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Chapter Text

Aimsy

Carefully placed steps along the cliff that will lead her to her destination, a crack in the rocks, a panicked chirping and long dark hair are all that Aimsy remembers when she wakes up. Her head hurts, and numbing pain shoots through her brain when she tried to open her eyes. „This isn't my home“ is all she can think of, the mattress is way too hard and her left-hand grips around a soft fabric when she tried to move. Bringing this soft and fluffy fabric to her eyes, taking a peek through her pained eyes she recognises a feather. A low chirb, similar to the one she heard earlier, rises her confusion even further. Another try to open her eyes and a loud gasp. „Oh thank god you are awake! I was getting so worried !“that's it. The final straw for Aimsy is to open her eyes no matter how bright the light is. Bright brown eyes, dark brown hair that frame a slender face and a bright smile greet her. Before Aimsy can even grasp what's happened to her the pretty woman flutters her feathers? Just like the bright yellow one she found under her. „You are an“ It hurts her head trying to remember the way that she thought these creatures were called. „An aviant ?“ Not only did it sound like a question but a rhetorical one too.“ duh, have you ever seen your average human with this?“ The girl laughs and stretches her wings and Aimsy feels sick to her stomach.

„What did you do to me ?“
„Huh?“
„My head hurts, I feel like I got crushed by a goddamn boulder, I'm not in my bed and“
„I'll stop you here. I saved you from falling, the cliff you were on isn't safe, I was on my way back to camp from collecting herbs and I saw you tumble. You are in my tent, you didn't look too well, a rock hit you while falling.“
„Wait what? Where is your family ? Or whatever your...people call them“

The persistent smile leaves the aviants face and Aimsy feels like she shouldn't have asked.
„I need to find something, see this compass, it leads me to“
She stops and stares at the small compass in her surprisingly human-looking hands, then back to the human

„You, It leads me to you !“

She points at the needle and just as she said, the compass points directly at her

„No way“

Aimsy stares at the compass and goes through her backpack just to pull out a weirdly similar compass, needle pointing at the bird-looking woman in front of her.
This is the end of her journey? Hours and days spend running through forests, climbing mountains and leaving her family behind, all to find some freakish bird lady.

„ This is so cool! I never knew other aviants also had one! Well people in your case, how did you get yours? I'm not sure how mine got in my bag but one day it was just there now! I knew it was fate to get it and to meet you. I'm Piper by the way! Not sure if I introduced myself yet. The fastest aviator in all of Mykene“ Piper looks slightly embarrassed and then adds „Or at least in my flock“

„This can't be it. I'm sorry to cut off your self-obsessed dialogue but I know there has to be more to it than this. I'm sure you are“ Aimsy bites her tongue, trying to find a way to express her disappointment without directly hurting the girl in front of her „very nice but I couldn't have gone this whole way just to meet you“

A hurt expression flashes over Piper's face and Aimsy can tell that she didn't manage to sound nice enough about it.

„Oh well… I guess maybe yours will lead you further but“ She moves her compass around watching the needle follow Aimsy „This is the end for mine“ A desperate idea clings onto Piper's mind „I could help you find your destination. I promised my flock that ill come back with great news but well, a human isn't that great of news“

„Well no shit, my family would kill me if they saw me speaking to“ Again Aimsy, find words that sound nice „well someone of your race“

Piper's smile completely leaves her face

„It isn't my fault you humans hate us now. It wasn't me and it wasn't my flock that killed the man okay? We were fine with the way your people treat us. Look I just need something amazing to bring back to my flock, and then ill get you back to wherever you want to be“

Aimsy looks at her, then at her compass just like Pipers shows that this is the end of her journey

„My compass points to you as well but maybe… If we work together we can find something way better to bring home. Have you ever heard of the disaster of Elisäy?“

Piper nods, frantically

„Of course I do, that's the murder on the border of Mykene and Jeria, the one that was tipped of the war? But no one has ever found out who killed him? It's like he just dropped dead, killed by an avient, at least thats what you humans said, even if there was never concrete evidence“

Aimsy looks satisfied, not only proud of her idea but also of Piper for knowing this. After all this story isnt as heavily discussed. Yes it was what officially started the war but since there wasnt much about people mostly tell it differently, that the general was killed in front of his friends. It makes it more dramatic.

„And you know why no one has found it out yet? Because it needs an aviant and human working together. As it so happens, we are a human and an aviant that need a good goal.The family of the general has agreed to a lot of money to give to whoever figures it out. They want their grandfathers murderer dead. If they still live that is. You can read the ancient writings of the people in Mykene“

Piper chirps and chimes in

„And you can translate the tells of the avients of Jeria“

Piper smiles and offers her hand out for a handshake

„To us and our great plan“

Aimsy manages to flash a smile and shakes her hand

„To our great plan“

Chapter Text

Chapter 2
Pearl

A silver streak rushing through the darkness reveals a short Fennik running on his hind legs, the long grey hair that sits in a low ponytail sways in the wind. The man is exhausted, it's been hours but he doesn't want to stop, not until he is safe from… whatever his future offers him. Out of breath, he needs to stop, his legs are burning with pain. He doesn't know how much longer he can keep running but a cramp in his leg finally puts a stop to his paniced escape. Through shut-together fangs, a low howl, a sign of great pain escapes his slender body and he tries to stop her leg from cramping. Brushing over the sides until the pain flows into a slight sting. The Fennik needs to keep going. That's all he knows

Chapter 3
Aimsy

„And you are sure this is the way we need to go“

„Come on Aimsy I'm not stupid, the book in our old library clearly said that we needed to go right in between the old border“

„I know Piper but this is the second river we pass and I am fairly certain that we already crossed Lykona since this one is way wider, it has to be Seriä“

It had been hours since Aimsy and Piper had woken up in the camp they set up after the first river yesterday and both she and her legs have grown tired at this point. The river that lays in front of them looks like she can't cross it without any problems.

„So we just need to cross this one too? It looks pretty deep though so you can't just walk through it again“Piper's leg feathers ruffle in disgust at the thought of the dark brown water they had to step into earlier.

„Now genius how are we gonna cross it then? Its getting darker and I'm fairly certain you didn't just learn how to swim Chicken“ Aimsy chuckles.

„CHICKEN? I am an aviant! I come from a proud heritage of great flyers and brave soldiers and you call me a chicken?“ Piper screams but at some parts, it sounds oddly like a chirping again which makes Aimsy burst out in laughter.

„I mean cmon you look like one“

Piper stretches her wings and for once, it feels like she is bathing in the sun, the golden streaks of the sun that is starting to set paint her otherwise-only pale yellow wings in pretty colours
„Does this look like a chicken to ya?“

„Aimsy?“

The woman is starstruck, never has she seen such a breathtaking person before

„You are beautiful“ Aimsy utters under her breath barely audible

„Wait what?

Chapter Text

Nylou
„Oh come on Sirius we have got to follow this thing, imagine all the things we could find !“

„Nylou i will absolutely not follow a weird cursed compass that seems to switch direction once in a while that you found where again ?“

„The antique shop ? Come onnn this is gonna be so much fun!“

„The last time you said something was gonna be fun we ended up getting yelled at for hours“

Sirius shakes his head and then quickly remembers that she cant see that

„absolutely not Nylou“

The sun setting is their clue to set up camp, multible kilometers away from the bed Sirius swore Nylou he was gonna sleep in today. She chuckles at the though of her best friends jokingly pissed off face, not that she couldve seen it. Nylou stretches her legs, sitting on a log they found placed next to a little campfire in front of their tent, her guitar in hand. She feels Sirius sitting down next to her, followed by the fammiliar scent of his cigarettes. Nylou takes a deep breath and soon its just like they never left home. Her guitar playing the well known tune that she soon sings along to.
Wether or not this was the right desision, to follow the strange compass to wherever it leads is not on her mind today.

Chapter Text

Piper

Whatever the sudden affection that struck her companys face when she fully revieled her feathers was, its long gone again. Nagging her to walk faster and constantly belliteling her as if she was a nestling is embaressing. Still, Piper tries to stay nice, after all she needs Aimsy to help her flock.
Holding smalltalk the best as she can, ignoring backhanded compliments on her feathers.
She knows how she must look like to the human, an avient, a bird hybrid that chirps at everything, hates mud and stumbles on rocky terrain.
It isnt her fault that her species is made for plains, the sky and definitly dry land.
Still, there is something deeply sad about Aimsy.
Yes, Piper would also want to bring something back to her flock but Aimsy… seems close to desperate for it.

Aimsy
Its been a while since Piper said something, despite her best effords to hold smalltalk.
Well who could she blame, she hasnt really been nice to her.
Whenever she tries to relate something about the birds nature Piper shoots her down with short replies.
At this point Ainsy is frustrated, she needs to get to wherever the tressure lays as soon as she can to bring it back to her family.
This is what in the end this trip is about. So instead of keeping up the trying for just a bit of smalltalk she stops.
Now its just hushing Piper to walk faster. Maybe tomorrow they can start over again.
Pearl

The first actual stop he takes, kilometers from where he first got the vision, is when night falls.
His robes are long ripped and only left him in his shirt and the long red kimono pants, no less scratched then the rest. The golden chains usually around his slender neck that they treat with pride and respect where lost in his panicket flee. If he went back they would quickly be replaced, his hair brushed and hed get scolded for running off. He laughts, its cold and there isnt any real happyness. A trophy schouldnt get a scratch after all, wouldnt suit his poceline skin and tender hands, never having hold anything other then a book or some strangers hand that wanted to recieve a blessing. Not that he could actually do one, it was more of a gimmik they would have him do. The oracle of Pesiphäe, what a big word for a scared fool.

Chapter Text

Nylou

It must have been a few hours after the sun went up when Nylou woke up.
The unfamilliar smell and sounds first confused her, had she fallen asleep on her parents sunroof again ?
Then the memory of yesterday, the weird compass at the thrift stop, getting Sirius to abandom all his dutys again, like always, it all came back to her and got her out of bed much faster then it usually does

„Oh hm ? How did you find breakfast Sirius ?“

„Nylou ! You already awake ? At this time of day ? I found a whole bunch of good berries we could eat and mashed them up with the oats i brough, its nothing much but i guess it will work“

„Oh yeah, i fully forgot you took em with you, good thing you are this thoughtful, i guess i wouldve just starved instead“

For a while they sit in silence, the breakfast helping her to wake up further
„What do you think we will find ?“

„Probably a whole lot of nothing, i still cant believe you talked me into this again“

„Why do you even follow me, you always keep saying that these are stupid ideas and yet, you still follow“

„Would you rather i didnt follow you ?“

Their conversation comes to a stop, of course Nylou is happy he does follow her but if its just so she doesnt get to do things on her own she doesnt want it. This isnt the first time shes questioned whether or not he actually wants her around. She bites her lips. Maybe it would be different if she wasnt blind.

Sirius

Oh god. Its that look on her again. Sirius knows that Nylou is insecure about her inability to see but he only ever wants to help her. Unconcionsly he starts to plug out the small feathers that started to grow again, right over the end of his ears. Sometimes its good that she cant see him. Not like this.

„Nylou, of course i want to come with you. Its just that a compass ? That leads us to a destiny neither of us know. I wanted to poke fun at that, i didnt know you meant it like that. Ive never been bothered by the fact that you are blind. It doesnt take away anything“

Before he can even see it Nylou clings onto him, burying her face in his schoulder. He smiles and gently brushes over her back. In moments like this he is glad she cant see how big his smile gets when she does that.

„Thank you Sirius“

Chapter Text

„According to the legends its schould be right here“, Aimsy says after looking the old, crumbling building up and down.
Its been about two days since she met Piper and their conversations have now turned from uncomfortable silence and her efford to find out about piper to nice small talk.
Maybe she wont fuck it up this time and anger Piper.
Said avient is now studying the walls of the building.
„This is deffo Aviant architecture, look right here, humans tend to not do this as percise and the fine details show the prints of the prime feather, someone really took their time with this. Its the small bit of a house reserved to a priest.“

„That would fit the text ! Oh Piper this is amazing, we just need to find the hidden message now. Do you have an idea where a message like that might be hidden ?“

„That schould be at the priests alter, which would be“
Piper walks over to a whole in the building entering it and waving Aimsy to follow her
„Right here“

The view is breathtaking, thousands of little drawings strech over the walls, most depicting feathers, avients in groups, flocks as Piper calls it and a giant dark eye with a sign besides it. On the wall is something written, after getting closer it Aimsy realises that its written in the anchient way that was used by humans, only in profecys and war, a language no one really knows now, especially not an avient. She smiles, her mothers lessons turn to be usefull after all in the end.

„This is old, you are lucky that i am royalty, only the royals teach this their kids now. Its hard to learn, someone who has work to do wont spare years to learn this“

⟟ ⊑⏃⎐⟒ ⍙⟟⋏☌⌇ ⏚⎍⏁ ☊⏃⋏⋏⍜⏁ ⎎⌰⊬,
⎎⟒⏃⏁⊑⟒⍀⌇ ⏚⎍⏁ ⋏⍜ ⏚⟟⍀⎅ ⏃⋔ ⟟,
⟟ ⌰⏃⊬ ⟒☌☌⌇ ⏚⎍⏁ ⟟'⋔ ⋏⍜⏁ ⏃ ⊑⟒⋏,
⟟ ⊑⏃⎐⟒ ⏃ ⏚⟒⏃☍ ⏚⎍⏁ ⟟'⋔ ⋏⍜⏁ ⏃ ⍙⍀⟒⋏,
⍙⊑⏃⏁ ⏃⋔ ⟟?

Its… Its a riddle, it translates to..:“ Aimsy stops to write the translation down, now in Common for Piper to read it too

I have wings but cannot fly,
Feathers but no bird am I,
I care for eggs but I'm not a hen,
I have a beak but I'm not a wren,
What am I?

Aimsy watches Piper as a sort of realisation flashes over her face.

„Thats a nest !! Of course, they needed both of us for this, i couldve not read this and the fact that the answer is a nest couldve never be guessed by a human, its pretty specific for avients to see a nest as a place that cares for the eggs itself. To us, the nest we build with a partner shows a very deep emotional connection and is often seen as a thing with a sense of self. We thank the nests that have helped us hatch every year on our hatch day. The feathers are also carefully selected and usually come from both parents and close friends. A beak is what we also call the higher part that we roll the eggs on top of to hatch“
While Piper is still explaining Aimsy is writing „⋏⟒⌇⏁“ The translation for nest below the text. A small chamber opens up and in it lays a map.

„We did it!“

Chapter Text

"I think that compass changed directions again,"
Nylou exclaimed, breaking their rest as she swiftly made her way towards Sirius' voice.

"Well then, let's get a move on. We need to figure out why it went haywire. Can you lend a hand with packing up the tent?" Sirius replied.

Shortly after, Sirius hoisted the tent onto his shoulder, all set to continue their journey. As they walked, Nylou began humming a familiar tune, and without missing a beat, Sirius joined in. Her gentle voice blended harmoniously with his deep, slightly rough tone. Years of smoking hadn't been kind to his vocal cords, but Nylou didn't mind one bit. In fact, it made their musical moments even more special. She still remembered the bashful, softly-spoken boy from their first day at the higher education institute. She was well aware that her parents probably paid him to be her guardian, to look out for her and be her eyes, but that didn't bother her at all. All that mattered was the boy who, back then, was still all rules and beeing on time, a shy laugh and his constant reminders to do her work.

Nylou knows the changes in him now. His youthful face had grown sharper, his voice deeper, and he walked with confidence. More often than not, he found himself in fights with other students. She was certain it all started because they tried to mock her,but to her parents he suddenly wasnt perfect anymore and they cut off his pay. Nylou remembers the day she found out, crying thinking hed now leave her, she wasnt exactly easy to be around and others got sick of her easily but no, he was still there the next day, hurrying her up to get to class in time.

„Hey, i think i might know where this leads us“

Chapter Text

Chapter 8

The warm sun of the sandy parts of Jeriä shines down at them as Piper and Aimsy walk through the fig trees and olive branches covering their small path. They are close to reaching the temble of Pesiphäe which is where the map they have gotten from the riddle leads them.
The stone pillars of a civilisation long lost in time mark the entrence of the temple.
A priest stands in front of the temple, staring at them nervously.

„The oracle doesnt accept visits right now“
Piper and Aimsy share a quick look
„Please its urgent, we took a long way to get here and this map lead us to it, the oracle has to speak with us“
They show the priest the map and all the color in the priests face vanishes
„Where did you get that map ? This is part of an old prophecy“

„We cant really tell you this, could you just please let us through ? As you can tell its important“

The priest fiddles with their hands and smiles uneasy.
„The oracle has fleed. We have not been able to locate it again. We only have an idea where it went and its lost all of the golden rings and chains on its flee. I can point you in the direction that we think it went to.“

They walk in complete silence as the priest leads them through a forrest, pointing at places they have found some parts of the religios attire of the oracle. Their journy comes to a stop at a tree stump three hours after they first started their walk.

„This is the last place we found anything, but it has been three days since the oracle fled, im unsure you could even catch up with the oracle if youd tried to“
The priest takes a deep breath and then motions to them to follow him back to the temple.

„oh no, we will stay here, this is the closest we have been to solving something really important we cant go back no“ Piper has already set down and now watches the priest for any signs that he may know more then has been said.

„Very well then, stay here but if you find the oracle tell it to get back as soon as it can, we cannot support behavior like this“
The priest wrinkels up his nose bridge, a dissapointing motion and then turns around to leave again, only to look back for a moment and then add „follow the compass, it will do you right. Take care of yourself lady Alycithia, your parents would be rather dissapointed if youd fail.

Chapter Text

Chapter 9

„And you are sure this leads to the temple of Pasiphäe ? I couldve sworn we are suppost to have already arrived its been ages !“
To give her words even more impact Nylou dramatically shakes her arms and Sirius chuckles at this sight
„Im sirios i dont wanna walk anymore this is so annoying!“

„We cant be far away, yes the compass changed directions and we where suppost to be there about three hours ago but the compass stopped changing. Its been the same for about 20 minutes and i feel like we are very close, if you want to, i can carry you“

Before Sirius even finnished his sentence Nylou clings onto him and happily grins as Sirius picks her up to carry her. The two walk around in a semingly neverending forrest made out of fig and olive trees, typicall for the region of Jeriä.
Suddenly Sirius comes to a stop. As Nylou tries to protest he shushes her and quietly tries to explain that he can see two woman, sitting on a log right where the compass points him to.

„Oh ? Maybe they know where to go ?“

„Maybe we know what ? Its odd to see others here, what brings you so deep into this forrest ?“

The taller girl, a human with dark skin and white braids, seemingly from a high stand spoke up. As Sirius looks at her he suddenly remembers a picture in his book of newer politics.
„Lady Alycithia ? What is a higher up doing in this forrest ?“

The girl stares at him through piercing blue eyes and he feels a cold sensation running down his back.

„Its Aimsy still. Im not 20 yet so you may refer to me by my child name.“
Her eyes move over to Nylous compass and she stares at it, as if she knew about its weird tendency.

„Where did you get that from ?“

„Hm? Do you mean the compass ? I stole it at a shop, was it yours ? If you do im so sorry and you can get it back, take it as borrowing it. Oh im Nylou, nice to meet you Aimsy, now Sirius said there where two, who is the other?“

„An aviant ? Where the hell did you come from and why are you here ?“
Sirius stares in disbelief at the woman with pale yellow feathers. Its a young one, the tattoos on her face indicate that she hasnt had her 21 birthday yet.

„My name is Piper, not aviant. Im here because the compass brought me here“

Chapter Text

„Wait so let me get this right you have a compass that let you to us, you stole that one at a store and you cant even see?“ Aimsy shakes her head and takes a deep breath.

„My inability to see has nothing to do with the rest of this.“

Her eyes open for the first time and altough Aimsy knows Nylou cant possibly see her she feels watched by the milky eyes that are now turned right to her.

„Im sorry i didnt mean it like that, at least your...boyfriend? Helped you get here“ She tries to find the right words to make Nylou know she didnt intend to hurt her but stops for a second, she doesnt know whether the tall man is her partner or friend. By the looks on his face, suprised but flattered, a pink hue going over his otherwise dark skin, her assumtion gets proven but then Nylou laughts and a high voice speaks up „Oh hes my bestfriend, we have known each other for ages“

Oh. The hurt expression that takes over Sirius slight smile speaks volume.

„Where did you two meet ?“ Suddenly the tension is gone,Aimsy gives Piper a grin, thankful for her question and Nylou happily explains how they met, on a sunny first day of general education, barely 13 and 14 back then. Aimsy cant help but smile as they both interupt each other to talk about their first thoughts about each other, Mostly its Nylou that talks, with Sirius adding smaller details in, like the dress she wore on that day, how it complimented her red hair and how nice she was to everyone else. Nylou laughts again and adds that Sirius was so scary no one dared to approch him but her.

If only Nylou could see how Sirius looks at her.

It feels like only minutes passed, Piper was asking more and more questions and both where happy to answer everything down to favorite song, least favorite time to wake up and favorite odd hobby, Nylou apparently loves spending her time making jewelery and Sirius has an embaressing big collection of crystals. Piper explains how she loves to write very bad poetry and then turns around to ask Aimsy the same.

She stutters, its not like anyone ever asked her that. Growning up she didnt exactly have time for any obscure hobbys

„I like to paint people. Not in a weird way of course but i like drawing others, like painting how their hair falls and just how they look when they dont pose for a picture.“

She waits for a response and immediatly all three ask her to show her some of her work but the only thing she has had drawn since she started this journey is one of Piper stretching, it was interesting to see how her wings and her legs worked since they are so very different from everything she has ever seen.It had been very early in the morning so Piper had already taken out her braids and put on more comfortable clothes, She takes out her sketchkbook and turns the painting towards them. Immediatly Pipers face lights up and she smiles, taking in each and every line on the paper. Aimsy decides she is going to paint more.

The next chance she gets is later that day, Sirius moved a big treestump next to their campfire where he and Nylou sat down. Nylou went to get her guitar and soon they sing together while Nylou plays the guitar. Sirius stops for a second to stare at Nylou and Aimsy smiles. This is exactly what she wants to draw.

Chapter Text

Chapter 11

She wakes up early the next morning, Piper stretches her wings in the first rays of sunshine and grins at Sirius that watched her.

„Did you sleep well ? You are up early !“

„Well you are as well and i do have to make breakfast, if i dont Nylou will be unbearable until she had something to eat. Is it the claustrophabia waking you ?“

„Huh ? How did you know ?“ She shakes her wings, with wings these size its uncomfortable to stay inside for long and the small inside of her tent isnt enough to spread them. It isnt really common knowlage that small spaces make aviants uncomfortable.

„Oh i figured, though with wings like these you might have to spread them out once in a while, like i have to stretch my back after beeing in the tent for long. Where do you think we need to go today?“

„Oh yeah that makes sense, i forget that some of us arent short enough to stand upright. I even bought my tent to be taller. Theres a window at the top so i can watch the night sky while falling asleep. Hey, wheres your name from ? Where you named after the star“

He nods and points upwards to the last remaining star, Sirius, the brightest of them all. A smile paints his face and he brushes his hair behind his ear.

„Yeah, did you know it used to be called Canicula, im very happy that they stuck to Sirius instead. Wheres your name from ? Are you named after the bird ?“

„Mhm, all aviants are named after nature, usually birds are the go to but everything else also works, my younger sister is called Fern, like the plant“

„Do you have a lot of siblings ? Im an only child, my parents couldnt have more, its a miracle i was born even“

„Oh that mustve been tough, ive got two sisters, Fern and Ava, Avas older by like 3 years but she acts sooo mature. Ferns still nearly a nestling, shes turning 8 soon. Brings me to something new, how old are you ?“

„Im 20, Nylous 19 if you are wondering, im only a few months older. Her birthday is really soon. You are probably around the same age right ?“

„Yep ! Im 20, howd you guess ?“

„Oh you just looked the part“

Another figure emerges out of the third tent, putting her hair up in a complicated looking bun adored with golden jevels

„You two are way to loud, what are you doing here already ?“

Later they all sat together, Nylou joined a while later getting welcomed by Sirius with a porridge, he made enough for all of them so they had breakfast together. Piper watches as Sirius succedet in trying to help Aimsy with her hair, he was suprisingly good.

„Where are we going next ?“

Piper shared a quick look with Aimsy before they took out their map, showing the others the marked spot. Sirius stared at it for a second before he looked up to them.

„Thats the city of Arselia, it was originally just a refugee camp that then turned into an actual city when it was overrun by all avients trying to flee Jeriä when the war started“

„Whoa we never learned this in class, did you study more again ?“

„Oh yeah, i though it might get asked in our finals“

„Okay so we need to get there, i have no clue why but thats our priority now“

Chapter Text

Chapter 12

The City of Arselia was further away then any of them, even Sirius anticipated. Its been three days already and inbetween long walks, setting up tents and early mornings spend in between them Nylou has to admit she quite likes the new company. Sirius is amazing and she cant wish for a better friend but now that she has other people to talk to she realises that she Had been longing for more friends.
Aimsy is very blunt with her sayings but now Nylou realised that thats just the way she was raised and she did do her best to not come off as bad.
Nylou also noticed how much more natural she Carries herself now, when they met she spoke much more Like she was a textbook.
Although Aimsy herself tries to deny it even she is warming up to their company.

Piper is easier to talk to. She never seems to run out of things to say and has been reading Out her, admidetly horrible poetry to Nylou. Seriosly who rymes bed with hat?
Just like Nylou, Piper has a weird accent to her speech, she explained that that was just how aviants talk. She speaks with just as much emotion as Nylou does and its a nice change from Sirius and Aimsy trying to out smart talk each other.

Its not that Sirius dislikes the two girls, hed even go as far as saying they are both pretty alright, its just that he catches Nylou doing things that he though were reserved for him.
He supposes Piper is fine, she and Nylou are very alike and their talks are heartwarming to watch, he cant even tell who gets more exited about the food he makes, some bird they saw or the night Sky.
Before he could warn Nylou that there was a big rock in her path, Piper had already gently pushed her away, making the soft noise aviants make to warn of trouble.
It made him feel left out? Useless? He cant Put a Finger on the feeling but it isnt a good one.

The real problem is Aimsy. Tall, dark skinned, even longer Hair then his, Piercing blue eyes, clearly of a high stand, a goddamn princess.
Better spoken then him and with even better literature knowlage.
She even started teaching Nylou some of the long forgotten old language of the humans. Nylou as always grateful for any new knowlage listens eagerly and Aimsy seems content with teaching her.

He really misses when it was just them, Nylou and Sirius against the world.

"I can see the city ! Only a few more kilometers !"

Chapter Text

Chapter 13

Piper stops in her tracks, they arent far away from the City anymore and she can already see the first few sheds.

