#neb the lorekeeper

[amostfoolishgold]

It is not necessarily that people forget that Lazuli is a wild animal. Almost gutting a member of another faction and getting away with it was certainly memorable, and it was hardly the last time she had cause to flash her claws or fangs. It is simply that when she spends so much of her time eating and drinking with humans, like humans, the particulars of her diet can slip the mind.

No one blinks when she slips away from her friends to ingratiate herself with the new crew that docked earlier today. No one bats an eye when, several drinks in, she wraps an arm around the guy who's been loudest about flashing his coin. No one even notices when she leans in and sings ever-so-softly and ever-so-sweetly directly into his ear. They'd be hard pressed to, really, a siren's lure is at its most potent when sung, but she's been talking everyone in the vicinity into trusting her for the past hour. They probably wouldn't flinch if she started stabbing people.

It's not even really something she decided to do an hour ago. She just hasn't eaten since lunch (fish, cooked whole, drizzled with lemon juice and paired with the kind of bread typically reserved for long voyages, eaten with flagrant disregard for bones) and she started getting hungry. The criteria for an easy target are different on land than at sea, and different again for a siren than for a dolphin or a wolf, but her eyes had slid away from the chalkboard menu and instead found Thomas. Here for the first time as part of a crew that hasn't been to the Isle in years, quick to throw his coin around and always smiling and nodding like he's definitely involved in the conversation around the table but, crucially, rarely opening his mouth outside of calls for a new round. A wild animal does not hunt prey that will be more trouble, more danger than it's worth.

Thomas follows Lazuli out of the bar and his crew does not care.

It would be inaccurate to say that Lazuli doesn't know what she's doing. Running on instinct will only take you so far and a hunt is hardly a mindless activity. It is more that some part of her hindbrain has kicked in and she no longer remembers why she's not meant to be eating people.

Lazuli has Thomas pinned to an alley wall and her lips and the pulse point in his throat before she hears someone call her name. She turns with a snarl prepared only to see Neb staring at her from the alley entrance. It can be hard to read Neb's expressions, what with the beak and all the feathers, but if Lazuli had to guess (which, she supposes, she very much does,) she'd probably go for somewhere between interest and caution. Lazuli kind of loves that about them. It's maybe not necessarily the right thought to be having when she was about two seconds away from killing a man despite the perfectly good food in the kitchens and is now being witnessed doing so by someone who would be entirely justified in freaking the fuck out right now, but nevertheless. Neb tilts their head like Lazuli is a new slightly damaged book and Lazuli's heart does a little flutter.

"What was the plan here, love?"

Thomas tenses at the endearment.

"Oh shit, is she- I'm sorry I didn't, I'm new, I di-"

Lazuli presses a hand over his mouth and layers her lure into her voice.

"Shh, it's okay, you're fine."

She casts an apologetic look back at Neb and tries not to look as embarrassed as she feels.

"I was hungry?"

Neb let's out a little chuff of a laugh at that.

"May I make a proposition? You let whoever this is go and we go get you some food that isn't going to get you kicked of the Isle. Maybe if you're very good, I'll even tell you about that island no one's allowed to visit."

Their voice goes teasing at the end but Lazuli drops Thomas in a heartbeat. He stumbles to the ground like he hadn't quite realised how much she was holding him up. Lazuli presses herself to Neb's side, wrapping an arm around their waist and looking up at them with the widest eyes they can pull off.

"I would like nothing more, darling."

Neb gives her a smug look and tucks a wing around her before setting off in the direction of their house.

The rest of the night goes far better.

---

Neb as always belongs to the wonderful @solsearchingnights! This has actually been stuck in my drafts for a while bc I didn't know how to end it lmao

[pacificwaternymph]

There was blood smeared across their front door, and a body at their feet.

Inigo registered this distantly, the same way he registered Joanna's scream, and how she let go of his arm to rush to Finneas's side. How she called for help, grabbing the attention of nearly every neighbor on their block.

In the distance, someone was yelling for a doctor. Commotion rose from all around them, and Inigo only stood there, motionless, staring at the bloodied body of their friend, leaned against their door.

His ears filled with static. He watched uncomprehendingly as someone else joined Jo, kneeling down and speaking in a hurried tone. The doctor. He had a sinking feeling, an inkling of a suspicion that trailed down his spine and settled somewhere in his gut.

They'd left him alone. They'd left the Isle for three days, and in that short time they were gone, someone else had gotten to him. Inigo wanted to scream, rage, break something. But he only stood there, until Joanna called his name, and he had to shake out of it to open the door and help them carry Finn inside.

Because those were bullet wounds.

~

It was hours before Finn awoke. They'd laid it on the couch and stripped off its shirt in order to remove the bullets and wrap the injuries. Inigo thanked the doctor profusely, promising more than fair compensation for their work. The doctor, a Nightingale and, as it turned out, an acquaintance of Joanna's, promised it was no trouble at all, gave them instructions on how to care for the wounds, and left.

