ORIGIN

Adeyemi hummed, relaxing back into the nest, practically melting into a vaguely bird-shaped loaf of contentment. "Careful is something I endeavor to be, but rarely seem to achieve," he murmured, tone light with dry humor. "But I know what you mean." The turaco cooed gently, nudging up at Willow's beak with a blink. "You must be careful, too. A... pact. We will both stay well, yes?" The king sighed happily at the nuzzle, listening sleepily, half his mind on simply napping here. The owl's stare made him shift, head lifting to focus on her, a trickle of fear in his gullet.

"...I suppose in the face of such a hunger, my way of doing themes could be seen as... less than honorable. But I can only do what I can. Perhaps my way shall be wrong, and perhaps one day we will have such a conflict - but I will be secure in the knowledge that I did everything I could, regardless of the consequences." Adeyemi huffed, glancing away guiltily. "Perhaps I am too hard on him already..." His wings twitched just a bit, settling back in place, before Willow brought him back from his doubts, and he cooed once more, chest and crest puffing up as he happily groomed every stray feather he could reach.

"He is... strong. Strength of the body, and strength of character. Prince Alexander," he whispered, eyes alight with fatherly pride and a hunger to see that strength in use. "His gem is gold, like nothing I have seen, though I have yet to discover where exactly his magical abilities lie." Adeyemi paused to nuzzle at the top of his companion's head, as relaxed as he'd been in months. "His eyes... look like mine. Such a funny thing. Fate, as I recall," he added with a chuckle, thinking of wobbling about on unsteady limbs, fresh burns cooled by pond water, food provided by his quiet savior.

"You recall our search for... purpose. I believe mine is three-fold: to pursue strength, to care for Alexander... and to do whatever I can for you. Always."