"H-he's a late bloomer, that's all! He'll get bigger!"

Clive was distracted by the palm for a moment, staring hard at the marks. Or was he? Food was on his mind as it always was, and he expected something tasty whenever a hand was held out to him.

Without the promise of treats, he warked to the boy and stomped his feet, trotting in place.

Kanji stepped forward. "Clive, don't you-"

But the bird had his own plans. Lowering his head, he tried to slip it between Allumette's legs and move his way through. If nobody was going to climb on his back and ride, he'll take matters into his own capable feathers!