#avian acrobatics

[biology-geology-beaches-india]

The Science Research Manuscripts of S. Sunkavally, p 811.

[murdxrxfcrxwsaftxrdark]

Rules

1. No Non-Con of any kind.

2. Kinks can be played out here, if both parties agree to such. therefore no kink shaming, but if something does make you uncomfortable, feel free to ask me to tag it.

3. You may drop a thread any time you like, I only ask that you tell me before hand so I don’t try continuing. not knowing that you don’t want to.

4. I REQUIRE CLEAR COMMUNICATION no playing around with this shit. 

More will be added as I thing about it.

CHARACTER DETAILS: 

Ace- Bisexual Age: 28

Vesta- Pansexual Age: 26

Husk- Pansexual Age: 74

Vaggie - Bisexual Age: 27

Veronika -  Pansexual Age: Somewhere over 1000

Shen -  Pansexual Age: 48

Styx -  Pansexual Age: 18

Yalana -  Pansexual Age: 22

Ra Rhu - Homosexual Age: 41

Priz - Pansexual Age: 34

July -  Pansexual Age: 22

Syllia -  Pansexual Age: 24

Rozlin -  Pansexual Age: 32

Euphoria -  Pansexual Age: 103

[thecreaturecodex]

Tidehawk

Image © Paizo Publishing, accessed at Archives of Nethys here

[The tidehawk is a fun monster; sort of an opposite day phoenix. I appreciate how its self-resurrection ability has limitations (like that of the mythological phoenix, where it's an allegory for the rising sun/resurrection of Christ instead of a power up), and I like that the artist went out of their way to make the face actually look like a hawk, as opposed to eagle or falcon.]

Tidehawk CR 12 N Magical Beast This massive bird is blue black in color, with broad wings and a long flowing tail of feathers. It has the hooked beak and piercing eyes of a bird of prey, and water runs along its plumage.

Tidehawks are aquatic avians that are metaphysical kin to phoenixes. They nest below the water’s surface in areas with a hard protected substrate—anywhere from coral reefs to sea caves to oceanic trenches. Most tidehawks live in saltwater, as they require a lot of food, but larger lakes may be home to these creatures as well. They come to the surface to exult in rainstorms, in pursuit of migrating megafauna such as whales, or to investigate any disturbance strong enough to be felt in the depths.

A tidehawk at the surface is perhaps the most dangerous tidehawk of all, as they can exploit the interface between sea and sky. When they breach the water’s surface, a tidehawk can create a massive wave that batters enemies and swamps boats, and the elemental birds can draw water over their feathers to act as a shield. Tidehawks are always in motion when they choose to fight, swooping to attack with natural weapons, firing high-pressure blasts of water to damage and knock down foes, or casting spells. Only fire can permanently injure a tidehawk, and so they only fight cautiously if enemies have ready access to fire damage.

Tidehawks and phoenixes share the ability to bring themselves back to life, but a tidehawk’s powers are rather more limited. They can only resurrect themselves once they flow back into the sea, which can be months or years if the tidehawk is caught in combat over land, and have no ability to remove the negative levels inflicted by their brief excursions into death. This, in combination with their neutral natures, means that phoenixes see tidehawks as rather poor relations, being flighty and unreliable in the fight against evil. Tidehawks, for their part, see phoenixes as meddling busybodies. The two lineages only cooperate in cases where both their interests overlap: if a powerful evil creature threatens an aquatic environment.

Tidehawk CR 12 XP 19,200 N Huge magical beast (aquatic, cold, water) Init +7; Senses aquatic blindsense 60 ft.,darkvision 60 ft., detect magic, low-light vision, Perception +31

Defense AC 26, touch 16, flat-footed 19 (-2 size, +7 Dex, +1 dodge, +10 natural) hp 168 (14d10+70); regeneration 10 (fire) Fort +14, Ref +16, Will +12 DR 10/cold iron and magic; Immune cold; SR 23 Defensive Abilities deep dweller, oceanic shield, self resurrection

Offense Speed 30 ft., fly 60 ft. (good), swim 60 ft. Melee 2 talons +19 (2d8+5), bite +19 (2d12+5) Ranged 2 breaker blasts +19 (3d8+5 plus trip) Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft. Special Attacks typhoon dive Spell-like Abilities CL 14th, concentration +18 Constant—detect magic 3/day—control water, quickened cure serious wounds (DC 17), hydraulic torrent (+18 CMB), knell of the depths (DC 17) 1/day—cone of cold (DC 19), heal (DC 20)

Statistics Str 21, Dex 25, Con 21, Int 18, Wis 22, Cha 18 Base Atk +14; CMB +21; CMD 39 Feats Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Flyby Attack, Iron Will, Mobility,Quicken SLA (cure serious wounds), Weapon Finesse Skills Acrobatics +24, Fly +24, Knowledge (nature) +18, Perception +31, Sense Motive +20, Swim +30; Racial Modifiers +8 Perception Languages Aquan, Auran, Common SQ amphibious

Organization Ecology any aquatic Organization solitary or pair Treasure standard

Special Abilities Aquatic Blindsense (Ex) A tidehawk’s blindsense only works underwater to detect other creatures and objects underwater. Breaker Blast (Su) As a standard action, a tidehawk can fire two jets of water from its wings. Treat each of these as thrown weapons with a range increment of 30 feet. A creature struck takes 3d8 points of bludgeoning damage and is subject to the tidehawk’s trip ability. Deep Dweller (Ex) A tidehawk is immune to damage dealt by water pressure due to depth. Oceanic Shield (Su) As a move action, a tidehawk can call water to coat it, granting it a +2 shield bonus to AC until the start of its next turn. If the tidehawk is struck with a melee attack, the water explodes with the blow, dealing 4d8 points of bludgeoning damage (Reflex DC 22 half) and ending the AC bonus. The save DC is Constitution based. A tidehawk can only use this ability if it is submerged or within 120 feet of a body of water of its size or larger. Self-Resurrection (Su) A slain tidehawk melts into rainwater unless its body is completely destroyed by an effect such as disintegrate. If this rain falls into a body of water at least as large as the tidehawk, a fully healed tidehawk forms in the water 1d4 rounds after death, as if brought back to life via resurrection. The tidehawk gains 1 permanent negative level when this occurs. If the rain falls over land, the tidehawk must wait until the rain runs or seeps into an appropriate body of water. A tidehawk can self-resurrect only once per year. If a tidehawk dies a second time before that year passes, its death is permanent. Typhoon Dive (Su) As a full round action, a flying tidehawk can dive into a body of water, or a swimming tidehawk can swim through the surface into the air, creating a shockwave. The tidehawk can move up to double its speed, and must move at least its speed to perform this attack. A surging wave that deals 6d6 points of bludgeoning damage fills an emanation in a 60 foot radius from the tidehawk (Reflex DC 22 halves), and that area is treated as difficult terrain to any creatures walking or swimming in that area until the beginning of the tidehawk’s next turn. The save DC is Constitution based.

[mosticonicbirdcallbracket]

MOST ICONIC BIRD CALL BRACKET ROUND 3: BATTLE OF THE DOVES: MOURNING DOVE vs. FERAL PIGEON

IN THE BLUE CORNER, we have a special guest unlike any other. please give a resounding applause for the graceful avian sensation, the MOURNING DOVE!

with feathers as soft as silk and a wingspan that paints the heavens, this aerial acrobat is a true marvel to behold. known for its gentle coos and solemn presence, the mourning dove embodies elegance and resilience. with every beat of its wings, it captures the hearts of the audience, evoking a sense of peace amidst the chaos.

opponents beware, for the mourning dove possesses an indomitable will. it rises above adversity, symbolizing hope and resilience in the face of darkness. its presence in the ring is a reminder that even in the toughest battles, there is always a glimmer of light.

so get ready as we witness the aerial poetry and unwavering spirit of the mourning dove!

IN THE RED CORNER, hailing from the gritty streets and urban landscapes, brace yourselves for the untamed force of nature, the FERAL PIGEON!

once a domestic animal bred for their incredible homing ability, this fearless bird has mastered the art of survival in the concrete jungle. born and bred in the chaos of the city, the feral pigeon is a symbol of resilience and adaptability.

don't be fooled by its humble origins, for the feral pigeon possesses an unyielding determination and tenacity. with a relentless spirit, it fights tooth and feather, using its sturdy wings to deliver punishing blows and unleash a flurry of rapid strikes.

so prepare for a display of pure audacity and unruly power. the feral pigeon is ready to take flight, leaving a trail of feathers and chaos in its wake!

[transentiencestudios]

Windsurfing

Some avian populations that dwell in mountainous regions of Persus, particularly the Iyam-ru, use the heated air from volcanic hot springs for updrafts, allowing them to cruise effortlessly through the sky. They have adapted to the geothermal activity of their habitat by climbing nearby peaks surrounding the steaming ponds. The cliffs, shaped by centuries of volcanic activity, have become a common playground for them. Here, they tend to engage in aerial acrobatics and intricate flight patterns, showcasing their agility and glistening plumage. The steep rocky outcrops serve as launchpads, where the birds often engage in playful competitions, each vying for the best position to catch the next thermal current. This friendly rivalry adds a dynamic spirit to the cliffs, making it a vibrant and essential part of their daily life, and giving tourists visiting the hot springs one kind of a show.

[coopigeoncoo]

The Cardinal Rule

Pairing: Hawks/Gender Neutral Reader

Rating: Teen+

Tags: Romantic Comedy, Bird Puns, Ritual Blood Letting, Blood and Injury, Descriptions of Surgical Procedures, Vomit, The Teachings of Karl Marx

---

A story where Hawks learns that while humans might be awed by his flying skills, the bird population is decidedly less impressed.

---

"The birds are refusing to work until their demands are met," you explained, trying to subtly slide your body between Hawks and the birds who were quite literally calling for bloodshed.

"Which are?" Hawks asked as he lifted the bottle of water to his mouth and took a long sip.

"They, ah, want you held accountable for your numerous bird crimes."

Hawks abruptly choked, water spurting from the corner of his lips as he attempted to swallow the remaining liquid as he sputtered helplessly.

"My what?" He coughed, thumping solidly on his chest with a closed fist.

---

Continue Reading below or follow the link to Ao3!

The air inside the studio was stifling; hot from the numerous bodies crammed into one room and the too-bright spotlights shining down onto the immaculately styled set pieces.  The entire thing looked like something your Art History Professor would have gushed over, the words ‘Brutalistic’ and ‘Industrial’ echoing through your head in their booming voice.  And you understood this set design just about as much as you understood that entire unit in school- pretty much not at all.  

But it wasn’t your job to understand the aesthetic appeal of the bone white pillars jutting out from the concrete floor at harsh angles.  Your job was to mind the birds.  