"Get behind me while we are in this City, you don't know the way aviants socialise and how you are suppost to greed others. The Leader of a flock goes First and especially the aviants Here dont react too well to a human leading an aviant around.
Aimsy Take Off your jewels, we are entering a City Made entirely of war victims and their nestlings, you don't want to let them know you are Off a high stand.
Sirius Walk at the end of the group, you are the physically strongest of us and don't want them to think you threaten them. Nylou keep Close to me and then Aimsy. Follow my lead, please."

She takes another deep breath and Waits until everyone follows her advice. Piper needs to come Off as a good flock Leader now, especially when trying to Show Off one entirely Made Out of humans.
The First few steps are the hardest, shake your tailfeathers when Walking past someone to Not come Off as ignorant, make sure the others were walking right and keeping her necklace that Shows her alliegience to her flock visible.
Most aviants only Look Up for a second and Return Pipers greeting by turning their plint feathers on their heads upwards.

They understand she neither poses a threat to their Flock nor their Home.
Some Take another glance at the humans, especially Sirius and Aimsy but soon let their eyes wander away again.
When they Walk by a bigger shed Piper Sees two Near nestlings, huddled together, beggars children.
She makes a low concerned chirp at which Sirius immediately Turns his Head towards her

"Whats Up ?"

"Im sad to See those nestlings having to beg. I knew that a refuge City wasnt going to be the prettiest but i hoped this wouldnt be needed"

Suddenly Aimsy broke their Formation even ignoring Pipers Warning, a low chirp. She walked towards the nestlings with an urgency and then dropped one of her golden Hair jewels in Front of them

"Please Take this, you can sell it, it will probably give you a Lot of Money"

Piper smiled at this notion and walked up to them, shaking her tail feathers and giving Off an encouraging chirp, at which the taller one leapt to Take the Jewel

"Thank you so much! We are in Your dept Miss Flock Leader, thank you as well Mrs. Human"

An older female aviant that was just weaving a Basked Close by now quickly marches Up to them, tail feathers raised upwards moving in between them and the nestlings.

"What did they give you ?"

The aviants stares at the Jewel in her nestlings Hand and then Up to them

"Is this a citriz ? Are you Sure you want to give this to us ? What are humans even doing Here ? You dont mean any harm do you?"

Her Wings flutter at the Last Part of the sentence and Piper Turns to calming chirps showing the aviant she doesn't need to worry.

"Yes this is No mistake. We are Just passing through the City"

The Woman visibly relaxes and Takes a deep bow, showing Off her Wings, leaving her to be vulnerable, a Show of gratefulness

"My Name is Paloma, these are Jay and Dove, i Wish to give you a place to sleep tonight, suns almost setting and I'm Not Sure If your humans would be allowed in the Hotel. It's the least we can do, a citriz is enough to pay for weeks"

Chapter Text

Chapter 14

Paloma is Back from her quick visit to a Shop to get varios food items Aimsy has never Heard of.
Her Kids rush to her to Help Pack them away quickly realising what food Paloma is going to be making for the evening.

"Its called Kylines, a food mostly made at joyful Events since the ingredients can be expensive, First you need to get the lynels and Grind them Up, we are shaping them into little Egg shapes, its our Protein since we dont ever eat meat. Its actually disrespectful in our culture"

Aimsy Watches Piper as she explains the steps to a dish so foreign that Aimsy has never Heard of. Piper must be a good Cook, her hands Work skillfully and quick, earning what Aimsy thinks is approving chirps from Paloma who is working on some Sort of salad, topped With pine cone nuts and some golden berrys that Paloma quickly named Nembis fruits.

The meal is dished out around another campfire outside, all sitting in a circle, she and the other humans trying to mimic the way the aviants sit

"Oh Stop it Kids, you cant sit Like us, your odd legs dont allow it"

Paloma smiles at them, seemingly appreciating the notion

"It tastes odd. Like what Else did you Put in Here ?

Paloma Looks at her and she Knows she Made a mistake. Piper gives her a mean Look and Shakes her Head.

"I mean it tastes so different then any food i have ever eaten, Not in a bad way though.."

Paloma relaxes at that and the Rest of the Dinner goes Well, Jay and Dove asking them all kinds of questions, getting scolded by their Mom when they go to far. Soon they are all sitting closer to the fire watching the night Sky, Piper pointing out the morning star Sirius while the Same Named man chuckled as If it was some Sort of inside Joke

"I do have to ask, Piper how come you lead a flock Made Out of humans ? Didnt really think something Like this exsisted after the war."

Piper gives her a quick Look, trying to Figure Out if Aimsy would be okay with telling her. She slowly nods her Head and Piper pulls Out her compass, explaining how they Met

"Oh dear that Sounds almost Like that one old Legend, do you know which one i mean ?"

All of them Shake their Head, eager to learn what Paloma means and she Starts to Tell a Prophecy

"Two souls, aviant and human, fate's threads align,
Guided by compasses, a mystery they'll define.
With a prophet, a guardian, together they'll explore,
Unveiling the past, as destiny they implore."

Chapter Text

Chapter 15

Its almost daylight again when Pearl awakes from his sleep. He had been so exhaused he slept without even making a proper bed. Not that he can really make one, when he first got the Visions he didnt really have time to pack anything. Looking down at himself his tail sinks in shame, he looks awful, his clothes are partially ripped and his hair is in knots. Pearl barks a laugh, the priest would hate seeing him like this, these knots will take ages to take out.

Thats it. He cant run away any longer, the desion was made in a heartbeat. This cant go on any longer, he cant have lifed an entire life following orders and doing whatever anyone wanted him to do.

Pearl takes another deep breath and pulls out the compass buried in his bag, holding it in shaking hands. He can stop this. He can find out how to safe them.

---

"Two souls avient and human, that schould be me and Aimsy, the compasses are ours and then Nylous but a prophet ? Is that why the map lead us to that temple? The priest did seem to know something about this and told us to tell the oracle something if we find it"

"That seems possible, especially considering that that temple was exactly on our way here. So we need to find the oracle and have it help us"

"Okay i understand that whole thing but whats with me and Nylou then ? This seems to include four people, not five. Aimsy, Piper, the oracle and then a guardian"

"Oh my god ai stol' that godfersa'ken compass what the hell ar'we gon do. We aint the person the prophecy sahw"

Chapter Text

Aimsy stares at Nylou for a second, trying to make out the Words she said, its close to their language but Just Like Piper Mixes in bird noises Nylou Words herself in an odd way. Not even thinking about what exactly she Said Aimsy opens her mouth

"You are gaéliac ? I didnt know you people exsisted here. I already though i knew your accent but i wouldnt have guessed i was actually right"

While she speaks she noticed that Nylou Looks almost embarrest. Oh lyias, she again Made a mistake

"Oh i used to get that a Lot. I try to Not speak with an accent but since its a whole different language its Just tough sometimes, especially when im aggitated"

"Wait so what exactly is it with the compass now ? If it choose Aimsy and Piper what do we do since the compass wasnt originally ours ?"

Aimsy can See the thankfull Look Nylou gives Sirius after He switched the conversation over to the compass again and decides that maybe, its the best she will leave Nylou alone for a second

"Maybe it was fate that you and Nylou got it, for me it was somewhat simmular, the compass Just appeard in my bag"

"Mine was next to me on my bedstand when i woke up, i think it might be simmilar with yours then"

Paloma Watched them through tired eyes. She hasnt Said anything since revealing the prophecy and Just as Aimsy was about to Look away she smiled and Ran into her shed to then come Back with a record Player and some records

"How about we learn more about other cultures, i Always wanted to try a human dance, i even bought a record once"

Under the watchful eyes of everyone she slid the record onto the record Player, clicking the small leaver. Aimsy Takes Note of the feather used to Play the record, at her place its switched Out with a silver needle.
A soft slow dance song comes on and Aimsy smiles, this is one she knows.

"Alright, who wants to go First ? Sirius, will you do me the Honor of showing them a human dance ? I'll assume you know this one"

He stares, uncertain at first, slowly standing Up and taking her hand, they are very close in height, Sirius beeing taller by only a little. She places her hand on top of his schoulder, indicating she will lead this one.
He is quicker then she wouldve though, letting her twirl him around, even doing the food steps required of him, these look even better when you are adorned with the golden leg jewels that most noble woman wear. With his ripped jeans it looks less formal but she can still tell he is a good dancer.
They twirl around the campfire below the Stars and while the Music plays, she almost Misses Home. Then the record clicks, the dance is over and she lets go of him.

"Thank you, you are good at this, do you usually lead or follow ?"

"Oh, i have never really danced much, my dad used to dance this with me when i was very little so im used to following but id like to see if i can lead as well"

"You schould ask Nylou for one, after all this is us trying to teach the others our dances"

Sirius eyes light up at the mention of Nylou and he quickly goes up to her, leaving her and Piper.
She reaches out with her hand and when the avient takes it she quickly spins her, following the rythym of the song. Piper smiles and does her best to copy her steps. It isnt as well prepared as Sirius and Aimsys dance but looking into the avients sparkling eyes it doesnt need to be.

"You are so good at this"

"I guess you arent too Bad either, considering you have never done this"

--------

"Would you want to hear a Song from my Home?"

The sun has fully gone down ages ago, the only thing lighting the place up is the campfire. Paloma Has long send the kids to sleep and leans against one of her baskets now. Everyone Looks exhaused, the last hour was fully spend trying to get Piper, Nylou and Paloma to perfect the dance.
Nylou sits next to Sirius on a log again and she can definitly get used to this Feeling. She feels the watching eye of everyone around her, taking her guitar into her hands and playing the first note of a Song Sirius knows by now. Its one of their songs and she takes the brown plactron, widdled by her months ago into her Hands. Its small, perfect for her Hands and the small etched in sun and beach can be felt.

"Bhfuilis soranna sorcha
Ach tagais ′nós na hoíche
Trína chéile: le chéile claochlaithe"

Her lighter voice is again complimented by Sirius deeper one and the campfire crackles softly in the background. His prounounciation got better, its almost fully right now. He mustve worked on it since they last sung together. She smiles, one day he might actually what it means.

Chapter Text

Chapter 17

The needle of the compass hasnt shifted directions in a while and he can almost feel how close he is to finally figuring out what awaits him. He knows he's quick, even for avient standarts. The sports class he was allowed to take when he was still training to be the oracle served him well, it was the only good part of it, made him feel connected to the other humanoids.
The Titel oracle had stripped him of any humanoity left but that stops now.
He had seen himself in the visions, bold, confident and with shorter hair, different clothes, covering the godforsaken eye that brought him this title. Pearl knows he will get to be his own cost what it must.
There is no turning back now. He takes another deep breath before he enters the city.
-------

"What do you mean the oracle is here?"

They had been preparing lunch just seconds ago when Jay burst through the door, panting and trying to get the sentence out.
Piper was cutting up fruits but now stares at the nestling, awaiting for any information.

"The oracle is searching for you, an avient and a human, accompanied by a human man and woman. It is waiting for you at the centre of the city"

Paloma stares, open eyed at her son and then towards the 4 in her lunch room before smiling and rushing out.

"Come on !!! You have to meet the oracle, it is part of your prophecy"

Everyone is out of breath by the time they reach the centre of the city, the avients making way to let a dark haired fennik in ripped clothes come towards them. Its eyes are focused on Piper and its steps are calculated, almost dance like. The oracle is pretty, it's long dark hair falling over it's schoulder.

"I believe we have a prophecy to fulfill"

Chapter Text

Chapter 18

It took them a while to finally get rid of the avients trying to ask them too many questions to even answer. Sirius hadn't even found the time to talk to the oracle without someone interrupting them.
Now he stares at the oracle in front of him. It's eyes visibly tired and the new clothes gifted by Paloma are a little too big, Paloma is fairly tall for an avient while the oracle stands at normal Fennik height, about 1.70 meters tall.

"We haven't introduced ourselves yet, I'm Sirius and that's Nylou, next to her are-"
He can't finnish the sentence, the oracle looks up and adds
"Aimsy and Piper, I know their names but why are there two of you ? You where Suppost to be just one, a taller man, slightly older then both of you. Something must've gone wrong, the visions shifted a few days ago and now it's you two."

Nylou stares at the oracle, open mouthed and Sirius remembers her fear of not beeing the one the prophecy choose.
"I-i stole the compass from a thrift shop"

The Fennik raises it's ears and looks at her.

"I guess we will have to do with you two then. Nylou is it right?"

As Nylou nods she can't help but ask another question

"Do you have a name ? Other then oracle of course"

The oracle is clearly taken by surprise and slowly blinks as if to realise what Nylou asked.

"I used to get called Pearl before I was fully trained it's not the name given by my life givers though"

Nylou doesn't look satisfied by it's answer

"Well what was that name then ?"

The oracle shivers and it's ears drop, a sign of discomfort used in Fennik culture.

"It was burned the moment I opened my eyes and I'm Pearl or oracle in the same way that she will be Alysithia no matter what she does and Aimsy will be a name no longer of use"

Chapter Text

Chapter 19

Piper could feel the tension in the room, of course Nylou ment no harm, she couldn't have known that the oracles name gets burned once the eyes open but she could've sworn to see someting resembling happyness in the oracles eyes when Nylou asked for a name. Maybe Pearl might be nicer for the oracle then getting called by a titel.

"Pearl it is then, would you want to buy some new clothes ? I'm sure Palomas clothes aren't bad they are just, a little big"

She grins at Pearl and is relieved when Pearls schoulders drop, body relaxing.

"I guess I'd like that, it's just I don't have any money with me, I could definitely get money though, I can offer my work for a little pay I'm sure I could make enough"

"Oh no it's all good, here I'll pay for whatever you'd like"

Aimsy stepped up and shows off a walled filled to the brim with coins of different values. Piper can't help but smile at her, she wouldn't have expected for the other girl to be so generous, this is the second time she's giving away her wealth.
----

It took them a while to find clothes Pearl even wanted to try on but they settled on an entirely new outfit, a red vest, White blouse and black pants.

Sirius tried to get Pearl to try on ripped jeans to which Pearl looked utterly disgusted.
He had been talking to Pearl the entire day, trying to find out more about the Fennik who only ever gave short answers. The oracle couldn't name a hobby or a favorite color and Sirius has come to the conclusion that he needs to help Pearl with finding out what Pearl likes.

As they where going down the road, back to Palomas house where they wanted to sleep one last night Sirius couldn't help but to feel uneasy. Every avients eyes where on them and he could hear them muttering.

Suddenly an older Avient rushed forward and tried to grab the Fennik. Sirius was only warned by a movement nearly out of his field of vision and a short yelp, so uncommon for an adult fennik to make.
His instincts kick in as he slams the other avient to the side, away from the oracle.

"The fucking oracle schouldve told us about the genocide, that bitch could've stopped it !"

The avient draws his short sword and tries pushing past Sirius again, Sirius looks to the rest of his flock, Aimsy has pulled Piper to her side who desperately tries to pull out her own weapon while Nylou stands frozen, not able to figure out what is happening.
He bites his lip and draws his own short sword, parrying the hit that was aimed at the oracle who is shivering and covering itself on the ground
The commotion got the attention of everyone around them and the older Avient is pulled away.
Sirius tries to put away his weapon before the others can see it but Pipers hand stop him. She lays her hand on top of the blade and brushes over the prine feather that is tied to it with an old leather band.

"Where did you get this from"
Her voice is cold.

Chapter Text

Chapter 20

He swallows his fear and looks her into her eyes

"Look at the shaft, it wasn't forcefully taken, I was gifted this"

Piper stares at him, mind racing, inspecting the feather closely, comparing it to his hair and brushing over the feather.

"You ... How ? An aviant clearly loved you if they gave you their weapon and their prine feather. This is a slim one, it's either one of the firsts or lasts as well"

He shifts his gaze to the floor and takes one last deep breath. Sirius can't help but wonder what Nylou will think of him now.

"Its the last, my grandmother gifted it to me only days before she passed away. I'm not too proud of my heritage but I think you can all understand why, considering my mere exsitance is a wonder"

Piper stares in disbelief, not that he would've imagined her reaction to be any different. There's only one way he can actually prove himself so he brushes his hair to the side so Piper can see the thin feathers growing on his ears. There is more, the faint sign of wings growing on his back but they aren't even big enough to go past his back so it's easy hiding them. The only one who has gotten close to discovering this secret had been Nylou, to understand how he looks like and how he's grown she's constantly touching his face and body.

"But that can't be possible ! There's only like five avient/humans in all of History and they are all documented, it's a sensetation for one to be born since our biology doesn't quite match up and you are second generation then"

"I'm the only child, my mother is the half human and my dad is fully human, my grandmother had fallen in love with a fleeing human that ran away from the war and hid in her village. My grandfather was murdered for "fraternizing with the enemy" and my mother was kept a secret. It's a wonder that I was even born, it's so rare for it to work one time, let alone two but I'm probably not able to have kids"

He sighs and takes off his jacked, then his shirt, shivering at the contact of cold air against his wings, it's been ages since he had not worn anything over them.

"Oh God"

Sirius frowns, of course he looks like a freak, even to Avients. He instinctively pulls his arms close to his body, almost hugging himself.

"You haven't preened for ages ! Look at your feathers it's a mess!"

Oh? He didn't expect to hear that and turns around to a worried Piper

"I uh- I haven't been home to my grandmother for ages and my mom never learned to preen since her mom did it for her and she never expected to have any children. Other then you no one knows about this"

There's a question burning on Pipers lips but she swallows it, instead just staring at him while he pulls his shirt back over his head. She knows they aren't close enough to preen each other.

Chapter Text

Chapter 21

"What ?? I though you where human ! You even knew our dance and now you have feathers ?"

Aimsy stares in disbelief, her nose bridge wrinkled up, almost in a reflex of disgust.

"My dad is a human. Of course I know our traditions and values. I'm much more human then I am avient"

The moment between him and Piper is gone and he can't be fast enough to pull on his shirt again.
It almost hurt to put his heavy coat over the wings that grow on his back, he didn't even notice how freeing it felt having them out in the open and no fabric to press them down.

"I want you all to still think of me as a human. I don't want this to change your opinion of me.
The feathers on my back mean nothing."

Piper takes a deep breath and her fingers run over her own, well kept feathers. The way that he speaks about all that she is, her past and future, as someone who knows more about their tradition, the aviant ones then he wants to admit makes her feel sick.

Palomas low chirbs, soft and soothing, take her back into beeing cared for by her own parents. Since Palomas kids are so young she can still produce these sounds, but soon they are going to be gone, they are exclusively made for soothing nestlings but in that moment it's exactly what Piper needs and the knot in her throat is gone.

Pearl sighs. Somehow reliefed that Sirius choose this path. It will make this easier.
--------

It has been hours since Sirius has revealed his secret and Nylou still can't figure out how to put her feelings about this into words.
Of course she had reassured him then and there that she loves him no matter what but there is the faint sting of a betrayal. He could've told her sooner. He should've. She has been telling him everything about her in a heartbeat, her feelings, secrets and fears, thinking he had done the same. But now, everything she knows about him is falling apart and she can't help but wonder if that was all he'd been keeping from her.
Nylou felt as if she knew nothing of him now. What he had told her about his family was all lies. His mother never left him and his dad alone and stayed instead, hidden away, never to meet her.

Chapter Text

Chapter 22

Pearl knew that this path might open up some very new problems but he hadn't had the chance to view any of them. The only vision that had blessed him ever since meeting the rest of the prophecy was them talking to an old man, presumably in this city as well.
He had been trying to get a good look at the view in his visions so he could try to describe the place to Paloma and her kids but everything other then the man and some art drawn by some kids on a wall looks blurry when he tries to concentrate on it.
He sighs, this might get harder then he thought.

"Pearl ! What are you thinking about ? You have barely touched any of your food"

His eyes focus on the avient in front of him and realises he had been staring at Piper.

"Oh, I'm trying to figure out where to go to next. I think I schould find the place today."

"Well you schould still eat no matter what. It's really good once you get accustomed to the taste"

Sirius had stopped eating for a second, genuine worry in his face with his hair falling over one of his eyes. Pearl suddenly felt stared at and his cheeks reddened in embarrassment.

"As if you weren't accustomed to avient food anyways"

Aimsy was fairly quiet, only saying those words under her breath but his Fennik ears still picked up on the noise and he shot her a warning glance. She schould know that even though she is royalty he still stands over her, his status as the oracle comes second only to a god.
------

Their breakfast is soon over and while Pearl is trying to explain the place he needs to visit to Paloma Dove, her daughter speaks up, a thin, soft voice.

"I know where you need to go. It's on one of the corners of Arselia, I drew that flower on the wall a few days ago"

Giving the two kids that citriz was the best decision Aimsy could've possibly done and Pearl is really happy she did so. It's going to help her and Piper get along a lot.
-----

Pearl needs to go first, he knows this. Motioning to Piper and Aimsy that they have to wait for him to tell them they can go in.
He knocks on the door, right next to the blue flower that Dove painted.
An old man opens the door, looking him deep into his different colored eyes. There is some sort of regegnition in the old man's face and he nods.

"Come in. It's not like I can run forever. Not now that the prophecy caught up to me"

Chapter Text

Chapter 23

Pearl sighs Aimsy and Piper to come in as well after it took a long look at the interior.
The place is well kept, someone clearly put a lot of effort into this space. The old man sits in a rocking chair. His feathers have paled, something usual for older aviants and Piper turns her ear feathers towards him before bowing deeply as is accustomed for meeting elders.
The aviant looks tired but makes a small bow at her back. There is a scar, right across his neck, it looks like it used to be a horrible wound and Piper shudders at that thought.

"I'm Piper, of the Binope flock. The prophecy has chosen me to represent the aviant in it."

Aimsy stares at her and follows suit, standing upright and her voice sounds different. Much more adult with a slow pace and very clear spoken vocals.

"My name is Alysithia Kechrimpári, the prophecy has chosen me to represent the human that's mentioned"

They both show their compass, pointing at each other.

The man smiles and nods, taking a feather from his desk, bringing it up so they can see what it is.

"I'm Altair of a flock long gone, I was a young soldier when the tragedy of Elisäy happend.
I had just been allowed into the denfendance, barely 17 and excited to do something for my flock. Fighting wasn't my best skill, I was much more talented hunting but I was tired of the way humans treated us even then.
You see it hasn't really changed much, theyd insult us, beat us if we'd speak back and the peace treaty didn't stop them from much. Back then there was a nestling missing and everything pointed to the humans right on the boarder. To this day I don't know what happend to the young one.
So guarding our boarders and learn to fight was the only thing you could really do to ensure your flocks safety.
We where doing a round around the border when my flock leader spotted something on the ground. It was General Klytos, gaping hole in his chest.
The next thing happend quick, a human guard group came, probably to, just like us check the border. They spotted us and before we could explain that we found the general dead, fought us. If you two know anything about our weapons you know that we can't win against the humans if it's equal numbers and equal numbers we where. There where deaths on both sides but they won. Someone slit my throat and I passed out. I still don't know how I survived but I dreamt of yellow and gray eyes, staring at me, always staring.
I woke up many hours later and by then the war had already started.

No one would've believed me, that I was sure of so I went into hiding in Arselia. My flock thinks I died here and I know I schouldve.
But I also know that the oracle had something to do with my survival."

He stops, taking a deep breath of air, bowing deeply towards Pearl.

"I owe my life to you oracle. I know I don't have much left but I'm grateful I could life the end of my life like this"

Pearl nods and goes back outside with Piper and Aimsy following closely.
They stop in front of the house next to Altair and Pearl knocks on the door until a aviant steps out, staring at the oracle and quickly bowing down.

"The aviant next door will die tonight. He will pass peacefully in his sleep and the oracle asks of you to bury him."

Chapter Text

Chapter 24

While Aimsy, Piper and Pearl are inside of the house Nylou mindlessly braids another bracelet.
She and Sirius had been waiting in front.
It would've been fine really.
It would've been fine if Nylou wasn't constantly thinking about how she messed up the prophecy.
If only she would've left the compass where it was, walked past it and just went on with her day.
There is no guarantee that the prophecy will work now since the right person isn't there and instead of a grown soldier that could protect them, they now have to work with an incompetent cripple.

"You are tearing your bracelet apart"

It's a dry remark, Nylou hadn't even noticed that the strands are getting tangled up. She moves her head towards Sirius.
This is the first time they have been alone since they met the other three.

"Do you think I've done the right thing?"

Of course she knows that he immediately knows what she means by that and she waits anxiously.

"Yes. If the prophecy didn't want you there you wouldn't have had walked into that shop that day"

It's a lie.
She knows how he sounds like when he's lying, a slight shivering voice, not something that anyone else would pick up.

She smiles.

"I'm happy you think like that, I mean yeah ! That makes sense, and I guess if the prophecy didn't want you here you wouldn't have come along"

Guess they are even now.
--------

"Okay so the guard wasn't murdered by that group of aviants, it could've been anyone and they lied when they said they saw them do it"

Sirius tried to sum up what they just told them in full. They are sitting on the ground right next to Palomas house again. Said aviant has just gone inside to bring her kids to bed.

"Yes. Maybe something completely different happend there but the prophecy wanted us to know that"

Aimsys voice sounds uncertain.

Sirius looks at Pearl, why can't he help figure this out ?
But the young man has the same look in his eyes again, distant, calculating and utterly absent.

"But that means the war was completely useless and the avients never did anything wrong !! We could stop this whole separation thing and the discrimination against them if we'd just tell the humans that the aviants didn't kill him!"

Of course out of everyone only Nylou could've come to this optimistic thought.
A cold laughter fills the air and Sirius quickly stares at the producer of that song.

"Do you really think the humans are doing this out of revenge? That they think we are any sort of threat to them ? Oh Nylou you naive soul.
This was never a war, it has always been a genocide. They only needed a reason to finally get rid of us"

Piper has a cold glint in her eyes, her voice strong and icy. Sirius does not recognize the friendly aviant from before.

Chapter Text

Chapter 25

The tension in between the group is thick, Sirius looks around, worrying , Aimsy looks almost regretful, Nylou looks sad, like Pipers words hit her but Pearl is just watching. The look on his face is unreadable so Sirius turns his gaze towards Piper again.

"It's okay Piper, I feel like this prophecy is going to help is uncover what actually happened and give us a way to finally make avients and human equal"

In the corner of his vision he sees Pearl nod, slow, content.

"You don't know what this means to me. This war took half of our population and now I find out that there has never even been even somewhat justified."

For a second, he thinks about just letting it be, reassure her that what she feels is right and that they can work on it but a feeling deep down is stronger.
The need to finally give words to his own feelings about this.

"Piper I know it. I know it by heart, by the way my wings are constantly bound, by the way I haven't seen my family all together in ages, by the way my dad looks at me as if he's sorry he fell in love with my mom. Ending this means the world to me, creating a world where I can exsist.
If it ever came out to the public I'd be a science experiment"

He's close to tears so he swallows them down, turning around so she can't see him, looking at Nylou before his feeling take over and he walks away, quietly.
---
Leaning against a tree stump his hands find his ears again and the all too familiar motion of plucking out his feathers.
Weird, they've gotten so much longer that he can even tell what colour they'd be. Dark gray, just like his mom.
The resemblance is uncanny and he stares at them, the end reds by his brutal movements.