When he first came to, he was completely delirious. For hours, he spewed nothing but terrified nonsense, and any attempts at soothing him only seemed to make it worse. Jo refused to leave his side, and Inigo could already see bags starting to form under her eyes. They'd been sailing all night, and she'd insisted on staying up to watch the stars. Now, he doubted she would sleep for days.

Jo managed to coax some water down its throat, and propped its head up on a pillow. She covered its exposed chest with a blanket and hummed softly to it, running a hand through its hair. Eventually it fell quiet, but its eyes were still fogged over, unaware it was safe.

Slowly, agonizingly, it came back to itself. It seemed confused, at first, looking around as though it had never seen their house before. When its eyes caught on Jo, it sucked in a sharp breath, and all at once everything seemed to break.

He started sobbing. Jo got off the arm of the couch and knelt down in front of him, wrapping her arms around his head in the best approximation of a hug she could manage without hurting him more. She was crying, too. Inigo came closer and rested a hand on her shoulder, offering silent comfort.

It took a while for the cries to subside. But eventually, Joanna brushed away the last of the tears on both her and Finn's face.

"Who did this to you?" she asked, and her voice shook.

Finneas grew quiet, eyes flashing with some memory. It didn't say anything. But Inigo doesn't need it to. It caught his eye, and he knew. There was only one person Inigo had ever seen inspire such a hollow, empty look.

"That fucking bastard-" Inigo snarled, reaching back and snatching his pistol out of his belt. He checked to make sure it was loaded and stormed towards the door. "I fucking told him-"

"NO!" Inigo looked back just in time to watch Finneas tumble off the couch. Joanna cried out in alarm at the same time he cried out in pain, and hurried to help him back onto the couch. Even through what was surely sheer torment, Finn looked at Inigo with such terror in his eyes that it gave him pause. "Inigo, don't."

"I warned him!" Inigo gestured with his gun. "I told him exactly what would happen if he messed with you again. He ignored me."

"You can't-" Finn stressed. "You don't know what he'll do-"

"He won't be able to do much of anything once he's dead!"

Finneas grew even paler, if it were possible. "No, no. You can't do that. You'll be exiled from the isles-"

"Like I give a shit-"

"I won't let you do that, not--not for me."

"And why not?" Inigo shouted, spreading his arms wide. He was furious beyond all measure. All around him the room had gone red. "He tried to break the isle's peace first. That man is threat. I let it go once, because there were more important things to worry about. But clearly, he's not going to give up. You will never truly be safe as long as he still breathes. I won't stand by and let this go unaddressed any longer."

His chest was heaving. Finn was pleading silently, practically begging him with its eyes not to do it, to just let it go. Its gaze flicked to Joanna, who's brow was furrowed in confusion. Inigo realized a beat too late that maybe he'd said too much, and then-

"Okay, stop," Joanna said. She looked up at Inigo slowly. "Do you know who did this to him?"

Inigo glanced back at Finn, whose gaze dropped to the floor grimly. Joanna looked at him, then back to Inigo, and he could see her putting the pieces together in her mind. The realization dawned on her, and now she looked angry.

"What aren't you two telling me?" she asked, voice sharper than Inigo had ever heard it. Finneas flinched, curling in on itself. Joanna stared at it disbelievingly. "Finn."

Inigo took a deep breath. "Tell her, Finn." Finneas's gaze snapped to his, betrayed. He shrugged helplessly. "She deserves to know."

"No, I-" Finn looked over at Joanna, whose anger was quickly fading into hurt. He wilted under it. "I can't," he whispered. He squeezed his eyes shut and hunched his shoulders as though preparing for a blow.

Joanna looked devastated. She reached out and set a gentle hand on its uninjured shoulder. It flinched, drawing away from it as though it burned. Up until now, Inigo hadn't known it possible to physically see a heart break.

"Tell her," Inigo urged again, a little softer this time, crossing his arms. "I've kept quiet because you asked me too, but you can't keep this a secret anymore. She's a part of this now, whether you like it or not. You can't keep her in the dark like this."

Joanna sat down carefully next to it. Her voice was noticeably gentler when she spoke next.

"Have I done something to make you feel like you couldn't tell me?"

Finn's head snapped up so quickly Inigo swore he heard a crack. His eyes were wide and horrified.

"No," it said instantly, shaking its head vigorously. "No, of course not. It was never about you, I just-" it shuddered through a breath. "Dante is my problem. I've always been able to deal with him on my own before, I didn't want anyone else getting involved in the first place. And you-" it sounded so helpless. "If Dante thought you were getting in the way of his games, then he- he would-"

Be dead before he ever got within a mile of her, Inigo's mind supplied, but he didn't say it out loud.

Inigo understood Finn's reasons, as much as he disapproved of them. He, at least, was capable of defending himself. Maybe Finn hadn't wanted Inigo involved, but now that he was, it wasn't as though he were in any immediate danger.

But Jo? Sweet, kind, compassionate Jo. Who refused to raise a weapon to another, no matter what danger doing so posed. Who valued her family over all else, who didn't care about imaginary borders drawn between factions. If Achuart set his sights on her-

Well. Best not to think about it.

