"I found him on the way home from work. He was stuck between the boulders we always used to play on."

"Whatcha gunna do with him?" A gothitelle slung himself over the couch to get a better look at the feathery egg in his friend's arms.

"He's not gunna give it a home, that's what. Better yet, just put it back where you found it." The blonde man's voice was gruff and fierce, it was clear he was displeased by the thought of an infant in his home. The floor seemed to tremble with his frustration, but there was no one fearful enough in the room to submit to his cruel strategy. "There's no way I'm ever dealing with some smelly kid."

"Oh come on, 'Bane, maybe it would be fun to have a little guy around."

Ebane shot a glare at the nuzleaf who approached him with such disrespectful nonchalance. "We've already got five folks living here, we don't need another. It'd get crowded..." He sneered, his arms sliding to fold stubbornly across his chest. "It's crowded enough as it is." His adamant gaze was steady with the nuzleaf's, as if to blame him for this inconvenience.

"Psh, nonsense. The bigger the better, I say." The unfazed nuzleaf gave Ebane a flirtatious wink as he moved to investigate the egg in the delibird's lap.

"Don't push my buttons, Lucas..." Ebane warned with a snarl and an electric flick of his tail.

"It's up to Clark, you guys." The gothitelle glanced at the arguing duo as he swept his long black hair from his face. "He's the one who found him, after all!"

"And he's the one who puts bread on the table." Lucas reminded with a stern glance at the electrabuzz. "Deril's right. It's up to Clark."

"I've wanted a son for the longest time... You know that most of all, Ebane." The delibird was finally recovered enough to speak. The smile seemed to be a permanent new feature as he wiped a tear from his chilly cheek. "We'll make room."

"Awww yeah!" Deril flung his arms into the air with an excited yelp. "We're keeping him! Does this mean I'm an uncle!?"

"What are you gunna name him?" Lucas looked just as pleased as he leaned towards the two birds, beaming proudly at his new nephew. "Steve. He looks like a Steve to me. No, Justin."

Deril laughed and gave the nuzleaf a playful shove. "Dude, those are ridiculous names... We should totally name him Mega Raptor. Besides, didn't you have a boyfriend named Justin?"

Clark chuckled and shook his head as the two predictably engaged in an argument with each other. He looked to the electrabuzz again, a particular softness in his eyes that was rare for the typically melancholy bird. "I'm really happy, Ebane. Let me have this one thing? Please?"

Still consumed with his selfish intentions, the electrabuzz paused to devise a plan to convince the bird to get rid of the egg. The snarl was subtle, but it still clearly conveyed his reluctance. Finally, he became aware of the sixth presence in the room. Ebane looked at the silent lilipup with a wicked flame in his eyes. He knew Clark deeply respected the young scholar's opinion... If only he could get the canine on his side, he would have a chance in this battle, and get what he wanted. "We haven't heard from Vorin, yet." Ebane's voice acquired a dark tone as he eyed the dog in the corner. "What do you think, Vorin?"

Vorin felt his heart jump with fear his eyes met with Ebane's. He knew the electrabuzz's intentions, and despite himself and his desire to flee, Vorin refused to be manipulated. With timid steps, he inched closer to the pair of birds, trembling under Ebane's threatening gaze. He looked to the delibird and lifted his hands to sign his words. It was voiceless communication that only Clark could understand with complete accuracy. "What's his name?"

Clark smiled, briefly adjusting the egg in his lap so he could sign in return. "His name Jaime."

"Welcome home, Jaime."

The attempt had clearly failed, but Ebane wouldn't stand another minute of the scene gushing with pride, happiness and... feelings. All of it over a useless egg. The man stomped from the room, his tail lashing violently behind him as he snarled in his defeat.