You liked your job at the bird rehabilitation center well enough and found it soothing most days.  Getting to spend your days caring for sick and infirmed birds was emotionally rewarding as well as lucrative.  It turns out that Ornithologists were very willing to shell out the big bucks to have someone with an Avian Communication Quirk on their payroll.  You had cemented yourself as an irreplaceable employee when you single handedly turned a failing breeding program around by informing the lead scientist that the female bird wasn’t receptive to the male’s advances because she thought he didn’t groom himself well enough.  One emergency bath later and the courtship proceeded without a hitch.  Last you heard the endangered pair was happily raising their forth successful brood.     

The only part of your work you didn’t like was what you were forced into doing today; accompanying the birds on sojourns outside of the rescue facility.  Schools loved to have the birds visit as they were a good distraction for the children that allowed the harried teachers to catch their breaths and chug a cup of coffee while your feathered companions dazzled the students with their aerial acrobatics.  And even though those bouts of public speaking absolutely wracked your nerves, you would happily subject yourself to a dozen school assemblies if it meant escaping the hell that was waiting stand-by at a Pro Hero photo shoot.

Pro Heroes, by the nature of their work, had unpredictable schedules at best and were unreachable at worst, leaving the support and PR people who orbited around them in a perpetual state of limbo.  In general, you found lateness to be deeply inconsiderate of everybody’s time and energy, but it was a social faux paus to call Heroes out on their tardiness.  They were usually late due to being called out for emergencies and rescues, so chiding them for missing appointments was a surefire way to come off looking like an absolute jerk to the public at large.  

But internally you can, and often do, curse them for keeping you waiting in a sweltering studio for hours as your birds grew increasingly agitated and your stock of treats ran low.  

“Hot," a brilliant red cardinal complained, hopping into the bowl of water you had placed at the bottom of his cage. 

“I know, buddy.  Hold on just a little longer, okay?”

“Too many suns,” one of the hawks complained, ducking her head beneath her wing to block out the blinding glow of the stand lights.  

“There sure are.  Do you want me to put a blanket over your cage?”

“Yes,” she agreed readily, shifting her weight from foot to foot in irritation as pulled out a dark blue blanket and draped it over the side of her cage that faced the lights.

A frazzled looking assistant darted your way, hand pressed to the earpiece of their headset as she took in the newest bout of information being relayed.

"Hawks is on-site now.  He's just about done in wardrobe and then he'll make his way here," the assistant said, her eyes frantically scanning over the clipboard in her hands.

"Thank goodness," you sighed, turning to the cages that housed the birds.  "Are you all ready?"

"Leave?  Leave now?" The cardinal chirped, bouncing excitedly in his bath.

"Unfortunately, no.  We still have work to do."

"Not ready then," the cardinal huffed petulantly, puffing up his bright red body as he sank down into his pool. 

"C'mon, it won't be too bad!  If you all follow directions I bet the photos will go really fast and we'll be out of here in no time!" You assured the tiny red bird, crouching down to give him your full attention as he flapped his wings too fast and sent water sloshing out of his pool.  

"Treat would make me ready," the cardinal said slyly, tilting his head to the side in an attempt to distract you from his manipulations by reminding you of how cute he was.

"Treat?" The overwhelmed hawk inquired, peeping her head from around her shroud.

"Treat?" A dove cooed, nudging its friends awake who immediately joined in with the call for snacks.

"Treat! Treat!" The birds chirped and squawked, hitting their wings against the side of their cage and creating a loud enough ruckus that people were beginning to send irritated glances your way.

"Okay!," you hissed in capitulation, pulling a handful of dried crickets out of a paper bag.  "But this is the last of the treats I brought with me, so you all need to behave and make it through the rest of the photoshoot.  Got it?"

"Yes, yes," the cardinal readily agreed, bouncing along the bottom of his cage and picking up the grasshopper in its beak, chomping happily.  "Be good.  Promise."

The cardinal was a dirty rotten liar.  

Snacks had bought you a tentative peace that lasted until the moment Hawks arrived on set.  The birds took one look at the Hero and promptly began screeching, startling everyone in the studio and causing more than one person to drop their cup of coffee in surprise.  Hawks took to air, landing on top of one of the pillars and artfully arranged himself according to the Photographer's instructions while your birds went wild; hurling insults his way.

"Rude!  Rude bird!" The cockatoo called, flairing his crest in displeasure.

"Bad flier!" The doves chastised together with sharp clicks of their beaks.

"Miscreant!" The cardinal called, easily the most wound up of the bunch, fluffing up his feathers to look threatening.  "Criminal!"

"Hey, guys!  Shhhh, you have to quiet down!" You begged, aware of all the judgemental glares settling onto your back like a physical weight.  "You promised you'd behave!"

"No behave!  Need justice!" The cardinal called, hopping up onto his perch and opening his bright orange beak to let out a high pitched chirp. " JUSTICE!"

"Justice!" The rest of the birds echoed. Justice!  Justice!  Justice!"

"We're ready for the birds on set!" The assistant informed you as she motioned over her shoulder to where the photographer circled around Hawks, snapping a few last minute test shots.

"Right," you coughed nervously. "About that."

"What do you mean the birds refuse to work?!" The photographer roared in your face, his cheeks colored a splotchy red.  "They're birds! "

"Yes, they are.  And they refuse to take pictures with Hawks."

"All of them?" The photographer scrubbed a frustrated hand down his face, a vein at his temple pulsating in time with his thundering heartbeat.  

"Seems like," you admit with a sheepish shrug. "It's pretty unusual for them to agree on anything like this.  The raptors and the songbirds are almost always at odds with each other."

"I'm so glad they've managed to achieve bird peace instead of doing, oh, I don't know;  WHAT I'VE PAID FOR THEM TO DO!" The photographer bellowed through gritted teeth, pulling out fistfuls of his already thinning hair in frustration.  

"No price on honor!" The cardinal chirped boldly, the other birds supporting their tweeted proclamation with chirps of their own.  

"What's going in here?" A passing member of the crew asked, hoisting a coiled extension cord up onto his shoulder.

"The birds are uh- unionizing, apparently?  And have decided to go on strike," you explain.

"Really?" The man said, eyes wide in astonishment as he gave the birds a thumbs up and a wide smile. "Right on, little dudes!  Fight the power!"

"Yes!  Fight!  Fight!" The cardinal called.

"Fight!" The birds chorused.

"Bite!  Bite!" The cardinal screeched as he snapped his beak in demonstration.  

"You uh, might want to get away from the cages," you warn the photographer.  "They're starting to call for violence."

The photographer turned away from the cages and appeared to take cleansing breaths before he noticed the crew orderly filing out of the studio.

"Wait!" The photographer called out to the workers. "Where are you going?"

"Sorry man, but we don't cross picket lines," the man holding the extension cord explained as he grabbed a soggy donut from  craft services table on his way out the door.  The crew's act of solidarity seemed to please the birds, who let out  joyous calls in return.  

"We are flock!" The cardinal cheered.  "The flock is strong!"

"I'm so going to get fired for this," you mutter despondently as the birds began flipping over their feeders, spilling seeds and slices of fresh fruit across the studio floor.  

"So what's the excitement over here all about?" Hawks asked, finally curious enough about the disruption your birds were causing to come over and investigate.  

"So, um.  The birds are upset, " you begin warily, hyper aware that the birds were screeching louder and louder with every step Hawks took towards their cages.  

"I can see that," he smirked as he twisted the lid off of a bottle of water, the lopsided grin perfectly at home on his scruffy face.

"And they're refusing to work until their demands are met," you explained, trying to subtly slide your body between Hawks and the birds who were quite literally calling for bloodshed.  

"Which are?" Hawks asked as he lifted the bottle of water to his mouth and took a long sip.

"They, ah, want you held accountable for your numerous bird crimes."

Hawks abruptly choked, water spurting from the corner of his lips as he attempted to swallow the remaining liquid as he sputtered helplessly.

"My what? " He coughed, thumping solidly on his chest with a closed fist.

"Crimes!  So many crimes!" The cardinal squawked.  "Criminal!"

"Villain!  Bad Hawk!" The hawk supplied, eager to distance herself from this other hawk's misdeeds.  

"You seem to have acquired a terrible reputation amongst the bird population in the city.  They're calling you a Villain," you explain ruefully, desperately wishing that you had woken up dead this morning so you could have avoided this entire mortifying ordeal.  

"Tell me- tell me everything, " Hawks sputtered, staring intensely at the rioting birds with wide golden eyes.

Since you were the only person who could understand both human and avians, you were selected to mediate by default.  The birds, unsurprisingly, chose the rabble-rousing cardinal as their representative.  

"I'm going to let you out of the cage now," you told the cardinal, unlocking the door to his enclosure.  "No funny business or you're going right back in, understood?"

"Yes," the cardinal groused, hopping up and down to psych himself up for confronting the number one bird-sona non grata.  

"That means no biting."

"..."

"Agree not to bite or I'm leaving you in the cage."

"Fine," the cardinal agreed, puffing his feathers up in irritation.  "No bite."

"Took him a while to agree to that rule," Hawks murmured uneasily, eyeing the cardinal's sharp orange beak.  

"Yeah, they made up a song about biting you earlier and I think it got him really excited about the prospect."

"Oh, wow," Hawks said, a genuine thread of amazement lacing through his words.  "They've really put a lot of effort into hating me."

"Yeah, they really have.  It's super impressive, right?"

"No chatting!" The cardinal admonished, squeezing your finger with his tiny feet; talons prickling your skin.  "List his crimes!  Prepare for judgment!"

"Right, okay.  So, their biggest complaint is that you're an inconsiderate flier," you begin, keeping an eye on the cardinal perched on your finger as he nods along to your words.

"Inconsiderate how?"

"For starters, you often fly through a flock.  That makes them consider you a predator and unnecessarily stresses them out.  It's an especially big deal during the spring when the females are incubating."

"I see," Hawks murmured, scratching his chin thoughtfully.  

You listened closely to the clarifying chirp of the cardinal before addressing Hawks once more.  "He says that you will also position yourself at the front of a flock, putting yourself in charge of navigation and end up leading them wildly off course."

"I had no idea," Hawks admitted with a sigh, grimacing under the beady glare of the cockatoo. "I was just enjoying their company while I flew."

"And that's kind of the underlying issue here," you point out, running a calming finger over the fluffy crest of feathers atop his head.  "You're playing on their field but totally ignoring the rules of the game and just sowing chaos everywhere you fly."

"I feel like a complete jerk," Hawks admitted, moving his head so he was face to face with the feisty cardinal.  "I'm sorry for causing trouble and making such a mess of things.  I'll be much more conscious about how I fly in the future."

The cardinal was quiet on your finger, mulling over Hawk's words thoughtfully.

"Tell him more."

"Really?" You groan.  "Can't you just accept his apology and move on?"

"Hear all crimes!  Then retribution!"

"Okay, so are you ready to hear the rest?"

"There's more? " Hawks asked incredulously, staring at the cardinal with wide eyes.  

"You better grab a seat," you advise him with a sigh.  "It's a long list of complaints."

