“Okay okay okay okay.”

  Teddie was stressing. He had no idea why he volunteered himself to go alone to talk to the most important animal in the city. It just felt like it was the right thing to do, but he really should have thought before he spoke.

  “Mr. Bear. We’re gonna have to talk to someone super important. Like, more important than anyone we’ve ever met so far. Not even the leader of the squirrels compares.”

  The stuffed bear sat on the desk in their room. It was listening to the boy intently, giving him a nice shoulder to lean on.

  “So, how do we do it? Why doesn’t the bird like the governor? Maybe I should just ask it and work from there. What would Cozy do… what would Adelyn do…”

  Teddie was pacing back and forth across the inn room as sweat dripped down his face. He had talked to animals before, so this one shouldn’t be different, right? It was just a very grumpy bird that could grant governors immense power and could possibly vaporize him with a thought if they didn’t like what he said.

  He grabbed Mr. Bear and squeezed him. Taking a deep breath, as the door to his room was opened.

  “Hello?” A girl in armor and short brown hair peered into the room. “Are you doing okay?”

  “Huh?” Teddie almost dropped the bear, but tried to put on a strong face. “Oh. Yes. I’m ready to meet the Lovebird.”

  “Your friends are on their way to meet the governor so, let’s go,” the guard said, leaving the door open to Teddie. He asked for this, so he supposed it was time for him to commit.

  Teddie walked with the guard through the streets of Loura, the glowing but warm lights bathed the both of them in a relaxed atmosphere. It didn’t feel too bad for a city that was dealing with crime.

  “We’re going to have to step outside of the boundaries of the safe zone once we get there,” the guard explained. “We should be fine once we reach the Lovebird’s nest but it’d be good if we could move quickly. Can you fight?”

  “Uh… not without my friends… I’m not that good at it,” Teddie said. He realized that this was another problem with going alone, and he was really regretting some of the decisions that came along with that. “Are you good at defending me, Miss…?”

  “Maia. My name is Maia. Uh, I suppose I can fight. Yeah. If you can’t though then that makes my life a lot harder,” the guard sighed.

  “If you can fight then I can help you. My magic lets you use your magic and powers way better, if that’s anything.”

  “Oh, well. That’s more useful, I suppose. Still, we ought to be careful. Just, stay behind me.”

  Teddie nodded. He obviously wanted to avoid as much trouble as he could, so as they stepped further away from the tall buildings and neon lights, he moved closer and closer to Maia.

  The city was left behind them, and they began to approach pink woods. The plants here glowed like most others, but the color was quite quaint, that even the forest-bound Teddie felt these trees were something new.

  However, Maia’s presence kept things tense. Teddie couldn’t feel too safe with her constant warnings, as they entered the woods. No criminals were seen nearby, as they walked towards a massive pink tree. It stood towering over the both of them, and Teddie could feel rustling in the trees.

  “There he is,” Maia said amongst the falling leaves around them. “Go and talk to him, if you can.”

  Teddie didn’t see it, but he assumed she was talking about the tree. With a strong grip on Mr. Bear, Teddie looked up at the tree and spoke.

  “Mr. Lovebird?” Teddie asked at the sky. “I’m here to talk… if you want to. Things are pretty scary right now.”

  The tree itself began to shake. All of the leaves ended up rumbling and shaking, with even more of them falling, before out of the tree floated a small pink bird. Very tiny, which was weird.

  “Is that…?”

  “Yes, though it’s a bit smaller these days compared to usual.”

  Teddie watched as the bird floated down onto his shoulder. He was expecting something a lot more scary. But it was… kind of cute? The bird silently perched on him, sizing him up. Teddie took a deep breath, despite its cuteness he was still very much nervous.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “S-So… Mr. Lovebird. It’s… it’s nice to meet you?”

  The bird flapped its wings and floated around him, poking his skin and his hair. Teddie didn’t mind, he was hoping his appearance was good enough. Shortly after, the bird began to speak to him.

  A loud chirp came out of its mouth, which only Teddie could understand. Teddie paused to think about what he had to say, which had to be perfect.

  “My name is Teddie. I… I come from Lune, though… I feel like you know that we’re not just from Lune…”

  “Chirp, chirp, chirp!”

