[GrayGriffin]

"Does this...happen often?" asked Caldera, reaching out to place a paw on the Pengi's wing. Immediately, he lashed out, nipping at the volcanic spirit with his beak, causing him to withdraw with a yelp.

"I'm pretty sure it doesn't," muttered Ray, looking around the park even more. He really wanted to find out who was causing all this to happen. The Pengi continued squawking in the background as Caldera approached Ray's side, but after a moment he noticed that the squawking seemed to have changed in tone. He turned around, to see that there were now two penguins, both glaring at each other and squawking aggressively.

[GrayGriffin]

"Okay, we should definitely go looking for help elsewhere now," muttered Ray, standing up and starting to hurry away from the duo. However, even as he did so, both of them turned their heads to look at him, and immediately started hurrying in his direction. They were slightly more graceful on their feet than the Pengi had been in his smaller form, but still comparatively slow. However, the racket of squawks and squeaks they were making indicated they were very much not happy about being left behind.

"Didn't he indicate he no longer wanted our company?" asked Caldera, pausing to tilt his head to the side. "Why are they now following us so closely once more?"

[GrayGriffin]

"I can sort of understand," admitted Ray, stopping to watch the two. They continued to nip and squawk at each other, even slapping at each other with their flippers. He turned back towards them, nudging the Aura away from the Pengi. She squawked in protest, even as Caldera moved in to restrain the Pengi himself.

"Hey, if you want to follow us two, I'm fine with that," he said. "But you have to accept that you're both coming, instead of fighting with each other."

The two of them looked at each other, still looking somewhat sulky, but finally relaxed slightly.

"...I still don't understand," said Caldera.

[GrayGriffin]

"...it's something children go through, sometimes," muttered Ray. "They act like they no longer care for their parents, when in truth it's simply the natural problems of growing up and feeling their bodies change. Of course they still care and want to be close."

"...parents?" asked Caldera. Ray wanted to facepalm again. Of course that was what the volcano spirit was going to pick up from his comment.

"Yes, parents. After all, that did seem to be what that one thought of you," said Ray, gesturing at the sulking teenage Pengi still being somewhat restrained by Caldera. "And, well...they are deferring to our authority, right now."

[GrayGriffin]

"...well, this is a new experience," murmured Caldera. "Shall we keep searching for help, then?" There was something melancholy in his voice, a tone that made Ray blink a few times.

"You know what? They understand us, right?" He glanced over at the two of them. "Do you want to go home with us?"

The Pengi started nodding immediately. After a moment, not wanting to be left out, the Aura started nodding as well, both of them squawking enthusiastically.

"Well, I suppose we have an answer there, then," said Ray. "And really, the house is big enough for both of them to stay for now."

[GrayGriffin]

The two penguins now looked very enthusiastic about this whole prospect. Ray backed off a little, looking at the two of them. Caldera also backed off to join him. At least the two didn't immediately lunge at each other once more.

"But remember," he said, "you two have to get along, okay?" The two of them looked at each other for a moment, then made a few soft honking sounds before turning to face him and nodding.

"Good!" he said, and the strange procession set off, making sure to pace themselves to the two penguins. As they were just about to leave the park, though, he stopped.

"Wait a moment...we forgot our milkshake!"

"Oh dearrrrrrr," moaned Caldera.