CHAPTER 8: TOUCAN Toucan rested on one of the benches that lined the royal hallway next to Nali. "Nali," Toucan began. "Do you ever wonder what life is like down there?" she asked, referring to the unfortunate skyaries born into poverty. "Sometimes." Nali responded, not shifting her gaze. "Do you ever wonder why the king and queen don't just give them food and money? It would help a ton!" Toucan agresisvely (and rhetorically) suggested. "Well, the castle doesn't keep its plentiful resources by giving them away, now does it?" Nali responded. She had a point, but why couldn't they just share? Why did they have to suffer? Toucan had read too many books written by the unfortunate skyaries to catch a glimpse of what they live through. What was described in the books was terrifying and horrid. Fights, robberies, and so much more. Skyaries would kill one another just for a bite of a fish. All of the homes were also described to be disgusting. This society was almost dystopian with the difference. The special skyaries would live a luxurious life while the others were left to suffer. "Toucan? You good?" Nali asked, looking over to Toucan. "Oh, uh, yeah. Just thinking." she replied, looking at the ground. "I wonder if I could do something about those who are suffering." she stated. "Toucan. It's not your problem to solve. Think about something else." "But they- they're miserable! I-" "Toucan. Shut. Up." Nali snapped, flattening her ears. Toucan jumped a bit, suprised at the sudden hostility. "Oh, uh I'm sorry." Nali stood up, walking back to her room. "Wait, Nali,-" CHAPTER 9: QUESTIONS "Hey, um, Quail? Would ya mind if I came in for a second? I need some help." Toucan asked, peeking out from behind the door. "Oh, yeah, sure. Come in." Toucan entered only to be met with two skets and a whole other skyarie. "Oh, uh, hello! I'm Toucan, and you are?" "Jupiter. Nice to meet you." "Likewise." Toucan concluded. "So, what did you need?" Quail asked. "I'm sorry if you're busy- I can come another time if you'd like." Toucan proposed. "Oh, no. It's fine." Quail replied. "Alright. Well, my best friend left me because I asked about the unfortunate skyaries. Also, do I ask questions a lot?" Toucan stated. "You do ask a lot of questions, but it's not a problem. I don't know why she would be so sensitive to the topic of the unfortunate, though. It is a problem that needs attention to be brought to it." Quail replied. His gaze had shifted to the skets who were happily playing with eachother. "What happened to that one?" Toucan asked, pointing to Feather. "Feather? He's really sweet. I don't know what happened to him, but he is healthy- I checked with Nurse Corvus. She says it's something rare, but that we shouldn't worry. He may just have to grow up as a bird that identifies with skyaries." Quail answered. "Ah." Toucan replied. "How long have you known Jupiter?" she asked. "She does ask a lot of questions." Jupiter stated, laughing to herself. "For a few years now." Quail answered. "Wait. Um, Jupiter, do you perhaps know a Jay?" Toucan asked, cautiously. "Yes. Why?" Jupiter replied with a slight hiss. "Oh, sorry, no reason- just curious." Toucan stammered. "Well I think I'm going to go check on Nali. Goodbye!" Toucan concluded, swiveling and dashing out the door. CHAPTER 10: UNEXPECTED "Well... that was unexpected" Toucan murmured to herself. She slowly approached her temporary room, which was shared with Nali. She inhaled deeply, which was followed by a sharp exhale. She pushed open the door and entered the room. "Uh, hey Nali. Sorry about what happened earlier. I didn't know- Nali?" Toucan asked, scanning the room. Nali wasn't in the room. "Nali? Where are you?" She asked once more, creeping farther into the room. While Toucan's bed was tidy and made, Nali's bed seemed as if a chicken flew in and danced on the bed. Toucan approached her bed, assuming that she would have a better view of the rest of the room from there. The bathroom light was on, however. Toucan's eyes widened as she approached the lit room. The light was a disruptive shade of yellow, yet it didn't bother either of them much. "Nali? Are you in here?" She asked, approaching the side of the door. There was no response. The overhead light began to flicker, however. Toucan jumped back, startled by the sudden flicker. "Nali," Toucan stated, a tinge of annoyance in her voice. "I'm sorry for whatever I did, but we can talk about it,". Silence. "Nali..." more silence. "Well then I guess I'll look for her." Toucan murmured, turning to walk back out the door.
