Ying raised her brow and only nodded when Aisling told her about dividing school supplies. Not that she knew what kind of supplies were necessary for the Academy she were to attend soon, but she would gladly listen to Aisling and do what Aisling does.

What peeked her interest more than the owl designed bags and school supplies would be Aisling's new companion - another owl similar to Birdie. Ying remembered there wasn't any other owl around them earlier save for Birdie, so that was new. 

Ying was about to point at the new owl and give Aisling a questioning look, when Birdie hooted and spoke for the first time. 

"Yes girl, our new bird friend Archemedes is Aisling's pet owl." 

That startled Ying quite a bit, and she stared at Birdie for a few seconds, who returned to preening his wing on the cafe table where Aisling placed bags and supplies. Did her wooden owl just...talked? 

"You can talk...?" Ying asked Birdie in her mother tongue. Birdie hooted again, before replying, "Why yes, we are made that way for the humans whom we were to be bound to. I can understand and speak your language too. Archemedes here can understand you as well. The Academy's owls are made to assist their human owners, a duty bestowed by the Academy upon the Owls."

Ying crossed her arms. "Why didn't you speak earlier when we first met? You could have saved me a lot of trouble trying to navigate around."

Birdie hooted, its head tilted. "Girl, you were like a scaredy cat, about to pass out anytime. You even nearly wanted to kill me with your dagger as I approached you, so I figured I better stay silent until you are ready to find out I can talk. Don't wanna get disfigured or dead for nothing."

"Hmm, makes sense. Sorry," Ying said apologetically. Birdie flew and perched on her shoulder. "No worries, all is good between you and I. Now, you better hurry along with your belongings and grab some food. Archemedes mentioned to Aisling earlier about the bus leaving in a few days' time..."

"What is a bus? And why is it leaving in a few day's time...what has that got to do with us? I don't understand."

"A bus is a big long vehicle that carries people from one place to another on the road, similar to horse carriages." Then Birdie turned to look at Archemedes and Aisling, and hooted at them for a while, before looking at Ying. "As for the rest of your questions, I think it's best for Archemedes or Aisling to explain what is going on."