After a while, Sid forgot that it was strange. Early on in Geno's second season, Sykora took Sid aside and said, “Look, what is going on with Malkin,” and it took Sid a moment to even figure out what he was talking about. Sid shrugged. “That's just how Geno is.” “Like a routine,” Sykora said, expression still skeptical. “A superstition?” “Sure,” Sid said. “Something like that.”

Zhenya ran his hand against the grain of Sid’s feathers, ruffling them up so they looked tangled. “You molty, Sid.” His hand was slapped away with a restrained giggle. “So what are you gonna do about it, huh? Wanna pluck them for me? Scratch my itch?”