"Don't be a brat, Ari." Ben scolded her. He pushed her underneath his arm, tucking her legs and wings firmly into his side. Though her attention was on the little bird, she still had one curious eye on Malcolm.
"They're called starbirds where I'm from," he explained with a nod. "And I'm not completely sure. But that does seem to be the most likely theory. Honestly, I had thought I had a dragon egg. Not a bird's. But she's close. I just hope she doesn't grow as big." Ari already was of substantial size. If she got much large, she wouldn't be able to stay perched on his shoulder like she loved to do.
Ben shifted his focus away from the birds to the stranger. "I've seen you around. Who are you?"