To his immense credit, Hawks sat through the translated tongue lashing with rapt attention, taking in each and every criticism with a solemn nod of his head.  He was accused of everything from taking up all the best perches to not sharing the snacks he brought up onto rooftops with him.  That one seemed especially egregious in the eyes of the birds, as the mere mention of unshared snacks past sent them into a wild screeching fit it took you minutes to calm them down from.

"Last crime," the cardinal proclaimed grandiosely, as though he was delivering a sermon from a pulpit and not yelling at an increasingly despondent man while perched on your finger.  "Duck got head stuck in fence.  Hawks took picture and laughed!"

"You laughed and took a picture of a duck that got its head stuck in a fence?"

"Yeah," Hawks winced, fingers running across the grooves in his water bottle nervously.  "I freed them afterwards though!"

"After you laughed at them and took a picture, you mean?" You huffed, completely siding with the birds in this particular instance.  

"Crimes done.  Retribution now!"   The cardinal chirped, sending the rest of the birds into an uproar of wildly flapping wings and agreeing squeaks.  

"What's he saying?"

"He's, uh, calling for retribution."

"Feathers and blood!" The cardinal demanded.

"Feathers and blood!" The doves warbled in agreement.

"They're calling for your feathers and blood," you informed the Hero.   

"And snacks!" The hawk added, the rest of the birds silent as they considered the added request.

"Yes, snacks!" The cardinal chirped in triumph as the rest of the birds joined him in his chant. "Snacks!  Snacks!  Snacks!"

"Feathers, blood…and snacks," you clarify, watching anxiously as Hawks' brow furrowed deeply in thought.

"I agree to your terms," Hawks said, holding out his extended index finger in front of the cardinal.  "Blood and feathers now, with snacks to be delivered later.  Deal?"

The cardinal, being a legitimately good representative for his species, turned to briefly confer with the rest of the birds before hopping from your finger onto Hawks'; the closest approximation to a handshake as they could get.  

"It's a deal," you smiled brightly to Hawks, who returned your brilliant grin with one of his own that set off sharp pangs of nervousness in your belly.  It had been easy to ignore how handsome he was while you were busy trying to quell a feathery uprising; but now that the panic that had been crashing through your body was abating, your brain had apparently decided you had more than enough brain cells free to contemplate how pleasing Hawks' appearance was.  

He was a bit more disheveled than he was at the start of this entire debacle, hair tousled from where he had run his hands through it in bouts of sheepishness; but he still looked put together and expertly coiffed.  You, on the other hand, could tell that an entire day spent in a sweltering room hadn't done you any favors by the way your uniform polo clung to your sweat-dampened skin.  Suddenly self conscious and desperate for a shower, you puff your chest out in a false show of bravado and do your best to move things along.  

"Alright, which do you want to do first?  The blood or the feathers?"

The birds, by and large, considered giving up feathers to be the most important act of contrition and agreed that the request for blood was mostly just a ceremonial inclusion for traditions sake.  But Hawks, determined to repent, ran one of his sharpened feathers across his forearm with no complaint; dulling the blood tipped feather and presenting it to the cardinal with a deep bow.  

The cardinal accepted the offering with a pleased chirp, taking the feather in his beak and carefully tucking it in amongst his tail feathers.  Hawks' plume, being about twice the length of the entire cardinal, trailed out comically from his tail and made him look like a far more exotic bird than he actually was.  

"Atonement!" The cardinal cried, shaking his new tail feather for his comrades to see.  

"So red!" A dove praised.

"Very shiny," the cockatoo nodded.

"Well, that's one down," Hawks said as he curled his left wing in front of his body, hands already running through his feathers as he carefully selected his next offering.  "Who's next?"

"Me! Me! Me!" The birds chirped in unison, a great many hopping up and down in their excitement to possess a colorful new treasure.  

"You don't have to give them all feathers, Hawks," you assured him as you frantically calculated how many birds you'd brought with you versus how many feathers he could probably surrender while still retaining his ability to fly.  "I know you need them for your job."

"That's true," Hawks nodded as he plucked out another feather and presented it to a brown-headed thrush.  "But I also need to hold myself accountable for my mistakes.  The birds have very generously offered me a way to make things right, and I won't take this opportunity for granted."

You didn't know what to say so you opted instead for silence, watching intently as he methodically worked his way through the collected cages; respectful and solemn as he repeated the feather presentation for each and every bird.  

The photographer had been thrilled when he returned to set and found Hawks in place on set, lounging bonelessly across the pillars with a collection of raptors perched around him.  That excitement faded quickly when he saw the bare patches in Hawks' normally full wings, a far cry from the picture perfect style he'd be envisioning.

Hawks had simply run an admiring finger across the bright red feather tucked into an eagle's wing and proclaimed that 'He liked it better this way' and that was that.  The photographer began barking orders and the crew jumped into action, adjusting light positioning and turning on a wind machine to ruffle everyone's feathers just so.  

The rest of the shoot went by smoothly, and in no time at all you were refilling water dishes and loading up the cages into the back of the large box truck with the bird rescues' name and phone number stenciled onto the back.  You cranked the AC up to the highest setting and sank down into the faux leather driver's seat, enjoying the merciless onslaught of frigid air on your overheated skin as you buckled up.  

Peering into your side mirror, you were startled by the presence of the Number Two Hero illuminated in the red glow of your taillights.  He was leaning out of the studio exit, a small smile tugging at his lips and a hand held up in farewell while you shifted the truck into drive and rolled out of the parking lot.  The sharp shrill of birds complaining as you hit a pothole pulled your attention back to the road and away from Hawks' golden eyes; glowing brightly from the shadows.     

It was hard not to think about Hawks as you cruised along on the empty highway, so you allowed yourself a brief flight of fancy; reminiscing about the scant distance between your bodies and the tangy redolence of his cologne.  

It would be a good story to regale your coworkers with over drinks and to pull out at parties when you needed to impress someone; the tale of a bird rebellion and how Hawks managed to both literally and figuratively soothe the birds' ruffled feathers.  A once in a lifetime meeting that you would think back fondly on, made ever more precious by the knowledge that such a thing would never occur again.

It wasn't like you to answer your personal phone at work, but it also wasn't something that had honestly ever happened before.  Your family knew your work schedule and your friends all belonged to the very reasonable school of thought where they would rather drink poison than talk on the phone, so any communication from them would arrive in text form.  Curious, you pulled your phone out of your back pocket and swiped to answer; stomach plummeting to your feet when your camera booted up and you belatedly realized you'd accepted a request to video chat.  

"Shit. Shit, shit, shit, " you swore, reaching to press the disconnect button as Hawks' beaming face appeared on screen.

"Hey there!," he greeted cheerily, face disappearing from view as he momentarily fumbled with his phone.  

"Hawks? " You croak in disbelief, quickly examining your appearance in the small facecam and hurriedly knocking a chunk of dried mealworm out of your hair. 

"That's what they call me!"

"Are you- is everything okay?" You manage to stammer out, impressed that you managed to say actual words and not a series of confused grunts.  

"Everything is fine!  I was just calling to thank you for all your help a few weeks back," he explained, the camera drifting off to the side to show off the sprawling city skyline.  Wherever Hawks was, he was up high.  "Word has been getting around to all the birds around the city and I've noticed a definite shift in their demeanor."

"Oh?  How so?"

"Well, for starters, they've stopped dive bombing me mid-flight.  And they aren't pooping on that statue of me downtown nearly as much as they used to.  Oh!  And a couple days ago a crow brought me a couple of soda tabs," Hawks said proudly as he reached into the collar of his shirt and pulled out a leather cord with some aluminum pieces tied into the middle.  "So I turned them into a necklace!"

"Very stylish," you complimented sincerely, thinking about the box of bird gifted trinkets you had at home and how much each of those shiny bits of metal meant to you.  

"And I've taken to carrying around some food for them- bird seed and raisins, mostly; so we can all hang out and eat together!"

"It really sounds like things have turned around for you.  I'm glad."

"They really have," Hawks nodded eagerly, phone tilting off-kilter once again as a particularly strong gust blew by.  "And it's all because of you."

"I think you're definitely downplaying that cardinal's excellent negotiation tactics," you reminded him as you shuffled a few papers across the top of a nearby desk, trying to distract yourself from the sense of unease you felt under the weight of both his attention and gratitude.

"Speaking of negotiations, did the treats I sent arrive safely?  I would hate for this tentative peace we've achieved to crumble due to shipping errors."

"They did!" You assured him, spinning your phone around to point the camera at the large stack of express shipped boxes in the corner.  "The birds were very excited when they arrived, but now that they know we have such a huge backlog they just keep bugging me about getting snacks all the time."

"Sorry about that.  But sacrifices must be made in the name of peace," Hawks shook his head sadly.  

"I think you're a bit more knowledgeable about sacrifices than I am.  Are your replacement feathers coming in alright?"

"They've already fully grown back in, see?" He tilted his camera to landscape and extended one wing out to the side, fluffing his feathers to show off how nicely they'd filled in.

"Woah," you whistled in appreciation, cutting off the sound abruptly when you saw his cheeks flush, realizing how inappropriately he had taken your display of awe.  "That's ah- really fast for full regrowth."

"That's sort of my thing, you know.  Being fast," he smirked proudly before he suddenly froze, cheeks reddening even further as he seemed to sink his face down into the collar of his coat. "Well, uh- most of the time at least.  Sometimes I'm slow though.  When I want to be.  I can be reeeeally slow."

Deciding to ignore his floundering since he had so graciously let your own bout of verbal idiocy pass unmentioned, you frantically gazed around the room and found the perfect segue to shift your conversation back into neutral waters.

"Do you want to see what they did with your feathers?"

"They kept them?" Hawks asked, voice hitching in excitement.

"More than that; they made art with them," you cheerfully explained, flipping the phone around to show off the wreath hanging in the window a handful of weaver birds had worked together to craft; Hawk's brilliant red feathers tucked and woven amongst reedy pieces of grass and straw.  "Since there weren't enough feathers for every bird here at the rescue, they thought that displaying them publicly was more fair."

"Wow," Hawks breathed, impressed by both their craft skills and sense of equitability.  "They're really taking this union thing seriously."

"You have no idea," you laughed dryly. "They're starting to talk about collecting dues. "

It was strange how quickly you became accustomed to communicating with Hawks.  Calls were a rare occurrence due to how overwhelmingly busy he was pretty much every moment of the day.  There were multiple instances where you would be texting, sending funny memes back and forth to each other, and then mere moments after his last message was sent you would see him flash across the screen in a live news broadcast.  A blur of red and beige swooping in to pull civilians out of harm's way or expertly apprehend Villains without breaking a sweat.  

Knowing how full Hawks' schedule was made you even more appreciative of that evening he'd spent with you and the birds all those weeks ago.  You had thought that the feathers were the most valuable thing he had given up that day, but you now knew that his time was an infinitely more precious commodity.  

So you treasured each moment that he chose to share with you, regardless of the form it took.  Snapshots of cute birds he'd seen on patrol, lengthy personal reviews of what had to be every fried chicken restaurant in the city, and picking up the phone whenever he was free to chat. 