"Well it's not just your problem anymore," Inigo said, returning to the topic at hand. Finn glanced at him, then back to Jo. "We're your friends, Finneas. We can figure this out. You're not alone."

Finn's breath hitched. Its face turned into some complicated mixture of emotion Inigo had no hope of deciphering. Joanna smiled sadly.

"We're here for you," she agreed. This time, when she placed her hand overtop of Finn's, he didn't pull away. "Now start from the beginning. Who is Dante?"

Inigo left before he could hear Finn's response.

~

Despite Finn's pleas, Inigo spent the rest of the day hunting for Achuart. He stalked through Ketrel territory, and the crowds parted around him, afraid of incurring his wrath. Sausage had attempted to accost him for drinks, but had quickly backed off once Inigo pointed a gun in his face.

He'd apologize for it later.

Achuart was nowhere to be found. When asked, a local merchant revealed he'd seen someone matching Dante's description headed for the docks. A check with Neb confirmed that one of the Achuart family's ships had left port earlier that morning, although they didn't know who was on it. They tended to avoid the Achuarts as fiercely as Finn.

It seemed Dante had wisely decided to skip town before anyone could find out what he'd done. It was a suspicious move on his part, but frustratingly, it likely wouldn't amount to anything. It would be hard to prove who shot Finneas without a direct testimony, which Inigo doubted Finn would be willing to give.

By the time he'd returned home his gun was still infuriatingly fully loaded, and the sun was nearly completely set.

The blood on the door had dried into a muddy brown color, and he grimaced as he stepped around the dried out puddle on their concrete steps. When he stepped into the living room, he found Jo and Finn asleep together on the couch, Finn's head resting against her shoulder. Inigo sighed, ran a hand through his hair, and placed his pistol on the coffee table. He pulled the blanket off the floor and tucked it around the two of them, then headed for the kitchen.

Revenge could come later. There were more important people to worry about.

-

Of course I gave them the soft ending. Who do you think I am?

Anyways finneas belongs to @finnified and Neb, mentioned only once but still there, to @solsearchingnights

Thank you for letting me have this, Finn.

[finnified]

havent been able to write recently which has been SUPER frustrating but i got some of my brainrot for these guys out with some little doodles. i promise i am still thinking about them i just cannot force myself to put words on a page to save my life

(characters featured here belong to the lovely @stuckwithcats and @solsearchingnights !)

[pacificwaternymph]

fdklasjfdlksaj I love them.

(joining the pirate oc fun)

“Hey! It’s you!”

Neb’s feathers puffed out at the shout. They turned, clutching their books to their chest and eyes wide. “Me?”

Her hairpins caught their attention first. Colorful, unique, clearly telling many a story. “Yes, you.” She rolled her eyes but her smile softened the blow. Dark eyes, an enchanting smile. “You’re the history guy, right?” Her voice was musical.

“Yeah. History guy. That’s me.” Neb took a moment to swallow, to make sure their mouth wasn’t hanging open. “Um, but I prefer to be called by my name.”

She smiled wider, her hair fell down her back, shining like the waves even as the color brought to mind rich chocolate and smooth coffee. “I would love to oblige, but I’m afraid I don’t know your name just yet. I’m Lazuli.”

It took them several seconds to notice her hand, offered for a cordial shake. “Lazuli, what a beautiful name.” They felt a blush lifting the feathers on their cheeks. “I’m Neb! Keeper of tales, recorder of tradition, and– well, ‘the history guy’ I suppose.” They eyed her blouse, appreciating the embroidery of the bodice before settling on the familiar crest pinned to her waist. “Heron! You’ve already joined the Herons!” 

Lazuli nodded. “Sure have. I was hoping you could fill me in on some of the more…” She hummed, casually stepping forward and reaching to touch Neb’s arm. “The more obscure stories of the Isles. Everyone likes to pretend this is a world of humans with a human history, but then they have you,” she raised an eyebrow and pet her fingers down their feathers, ���keeping track of their feats and achievements.”

Neb glanced down at the books in their arms. “Well, I–” They shook, rustling their feathers all over. “I need to meet with the Recruitment Officer to record the new faction members.” Neb tilted their head to the side, enjoying the mischievous sparkle in Lazuli’s eyes. “But I’m free tonight? I could meet you at the Heron bar?”

“Sounds perfect! First round is on me.” She pet their arm once more, then took a step back. “Now shoo! Don’t miss a meeting on my account!”

They nodded and turned to hurry away. “It was nice to meet you!” They called back.

Her delighted, musical laugh chased them off, making their feathers puff out all over again.

(Lazuli is from @amostfoolishgold !!)

[csvent-2]

/762810240322387969/can-someone-give-a-good-list-of-feral-species-that

Nebulruffs is all I can say. The TSS owner is apart of it but all they do is help with the lorekeeper

The owners of nebs are all pretty active and they dont just show up to post adopts they actually engage with the members there’s also lots of opportunities to become a guest designer and getting myos are super easy even as a fto

🌸

[terrascookiejar-archive]

If Frosted Sugar ascended to Legendary Status. 

