Slowly the owl set her beak back onto the top of Adeyemi's head. "I only wish for you to be careful."

The words were oddly genuine considering just whose beak they left. The owl shifted somewhat, nuzzling the top of the turaco's head as she continued. "Lions are creatures of faux-..." there was a pause as Willow attempted to find the correct word. "...virtue." The owl sifted again to peer down at Adeyemi.

"A thirst for 'honor,' is what I mean. They will run head-first into situations without thinking them through first," she explained softly. "If he has a reason to do so he may see you as some sort of villain, but of course... I don't know anything about him."

There was a sigh as the owl slipped her head under Adeyemi's beak, nuzzling him lightly. "Tell me about your son."

@Adeyemi

King Adeyemi

AND THEN THE EARTH AND THE SKY, THEY ALL FIT TOGETHER
AND CARRY ME AWAY AS LIGHT AS A FEATHER

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."

Willow seemed to think for a moment, eyes half-closed. "Where is your son?" she abruptly asked.

She looked towards Adeyemi briefly before she looked back towards the ledge, considerately. She cooed somewhat as she clambered out of the nest and headed towards the edge, looking up and down the tunnels. She didn't know what clarity she wanted to receive from meeting her soulmate's self-proclaimed son, but that's exactly what she wanted to do.

Sleep would have to wait.

She turned and went back to Adeyemi with a sigh, talons clacking gently, waiting.

@Adeyemi

Prince Adeyemi

AND THEN THE EARTH AND THE SKY, THEY ALL FIT TOGETHER
AND CARRY ME AWAY AS LIGHT AS A FEATHER

Adeyemi simply blinked, used to Willow's quick track changes by now. "Alexander should be in Eridanus, where I left him. If not, I'm sure he's nearby. He is like me, in the way of wandering," he added, chirping as the owl cooed in consideration, hopping to the ledge of her nesting place. Feathers smoothed back into place as he rose, looking less like a content loaf of bird and more like a proud dad. A very, very tiny proud dad.

"I suppose you'd like to meet him, then," the king drawled, unable to hide the strong current of excitement and happiness at the prospect of having a true family, his soulmate and his son by his side, in harmony. "Then we shall make haste!" With this, he made to step out of the nest - and proceeded to trip and tumble tailfeathers-over-teakettle, ending up in a disgruntled, fluffy heap next to Willow, blinking dazedly with a croak.

"Perhaps we should make with... less haste," Adeyemi murmured, wings rustling as he alternated between blinking up at his hatch mate and eyeing the tunnel below warily.