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“Peng?”
They looked up, scowling when they saw who dared intrude on their self-imposed isolation.
“What do you want, rodent?” In honesty, the sight of their sworn brother made their feathers itch. Already, they had to suppress the urge to yank fistfuls of plumage out, if only to stop the itching.
“I heard you got… hurt.”
Hurt.
Four letters that urged them to wrench out their own soul by the roots. The memory of the bull king’s betrayal had weighted heavier than any cangue around their neck since that night, it was true, but they hadn’t told anyone, so how on earth had Macaque-?
Ah, the six ears.
Stupid of them to forget such a namesake, even in the wake of their latest… misadventure.
“Is there anything I could do to avenge your honor?”
“My honor?“ They couldn’t help but laugh at the notion. “As if I have any left after what happened.”
“Even so.” Macaque sat beside them, keeping a respectful distance. “Say the word and I’ll turn him into a steer.”
They couldn’t help but laugh at the mental image.
“You could steal them for yourself. You’d probably make better use of them.”
Macaque grinned, showing sharp little teeth.
“That I would.”