LoreKeeper Cookie

Bonus:

[amostfoolishgold]

Lazuli finds out pretty quickly that they love wings. It's not that they've never seen wings before, you'd have to be blind to miss the gulls that hang around every seaside town and follow fishing ships or even just the stray albatross out over the open ocean. But they've never really gotten the chance to touch before. Neb's wings are absolutely wonderful. Huge and thick and so, so soft. The feathers are oddly shaped under their hands, not that they have much to compare to. Neb had explained that, actually, apparently it's a trait shared with regular owls that lets them fly silently while they hunt. Not that Neb hunts particularly often, they have no real need to after all in a town like this. Lazuli still appreciates the idea though. The thought of Neb with their talons poised to strike, focused on their prey in a way Lazuli's mostly seen them direct towards books, well. It may be an incongruous image, but it's nevertheless an appealing one. Lazuli much prefers them like this, though. Neb is sprawled out in their nest, wings stretched out and taking up a good portion of the room. Seeing them relaxed is nice enough, but the little chirps and coos they make any time Lazuli adjusts a particularly crooked feather or cords their fingers through the base of their wings are the real selling point. Lazuli can never quite decide if it makes them want to stay gently sliding fingers through feathers forever or to dig their claws in, bite until Neb can't stifle those wonderful little sounds. Lazuli's restraint is mostly still intact because they know full well the stated goal is to make the wings neater. And hey it's not like this isn't already a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. Neb should really appreciate their self restraint. Lazuli is a goddamn saint, really. Sitting here, lazily carding through the feathers of Neb's (honestly already well-preened) wings to hear those pleased little noises?

Such a hardship, truly.

Lazuli smooths a few more feathers down and presses a kiss to the base of Neb's wings. She rests her face there for a second, revelling in the softness against her cheek, until Neb shifts a little. Lazuli rolls off their back and snuggles under their outstretched wing. Neb grabs her and pulls her close and she nuzzles into their neck. She giggles at the feeling of Neb's beak in her hair as they preen her in return. The two fall asleep pretty much like that, pressed together in a tangle of limbs and feathers and warmth.

It's the last good day Lazuli has for a while.

---

Neb as always borrowed from the wonderful @solsearchingnights!

Was in a fluff mood! Don't worry about that final line haha I have nothing planned /lying

[amostfoolishgold]

Despite the proximity of their bases, the Herons tend to avoid the Kites, hell most non-Kites stay out of the Kite base, which is why Finn is surprised to find a Heron (Eloise, he believes) shouting its name as she runs through the tents. It almost decides not to answer, instead he steps into her line of sight.

"Finn, you're one of Lazuli's lot, right?" It nods hesitantly. "Great, you gotta come with, they're going proper mental and none of us know what's up."

Finn tries to protest that he doesn't know much about Lazuli, hasn't got a clue about how sirens work besides, and what do you mean proper mental anyways, but Eloise doesn't pay it any mind now that she's found it, simply dragging it off to the Heron base.

When they arrive, the base appears in mild disarray. Half of the Herons are entirely absent, presumably dispatched to round up anyone Lazuli's talked to since arriving here. Cleo, Scott, and Gabriel are posted up around the doorway to Lazuli's house. It's little more than a single room with a bed in it, but it does have firm walls and a door that is currently very much barricaded. The three of them keep casting wary glances at it.

"El!" Cleo says as the pair approach, then glances at the house and continues in a stage whisper. "She seems to have stopped actively trying to get out. We think."

"She could be trying to carve her way out the back wall to be fair."

"Yes thank you Scott, very helpful."

"I'm just-"

"Sorry can someone tell me what's going on?"

All eyes turn to Finn at the interruption. Cleo picks up again.

"Right well. So. This morning Lazuli was acting a bit weird. They snapped at Water over nothing, and they were flirting with Owen of all people, and I swear they almost bit me when I shoved them off the bar. And then no one saw them for a couple of hours. Gabriel needed them for something and when he dropped by their house, they attacked him. Mind, if I woke up to Gabriel asking me about paperwork I'd want to punch him too. It's just that they've never...well they've never attacked us before. Anyway Gabriel came screaming out the house, Lazuli had to be dragged off him and was lashing out at anyone who came close, so we barricaded them in. Sent for you and your lot in the hope you can help. At all."

Finn blinks.

"Right. Uh. I'm really not your best bet..."

Scott claps a hand on his shoulder.

"At least take a look, see if you can talk some sense into her, there's a good lad."

He marches Finn up to the door and reaches for the bar.

"Wait! What are you doing? What if she attacks me?"

Scott pauses for a second and for that brief moment Finn can see desperation pass across his face and then it's gone, buried under a casual smile.

"Don't worry, we got Gabriel out fine, didn't we Gabriel!"

Gabriel offers a noncommittal grunt and Finn tries not to look at the bandages littering her torso. Scott doesn't wait for an agreement from Finn, just opens the door and shoves it onto the entryway.

