He hadn't thought to really pluck at his own wings. His own feathers were relatively young, still--but maybe a few were loose? It was more than possible that some of his childhood down yet remained, nestled in among the growing primaries--and once he was safely away from thicker cover, Onyx-Two sat down and curved these wings in front of him.
The left one, first--he pulled it before him, combing fingers carefully through it, tugging gently at the softer, older feathers. Then the right; and it felt nice, felt like what he imagined preening must be like for birds.
He ended up losing himself in this for awhile--and when he was done, had come away with what he imagined were the final materials he would need. And when he stood, flexing his wings outward, he noted how much better they felt--cleaner, the skin more lively. Lesson learned: take good care of your wings.
He made his way, on foot, back to the palace and left the pile of black feathers near where Mimosa was working--past that he didn't disturb them.
black dye materials: 5/5