Then a hand lays on his schoulder, softer then Nylous, the hands of a poet.

"I can't relate to you, not fully, my stand was always a respected one. But I feel I can understand where it's coming from.
I envy you for the way you had a childhood and you got to know your parents but I pity you for your self hatred and the way you have to hide parts of you"

Sirius turns his head to look at Pearl, his bangs covering his golden eye and he looks so different then the oracle, commanding respect.
To him he looks human
---

"Hey, I can't relate to your heritage but I'm sure we can figure something out, if the prophecy is really going to uncover everything I'm sure there has got to be a way to make this right. I'm sorry if my words came off as insensible, I wasn't raised here and I know nothing of avients."

Piper smiles at the shorter girl, of course she didn't know and didn't mean to come off that way

Chapter Text

Chapter 26

"Ah, I've almost got used to you kids company"

Piper smiles at the older avient, they have been getting ready to leave soon while Pearl urged them on.

"As if you are that much older, c'mon Paloma you can't be older then like 25 at most"

The aviant chuckles, she grins and that's the first time Piper has noticed the wrinkles surrounding her eyes, caused by smiling and tiredness.

"I had Jay when I was 25 and then Ava when I was 28"

Piper looks from her, to her son Jay, Daughter Ava and then back to her.

"Whattt that's crazy, you haven't aged a second!! Actually may I ask a question"

Paloma nods

"I'm sure you want to ask about their father, truth is, they don't share one, we only stayed together for a bit and then I took care of them myself. We didn't go separate ways in any bad lighting, whenever they come to this city they visit us and we are still on good terms"

Piper can see the humans unsure face expression at this, Aimsy looks surprised, Nylou relieved and Sirius sad in a way.

They talk about everything and nothing at all while they get comfortable in Palomas nest for one last time. The older aviant preens her, moving calloused but talented hands over her feathers, removing any dirt that clung to them.
She coos softly and brushes them softly back in place. Piper melds into her and thinks of home.

"Your prine feather is starting to come in ! Ohh this is exciting ! How many have you had ? Its still so small"

Piper excitetly tilts her head to view the little feather growing from her back. Its probably another few months till it's big enough to gift.

"It's my forth, I schould gift this one to Fern, she's still too young to have her own and I've given my big sister and my parents theirs before"

The brushing stops for a second

"Such a beautiful girl and not a special someone to gift it to ? I was sure you have a partner, or at least have someone in mind"

Piper blushes, the though of giving someone her print feather like that...

"Oh no no, I've had partners but nothing this serious. There was Aviana, we dated when I was 17, she was cute, nice, all that you'd want but don't think I'm meant for anything long term. Took me a few months to fuck it all up"

Piper can feel Paloma nod, her hands going back to bringing Pipers feathers in place.

"I haven't given anyone my feather like that, not ever. I actually collected some of them when I had already given my kids one and well, I guess you already know that I don't have a flock"

A short silence falls over them before Paloma gets up and comes back with a slim, golden feather with orange hues. She ruffles trough Pipers hair and places the feather behind her ear.
A warmth runs through her body and she smiles, pressing a kiss to Palomas cheek, right on her tattoo, indicating that she accepts this token of affection in a family kind of way.
-----

"Goodbye Paloma, Jay and Ava. I hope our paths cross again, it was a pleasure to meet you, I hope this makes up for all that you have done for us"

Piper watches as Aimsy places another citriz, framed golden, even bigger then the one that she gave the kids when they first met.

"Oh Aimsy this is plenty, it was nice having you around, if you ever find yourself in need of some help I will be there in a heartbeat. Thank you"

The aviant bows deeply and Piper does the same, Palomas prine feather shining in the faint light of Palomas house.

With a heavy heart Piper leaves, leading the others on for one last time, through the city of Arselia.
-------

"She gave you a prine feather? I didn't even see it, I though hers hadn't come back in yet"

Sirius stares at the feather in her hair

"She told me that she has never given anyone one in a romantic way, since both Jay and Ava have one already and she has no flock"

Sirius slowly nods his hands brushing over his ears again, an almost sad glint in his eyes.

"I... This is going to sound stupid but I'm sad that I can't grow one. How can I ever court someone if I can't even grow a prine feather for her."

He looks like he's already said too much and he rips the already short end of a lone feather still growing out.

"Never mind, this is stupid, im mostly human anyways"

She watches him go back to Nylou who was talking to Aimsy. Piper can't help but feel pity for him

Chapter Text

Chapter 27

Pearl had lead them to a little opening in the otherwise thicker Forrest that surrounded them.
It hasn't told them where they are going, walking up front, a neutral expression on its face.
Aimsy can't help but wonder why.

"We should rest here. I'm sure your legs are tired. We will continue tomorrow"

Sirius nods at Pearls words and builds up his and Nylous tent while she uses her steps to find some usable twigs, stopping whenever she can hear a crack.
Aimsy watches her with intend, how has she learned how to do this ?
Piper starts a fire, using two branches, creating friction that soon sparks.
A few tree stumps are rolled over, around the campfire where they sit down, roasting the vegetables that Paloma had given them over the flames.
Piper sits on the other side of the circle, the fire lighting up her face, a feather behind her ear shining.

"Where did you get that feather from Piper ? I haven't seen it before, it looks like the one that Sirius had on his swort"

The rest of the group turns to look at Piper, a knowing nod from Sirius.

"This is Palomas prine feather, she has given it to me when we left.
You know what a prine feather is right ?"

Unsure looks from both Pearl, Nylou and Aimsy, she can only remember that Piper said something about it being very important to Aviants.

"Well we grow one every year, usually the first one when we are around 16 which is also when we get our first aviant tattoo, the line under our lip, connected to our chin. The second one are the dots on our cheeks, which we get when we turn 21, the age we are agnolaged as fully mature adults. You saw Palomas tattoos right ? She has small dots next to her lip line. Those show if you have kids, one for each nestling"

Aimsy intently watches Piper, tracing her tattoos with her eyes. She sees Sirius in the corner of her eyes touch his own chin, exactly where Pipers tattoo sits.

"The prine feather is something we are very proud of, it's an honor to grow one and Aviants often compare each other's to show how great you are. Giving one to someone is a very big deal, they either fall out themselves, or if an Aviant is around someone they love, the pheromones send a signal for the feather to fall out. This happens with partners, friends, siblings or your own nestlings. If the person accepts your feather they give you a kiss. Depending on how your relationship is, for example to accept Palomas feather I kissed her on the cheeks, which is reserved for platonic affection. If she would give Jay one, he'd kiss her on the tattoo that she got after his birth. Although this is all not inherently romantic, a lot of people treat giving a person who isn't family one as a love confession"

Aimsy spots the bright feather on Pipers lower back tail, a small, still growing Prine feather. No wonder they are so proud of them, it's beautiful.
Sirius stares, just like she does but instead of her approving look, he looks devastated. Maybe he's sad that he can't grow one.

"That's so cool !! Can anyone like, explain what it looks like ? I can't see"
Nylou laughs and Sirius turns to her to explain the way the colors get reflected.

Aimsy takes a shaky breath, something that has been on her mind for a while finally slips out.

"Is it true what they say about you... That you Aviants practise canibalismus?"

The question seems to hit Piper and she brings her arms close, almost hugging herself, an upset glint in her eyes.

"That's what you humans call our sacred practise yes. You know that we worship the earth, nature, everything made by the great mother. We don't eat meat because we consider them our brothers and sister and we belief in the circle of life. Breath in the air, what do you taste"

Aimsy watches as each of her companions breathe in the air, each focusing on the task. She doesn't taste anything at all.

"It taste like fading sunlight, I can tell we are close to some sort of fruit tree and the campfire is burning. The vegetables that Paloma gave us still cling to the air"

Piper nods at Nylous answer, seemingly content, giving her a bright smile.

"You are a natural Nylou!
But there is more, the branches you burned are from different trees, the pine trees taste minty but fastly fleeing, the oak is deeper, more earthy and the branches that fell from the fruit tree you can smell smell fruity, sweet and rich. The fruit is called furied, it gave name to all fruits, it means to enjoy something. You can smell it nearly bursting, it's already overripe and the sugar clings to the air. The earthy tones from the campfire through you dug mix with the ash of the campfire while the vegetable oils drip down and fill the air with an herby smell. We take in the world as much as we can, while humans see themselves as the center we aviants see ourselfves as a piece of a whole"

Piper stares at her, as if she wants Aimsy to explain how humans view the world and she nods.

"As you know, we humans belief that we are the center and the most important thing we can do is prove ourselves and work for our success. While you pray to nature we have a god called Lyias. He's the only god we pray for and he has made us to even become more then he anticipated for us. When we outgrow the body given by him he gifts us with golden lines all over our body. You know that Aviants are naturally more lean then us, humans tend to be fuller in figure"

She steps closer to everyone and lifts up her dress, showing stretch marks that cover her upper thigh, shining golden. Piper looks in awe and brings a finger up close to one of the marks. Aimsy nods, giving Piper consent to trace her marks with her finger and she shudders at the touch.

"They feel thicker then normal skin. The golden color looks so nice, they are beautiful"

Aimsy smiles, the words by the aviant feel warm.

"Our beauty was given by him so we only enhance it a bit. Our own succession is greater then working for a together cause."

Nylou watches her, nodding along.

"It's close to what us gaeliac people do, we have a second god next to Lyias, she's called Ishki, our version of mother Earth. Our people are slimmer then the humans of Jerià so we don't get those marks usually but people close to giving birth sometimes get them"

Aimsys suprised to hear about a second god, that seems unthinkable for her but still, Nylou seems close to her in culture.

"Thats because giving birth is sacred. The act itself is holy, as you come close to beeing a god yourself, shaping new life into exsitance. Same goes for breastfeeding, since you, yourself make food fit for your child to grow up on. That being said, Piper do you Aviants feed their kids like that ?"

Piper has looked interested so far but now shakes her head.

"No, we neither give birth nor produce milk. We lay eggs and use our nest as a third parent. Which is also why someone like Paloma isn't as rare as it is for you, she had the nests help to raise her kids and not everyone wants to be a parent. In a flock everyone takes care of every nestling no matter if it's yours or not. For us men and woman are from a similar build, we are both short and lean. There isn't much of a difference because we all do the same things and have the same stand"

Sirius clings on her lips, listening intently on both her and Piper, seemingly both cultures being new informations.

"Well us humans are a lot taller usually, a fuller build and our woman are a bit taller and fuller then our men since we usually perform the sacred birth and need to be prepared for it"

Pearl who has only listened up until now raises a shaky voice.

"The fenniks are also shorter then humans and very skinny, their best skill being their small and talented hands, many are poets and artist. They are often fast but not very strong, I am of average of that usual build. Men and Woman are close to similar, although woman do give birth to about 2-3 pups at once. That's also why they usually have two sets of breasts since they breastfeed as well and need to sometimes feed three at once. They believe in both Lyias and me, me being the reincarnation of the first oracle that helped the fenniks life through a crisis. The oracle is blessed by Lias, I don't know much about their usual culture though"

They talk for a bit longer about all their differences, Nylou listening intently and asking too many questions while Sirius tried his hardest to keep hidden so no one asks him anything and the oracle looks like it wants to be anywhere but here.Still, one question hasn't left her mind yet.

"Nylou, you didn't answer, what's with the canibalism thing?"

Piper looks up again, falling back into a protecting stand.

"We don't call it that. As I said we believe in nature being a goddess and everything that she made being holy, that includes our body's. We are full of live and our blood is said to contain life essence. Giving someone part of our life essence is considered a great gift and it's normal for an injured partner to drink some of their healthy partners life essence. And well, if your life partner dies it's normal to first paint three symbols, one over their stomach, one over their temple and one over their chest. If your partner wanted you to you take what is closest to them"

"You eat their heart"

Sirius whispers, voice low.

"Yes. Our soul, resting in our heart gets reborn and by consuming it, your partner will only truly die when you do, leading you to be reborn close to them again. It's what we call true soulmates"

Chapter Text

Chapter 28

Piper waits for her words to sink in, all reactions vastly different, Sirius nods and smiles, Nylou looks uncertain, Pearls face is unreadable again and Aimsy? Aimsy looks confused which really wasn't how she expected her to react, after all that is hard to stomach for most.

"Is that it ? I though you ...ate each other when you got hungry, like only the strongest where allowed to survive, there was a whole section in our books going on and on about how the aviants ate their young during the war time which is why us humans needed to safe them from each other"

This explains so much. If Piper only ever heard that about the humans she would've been scared of Aimsy as well, maybe her lashing out was her trying to protect herself, to show Piper she was strong.

"We would never. Life is sacred no matter what and while we do eat our partners heart after they have died it's only after a whole ritual they need to do to make sure that both are okay with a decision like that. What is written in your books is your people's try to make us seem despicable and give reason for their genocide"

Aimsy takes a deep breath and Piper would give anything to see inside her head.

"I- the more I hear and see about you Aviants the less I trust the books about you. You and Paloma don't seem like anything I've read. I feel like I wasnt taught the entire truth"

Piper smiles at her, content with her answer.

"I've heard both the human and the aviant opinion on this, however my parents never told me anything in full. I wish they would've told me more"

They talk about how they learned about the war, listening to what Aimsy was taught the aviant and humans opinion on how the war started completely different.

"What if... The humans killed the guard, framing Altair and the rest of his flock to start the war"

Piper stares at Nylou, somehow this makes much more sense then all she had though before.

"That would give sense to why the oracle left him alive to tell us. I'm sure that we are Suppost to figure out what really happend and stop any future fights"

A turn towards Pearl confirms Sirius idea, the Fennik watches the half Aviant intently and nods.

"That is what we have to do. I'm impressed that you'd be the one to figure that out"

Piper just can't make sense out of the oracle. It knows all that they have to do and just doesn't say a thing. Sirius shares a warm smile with it, odd that he out of all of them would get along with the oracle.

"Pearl how does our compass work? Why do you have one?"

The oracle looks at her without any sign of reaction in its face.

"Figure it out."

The oracles voice is completely monotone, the glint in its eyes shining golden instead of the usual dull white.

Chapter Text

Chapter 29

Aimsy wants to kill the oracle so badly in that exact moment, throgh gritted teeth she hisses.

"Well. Isn't it your job to help? Have you even shown us your damn compass?"

The Fenniks eyes stop having that weird shade to them and its ears turn back.

"You do not talk to me like that Alysithia. Take the compass and make sense to it yourself."

She takes the compass shooting it one angry look.

"Don't call me Alysithia, oracle"

She turns towards the compass, the needle standing completely still, even as she moves it. It still points in one direction.

The tension in the group is still palpable and looking close, the oracles hairs are standing up, ears tilted back and it's canines look sharper.
-----
Sirius watches Pearl, he looks so different, he even seems to have grown, although that's maybe because he usually tends to make himself seem as short as possible, almost running away while standing still.

This posture falls, his shoulders drop, the hair lays low again and his eyes look tired. Pearl takes his own hand, moving both of them close to his body, another action that makes him seem smaller. Pearls breaths seem to come in too quick, his hand clasping the other, one nail scratching over his soft palm, before Sirius can react a droplet of blood runs down his otherwise pristine hands.

Sirius hand takes Pearls and he brushes over the hand with his thumb. Drawing circles, using just enough pressure that the Fennik can really feel it.
The voices of the others, trying to figure out how the compass works are loud in the background so he starts breathing very slow, motioning Pearl to do the same. It takes a bit and the Fenniks nail bites through Sirius skin, but in between all the other scars it doesn't even stand out.
Once the Fenniks breathing is steady and his hand stops shaking he turns towards the others and takes a few steps to them. Sirius isn't sure but for a second he thinks he can hear a very soft noise coming from him, one that sounds a little like the aviant variant of "thank you, I'm happy to know you"
----

"Okay so the oracles compass just points in one direction, the one we have been going to, maybe his compass points us the way ?"

Piper leans over Nylous schoulder to get a good look of the compass.

"That would make sense yeah,but how didn't the oracle get to us earlier then ?"

Aimsy remembers coming by the oracles temple, who had run away.

"Maybe...the oracle didn't want to"

Piper says exactly what she thought but before she can open her mouth to add something Sirius steps closer, showing them Nylous compass.

"I think you have got it right. Pearls compass leads us to our goal and Nylous... The guardian compass seems to point to"

He shifts the compass around.

"Hey Piper, could you please get closer to Pearl then to us?"

He checks the compass again after they follow his words and nods

"Just as I thought. This compass leads to the bigger bigger group of the prophecy. So if Piper and Aimsy are together and Pearl is alone, the compass points to them, if Aimsy gets closer to Pearl it will point to them instead."

Another few tries completely proves his idea but what Nylou and Sirius both painfully realised was that the compass did not count them, just the other three.

"And ours points to each other, probably because it's crucial that us two stay together, no matter what"

Chapter Text

Chapter 30

"We are going the wrong direction Pearl, this is back to the humans"

The Fennik stops in his tracks and turns around to Piper.

"The compass points in this direction. You and Sirius need to cover youselfes once we get onto human territory again."

Well. He won't have an issue with this, he's used to it. One small look however shows that Sirius has, although secretly, unbound his wings. They are still covered by the coat he always wears but if you look closely they imprint.

"We should make a stop to explain what we are doing and what's going to happen next"

Campfire talks have become a daily occurrence and Piper notices so many small changes in all of them. Sirius is no longer Nylous shadow, walking up to the others, mostly Pearl to strike a conversation. Aimsy has lowered her guard and sits comfortably now. The notebook she used to write in daily has been abandoned for quite a while and instead, she draws.
Pearl covers one of his eyes with his hair and his hair is in a ribbon now, it looks much more free like that. And nylou sings and dances whenever she gets the chance to. Whenever conversations die down she just pulls out her guitar and starts singing in that foreign language that no one, except for Sirius can follow.

She notices Pearls face, looking at her expecting her to start the conversation.
She clears her throat to start talking and the conversations around her stop, everyone looking at her.

"Pearls compass is pointing back to the humans. That means me and Sirius need to cover and Pearl needs to look like a usual Fennik.
Any advice on this ?"

"I could help you both with this, I know best about humans, well don't think I need to tell you Sirius"

His face looks pale, his fingers move to his ears again, plucking the little feathers. Nylou takes his other hand and it seems like they are talking about something, so quiet that she can't tell.
Pearls ears however point to their conversation, as a fennik his ears might be able to pick it up.

Aimsy works the entire evening, trying to move her wings around to hide them best she can, in the end she settles on giving her one of her white, long dresses. For Aimsy these might only go down to her heel but on Piper they even drag a little over the ground. Her wings end up being fit in a big backpack, back cut out. It looks incredibly silly but In dimm light it might fool most.

"I'm sorry, your dress is getting dirty, I'm not tall enough to wear this correct"

Aimsy smiles at her, ever since she wore this, with her wings hidden there is a soft glint in Aimsys eyes and she shakes her head.

"You look so beautiful I couldn't care less"

This is new. Yes Aimsy has bettered herself but she has never been this openly nice to her.

"Oh, thank you ?"

Aimsy brushes through her hair, taking out her braids and instead puts them in a pinup style, covering her feathered ears.

The new look isn't directly uncomfortable but she can tell it won't take long to feel wrong but it changed something in between her and Aimsy. The human looks at her with adoration in her eyes,just like Aviana would.

Chapter Text

Chapter 31

Aimsy is quite pleased with her work, walking around Piper with adoration.
In this light, the campfire casting a soft orange tint on the aviants face, she looks pretty.
She takes off one of her hair accessories and places it directly into the strand, covering the feathery ears.

"Done ! You look just like a human, I'd mistake you for one even ! Oh it's just that you need to take out Palomas feather, it sticks out like a sore thumb"

The aviant looks angry, saying nothing however while taking out the prine feather from the braids.

"If you'd like, I could put it in mine, it wouldn't be that unusual for me to have one since I'm royalty"

Pipers hands close around the feather, staring her down. She didn't expect her to react this way.

"Huh ? Whats with you, you could still look at it and no one would bother me about it."

"Oh fuck you. Why do you think a feather that important to us is worn by your royalty?"

The insults takes her back, correcting her posture to use the extra height to tower over her.

"What did you just say to me ? They wear it because they are expensive and it's a status symbol"

The others have long stopped their shit chat to listen in on their conversation and she can tell that they disagree with her.

"It's a symbol of mockery that's what it is. No aviant could ever love a human enough to give them something so important.
They just take them from us, rip them out to sell to anyone ignorant enough to take them"

Oh. Aimsy takes a step back.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know, I just thought that..."

Piper turns around, walking back to the campfire, feather still in hand.

"Then start thinking Alysithia."
-----

Pearl doesn't like this.
They need to get along.
Hell, he needs to make them get along.
His tail swings left to right, thinking about what he could do to possibly get them closer together.

"Piper, she speaks the truth, she didn't know what this meant for your people. I know that she is truly sorry and if you try understanding it from her perspective it will make sense"

Aimsy has long gone away, to sit under a tree, he quickly checks. Right now Nylou would be the one to call her back but that's not what needs to happen.

"I don't care oracle. She needs to start actually thinking about this, how does she still not make those connections"

"Because you give her no space to learn. You are impulsive, searching for vengeance wherever you can and right now, a human trying to help you is an easy target. If you give her some time she will come around"

"And who says that ? Who even says we need to get along ?"

"I do Piper. I can see the future remember? Make an effort. Your people need you to do so"

And there she goes, bringing Aimsy back while Nylou and Sirius stay at the campfire. He doesn't eavesdrops and he doesn't need to.
He's sorry. But there is nothing he could do to change what needs to happen in the end.

Chapter Text

Chapter 32

Nylou feels like something is wrong about this.
She was just about to get up and try to find Aimsy, although, that would've been a challenge.
What was she thinking. Of course the oracle intervened, she would've taken ages to find her, making a fool of herself in the progress.
Stumbling down anything she finds in her path.
Probably relying on Sirius.
Again.
A hot wave of anger shoots through her body.

"Nylou ? Hey I asked you if you wanted to stay here for a bit longer or go to sleep"

Sirius, still next to her shifts his weight, indicating hes facing towards her now.
She moves her head to her side, she doesn't want be seen.

"Oh, it's that again, we schould probably go then, good night Pearl"

Again. Of course it's that again Sirius, she hadn't learned how to see suddenly.
He guides her to her tent, she could've done that herself, she lies.

"Do you want to share a bed today or rather have your own?"

"Share"

She mumbles, more to herself then to him, she needs something to ground her, to make her feel normal and that's the closest she can get.

"Okay, I'll get everything ready then"

He moves some fabric around, they have two mattresses but they are only both used half the time, they've gotten used to sleeping next to each other that sleeping alone feels cold and empty now. Nylou changes into her sleeping clothes, neither of them care about changing around each other.

"Here, it's ready"

She uses his voice to navigate and lay down, he's right next to her. A soft noise, indicating she wants to be held prompts him to wrap his arms around her.

"Wait, is that noise an Aviant call ? I never thought about it but It sounds so similar"

He chuckles, his chest shaking and she can feel his motion, nodding.

"I'd never expect you to find out but yes, it's a call, i did it the first time when I was in huge distress and thought I was done for but now it just means "hug me, I need it"

Yet another thing he held from her.

"Why did you never tell me. I trusted you with everything, every little thought about myself and I thought you did the same"

His hands move away, leaving her in the cold. He's hugging himself,she thinks, fuck, he's upset.
Her hands quickly wrap around him, holding him close and using her hands to trace his face, to calm him, to calm herself and to know that he still looks the same.

"I thought you'd hate me. At first it was fear, I just made friends with you, I made little money from your parents and I needed that. I didn't want to drive you away and soon, I didn't want to loose you.
And by the time we where this close I thought you'd hate me for having withheld that information for so long.
I'm so sorry, I grew up in a world that made me hate my heritage and I know that, if I told anyone who couldn't keep their mouth shut id be a science experiment.
And I know you now, I know you won't do this"

Her hands trace his wings, tightly bound to his back again and he leans into her touch.

"I forgive you. But please let me see you fully. Let me trace every single part of you so that you will never be a stranger to me ever again"

He nods and peels of his shirt, unwrapping the tight bandages and takes his hand guiding hers to the little wings.
They are even smaller then she imagined, not even two hands wide and covered in small little feathers.
What did Piper and Paloma talk about again? Preening, to clean wings of everything little imperfection.

"Can I?"

And they both know what she means and his heartbeat seems to come even quicker and he nods.
She isn't quite sure what she's doing exactly but she works her hand through the ruffle of feathers, moving out dirt and little misshapen feathers. He goes soft under her hand, making the same noise that she once thought was a thing only between them.

It feels nice.
Seeing just what he really is, ripped from any lies he's told.
When shes finally done, feeling like it's all clean she snuggles up to him again, laying her head down gently.

"Goodnight Sirius Morningstar"

He smiles against her cheek, giving her a kiss.

"It's Byrne, my last name, Morningstar is just the human translation of my first name"

Chapter Text

Chapter 33

There is an odd knot in his throat. Like something keeping him from breathing freely.
It's a confusing feeling and his mouth is dry.
Pearl has no idea what is happening and he should be happy.
Checking up on both Sirius and Nylou and Aimsy and Piper revealed that both pairs where doing okay but... For some reason he felt so left out.

Calm yourself.
They have no need for an oracle that gets emotional.
Calm yourself.
You aren't here to make friends.
Calm yourself.
You need to stay strong.
Calm yourself.
If you fail there will be more then just that one death.
Calm yourself.
You can't change this.
Calm yourself.
The fate is written in stone.
Calm yourself.
They don't need Pearl.
Calm yourself.
They need the Oracle.

Calm yourself there is so need for-

"Pearl ? I can hear you, your breathing is irregular, are you okay ?"

Nylou. Of course, she can hear him, she might even have better listening skills then he does.
He opens his mouth to tell her to go back to sleep but no words come out.
There's motion in the tent and a small figure emerges.

"Hey, I'm here, what do you need?"

He tries to tell her that she should go back to sleep, that he's fine and he can handle himself but all that escapes his throat is a small whine.

"Can I touch you ? I need a verbal confirmation"

He lets out a small yes, barely audible but she instantly moves forward and takes his hand in hers.
Just like Sirius, she draws small circles on his hands.

"Would you want a hug?"

A hug ? That's something from his past, when he was a pup. He can't remember how it felt even.

"I won't do anything unless you give me a verbal confirmation, it's okay to refuse"

He...can refuse?

"Please, no I-this is fine"

And she nods and continues drawing circles on his hand, talking about sweet nothings until his breath comes easy again and he feels like he can do what needs to be done.

"Thank you Nylou. I feel better, I'm in your depth for what you have done for me and I will remember this. If you ever want anything from me, tell me and I'll do what you want."

She tenses up. What did he do wrong ?

"Pearl...you don't need to do anything, I'm your friend and I just did what any friend would've done. No need for any big words, I help Sirius through his panic attacks all the time."