Even when that call came in at four in the morning, like today.  

"You should try to eat breakfast before you crash for the night," you reminded him, tone a touch scolding because this was not the first time you'd had to remind him to make time for a meal.  

"I don't like breakfast foods," Hawks grumbled, lip stuck out in a deep pout as he trudged towards his kitchen.  

"You don't have to eat breakfast foods, you just have to eat, " you huff in exasperation, grabbing a box of cereal from your pantry, hoping that a healthy dose of peer pressure might tip the scales in your favor.  "Cold pizza was invented for pretty much this exact purpose."

"I don't think I have any pizza," Hawks muttered, prying open the double doors of his fridge and examining the contents critically.  "I think I have the stuff for a sandwich though."

"Sandwiches are good.  They meet all the necessary desperation meal requirements."

"Which are?" Hawks asked as he shoved a packet of lunch meat into the crook of his arm and sent a couple of feathers in to grab condiments so he wouldn't have to set down his phone.

"They contain calories and don't dirty up too many dishes," you explain, hip checking your own fridge closed as you grab a carton of milk.  "Handfuls of cheese you eat over the sink are also a classic choice."

"What are you eating?"

"Cereal," you say, holding up your bowl of puffed grains next to your face for his inspection.

"Ugh, gross," he says, wrinkling his nose in distaste.

"I'm going to toss some berries on top."

"That doesn't make the cereal better, that just makes the berries worse, " he complained as he squirted a generous serving of mayonnaise across a slice of bread, paused, and then squeezed on some more.

"Hey, now!  If I wanted this level of judgment before the sun came up I would talk to my Grandma instead," you huffed, shoving a spoonful of cereal into your mouth and bringing the microphone closer to your jaw to subject Hawks to the loudest crunching sounds you could manage.  

"I- sorry," he sighed, shoulders drooping in exhaustion.  "I didn't mean to be so prickly.  Today was…really rough."

"I know," you said soothingly.  "I saw the News.  Even went to bed early because I thought you might call."

"Thank you," he says, voice small so it could slip past the emotions welling in his throat.  "For picking up." 

"Anytime, Hawks," you assured him, eyes darting to the time displayed in the upper corner of your phone screen.  "Literally."

You, 11:45am

"Hey, Hawks?  I have a question."

Hawks, 11:52am

"Of course!  What's up?"

You, 11:53am

"I've been wondering for a while now- how did you get my phone number?"

Hawks, 1:15pm

"I saw the rescue logo on the back of the truck when you were leaving the photo shoot."

"Called them up and told them how impressed I was with your professionalism and how I wanted to thank you personally."

You, 1:18pm

"And they just gave you my number?!"

Hawks, 1:20pm

"Yep.  Major breach of confidentiality.  You might want to look into that, actually.  

"They didn't ask me to verify my identity or anything!"

You, 1:22

"Gotta go.  I need to send a strongly worded letter to HR."

Hawks, 1:25

"Make sure to start it with a 'To Whom It May Concern'; let them know you really mean business!"

The familiar jingle of Hawk's custom ringtone only sounded for a moment before you were able to swap which hand was holding onto your grocery basket and fish your phone out of your back pocket. 

"Hey, there!" Hawks greeted, smile strained as he waved his arm around frantically at something off screen.  "Can I- Ugh!  Ask for a favor in a- argh!  Professional capacity?"

"Uh, sure?" You agreed, re-shelving a can of soup you were having second thoughts about.

"Great!" Hawks shouted in relief, pulling a flailing pigeon into frame, reeling back momentarily as he took a wing straight to the face.  "This little cutie has been following me for hours , trying to- oof!  Get my attention and I'm starting to get very curious as to their underlying motivation."

"Maybe she just wants an autograph?" You joke, snorting in amusement as Hawks dodged another hit from the distressed bird.

"I'll give her whatever she wants if she just- ugh ! Stops hitting me!"

You whistled shrilly, gaining the attention of nearby shoppers and the pigeon on Hawks' end; the bird stilling in his hands at your call.  "Hey, little pigeon.  What's going on?"

The pigeon launched into a series of urgent coos, head bobbing along frantically with her cries. 

"Are you sure?" You asked, eyes wide as she cooed in confirmation, heaving a relieved sigh that her message had been successfully conveyed.  

"What?  What is it?" Hawks asked anxiously, cradling the bird snugly to his chest now that she wasn't a thrashing mass of beak and talons.  

"She says, ah-," you pause, looking around at all the shoppers lingering about you with prying eyes.  Flashing them a wobbly smile, you quickly shuffle off towards the other end of the store, dropping your voice to a whisper in a bid for some level of confidentiality.  "She says that she knows where they're hiding all the drugs?" 

It's quiet for a moment as Hawks peers down at the pigeon in his hands with comically wide eyes before he shifts into a more professional demeanor; shooting a too-bright smile at you through his phone.  

"I've gotta' go now!  Bye!"

Your phone kicks you back to your home screen as he hangs up, leaving you staring at your phone; dumbfounded by the abrupt turn of events.  

A few days passed before you heard from Hawks again, and when the next call came in he wasn't alone.

"This is Cookie," he beamed as he proudly introduced the familiar pigeon perched on his shoulder.  "Get it?  Because you can't spell 'Cookie' without 'coo'?  And she's a pigeon? And pigeons-"

"-pigeons say 'coo'. Yeah, I get it," you groan miserably.  After years working at the rescue you had limited patience for bird jokes and were pretty sure you had heard them all hundreds of times by this point.  Unfortunately for you, Hawks seemed to have acquired puns as a second language and was determined to impress you with his fluency.  

"Anyway, it turns out Cookie has a real knack for surveillance.  She led me right to a massive distribution center that was operating right under our noses."

"Is it okay for you to be telling me all of this?"

"Probably not!" Hawks laughed, bringing a finger up to give Cookie an affectionate scratch at the side of her head.  "Anyway, I hope you weren't too attached to that dim sum place downtown.  It was totally a drug front."

"Wait- the one with the little ginger dumplings?" You gasped in dawning horror.

"The very same."

"And the chef-?"

"The ringleader of the entire operation, I'm afraid."

"God dammit!"

"So they pack me up, ship me across the country to some far flung zoo to talk to their penguin in person because he's, and I quote, 'camera shy'.   And do you know how that little gremlin thanked me?" You ranted into your phone, freshly clad in an old pair of pajamas with your skin still dewy from your flesh-searingly hot shower.  

"He threw up on you, didn't he?" Hawks said, poorly disguising his restrained laughter with a forced cough.

"He threw up on me !" You screeched, throwing your hands up into the air as you fell backwards onto the couch, accidentally smacking yourself in the face with the corner or your phone during your uncontrolled plummet. "Ouch!"

"You alright?" Hawks asked, voice muffled from your speaker being pressed into the couch cushions.

"Yes.  And no?" you sigh, rubbing a fist across the rising welt on your temple while you propped your phone up on your stomach, providing Hawks with the most unflattering viewing angle of your face as possible. "Just wishing things were different, I guess?"

"What sorts of things?" Hawks asked quietly, the distant beacons on airplane wings blinking methodically in the night sky behind him; false stars in a pollution filled sky.  

"I don't know.  Everything?  I wish I had a different job, one where penguins didn't vomit on me.  Or a different Quirk.  Just- an entirely different life, sometimes."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"I thought," Hawks paused, allowing himself to carefully select his words.  "I thought you liked your job?"  

"I do.  Most of the time, at least.  But it also feels like I never really have a choice, you know?  Like, what else could I really do with a Quirk like mine?"

"You could always not use your Quirk," he said, gaze intensely focused away from his phone on some distant point on the horizon you couldn't see.  "Get a job doing something entirely different."

"I didn't want to when I was a kid- use my Quirk, I mean.  I wanted to be a doctor.  And a best-selling author.  And a ninja."

"Quite the triple threat."

"Yeah," you chuckled, thinking back on all the crayon drawings you had made, scribbles of a distant future that would never come to pass.  "But everyone said it would be a waste to not use my natural-born talent, especially since it's a moderately useful one."

"I've always wanted to be Hero.  For as long as I can remember, that's always been my dream," Hawks stated flatly, with the same lackluster affect of someone discussing the weather; an automatic response honed through years of systematic repetition.  "But I get it."

"You do?"

"Yeah," he swallowed thickly, focusing his attention back onto you; eyes glistening strangely with reflections of the city lights.

"It's hard being… pigeonholed into a profession."  

"Hawks, noooooo," you groan piteously.  "We were having a moment!  And you ruined it!"

"I'm sorry!" He lied, head thrown back as he cackled.  

"I'm hanging up now," you grumbled, more amused than you were irritated but determined not to let Hawks know that.  

"Don't go!  I'll be lonely without you!"

"Cookie will keep you company.  Won't you, girl?" 

At the mention of her name, the pigeon poked her head out from where she was nestled inside of Hawks' collar, cooing her agreement.

"I still can't believe you commissioned a tiny visor for her," you snorted in delight at the miniature replica of Hawks' headset perched on top of Cookie's beak.  

"What?  She needed it!" Hawks defended, drawing his collar shut and pulling Cookie in more snugly towards his chest.  "Her eyes were drying out when I flew too fast!"

"Uh-huh.  Sure they were."

"They were!  And besides, she likes wearing it," he insists petulantly before he is carried away by a sudden wave of uncertainty.  "Right?"

"She does," you assure him. "Cookie really loves being with you, Hawks."

"Really?" He whispered, staring down at the bird in awe, who cooed happily and nuzzled her head into his chin.  

A quiet moment stretched on between you, silent except for the sound of your breathing and the distant wail of a car alarm.  

"For the record, I think your Quirk is amazing," Hawks said sincerely.  "You have this entire extra world you get to communicate with.  That's pretty special."

"I guess," you say with a sigh, pushing up into a sitting position with the naive aspirations of mustering up the energy to make it to bed in the next hour or two.  "But it's not like they're particularly great conversationalists.  Once Spring rolls around I just have to deal with listening to hundreds of voices outside my window screaming about how horny they are for weeks on end."

"You prefer a more subtle seduction method then?" Hawks asked, tone playful and also somehow entirely inappropriate.  

"Just a smidgen," you laugh nervously, steadfastly ignoring the frantic beating of your heart.  

"I'll make a note of that."

You had grown so used to looking at Hawks through your phone screen that seeing him in person, bursting through the doors of the rescue, was as startling as having ice shoved down the back of your shirt.  And that feeling of alarm was quickly upgraded to absolute panic by the fact that he was covered in blood splatter and cradling Cookie's limp and twisted body in his hands.  

"HELP!" Hawks yelled, eyes darting wildly around the room as he searched for assistance.  There wasn't even time for a single breath between Hawks spotting you and then him suddenly being at your side; a gust of air heralding his arrival before your eyes could even begin to try to focus on where he had been.    

"Please!  You have to help!  Cookie she- she's hurt," Hawks pleaded, his eyes wild as he cradled his injured friend to his chest.   

