"Hello, everyone!" After a long time away, Captain-in-chief Barky (formerly Lieutenant Barky, but while she was gone, she saved the Captain's home planet Ukelelen, giving her the exalted rank of Captain-in-Chief) enters the bridge, seemingly more... hmm... spiritual than before. Maybe it was the hippie beads that did it, or maybe it was the semi-charred kestrel that seemed VERY familiar, but the memories didn't place it on HER shoulder.
"Hey, Captain-in-chief Barky..."
"Just call me C.C. Barky, please, Lieutenant."
"Yes, Ma'am. I was just wondering, C.C. Barky, why you had a bird on your shoulder... I mean... it's not every day someone comes walking on to the bridge with a REAL LIVE bird on there shoulder. Especially a... charred one."
The C.C. got a far away look on her face, as though she was lost in the mist of many years.
"Oh, Lieutenant, this isn't a REAL bird. It's an exact replica of a bird I once knew VERY well, taken from memories I recently achieved in my enlightenment process. If you really MUST know the story, ask the bare-foot woman... What's her name? I've forgotten, I've been so long gone. Anyway, ask her to tell. I'm sure she remembers how she made me a gift... Never mind. Back to your duties"