A what ?

"Nylou I will remember these noble words but please I am not your friend, I'm the oracle, I'm here to lead you, I am here to help, not to be a burden."

She seems to think for a while.
What did he do wrong ?

"Hey, it's all fine Pearl, you don't need to do all this, I wanted to help you, you didn't bother me.
You can just pay me back with breakfast tomorrow, I'd love that if you really want to do something in return"
---
Pearl hasn't slept but he doesn't need to.
He's found enough berries to fill up a whole platter and he had managed to forage enough vegetables to recreate those veggie screwers that Sirius make a few days ago.
The pine needles that Piper showed them make a good tea and he's anxiously waiting for Nylou to wake up so he can present what he has done.
Maybe this actually makes up for it.

Chapter Text

Chapter 34

Piper hasn't slept yet. At first she listened in on Sirius and Nylou talking and then, way later heard Nylou calm the oracle down. And now she's watching Aimsy sleep. She could've just slept outside but ever since they met, Piper had slept on the other side of Aimsys tent.
So far from her flock this had comforted her more then she would want to admit.
Aimsys steady, rhythmic breathing had soothed her when she missed home and just sleeping close to someone had given her comfort.
God, she's a traitor.
No aviant schould ever let their guard down this much when close to a human.
But no matter how much she tried to provoce her, all she ever gotten back was snide remarks at most.
Even insulting her to her face had gotten her nothing.
If only she could just shout at her, punch her and make her be in the right.
God she's a hypocrite.
Judging Aimsy for believing in all she heard from the humans and then turning around and doing the same.

She turns her head to Aimsy again and there is not much difference in between her and any aviant she's met.
Her skin is darker, the white she always wears a contrast to her otherwise dark color. Piper is pretty sure her hair is dyed, weird, for all that they talk about not changing your natural beauty this is odd.
If she'd open her eyes Piper could see her icy blue colors.
She looks so different and still, she sleeps just the same, breathes just the same.

Piper feels guilty.

_____

"Oh hi Pearl! I'm usually the first one up, oh, you already made breakfast"

The fennik sits at an already burning campfire, looking exhausted in front of more food then she had seen in a while.

"Good morning Piper, no I haven't uh-slept and I owed Nylou this."

Piper doesn't want to explain how she already knew that so instead she just sits down.
Sirius comes out of his tent next and he looks happy.

"Sirius ! Your wings-"

He looks like a child caught with something he shouldn't have, like he ate all the cookies that where ment for Christmas.

"Oh i- I must've forgotten to uhm. Bind them. I'm sorry, I'll do it."

Oh no that's not what she meant.

"No like, your wings are preened. They look pretty! Such a dark gray, I have never seen that colour before, my flock is all earthly colours"

He seems to light up and he smiles.

"Nylou thought she could help me"

He comes back out after a while, his coat back on and an almost still asleep nylou at his side.

"Oh, Pearl you actually made breakfast this smells good!"

Chapter Text

Chapter 35

Aimsy hasn't eaten this much in days but the oracles breakfast was amazing, he looked scared up until everyone complimented his skills and Aimsy could've sworn that he even laughed once, with his teeth showing. Odd, he's never done that before.

"Pearl are you alright ? You look so tired, have you slept okay ?"

Now that Sirius mentions it, he does look tired. So do Nylou and Piper.

"Oh, this breakfast took a bit, I'm sorry this will not lower my performance for today though.
I won't disappoint or make you wait up for me."

Everyone is silent.
Aimsy doesn't know why, thats pretty reasonable, she wouldn't want to keep up the group as well.

"Hey Pearl, if you need a break it's no problem, we can just take a moment so you can catch your breath"

Nylou smiles softly at, well probably where she thinks he is, about half a meter to the right.

"We need to reach the city soon, we only have a short amount of time to actually do what we need to do"

That makes sense, Aimsy nods and stands up, they have to get going soon.

After they packed everything up Piper tries to fix her clothes, just like they practiced yesterday.
She bites her tongue, after yesterday she feels like she shouldn't really take initiative to make her look more human. Palomas feather is stored somewhere and she hadn't seen it since yesterday.

"Aimsy, please, how to I put my hair up again ?"

Oh ? She smiles, quickly taking the steps it needs to be able to touch the aviants hair, pin it up in the way that it hides her feathers.
It takes a while to perfect it, it would've probably already worked a bit earlier but Aimsy is embarrassed how much she enjoys this.

The sun is already setting by the time they put up their tents. Faint sun rays still warm her back but the coldness of the night is creeping up on them.
Soon it's going to be fully dark again but they have all fallen into a routine to set up their camp in the quickest way they can.

Odd, she never expected their company make her this happy.

"So, you all are probably wondering what we need to do next right ?"
The oracle hasn't settled next to them and his voice breaks their previous chattering.

"Yeah ? I mean I'd love to know what the prophecy needs us to do next"
Aimsy crosses her arms in front of her body.

"We will be going to a university, the university of Aliko where-"

Nylou cuts him off.

"Health and Education! Thats the big one you dreamed of Sirius !"

He twitches at that sentence and seems conflicted before speaking up.

"Yeah I want to teach there at some point I guess"

Pearl seems annoyed at them.

"We need to sneak in and steal one of their most prized possessions. The medical record that got taken of the general that died in the disaster of Elisäy. This would prove whether or not it was an Aviant who killed him."

"And how...would we get in there ? We aren't students and like ...everyone but me and Nylou can't just go there and hope for the best.
Piper is an Aviant, Pearl you are the oracle and well Aimsys like a full on princess"

"Not a princess."

"No matter what they know you"

"I know a way we can, just behave in the way I tell you and everything will be fine. Sirius, you don't need to worry, there is a, somewhat odd, opportunity that I see and we need to take it.
We stay at this camp until tomorrow around sundown, we are only about an hour walk away from the university. Lucky for us it's outside of the city so we won't have anyone coming up to us here."

The oracle explains his plan in a calm and collected voice. Aimsy is excited, she's never actually been to a uni.

They settle down next to each other, her shoulders squished in between Sirius and Nylou.
Looking to her side she can see his tangled hair.

"Hey Sirius, have you ever braided your hair ? Like put it in locs? You might just have the right hair type for that, it will make you blend in better as well"

Sirius shakes his head.

"I don't...usually take care of it, I don't know I just let it grow."

She smiles at him.

"Would you like me to ?"

He agrees and soon her hands are skillfully braiding his hair, untangling knods and gently brushing her hands through it. She stops right over his ears and just for a moment, she looks at his ears, small speckles of dried blood cling onto it and spots, just like those of moskito bites cover it.
She takes a tiny washcloth usually reserved for cleaning her face both in the morning and the evening and dips it into water, softly dappling his ear to clean it all up.

He shivers at the touch and for a second seems to flinch away but he settles down again.
She finishes up her work and he looks so much more human somehow.

"You look great ! This really fits you"

He smiles at Aimsys words and Nylous hands brush over his hair, trying to see it all.
Oh.
She's jealous?
Sirius and Nylou have such a great bond, the way they both relax the second they are close together and she always reassures him and he worships the ground she walks on.
And Aimsy is just...there.

Piper has a loving family, all she ever talk about when she mentions them is how wonderful it's been, the worst she ever told was when her sister Ava stole her sweets.

And the oracle is a sending from god.

Chapter Text

Chapter 36

The waiting game is exhausting, Piper listens to the others talk while the sun slowly gets weaker and weaker.
Sirius looks pretty, his hair looks better like this.

"So uh, we've been traveling together for a while now but I feel like I don't actually know you all that well"

They nod, looking from one to the other and then back to Piper.

"So how about we all ask one question?"

Nylou nods, seemingly excited.

"What's your favorite colors ? I'll make us bracelets in those colors"

She looks excited and Piper doesn't have to think that much.

"Yellow, like a pale one, the color of my feathers"

"I uh-i like purple but I guess you know that Nylou, a purple like my jacket. Although it looks beat up by now and I think I've gotta get a new one soon"

"I guess I like red ? That's what the priests said works best with my looks. Brings out my eyes or something"

Huh, that's not really an answer, it does fit him though. Now that Piper thinks of it, Pearl meets all the beauty standards for Fenniks, people probably consider him very attractive.

"I don't really have one ? I don't think anyone ever asked me for this, maybe like orange ?"

She looks at her while says it. Aimsy seems to stare a hole into her and that's when she notices. Her feathers have orange tips. Odd.

"Okay Sirius your next !"

The man thinks for a while, looking slightly embarrassed.

"What's your happiest memory? Mine was when me and Nylou- or well, I talk about those enough and I guess I can share my childhood now.
My father used to dance with me, the human dances, me standing on his feet and he'd twirl me around. I was so little still and he felt so tall, so protective. My mom was baking a cake and it already smelled so good."

"Mine is a bit stupid, it was the day after my parents broke off the contact with Sirius and I thought I'd never see him again but there he was, waiting in front of my house, warning me of his presence. Think that was the first time anyone ever chose me."

And he'd choose you again. And again and again.
There's a pit in her stomach.
This is what she could've had if she stopped, being this way.

"My favorite memory, hmm I guess that was when my sister hatched and I was waiting for her to arrive with my parents and my older sister. I was so excited to meet her."

She isn't even sure if this is a lie or not.

"I was quite proud when I won an award when I was 14, I wrote a study on the beauty standards for humans and Fenniks. My parents where really pleased with me and I still hold that award dear to me"

"Oh Aimsy, I didn't even know you where a writer !"

"I haven't won anything in a while Nylou, I'm not really that talented"

"That is still admirable Aimsy. When it comes to my memorys, hm, I guess I really loved my sports education. Made me feel free."

That seems sad. How can that be your favorite memory?

They continue to ask questions until everyone answered. Pearl asks them their favorite food and Piper asks for their favorite weather. Nothing really personal but after the favorite memorys one she feels like it might be good to steer away a little.

Finally Aimsy ends with her question.

"Why do you wear your certain clothes ? I think clothes tell a lot about people"

"I just really love the texture of this shirt, it's very comfy. Also the pants are great because their so airy and I bind them down with some cloth strings I cut off to make the pants shorter. I'm pretty short so I need to do this often."

"I think ripped jeans are cool, black works with everything and my shoes are just really comfy. The shirt and the jacket are pretty basic I don't really put too much thought into it. This necklace though, it was made by nylou, used to be her guitar pick but then she gave it to me. I love it"

Now thats cute.

"These clothes are similar to the ones I wore in the temple, just a little better suited for an adventure. The necklace bears the symbol of the oracle. Its not really clothes but I always wear my hair like this. I'd like it short but I can't really do it so I just stick to putting it up."

"Why can't you have short hair Pearl?"

Now that's a good question, Sirius stares at him and Piper would love to hear that answer.

"It's because that's the beauty Standart for Fenniks. He fits into all of them and long hair is a pretty big aspect"

"Aimsy is right. Now enough of that, id like to hear your answer Piper"

"I wear our traditional clothings. The poncho is there to keep my shoulders warm and it's usually brightly colored. The top needs to be this way, there's the hole in my back where my wings go through and my shorts warm my legs. They end below my tail feathers in order not to hinder my movements. The skirt part is there to again, keep me warmer and all of those little details show off my money or sewing skills. Once you understand the aviant body it makes sense"

It's a little hard to explain to someone who doesn't have wings, her clothes are specifically tailored to her body.

"I guess I have to answer my own question as well, the clothes I wear are specifically made for me to fit me perfectly. A lot of humans wear white because it shows off our dark skin well. The jewels in my hair have a lot of uses, not only does it show off my status, it also serves as a currency, like it did with Jay and Dove. Usually I'd put on golden eyeshadow, it's actually made out of crushed gold and-"

Piper doesn't really listen anymore. Privileged, she thinks.

Chapter Text

Chapter 37

"We need to go now. Prepare yourself and let Aimsy check if you pass well enough"

Sirius stands still, waiting for his turn while he watches Aimsy take ages to brush a strand of hair out of Pipers face, they exchange a weird look, somehow tender and rough at the same time.
Pearl has his hair down and the black hair falls softly over his shoulders. With a small golden hair clip he clips up his hair for it to fall over the golden eye.

"Why do you do that ? Like what is it with you golden eye ?"

"It's the symbol of the oracle. Once an oracle dies they take this eye and do a ritual. Right after, a pup gets born with a golden eye. While I have one eye that's golden and one that's green, the oracle before me, Amber, had golden and silver eyes. The eye is a dead giveaway that I am the oracle"

"That's fucked up, they take your eye ?"

"It's not my eye. This is the oracles blessing and I was the one to receive it."

If he could only find the words to explain to Pearl how sorry he was for this, just how much he deserves to be his own person but they aren't close enough for this, so instead, he just nods.

It's his turn now and Aimsy scans him over. Not like he didn't look human enough.
He stands tall under her gaze and she smiles.

"We can go, we schould be fine"

They leave their tents and most of their stuff behind after Pearl assured them they'd be fine.

The hour goes by much faster then he would've thought, even though the air is tense with anticipation.
His hand is intertwined with Nylous, he tells her for his own comfort but they both now they can't risk her stumbling.

Pearl leads them through the very outskirts of the city of Aliko, home to the biggest university in all of Mykene.
The impressive buildings are already visible, the pale sandstone standing tall for centuries. Years ago this was his dream but it seems further away then ever before. Not like he was ever actually smart enough to stand a chance.

Whispering to Nylou he explains the beauty of this place, ever since being her friend he notices so many details that he never would've in the first place.

They reach a the main building, it's just after sunset and only a few students are still walking outside. Some couples have layed out blankets and cuddle, watching the stars.

Pearl flicks his ear, a symbol they had previously agreed on to show that their target is near.

He slowly walks up to a tall human, gaeliac by the looks of it, standing next to another human who is weirdly pale, with black hair. They look like a fennik, missing the ears though.
Also their eyes aren't slim, matching Sirius more then Pearl.

"I know why you are here."

"And I know why you came"

"And I know Jack shit nothing, what's going on here ?"

They stare at him. He's right though, what even is going on ?

"Lead the way oracle, I'm sure you can"

The gaeliacs voice drips with venom and Sirius can't stand them.

Pearl leads them to a door with a huge lock on it.

"So you know why we are here, still you do not know their names, Sirius, Aimsy, Piper and Nylou."

The gaeliac flashes his teeth in what schouldve been a sympathetic smile.

"There should be three of you"

Sirius watches as Pearls polite smile drops for a second.

"This is what needed to happen. Please, help us out. I know you will"

"Okay who are these two even and why do you talk to them like this ?"

Aimsy speaks Sirius mind and he waits for an answer.

"You can call me Graphos and this is Miden. We will lead you to the medical record you need"

Chapter Text

Chapter 38

"Neither of those are actual names ? You just called yourself "to write" and your friend "nothing at all"

Aimsy stares the gaeliac down, whatever they really are, they just lied to her.

Pearl lets out a low growl, his tail flicking.

"Lay low Aimsy, we need their help to not get caught. Mx Graphos teaches here, or at the least somehow got a teacher's key. They know of the prophecy"

"I'm just here to watch the show, relax Oracle, I want to know how this ends"

Graphos grins again and claps once.

"Shall we get on with it ?".

Nylou grabs his hand and whispers to him.
"Sirius please tell me who these people are"

He explains how they look like and Nylou seems confused.

"You just explained to me that Miden has no aviant features and then, right after tell me that there are featheres behind their ears. Also didn't you say that they had eyes similar to yours and then right after told me they look like Pearls."

Now that she mentions it, when he tries to focus on Midens features it feels like he's getting a headache.

"Ah, no Miden has no feathers and their eyes look like mine, it's all fine Nylou I'm just tired"

Nylou lets her eyebrows sink and he doesn't think she believes him.

Graphos fiddles with the lock for a second until they hear a small click.

"Pearl please explain what's going on."

Piper stares at the Fennik.
Pearl bites his bottom lip and his ears drop.

"I will explain once this is over. Trust me please. We can't be too loud or they will get suspicious."

Piper seems like she wants to say something again but Sirius looks at her, pleading her to stay silent. She nods, annoyed.

They walk behind the two strangers, through long hallways, past students chattering about their courses. Most of them are humans, a few Fenniks but no aviants, not that that was a surprise. A few of them stare at Piper for a second but they quickly look back down after Graphos gives them a commanding look.

This could've been his life.
Studying here with Nylou, learning to be a teacher while Nylou studys medicine, a dream she lost when they told her she'd never be able to perform surgery, no matter how well she manages her disability.
In the end the most fundamental thing about them both broke these dreams.
Nylous disability and Sirius being unable to exist without her.

A soft finger brushes over his hands, a hash contrast to his calloused knuckles.
She knows what he's thinking.
And he tried so hard to hide it.

They all walk in silence, a staircase behind another locked door leads them towards a giant vault.
Without saying anything Graphos stops and Miden walks in front of them. Miden lays a finger onto a finger print tracker which opens up the door.
A thick layer of dust covers the floor and the numbers on the medical records date back to even before the war.

"They will know that you where here. Grab it and leave"

It's the first time Miden has spoken and their voice sounds like he had expected. Feminine and masculine at the same time.

"We schould take a few, so they don't know we where looking for the specific war related one"

Piper shakes her head at his idea.

"They will probably know no matter what"

Pearl takes a smaller book from the shelves.

"That's the wrong date isn't it ?"

The Fennik shakes his head and hands the book over to Sirius.

"Put it in your bag, we need to leave now"

"Pearl this is the wrong one, we need to get the correct date"

The Fennik doesn't even answer and instead takes another step towards the door.

Piper stops him.

"Explain what we are doing Pearl im sick of you never telling anything!"

"Piper we need to go, I will explain once we have the time, its critical that we leave right now"

Hes panicking, his hair standing up and he bears his teeth, lips thin.
The first time Sirius ever saw him actually looking like a fennik.

Pipers feathers flutter and she takes on a defensive stand.

Loud steps come closer, shoes slam onto the stone ground and Pearl panicks even more.
Time seems to stand still, the Fennik seems to be counting something down as Sirius spots a small window. They are only in the first floor so they could make it-

"Come, hurry"

He cracks the window open and urges them to jump down, although he needs to go first, he could catch them. The years of fighting with other teens made his body sturdy.
Before anyone can stop him he takes a leap out of the window.
The impact of the fall takes the air out of his lungs and he coughs. He doesn't have time to pity himself and he stands up, quicker then his aching body wants to and he lifts up his arms.

Nylous head peaks out of the window. Her eyes are wide open and she shakes. Piper leads her, moving her in the right direction and then Nylou jumps, for a second Sirios fears that she hits the ground before he can get her but he catches her, her small body pressed against him and he places her back on the ground.

"Take a step back Nylou, I need to catch the others"

Pearl is next, he takes a second, calculating before jumping down into Sirius arms.
The impact makes his already sore muscles scream with pain. The fennik is trembling and just for a second he hugs him, to ground him before telling the Fennik to stay with Nylou.

Aimsy stares at him and he sees the doubt in her eyes. Fair, she's taller then him and plumb so this is going to be the hardest. Just as she jumps, Piper leaps behind her the bag thrown out and her wings free fully free again, she wraps her arms around Aimsy and slows her fall, she isn't strong enough to fully glide down and they hit the ground. Aimsy wrapped her legs around the aviant, pulling her close, head tucked under hers clinging onto her. She landed on her back, leaving Piper completely unharmed.

Chapter Text

Chapter 39

The Aviant stares at her, Aimsys back is acing but somehow fine. Piper slowed her fall and, instinctively Aimsy kept her safe in return.
They both chose the safety of the other before their own.

"Are you crazy Aimsy ??? You could've died here, I could've stabilized us both!"

She must've hit her head on the way down because the only feeling she had is happyness.
Her hand cups Pipers face and she smiles.

"You would've saved me"

"Don't get used to it. Now get up we need to leave"

Piper gets up and grabs her hand, pulling her up.
Her bare arms show her muscles as she helps her up. Tiny speckles of nail paint still stain her nails and her hands are sturdy.

They run, the oracle faster then any of them.
It's only after about 20 minutes that they finally stop to catch their breath. Nylou looks awful, her short legs shake and sweat makes her hair stick to her forehead.

"Pearl, explain what just happened. I won't take another step without it"

Pipers voice hoarse from running and Sirius looks at her worried.

"I will explain once we are back at camp. Please Piper let's continue"

Nylou begins Walking again, guided by Sirius hand
And for a second Aimsy thinks that Piper will leave it be.

"No. You tell us right now"

Piper crosses her arms in front of her body and stares at the fennik.
The oracle looks worried again, seemingly calculating again.

"Okay but please, I will explain more once we are back. I knew those two would help us get the book, the one I grabbed is the correct one, it was a security mechanism to ensure people would take the wrong one. We will see Graphos and Miden again but for now I have no idea where they are. I can only see our future, not theirs. I can't really see what Sirius or Nylou will do which is why my visions are...less accurate then they should be"

Piper doesn't seem satisfied yet.

"You better explain it in full once we are back."

To an extent she understands both of them.

It takes them another half an hour to get back to their little camp and she sits down anxiously waiting for the confrontation that is to come.
Her legs hurt, never had she run so far and so fast in her life, she was meant to walk gracefully.

Sirius sits close to Pearl, his shoulder pressing against the oracles and he whispers something in the oracles ear, who in turn seems slightly less worried. Nylou is on Sirius other side.

"Well. You said you know this was the correct book. Why didn't you say earlier? We could've been out so much faster."

Piper has a good point here. If Pearl knew from the start he could've made it much easier for all of them by just explaining it.

"Well why don't you just let me explain later. We nearly got caught there because you threw a tantrum."

The Fenniks words are cold and his eyes are darker.

Pipers wings flare up and she takes on an active stand again, just like when they where in the uni.

"You didn't even answer my question!"

As if it's a reply to Pipers body language the oracles hair seems to stand up again and he shows his teeth.

"I will tell you what you need to know"

"You don't really even do that. Piper needed to know, hell we all needed to know that the book we where searching for wasn't the correct one"

Aimsy speaks up.

"And you could've warned us about Miden and Graphos, yes you knew they wouldn't harm us but we don't have the power to just know"

Nylous voice is firm and Pearl, takes a quick look at her.

"I am doing this just the way I've been told. To ensure we will be able to reach our goal."

Does he ever even think for himself ?

"Pearl, you don't need to do this exactly as you have been told, you can try doing whatever you'd like"

Sirius voice is soft and he smiles at the oracle.

"No Sirius, you don't understand, if I fail... I can't fail. I would never forgive myself if I did"

The oracle seems so small again. Even Piper calms herself and looks at him worried.

"What will happen if you fail?"

Nylous voice is now soft, small, barely above a whisper and Aimsy dreads the answer.

"Death. For at least three people here. I'm trying my hardest to somehow work through it but-"

Oh god. Aimsy knew that this was going to be a risk but-

"Pearl, this isn't your fault, you don't need to carry the load alone"

Sirius holds Nylou close now, almost instinctively both of them took the others hand, pinky intertwined once Pearl spoke his sentence.

"No Sirius. It is. I'm the oracle, this is what I was born to do. Nothing will ever change that I'm just a pawn in a game much bigger than anything we will ever know."

And Aimsy though that her legacy as a noblewoman was scary and dictating her life too much.

"Pearl. You are deserving of being a person first, the oracle later. Please, it would help us all a lot if you told us just a bit more."

Pearl stands up, taking a few steps away from them all.

"I will try your way. Just for a bit but please promise me, everything I do is to keep you safe and If I put you through bad situations it's to stop you from dying later on"

The whole death thing is hard to understand. They can die here ? They are just trying to fix an old misunderstanding, how could they even die in the process? But Piper seems like it makes sense to her. She nods and takes a step closer to the oracle.

He flinches but then Piper holds out his Hand, seemingly going in for a handshake.
Pearl gladly accepts it.

Chapter Text

Chapter 40

Nylous thoughts are running wild.
Death.
They could die here.
Sirius could die here.
Her hands stretch, in search of the warm body next to her.
She feels his back.

"Can't sleep ?"

He sounds like he's been wide awake as well.

"Yeah. I still don't know what I schould think of this. Die ? For a stupid compass I found in a shop?"

He comes closer, putting an arm around her, she sinks into his warmth. Home, she thinks.

"Not for a stupid compass. For a world where Aviants, Humans and Fenniks live in harmony. Where I can exsist"

He has that tone in his voice. Ready for anything, strong and clear. A shiver runs over her spine. He'd sacrifice himself. She's sure of that.

"Sirius I can't watch you die for a stupid mistake I made. I schouldve left that compass be"

His muscles tense up, she can feel him think.

"Nylou, this is the biggest chance we have in our life. This is our chance to change the world around us"

But I'm selfish.
I need you for myself.
You are already my savior you don't need to save the world.

"We will do our best. But promise me you will do what you can to survive. I need you to survive"

He presses a kiss on her forehead and she can feel him smile.

"I will do what I can"

And I know you will.
And I know you like the others.
And I know that even now, if it was them or you, youd sacrifice yourself in an instinct.

"What do you think of the others ? Like now that we know them better ?"

He seems to think for a while.

"Aimsy is just stuck with bad education growing up, she doesn't mean to hurt anyone, she can't help herself.
She's been trying to do better and we need to agnolage that more.
I like having another human close, she reminds me of my dad a little, I missed dancing with him so much and then she came along and made me remember it all"

"I agree, Piper gives her a hard time but maybe just because she can't understand a human can change their ways. I think Aimsy is much kinder then she lets on. If she grew up differently she would be sweet"

"I have also thought of that. She does selfless acts just to turn around and try to command others. I feel like deep down she's kind but builds up walls to keep others out"

She nods.

"What about Piper ?"

He takes another moment to answer.

"She's stubborn, proud and she has a sharp tounge but underneath that is someone that loves her family dear and wants to protect them from the harsh environment that she was tossed into"

That's more poetic then she would've expected.

"I like Piper, I feel like she needs to constantly prove her strength in front of you, Aimsy and Pearl but she never did that with me, from our talks I just know a girl that loves her family, writes bad poetry and compliments my bracelets to the extent that it gets stupid"

He laughs for a second, Nylou loves that sound.

"And Pearl ?"

He takes longer to respond.

"He's so similar to me when I was younger, he tries his hardest to work with us but ultimately fails because he follows rules that where set by anyone but himself. I feel like he might be the closest to understand just how I feel. In a way we can't relate to anyone else in this world"

" That isn't all though ? I feel like you are growing on him more then you admit yourself"

He takes a sharp breath. She's right.

"I didn't want to tell you, it has always been just us against everyone else but-"

Her heart aches.

"It's okay, I know"

He seems to relax and she snuggles closer to him.

"I like him as well, he's skittish and seems scared out of his mind once a small thing goes wrong but I guess we can't really blame him. He is doing his best for us and I'm so thankful for that"

They talk about the others, sweet nothings and anything they can think of really.
She falls asleep next to him, as always, she hopes.

