Zen was walking along with Shibi. He held three dead rodents in his hand as they were making their way to the Hawk coop.

Zen saw someone waiting there, in a beautiful dress. Tilting his head in confusion, he called out to them.

The woman turned, revealing herself to be Choi Jingyi.

“Oh…! Choi Jingyi!” Zen said, stopping some distance between Jingyi.

“Wang Zen,” she said. Her eyes wondered to the dead rodents, hanging by the tail in his grasp. “Eew, what’s that?” she pointed at the rodents.

“Lunch,” Zen said. He held the rodents up to Jingyi, a mischievous smile on his face. “You want to help me feed them?”

“Eew, no!” she said.

Zen smirked.

“I just want to see the Brown Hawks,” she said. “I have never seen them before.”

“Really?” Zen said. “Well, you are in for a treat.” He pointed at the distance. “Look, there they are!”

The hawks silhouette got clearer the closer they got to the coop. They landed beside them, kicking up dust as their wings allowed them to land softly.

“Hey, Breeze Rider.” Zen said.

The hawk in question hopped over to him and Zen stretched his hand to caress its head. It was a little taller than him and had enough bulk to allow a grown man to ride it. He rubbed its head as it cawed.

Jingyi stepped back from fear.

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Zen saw her and smiled. “It’s okay,” he beckoned her closer, “they won’t hurt you as long as I am here.”

She gingerly approached as Zen tossed Breeze Rider a rodent that it swallowed whole.

Another hawk appeared suddenly, looking at her. She yelped. Zen giggled, “Come on, you’re still good.” He said.

She began gingerly approaching again. He held out his hand and she took it. He placed it against the hawk that appeared. She began rubbing her hand on it.

“That’s Hook Beak,” Zen told her.

“Hook Beak,” she said, before looking at the one next to Zen, “Breeze Rider. Who are those two?”

Zen looked at the other two Hawks. “That is Wind Glide and the other one is their mother, Razor Feather.”

“They are… beautiful.”

“They are.” Zen said. “Now, how about giving Hook Beak something to eat?” He held out the rodent.

Her face scrunched in disgust.

“Come on,” he encouraged.

She sighed, “fine.”

She took the rodent, pinching its tail with the tips of her thumb and finger. She swung it towards Hook Beak. The Brown Hawk dove for the badly thrown rodent and gobbled it up. She smiled and resumed rubbing its head as Shibi fed the others.

“You are really good with beasts,” she said. “The Scorch Ape and the Hawks.”

“I don’t think I’m that good, I just like them.” Zen said. Breeze Flutter here is my favourite. She’s the most bravest of them all. I’m sure she is going to have equally as brave children.”

“She is pregnant?”

Zen shook his head no. “My mother is trying to find them mating partners, so that we can have a healthy population of them.”

Jingyi nodded, “Ah, I understand.” She placed her hand on the head of the hawk, their hands inches away from each other. “We are like this bird, huh?”

“What do you… oh, I se what you mean.” Zen said. “I guess we kind of are.”

They remained silent for a few awkward moments.

“About last time… you know, that night.” Zen said. “I am sorry for my behaviour.”

She nodded, “Apology accepted.”

“Wang Zen, I have…” Jun Nee ran into sight and slowed down when she saw Zen and Jingyi so closely together. “…the rest of the food. Oh, sorry, I did not know I was interrupting.”

“You’re not.” Jingyi said at the same time Zen said, “You are not.”

“Uhm… I will leave these here.” Jun Nee said, leaving the rodents on the ground. “I have other tasks to attend to before the party later today.”

Jingyi sighed. “I have to prepare myself for later tonight. I… I guess I’ll see you there.” She bowed and left Zen.

Zen sighed and attended to the birds, unsure what to do.