Light spills in around Finn, but the room beyond is dark. Finn's eyes are better than most, and he knows Lazuli's are too, but this is pushing it. The curtains are drawn across the couple of windows and one of the lanterns is lying smashed on the floor. Lazuli's never really bothered to keep her home tidy, but Finn's pretty sure the bedding and the furnishings in general aren't meant to be strewn across the floor in what could generously be described as a nest.

And then it sees Lazuli.

Lazuli looks bothe terrible and terrifying. Her hair is tangled and unadorned, the simple shift she's wearing is crumpled from her hunched posture, her eyes fixed on the doorway like it's going to bite her. Her teeth are bared in an unsettling display, her claws have sliced halfway through the cushion she clutches, her muscles tense as though waiting to lunge at the wrong move.

Finn really doesn't want to make the wrong move. As soon as he spotted her he froze in place. Moving towards her feels like moving towards an actively snarling tiger, but turning it's back on her seems like it would just end up with her attacking its back instead of its front.

Lazuli has made promises to Finn before. To the whole group too, but Finn's allowed to be a little self centred when it's him that's about to get attacked. The point is that Lazuli has promised to protect Finn. That nothing would harm it if she had a say. That no one gets to hurt her family. It feels a little pathetic about the betrayal that serves as an undercurrent to its fear. It had almost started to believe that maybe she could protect it. And now this. Now Lazuli stares at it as though she cannot see it.

Finn swallows.

"Lazuli?"

His voice comes out weak, but it's enough for Lazuli to clearly lock onto him. Finn has enough time for his blood to turn to ice before she's moving. Finn's only seen her move with intent a handful of times, but that wasn't nearly enough to prepare him for having all that focus turned on him. He can't remember blinking, but he must have because he sure as hell doesn't see Lazuli move. She's there, in his face, claws reaching towards him. He flinches and regrets it immediately, stupid, how dare you, just stay still, just fucking behave.

The pain never comes.

Instead, there are firm hands on his arms and, for all that they insistently tug him towards the nest, Lazuli is careful with her claws. Finn doesn't resist, still certain that one wrong twitch and she'll take his head off.

It's only when they drag it into the pile of pillows and pulls it into a hug that it lets itself think that maybe this will actually be fine. Finn's never really thought of Lazuli as particularly tall, but now they seem to wrap around it wholly. Their skin isn't exactly warm in the traditional sense of the word, but they are slightly warmer than the ambient air. They hold Finn close, like it's something someone might try and take away from them. Their hands are constantly moving, stroking gently along its arms like Finn's an overgrown cat, or carding through its hair.

And they're purring.

Finn wasn't certain that's what it was at first, but pressed this close he can feel the rumble from Lazuli's chest. He didn't even know sirens could purr. To be fair, it's not quite a typical purr, a little higher pitched and a little more rattly than one would expect from a cat. Slowly, Finn allows itself to relax. It would almost be peaceful if it was able to forget the group of Herons standing outside the door waiting to see if it could fix...whatever was up with Lazuli that was making them attack Gabriel but cuddle Finn.

Speaking of the group outside, there was some renewed commotion. Lazuli tenses at the sound of approaching footsteps, shuffling around until she's hunched over Finn, almost as if she's afraid someone will take him away.

Instead of a Heron, Neb appears in the doorway.

"Oh, Lazuli, come-"

Neb is cut off with a strange squeaky sound as Lazuli lunges out and drags them into the nest too. She doesn't try to wrap herself around the both of them, clearly recognising it as physically impossible. Instead she plants herself between them, pulling them in around her. Neb sighs and shuffles a little, repositioning their wings and leaving one stretched out across both Lazuli and Finn.

"Tell me you have some idea of what the fuck is happening."

Neb sighs again.

"I was a little afraid something like this would happen."

They reach an arm up and begin running their fingers through Lazuli's hair, earning themself a nuzzle before Lazuli turns her attention back to Finn's hair. It would be more soothing if he knew what was going on.

"Sirens aren't really meant to spend much time on land. Take them on land and dry them out and they'll sprout legs, sure, but from what I've read that's more a, a hunting method than anything else. Not something they're meant to just keep doing. It won't kill them or anything, but they get...well they get like this."

Finn frowns.

"What's 'like this'? The others said they attacked Gabriel."

Neb nods.

"That makes sense, they probably just saw an intruder and lashed out. When they're like this sirens get pretty animalistic. Given that their type of animal is a territorial, man-eating, apex predator it can result in a lot of violence."

Finn supposes that makes sense. For everything he'd been told Lazuli did before he arrived.

"So why didn't they attack us?"

Neb laughs, a chittering little thing, as though the answer is obvious.

"We're part of their pod, their family. Thus we are to be protected and cared for, not swung at wildly. Pretty sure anyone who tried to take you away from them right now would lose an arm." They pause. "Unless it was Jo or Inigo perhaps. But even then."

There is quiet for a moment, broken only by Lazuli's resumed purring and the rustle of slight movement.

"So do we just wait it out or..."

Neb groans.

"No, no, the longer we wait the worse it's going to get, probably."

They shift, ignoring Lazuli's protest and they lever themself into a sitting position.

"No, we have to go throw them in the ocean."

