It had been ages, it seemed, since Clover had seen or heard anything about her friend Sly. She wasn't one to let relationships wane, but her business had swelled lately, what with the mating season past and new hatchlings become fledgelings...so many parents gifting parus to their young ones. It both excited and worried her. New adults weren't the best companion keepers, but it wasn't her place to say...and after all, business was business. Later her stock had been so low she'd had to call up some old favors to garner new pairs for breeding. Some had gone splendidly, some...not so much. Still, not everyone wanted a parus that sang on command, and even those she considered failures found homes. Most of them at least. She still had a few about, but they lay far behind now.
It was high time she took a personal day, and, leaving the shop in Sharp's talented wings, she was off. It wasn't too far to Sly's, but it would take the most of a day, and she'd likely be gone two, maybe three in total. But it would be worth it to see some old friends.
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The flight was long and hard, and day was coming on when Clover finally reached the edge of Sly's territory. This was no time to fly, and her wings ached. With a quick look about she perched on a branch to settle in for the night. She would find her friend at sundown, if he did not find her first, she decided. That was alright. She tucked her head down in her feathers for a good nap...and WOOSH! Out of the trees she'd just come from shot a pale tan parus. One of the newer birds she'd done her best with (though it was not nearly as good as she'd hoped) had followed her after all. It fluttered about, pipping and wheedling her, and finally, with a tired yawn, she spread a wing and scooped it in close to her side. It settled there, seemingly content, and, thus burdened, the pair dozed off.