  “But what’s important is… that we want to help you. A city of love without a governor is a mess… so why won’t you appoint a governor to help people?”

  He decided a direct approach would be best. The bird felt like it was looking into his very heart, so he guessed that it would be bad to try and lie about his intentions.

  “Chirp chirp!”

  “You’re being pretty vague, Mr. Lovebird. You say you like her, but you won’t give her power? What… what things does she not have that the other governors don’t…?”

  “Chirp chirp… chirp chirp chirp!”

  “Mind translating?” Maia asked, bringing herself into the conversation. “Not to like, interrupt but it’d be helpful for us to know.”

  Teddie looked at Maia. “She doesn’t understand her job yet, or what she’s supposed to do. He can’t give such a position to someone who doesn’t understand.”

  “That’s some nonsense,” Maia complained. “Phiona is one of the nicest people in this city. And she tries her best too, isn’t that what love is about?”

  “I dunno. Is it?” Teddie turned back to the bird. Who responded by chirping back multiple times at the two of them.

  “Chirp chirp chirp… chirp chirp chirp!”

  Teddie frowned for a moment, and took a deep breath. It was a little bit frustrating that the bird was being so difficult with the selection process. He turned to Maia and began another translation.

  “It isn’t what she is, but what she understands- uh. This actually kind of sounds like the same vague stuff from Lune.”

  “Like, yeah. Our entire city is in trouble and it’s predicated on this bird making up its damn mind!” Maia said once more. “Can you try talking some sense into it?”

  Teddie looked at the bird, hoping for something, anything. “Please. We’ve already dealt with this once… and we fought through it and won. Please. If people can learn how to love again, then things will be better… Everything is so scary right now. What do you… want? Why did you pick her to be your candidate, but don’t give her power?”

  “Chirp… chirp chirp…”

  Teddie heard the sound of the bird, and looked a bit down. “Love isn’t about power. It’ll know when it knows. An accepting love of everyone…”

  “An accepting love?!” Maia said, frustrated. “We’re getting pelted by criminals out there, and is it telling us to accept them?”

  “I… I don’t think that’s what it means. But, it has to do something with your governor candidate. It picked her because she has the best chance to understand it, but… that understanding of everyone… is a tall ask.”

  The bird flew out of Teddie’s hands, and headed back into the tree, disappearing from their site. A few chirps came out of the skies.

  “He wants me to come back tomorrow. Just for some time to think,” Teddie translated.

  “Well, I’m glad he wants to see you again,” Maia sighed. “Whatever, let’s go and find your friends.”

  The two of them turned their back to the massive tree, and began to leave. A small trail that led back into the main parts of the city, glowing red as they approached. Though, as they walked, Maia suddenly put her hand in front of Teddie’s path.

  “Something is here.”

  Maia looked around, staring at the bushes and flora that surrounded their walk back. And as soon as she did, she pushed Teddie out of the way as a crossbow bolt was shot just over their heads.

  “Shoot! Bandits!” Maia said, getting back up and pulling out her sword. A large group of masked criminals came out, dressing up in black and blue to blend in with the knight. Their faces were covered as they approached.

  “Hey there. We heard you were talking to the Lovebird! No progress? Shame for you, but it does give us plenty of time to work on taking over this city. One guard at a time.” A man with a light blue bandana covering his face said while walking towards them.

  “Who are you guys? What do you want?” Teddie asked. “There isn’t a point to this.”

  “Quiet you! I saw a kid going out here and knew it was easy pickings!” The main shouted back.

  “Really now? You can’t even take us down all at once so you’re picking off any stragglers?” Maia said, raising her spear.

  “You should’ve known better than coming out here! Especially by yourself!” A female voice with a crossbow shouted. “Regardless, you got some great weapons we can use.”

  “Honey,” Maia said. “I wouldn’t have gone out here by myself, if I didn’t know I could handle it.” The guard tapped her spear onto the ground, creating a small shockwave that staggered everyone around her. With a glance at Teddie, he knew that she was playing strong… but she needed the support. Teddie gulped, but he knew he had no other choice. With one last clutch at Mr. Bear, he nervously stood his ground alongside Maia.

  “Cocky! Whatever, we’ll loot both of you for all you’re worth! Get them!” The man shouted.

  This was definitely a problem for them.