Chapter Text

Chapter 41

Piper can't sleep, thought's running wild as she tries to wrap her head around the idea that she can die here.
The rytmic breathing on the other side of the tent suggests that Aimsy is either asleep or pretending to be, both mean that she wont be able to talk to her about this.
Weird, she never would've through that she'd talk to the human about this.

Piper can tell that Sirius and Nylou are talking, she hears laughing and whispering.
Well, laying down won't do much, she can't sleep so might as well watch the stars.
The chill air of a summer night hits her face and she is instantly even more awake. Schouldve stayed in bed.

Pearl is still sitting at the campfire, weird, she would've through he went to sleep a while ago.

"Hi Pearl"

"Oh, hello Piper, I guess what I told you has kept you awake, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you"

His voice is monotone, as most of the time. He uses his tail as some sort of blanket, wrapped around his torso.

"Yeah, can't sleep, not like anyone ever told me before I'm gonna die soon"

His eyes widen and his ears fold close to his head.

"You won't die Piper, I'll make sure of that, please do not worry"

She laughs, he never understands when anyone's joking.

"It's fine Pearl, chill out, that was a joke. I can take care of myself I won't die here"

His shoulders drop and he lets out a little laugh.

"Oh come on Pearl, I know how a Fennik laughs, you sound like you are an actor trying his best to appear like a polite little human"

He looks guilty.

"I- I uh I'm sorry I will laugh more to your taste, I think I remember how fenniks laugh, it has a little more bark in right ? I'm sorry please correct me so I can do better"

What did they do to get him this way ?

"Pearl, you are fine, I don't give a shit about how you laugh, do whatever you'd like"

The Fennik bites his lip and nods.

"So you don't have anything you'd like to change ? I'm doing good ?"

His ears move upwards again.

"You are doing good, whatever you'd like to do is best"

His tail relaxes and he smiles.

"Thank you Piper, I appreciate this"

"Pearl I, I have to ask, how did you grow up ? I know it can't be best but I feel like you constantly correct yourself, you are never sincere and constantly hold yourself in a way that's unnatural for your people"

He wraps his tail around himself again.

"They aren't my people. I'm not a Fennik in a way that matters. I was born one but I will never just be a fennik. I'm the oracle first, a Fennik later."

He looks so small and Piper can't help but pity him.

"You are Pearl first. You aren't just the oracle"

He seems confused.

"No Piper, this is my whole purpose"

"Pearl, this isn't all you need to be okay ? Please, if you want to do something I truly believe is good you schould be yourself for once"

He shakes his head.

"I don't think something like that exists"

"One day Pearl. One day you will find something that will change that. One day you will wake up, knowing that your purpose is so much greater then this"

He thinks for a while before nodding, a soft smile on his lips.

"Maybe you are right Piper, thank you so much for this."
----

"There's a chance we can't miss out on ! Here, it's not directly the path we need to take but it's only a few minutes off and there we will find something very valuable!"

Pearl seems happier, he grins at them, not with teeth but a lot more genuine then he'd usually do.

"What exactly do you mean with that?"

Sirius question floats in the air. Will he actually tell them more now ?

"I uh- I can't really tell, the visions aren't clear but I saw one where Piper says that she's happy she went to investigate something"

Hm, maybe him never really telling was him not really knowing.

"So what do you suggest we do ?"

Pearl beams at Pipers question.

"Okay okay so if we leave right now, after packing up and taking the route the compass gives us sometime around lunch Piper will see something she wants to investigate, I stop her in most of my visions but there is one where I don't and Piper later mentions that she is happy she went to do it"

Piper grins at him, she's never seen him this excited. The weight of knowing that at least one of them can die seems to be lifted up at least a little.
----

Around lunchtime is when he starts to get skittish again. His nose is up in the air, frantically trying to breathe in anything differently.
She puts her hand on his head and ruffles his hair.
He almost jumps at the contact but seems to calm himself, lips forming a crooked smile.

"Hey if anything, I'm the one to notice it and-"

Something is watching them. Her feathers stand up and she puts up her fists.

"Theres someone here. Sirius, quick."

He nods and pulls out his dagger, the prine feather dangling from it. He has a firm look on his face.
The stats are suddenly higher.

Piper moves through the tall grass, slowly, calculating.
Sirius tries to do the same but his human incompetence to actually be quiet makes him walk through the grass like a nestling trying to be sneaky.
If tension wasn't this thick she would laugh.
He tries so hard to do it like her.

She doesn't get a warning, just a moment ago she was standing up, then something moved, half a chirp escaped her before shes knocked on the ground.

Chapter Text

Chapter 42

Right as they where about to see what Piper sensed ,a Fennik knocks her down, straddling her down with their thights.
They flash pointy teeth until they suddenly look confused

"An Aviant ?? Here ?"

Sirius is surprised by how high pitched their voice is, at first he though it was a man but now ?

Piper slams her elbow into their stomach, successfully making them stumble into the grass right next to her.

Sirius quickly catches himself and despite the initial shock of seeing a Fennik here he rushes to Piper side, standing his ground in front of the Fennik.

"Oh whoa, chill out, I'm sorry I though yall where humans, I didn't expect to see an Aviant around these parts."

He?She ? They do look slightly embarrassed and their fur sets down again, holding out a hand.

"I'd like to start over again, I'm Feroc, but who the hell are you, I don't think I've ever seen something like this"

The other three have joined them and, to be fair, two humans, one of them gaeliac, a Fennik, an Aviant and Sirius aren't a group anyone has ever seen travel together since the great war.

"Feroc isn't your name"

Pearl is standing tall now, his fur ever so slightly standing up and his arms are crossed.

"Youve got to be fucking with me. That's the oracle. What in the hell are you people"

"I'd appreciate it if you stop swearing so much, yes, I am the oracle and-"

Nylou steps up and smiles brightly.

"Have you ever heard of the prophecy? The one that talks about an Aviant and a human working together to fix an old-"

Pearl presses a hand over Nylous mouth and she visibly flinches.

"Pearl ! You can't do that she can't see you reaching for you so it scares her"

The Fennik stares at them. Their face unreadable but seemingly switching in between absolute amazement and confusion.

"Yes I know the prophecy. Wait does that mean you are doing the prophecy??? Like the prophecy is turning out to be true and you will fix the war?"

Pearl shows his teeth again.

"This does not concern you."

Sirius lays his hand on Pearls schoulder, carefully as to not scare him.

"Pearl, you told us Piper would be happy to have met them so we might as well tell them"

Pearl nods, his hair still standing up slightly.

"Yes. We are currently trying to fix what has been broken"

The Fenniks hair completely flattens and there is a soft glint in their eyes.

"I-i didn't even know that that prophecy was true ! That would chance so much !"

Their tails twitches from one side to the other, their ears standing tall.

"I... I know this is much to ask but please please let me come along. I've spend my whole life getting demonized by humans and I'm so over that !"
---

Sirius took a while convincing them, mostly Pearl.
Now they are sitting down again, their camp already made. The soft crackle of the fire gives them a nice ambiance and the Fennik takes a deep breath.

"The oracle was right. My name isn't Feroc, but that's what Id like to go by. I grew up with my parents, who, nicely said, suck it up to the humans so much that I know they want to be humans so badly. I'm not saying they hated me, or they where bad parents but they never allowed me to actually act like I want to act.
Us Fenniks have forgotten who we are and I think it's horrible. Every yelp I make, Everytime I use one of our ancient calls they ridicule me.
No one will ever take you seriously if you bark like a dog Feroc. Whatever. I don't want to pretend to be a human just for some stuck up people to love me."

The way that Pearl looks at them is soft now.
He nods.

"I uh- I am the oracle but please call me Pearl... Only if that doesn't inconvenience you of course."

Feroc nods.

"Of course no problems ! Hey now that we are at
that topic, what are your names, prounouns, whatever else you want to say."

"I'm Piper of the Binope flock, I'm the Aviant mentioned in the prophecy and I go by she/her"

The Fennik smiles.

"I have heard of your flock, learning about Aviant culture helped me stir away from the human ways that have been integrated into our Fennik culture"

Piper beams at his sentence and grins, a wide smile.

"My name is Sirius Byrne, prounouns are he/him I am a... Human with Aviant blood. Neither me or my best friend Nylou are mentioned in the prophecy but I've been taking on the role of the guardian"

Hm, saying it out loud makes it feel more real but, in all honesty that's what he has been doing.

"You are what ???"

Of course. He sighs and peels off his jacked, shirt and the tight bandages that are usually wrapped around his upper body.
The tiny grey wings on his back flutter.

"The tips of your wings have turned black ! Oh Sirius this is amazing !"

Feroc stares at him, mouth wide open.
Sirius feels himself getting smaller under all of their gazes.

"My grandmother was a human. I know how rare this is but please, I don't like getting stared at"

The Fennik quickly averds their gaze and Sirius thankfully starts putting his clothes back on.

"Sirius, if you'd like, I could stich some of my tops to fit you, I have some that would just need some changes and your wings could be free. I don't know how rough this must feel"

He shakes his head. No matter how nice it feels, the things that would happen to him if he did that would never be worth it.
She seems disappointed but nods.

" My name is Aimsy Keshrimpari, I'm the human who is in the prophecy. I uh, people call me she/her so feel free to do so"

Feroc raises an eyebrow.

"People call you that ? But is that what you would want to go by ?"

Aimsy looks confused.

"I don't hate it. So I don't care"

A short silence follows that answer.

"I'm Nylou Ó Conchúir, I'm gaeliac and I'm also not mentioned in the prophecy. Oh and I go by she/her"

Feroc stares. Sirius knows what the question is going to be.

"What's with your eyes?"

He can feel Nylou sink and her smile drops.

"I was born blind"

The Fenniks expression drops as well.

"Oh I'm sorry"

"Don't. I got used to it"

Sirius feels like he should stop this conversation.

"Hey Feroc you didn't say yet what prounouns do you go by ?"

The Fennik looks thankful for the conversation change.

"Im a woman but most people don't really see me as one. Not in a way that I wasn't born a woman and they are being transphobic towards me but in a way that they don't approve in the way I want to express myself. So I guess the short version is I go by she/her"

Aimsy seems confused.

"So you are a woman and you still have a beard ?"

Feroc looks at her, a harsh glint in her eyes.

"Of course the humans gonna be confused about this. Fenniks both grow beards, us Fenniks actually grow hair nearly everywhere. Your human beauty standards just forces most to shave. Just like the oracle"

Pearl nods. It seems like he's fighting an internal battle.

"I never had a say in anything. Whenever I didn't fit the human beauty standards, the priests wouldn't stop until I looked perfect"

Chapter Text

Chapter 43

Watching Feroc makes him realize how much he lost.
She's loud and she stands against everything he's ever known.
And he wishes so much he could be like her.
Free.
She is the pup he wanted to be, back when he was growing up.
Her eyes are such a pretty brown color.
Both of them.
She makes all of those noises, those he'd get ridiculed for.
When Nylou tells her she has to wait until her bracelet is ready she lets out a playful whine.
Her tail swings from one side to the other.
She smiles a theethy smile.
And Pearl hates it.
It reminds him of all he was never able to be.

"Hey Pearl! Don't you wanna come sit with us ?"

Oh ? Feroc stands in front of him, holding out one hand.
He graps it and she pulls him up.
He taller then her, not by a lot but enough to be visible.

"Oh sure, I wasn't really doing anything"

She leads her to the rest of the group, sitting down on the tall grass, Nylou in the middle, skillfully crafting bracelets.
The one she is currently working on is a dark green with orange elements, just like Ferocs clothes.

"Hey Feroc you said that you chose that name, why?"

Sirius voice is calm and he smiles.

"Oh, Feroc, ferocious, y'know ? Felt like it fit and, well besides, do you know how Fenniks are usually named ? We used to have a tradition of naming our children after attributes that we wanted them to develop.
So something like Amity, meaning friendly and peaceful was popular.
Pearl sorta follows that old pattern, although harder to see. A Pearl amongst others is a person of great rarity and worth.
Pearlescent also means something that shimmers in different colors."

He...he never knew that.
And apparently it shows.

"Oh did you not pick that name for yourself ?"

He shakes his head.

"What ? I remember someone saying they where glad that the oracle chose that name since it still represents our old values."

"The priests picked it for me, I didn't know what it meant. I just like it more then people calling me the oracle. At least that name sets me apart from Amber."

Feroc seems to understand and nod.

"Who's Amber ?"

Nylou sounds sincere and, he guesses she really has no idea.

"Amber was the oracle before me. She was very respected from those who she worked with and she is said to have been one of the best oracles.
Since I am her rebirth people assumed that I would be just like her.
But she was a natural while I just wasn't."

He remembers the many things people said to him.
The previous oracle liked this.
You schould too.
The previous oracle was polite.
You schould be too.
The previous oracle never let itself get angry.
You should too.
The previous oracle never talked back.
So shut your mouth.
The previous oracle was so much better.
You failed.

"Hey fuck that! Pearl you are your own person, no one gives a shit about what some long dead Fennik had to say."

Huh?

"Feroc, you are a Fennik, you out of everyone should be disappointed with how I am dragging us down."

She shakes her head.

"Pearl I don't give a shit about whether or not you are the perfect oracle. All I care about is fixing this prophecy. And you are the one that will do that ain't it so ?"

"I- I guess but that doesn't mean I'm doing this correctly. Feroc I can see half this group dying in the future I don't think I'm doing anything right. You...you should get away while you still can. Before I see you dying for a world you will never see fixed."

She doesn't seem shocked.

"I know what I'm getting myself into, there is no way we can revolt in a way that is fully peaceful.
And hell, if I die for a world that won't tell little cubs that the way they feel and the way our ancestors lived is wrong then be it."

Piper and Sirius nod, their gaze firm and it scares him.
His whole body seems frozen.
They shouldn't be this eager.
He knows why but somehow that makes it worse.
A cold sensation runs up his spine.
How can he fix this.
There has to be a way.

But telling them would make it worse.
He keeps his mouth shut.
He doesn't know if this is right.
If only someone would tell him.
How to fix this.
Any other oracle would just know how.
But he keeps quiet.
And something inside him breaks when he sees the fear in Nylous eyes.

Chapter Text

Chapter 44

Aimsy can't sleep, again.
Her thoughts are running wild and no matter how much she tosses and turns she just can't shake that thought away.

Dying. A consequence for trying to fix what was messed up in the past.
The more she thinks about this, the more she can understand.
The war wasn't even justified.
No Aviant killed that man.
But still, all of Allistairs flock got killed for a crime no one committed.
None of this makes sense.
The aviants are brutal canibalists that eat their young.
The genocide was needed to safe the humans from these vile people.

And yet.
She turns around to look at Piper.
Her brown hair, no longer in the braids she wears during the day.
She's small, much shorter then her.
Pretty, her wings shine in soft pale yellow colors where the moonlight hits her.
There is a weird feeling, deep in her stomach, like fear but nice in a way. She shakes her head but that doesn't get rid of that sensation deep in her soul.

No wonder she is angry at everything.
Her sacred practice of giving parts of you up to the ones close to you to heal them and nurture them had been demonized by those just like Aimsy and then used as an excuse for the deaths of 50% of aviant population.

She wonders how that feels.
To give yourself up to someone in that way.
Her gaze wanders towards Piper again.
Pipers eyes stare right back, she must've been awake as well.
Aimsys face is hot with embarrassment and she quickly looks away.

"Whats with you ? Can't sleep ?"
Pipers voice is low, quiet and it sends a shiver down her spine.

"I uh- I've been thinking, it's so unfair how your sacred practice has been demonized and used as an excuse in the war"

Pipers eyes find hers again and she smiles.

"So you have started thinking Aimsy"
The way she said her name sounded different. Softer.

"I-i wanted to ask, how does it feel like to..."
She talks quieter and quieter before stopping all together. This is stupid.

"Would you like to try it yourself?"
Pipers voice is still low but there's something else too. Her eyes are locked on Aimsys lips and Pipers lips are parted, showing off her white teeth, slightly sharp and in contrast with her darker lips.
The strange feeling in her stomach feels even stronger and she nods.

Piper gets up from her bed, her wings pressed close to her body. It only takes her a few steps but to Aimsy it feels like it takes forever. She sits up, anxiously waiting for the Aviant.

"Now Aimsy, please use your words, I asked you a question."

Piper grins and takes Aimsys head in her hand, her chin in-between her index and her thumb. For a second they rest there before Pipers thumb gently brushes over Aimsys lips.

"... yes"
The word is a whisper, barely loud enough for Piper to hear but it seems like it's enough for her.

Aimsy closes her eyes.

"I want you to look at me"
Her eyes flutter open again just in time to see Piper lean in.
Her lips press onto Aimsys lips and she can feel her breath hitch. Pipers lips part and her teeth latch onto her bottom lip, scratch over them and she can feel them break skin.
Pipers tongue drags over her lips before her teeth catch her lip again and she can feel blood drips forming.
Pipers grip keeps her close but she knows if she wanted to Piper left her an opening to flee if she changes her mind but she doesn't.
It's painful but it's bliss.

Too soon Piper leans away again, her lips reddend with Aimsys blood and it stains her chin. Piper licks the blood from her lips and grins at her.
Aimsy feels many things and she doesn't know what any of them mean.

Chapter Text

Chapter 45

She can't forget the chocked up noise Pearl made right after Piper and Sirius both promised to die if they would need to.
Nylou can't shake the feeling that they where the people that Pearl ment.
That would also explain the odd distance between Piper and Pearl that she noticed.
Pearl kept blocking her off, maybe to safe himself the heartbreak of getting close to her only to loose her in the end.
But that wouldn't explain his reaction to Sirius, he has been getting close to him, most out of everyone even.
This is the first time she has ever woken up before the rest.
The calm and constant breathing of Pearl and Feroc soothe her and judging by her hearing they sleep very close together.

She has heard about Fenniks sleeping curled up next to each other a lot and she likes to imagine them doing the same although they probably aren't that close yet.

"Nylou ? Oh thank God you are awake"

She turns to the noise, Piper comes out of her tent and quickly sits down next to her.

"Do you know where Sirius hides his cigarettes?"

She's startled by that, the Aviant seems stirred up and wordlessly she takes one out of her bag on the ground.

"Why'd you have one?"

Nylou chuckles quietly.

"I don't smoke as much as Sirius does but every once in a while I'll have one with him"

The sound of a lightener clicking and the sudden smell of smoke takes her back to Sirius.

"So. What happened ? You sound absolutely freaked out"

The sound of a deep exhale fills the air and a hand gently takes hers.

"Let's go have a good old girl talk, I don't want anyone else hearing this"

Confused she stands up and follows her.

"Piper if you need a tampon you can just say so, no one is that stuck up here"

They are far enough for Nylou to no longer smell the small campfire from yesterday.

"What,no. I fucked up."

Another deep inhale and smoke fills the air.

"I bit Aimsy. As is kissed her and bit her lip"

Nylou takes a step back.

"What ??? I mean hell I knew you had something going on with her but how did you just do it ??"

Piper lets out a sigh.

"I don't fucking know ! I turn around because I couldn't sleep and she stares at me, blushing, tired eyes, soft lips and her hair shining in the soft light. The most beautiful girl I've ever seen.
And then she tells me how she thought about my culture, how she understood how much that meant to us and then she asks me how it feels.
And I just"

Nylou stares at her, eyes wide open.
Her thoughts are running wild and she doesn't even know what to say.

"Isn't that... sacred?"

Piper makes a frustrated noise.

"I know! I was so stupid to do that, god a human, by god fucking Aimsy. A day ago I would've punched her if I got the chance and then I go and share my sacred practice with her because she looked at me and I just..."

Nylou holds out her hand and takes a drag from the cigarette.

"I'm gonna be honest Piper, I have no idea what you should do. Do you like her ? Because that would give her the message that you are interested"

Piper shakes her head, fast enough for a noise to be heard and Nylou sighs.

"Then tell her. Before she gets her hopes up."

"As if ! She hates my guts, I don't know what got in us but I don't think she does more then tolerate me"

Piper must be blind. And that's a lot coming from Nylou.

"Wait why did you even come to me to talk about this ?"

A short silence follows this.

"Who else ? Pearl ? Who can't say Hi to someone without starting to shake, Feroc ? Who we met like yesterday? Sirius? He would tell me to marry her or something. Aimsy ? Might as well kill myself now !
Besides, I like you Nylou. You are pretty great and I'm happy I have met you."

These words are unexpected and a soft warmth runs over her back. Her mouth forms into a wide smile.

"Thank you so much for your nice words ! I'm glad I met you as well."

She takes a second to think about this.

"Would you be comfortable with me seeing you ? In the way I can see, through touch"

The Aviant audibly smiles and takes Nylous hand in hers, guiding it over to her face.
The tattoos feel thick under her hand, the shape of Pipers nose very distinct, not like Sirius at all.
Her hands brush over Pipers ears, the feathers that are so much bigger then Sirius feel soft and bouncy.
Nylou takes the time to fully trace Pipers face.
The Aviant is patient and Nylou doesn't feel rushed. Soft noises, those that Sirius would sometimes make now, whenever he was content signaled her that Piper doesn't mind this.

They stay like this until Nylou knows it's about time that Sirius gets up.

Chapter Text

Chapter 46

It's way past the time she usually gets up, the others are already up and talking, she listened in on Feroc and Piper having a discussion about whether or not it was okay to eat meat.
Piper was very much against that idea and Feroc Tried to explain to her that it is custom for fennics to eat it sometimes.

They didn't fight about it, it was a much calmer discussion.

Aimsy wishes she could've partaken in it but she can't get herself to face Piper.
Her hands brush over her lip and it's still a little bruised.
Memories of last night slip into her mind and her face turns hot.
The Aviants voice, the way her eyes lingered over her.
God dammit what is up with her ?
Aimsy wants to just slam her head into the wall to forget all that has happened.

"Aimsy ? Breakfast is getting cold, are you feeling alright ?"

Sirius voice makes it's way through the thick cloud of thoughts swimming in her mind.
She quickly gets up and starts putting her golden pieces back into her braids.

"I'll be there in just a second!"
Another deep breath before she takes a step outside of her tent.
Piper and Feroc are caught up talking about Pipers flock.
The Fennik is using her hands to talk, nearly stumbling over herself to learn more while Piper patiently answers her questions.

Pearl looks just as calm as he always does. His porcelain face shows no emotion.
Sirius still looks worried.
His furrowed brow quickly lifts up as he hands her a bowl.
Piper awards her gaze as she sees Aimsy look at her.

"You probably wonder what exactly was in the files that we stole. With Feroc arrival we haven't had the time to look through them. Here, this is what's written"

Pearl shows them the files that they stole, dozens of medical reports, all dating to the day that the general was killed.

"Wait there's the right one"

Piper spotted the name of the general and begane reading.

"General Klytos was murdered by a flock of Aviants, close to the border. The autopsy has revealed exactly what we thought had happened."

Her face twists into anger.

"What the fuck! This is exactly what they have always said. Fuck ! This didn't help at all"

Her heart is beating fast, there's something in there. Right. There, just below something that could've been mistaken for some scribbles.

"This is Vasiliás! The old human language that is now reserved for royalty and religious leaders."

It takes her a moment to read it, time hadn't been kind on the text.

"⏁⊑⟒ ⋔⟟⌇⌇⟟⍜⋏ ⍙⏃⌇ ⏃ ⌇⎍☊☊⟒⌇⌇. ⏁⊑⟒ ⍙⍜⎍⋏⎅⌇ ⎅⍜⋏'⏁ ⋔⏃⏁☊⊑ ⏃⋏⊬ ⏃⎐⟟⏃⋏⏁ ⍙⟒⏃⌿⍜⋏. ⏁⊑⟒ ⍙⏃⍀ ⌇⏁⏃⍀⏁⌇ ⋏⍜⍙."

The words send waves of shock through her body.

"The mission was a success. The wounds don't match any Aviant weapon. The war starts now."

Chapter Text

Chapter 47

Sirius stares at the paper, eyes wide open.

"So the murder was planned ! And it wasn't an Aviant that killed them"

Feroc lips become thin and she snarls, showing off her teeth.
Sirius can see Pearl reacting to that, ears pressed to his head. How odd, this act of aggression isn't directed at him at all and still he immediately reacted to it.

"So they all knew it ?! They knew that it was never even an Aviant that killed general Klytos and still they act as if they were in the right !"

Piper is furios and hell, he can't blame her.

"Not everyone. This is written in the old language so that only a small percentage could know."

The small percentage your ancestors are part of.
Sirius can tell that that has dawned on Aimsy.
There is a very high chance her parents where in on this.

They all know it.
There's silence after her statement and he can tell that she's uneasy.

"Hey Aimsy, you didn't know.
You have changed so much since we first met and we know that you'd never would've wanted that"

Aimsy shoots him a thankful look.
Her fingers trace the message.
One that caused so many to die.

"And all for nothing."

Pipers voice is low and it sends a shiver down his spine.
He nods.

"Not for nothing."

Nylous voice is sharp.

"That war was a great opportunity for the humans. They have a giant weapon industry, with the war came human trafficking. Aviants where used as servants, robbed of their feathers and worse.
The land that was stolen from the Aviants got divided and split in between the royalty.
Of course they wanted this."

Pearl gives a small nod, barely a movement but just enough for Sirius to see it.

"And besides, that war deepened the bond between the fenniks and humans even further. The Fenniks saw what the humans could do and did all they could to stay out of that war.
That's how they could force their opinions onto the fenniks even further.
Right before the war there was an anti human movement, working against the changes the humans did.
Fenniks came together, cut their hair short but let their beards grow, trained to become stronger instead of the frail body's the humans preferred"

Something dawns on Sirius.

"Not because they prefer a slim body but because that would further weaken the Fenniks if they didn't train."

Feroc nods. There's a glint in her eyes.
Anger?Hope?
Something worth fighting for.

Chapter Text

Chapter 48

"So what do we do next ? If this message is written in the old human language then your royals are in on it too. We can't just step up and show this around, we'd be dead by the next morning"

Feroc crosses her arms in front of herself.

"Didn't you just say something about an Anti human movement?"

Piper had listened intently when Feroc explained that.
This could mean there's still Fenniks out there who would want to help them.

"I mean... I could try. We can't risk the oracle dying so I will go first."

"I'll come with."

Piper can't let her go alone, this could very easily get her killed.

"Are you sure Pips? You are an Aviant and well, y'know that humans don't take to kindly to you and I can't promise your safety over by the Fenniks."

She nods.

"Yes. Of course i will. There's nothing I want more then a future where the Aviants and Fenniks are no longer oppressed"

She holds out her hand and Feroc takes it, her hands are strong and calloused, just like hers.

"And while you do that what will we do ?"

Sirius speaks up, a quiver in his voice.

"I don't want to sit around useless, we need to be able to do something"

Piper stops for a second.

"We could try to get some humans on our side. There must be people who didnt like this war."

Aimsy comes closer. Her brow furrowed.

"I don't know where to start, I didn't have a life outside of the castle"

"It's okay, I'll come with you Aimsy. I know how to get my way around things."

Sirius thinks for a while, Piper knows that that leaves him and Pearl.