Finn thinks they're joking for a second, but they're whispering encouraging little nothings to Lazuli as they gently tug her upwards. Lazuli whines as she's pulled away from Finn so he follows her up as she is pulled to her feet.

"Hm. We could try and walk her down. Or."

Finn doesn't get a chance to ask what the other option is before Neb is hefting Lazuli up and into a bridal carry like they've done it a hundred times before. Lazuli makes a pleased sound in the back of her throat and nuzzles into Neb before reaching a hand out to grab at Finn.

"Ok, take her hand and she should be fine with us moving her away from here."

Finn does as instructed. Neb keeps up a steady stream of gentle comforting nonsense as they leave the house, which is probably for the best given the way Lazuli's grip tightens on Finn's hand and the glare she levels at the waiting Herons.

Thankfully, the dock isn't too far from Lazuli's house. It's not the most uncomfortable walk Finn's ever had to endure, but the arrangement is nevertheless slightly awkward.

"Ok love, Finn's just going to let go of your hand for a second," Finn does so and Lazuli immediately grabs for him again, "just for a second! he's not going anywhere, don't worry, don't worry."

Neb hesitates for a second, looking at the water. Then they sigh and throw Lazuli as hard as they can. Finn manages to grab their shoulder just in time to stop them getting dragged into the bay with her, but that doesn't stop their feathers standing on end as they stumble.

Lazuli surfaces after a second or two looking more sheepish than Finn thought possible for them.

"If you two care about me on any capacity, we will never speak of this again."

Neb puffs up again, this time in indignation.

"I did tell you to be more careful."

Lazuli tilts their head with a grin.

"But if I was careful, you wouldn't fret over me and then where would we be?"

Lazuli sidles up to the dock and offers arms to be pulled from the water. Neb rolls their eyes as they bend to take one and Finn takes the other.

"Well your faction wouldn't be chasing us all over the isle because they didn't know what was wrong with you, for one."

Lazuli smiles at them as she flops onto the dock and her tail melts back into legs.

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to be properly aware of myself when in your arms."

She bats her eyes at Neb, and Finn is pretty sure he's not imagining the rustle of Neb's feathers.

"For what it's worth I am sorry you had to see me like that, Finn, I know you weren't planning on getting smothered today."

Finn tries for a laugh but it comes out a little shaky.

"Could have been worse, you did quite a number on Gabriel apparently."

Lazuli frowns and sits up.

"Finn."

She tugs him to her side in a half hug.

"You're pod."

She says it like it explains everything. Perhaps it does, to her.

"Even when I'm...like that, I wouldn't hurt you. Hell if I'd been given a day or two I probably would've hunted the four of you down and dragged you back to the den for safekeeping." She squeezes him tight. "I'm sorry if I ever gave you reason to believe otherwise, but I would kill anyone who tried to take my family away from me."

Neb had told it pretty much the same thing, and it still doesn't quite believe her, but Finn lets itself relax into Lazuli's arms. Belief can come later, for now Lazuli has him and Neb is shifting to wrap their wings around the three of them, and that's enough.

---

Finn as ever from the wonderful @finnified and my beloved Neb from @solsearchingnights!

[amostfoolishgold]

When your...partner? Fwb? Whatever the fuck is a cute owl who likes telling stories and you get to just laze around looking pretty <3

(Featuring my beloved Neb from @solsearchingnights ofc!)

[amostfoolishgold]

"Oi! Foodfucker!"

Lazuli turns around, fully prepared to deny everything*. Instead she breaks out into a grin. The siren in the water has hair the colour of fire coral and eyes like the water itself and a tail that, were Lazuli in the water with him, would match hers pretty exactly†.

"The fuck are you doing here, Osprey?"

He gives her a grin that, to any other audience, would be considered dashing and rakish.

"Well you see I'm looking for my sister. About yea long, looks a lot like you but normally with a tail, fucked off a month ago to hang around with a bunch of humans, maybe you've seen her?"

Lazuli throws a pebble at him and he laughs.

"I'm allowed to have a life! Moving out is healthy you jackass!"

Lazuli may be aiming for anger but she's missing it by a mile.

"Yeah but humans? Really? You know it's not nice to play with your food, right?"

"Ok so first off, I'm not eating any of them, secondly-"

"That's worse, you get how that's worse, right?"

"Secondly, they aren't all human! Look at Neb!"

Lazuli gestures to the owl person standing next to her before abruptly remembering that Neb has been standing there the entire time watching this nonsense happen. Osprey's face does something complicated as he grapples with the simultaneous desire to watch Lazuli make a fool out of herself and to continue poking at her life decisions, but he graciously allows her a moment of silence to figure out what to do about it.

"Right. Neb." Lazuli smiles brilliantly. "Please excuse Osprey, he's not a people person."

Neb cocks their head in a way that Lazuli would find adorable under normal circumstances.

"But he is your brother, yes?"

"Absolutely not."

Neb's head immediately tilts over to the other side.

"You match the description of his sister, do you not?"

"Well yes, but hey! I haven't had a tail the entire time you've known me! Why would I be a siren?"