"Let me see," you ordered firmly, prying open Hawks' shaking hands to get a better look at the bird.  

"Cold," Cookie warbled weakly when Hawks' hands were pulled away from her body.

"Shh, I know sweet girl," you said soothingly, lifting her as carefully as you could into your own grasp.  

"Hawks hurt?  Hawks okay?"

"What is it?" Hawks asked anxiously.  "What's she saying?"

"She wants to know if you're hurt."

"No," Hawks assured her, voice cracking as he ran soothing fingers across a patch of disheveled feathers between her eyes.  "I'm just fine, thanks to you."

"I need to take Cookie now, Hawks," you informed him gently, "I'll take good care of her.  I promise."

"I know," he sniffed, wiping damp cheeks onto the sleeve of his coat. "I trust you."

It was hard witnessing Hawks' desperation; seeing someone who was normally a paragon of strength so visibly shaken.  It made you scared, having to be strong and brave; to help when a Hero couldn't.  

But you could be brave, just this once.  

For Hawks' sake.  

Just like you, the rest of the staff at the bird rescue had been cherry picked to provide the highest level of Avian care possible.  So while Cookie had been grievously injured with an absolutely staggering number of blunt force fractures, there was likely no better place in the city she could have been brought to for treatment. 

Cookie had made it through numerous scans and a long operation, but you knew that was only the beginning of her struggle.  Her road to recovery would be a long one, and she would likely never be able to fly as well as she did before after having the bones in her left wing nearly ground to dust.  But you couldn't bring yourself to feel too discouraged by that bit of bad news in the face of Cookie's near miraculous survival.  

There hadn't been anything for you to do during the surgery since you didn’t possess any sort of veterinary license, but Hawks had entrusted Cookie to you and it felt wrong to just leave her.  You knew your coworkers well and had the utmost faith in their capabilities, but you'd been determined to stay there beside her should the worst have come to pass.  

So you'd tucked yourself into a corner, already overwhelmed and ready to leave before the scalpel had even made its first incision. You’d watched as they cut and tugged and stitched; blood running and bones popping and Quirks glowing.  And dear lord, the smells-  

It was the absolute worst thing you’d ever witnessed in your life.

But Hawks had trusted you with this; to be where he couldn’t.  

And you wouldn't let him down.  

Hawks sprang up from his stolen chair behind the reception desk as you stumbled back to the front of the building, heartbeat thundering as images from the surgery clung to the inside of your eyelids; replaying with gruesome clarity every time you blinked.

"How is she?" He asked breathlessly, eager to hear the news but dreading the likely outcome.  

“Cookie made it through surgery,” you said, voice too loud as you attempted to make yourself heard over the ringing in your ears.  “She’ll survive.”  

“Oh, thank God,” Hawks gasped in relief, his words distant and muffled.  “I don’t know how to thank you for this.”

“Don’t worry about it,” you said, waving off his gratitude right before you bent forward and threw up all over his boots.  

You, 2:14am

“Once again: I’m so sorry about the vomit.”

Hawks, 2:15am

“I told you, it’s fine!  Stop apologizing.”

You, 2:15am

“Never.  I am going to be apologizing about this for the rest of my life.”

“Every time we meet I’ll be like, ‘Hey, Hawks!  How are you?  Sorry about horking on your boots that one time.’”

Hawks, 2:17am

“Listen, at least this time you were the one throwing up on a bird instead of having a bird throw up on you!"

You, 2:18am

“You’re not a bird though.”

Hawks, 2:20am

“I’ll be whatever you want me to be.”

You, 2:21am

“I want you to be ASLEEP.” 

Hawks, 2:23am

“Best I can do is propping up my feet and chugging an energy drink.”

You, 2:24am

“That isn’t even remotely close to an acceptable substitute.”   

Hawks, 2:26am

“That’s all you’re getting.  Take it or leave it.”

You, 2:28am

"Fine.  But I'm going to tell Cookie you're not taking care of yourself."

Hawks, 2:28am

"Oh, that's low."

You, 2:29am

"I literally threw up on the Number Two Hero yesterday.  I cannot possibly get any lower than I already am.  I might as well just double down and enjoy the perks of my new bottom dweller status."

You were changing out the bedding in Cookie's cage when she saw it.  

"Hawks feathers?" She warbled excitedly at the sight of the brilliant red wreath hanging in the window.  

"Oh!  Yeah, those are Hawks' feathers all right.  Good eye."

"I see?"

"Do you want to perch there while I finish cleaning out your cage?"

"Please," Cookie cooed eagerly, practically vibrating with excitement.  It was the most energetic you had seen her since her operation and you were happy to indulge her whims.  

"Here you go," you said, lowering her gently into the inner hollow of the wreath.  Mindful of her injuries, Cookie nestled down happily into the tangle of grass and feathers.  

By the time you had sanitized everything in the cage and tucked a warm water bottle into her bed, Cookie had fallen fast asleep in the cradle of feather wreath.  Heart melting, you crept closer on silent feet and took a dozen pictures at various angles and filter settings to send to Hawks later. 

You felt a familiar weight settle on your shoulder, needle-like nails scraping for purchase against your skin as the cardinal joined you in observing Cookie's rest.

"Is this okay?" You asked, knowing how important the wreath was to all the birds in the rescue and unsure if napping spot was one of the agreed upon uses for it.  To your immense relief, the cardinal bobbed his head in affirmation. 

"From each by ability, to each by need," he chirped firmly.

"'To each by need '…?" You echo suspiciously with narrowed eyes.  "Has someone been reading Karl Marx to you again?

"The proletariat has nothing to lose but chains!"

After many weeks of worried video calls and unapproved after hours visits that your boss chose to turn a blind eye to after Hawks made a hefty donation, Cookie was ready to be released back into Hawks' care.  

"So I need you to sign these discharge papers," you tell Hawks, tapping multiple spaces on the cover page that required his initials and signature.  "Mostly just standard release stuff, detailing the treatment plan listing the dates for follow up visits, etcetera, etcetera."

"Got it," Hawks agreed, having one of his feathers sign for him since he was loath to stop cuddling with Cookie for a single instant.  

"This one says that I've informed you of all the recommended follow up care."

"Uh-huh," he grinned, happily nuzzling his nose against Cookie's beak as his feather kept scribbling.

"This one says that we cannot be held legally responsible for anything that happens to her once she leaves the rescue."

"Sure," he agreed, chuckling as Cookie nipped playfully at his jaw; feather still dutifully signing away.

"And this one is the list of demands drawn up by Cookie's union."

Hawks paused, brow furrowing as Cookie continued to pluck at his beard scruff. 

"The what now?"

Hawks paced as he read through the notes you had typed up on Cookie's behalf.  As much as the pigeon adored Hawks and couldn't wait to get back to working alongside him, the cardinal had proven himself to be an incredibly persuasive orator and managed to convince Cookie to submit a list of demands.  

"'The Union of Working Birds, henceforth to be referred to as 'The Birds of Pay'', " Hawks snorted in delight. "-'formally submit the following requests.  Number one: guaranteed housing'.  Done."

"Didn't figure you'd object to that one," you said, having helped Hawks painstakingly pick out supplies to house and care for Cookie in his apartment.  

"'Number 2: food will be provided in compensation for labor and will be appropriately calculated by bird weight and provided daily'.  No complaints there-," he murmured, voice trailing off as he continued reading as he strode around the room; drawing to a sudden halt about five pages in.  

"The demands seem to shift a bit around number forty-tree," Hawks said, clearing his throat dramatically before he began reading aloud again.  "'The Birds of Pay retain exclusive rights for requesting avian-based employment with the Hawks Hero Agency'."

"Influence works both ways, Hawks.  Just like Cookie was swayed by the cardinal's talk of worker's rights, a lot of the other birds were really impressed by the stories Cookie told about you," you explained.  "At this point, you could employ an entire flock of birds if you wanted to."

The air inside your office was the perfect temperature, the thermostat set to exactly where you liked it and not a single degree higher or lower.  The furniture selection was a bit too fancy for your liking, polished marble and smudge proof glass where you felt tile and laminate would have sufficed for a fraction of the cost.  

But it wasn't your job to understand the aesthetic design choices of Heroes.  Your job was to mind the birds.  

"Songbird 2, do you copy?" You spoke clearly into your headset listening closely to the responding chirps; eyes glued to the live video feed playing across your screen.  "We have all the footage we need.  Return to the Aviary, over."

You breathed a sigh of relief as the blackbird chirped in acknowledgement, the video feed shifting from the inside of an abandoned warehouse to a wide expanse of sky as they began to make their way back toward Hawks' agency.  It had been a long day of staking out the area of an upcoming Hero Commission raid, but Songbird 2 was the last of the scouts still deployed.  The blackbird's return would herald the end of your workday, and you were excited to finally be able to go home indulge in the carton of ice cream you'd been fantasizing about for hours.  

"Home safe," the blackbird announced as it flew in through the window that had slid open automatically at their approach; the mechanism responding to the proximity sensor built into the standard Hawks style headgear each bird was equipped with.  

"Thank goodness," you smiled, pulling off the tiny headset and visor and setting them to the side for cleaning later.  "Your food dish is filled up and waiting."

"Corn?" The blackbird asked, fluffing up its feathers in excitement.

"Why don't you go check and see?"

The blackbird flew quickly towards the cubbyhole it had claimed for its own, one of many set into the large back wall; each filled with lovingly crafted nests and bright wooden toys.  You heard the distant cry of 'Corn!' followed by a chorus of shushing sounds from the birds that had been pulled from sleep by the blackbird's delighted cry.

Shaking your head with an amused snort, you move to return to your desk to log out for the day, only to run headlong into Hawks' chest.  

"ACK!" You screeched, reeling back in surprise from the impact.

"SHHHHH!" The wall of irritated birds hissed.

"Sorry!" You whispered sheepishly, channeling your embarrassment into making the glare you leveled at Hawks extra piercing.  

"All done for the day?" Hawks asked, unmoved by your display of irritation.  

"Yep.  Everyone is back safe and sound, the surveillance footage has been submitted for review, and now all that remains is for me to clock out and head home," you said as you wandered over to your desk, dropping down into your swivel chair to exit out of the last handful of open programs you had running.  "Do you need anything before I leave?"

"Can we chat?  For just a little?" He asked as he leaned against your desk, putting far more faith in the structural integrity of the tempered glass than you do.  "We haven't really had time to talk recently."

"I know," you groaned, heaving a deep sigh as you shoved your empty water bottle into the side pocket of your work bag. "I've just been so busy getting set up here and making sure the birds are acclimating well.  And then this big stakeout dropped into my lap and it's just been so crazy-"

"Is that- are you okay here?  I know Hero work is a lot sometimes and I just-," he paused, letting out a quiet huff. "I just want to make sure you're happy here."

"I am, I think.  It's definitely more stressful than working at the rescue, but I feel like I have more purpose here?  Like I'm more than just the person who talks to birds."

"Now you're the person who talks to birds with spy gear. "

"Exactly!" you laughed.  "It's totally different."