"I will be going back to Arselia. Not only can we ask Paloma for help but that city is made for refugees, the people who are the most upset about this. Pearl you can come with me. You have been there before and I'll protect you."

Is this going to work out ? There is a reason their compasses point to each other, what if the prophecy wants them to stick together?

"Are we sure about this, the prophecy points up to each other, isn't that a sign that we should be together ?"

Aimsy speaks what she was thinking.

"This is fine. You will be fine."

Pearl has spoken up after hed been quiet for the entire day. His voice nearly startled her.

"So it's decided. Feroc and Piper will be going to the fenniks to get them on our sides.
Aimsy and Nylou will be going to the humans, convincing some to join us.
Me and Pearl will get the people of Arselia"

It sinks in now that today will be the last day they are all together for a while. She looks around and... She's grown close to them. Nylou is probably her best friend apart from her sister's, Sirius has proven himself countless times and her heart breaks when she sees him. If he was younger she'd treat him like her nestling, ruffling his feathers.
Pearl is an annoyance at best but he's helpful and tries his best.
And Aimsy? She looks at her the same moment her eyes meet hers.
There's anger growing in her chest. It must be anger.
A hot feeling is blooming, nearly overwhelming.
Her lip is still slightly red and she can almost feel it on her own again. Warm, soft.
She wants to punch her so badly.

Feroc on the other hand seems just exited for it.
Her grin is wide, flashing her sharpened teeth.

"Hell yeah ! I'm looking forward to that Pips !"

She smiles, turning to completely face the Fennik instead.

Chapter Text

Chapter 49

This is the first time they will be apart ever since they where kids.
Nylou feels a coldness creep up.
Not talking to him for god knows how long, not even being sure he's still alive.
She will miss him.

"Don't worry Nylou. You two will see each other again. I am sure of that"

Pearl had walked up to her, she can hear him sit down next to her.

"How do you know for sure, you can't even really see our future"

Pearl tenses up.

"I can see my own though. And I will make sure he's in mine"

His voice is stern, so unlike him, usually whenever he answers something like this his voice quivers.
He sounds certain.

"You like him"

Pearls hair stands up and he shivers.

"I am the oracle. I am not here to form emotional connections, I am here to solve the prophecy"

"No. You are Pearl, you like listening to me play the guitar, your favorite song is rionnag because you get happy when Sirius joins in with singing.
You watch Aimsy draw, you like listening to Pipers poems. You are much more then you give yourself credit for"

He moves closer to her, careful, not to scare her.

"Do you think that's okay ?"

His voice is barely a whisper.

"Sirius has that effect on people"

She can feel his tail wagging, ever so slightly.

"You love him right? All that I ever heard about love matches the way you and him act around each other"

There's a warm feeling in her stomach.

"Hes the love of my life"

It's as simple as that.
She can hear Aimsy, Piper, Feroc and Sirius discussing their plans loudly a few meters away.

Her and Pearl sit in silence but it feels nice.
His leg is touching hers and she can feel it shake, as if he's scared to actually touch her.
She moves closer to him and his breathing regulates itself again.
----

"Guys I have a great idea, this is your last night together right ?"

Feroc has a grin on her face.

"I was on my way back when I met y'all and they had a coupon in the shop I went to, if you bought one bottle of liquor you'd get another for free"

She roumages around in her bag, pulling out two fancy bottles.

"Oh whoah that's the fancy stuff, that must've cost a fortune"

"Not if you get 2 for one !
Everyone in for this?"

Sirius nods enthusiastically, it's been a while since he and Nylou snuck liquor up into Nylous room.
Piper seems on board as well but Pearl and Aimsy seem uncertain.

"I uh- sure ? Although, doesn't this intervene with solving the prophecy? Like this will probably just distract us"

Nylou gently pushes Pearl.

"Come on ! Live a little Pearl ! This might be the last time we get to for a while"

This seems to convince him and after what seems like a minute of thinking he gently pushes Nylou back.
She throws her head backwards dramatically and laughs.
It's a wonderful sound.
Pearls tail wags.

"Aimsy ? You don't need to join in, it's your desion"

She thinks for a moment before nodding.

"No I'd like to try, I have never tried it before"
---

"Okay okay but like, when Nylou was 15 she went through an emo phase. She dyed her hair black and all that"

Nylou takes him by the shoulders and shakes him.

"Nooooo shut up ! They don't need to know that"

He still remembers how he had to help her put on the black eyeliner because she would constantly stab her own eye instead.

"That one time Sirius got expelled because he threw another student into the bins"

The group starts laughting and he joins in.

"He was being a bitch ! He was insulting Nylou"

Insulting isn't even the right word. He was calling her slurs and he can't let that slide.

"Hey, y'all wanna play a game?"

Feroc has a shit eating grin on her lips.

"What game exactly ?"

"Truth or dare. C'mon it's great!"

Nylou lets out a sigh.

"Noooo c'mon, it's so much fun !!! And we get to know each other better ! And you have a way out of odd questions, you can just take a shot"

Feroc takes a while explaining the rules and everyone seems exited to join in.
At this point the first bottle is already empty.

"Okay I'll start ! Hmmm Aimsy, ever had a crush ?"

Oh, already going in strong.

"Once. Never again after. I don't even know if it really was one. I guess it's my turn then ?"

"Noooo you can't leave it at that ! I actually wanna know more"

"Didn't ask it like that though Feroc"

Aimsy smirks at Feroc.

"Alright, Sirius, ever kissed someone?"

He shakes his head and hears everyone except Nylou audibly gasp.

"What ? Leave me alone, didn't want to yet."

He feels their eyes on him and he's eager to get their attention off of him.

Chapter Text

Chapter 50

"Okay then Piper, how did your last relationship end ?"

Piper looks at him, a sorta angry look in her face.

"How do you even know I had one ?"

Oh right, she didn't see him.

"I uh- I listened in on you and Paloma"

The alcohol is making him be more open then usual.

"I watched her preen you and I- I didn't want to but it made me feel safe"

Pipers angry face quickly turns softer and she nods slowly.

"I guess I have to tell then. Well all I can say is I fucked up and she didn't deserve it."

She ? That does make sense though, Piper did seem a bit too focused on Aimsy's lips everytime she talked.

"She ? Like as in a woman?"

Aimsy stares at Piper, her face curios.

"Yeah ? I'm a lesbian, I only ever date woman"

"Same here ! Well date is the wrong word, I'm aromantic but homosexual"

Feroc explained and Sirius has to think for a second to understand what she means.
Aimsy purses her lips and for a second, Sirius is scared she will say something mean but instead she just turns away.

"But now this does interest me ! What are y'all's sexualities if you don't mind sharing"

Feroc had set up again, before that her legs where over the log while she, herself was laying on the ground, the empty bottle right next to her.

A short silence follows and Sirius doesn't know how to respond.
He has so many feelings for Nylou, that must make him straight right ?

"I guess I'm straight ? I don't know, never thought much about it"

Feroc shakes her glass and gives him a cheer.
He laughs because it looks so ridiculous.

"I understand straight and lesbian but whats aromantic?"

Feroc stares at her for a second, either fighting the alcohol taking over or genuinely impressed that she doesn't know.

"I don't like people romantically, I don't crave relationships, Im still attracted to people, I like the sexual aspect. Only with woman though"

"That's not... The primary point of being in a relationship though. How are you going to raise children then ?"

Oh god. Sirius knows this will turn into a fight.

"I don't want children, I don't mind em, but I really don't want to have children"

Aimsy looks flabbergasted.

"So you just sleep around ?"

Feroc shows her teeth and her hair stands up again.

"This is my fucking business Aimsy."

"Yeah Aimsy, who cares? She can do whatever she pleases, as long as people consent to it"

Aimsy opens her mouth and closes it again. Pipers words have shut her up.

"So I've heard me, Piper and Sirius, what about the rest?"

He shouldn't be anxious about this but he is staring at Nylou, awaiting her answer. They have never talked about this.
She shakes her head like she always does when she feels someone's gaze on her.

"I don't know. Haven't figured it out yet. I call myself unlabeled, I give it as much time as I need"

She sounds calm but she isn't. Her shoe is scraping over the ground.
She always does that.

"Ive only ever taken an interest in men, i don't like woman...like that"
Aimsy answers and Sirius stops for a second to look around.
Piper looks angry. And sad ? Her face is twisted in a mix of emotion and her fingers brush over her lip.
Nylou just looks confused.
Feroc didn't seem to notice their reactions and instead just nods.

"What about you Pearl?"

The Fennik didn't think they'd ask him and he seems absolutely overrun with that question.

"I am the oracle. These connections do not concern me"

Feroc laughs.

"No ur not, that's stupid. You are Pearl, the Fenniks are just crazy about the whole oracle thing. You are your own person."

Pearl shakes his head.

"I wouldn't even know where to start. I have no idea how that works."

Sirius schouldve expected this.
It still shocks him.

"Okay okay so for me, well I can just explain the sexual aspect so-"

"Don't bother, this is not something I'd like to discuss"

Feroc shrugs her shoulders.

Sirius and Piper try their best to explain romantic attraction to him but every word just seems to confuse him more.
They give up at some point.

It's carefree and he enjoys it.
His mind is spinning and the alcohol has taken its toll.

Nylou is playing some songs on her guitar, singing them as well and he's trying to get Pearl to dance with him.
Nearly stumbling over his own feet while spinning the fennik around, laughing.
This feels like bliss.

In the corner of his eyes he can see Feroc and Piper dancing as well, Feroc has her hands on Pipers waist and pulls her closer.
Piper grins and for a second, Sirius thinks she's looking at Aimsy instead of Feroc before she closes her eyes as Ferocs lips meet hers.

Chapter Text

Piper wakes up slowly, a throbbing headache and she groans.
A small laugh comes from right next to her and she opens her eyes to see Feroc, lying next to her, a grin on her face.

"Oh my god did we-?"

Feroc shakes her head and smiles.

"No no, you where way too drunk, no I just dragged you to bed and well, didn't make it out myself again"

Pipers eyes wander to the opposite side of the tent where Aimsys bed schould be but it's empty.

"Aimsy left a while ago"

Guilt overcomes her for a second, Ferocs hand is resting on her body and the first thing she does is to look for another woman.
Feroc seems to see her face change.

"Hey Pips ? I don't mind. I don't view you in a romantic way, I don't claim to have you. Love whoever you wanna love"

The fennik presses a kiss on her nose and gets up.
She leaves the tent while Piper still stays.
Piper doesn't like Aimsy that way.
God Aimsys mean, annoying and so damn ignorent.
She pushes away the memory of that one night where she shared the sacred tradition of the aviants with the human.

It didn't mean anything to Aimsy. She's straight, she didn't see it that way. And it doesn't mean anything to Piper.
She hates the human.
She hates Aimsy.

Piper can finally drag herself out of bed.

"So today... We leave each other. Like this is the last few hours we will all be together."

Nylou drags her feet over the ground while she sits next to the campfire.
Sirius watches her do that and he sits down next to her.

"Yeah. It will be but we all have one person staying with them. I look forward to it Nylou"

Aimsy smiles at Nylou.
She won't be going with Piper.

"Hell yes ! Me and Pips will rock this !"

She smiles at Feroc, her enthusiasm is infectious.

"I believe in us Sirius. I think we will be able to fix this. And I'm thankful to have you come with me on this journey"

Sirius gives Pearl a weak smile.
This isn't what he is concerned about.

"Thank you pearl"

They all sit and talk for a bit, about all and nothing really.

"Nylou ? Could we talk before we have to go ?

Sirius looks at her, cheeks a slight pink.
Oh? What's this gonna be about ?

Chapter Text

Chapter 52.1

"This is going to be the first time we will ever be apart"

Nylous voice is soft, so much quieter then normally.
He nods.

"I don't even know what living before knowing you felt like"

Empty. Thats all he remembered.
And then she came, brightly colored, soft, warm, like the first spring after a seemingly endless winter.

"Sad. That's what I remember. Lonely"

Nylous face is so very sad, it makes his heart break.

"But now we have each other. And I will always be there for you"

She nods.

"I know Sirius, I can't imagine a life without you"

She smiles. It's honest.
He takes a deep breath.
This might be the last time they will ever see each other again.
Pearl said that they might end up dying.
And Sirius knows that he would die for this.
Die for her.
If he doesn't say it now he will never say it.

"Nylou, I need to tell you something"

Her face twists, a sad smile.
Oh god.

"I-I love you"

"I know. I've always known"

His heart sinks.

"No, not in the way that friends love each other, I love yo-"

Her hands take his face and her eyes stare into his.
The milky white iris that he hadn't seen in a while.
Her fingers are rough against his skin and the amount of power behind it shocks him.

"Kiss me and make me feel normal for once"

Her voice is hourse and he can see that tears roll down her cheeks.

This feels wrong.
This wasn't how he hoped this would go.

Her hands bring his face to hers and his lips meet hers.
It's all that he had ever wanted.
But he can taste the salt on her lips.
Feel the tears stain his face.

He breaks their kiss.
Shes surprised.

"Did I do something wrong Sirius?
Please, I can be this for you, I'll manage"

Her voice sounds scared and her eyes stare around.

"Nylou. I want you to be yourself. It's okay if you cant love me."

She shakes her head.

"I want to be what you need me to be. I want to be normal, I schould love you. Anyone else would be in love with you"

She cups his face with her hands.
Her voice shaking as she speaks.

"You are beautiful, caring, friendly, affectionate and you make me so very happy.
I schould be in love with you."

He shakes his head.

"But you can't."

Her voice is barely a whisper.

"I can't. I'm like Feroc. I don't like people the way that you like them."

Oh.
He smiles.
Hopefully bright enough.

"It's okay."

She shakes her head.

"I don't know how she does it. All I ever do is lie awake and hope I wake up, look at you and fall in love, like other people can.
Sirius I wish I could love you because you deserve it all"

His heart is heavy.
Tears roll down his cheek.
But.
He hugs her.
Her hands wrap around his back, like he's the only thing saving her from drowning.

"You already do. You love me in the way that you can and that is enough.
Nylou I love you, not only in the way that a lover would. You are my best friend and you will always mean more to me then just something romantic."

She shakes, her smaller frame pressed against him.
There is a weight of his shoulder.
This was what he needed.
Even if she doesn't love him life that.

"I love you Sirius Byrne"

He presses a kiss on her head.

"You're my best friend Nylou ò chonchuir"

Chapter Text

Chapter 53

Aimsys mind is still spinning.
This morning she woke up to Piper and Feroc intertwined on Pipers mattress, Feroc was already awake, arms wrapped around Piper and a stupid grin on her face.

She had to listen to them kiss and giggle for way too deep into the night.

At least Piper didn't bite her.
She only did that with Aimsy.

Aimsy shakes her head.
They are waiting for Sirius and Nylou to finally come back so they can start the new part of their journey.
She won't be seeing Piper for a longer time now anyways.
She will go with Feroc.
And that makes her blood boil.
Weird, Aimsy liked Feroc before this.

Nylou will be her new travel partner.
Aimsy is genuinly looking forward to that, she likes the other human.
Nylou, so soft spoken and sweet, her parents would approve of Aimsy traveling with Nylou.

"Oh, they are back"

Feroc points at Nylou and Sirius.
Sirius eyes are reddened, like he'd been crying and Nylou doesn't look much better.

There's a deep sadness in between them.

She opens up to ask them what they talked about but Feroc stares at her and shakes her head.

"We packed up everything while you two where gone. I didn't know how to divide in between your things."

The oracle's voice is monotone but there is a spark of interest in his eyes.

"Oh right, hm well... This is yours, I think, this is the blanket you gave me for my 12th birthday"

They sort through their things and both of them let their hands linger for too long, brushing over each and every item, telling the story for all of them.

"This is everything I think. Oh, wait there's my necklace in your stuff"

Nylou takes it.

"Oh no now i ruined the suprise ! I added stuff for everyone here. There's a yellow pearl for Piper, Lilac for you, orange for me, black for pearl, golden for Aimsy and red for Feroc. I also found a little compass charm and a feather"

Sirius smiles.

"Thank you so much, this is beautiful"

He takes the necklace and for a second it looks like he leans in to give her a kiss on her forehead but then he stops.

"What is that necklace ?"

Ferocs voice is raised and her ears stand up, how interesting.

"Oh, Sirius wanted to learn how to play the guitar as well, so I made him a guitar pick"

Sirius chuckles

"Oh I was awful. Genuinly, I didn't know a guitar could sound bad up until I touched it"

They all laugh and Sirius puts the necklace on with a smile.

"So we are all ready now ? I would like to get going."

They all nod.
This is odd.
These people have been around her for the past few weeks now and she will miss it.
In a way at least.

"Well, it was nice travelling with you all. Even if it was just for a short while, I will keep this as a good memory"
She bows to them and smiles.

"Can I hug you?"

Sirius blurs this out and with the way he looks at her she can tell that he himself is surprised he asked it.
She nods.
"Yes you can, if you'd like"

And strong arms wrap around her.
This is nice.
She sinks into the hug, leaning into it.
He is nearly as tall as she is and it's so very nice.
She sighs and pulls him even closer.
And when he finally lets go she misses the feeling.

Everyone else stares at her.
And she's as surprised of herself as she is.
One after the other they take turns hugging each other.

Nylou and Piper nearly jump into each others arm and they giggle as they sway side to side.
Feroc crushes Sirius in her arms and punches his side as he laughs.

Pearl stands to the side, not really taking an initiative to join in.

Feroc makes a little noise at him, something close to a yip sound. He responds with an even quieter noise. His ears are tilted back and he nearly flinches before accepting Ferocs hug.
Their tales intertwine and he lets out a small huff.
Feroc doesn't hug him nearly as strongly as she did everyone else.
Looking at it, she gives him an option to move out in an instance if he decides to but he stays in the hug for a bit before gently stepping out.

"Aimsy ?"
Piper looks at her

"Yes Piper ?"

Pipers eyes dart to her lips and Aimsy instinctively touches her lips.

"I uh, would you want to hug goodbye? Since we both hugged everyone else and..."

She stops and just looks at her.
Aimsy takes a second to consider and then nods.
She won't see her for a while so.

She opens her arms and Piper slowly, carefully steps closer and wraps her arms around her.
Aimsy takes a quick breath.
This is an odd sensation.
A tingle shoots through her whole body and she gasps.
Pipers hands feel warm around her and she can feel Piper taking deep breaths.
Her arms fall down, way too soon their hug gets broken and they stare at each other.

"Uhm, good luck Piper"

She nods.

"Good luck to you too..Aimsy"

She smiles.
Maybe they are still okay with each other.

Chapter Text

He can still feel Ferocs arms around him and he leans into that feeling.
Her warm hands.
Softer then he expected.
Her tail wrapped around his.
A motion only...friends share.
Are they friends.

He shakes his head to get rid of that though.
He's the oracle.
He's not there to form friendships.
And still, he aches to be held again.
He wanted to ask Sirius but didn't.
And now they walk in silence.
The necklace around Sirius neck has a pearl for him.
They included him.
And that makes him so happy.
He clickers.

"Oh ! You sound just like Feroc when she's happy"

Sirius eyes are on him and he smiles.
Pearls hands land on his mouth.
Fuck.

"I am sorry, this is impolite of me to do"

He bows down.
Deeper.
Sirius needs to know he means it.
His hairs stand up.
Stupid.
Like a goddamn animal.

"Hey, no it's fine. I think it's sweet, I know how you feel.
I didn't want to show any aviant attributes up until I met everyone and it's been hard accepting that part of myself."

He shakes his head.
Even Sirius could never understand him.
He's no fennik.
Or a person to begin with.

"I am content with knowing that you are able to feel better. However our situation can't be compared. You are a person, Sirius. I am not"

And Sirius stares.
A sad look in his eyes.
Pleading.
Oh Sirius.
In another universe I'd love to be your friend.
----

There's that look on his face again.
So utterly hopeless.

"Pearl, you don't constantly need to perform. I like you just like this. The way you are when you let yourself be. The way you smiled when Feroc hugged you"

Pearl looks at him, realllly looks at him.
And he steps forward to cover his golden eye.

"There, like every other fennik"

Pearl turns away.
And there's a heavy feeling in his stomach.

"I can't be this. Please understand, I am the oracle"

And they walk in silence again.

Chapter Text

"I don't life too far away from here actually"

Feroc and Piper had been in another deep conversation until Feroc stopped for a moment.

"Yeah ? I remember you said you met us while you where on your way back from the store"

Feroc nods with a smile.

"Yep ! To think that taking one different route did all that"

"All of what ?"

"Meeting you Piper, meeting everyone. This will finally give me the chance to change the world. Pips we will change the world around us forever. If we succeed there is a future for everyone. You, an aviant. Sirius, a mixed one. Pearl, the oracle. There is a way for us to rewrite history to include people like us"

Ferocs eyes sparkle and her teeth show.

"God I'd give anything for that"

"I know you would"

"A world where we are all equal, one where we don't have to hide any of our traits and extras. One where we can all be free"

"A world where the human Standart doesn't suppress us"

"Where Aimsy-"

"Pips, I wanted to talk to you about that. Aimsy, well I think she tries her hardest, aren't you too rough with her?"

"I- I know but it's so frustrating! She walks around like she owns the place, she is so goddamn unaware of the history and just annoying!"

"She grew up sheltered. Aimsy ain't the coolest person I ever met but she tries her hardest, she's nice when you let her"

"Aimsy doesn't even care for our traditions and how much they mean-"

Feroc stares.

"You need to listen to her more if you truly believe that"

"I guess I do"

"On a separate note, I really do enjoy your company and I'm happy we where chosen to do this together"

Ferocs tail sways from one side to the other and she has a wide grin on her face.

"You are so pretty"

The words are out of her mouth before she even thinks about them.

"You're just so sweet Pips. And exactly my type of woman"

The words light a spark in her and Piper is surprised by her reaction to them.

"I uh- damn, you always manage to suprise me"

Feroc leads her through another path in the Forrest before a little house gets visible behind some trees.

And as they walk next to each other, the sun hits Feroc in a way that makes her face light up.
Piper stops in her track to stare.
Feroc notices and smiles, stepping closer to her, fingers lifting up Pipers chin, looking into her eyes.

"Piper you are the prettiest woman I have ever met"

Her hands are so warm against Pipers own.

Chapter Text

"Hey Nylou, if you don't mind me asking, what happend with you and Sirius ? You both seemed so sad after you talked"

Aimsy had taken so long to actually ask her but the question had been burning on her tounge ever since they separated from the rest.
She looks at the shorter woman.
Nylou looks so small next to her.
Weird, aeliac people are suppost to be closest to her own people out of everyone but she looks so very different to her.
Pale skin, red hair, short and thin.
Piper looks a lot more like her then Nylou does.

Nylou takes a deep breath and there is a sadness in her voice as she speaks.

"Well, you know how there's different types of love and, we love each other in different ways.
I love him in every way that I can but it's not enough.
I wish...I wish I could love him the way he needs me to love him"

"But... You two love each other, isn't that enough ?"

Aimsy can see tears welling up in Nylous eyes.

"No Aimsy. I love him because he's my bestfriend. Because he knows me like no one else, because I trust him with my life. But I don't love him the way that others might, the way that he loves me. The romantic way"

"That all sounds very romantic to me ? I have no real clue though. I've nevet- I don't know what is going on with me right now"

Nylou takes a long moment to answer.

"I wanted to love him in the romantic way. Aimsy, I really did. I tried. But no. I can't. I kissed him and even he could tell that it was wrong. I ruined his first kiss"

Aimsy stops.
And she wants to touch Nylous shoulder to show her she cares.
But she doesn't know how to ask so instead she walks again.

"I wish I could help you. I'm sorry Nylou, I understand that that must hurt you"

Nylou smiles weakly.

"I'm okay. I've come to this conclusion ages ago. It's only him that I'm worried about. But hey, I heard you had your first kiss, how was it?"

Her blood runs cold in her body and she freezes up.

"How do you know."

"Piper told me, I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked..."

Aimsy kicks a rock while they continue walking.

"I don't know what came over me. It schouldve never happend"

And yet.
She keeps thinking about it.
Her head is burning up.
Rosy cheeks.
And she could rip out all of her hair.
Piper told Nylou.
Used this as a story.
God she hates her.

Chapter Text

"Sirius, would you mind me laying down here ?
I would like to watch the stars as well"

Sirius pats down on the ground next to him.
The soft grass is a welcomed difference to the rougher ground they passed yesterday.

Pearl doesn't sit down so Sirius looks up to see what's wrong.
The fenniks face is unreadable.

"Oh yeah you can sit down! That was an invitation to do so"

A chance goes over his face and Pearl quickly hurrys to sit down.

"Lay if youd like, the ground is pretty soft"

Sirius keeps on staring up at the skies.
A soft ruffling indicates that Pearl layed down and his arm briefly touches his own.

"The skys pretty. I love watching the stars"

"I've never seen you do this"

"Well, Nylou feels guilty she can't look at the stars and really see them so I tend to only do it when I'm alone"

He turns over to look at Pearl whoose eyes are fixated on the night sky.

"Or with you now I guess"

He smiles.
The fennik turns to look at him, a surprised look in his face.
The stars are reflecting in his eyes.

"Thank you Sirius for letting me be part of this. I appreciate it"

They watch the sky for a while, Sirius pointing out different constilations and explaining them.

"This is Sirius, the morning star, or Canicula if you are a bit more old fashioned. The star my parents named me after to keep me connected to my roots without making it obvious"

"Just like the priests gave me the temporary name of Pearl to do the same. Or at least to make it appear so"

Sirius wants to ask him about Pearls past and he opens his mouth to do so.
But then he remembers how scared he looked the last time it was brought up.
Sirius has fought so hard to try to make Pearl forget about his past, to let go and life.
So instead.

"How do your visions work ? I've been wanting to ask and-"

Pearl tenses up so, as if it was an instinct, Sirius takes the Fenniks hand, drawing small circles with his fingers into the soft palm.

"It's okay. Tell me what you want to tell me, even if it's nothing at all"

The fennik slowly leans into the touch.

"How do you always know what to do, I've only met you moments ago and you know what I need more then anyone else"

Sirius looks at Pearl.

"You remind me of a younger Nylou. This was all the things that she needed when things got hard. I want to be there for you too"

The fenniks ears perk up.

"The visions are... Well, don't tell the others. They'd loose trust in me"

What does he mean by that ?
None of them even know how Pearls vision works so how could they have expectations.
Pearl moves his hair to the other side again, exposing his golden eye.
In the faint light of the stars it looks like it gives off it's own soft glim.

"I watch through your eyes.
I see the world around you like you see it, and I skip times like that.
Right now I can look through Aimsys eyes, months into the future.
I only see small glimpses though and I can't hear anything so I can lip read very well.
That and the fact these glimpses are very irregular and seemingly almost changing make them very unreliable.
I'm sorry, I know you probably hoped them to be better"

Sirius stares at Pearl.
This was the most interesting thing he's ever heard and pearl acts like he should be disappointed.

