied with an invitation.

Cranford relocated himself to her side of the creek.

After making small talk for a short while, he homed in on the subject, and the conversation became personal.  Cranford, though feeling quite uncomfortable, seeing as he and Thistlewyn were new acquaintances, began talking about how her moving into the new place went, and how it would have normally gone.

She looked puzzled and remained silent.

Cranford was nervous and began to pace back and forth while he spoke.  He gave her a rundown of how a new tenant move-in would usually go. 

Thistlewyn could see the comparison.

He said, “The main difference between the way it went for you and the way it normally goes is one thing… Steve.”

“Sir, what are ye trying to imply?”

Then Cranford took a left turn, “Miss Thistlewyn, seeing how the process has always been, and how your move-in… was very different, quite frankly, I want every move-in to be like yours.  A celebration!

“But Ma’am, I don’t have the skills, nor the time and energy to create all that, no matter how much I would like to.

“By any chance, would you have any suggestions?”

Thistlewyn smiled.  She could see the distress in his eyes as she reached out to put her hand on his wing to comfort him, “Mr. Cranford, what makes you feel you don’t have the skills?”

He replied, “As you have probably observed, I am kind of an oddball, I am a one-on-one type.  Communicating on a scale that large and integrated, well… the thought of that just makes me ill.”

Thistlewyn thought for a moment.  “Sir, or may I refer to ye as Cran?”

He looked pleased and nodded.

She continued, “Have you considered expanding the Nesting Authority into two different departments?  Your department would be clerical, and the other department would be Reception Delegation.  Or, as most would say, Welcoming Committee.”