"I'm glad you're happy," Hawks smiled, one of his real ones that crinkled his nose and made your knees a little weak.  "I've been thinking about making some personal changes myself."

"Oh? What kind of changes?"

"Something like this," he mumbled heatedly, the shift in his tone prompting you to swivel both your head and chair in his direction.  

And then suddenly, his lips were pressed to yours.  Hopelessly chapped from hours of constant flying but oh so warm against your own.  It was short and sweet, a simple sort of kiss; but it stirred up so many complex feelings you were used to keeping caged up inside your chest.  

"That's quite the change," you whispered against his lips, trying to remember the exact sequence of steps required for breathing.  

"It's been a long time coming, I think."

"I wholeheartedly agree.  But I'm ah- not so sure I should be kissing my boss?" You remark apprehensively.  "I really like both you and this job and don't want to risk losing either."

"We set you up to work as an independent contractor, so technically you're your own boss," Hawks assured you, hands clasping your waist as he moved to pull you in for a second kiss. "And even if it isn't allowed, I'd absolutely commit some bluebird- collar crimes for you."

"Hawks!" You huff, swatting at his shoulder in reprimand.  "I can't believe you just ruined our first kiss with a bird pun."

"A kiss?  No, that was just a peck ," Hawks chortled at your pained groan.  "This is a kiss."

With a firm tug Hawks pulled your body flush with his as his lips descended, and with the fresh addition of his tongue and teeth you couldn't bring yourself to mind the puns all that much anymore. 

[imsparky2002]

Miraculous Animal AU: Theatre Class + Ondine

Ayesha the Lion - She's one lighthearted lion. Ayesha is possibly the only one who can outhappy Rose, and you can often find her gleefully roaring about something or other. Ayesha's always on the prowl, looking for ways to cheer people up. She loves cartoons and watches them with Nathaniel and Petra, even if she doesn't do a good job in drawing them. Whenever she gets down, a good pounce will often put her back into happy spirits.

Dot the Groundhog - Dot loves organizing her burrow along with other trinkets her friends find. Her and Sabrina often sniff the air for the smell of new treats. They also collaborate on maintaining track of projects by the other animals. Dot checks for her shadow every day.

Petra the Woodpecker - Petra's one passion in life is pecking. She drills tiny holes into trees to make drawings, and spends hours on each one making sure it's perfect in their eyes. Woody Woodpecker is their favorite cartoon to watch, and they prefer making art with Nathaniel and Ayesha.

Roxie the Rhino - A hot-tempered Rhino who will always debate their farm friends on any subject. Roxie loves charging, grazing and rolling around in the mud. They act as a bodyguard for their smaller friends and can always sniff out trouble. They can't stand untruths, so they usually keep their distance from Lila.

Anthony the Bat - During the day, he can be rather snarky, but at night is when he truly feels alive. He likes flying around the farm with Eri, using his echolocation to find the location of prey. He and the other gothic animals usually listen to records and brood together. He's very affectionate to his mate, Jesse, often snuggling up in his wool.

Eri the Raven - The Avian Queen of Darkness, and one dramatic raven. Eri's known for her loud caw, her theatricality and appreciation for all things macabre. For this bird, every day is Halloween, and she's always up for a scare. Her mom went viral for cawing Shakespeare and she wants to be an animal actor to follow in her footsteps. Eri loves carrying sticks in her beak and flying around with Anthony.

Candace the Gazelle - Candace is the "mom" of her farm, always making sure that everyone's behaving themselves. She's the leader of a cheer squad, with her, Staci and Margo making noises of encouragement for the other animals. Candace likes grazing and sprinting to remove excess energy.

Staci the Red Panda - The most acrobatic member of the cheerleading trio, Staci likes to swing and climb from branch to branch, munching on bamboo. Don't let the cute and cuddly appearance fool you, she's one of the snarkiest critters in the farm. She'll show her love on the inside, rather than the outside.

Margo the Polar Bear - This cheerful chilly bear is the muscle of the cheer squad, lifting up the other animals. She likes to lumber around, holding knicknacks and climbing on furniture and hunt for a nice fish. Serving as a matchmaker along with Rose, she lets out happy chuffs if she sees mates together. She also loves to cuddle with Lacey and Reshma.

Brecken the Bull - This bull's a country animal at the end of the day. His family originated from Texas, so he's got a big stature and a big heart. A sweet and earnest cow, he loves a good charging as well as nudging his friends and his nightingale mate. His moo will always brighten up your day.

Soo-Yeon the Giraffe - Soo-Yeon has heard all the tall jokes in the book due to being such a large creature. He can be clumsy, tripping over his long legs, but he's always got friends to catch his fall. Soo-Yeon has a fun game where he'll nudge a basketball with Victoria and Adrien. As the "dad" of his farm, he keeps everybody on track.

Parker the Wolf - Even if her friends aren't wolves like her, Parker sees them as members of her pack. She's all about maintaining order and rules, which means she'll often bark at any troublemakers before they cause a scene. She also has a soft side, always trying to motivate the others and keep them from harm. Parker bonds especially with Sabrina and they often howl together at the moon.

Aggie the Alligator - This short Scottish snarker loves basking in the sun and hissing at her friends. She's got gremlin energy and is relatively small for an alligator her age. Aggie loves skateboards and keeps trying to become one herself.

Mona the Sloth - She may be slow, but she isn't slow-witted. Mona is an easy going sloth who prefers it if everyone would just mellow out. She loves napping, almost as much as she loves movies. Mona will often hang on a tree, watching a flick through the window of the house next to the farm.

Evie the Nightingale - A prim and proper bird, Evie's always got a tune to belt out. She is from a long line of famous singingbirds used in circus attractions and has gone viral for her tweets and chirps. She can be a bit of a perfectionist, and stubborn, but knows when to fold 'em if her friends or mate are in trouble.

Eloise the Armadillo - Eloise is a very brainy animal, loving a good math problem, even if she's unable to write out the solution due to her tiny claws. Eloise can always be counted on as a voice of reason, when she's not too busy using her tongue to eat termites and grubs. She does need help making her way around certain areas of the farm due to her poor eyesight.

Anais the Owl - They may always be hooting and pecking, but that's because they're always looking for new scientific discoveries. It and Eloise are the best of pals, always looking to test their intellect. Her favorite thing to do is conduct experiments, even if they are simple by human standards.

Jesse the Sheep - Jesse is a bit sheepish, sort of neurotic, but one of the nicest animals around. He likes to graze quietly, so that he can have some energy when he helps manages little productions the animals put on. He's prone to bleating and having little panic attacks, but some deep breaths and a kiss from his mate Anthony will usually calm him down.

Missy the Shark - Don't let the sharp teeth fool you, Missy is a loyal yet gruff friend. She's very protective of Jesse and Ondine. Her and Kim have had a friendly rivalry since they were babies. She does like to rise from the water on occassion to give visitors a fright.

Ondine the Heron - A sweet swimmer, Ondine loves the water as much as she loves taking flight. Kim is her mate, and she loves nuzzling the monkey with her long beak. Though she can be a bit of a klutz when on land, she's working hard to always be there for her farmyard friends.

Ok, the last animal post is finally done! Lemme know what you think in the replies and reblogs and thanks to Weebs and Coco for choosing the animals! @artzychic27 @msweebyness @nerd-chocolate

[shadowtoons]

“The idiot cuffed us… He doesn’t have the keys, and it’s protected with magic to prevent anyone to break it..” Nox shows, meanwhile Jacc sips his smoothie.

“That being saaaaaaaid! He has no choice to follow!” As the Jester parent spoke to his child.

July looks over at Jacc " what... what do you have in your hand?? " swear to god if he has something cursed against she will punch him... - @murdxrxfcrxws

“A smoothie-“

[jadegretz]

Black Cat: Luck's Mistress by Jade Gretz

A Miscalculation

Gotham City was a beast, and Felicia Hardy was its most cunning predator. She moved through the night with the silent grace of a panther, her senses honed to a razor's edge. But this night was different. A chill ran through her, a premonition of something sinister lurking in the shadows.

The night was alive with an unnatural quiet, a stillness that pressed on her senses like a physical weight. The moon, a sickly yellow orb, cast an eerie glow over the city, transforming familiar landmarks into grotesque shadows. It was as if Gotham was holding its breath, anticipating something terrible.

As she prowled the rooftops, a sound reached her, a high-pitched screech that cut through the night. It was a sound born of madness, a cacophony that sent shivers down her spine. Felicia's heart pounded in her ears. This was no ordinary Gotham threat.

She found him in the heart of the city, a towering figure that seemed to defy the laws of nature. His body was avian, a grotesque amalgamation of bird and man. Feathers, black as the abyss, covered his skin, and his eyes, a chilling shade of crimson, burned with an inhuman intensity. His name was Harbinger, a moniker as sinister as the creature himself.

Harbinger was more than just a man who had gone mad. He was a conduit, a vessel for an ancient, malevolent force. His body was a cage, desperately trying to contain something that yearned to be free. And tonight, it seemed, the cage was cracking.

The battle that ensued was a brutal dance of predator and prey. Felicia, with her acrobatic prowess and razor-sharp reflexes, was a blur of motion. Her cat-like agility allowed her to dodge Harbinger's attacks, but his strength was inhuman, his strikes powerful enough to shatter concrete.

The city itself became a battleground. Buildings crumbled, glass shattered, and the night was filled with the sounds of chaos. Yet, amidst the destruction, there was a haunting beauty to it. The city, in its raw, wounded state, seemed to mirror the darkness within Harbinger.

As the fight progressed, Felicia began to realize that …(see the rest of the story at deviantart.com/jadegretzAI). For more supergirl, chun li, batgirl, tifa, lara croft, wonder woman, rogue and much more, please visit my page at www.deviantart.com/jadegretzai - Thanks for your support :)

[sparks-chaotic-cove]

Bird people culture/Avian headcanons:

Giving up your ability to fly- something almost seen as the most important thing ever in the society- for someone you love is considered a very devoted way of showing your love (generally done between romantic couples, generally in tales)

Avian's form of dancing is either very simple or very complex. Dependent on wing size as well! Hummingbird/hover types will spin around, the movement more on complexity and their humanoid bodies than their wings. However, when it comes to birds with large wingspans, a lot of their "dancing" is twirling in the sky, flaring their wings, interesting acrobatic stuff, etc! Winglets are commonly "tossed" between people in these dances, helping them get used to how their wings feel in the air!

Birdsong is a common sort of code, but not commonly spoken! generally groups will follow the "common" tongue or a language of the society they work the closest with.

Preening each other's wings is a common gesture of trust! this is consistent for most grooming mannerisms!

Commonly in public, instead of kissing, couples will press their foreheads against each other (sometimes wrapping their wings and arms around each other in a hug) (this is based off of "beaky kisses" that some types of monogamous bird pairings do)

Individual tastes vary, but generally as a whole avians lean towards more folk-ish, semi-celtic, and music with festival vibes!

