I feel like people often overlook (or just never realized) how mechanically complicated Kestrel's cape really is.
It's not just fashioned to look like wings, there is an actual "bone" structure under it. With a practiced shrug of his shoulders, the structure shifts forward and snaps into the flying position. Not completely comfortable when the wings are down since sometimes the jointed parts snag at his fur, but the cape still allows him short "flights" (more like glides) when he jumps from high places. A bonus if there's a tailwind to carry him a little farther. He used to use this cape to hunt unsuspecting ground animals; he could use it for bird hunting but he doesn't hurt let alone eat birds. Putting the wings back down into the regular resting position is usually an awkward task, as it requires Kestrel to either take the cape off to switch the release, or have someone else do it for him. Anyway, on a recent flight where he attempted his highest and longest flight (getting a little reckless, are we, Kest?) he crash landed and the cape broke pretty bad. Kest made it out okay, with just some scrapes and cuts. But the damage done to his creation was enough for him to call it quits on the contraption.
"It's just not worth it, no more."
#KestrelOLR