Quoted By:
<span class="mu-g">“You were right. This <span class="mu-i">is</span> precious.”</span> Ana agreed.
You hurriedly released your grandmother's hand…and then paused.
Wait, why were you getting embarrassed about showing affection to the grandma that you never got to know? Who cares what they think. You could endure any amount of teasing from Ben if it meant reconnecting with a relative.
At least, that's what you told yourself.
<span class="mu-r">“That’s going on the fridge.”</span> Ben said in a self-satisfied tone.
—-------
If you were being completely honest, you didn’t fully understand the need behind renting these dino birds just to take a quick ride to the building where this council meeting was being held.
They weren't that much faster than any of you on foot, and they forced you to obey the Metro's traffic laws. That included giving the right of way to every big idiot that stomped their way through the city, without any regard for the monsters that didn't fall into the “freakishly large” size category.
Ben had no patience for any of it, and instead flew above you, green flames trailing behind him like the tail of a comet. A part of you was jealous of all these new powers he'd been developing recently.
Right now, though, you'd settle for the spontaneous revelation that you secretly possessed dino bird wrangling powers. This big ugly thing just…wouldn't…sit still!
You tugged on the reins and glanced to either side of you. Grandma Young's bird was perfectly calm. In her current form, she wasn’t much older than you, but she had this serene look about her that you didn’t think you could ever pull off.
Ana's bird was terribly well-behaved as well. Despite having never done this in her entire life, she was somehow much better than you at keeping these things under control.
Maybe there was something wrong with yours.
<span class="mu-s">“Ugh! I think we should seriously consider bringing up the idea of traffic lights at this meeting.”</span> you suggested, staring up at Ben as he literally flew circles around you. It looked like he was trying to form shapes with his flame trails.
Grandma Young chuckled in a way that sounded uncannily like your own.
<span class="mu-s">“There is a rhythm to the Monster Metropolis that everyone must learn. One must recognize their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as being able to quickly grasp their immediate situation.”</span>
She pointed ahead, at a small werewolf child effortlessly weaving their way through the crowd. You watched as he slipped between people’s legs, hitched a ride on a larger, but inattentive creature, hopped to a nearby building, and scaled its walls to gain access to a higher level.
<span class="mu-s">“First, you must recognize yourself. Know what you are capable of, and then recognize the situation. After that, it is up to you to figure out whether you can adapt.”</span> she continued.
<span class="mu-g">“Or find an alternative route.”</span> Ana put in.
Young nodded without looking at her.
<span class="mu-s">“Or that.”</span>
(Cont.)
