Lara's POV;

°Can you keep the telepathy active while not being in that mode?° Asked Mrs Chicken Wing after telling the swans who we were.

°No, I can only feel your emotions when I have my basic form. Communicating like this won't be possible. Why? Is there a problem with this form?° I answered. Sure, I am not fast, but we don't need to hurry, do we?

She thought for a moment and then answered mentally. °Not necessarily, it's just that you look quite strange in this form. Still, you know me well enough to correctly interpret my emotions. It should be possible for me to translate what you want to say. You can then understand what I will say through my emotions.°

°Okay, they are your people, you'll know them best.° I dropped out of my Astral Form and reverted back to the basic form. Halo and wings activated and out for everyone to see.

“Cluck.” Seems as if we are ready to go.

“Okay, Mrs Chicken Wing has spoken with the swans and we are allowed to get off board. Anyone who wants to stay behind?” I addressed the crew. None of them wanted to stay on the Raptor, so we activated the defence mechanism and used our lifeboat to reach the shore.

On our way, we were escorted by swans the size of humans. On land we were already awaited by a line of highly important looking birds, followed by a whole troop of soldier looking crows. They were trying to keep the curious civilian birds away.

“They are all wearing clothes,” said Jo in awe. I agreed, the soldiers were wearing uniforms and the citizen different varieties of jackets, shirts and dresses. Some even wore shoes.

It all looked very strange, especially when some, if not most of them were close to our size. For the first time I noticed that Mrs Chicken Wing was really tiny. It wasn't that her husband was too large, he was the common size for male chicken. It was Mrs Chicken Wing that was too little. Every other hen in sight was twice her size.

I wanted to ask her but knew that now wouldn't be the right time. I don't know how many of them can understand the human tongue and then how many of those who could take offence to me asking such a thing their princess.

For them we still are humans. From their sceptical and, thankfully, only slightly hostile stares not instantly enemies, but no friends either. “Croak/Chirp/Cluck!” The moment Mrs Chicken Wing and Herbert stepped down from the ship the onlooking birds began to cheer.

They loudly and joyfully showed their delight in seeing both healthy and back. Mrs Chicken Wing, her husband at her side, stepped forward and addressed the crowd. “Cluck, cluck, bog.” Hmm, this is really strange. I knew what she was doing without really hearing her doing it.

“What's she doing?” Whisper questioned Yosaku.

“She's addressing the crowd. Telling them that she is back from her journey and that she managed to rescue her husband from the clutches of the World Government,” I translated. Only Lia had a strong enough Observation Haki to also interpret Mrs Chicken Wing as good as I could.

Suddenly, Mrs Chicken Wing stretched one of her wings back and pointed right at us, more specifically me. “Bog, boguuuk!” And now she has told her people that it was only thanks to us and especially me that she could accomplish this.

The audience was totally silent for a moment but then erupted in even louder cheers. “I have the strange feeling of being proud,” said Nojiko suddenly.

“That's the Observation Haki. Mrs Chicken Wing has told them that she couldn't have come back without our help. They are clapping and cheering for us, your Observation grasps their emotions and you understand that it was something good you have done. Haki at its work.” Nojiko smiled and she, along most of us, was giving a bow to the birds. It's the standard greeting and thanking for birds.

Mrs Chicken Wing has told us that waving isn't done by them, raising one's wing is only for really important things. Like protecting the young, fighting, showing affection to a loved one or in situations like this. That's why the audience was so silent when she pointed at us with her wing. They were stunned that the princess would show so much respect to a group of none birds.

For a moment we just stood there and waited for the crowd to get silent. Once it was quiet enough for Mrs Chicken Wing to speak again she told her people how glad she was to be back, but that she would like to visit her family now.

The crowd quickly parted ways and we were escorted by the soldiers and important looking birds. On our way, a lot of birds were watching us. Some from houses, some from the sides. They all were celebrating the return of their loved princess.