Lazuli puts every ounce of baffled offense she can muster into it. Neb just stares at her.

"Uh huh."

Lazuli makes a hand gesture that could really mean anything‡.

"Love I've seen your claws. And your teeth. For that matter I've seen you use siren magic. You're not a good liar."

Lazuli may have flushed at the pet name, but that doesn't stop her mustering her best heartbroken look.

"You think I'm bad at lying? How could you saw some thing so mean? And in front of my family too!"

Neb's feathers floof up not quite in Lazuli's favourite way, but it's still adorable.

"It's not a bad thing! You- I- it's not that you're a bad liar! I'm just- invested in observing you, I mean-"

Their explanation★ is cut short by Osprey's laughter, every bit as musical as Lazuli's.

"You realise she just admitted we're siblings, right? You don't need to play nice."

Lazuli turns a sharp look on him as she tugs Neb into a hug.

"Hey! I happen to like them bein nice to me!" She presses a kiss to the side of their head hen sticks her tongue out at her brother. "So nyeh!"

He rolls his eyes and Neb does their level best not to combust.

"Whatever, are you gonna drag me up there or am I gonna have to find some actual beach in order to bother your human friends?"

Lazuli sighs and reluctantly lets go of Neb. She crouches down at the edge of the pier and brandishes a hand towards Osprey.

"Come on then, I won't laugh too much when you fall over."

(*Up to and including having ever heard of sirens, having ever talked to a human, and even being on the faction island right now. The efficacy of such denial would require the recipient to be blind, deaf, totally unaware of their location, and exceedingly gullible

†Give or take a mark here and there

‡Well, most things. It has a certain "What do mean "uh huh" is that agreement because it better be" vibe to it, but that's not exactly a clear message to pick up

★if you can call it that)

---

Neb belongs to the wonderful @solsearchingnights! Hope I captured my beloved owl decently <3

And hey! Introducing Osprey! He's modelled after my irl brother in appearance and he & my brother's names are as related as mine is to Lazuli but that's about where the resemblance ends lmao. He's born from a line I wrote down somewhere about Lazuli's origins and "siren manners being as sharp as their teeth" or something along those lines and my mental decision that Lazuli has a loving pod out there who are baffled by her decisions. One day I will write Lazuli on a normal day on the isles because USUALLY she's delightful and flirty and a touch manipulative but that has not come up in anything I've written her in lmao. She keeps coming out all violent whoops. My fault for writing a character who should be eating humans.

[amostfoolishgold]

Day One- Faction

Lazuli didn't have a traditional factioning per se. It technically might not even have been a factioning. For starters none of the other factions even knew she existed until after she was already a Heron. To be fair, she barely knew they existed either aside from the fact that a decision implies other choices are available. Given that it was a Heron who brought her to the Isle and a Heron that showed her around and a Heron that was the one to tell her she could be a pirate in the first place* it was never really much of a choice anyway so it's probably fine. Convincing the Herons to let her join was easy. Water may have insisted to any Heron that would listen that Lazuli had tried to kill her, but Lazuli was insistent in return that she had very much stopped short of actual killing. Besides, having a creature of semi-myth in their faction was pretty much lure enough anyway. So Scott and Cleo had dragged her down to the faction hall, tied a blue and green ribbon in her hair, and broken into the recruitment officer's office to write her name in the ledger.

There had been plenty of yelling by people who care about proper records and protocol once they found out. Thankfully, it was mostly from Neb and Lazuli has plenty of ways to distract them. And to convince them to let it count for the records.

She's honestly a little glad she didn't have to actually go through the whole rigamarole. It certainly made the choice a lot easier. Really she could've fit in any of the factions and she's indecisive about things like that. Besides it's not like it's made much of a difference to anything but where her bed is. And even that doesn't mean she always sleeps there. She's loyal to her faction, of course, but she sees no reason to cut herself off from the others just because of a ribbon.

She may not have chosen a faction properly, by she'd wager she's far happier with her choice than some of those that did.

*it would perhaps be more accurate to say that Water, having been half drowned and subsequently interrogated by someone with very sharp teeth, reluctantly agreed that Lazuli could probably become a pirate if she could figure out legs and convince a faction to take her.†

†which, to be fair, Lazuli did

(Neb as always belongs to @solsearchingnights <3)

[solsearchingnights]

They tried to smooth down their unkempt feathers, realizing far too late that they looked just as ragged as they felt. It’s fine, they’re pirates. No one is gonna judge. No more than usual, at least.

They stared at the sea, waiting for any of the ships dancing on the waves to come to the docks. The breaking of waves against the shore only made their anxiety worse, and the feeling of salt air coating their lungs was suffocating.

Neb loved the ocean in theory, but in practice it terrified them. A very inconvenient way to exist when the life they’d fled to was in the Isles and all their associates were pirates. 

Still, it was better than the mainland. Out here, no one asked questions about where you came from. No one cared that you had scars or how you got them. Neb needed that privacy. And if the cost was a little more fear about the environment, they could handle it.

