escordvi | closed 🪶⚡ but all i really know, you're where i wanna go

[He just chuckles as he could understand that quite clearly.]

A few little pets shouldn't hurt then. You first?

Me?

[She isn't sure why she's suddenly overcome with nervousness, but with a crooked smile at him, she slides her hand from his and slowly reaches out...]

They are so small...

[Almost afraid that she might break one if she touches it, but she goes for the last hatched owlet first, and it lifts its head and stares up at her finger, and then sinks back down when she gives it the gentlest scritch on top of its head as she can manage.

It reminds her of when Bidowlfin was as small as this, when they found him alone and afraid and crying in the woods, and her heart twists.]

They are lucky to have you both.

[He watches her moreso than the chicks, noting the subtle way her expression shifts, the thoughts and emotions she's trying to hide.

He'll then glance over at the owls with a softer smile.]

Indeed. I think the two of you would make fine parents even without us.

[Bidowlfin will hoot hoot to say they will make great grandparents!!]

Do not call me that.

[She gives Bidowlfin a pointed look, but there is amusement in her eyes as she rubs the head of the next one, allowing Cid some room to do so now, and she glances at him.]

Be careful, though. They are cute, I may steal one when no one is looking.

[There's a startled screech from Bidowlfin as Cid just chuckles and takes his turn to gently stroke his fingertip against the top of the young chicks, reminded of how he had to delicately handle Bidowlfin not so long ago...]

And you know she just might. Perhaps I can also try to take one under my wing...

I think you should take the stubborn one.

[Bidowlfin hoots in disbelief. He cannot truly think they are being serious about this, can he?]

It might learn a thing or two from you.

[Oh, but what if Cid is serious—]

The stubborn one, eh? Might could do something to fix it into proper shape, aye.

[He grins at the owls before winking at Benedikta.]

Hard, rigorous training will straighten 'em up right fast!

A little bit of training and tough love?

[She tosses her head back with a laugh at the indignant way that Bidowlfin puffs his very ruffled feathers.]

I suppose I could utilize that in teaching them all how to fly. I was far too easy on Biddy.

Aye, you kept helping him with your winds.

[More indignant hoots as Willow looks at him and then at Benedikta with teasing curiosity.]

[Now they're just talking about him like he's not even there, as he makes that very clear.]

Ah, so is that why he still cannot keep up with us? I should not have—

[HOOT HOOT!!!

He flaps his wings and hops himself across the nest to get between the two of them, feathers flying about while Willow screeches with owlish laughter.]

[Cid joins Willow's laughter as he ruffles the top of Bidowlfin's head feathers.]

Well if you don't want your mother taking of their flight lessons, then you better show you can do it better.

[Several strings of hoots and Benedikta gives Biddy a well-earned scratch beneath his chin, which seems to stem some of his frustration. Some. He still huffs at her.]

You will do just fine. You had excellent teachers, did you not?

[For all it's worth, even if they aren't owls, she'd like to think that they were able to teach him well.]

And should you require any help, you know where we are. And you will be right in our backyard. [She looks to Willow.] But do take care of him in the meantime?

[Willow hoots in reassurance before she hops over to hoot softly at Bidowlfin and give him a little nuzzle and some affectionate pecks, to which Cid just chuckles as watches them with affection.]

I don't think there's really much for us to worry about.

I think that you will both be perfectly fine.

[As Benedikta now looks to Cid, her hand sliding back into his again.]

And you and I have quite a bit of work to do.

Aye, that we do.

[He gives the chicks one last little finger rub, already feeling quite fond of them.]

We should have things ready within the next few days, but you are free to come in and check in at any time. Otherwise we'll come back.

[There's a rustle behind her as Benedikta's wings spread ever so slightly, stretching out from where they'd been draped and resting against her back all this time.

But she watches the chicks, watches as Willow nuzzles against Biddy one more time before she's already getting to work on breaking up the mice to feed (a sight that she is not too keen to stick around for), but something in her expression softens as she watches them all.

There and gone in a blink.]

Shall we? We ought to let them have some family time to themselves. Bond with their chicks.

[But not before she leans over to kiss Bidowlfin atop his head.]

[Bidowlfin hoots happily and he'll flutter up so he can give Benedikta an affectionate peck before giving one to Cid as well, Willow doing the same. It's only after that Cid will also start to move from his side of the branches.]

You know where to find us if you have any trouble.

[He'll give them one last smile before takes that first step off to start levitating in the air a little away from the nest.]

And do try not to cause too much of your own, hm?

[She says it to both Willow and Bidowlfin, as well as the little ones, who are screeching desperately for the food that Willow had started to prepare for them. And after they give their goodbye hoots, Benedikta gets to her feet on the branch, balancing precariously as her wings help support her, and she gently takes off in an attempt to not disturb the nest too much.

And with Cid's hand in hers, she leads them out of the tangle of branches, a fond yet pensive look on her face.]

That was certainly quite the surprise, hm?

[He glances back briefly as they fly off, giving them a final smile before he looks back forward and at Benedikta.]

Aye. I suspected eggs, but for them to already hatching?

[A wry chuckle.]

But I'm glad we were able to watch them hatch.

[The flight back will be a leisurely and smooth one, not much wind to knock them off course but enough to allow her to glide upon them with a bit of her magic.]

You even managed to get a video on your phone.

[Her expression softens.]

I, too, am glad we were able to see it. It is not very often we manage to catch something like that. I suppose we were lucky after all for him to peck at our windows when he did.

Quite so. Had he arrived even a few minutes later... Well. Might have been a little more difficult.

[He playfully squeezes her hand as he moves in a little closer but still keeping clear of her wings.]

Perhaps we should make a glass charm for them.

[Not to worry, she won't hit him with her wings, she's careful—

But she does glance at him in surprise at his suggestion.]

A glass charm? You mean to hang in their new home?

Why not? Give them a little extra luck and a bit of a "nest warming gift."

[And then a playful grin.]

Or we can give them one of our originals...

[After a thoughtful pause, she shakes her head.]

... No, I think we can make them something unique for them. I think we should, should we not? Perhaps we could apply the same thinking we had when we made our final piece.

I think so as well. Perhaps we can try to make it a bit more owl themed? Something with a more protective feel to it.

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