“Many of them are questioning our presence, but it seems as if word has already spread around. They know that we are important to Mrs Chicken Wing and are giving us a chance,” spoke Lia suddenly. I could only understand everyone when I am in my Astral Form, without I needed a close friendship to someone if I want to interpret their emotions accurately.

She could do it for most people, her Observation has become strong enough to do so. I think it was the beginning of The Voice of the World, or at least a weaker version of it. Haki for Dummies had all the knowledge Mrs Chicken Wing wants to give us.

I have checked the later chapters and they describe how we can learn what she was hinting at. That she was offering us to teach these skills was truly showing how she liked me. I wouldn't have believed it a few years ago, but my best friend is a chicken.

Which does not mean that I will ever stop eating chicken, I am just now able to differentiate between her and those I eat.

I hummed and hugged Lia closer while walking through the pretty town. You'd believe that birds would be bad at building houses, and you'd be right. However, their houses weren't like humans. More elven like, build into trees and decorated with flowers and jewels. Possibly built by woodpeckers, I have seen a few of them here. Anyway, they had a natural flair.

And those houses were slowly becoming more finely crafted and more luxurious from their appearance and decorations. It became obvious that we were getting closer to the palace and the well of citizens.

Finally, we reached the palace we have seen from the sky. Maid like penguins came out and bowed, followed by an impressive emperor penguin. He rushed over to Mrs Chicken Wing, he was gibbering while bowing deeply.

Mrs Chicken Wing then used one of her wings to righten him up. She clucked a few times and then walked past with us. “What was that about?” Asked Noa.

As was already common I translated for them. “If I'm right then he is some kind of important friend to her and the family. He came as fast as he could and said his relieve in seeing her again. She in return told him that they were family and that they should not bow to family.” This penguin also felt extremely strong, he must be a bodyguard as well.

We had just passed the entrance when suddenly a body crashed into Mrs Chicken Wing.“Bough!” It was another hen. Her feathers were already greying. And from her body built and overall appearance I would say that this is Mrs Chicken Wings mother.

A heartfelt reunion followed for the next few minutes. At some point, a small group of other chickens came. An older, regally looking cock and an equally, yet young looking cock. Followed by an adult chicken and two younger chickens, one a hen the other a rooster.

All of them were way larger than Mrs Chicken Wing, with the exception of her mother, who was the same size. They looked at the mother-daughter reunion with fond eyes but did also notice us.

We got a wary, almost scared look from the young chickens, curious even when they looked at my wings or Inari's fur. The adults, however, were scrutinising us and questioning our presence. They might only have heard that Mrs Chicken Wing was back with humans, and not what relation we have with her.

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Still, the hug between Mrs Chicken Wing and her mother had come to an end at some point. And when it did Mrs Chicken Wing flapped one wing in our direction. With a happy glint in her eyes, she began to cluck our introduction.

I signalled each of us when they had to bow in return to the sceptical greeting of Mrs Chicken Wing's family. They were especially shocked by the cheerful clucking Mrs Chicken Wing was doing for each of us.

Somehow, I could understand their clucking better than that of the other birds. Maybe I have learned chicken. Wouldn't be strange, Mrs Chicken Wing was constantly clucking to me.

But the greatest shock they showed when it was my turn. Mrs Chicken Wing has fluttered up and landed on my shoulder while patting my head with one of her wings and clucking loudly. This is the equivalent of your best friend hugging you in the exact same situation. If my lessons in bird aren't leaving me then this was the same as her telling them I am her very best friend.

Who would have known that I would be happy about a situation like this?

She had just finished her introduction and awaited the response of her family. It was her father that started. His clucking could mean that he was happy to see that his daughter was back, as well as that she has found such good friends. The last part was said with a little bit scepticism as if he was doubting the value of human or humanoid friends.

Mrs Chicken Wing didn't notice. She happily led her family and us through the large mansion and into its inner rooms. Where only family and close friends were allowed to be.

