"Bravirary... what's wrong, buddy?" I asked in a soft voice as Rei examined his wings. "You're not sick, are you?"

Rei glanced up from the nobles' wing. "He doesn't feel feverish. Maybe it's circulation." Rei suggested, grabbing a wooden stethoscope.

I remained petting the big bird's head. "You gave me a big scare, you know. Collapsing like you did."

Braviary gave a weak coo and closed his eyes, leaning his heavy head against my shoulder. My arms almost buckled under the weight, but I stayed steady, stroking the soft feathers at his crown.

Rei adjusted the wooden stethoscope in his ears, placing the disk gently against Braviary's chest. His brows furrowed as he listened.

"...Rhythm's slow," Rei murmured. "Not dangerously, but slower than I'd like for a bird this size. Breathing's even, though." He tapped Braviary's side lightly. "You said he collapsed mid-flight?"

I nodded quickly. "Yeah. He was circling like normal, then all of a sudden his wings locked and—" My throat tightened at the memory. "He just dropped. If I hadn't been standing right there—"

Rei put up a hand, calming but firm. "You caught him. That's what matters right now."

Braviary gave a quiet trill, pressing closer into me as though agreeing. His feathers twitched as I smoothed them down.

Rei checked along the wings, running his fingers carefully over each joint and feather bed. "No fractures. No dislocations. Muscle tone's fine. Circulation could be off, but... it might also be exhaustion."

I blinked. "Exhaustion? But—Braviary's stronger than anyone. He could fly from here to Mt. Coronet and back without—"

"Strong or not, he's still living," Rei interrupted, not unkindly. "Even nobles can wear themselves down if they push too hard." He leaned back, thoughtful. "Has he been training harder than usual?"

I hesitated, petting the bird again. "...We've been flying every morning. Longer distances, too. He... seemed happy."

Rei sighed softly, removing the stethoscope. "Happy, sure. But even partners can overdo it if their trainer doesn't notice the signs." He gave me a pointed look.

I wilted a little, hugging Braviary's head against me. "...I just wanted him to feel free. Like he could stretch his wings as much as he wanted."

Braviary opened one eye, blinking at me slowly before letting out a faint warble, almost like he was telling me not to blame myself.

Rei smiled faintly at the sound. "He trusts you. That's clear. But trust means you've got to watch for when he's pushing himself too far. Let him rest for a few days, maybe keep the flights short."

I buried my face against Braviary's feathers. "...I thought I was helping him. Not... not hurting him."

"You didn't hurt him," Rei said firmly. "You just need to pay closer attention to his limits." He stood, patting my shoulder briefly. "Give him time. He'll be soaring again soon."

Braviary gave a rumbling coo that shook my chest, his head nudging mine gently like an apology and reassurance all at once.

I sniffed, still hugging him. "...No more overdoing it, okay, big guy?"

Braviary blinked again and let out a soft cry, almost like he was promising.