Unfortunately, right now that meant handling the docks to force someone to talk to them. 

Notebook under their arm, Neb focused on an incoming ship. It flew the Kite standard which they breathed a little easier for. There were no factions overall that they had problems with, but enough Kestrels and Nightingales had taken to mocking them as a hobby that Neb would rather lower their chances of approaching someone who would just be cruel.

They spared one more thought to their disheveled feathers and hoped for the best.

The Kite that stepped off the boat looked tired. Neb ran through the roster of faction members, then smiled at the flick of its tail. They knew of this one, the one who broke family tradition, took up a standard that set the whole town to gossiping. 

“Finneas Blackwood?” Neb stood at the land end of the dock, blocking him from heading into town. “Were you present on the day of the Factioning, when the corruption was discovered?”

It stumbled back, as if it hadn’t noticed the giant owl in its path until that moment. “Wh– Huh?”

They rustled their feathers, swallowing down nerves and stepping forward on the dock. “Look, I’ve been trying for a week to get some answers. Two pirates, from two separate factions, disappear on land in front of a crowd, and no one will stop to talk about it.” Neb stepped forward again. Their talons dug into the salt-coated planks and their feathers puffed out, the sound of the waves filling them with anxiety. “Please, just tell me what happened, describe this ‘corruption’ to me, so I can try to assess the danger while the rest of the Isles pretends there’s nothing happening.”

Finn’s eyes were wide, his ears pressed tight against his head. “Hey, I was just there. I didn’t like, see anything.” It stepped backwards.

“That’s not good enough!” Neb shrieked, a distinctly owl sound. They held out the book in their hand. “I know I’m just the lorekeeper. I’m not a pirate, I don’t belong to a faction, but no one will even speak to me! Please, I’m begging.” They stepped forward again, the outstretched book nearly touching Finn’s chest. “If you don’t want to talk to me, I can leave. Just write down everything you saw, and give it back when you have the chance.” Their feathers shook, frustration and fear and desperation making them look easily twice their normal size.

And that size practically towered over Finneas. “You should leave me alone.” It’s voice shook, but there was an undercurrent of severity.

Neb shook their head. “I can’t. Just take the book, please. You can give it to someone else who will write if you won’t.” They tapped the book to Finn’s coat, and really should have anticipated that going badly.

With a ferocity that had been hidden behind his cowering, Finneas lashed out. He grabbed Neb’s arm, feathers breaking under the awkward angle and firm grip. “Leave,” he stepped aside, revealing the open ocean at the end of the dock, “me,” he yanked Neb’s arm, his other hand impacting the small of their back, “alone!”

Neb’s shout was cut off by crashing into the ocean.

to be continued...probably lol. i promise, Finn and Neb are gonna be great friends!!

@finnified is the creator of Finneas Blackwood!

[amostfoolishgold]

NEB MY BELOVED!!!

I care Neb so much <3

Lazuli is also quite fond of them

(joining the pirate oc fun)

“Hey! It’s you!”

Neb’s feathers puffed out at the shout. They turned, clutching their books to their chest and eyes wide. “Me?”

Her hairpins caught their attention first. Colorful, unique, clearly telling many a story. “Yes, you.” She rolled her eyes but her smile softened the blow. Dark eyes, an enchanting smile. “You’re the history guy, right?” Her voice was musical.

“Yeah. History guy. That’s me.” Neb took a moment to swallow, to make sure their mouth wasn’t hanging open. “Um, but I prefer to be called by my name.”

She smiled wider, her hair fell down her back, shining like the waves even as the color brought to mind rich chocolate and smooth coffee. “I would love to oblige, but I’m afraid I don’t know your name just yet. I’m Lazuli.”

It took them several seconds to notice her hand, offered for a cordial shake. “Lazuli, what a beautiful name.” They felt a blush lifting the feathers on their cheeks. “I’m Neb! Keeper of tales, recorder of tradition, and– well, ‘the history guy’ I suppose.” They eyed her blouse, appreciating the embroidery of the bodice before settling on the familiar crest pinned to her waist. “Heron! You’ve already joined the Herons!” 

Lazuli nodded. “Sure have. I was hoping you could fill me in on some of the more…” She hummed, casually stepping forward and reaching to touch Neb’s arm. “The more obscure stories of the Isles. Everyone likes to pretend this is a world of humans with a human history, but then they have you,” she raised an eyebrow and pet her fingers down their feathers, “keeping track of their feats and achievements.”

Neb glanced down at the books in their arms. “Well, I–” They shook, rustling their feathers all over. “I need to meet with the Recruitment Officer to record the new faction members.” Neb tilted their head to the side, enjoying the mischievous sparkle in Lazuli’s eyes. “But I’m free tonight? I could meet you at the Heron bar?”

“Sounds perfect! First round is on me.” She pet their arm once more, then took a step back. “Now shoo! Don’t miss a meeting on my account!”

They nodded and turned to hurry away. “It was nice to meet you!” They called back.

Her delighted, musical laugh chased them off, making their feathers puff out all over again.

(Lazuli is from @amostfoolishgold !!)