We all settled down on a large table, perches were placed around. Not ideal for humans to sit on, but leaning was easy. Fiara stood on the table itself, as usual.

“Mrs Chicken Wing? Would you explain to them how my Astral Form works? I'd like to speak to your family personally.” It looked as if said family was shocked to hear me addressing Mrs Chicken Wing with that name and not with her real name.

Mrs Chicken Wing nodded, clucked a series of tones to her family and then nodded to me again. I stood up and reactivated my Astral Form. Now they were in wonder from the wondrous and glowing form I took.

I smiled at them and projected an aura of friendliness. The father and older brother became a bit more guarded from the feeling. °Hello, as Mrs Chicken Wing has probably already said. My name is Lara. Mrs Chicken Wing might have introduced me as Failed Hunter, it is nice to meet you. In this form, I should be able to project my thoughts to all of you present, which means that you are hearing me in your head right now.

A side effect is that I will also hear your thoughts if you don't guard them with a small amount of Observation Haki.

I have to use Observation Haki to understand your words, as I am not speaking your language. But the months I have spent with Mrs Chicken Wing seem to have thought me a bit. Please have leniency with me if I interpret something incorrectly. ° My crew did already know the feeling of having someone speaking directly into your head, so they were not shocked by it.

However, my extremely friendly tone and my words were shocking for them. What can I say, I want Mrs Chicken Wing's family to like me.

But these chicken did not know the feeling and each pair reacted differently. The two younger ones were excitedly chatting in their head, asking me if I was really in their head and how I was doing this.

The father and her older brother had instantly shut me out the moment they have felt my aura and were now looking at me with strong suspicion.

And lastly the mother and the other hen, they were not as guarded as their, probably, husbands, but also not as excited as the children. The mother even offered a hesitant hello back.

°” See, Failed Hunter can even speak to us. She has eaten a Devil Fruit that allows her to transform into something called an Angel. They have a very strong Observation Haki and with it, she can speak directly to every being alive,°” Mrs Chicken Wing continued her excited clucking, only that now I understood word for word.

°”That is.., wonderful dear. Ehem, maybe your friends want to have a tour of the mansion? Alexander can show them around?°” Her mother spoke rather warily and was often glancing at me while speaking to her daughter.

Yet, she did not close off her mind to me. Still, I could only hear what she wanted me to hear. The two children were speaking rapidly. They were quite interesting.

Mrs Chicken Wing turned excitedly towards me. °” Great idea mother, what do you say, Failed Hunter? Would you, Corn Supplier, Meat Head, Speedy, Doc, Blue Berry, Furry, Mini Human and Nailer, like to see my home?”°

I had an idea where this was going, but played along. °”I'd like to, the way you build your houses is interesting.°”

“°Alexander, could you please show our guests our garden and then the mansion?”° Her father now also spoke. From behind came the emperor penguin and bowed, before asking us to follow him.

I thanked them and began to glide out of the room. °” I want to show you the rose gardens first, I have helped to plant them.°” From behind Mrs Chicken Wing also came and landed next to me. She knew that she could not physically touch me in this state.

However, before she could walk out we could hear her mother asking. “°Little Wing. Would you please stay for a moment, I'd like to ask you something?°”

°”But mother,°” began Mrs Chicken Wing, she then saw the pointed look in her mother's eyes and knew that something was up. Now the parents will question their daughter about her friends. I thought she was 40 something, not 15. I will find delight in teasing her with this.

°”It's alright Mrs Chicken Wing, maybe Alexander can show us something else first,°” I intervened. And chuckled inwardly, Mrs Chicken Wing maybe older than us, but she can be quite young when it comes to stuff she likes. For example her corn, or sand bowl.

The father nodded in thanks and we were led out. Slowly, I couldn't walk fast.

Omake, not truly important for the story, but happens at the same time.

Spoiler: Spoiler

At the same time as the normal conversation on the table.

