"I think the ones with green wings are super cute," Kevin remarked.

"Pfft, you don't know what you're talking about," Cotton Fluff said. "The red-crested cardinal is soooo much cuter." She pointed upwards at a low-hanging branch, where one of the birds in mention was perched. Kevin looked up, and the bird looked back at him before letting out a squawk and taking off.

"I dunno, I don't think that one likes me very much," he said.

Flight sat on a bench a few metres away, her facial expression growing more hopeless and desperate by the minute. "Uh, guys?" she finally said. "I'm sure the birds are cute and exciting and whatever, but do you think we could maybe get a move on? There's still one more store after this one, and I was hoping we could get out of town before nightfall."

"Don't worry, we'll get going," Cotton Fluff reassured her. "I just didn't realise how much I loved the birds here, and Kevin seems to like them, too."

"Yeah, c'mon, Flight! This is the most fun I've had in years! I never thought that birds could be... so cute." Kevin grinned.

Flight groaned and turned away from her companions, looking down at the dirt path below the bench. Of course it was the most fun Kevin had had in years; Flight knew she was silly for thinking that seeing her again would even compare. Birds. She had wings, didn't she? How come Kevin didn't go around calling her cute?

"Flight, you okay?" The filly turned her head to see Kevin standing next to the bench, a look of concern across his face. "We're gonna go now—you ready?"

"I'm... I'm okay," Flight managed to say. She stood up from the bench. "Let's just keep moving so we can get out of there. The sooner we can get back to Dienna, the better."

"Heh, you said it," Kevin agreed. "It's been fun, but... I'm actually kind of excited to go home, for once." He looked ahead at Cotton Fluff, who was trotting slowly a few metres ahead.

"You know, my moms would probably let you stay with us, if you want," Flight said quickly, before she could even think about what she was saying. "Even if just for a little while," she added.

"You know, I might take you up on that offer," Kevin said. "I'd love to hang out with you more... it's been so long."

Trying to conceal her smile, Flight nodded and trotted up closer to Cotton Fluff, leaving Kevin to wonder if maybe he saw a little more of a spring in the pegasus filly's step.