"Pearl no, this is incredible, you are incredible"

And the Fennik beams at that, a swishing noise telling Sirius that his tail is wagging side to side.
He smiles.

"Pearl, Im Happy that I met you"

Chapter Text

Chapter 58

Piper wakes up and, at first she is alarmed when she can't smell the usual smell in the air, campfire, Aimsys perfume.
But then she notices strong arms and legs wrapped around her.

"Oh whoah hey, you got close"

Feroc blinks up at her.

"Yeah ? We had sex I don't know what to tell you"

Pipers face burns up and she smiles, loop sided.

"Do you want breakfast ?"

Feroc laughts and kisses her on her cheek.

"Pips you don't even know where everything is, wait I'll come with"

They wiggle out of Ferocs bed and she watches Feroc make...something.

"Is that even edible ?"

Feroc shrugs and scoops a bit of the stuff on both their plates.
It tastes like dissapointment and Piper misses Sirius cookings.

"I have an idea where we can start. With our quest I mean, we need as many fenniks as we can get, supporting the aviants to break free from the humans and to explain what really happend"

Piper nods intently.
Feroc explains how there used to be many fenniks in support of leaving the humans before the war.
There used to be a whole group and Feroc found some of the names when she tried to do research.

"It's gonna be a gamble to see which of these are even still alive. But if we find one that is they could maybe point us to people still trying to do this. Like newly joined members."

Ferocs tail swings from side to side.
Shes exited to start this.
Her compass feels heavy in her bag.
As if it's trying to drag her back to Aimsy.
And like her compass she feels drawn to her.

"The city we are in is called Lypos. You couldnt really see it yesterday but most people here wear the humans clothes. If you wouldn't mind could you put on Aimsys clothes ? I draw enough attention as is but we really don't need more than that"

This stings.
She knew that she didn't bring those clothes for no reason but she hoped she could've kept her clothes for longer.
She takes out Paloma's feather. She doesn't want the indication to be that she would ever buy an aviants feather.
Piper would've thought that if anyone would leave her be as she is it would be Feroc.
She bites her own toungue and follows the Fennik outside.

Lypos is bursting with fenniks going on with their day and Piper looks around, scanning those around her.
They all look a bit like Pearl did when they first met him.
Short, lanky, long dark hair and very well kept clothes.
Feroc was right, she sticks out like a sore thumb.

Chapter Text

Chapter 59

Aimsy is dragging her feet.
She's thinking about something.
Nylou can't figure out what's up.
It's been hours since they had an actual conversation.
They reach the wall of
Nylou stops when she can no longer hear Aimsys steps.

"Nylou, you have to listen to me now. Really listen to me.
One wrong step and we loose the little chance of my parents helping us.
This has all been relieving to play pretend that differences don't exist but this is my world.
This is the place I know and only I have figured out how to act in a way that pleases them.
I trust you to be good but-"

Aimsy takes a deep breath.
Nylou counts the seconds.
23.
"I can't come with you because I'm crippled"

Aimsy gasps.

"God no Nylou, I want you to come with me but well, my parents can't know.
This is already hard and they need to believe you are some far away royal daughter who they just don't know because you are gaeliac but news of a blind royal daughter would travel too fast."

She knew it.
No matter how much they try to tell her the differences don't matter, they do.

"How do you even expect your parents to help if you dont even tell them the truth"

"I don't. I'm just trying. Please Nylou. You don't know them."

"No I don't. But do I even know you ?"

Aimsy sighs.

"I guess you don't. But Nylou, you are going to get to know something I'd rather not let anyone ever see. Please, I want you to still be my- my- friend afterwards."

She considers them friends.
Nylou has two friends.
She has Sirius.
But she now has Aimsy too.

Nylou nods.

"I will"

Aimsy audibly relaxes.
Nylou feels a hand on her shoulder.

"Is this okay ?"

Wordlessly Nylou hugs her.

Chapter Text

Chapter 60

"Where is she ? What happend ?"

A frantic Paloma greets them as they reach the edge of Arselia.
News of the oracle traveling must've reached her already.
Pearl sighs.
Of course.
Someone saw them on their way here.

"Good morning Paloma, good morning Jay and Dove. Im glad have the pleasure of meeting you again. Piper is fine, we split up to ensure a better groundwork for our plan.
Currently both her and Feroc are traveling to the Fenniks.
If you wish to know more I will be happy to explain once we are in a more secure place."

Pearl shudders as he remembers what happend the last time they where he.
The hatred of the Aviant shocking him to the core.
That wasn't him that didn't tell them the war would happen.
That was Jade.

They messed up.
They didn't tell anyone anything.

It's not his fault.
It wasn't Pearls fault.

It's just his job to fix what was broken before.
Even at the sacrifices they need to make.
The sacrifices that chokes him up at night.
Takes his breath away.
Leaves him shaking.

Pearl looks over to Sirius.
He'd hate him if he knew.
The one person that even dares to step close to him.
To try to make Pearl into a person.

And there's a warm hand on his shoulder.

"Let's go Pearl. We have things to do"

And he looks so human. So Aviant. So alive.
His hair doesn't cover his ears and the feathers have grown a bit.
To the point their visible.
Pearl runs his fingers through Sirius hair to cover them.

"They where visible"

Sirius frowns for a split second and then nods.

"Guess I got careless"

As they walk Paloma and Sirius talk about sweet nothings.
Pearl can see the Aviants stare at him.
He keeps his chin up high.
He can't fail.

Chapter Text

They stare.
All of the Fenniks stare at Feroc as they pass and while she tries to do her best to seem confident but her ears droop a bit.

Piper feels guilty for being so mean to her.
Clearly she's been fighting her own fight.

She notices some snickered comments and the corner of Ferocs mouth twists.
After a while they get to a building but instead of walking up to the front door Feroc knocks on the window instead and the window opens.
Feroc lifts up her pale yellow trousers, after a short moment she slips into the window, motioning to her to do the same.

Piper stares down at the ground level window, short, barely enough to fit and dirty from seemingly years of no cleaning.
She takes a deep breath and lets her knife slip into her hands, blade still hidden in the shaft but easily revealed in case anything goes wrong.

But instead of anything threatening she finds herself in a tiny Appartment, surrounded by short haired Fenniks, all in a simmilar style as Feroc.

"What the fuck Alepos ? We don't hear of you for a week and then you bring in a human?"
A short Fennik spoke, her voice heavy with distaste.

"No no Arie, she's with me, she's an aviant"

"Whats going on Fe-"

Feroc covers her mouth.

"Shhhh! I'm Alepos here, we aren't quite sure how big of an effect this will have on us if it's found out. We dont know each others real names in case anything bad happens. Names hold power and we'd rather be safe. You will be Fortuna, our good luck charm"

Piper would've rather picked her own name but she nods.
She doesn't want to upset the Fenniks that are looking at her.

The tallest out of them smiles at her, holding out a hand.

"I go by Vasileios here, for short you can call me Vasil, he/him for me"

She shakes the man's hand, he's taller than her, certainly tall for a Fennik.

"I'm Leander, I go by they/them"

They look as nervous as she feels so she smiles at them and nods.

"Alepos has given out my name already but it's Arie if you didn't catch that, I go by she/they, feel free to stick to one pronoun or change it up sometimes I don't mind either one"

They look at her, expectantly.

"I uh, I guess I'll be Fortuna here, I go by she/her and I'm an aviant as Alepos has already said. Have you heard of the prophecy?"

They all nod except for Leander.

"The one that explains that an aviant and a human will figure out what happend in the past and bring peace ? Isn't that just a fairytale?"

She shakes her head and pulls out her compass.
Not only the needle is pointing towards Aimsy, she can also feel herself getting pulled in that direction.
She wonders what Aimsy is doing, now that she's probably back with in her old home.

"This compass appeared and I followed it, we met the Oracle and-"

Piper notices how Aries look changes into annoyance and distrust.

"Well, he"

"It."

Arie mutters beneath her breath.
Piper chooses to ignore that.

"Helped us figure out what we need to do and let us to an old document, explaining that the death of general Klytos was a set up and excuse to go to war.
We just have to find a way to gather more evidence and figure out how to convince everyone of the truth"

The Fenniks share a look.

"And you have brought Fortuna to us to help her with this ? This is a huge deal Alepos. So far all that we have done was steal some stuff, graffiti rich assholes homes and talk about how we want to change this world for the better. If we want to help her we will become criminals. Whatever we will do with this, the humans won't like this"

Vasil speaks calmly.
His eyes are firmly set on Feroc.

"And why did we even start this in the first place ? We are tired of the way humans treat us, sick of others expectations. Vasil do you want a world where your pups will grow up and despise their nature?"

Vasil shakes his head.

"No. I will do whatever it takes. But Arie, Leander, if you decide now that you won't want to risk this feel free to go. I won't hold it against you"

Arie instantly shakes their head.

"This is the opportunity we have been waiting for. Screw all of them, we will show them what Fenniks really are. What we where before they forced us to be something that we aren't"

Leander takes a moment.
A deep breath.

"I'm in. If we won't do this the ones after us will suffer from our ignorance"

Chapter Text

Chapter 62

"You can leave this to me, I could handle trying to get the city on our side. Where is your compass pointing you?"

Paloma had listened carefully to them explain what had happen and Sirius watched her as she tried to find a solution.

"But wouldn't that be too dangerous? After all, you can't risk anything, you've got kids"

Paloma bites her lip and from the angle that Sirius is in he can see her sharp teeth break open the skin on her lips.

"I have aviants that could raise them should anything happens to me. And life like this can't be forever. I grew up in this city and I've never had the chance to go to an actual school. Some older aviants helped us learn how to write and read and basic skills but everything above that has been hard to come by.
I yearn for a world where my kids grow up equal to those of humans"

Sirius nods.
They need to do all they can.
Ava and Jay have already been put to bed and are sound asleep.
Paloma brushes their hair gently as she speaks.

"I love them enough to die for them"

Pearl looks at her. A sad look in his eyes.

"Please live for them instead. Not everyone has the chance to have their parents love them"

Palomas head moves up and she smiles at him.

"I will do my very best."

She kisses the top of each of her kids head and then guides them into the room they slept when they came here first.

"Is everything okay Pearl ?"

"I think you can already guess that I didn't have parents as the oracle and sometimes I just miss the idea of having grown up with loving parents"

His voice sounds teary and his breath seems to come too quick.

"Pearl, I know I can't fix anything that has happend before but if you want to, not saying I'd be upset if you wouldn't like it or want to, I could do what I did with Piper when she missed home"

Pearls eyes dart through the room, seemingly trying to find a way to escape. His legs seem to want to run for a second.
Sirius quickly takes his hand again and draws circles into his palms.

"It's okay Pearl, I will be content with whatever decision. I can't be your mother but I do care about you."

Sirius feels Pearls breathing getting more stable.

"Maybe...maybe one day ?"

Paloma nods and she smiles at them before closing the door.
Sirius realises their in her room.
Weird that he didn't notice that before, her home is small and there's not enough rooms for everyone.
She's been sleeping in her kids room every night they have spend here.

"Would it help to talk about it"

Pearl looks at him, eyes wide open.
Disoriented he sways his head, one side to the other.

"You don't need to"

He shakes his head.

"If you promise to not tell anyone"

Sirius nods.

"Whatever you say is safe with me"

And he sits down, motioning Pearl to sit down next to him on the hastily put together bed that Paloma made them.

"I already told you all that I have never met the people that brought me into this world. Once I opened my eyes everyone knew the oracle was reborn. They got a high amount of money and told to never interact with me.
When I was still a pup some of the priests where allowed to hold me when I got hurt but when I turned 5 that stopped. Suddenly I was denied all physical touch and got punished when I would cry, made a noise or tried to get out of training early.
It didn't take long for me to understand.
The time that I was a person to them was over.
I'd lie awake at night, wondering where I went wrong.
Maybe if I studied better, maybe if I would've been friendlier, maybe if I wouldn't have had caused them trouble they would've never changed.
So I did all that they wanted me to.
And yet it was never enough.
Amber. That's all I ever heard.
Amber was better than you.
It understood faster.
It was prettier.
A better trophy."

Pearl stops for a second to wipe away the tears that had been forming in his eyes.
Sirius heart breaks.
5 years old.

"When I was old enough to have public appearances I would look into the crowd, hoping that my parents would be there.
Would approve what their son has become.
But I was never a son to anyone."

"But you are a friend to me"

And that's all that was needed for Pearl to press his face into his jacked and cry.
Sirius held him until he stopped shaking.

Chapter Text

Chapter 63

She looks nice like this.
A vail covers half her face, not something that's often worn but common enough to not make anyone question Nylou.
Instead of her patched up pants she wears one of Aimsys shorter skirts, which is still very long on Nylou.
Barely short enough for her not to trip over the hem.

"You look so cute !"

Nylou smiles and laughs.

"The vail feels nicer than I though"

Aimsy puts the gems and expensive hair accessories back on, she had forgotten how heavy they feel.

"We can go now but Nylou, like I said, no one can know and you need to listen to what I say. There's half a chance my parents will even listen to me and that will be gone the second they dissaprove of me"

Nylou nods.
Aimsy bites her lips and takes a deep breath.

"When I ask you to get me another hairpin from the shop down the road you will get your things and run. Something has gone wrong and I don't want you there when it happens.
If I'm not back before a week passes...ask Sirius to go and find me. He might be able to help."

The confusion is written in Nylous face.

"What no ! Of course I won't abandon you"

All that Aimsy can do is beg.

"Please?"

And Nylou frowns.

"I don't like it but I guess I will do as you tell me. Now lead the way Aimsy."

There's an ache in her chest.

"Its soon to be Alysithia"

Beeing back to the place she grew up in makes her remember that it isn't much longer until she is 20 and considered an adult.
Fear washes over her.
She really failed did she ?
Her parents expected her to bring money and fame all now she's become a criminal.
Going against all that she had been taught.

"It can always be Aimsy to us if you'd like"

She shakes her head.

"I'll be older no matter what"

When they step into the city she's instantly recognised and a guard escords them both to her parents doorstep.

It hasn't been that long since she left but in that moment she feels like it's been a life time.
And as she knocks she can feel herself slipping back into the facade she spend so long building up.

"So you're back."

"My dear mother, father, I have come bearing news and a new aquantaince.
This is lady Nylou, princess of the kingdom of Piperess."

Her mother listens intently, her father right behind her.
His eyes look worried but he is smiling.

"Well. Come inside and tell us what you have learned"

Aimsy bows down and steps through the door, back into her own life.
Nylou follows her, head down as well.

Chapter Text

Chapter 64

"So what do we do ?"

Vasil looks at Feroc, expectantly.
The man is the tallest out of them and Feroc looks a lot shorter than she usually does.

"Well, I have been trying to figure out what happend to "Alopex Pyría" , maybe we can find a surviving member who gathered some information or new members that arose from the dust they left behind"

Leander shudders at the mention of that name.
Their hands form some sort of turned around heart over their chest.

"They where all publicly burned. Good luck finding anyone."

Aries voice is cold.
It shakes her to her core.

"Who's "Alopex Pyría" ? Why where they killed ?"

Arie scuffs.

"Well Birdy, you aviants aren't the only ones that suffered. They where a rebel group, formed about 21 years ago. Working towards the liberation of all Fenniks. Are you familiar with the old human language ? The one they use for their religion and leaders?"

She remembers Aimsy reading out the words of the riddle they solved together.
She nods.

"The human in the prophecy can speak it"

Arie looks displeased.

"Well. It was a warning. "Alopex Pyría" flaming fox. A drastic change going through this entire continent, burning all that stood in its way. They wanted change and getting their hands dirty never stopped them. Cutthroat, harsh, cold. To me, they sound like heros. They tried changing this world. But when the identity of their leader was found out they got burned at the stake. A fitting end, you'd think.
That was more than 18 years ago now."

Feroc nods.

"And we hope that at least one of them is still alive now so we can learn from them. Or find newer members that joined after their initial destruction."

Leander chimes in.

"The things we have been doing where just to get their attention on us. We wanted anyone still alive to notice us and know that we are trying to follow their foot steps."

"Let me get this right, you have been trying to follow a group that ended up getting executed?"

Vasil throws her a mean look and he shakes his head at her.

"Well. Fortuna. Tell me, what do you fight for ? You are a revolutionist as well. You are trying to do the same that we are doing and you scare away from that?"

This question stops her in her tracks.

"I want a world where we are equal.
A word where we aren't lesser than the humans.
But the reason I'm worried is that the oracle told me someone of our group will die."

Arie stares at her intently.
Their mouth opens and closes before finally.

"And you believe it ? The oracle is just trying to trick you. It has been brainwashed by the humans, as if it's actually trying to do good."

A few weeks ago, back when pearl was still cold and reserved she would've agreed. But when she thinks of Pearl now she sees a scared Fennik who tries his hardest to do the right thing.
Piper sees the way he smiles when someone gives him a compliment, his timid voice, shaking when he tries to speak up. The way he clung onto Sirius like he was the only thing keeping him alive.
Pearls eye, the silver one, lighting up when hes happy. His hair over the golden eye to cover his heritage. Pearl is her friend.

"I believe Pearl. I know that he will do his best to help us, no matter what happens.

Chapter Text

Nylou listens to Aimsys steps on the ground, keeping her head down to hear them better.
She can't let them know that she cannot see.

They stop, Nylou is so very careful to not walk in a weird way, or stop slower or or or.
There's a lot that she needs to be careful about.

"Let us sit down, Mother, Father. I have much to explain. It has been so long, there's an abundance you don't have knowlage of yet.
The compass has made me see wonders and things I would've never believed.
It has brought me to the Oracle who has shown me what my lifes purpose is"

Aimsys parents listen intently.
Her voice is strong, cold. Calculating.
Nylou isn't even sure it's Aimsy speaking.
That must be Alysithia.

"And what might that be daughter?"

Her mother's voice is monotone.

"I beg, allow me to finish my tale, regardless of how improbable it may seem. I am well aware of the weight of my request, and I do not expect this to be easily grasped."

Nylou holds her breath in.

"I have journeyed for days, scaling the heights of a distant mountain, guided solely by my compass. There, I encountered an Aviant—far more refined and cultured than I could have ever anticipated. Remarkably, she too possessed a compass, one that led her directly to me. Together, we ventured to an ancient ruin, where a riddle awaited—designed for no other but the two of us to unravel. Upon solving it, we were granted a map that guided us to the temple of the Oracle. It was there the Oracle revealed our fates: we are destined to restore peace between Aviants and humans. On our journey we found princess Nylou who has sworn us allegiance.

I am sent by the god Lyias to fulfill this sacred mission. I implore you, grant me the chance to see it through."

A cold laugh.
A slap.

"Aimsy.
You are utterly deluded if you believe any of this to be true. There is a reason the Aviants are regarded as they are, and yet you, in your privileged ignorance, fail to grasp even the most basic truths of our world. Whoever this so-called Oracle truly is, they must be mad to propose such absurdities."

"Mother please... As you wish"

Aimsy sounds defeated. As if she knew this will happen.

"Take her with you. I will speak to you tomorrow"

Nylou quickly follows Aimsys footsteps to a door.
It closes behind her.

"Aimsy..."

A short pause.

"Don't. I knew it already, spare me your sympathy"

Chapter Text

A friend.
Sirius called him a friend.
And Pearls tail can't stop wagging.
The bed is big enough for him to not be touching Sirius when they layed down, Sirius had to convince him to even be up here too, he has never slept this close to anyone expect Feroc.
And well she's a Fennik, she knows that they crave each others body warmth.
Feroc knows that and Feroc is so adamant about them humouring their, well nature.
A tiny part of him knows that she's right.
Nothing has ever felt more well, right then laying down next to her.
But Sirius is not a Fennik.
Sirius breath already comes slow.

Pearl could spend hours studying his face.
So different to his own.
The tiny feathers that grow on his ears.
His big nose, dark skin.
Brown eyes.
Brown eyes ?

"Pearl I can hear that your tail keeps on thumping against the mattress"

Pearl flinches and wraps his tail around himself.

"I am very sorry that I've cost you sleep, I'll make sure this doesnt happen again"

Sirius slowly blinks at him.

"What ? No I'm happy your happy, it's just pretty loud"

Pearl doesn't understand Sirius.
Why would he be happy about getting kept awake.

"Pearl ? We are friends, I don't mind you at all."

Sirius says his name in a way that feels so soft.
So appreciated.
The others say his name to call for him.
Sirius says his name in a way that feels oh so very different.

"I'm sorry, it's, it's hard to understand you Sirius. I have never had a friend before."

And Sirius smiles.
Pearl feels so warm.
He can't help but smile with him.

"It's okay Pearl, you are only my second friend. I don't know much either."

Friends.
Like Nylou and Sirius.
Like Piper and her sisters.

"I have talked about how I grew up, how did you grow up Sirius ?"

Sirius thinks for a moment before answering.

" I don't really remember a time before Nylou, it's like I started living when I met her. But I guess before that it was me and my parents. My mom was often sick, dad told me that was because of her heritage, that it's surprising how healthy I am. My mom passed away when I was 15.
Guess I never told that anyone but you and Nylou.
After that it was always me and my Dad. He's a great guy, I like him a lot but he has to work a lot and well he hasn't really been there since mom died.

You know how Aviants don't live as long as humans and fenniks do right ?

Of course he knows.
Aviants have brittle bones since they have to be light enough to take flight and since their shorter and need their blood to flow faster to fully go through their wings their heart beats faster which makes their heart give out faster.
He nods his head.

"I'll probably die young too"

A wince escapes Pearl.

"You won't. I'll make sure of that."

Sirius looks at him.
Really looks at him.
There's an understanding between them.
And a burden falls off of Pearl.

"I will do whatever I can to make sure it doesn't come true"

Sirius shakes his head.

"I've known ever since you said it. That someone might die. Your reaction to Nylou gave it away. It's okay Pearl. I didn't expect myself to live past 20 anyways."

And something inside Pearl breaks.
His hand moves faster then he can think.
Holding Sirius cheek like he saw Nylou do so many times.
And with both eyes set on Sirius he can see his future.
But his other eye he only sees a friend in front of him.

Chapter Text

Piper watches as her words sink in.
And aviant completely and utterly trusting the symbol that has been turned against their own people.

But she knows him in a way they will never understand so she meets everyone's eyes with a firm look of affection.

"She's right about the oracle, Pear is, well different.
Different then I would've ever imagined him.
He wants to be called Pearl, if he's honest for a second he knows that he hates being the oracle. He'd trade his status in for the chance at a better life in a heartbeat."

Feroc backs her up and Piper smiles at her.

----

With a click Piper fastens the mask over Ferocs face.
It's a pretty red colour with a foxes face painted over, golden.
It completely covers Ferocs left eye, keeping the other one visible.
Vasil fastens his own one, pastel lilac while Leander and Arie help each other with their own, one orange and the other one a pale green.

Their outfits are simler, sporty with lots of belts and little pockets in their pants. They all have a big belt with daggers and other things a revolutionist may deem usable.

Leander's long paler hair sticks out from under their mask, it's loosely braided. Piper wonders if one of them braids it for them or if they did that themselves.
They seem nervous but then again they always seem nervous. The mask doesn't do a good job at actually hiding their faint freckles.

Aerie's clothes have a few sewn on spikes and just like Leander's mask it doesn't hide their most prominent feature, their cut through their eyebrow and the weirdly light brown eyes.

Pipers gaze wanders to Vasil and the big cloak that he wears clearly sets him apart from the other two. It's covered in patches and it seems hand painted.
The backside depicts a fox with a flaming tail.

Now Piper knows that that's the old revolutionary symbol.

"Hey Fortuna, if you wanna come with you need to change"

Vasil has caught her looking at him and he brings her another pair of their outfit.

"I uh, with the wings it's sorta like..."

He nods and with swift motions he cuts two long slashes into the fabric on the back.
Piper is impressed, she is skilled with the Aviant sword but she didn't know Fenniks bothered to learn skills like that.

Vasil is an interesting person, constantly trying to make his friends understand what their getting into and keeping a way out for all of them in case they no longer want to be part of this.
His eyes are firm, no matter when Piper looks at him he seems to be thinking but his eyes light up whenever he sees one of the other revolutionists.

The Fennik seems like a scholar but that shouldn't fool anyone.
His technique was flawless.
Not a single tear, one swift and clean slash.

He catches her gaze again and nods his head.

"We have been training but to your eyes we might seem clumsy.
I know that Aviants train their young to handle their weapons for when their older. I hope I'm not overstepping your boundaries but I'd love to see your sword. I've never seen a true Aviant sword up close."

And who is she to refuse his dark grey eyes that seem to absorb any knowledge in front of him.
Vasil is interesting.

Arie and Leander gather around too to view Pipers dagger, it's about two hands long and fits perfectly into her right hand, the wood feeling cold against her palm until it warms up to her body warmth.
With a leather band two feathers are bound to its handle.

"My sister's"
She answers the unspoken question and pride swells up in her chest.
These people know how much this means to the Aviants.

The Fenniks spend a short while examinating her sword until Feroc fixes up the rest of Pipers clothes and she gets her very own mask.
A brown with the same golden fox painted on.

"Let's go"

Chapter Text

After all that time spend getting to know the others, accepting everyone's flaws, learning to understand Piper and just how different she was raised and the warmth they radiated, her skin still prickling from where they touched her, a loving touch, soft, affectionate her mother's words and touch had felt like a grim reminder what Aimsy is suppost to be.

She can hear Nylou think, the gaelic sitting on her lounging chair, legs crossed.

"Sit straight. My mother won't approve of your manners"

Nylou scrambles to correct her posture.
Lifting up her head in the process.
Her Vail is still covering half her face but Aimsy can see that tears are staining it darker.

"Nylou, what's wrong ? Did you hurt yourself on your way here, I would like to apologise for not turning around and helping you when I stormed out"

Nylou shakes her head and the vail slips off.
And she looks so frail, so tiny, in this moment, maybe for the first time, Aimsy realises how much taller she is, how much broader, how much stronger.

"How did you grow up like this?"

Nylous voice is shaky.
Aimsys polite smile drops.

"I managed"

And Nylou looks at her, straight into her eyes, well her eyes where still that milky white but for some reason Aimsy felt seen.

"No. You didn't. Aimsy you are impulsive, try to take power where you can, you are tense, constantly on the verge of snapping, you flinch whenever someone comes close. There's something so harsh in your voice whenever you speak. You have gotten so much better but this affected you. Aimsy, you didn't grow up in a good place"

"I had all I needed"
Her voice is thin, lackluster of any strength and deep down she knows Nylou is right, that being with them has felt better than anything Aimsy had ever known.

"Love, Aimsy, you needed affection."

And with that Aimsys walls break.
Her whole body is shaking and she tries to wipe the tears away as they come but her desperate tries mean nothing. She hadn't cried in so long that it felt foreign.
Like something that she'd never be allowed to.
Warm tears land on her pristine pillows and she tries to calm herself before anyone can notice.
Soft hands cup her face.
Red hair.
A missing front tooth.
Thousand little freckles that would take ages to count.
Aimsy sinks into her tiny frame.
Soft hands gently pat her back.
A soft whisper in her ear.
Promises for a better time.