[aut2imagineart]

I had to put in a lot of time and work for this piece but I was set on this concept.  Just like how I created various posthuman species for my Centauri universe, I wanted to create a bunch of variants of for another major group in said universe, the Uplifted (hybrid animals with human level sapience).  If humans need to modify/evolve to survive in different planets, it would make sense that the uplifted would need to do so as well in some cases.  What I have are the cases where I imagine the most notable changes would occur.

The top row are the uplifted modified for high gravity environments.  The Avian Parogions would have stronger bone structures and walk on their wings for additional support but wouldn't be too impacted by high gravity due to their lighter mass.  Ironically, the higher air pressure on high gravity worlds would make flight easier for them.  The mammoth-like Behemoths would have a more challenging time in high gravity.  They counteract this by using their tusks and trunks as additional support that functions like a sled while their more flexible feet shuffles across the ground eliminating the need to lift their legs.  The Dolphopods normally wouldn't be effected by gravity as they are normally in water and use technology to move on land.  For high gravity worlds, locomotive technology is more problematic so the Dolphopods would be modified to have more flattened bodies that move across land similar to slugs and mudskippers.  The Great Apes would be quadrapedic like Hi-G humans would which makes them resemble their less sapient ancestors.

The second row are low gravity inhabitants (with the exception of the Dolphopod).  Low gravity Behemoths have a lighter build that makes them more resemble camels and large antelopes.  Though adapted for lower gravity, they can tolerate earth gravity due to retaining sufficient bone and muscle density.  Low gravity Parogions are largely similar to their base counterparts save for longer legs and proportionately larger wings to fly in thinner air pressure.  Great apes in low gravity, like the Behemoths, possess a lighter build making them resemble gibbons from Earth with similar acrobatic agility.  The Dolphopod depicted in the second row isn't modified for low gravity as there wouldn't be a need for it.  Instead it's designed for fully terrestrial environments such as desert worlds, becoming a tripod with it's modified flippers and tail.

The third row are aquatic variants of which the dolphopods are excluded as they're naturally marine.  All of them possess both gills and lungs as well as retain the ability to move on land for adaptive flexibility.  The aquatic behemoth's physiology resemble an extinct order of marine mammals called the Desmostylia, while the aquatic Parogions resemble penguins and the aquatic Great Apes are more frog-like.

The last row are the super soldier variants of the uplifted, part of a group I call the Irradiated.  Each member of the Irradiated is genetically and cybernetically modified to be at their peak physiology and able to withstand extreme environments including hi-radiation (hence the name).  I have each of them partially armored to showcase some of their distinct physical features and are to scale with all the other uplifted (the irradiated Behemoth stands at 5.2m or 17.1ft at the shoulder).

Some of these designs may evolve over time and I might include more if I can think of any unique designs with a good reason for them.

As always, comments and critiques are welcome.

[bonefall]

Oooo now you’re really getting me into Clanmew. What are the names for birds and bird species in Clanmew?

The simple word for "Bird" evolved from Old Tribemew, at the Dawn of the Clans. A "Bird" is any two-winged flying animal with bones.

Bird (and bats) = Hafefyl

The major types of birds that the Clan cats recognize are as follows;

Raptor = Yassga A large, dangerous bird. Any avian perceived to pose a threat is in this category, including swans, ravens, and herons. Not just birds of prey.

Fowl = Eyawoon Large prey birds, the same level of danger as any other large quarry. Ducks, pheasants, gulls, cormorants, a chicken or peacock would also be in this category.

Game = Biyaw These are the birds that are eaten regularly, without much other consideration. It's where most of the 'odd' birds that don't fit other categories go. Pigeons, sparrows, quails.

Fancy = Pyrrya Any bird that would be a shameful thing to kill. That usually means songbirds with pleasing songs, but also colorful ones with pleasing patterns and behaviors, and even bats as they bring sickness when eaten.

Examples of "Yassga";

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) = Nyieu A species only encountered in the Tribe mountain, before re-contact it was considered a legendary animal. The most dangerous flying species, capable of attacking small deer.

Sparrow Hawk (Accipiter nisus) = Yi'i When hawks are being noted for their speed, it's this species. They primarily hunt other birds, but not cats.

Red Kite (Milvus milvus) = Eeao This is the species that is both large and bold enough to take kittens. The vast majority of the time when hawks are mentioned in a dangerous context, it is a kite. Goshawks are not as numerous in this area as canon implies.

Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) = Ipip Acrobatic, agile bird able to seemingly 'hover' in the air.

Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) = Yeepi Skilled attentive hunters that tend to hunt small mammals in open areas, especially wetlands. RiverClan and ShadowClan see these a lot.

Merlin (Falco columbarius) = Mweelili A small, generalist hunter that likes low-density areas like moorland, sparse woods, and brush. Known for being friendly with Harriers and eating just about anything.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) = Pyip Not actually a dangerous species; but the perception of danger will make Clan cats avoid this creature. Most commonly found by the sea.

Swan (Cygnus olor) = Hchom Large and quiet, these birds are so large they can drown a foolish warrior or break a bone.

Raven (Corvus corax) = Nyok A raven is considered a very dangerous bird not only for its size and ferocious beak, but because of how vengeful an unkindness can be. They remember Clan cats and seemingly mess with them on purpose.

Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea) = Krekek With their habit of spearing, bludgeoning, and even brutally drowning their prey, herons are feared and avoided. There are stories of herons picking off wayward kittens, but it's unknown if it's true or just a tale to stop them from wandering.

Eagle owl (Bubo bubo) = Huo The biggest, largest, most dangerous owl. Cats are a desired prey. No other owl will attack an adult warrior, and eagle owls are most often found in ThunderClan territory where there's thick forest and a nearby rocky cliff.

Tawny owl (Strix aluco) = Hrrua'u A loud, sonorous owl. Known best for being the species roosting in the old Owl Tree.

Barn owl (Tyto alba) = Weear This owl does not hoot, it screeches.

Examples of "Eyawoon";

Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) = Kwek There are several species of ducks they encounter occasionally-- but this one, the mallard duck, is the most common. ThunderClan liked to try and hunt them when they had Sunningrocks, sometimes inflaming tensions between clans.

Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) = Rauqa Named for the territorial cry of a male pheasant, the most impressive prize that a ThunderClan warrior can catch.

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) = Rewp Not just a seabird; found further in-land and will make do with just about any body of water. This is a species regularly found and hunted at Sanctuary Lake, and also the type that Gullswoop is named for.

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) = Eeyar The Clan cats haven't been doing salt patrols long enough yet to know that this is absolutely not an Eyawoon, but in fact, a Yassga. Sandwhich-stealing BASTARDS. They're the ones with the gray back, yellow beak, little red mark on the lip, and feral Grinch-looking eyes. If you live by the ocean you know. (There is another species that looks similar but Clan cats think they are the same animal)

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) = Waer A large, black fishing bird that dives underwater to catch its prey. Revered by RiverClan.

Carrion crow (Corvus corone) = Rawk This is the species being referred to when "crowfood" is mentioned. Rawkwoo.

Magpie (Pica pica) = Ke'ek Glossy, beautiful blue, black, and white bird. Very intelligent and a difficult catch; like crows and ravens they are smart enough to have a concept of social learning.

Egret (Egretta garzetta) = Bwawa Though they have many of the same 'brutal' behaviors as herons, they're too small to cause damage and hence are sorted into 'eyawoon'

There is currently no word for Chicken but Ravenpaw is probably using the term Barley likes best. Except the rooster which he immediately named "Urkaroona."

Examples of "Biyaw";

Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus) = Huwoohoo Big, fat, common, a popular meal bird.

Dove (Columba livia) = Hrru Funfact: In TPB, there is a moment where Fireheart scolds Cloudpaw for calling a pigeon a 'dove.' In English, pigeons and doves are synonyms, but in Clanmew, Cloudtail had killed a Huwoohoo, but called it a Hrru.

Sparrow (Passer domesticus and Passer montanus) = Qee Though there's a difference in plumage between these species, Clan cats think they are the same species because their songs are nearly identical. Passer montanus (Eurasian Tree Sparrow) is just considered what a sparrow looks like when it lives deep in the woods.

Quail (Coturnix coturnix) = Wipiwik A round little ground bird that's very fast.

Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula) = Miaw A black-and gray bird with a mewling call.

Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) = Errari This bird has many songs, which is taken by Clan cats as intentionally trying to hide its true name. They may even be changing their appearances to look like a Mistle Thrush; clearly they're something much more intelligent, since they use stones to smash open snail shells.

Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) = Charrech Much larger than a Song Thrush. Brave, one of the few birds that sings even in terrible weather, but named for the angry sound it makes when it's guarding berry bushes in winter.

Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) = Apapach A very important winter prey bird which travels in large flocks. Bullied by Mistle Thrushes for good food sources.

Redwing (Turdus iliacus) = Eean Similar to a fieldfare, but smaller and usually in tinier groups. The call is very different, so these birds are not usually confused by Clan cats unless they're seen first. Apapach are the preferred prey of the two.

Blackbird (Turdus merula) = Oohee Males are blue-black with a yellow ring around the eye, and females are a ruddy dappled brown.

Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius) = Arkr Loud, aggressive medium-sized birds. Pale with blue wings.

Examples of "Pyrrya"

Bat (4 SPECIES) = Fip This refers to the sound of their wings mid-flight. No species of bat is consumed. If eaten they can bring horrible sickness, seen as a punishment for killing an holy night-loving animal with such a beautiful voice and great hunting skill. Clan cats are able to hear bat songs out of range of human hearing!

Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) = Popep A very small, common bat species that usually eats mosquitoes and midges in wet areas.

Soprano Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) = Ipi'ip Humans can barely tell the difference between these two, but Clan cats recognize that the song of a Soprano is much faster, higher-pitched, and absolutely sonorous. Considered the night version of a wren and held in high esteem.

Long-eared Brown Bat (Plecotus auritus) = Fepfr A very quiet, low-flying bat with a habit for doing some ground-hunting. This is usually the first bat that an apprentice sees instead of hears, and the one which is used to teach them to not hunt bats. It has a very modest song, which Clan cats explain as mourning for every bat accidentally killed and discarded. Rarely called the "Fip Hhass;" the Whisper Bat.

Noctule (Nyctalus noctula) = Shi'po The largest bat, has huge teeth and a broad face. Females both migrate and hibernate, but males stay awake all year and sing with a very distinctive tune hard to put into a word.

Songbird (SEVERAL SPECIES) = Pigu Note: Most songbirds are down here in this category, but some, like Song Thrushes, are only here conditionally. Usually if there's enough food to go around.

Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) = Pi'ie The song of this tiny bird is so fast and beautiful that Clan cats have a hard time putting it into words; these birds are not killed except by fiends and rogues.

Robin (Erithacus rubecula) = Birri This is a small, gray-and-brown bird with a bright orange face. They're not very filling, pretty, and sing a delightful song, so like the other species in this category they aren't taken unless there's a serious need.

Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) = Mweep Though large and delicious, these birds are so enjoyed that killing them is dishonorable without approval. They're the only bird that can fly away with its young, it dances and puts on air shows as mating rituals, and they're quite rare.

There are more species than this found in the area but this should be more than enough for now. Here's the most significant "bird" species they experience on a regular basis!

[thecreaturecodex]

Terochilus

Image accessed from the Ultraman Wiki here

[Terochilus is a monster that makes a big impression in Return of Ultraman (being the star of a two-part episode), but with very little impact on the franchise outside of it. Which is a shame. It feels like Ultraman's Rodan the way that Arstron feels like its Godzilla. It has a weirder power set than Rodan, though, with its toxic webbing and shooting lasers from its nose. It kind of reminds me of The Giant Claw, in the sense of being a superficially simple flying kaiju that is totally bizarre on closer inspection, and I designed its stats intentionally to be a counterpart to my cacagnea.

In the show, its webs emit toxic gas on exposure to automobile exhaust, making Terochilus another pollution-themed kaiju. Since cars don't exist in Pathfinder, I changed the trigger to the webs getting extra dangerous to fire, which is the typical adventurer solution to webbing. That, and it makes the Terochilus' lairing in volcanoes synergistic, and very dangerous.

Also, I can't prove it, but I suspect that Terochilus' pterosaur with feathers look inspired the winged fakeosaur that came in the same set as the ones that inspired the rust monster and bulette]

Terochilus

CR 19 LN Magical Beast

This creature resembles a strange cross between bird and pterosaur. It walks on two elephantine legs, and has membranous wings growing like a cape from its human-like arms. It has a head and neck covered with feathers, and a long straight bill.

A terochilus is a bestial, vaguely avian predator, something like a roc writ even larger. They are found lairing on volcanic islands and are extremely territorial—a terochilus patrols the water near the island for whales, large fish and the occasional sea monster to eat, and drives away anything else entering its hunting grounds. This territoriality extends to their volcanic lairs as well. A terochilus usually lives near the caldera and lines its nest with thick ashy webbing. This webbing is flammable, but burning it produces a highly potent toxic gas that causes immediate unconsciousness followed by systematic organ failure. The terochiluses are immune to these noxious fumes, and encourage periodic fires to burn the webbing and fumigate their lairs.

Terochiluses usually do not see creatures of human size and shape as prey. The danger comes from their territorial instinct—they attack boats that steer too close to their hunting grounds. If forced from their lairs by a stronger monster, they may settle closer to inhabited areas and wreak havoc enforcing their new territorial boundaries. In combat, a terochilus usually opens by spraying opponents with webbing, and then closing to melee with entangled enemies. A terochilus possesses a powerful breath weapon, which manifests as beams of deadly force fired from its nostrils. This breath weapon does not recharge quickly, and most terochiluses use it as a weapon of last resort only.

Terochilus CR 19

XP 204,800

LN Colossal magical beast

Init +9; Senses darkvision 120 ft., low-light vision, Perception +22, tremorsense 30 ft.

Defense

AC 34, touch 12, flat-footed 24 (-8 size, +9 Dex, +1 dodge, +22 natural)

hp 346 (21d10+231)

Fort +23, Ref +21, Will +12

DR 20/magic; Immune poison; Resist fire 30, force 30; SR 30

Offense

Speed 40 ft., fly 150 ft. (average)

Melee bite +27 (4d6+14/19-20 plus grab), 2 claws +27 (2d8+14), 2 wings +22 (2d8+7)

Space 30 ft.; Reach 30 ft.

Special Attacks breath weapon (150 ft. line, 1 minute, 19d10 force damage),hurricane hover,swallow whole(AC 21, 34 hp, 4d8+21 bludgeoning),toxic webbing, webs (+22 ranged, range increment 30 ft., 150 ft. range, DR 10/-, 21 hp, DC 31)

Statistics

Str 39, Dex 28, Con 32, Int 4, Wis 21, Cha 15

Base Atk +21; CMB +43 (+47 grapple); CMD 63

Feats Acrobatic,Blind-Fight, Combat Reflexes,Dodge, Flyby Attack, Greater Vital Strike, Hover (B), Improved Critical (bite), Improved Vital Strike, Mobility, Power Attack, Vital Strike

Skills Acrobatics +21 (+25 when jumping), Climb +26, Fly +13, Perception +22; Racial Modifiers +8 Perception

Languages Ignan (cannot speak)

Ecology

Environment warm land

Organization solitary or pair

Treasure incidental

Special Abilities

Hurricane Hover (Ex) A terochilus gains Hover as a bonus feat. When it uses the Hover feat, it creates hurricane force winds in a 60-foot radius, regardless of its distance from the surface.

Toxic Webbing (Ex) A terochilus’ webs release toxic gas when they take fire damage. This gas fills a 30 foot radius from the webbing, and lingers for 1d4+1 rounds before dissipating. This toxin has the following properties

Web fumes—inhaled; duration 1/round for 4 rounds; save Fort DC 31; initial effect unconsciousness 1 minute; secondary effect 1d6 Con damage and unconsciousness 10 minutes; cure 1 save. The save DC is Constitution based.

[willtheweaver]

OC interview tag

Thanks for the tag @seastarblue @rumeysawrites

Alright Gale, you’re up (from A Feather in the Forest and Snow on the Pines):

Are you named after anyone?

Not that I am aware of.

When was the last time you cried?

Nearly a year ago. I had been pursued and hunted, as everyone that I encountered considered me a threat. Praise be Al-Gia, for I was saved by Lady Grey. Her ladyship nursed me back to health and granted me sanctuary. I was grateful and pledged my loyalty to her.

Do you have any kids?

No. Nor is it likely that I will will have any:

Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Sarcasm isn’t really my thing.

What’s the first thing you notice about people?

I notice what they look like and how they present themselves.

What’s your eye color?

Black.

Scary movies or happy endings?

So that is what they are… Anyways, I prefer happy endings, even though I can do both.

Do you have any special talents?

I have a good memory, and I am a nimble flyer.

Where were you born?

Far to the west of here. I can’t remember much, but it was a roost in a misty spruce forest. It was in between two dormant volcanoes, and the sea was nearby.

Do you have any pets?

No. I get the concept, but I find it strange.

What sort of sports do you play?

Acrobatic flying.

How tall are you?

13 inches by your measurement.

What was your favorite subject in school?

Formal education isn’t a thing, save for the upper echelons.

What is your dream job?

I guess my dream job is the one I have right now.

Tagging @novel-nook-blog @17panicattacksinatrenchcoat @mk-writes-stuff @vesanal @alinacapellabooks

@fantasy-things-and-such @write-with-will @jay-avian @lavender-gloom @aintgonnatakethis and open tag

[theravenpiper]

Ravings About Ravens

Ravens are a staple of fantasy. Often, they are portrayed traditionally as ill-omens or the companions of evil. At other times, they are portrayed unrealistically, as in Game of Thrones, where they are reduced to carrier pigeons (although, as Mercedes Lackey has said, real ravens would be likely to tear off the messages they carried and play with them to destruction).

Almost all these depictions are missing an opportunity, because ravens are one of the most intriguing avian species ever. You might have heard of their problem solving abilities, but did you know:

Raven can hunt in groups, much like wolves. But only if they have to. Feeding on carrion is much less effort.

An eagle is likely to defeat a single raven. But single ravens are agile enough to annoy an eagle's efforts to close on them, and much prefer to mob eagles into utter confusion.

Ravens see further into the ultra-violet than humans, seeing what we cannot. Like ghosts and spirits, perhaps?

Ravens are one of the only birds who do barrel rolls and acrobatics for fun.

Ravens dance. A group of them will form a circle on the ground, and one will bob their head and they will all shuffle around the circle. Then the next bird does the same.

From such observations, it is easy to imagine a raven culture, perhaps with oral histories and memories.

And don't get me started with the rare white ravens, whom in the Pacific Northwest are considered guides of the dead in some places, and, in others omens of disaster. I mean, obviously, the white ravens are shamans, right?

[rjzimmerman]

A short video from one of the feeders in our yard. We spend a lot of time just watching the birds eat, spat, yell at us to bring more seed, coexist with the squirrels, rabbits and chipmunks, scoot quickly away from the hawks and the fox, bathe in the bird bath....just being birds.

Excerpt from this story from Earth Island Journal:

I’m always looking for birds. In summer, I drift to sleep to the coos of mourning doves and wake to the acrobatic melodies of sparrows. A bald eagle whinnies in a tree outside my apartment drawing me out for an afternoon walk. At the Willamette River nearby, mallard ducks fly in couplets, chirping as they pass. Ospreys circle overhead or fold their wings to drop on an unsuspecting fish. A chickadee calls from a hiding place in a sweetly blooming locust tree.

But as much as I delight in birds, I find that I don’t like birding, at least not as it’s practiced today. If I were concerned only with checking off the species I’d seen on a growing list, these local sightings would be unhelpful, boring even, compared to the thrill of spotting a “rare” find. I delight in the familiar cast of animal characters near my home. I’m not collecting anything; I’m greeting neighbors.

My local wildlife society, like many, offers outings where you can drive an hour or more with a group of people to see shorebirds or forest owls. You can go farther yet, to other countries, to see tropical birds or island birds or European birds. And while such excursions can sometimes lead people into a love of nature, it’s a kind of collecting that often feels like a video game, where people jockey on apps like eBird for the longest sighting lists and the highest scores. There are worse reasons to travel than to go in search of birds, but better ways to connect with other species.

“Birds are among the most noticed of animals,” writes Joan E. Strassmann, in her avian ode, Slow Birding, “but that notice seldom goes beyond identifying and listing.” What would it look like if people spent more time at their home bird feeders, in their neighborhoods, or at nearby parks, getting to know these beings more deeply?

A year ago, for instance, I noticed that three neighborhood crows came to my yard at the same time each day, trundling in to drink from a water bowl left out for the dogs. By observing them regularly I learned that the local crows appeared more often in the summer, during nesting season, when they would mob away hawks and other predators. In the winter, I watched crows join together in the sky at dusk to commute to a large communal roost downtown. I put this together as part of a pattern — crows nesting in the suburbs in spring and early summer, then meeting up downtown when the winter came and they were less territorial.

If I hadn’t stopped to wonder about those three crows, I wouldn’t have learned any of this. And that goes for other bird species, too. I think of this as bird knowing instead of bird watching. I now know that when I hear one cedar waxwing, I should search for a nearby tree, heavy with fruit, and look up. Yellow-brown, except for black eye masks and a splash of red and bright yellow on their wings and tails, the waxwings feed in groups, appearing to share in a ripe harvest meal before moving on. I know the difference between the acrobatic flight of a hummingbird chasing off a rival and the dive-bomb display males do to impress potential mates.

Our greatest strength as humans is our curiosity. Our urge to possess things — to hoard even bird sightings — is one of our worst. Slowing down rewards our curiosity about the natural world by letting us have a relationship with it. We become part of the community of wild species around us, not just spectators.