But the Italian racer sounds... decent.
Maybe the rivalry was just Thomas being Thomas. Too focused, too serious.
Either way, there's something almost comforting in it. That weird fellow-survivor bond only people who just attacked Birds of Prey and lived to tell about it can share.
We just went to war with the same mountain.
I won.
He lost by tenths.
But we both beat the hill.
***
For the first time in my life, I'm standing on the top step of the speed podium, Austrian anthem fading, bouquet in one hand, my cap in the other, when they bring out the eagle.
Not a trophy shaped like one. Not a stuffed one. Areal,livebald eagle.
"Hold your arm steady," the handler says. Anne something, from the Raptor Education Foundation. She's calm, like this is totally normal. "She's used to crowds, but don't make any sudden moves."
The eagle settles onto my forearm, talons gripping through the thick leather glove they've strapped on me. She's heavier than I expected. Solid. Her head swivels, yellow eyes scanning the crowd with the kind of focus I recognize. Predator focus.
The cameras go insane.
Flash. Flash. Flash.
I'm holding the national symbol of the United States like I just won a nature documentary instead of a Super-G.
It's the most American thing I've ever experienced.
The eagle's wings spread once, as if it was trained to do so for the photos. Maybe it was. Massive, easily two meters across. The crowd gasps. I feel the power in her shift, muscles coiling, and for half a second I think she's about to launch off my arm and take me with her.
But she settles again. Calm. Regal.
"Smile, Nico!" someone shouts in German.
I grin. Can't help it. This is insane. This is perfect.
I look at the eagle, and she looks back at me with those cold, sharp eyes.
"You and me," I murmur, too quiet for the mics to catch. "We both hunted today."
She blinks once, slow and unimpressed, like she's seen way bigger prey than a ski course.
Fair enough.
She gets to fly off whenever they’re done with her. I’m still figuring out how to do that.
Anne lifts her gently off my arm, and the moment breaks. The crowd applauds. I wave, still grinning like an idiot, still buzzing with adrenaline and disbelief.
I just won Birds of Prey.
And I held a bald eagle.
I just hope Élise was watching.
***