°” So how do I call you?°” I asked the two children.

°”I'm Madelaine and this is my brother Ernst. Is it true that you are a human?°” Answered the young hen excitedly.

°” Yeah, I heard that humans are all strange looking. Like you do right now, why are the other humans not glowing?”° Added the young rooster. They instantly have grasped that they didn't need to speak in real life to hear me. I was also linking their thoughts to each other.

And, even had they really spoken, I was slowing down the sound waves of them. In such a way that they only become mumble that their parents wouldn't understand.

°”Oh, and what is with the human that is all hairy, are that her downs? And she has yet to lose them?°” Came the female back.

°”Yeah, and then she will look as strange as the rest of you, without any feathers.°” Both shuddered at the thought. I'm not sure I am even expected to answer any of these questions. But I so damn want to, I like to answer stuff.

They were not ushered out when their parents learned about my mindreading ability. So I saw no reason not speaking with them. Her parents were right now not knowing if their daughter got mind manipulated or if she was out of her mind.

°”And then this tiny human, is she like aunt Little Wing?”° Silence followed the last question. The assault of question has stopped and I found myself being stared at by a father that scrutinizes me like a boy picking up his daughter to the prom night, a mother that was worried about her daughter, an older brother that is thinking the same as his father and lastly by two young children that seem to have run out of questions.

Now is my time, °”No I am not strictly speaking a human. I am a Long-Ear Human, it is roughly the same as with you. A sparrow is not the same as a swan and yet both are birds.

As for the woman with dawn, that is called fur. It is always on her body and that is because she is not a human. Inari, or as Mrs Chicken Wing has called her, Furry, is a Mink. They are humanoid, so people that kinda look like a human, but are not.

Fiara, or Little Human, is similar to me. She is a Tontatta, a group of really tiny people. All Tontatta are tiny.

Other than my sister, the one with long ears, are the rest, however, human. They look like every other human. Well, Blueberry has blue hair, that is unusual. Meat Head has way too many muscles to be normal. Speedy always wears sunglasses, always. That can't be normal. Hmm, I think Doc would be normal when he does not wear his doctor coat, which is rarely the case. Oh, Noa, he is normal. Except that humans usually don't wear a tool belt.°” The two were staring at me wide-eyed and I cheered inwardly.

Then my bubbled busted. °” Eh? What does humanoid mean?°”

I would have fallen on my knees, had I knees in this form. Oh, and I am also still in a conversation with the parents of my best friend, who don't seem to like me. Which can only mean one thing! °”It is the same as birdlike. And I am also only glowing because I ate a Devil Fruit, the same as your uncle.°” Naturally, a good teacher had to adjust his teaching to his pupils.

°”Ah, I heard uncle Basilisk can petrify people, can you do the same?°” Questioned the boy excitedly.

°”No, Devil Fruits have all kind of effects. None is the same as another. I can do something different,°” I began. Both were eagerly listening and close to falling down from their roost.

°”I can do a few things. For example, I can make fire and explosions, or for those who are not into explosions,°” the boy asked who wouldn't love THAT?, “° I can also make you feel happy or speak to you as I do now.°” This the girl liked very much. Her father was less pleased when he felt that the happy emotions I was projecting became slightly stronger.

°” Really can you show us the explosions?°” He was eager to see something explode. And luckily the chance offered itself to us.

Because my second conversation was coming to the conclusion that it would be good for us to take a look at the gardens. °”I'm sure, it seems as if Alexander will show us the gardens. You can come with us if you want.

They nodded and jumped off of the rooster, before racing out of the door, where they then waited for us to follow after.

°”We can first see the training field, you can show me the explosion there,°” urged the young rooster.

The other part of my mind, the one that was taking part in the adult conversation, was just finishing up and allowing Mrs Chicken Wings parents to speak with her. While I could show off my awesome tricks.

The mother of the two was also coming with us. She was making sure to keep her young in front of our group and herself between us and them.