And suddenly, weeks before turning 21 she feels like a child again.
And she presses her face into Nylous neck, breathing in the warm smell of someone alive.
Nylou smells like pine needles, soap and sunlight.
And Aimsy wouldve given anything to have known her all those years ago.

Chapter Text

He had never imagine anyone could feel the same as Nylou does.
But looking at the Fennik that cuddled up to him the second he fell asleep he can't help but think about how Nylou does the same.
Pearls soft hair falls over his arms and he stops himself from running his hand through them.
They aren't that close.
So instead he listens to his heartbeat as he falls asleep.

-----

"Kids ! I wanted to tell you that I talked to everyone I could think of"

Paloma had been gone for the day, leaving Sirius and a very confused Pearl to take care of her kids.
At her words all four of them stare over before Pearl quickly averds his gaze.

"Nono I mean you two, Jay, Dove, could you go play outside for a bit ? I've got important stuff to talk about with Sirius and Pearl."

Sirius laughts as he realises that Paloma had called him kid and he listened to that.
Pearl seems more embarrassed then anything.

"Sirius, Pearl, I have told you that I can help you with this. I searched for anyone willing to change things around here. Everyone willing to fight for their kids future, for their grandparents honour, for the safety of their nests.
And I ended up with around 30 people, more coming up to me every day.
Don't worry kids, I have also found an old friend willing to take Dove and Jay under their wing should I die."

His eyes dart up.

"You can't risk your life.
Your kids need you"

Paloma nods and then holds his gaze.

"And they need a future worth surviving for. Don't worry kid, I won't risk anything stupidly. I will survive. This is just for the worst case scenario"

Sirius feels content.
Paloma is a good mother, she wouldn't risk this.

"So, your work here is done. Leave the rest to me, I took a look at the compass.
This isn't where you need to be, I'm honored you came to visit but you need to actually get where you need to be"

Sirius stares at Pearl.

"This isn't our final destination?"

Pearls tail flicks.

"No...but we did need to get the people here on our side.
Now that that's done we can do what we need to"

Sirius doesn't like the cold sound in Pearls voice.

"And what's that ?"

Pearl looks up, his hair falling over his normal eye, leaving only the golden one uncovered.
There's a shimmer in there that Sirius doesn't like.

"Uncover my past.
Understand where I came from.
Know what came before me.
Fear what comes after"

Chapter Text

The cold air sends a shudder through her body as they move through empty streets.
The sun has been down for a few hours now and Piper suppresses a yawn.

The Fenniks come to a stop before a giant white building.
It's fenced off and Piper is about to turn around to figure out where to go from here as she watches the Fenniks climb over the fence in a swift motion, somewhere between a jump and a climb.

Feroc stands on the fence, one arm extended towards her.

"Come on Fortuna !"

Piper grabs her hand and Feroc pulls her up.
Ahe can't help but notice how well her muscles imprint in those clothes.

As they all stand in front of that building Vasil pulls out a few spraycans that he throws to Arie and Leander.

"This is our finance building, Fenniks come here to put more wealth in some bunker.
They disgust me, all of that currency could be used to pay for the less fortunate but instead they just keep it all"

Piper furrows her brow.

"Why would they, that's so stupid, you can't do anything with it like that"

Vasil laughs but it feels cold.

"I wish they would've grown up like you Fortuna, no, for them it's important to let others starve while they own more money then any person could ever need. "

Leander and Feroc paint the building.

"Gold in vaults can't feed the soul, but bread in hands can make us whole."

"Return to the earth, where truth resides—roots over riches, where love abides."

"Follow the path of Alopex pyria—wisdom in the wild, not in fear or greed."

She looks at those messages and like a flame, like Alopex Pyria, the flaming fox something sparks in her.
Bravery maybe.
Maybe a stupid hope.

"Leander, where's Arie."

A load crashing noise, like a mountain crumbling.
Smoke lies in the air and a ringing noise resides in her ears.

Her feathers are ruffled.

A shrill laughter fills the air,
Crackling if she recalls correctly.
The noise a fennik makes in excitement.

Vasils eye widens in fear and his hair stands up.

"Go !"

Piper scrambles to get away, Feroc already up on the wall again, pulling her up as well.
Leander jumps over the wall with Ferocs help and out they run.

"Careful to not let your mask slip Fortuna"

Leander's voice sounds less panicky then she would've expected.

As they rush through the city they hear people shouting in the distance, right where they came from.

They are quick enough and no one sees them slip back into their secret base.

"FUCK! Leander did you know ?"

Feroc grips Leander's shoulders and shakes them.
They awerd their gaze.

"God did you two even tell Vasil ? We have now gone, completely unprepared into stage 2. This wasn't supposed to happen yet"

Leander stares at the ground and then raises their head.

"We aren't unprepared. We knew this day would come. Now that we have Fortuna and know the prophecy is on our side-"

Feroc let's them go.

"We don't know when Arie and Vasil will be back, IF they will be back."

Leander's hair stands up and they snarl.

"They will be back Alepos. Vasil is smart and Arie had a plan for this.
She just needs to-"

They all turn around when they hear a loud thump, like something hitting the floor.
There he stands, Vasil.
Arm wrapped around a rough looking Arie.
The visible brow turned down in anger.
Her clothes are singed, like she didn't get far enough of the explosion.

"This isn't how teamwork is suppost to go"

Vasils tone is dry.

"You would've waited ages longer ! Vasil, we can't afford to just stand around and do nothing! Their legacy is fainting faster then we can do something!"

Arie shouts out and there's such an angry shiver in her voice.

"You are lucky you got away this fast.
You are incredibly lucky they didn't get to you before we could escape"

Vasil looks over to everyone else.

"Arie is right though.
Phase 2 needs to start.
Show them what their too blind to see.
Project Alepos Pyria goes into its next phase.
Careful Fortuna, this is when it gets bloody"

And Pipers heart sinks.
She knows this is what's bound to happen.
They can't fight a revolution only with words.
And in the dim lit small apartment that's littered with pin boards, old cups, posters from previous demonstrations and spray can bottles she makes her decision.
She will fight if that's what it takes.

Chapter Text

Sirius has been quiet.
After they said long elaborate goodbyes to Paloma and her children their walk had been quiet.
The bag that Sirius carries is filled to the brim with food,a soft blanket and the tent, Alysithia had been very adamant of them having a place to stay so Sirius should take the tent instead of Nylou.

A temple.
An abandoned one ?
At least it looks like it had been abandoned in his visions.

"Pearl. You should be more honest with me"

His blood runs cold.
Hair stands up.

"Sirius I don't need to disclose everything with you.
I am the oracle"

His voice quivers and he hates himself for it.
He's supposed to be commanding.

"I am your friend. You can't just drag me along and never tell me what we are doing"

His voice is soft, not annoyed or angry as expected.

"I don't want to worry you.
You have too many things to worry about and-"

"That isn't the reason.
You're scared Pearl.
That's why your acting like this"

Shut up.
Shut up.

His lips start to thin and he shows off his teeth, s clear sign that he is commanding respect.

Sirius stares at him.

"You know you can't just do this.
I'm not gonna shut up just because you do this.
Pearl.
You need to actually tell me stuff"

Sirius sounds annoyed now.
Pearl takes on a deeper standing, his tail switching around.
Feroc would've taken a step back now and just apologised.
Sirius takes a step closer.

And before Pearl can even think his teeth have sunken into dark skin.
The taste of blood brings him back to reality and he let's go of Sirius arm.

"Are you fucking insane ?"

Sirius holds his arm and swings his sword.
Pearl feels like he needs to cry.

"I-im sorry i didn't mean it, you came too close and I already showed my teeth and and"

The words get lost in the wind.
His voice becomes a wimper.

Sirius eyes soften.
His blood has a golden shimmer that's gone when Pearl blinks.
It's completely red.

"It's red"

Sirius stares.
Wipes his blood off.

"Yeah"

And Pearl is so jealous it hurts.
But of course it would be.
They let him know that his blood is worth more.

"Pearl. I just want you to be honest with me."

Pearl feels like the air is pressed out of his lungs.

"Why do you even care"

It's barely a whisper.

"Because you're my friend"

Theres a short break.

"But I don't feel valued in this friendship because you constantly lie to me or leave details out"

Another short break as Pearl tries to find an answer.

"I want you to be honest with me Pearl, I want to help you and I can't if all you ever do is keep things secret"

Pearl takes a deep breath.

"I don't know much again but I know this is going to hurt me. I wanted you to come with me because I only trust you enough to share this with you.
We are looking for an old temple. I haven't been in a temple since I fled."

Sirius doesn't know the importance of this.
But Pearl can't bring himself to tell him.

His hand is still clutching the bite wound, slowly dripping with dark red blood.
Pearl takes a step closer.
And another one.
His breath comes too fast but he wants to do this.
This was his fault so he better fix it.

Sirius looks at him, confused.

"Pearl ?"

Pearl leans against the taller man and takes his own hand to his mouth, closing his eyes before ripping the soft skin on his palm open with his sharp teeth, still stained with Sirius blood.
Dark red meets a golden shimmer and he places his hand on Sirius wound.

"Pearl what ?"

And he looks into Sirius eyes as they widen in shock.
The usual warm feeling almost overwhelms him but this time he knows that he is cared for.

His eyes are getting harder and harder to keep open as he feels Sirius bandaging up his hand.
Pearls eyes close and he sinks into the comfortable warmth of his friend.

Chapter Text

Ferocs hair stands up.
Somethings wrong, the static in the air that had been there since the explosion feels more and more overwhelming each and every day.

Vasil is on the edge too, he's quieter then usually and Feroc has never seen him look this worried.
He tries to overplay everything of course.
Feroc does the same.
They both acknowledge the others lying.

"Alepos are you even listening ?"

Aries voice pulls her back to reality.
She raises a hand to their pin wall that is now completely covered in information.
Leander stands next to Arie, that same excited twinkle in their eyes.

Piper sits on the edge of the table, legs crossed and wings completely freed. Vasil had helped her change her outfit a little to completely let her wings free.

"Yes of course, please continue"

And with each word her comrades spin more violence into their hopes of a peaceful and united world.

There's a knock on their window and all of them twist their neck to look at it.

"I'll look. Be ready for anything"

Vasil takes a few heavy steps over.
A breathless voice that shivers slightly whispers something incoherent and Vasil turns to them with a slight smile.

A tall Fennik slides through their window.
Vasil brings them over.

"I, I followed your symbols. My name's-"

Vasil shakes his head.

"Don't tell us your actual name. We don't know how dangerous this will end up being. Better safe."

The Fenniks eyes wide but they nod.

"Yes, uhm, call me Tàmit"

A shiver goes through Piper and she jumps up from her table.

"That's our word for sun !"

Tàmit nods their head and smiles, a very soft smile.

"My grandparents had aviant friends"

They look to be in their late 20's maybe a little older.
A few grey hairs are visible, strong against their dark hair.

"I followed your symbols, I was just a kid when Alopex Pyria was burned and that never sat right with me.
Thousand's of people celebrating some Fenniks death because what, they wanted change ?
So ever since I was little I tried to find out why they where executed. What made them radikalise in the first place. I read all I could find, learned all that there was, any information I could find and I ended up finding the symbols you painted. The eye and the fox."

Feroc knows that symbol, they have painted it everywhere they could, leading towards their window. Leander had found it in the diary of their adoptive dad.
An eye with the burning fox etched into the iris. Not noticeable by looking at it, only able to detect by touch.

"And all I found out was how unjust everything was.
How all they ever did was fight for cultural freedom"

Arie stands tall, looking up to the Fennik.
Feroc has to keep herself from snarling.
She's not their leader.
Vasil should be the one to lead this.

"And you think you have what it takes to fight ?"

The Fennik looks right back.

"Yes. I will do whatever I can to fix the past.
We cannot truly be happy if we aren't all equal.
Not with the way aviants are treated."

Tàmit bows down to Piper, the same deep bow Feroc had watched Piper do.

"What do all of you go by here ?"

One after the other they introduce themselves, Arie first, Leander last. Tàmit explains that she uses feminine pronouns and prefixes.
Her clothes show that she's a scholar and she speaks the part.
Feroc has to stop herself from chuckling, Tàmit could out speak Aimsy.

"I'm lucky to have met you, finally all my studies will be worth something."

Feroc can't shake of the feeling of being watched.

Chapter Text

Sirius stares at his hand.
The faint throbbing of pain had stopped the second that Pearls golden blood came in contact with the wound.
The Fenniks weight in on his chest, having sunken with him onto the floor.

There's a faint smile on his face, eyes closed but so very calm and peaceful.
Sirius tries to remember anything that Pearl ever said to explain this.
His hand wipes away the golden blood that mixed with his own red blood and he finds the wound completely closed.

Pearls hand still drips with blood, a seemingly endless dripple of golden ichor, such a beautiful and stark contrast to his own red blood.

Sirius stares at it.
He always knew what Pearl was.
That Pearl was as much a person as he was the oracle.
But in that moment he felt like Pearl was so much more then just a symbol.
Pearl was holy.

"Sirius?"

The voice is barely above a whisper.

"Pearl?"

Pearls eyes flutter open and there's still that blissful smile on his face.

"You are still bleeding"

Pearl opens his mouth and it feels like ages until he answers again.

"Drink your fill. I wouldn't want this to go to waste"

Sirius stares at him before stumbling to fullfil his request.
As he takes the hand, looking into Pearls eyes for any change of heart, for a confirmation that Pearl wants to share this with him Pearl smiles. Cheeks flushed red.

Their blood mixed together paints something so holy that Sirius gasps for air.
The air is thick with something Sirius can't possibly describe.

And as the ichor meets his tongue he feels like his soul is burning.
It's like a shock of energy, a sudden rush of serotonin and the feeling like he can do everything he ever sat his mind to.

He's careful not to let a single drop go to waste and as he's tasting something that's so haunting and holy, so utterly alive he looks into Pearls eyes.
The soft glint so familiar to him.

"Your blood..."

Pearl nods.

"It's holy. My blood can heal and restore anything that was once broken. It even heals mental wounds, not to the extent that it does physical"

And suddenly there's a change in his face, the soft smile is gone and it's replaced by fear.
A fear that shocks Sirius to his core.
Something so primal that it doesn't fit into the elegant oracle or even Pearl.

"Sirius. You cannot tell anyone about this.
It hurts.
It renders me helpless to whoever I give my blood to.
Remember how soft I got right after healing you ? That happends.
I hate it so much.
I suddenly loose all control I have and.
And they.
They have me give my blood to anyone.
For money.
For power.
Sirius I gave you my blood to heal you but you cannot tell anyone of this.
They will use me"

Tears have filled Pearls eyes and his tail twitches, as does the rest of his body.
Even his voice is shaky.

And Sirius understands what Pearl is telling him.
Sirius feels like he's going to be sick.

Chapter Text

Nylou can't help but worry about Aimsy, about all her companions.
Aimsy was quicker to calm herself then Nylou would've thought.

A knock on the door causes Aimsy to move from the place she sat down to write, at least judging from the noises of feather scraping against paper.

"Aimsy, be in the meeting room in an hour. Wear your finest clothes. Don't be late, this is important."

The stern voice of Aimsys mother cuts through their previous comfortable silence.

"Yes, of course, mother, would I be able to take Nylou with me ?"

Aimsys voice is thinner then usually and a sharp intake of air shows that her mother isn't happy to hear that.

"If you need another dress ask Aimsy for that.
Be sure to present yourself nicely"

And the door shuts again.

Aimsy gets up from where she sat down and heavy hands are placed on her shoulders.

"I'm sorry for my mother, this is probably another fancy dinner and your clothes won't suffice. Looking at your frame one of my childhood dresses might be a good fit"

She nods and after a short while of listening to Aimsy rummage around in her closet a dress is placed in her hands. The material feels heavy, silken and soft against her hands and she traces the delicate details with her finger.

Oh god, she will have to figure out how to put this on.
A sound of clothes hitting the floor indicates that Aimsys already changing.

"Aimsy, do you uh... Mind if I change in front of you ? I mean I can't see you but you can see me so it's kinda awkward for you"

"Oh Lyias !!! Right, right, I completely forgot about that, I'm so used to getting help to get dressed by workers so Im Just used to people being in the room, would you like me to leave to give you space ?"

Nylou shakes her head.

"I don't mind, I'm less worried if I'm not alone"

And as her clothes meet the floor, cold air hitting her now bare body she realises just how comfortable she feels around Aimsy.
Nylou can't recall another person, other then Sirius that she ever trusted this much.
Nylou smiles.

"Aimsy if you don't mind, could you help me dress then ? I'm really good at dressing myself in clothes Ive known for a while but yours are unfamiliar"

"Oh uh, yes of course !"

Aimsys fingers are shaking slightly as she helps Nylou dress.

"Please forgive me, I've ruffled the dress a little, I'm a bit nervous"

"Why?"

A short pause as Aimsy closes the final button at the back.

"I've never seen anyone but myself naked. And you're just so... Different"

The feeling of Sirius broughter shoulder, softer hips and longer legs come to mind as Nylou turns around.

"That makes sense, Sirius is a lot different to me too"

Aimsy is painting both her own and Nylous face, golden marks as Aimsy called, little stars and soft lines all over their faces and shoulders.
Apparently commen in royalty as Aimsy explained.

After she draws the final line, she helps Nylou put on her Vail again and leads both of them to the conference room.

Before she opens the door she whispers to Nylou, urging her to not let her Vail slip.
And with another crack in Nylous fragile self worth the door creaks open.

Chapter Text

Tàmit is a welcomed change of atmosphere.
Arie and Leander have been shutting themselves in, adding more and more onto the board that they'd use to organise their protests.

Piper hasn't had the chance to really talk to Feroc in a while, she's either occupied with Vasil or listening to Arie and Leander talk about their plans.
She misses them talking they go back to Ferocs apartment ,they sleep in the same bed sometimes with each other but the deep connection with Feroc seems further away now.

Whenever all the other Fenniks seem occupied Tàmit and Piper talk, about Fenniks and Aviants, how similar the two really are and Piper gets asked to explain their culture over and over again while Tàmit intently listens.

It's with a pang in her chest that Piper realises that Tàmit reminds her of Aimsy.
The way she holds herself is so painfully similar, the way theid both talk, the abundance of pretty words they include in their language and even their voices are sort of similar.

Since she had joined there had been a few other actions.
Her, Tàmit and Feroc had painted another finance building entirely, fleeing once they had been discovered by guards.
Arie had disappeared for two days shortly after Tàmit had joined. The newspaper showed exactly what she did.
"A temple blown up by a left wing terrorist"

The text showed that there where no victims as they had been recently invited to join a party, which turned out to be a faked invite.

A picture of the invite shows Vasils neat handwriting.

A rich landlord had been robbed after walking back home at night, everything but underwear taken from them. Their guards and been slammed unconscious by two Fenniks and Piper remembers Arie and Leander cleaning wounds. They had claimed the ones they got from the explosion had ripped open again.

Piper was allowed to come along to their old project, a garden build at the outskirts of town they managed to feed the less fortunate ones.
An older Fennik man greets them when they enter and introduces himself to Piper as a neighbour.
He's darker skinned then most Fennik, a deep tan with crowsfeet around his eyes.
Vasil talks to him for a while, Piper tending to the crops as he does.

Their conversation is a nice chatter in the background, asking about the wellbeing of the man's wife, the man asking where Vasils other friends are which Vasil laughs at and explains their lazy at the moment and will be there again once their done with their work for uni.
After a while Vasil and the other fennik join into the work.
It's quiet now, comfortably quiet.

When their done the man asks Piper about her wings.
He's careful as he does, a soft interest in his eyes and a kind smile.
Piper answers truthfully and when they part ways the man hands them a bunch of different colored fruits.

Vasil explains that they had used this garden for years now, ever since they started their group.
The man is an old friend, he had seen them in all stages of their group but all he knows is that their students who do this to reconnect with their history.
He's a kind man, Vasil adds.

Tàmit helps Feroc and Piper to distribute the fruits and vegetables they collected this time.
A short woman takes them at a soup kitchen, her long light brown hair has string woven into two long braids. She smiles at them and Piper notices the feathers on her ears. An Aviant.

Chapter Text

He's done something wrong.
Must have.
Sirius looks at him so differently now.
Eyes widened in fear?
Resentment ?
Pearl tries to shake that though out of his head.
Part of Sirius lip is still stained golden and a cold sensation runs down his spine.

Sirius isn't so different from all the others.
Sure, he had felt safe around him.
But it's not like he can ever sense the danger once someone's used him.
Pearl curls his hand into a fist and recently closed wounds dare to open themselves again when a bigger hand slips into his.

Instinctively he pulls away, snarls, teeth showing.
After a sacrifice rarely anything they do to him is kind.
Touch is never.

But instead of a triumphful smile soft brown eyes greet him.
Speckles of gold like blood on treebark.
Large pupils, not like those of those bastard's, still in extacy from his blood but the eyes of someone who cares about you.

His heart skips a beat.
Pearls hand searches for Sirius again and finds him.
The inside of the others hand scarred.

And Pearl remembers Nylous words from all those nights ago.
Feeling rough skin press up against his own, soft hands makes him feel like he's given blood again.
The same bursting happiness that comforts him.
The only difference is that he doesn't feel scared.
He doesn't feel like he needs to fight to stay conscious.
He doesn't have to fight the feeling to be safe.

And he hopes that Sirius won't leave once he knows the truth.
-----

It's almost nighttime when they reach what looks like an abandoned temple.
Poison ivy is already covering half of it but if Sirius would have to guess hed say it's been about 30 years since this place had been used.

Pearl tenses up at his side.
They spend the whole walk in silence, Sirius can't blame him.
Part of him aches as he thinks about what happened.

"What is this place?"

Pearl shakes his head and his whole posture looks like Pearl wants to run away.

"I don't know. I shouldn't have taken you with me, I cant see the future through your eyes"

For a moment all is silent.
Then.

"I uh- I appreciate your company. Wouldn't want anyone else coming with you, I just I meant it like I can't tell you what happends here."

His voice sounds panicked and Sirius understands so he nods and takes a few steps closer to the temple.
It looks even prettier then the one that the others tried to find Pearl in, at least from what he could tell. Aimsy showed him a quick sketch when he asked about it.

They walk through big hallways, search through something that looks like an alter and Pearls face is still twisted between curios and scared.

And as they walk into the room that Pearl had called the "sacrifacionary" a chill runs down Sirius spine.

There, a message is etched into the wall, deep cuts, probably from a weapon. The stone around it is the perfect polished marble but that stone breaks around the message. The floor below is still converted in the dust that must've come from etching that message. Like there was no time to clean it up.

" A flame I shall start, burning through all that you build. Burn you down to the ground where you belong. The rage shall infect all that will come after me until there won't be anyone to carry your burden"

Chapter Text

Aimsys whole posture shifts as she walks into the room.
This is her place, her Terrain, she knows how to act to be safe.

A row of humans look at her as she enters and their gazes feel weird on her skin.
It's been nice to not be stared at.

"Lady Aimsy, what a pleasure to meet you again"

A tall woman with grey roots kisses her hand and she gives her a courtesy smile.

Two free seats have been arranged for her and Nylou, one right next to her mother and one at the furthest end.
With a touch at Nylous side she guides her to her seat before sitting down in her own.

The room soon fills with busy chatter and most of the humans ignore her.
Her mother is in her element, the trained smile, strong but clearly feminine voice cuts through any conversation and all the woman in the room listen intently as she speaks.

The same woman that greeted her is sitting next to her, Lady Kalisithiti if she remembers correctly, ruler of a northern province.

"Now tell me Aimsy, how much longer until you turn 20?"

A shudder runs down her spine but she smiles politely.

"In another week. I am pleased to take my place in the ranks then"

The woman smiles brightly.

"Now you see Aimsy, my eldest son, Anelious has recently earned his name and I would be pleased if you would consider him as a candidate"

Aimsy tries to not show how shocked she is.
Kalisithiti takes out a folder with pictures of her son. Aimsy has to admit, he is beautiful. Long hair, a soft smile on golden painted lips. His longer hair, braided with many tiny jewels is put up in a gorgeous style.

"And before you form an opinion, he is not only tall, almost as tall as you are and well, look at his hips. Your daughter's will have no issues having an heir.
He also passed all his exams with ease. If you are worried about his demeanor, he is a pleasure to be around, soft spoken, humorous, kind and thoughtful"

She needs to consider this. All in all he seems like a perfect candidate.

"And Aimsy, if you'd rather have a wife to keep you company I have a daughter that is soon to earn her name"

The woman directly in front of her had speaken up, a folder in hand. The names are already blurring in her head.
She chokes down the flutter in her chest.

"I will consider Anelious, he seems a worthy candidate. Now would you care to introduce your daughter? I would rather have the option to have children with the person at my side but I'd like to see what else there is"

The woman eagerly opens her folder, she's from a lesser position, ruler of a city rather then a county so she'd be glad to give away her daughter as a wife to Aimsy then to try and have her daughter be the primary ruler.

Her parents watch her skim through the pictures.
The woman is gorgeous, soft locks falling in waves ending only below her hips, skin fairer then Aimsy herself and a soft pink glint in her cheeks. Perfectly soft and would be a perfect wife but all Aimsy can think of are stronger hands, a sturdier frame, so much shorter then her and beautiful wings.

The woman eagerly introduces her daughter as a creative and caring, nice woman.
All Aimsy thinks about are a deeper voice, snide comments and a loud and bright laugh.

The compass in her pocket feels heavy, pulling her away from this place. There's an ache in her heart she can't explain.

The rest of the night feels like a blur. Countless people get shown to her and her parents watch her as she accepts or declines the options.

When it's finally time and the guests leave a big hand lands on her shoulder.

"You better choose right. You need to put your legacy before your own feelings. Choose whoever gives you the best stand. And then once you've done that you can do whatever your compass thing is telling you to. In a year or two maybe, after you've married and have given us an heir you can run around and do that."

Her blood runs cold. The others don't have two years to wait on her.
Pearls voice cuts into her mind, the warning that someone will die if they don't do this right.
Her compass burns in her pocket and it's pulling her away from this place.

"Mother I, please, I will do whatever you need me to do, I will take whoever you want as spouse I will do whatever you want me to but please, I need to finish this"

Her voice is desperate and cracking.

"Aimsy. You need to remember your place."

And this is nothing she can win.

"Yes mother. I apologise for my nonsense behaviour"

She turns around, Nylou following her.
As the door closes she silently sobs.

Chapter Text

"You're an aviant !"

The short woman nods and smiles a teethy smile, taking a deep bow, flashing the feathers on her arms.

Piper returns the greeting.

"Yes ! And you're with Alopex Pyria ! I've heard the whispers of an aviant in their masks."

The woman looks around them. The last part of her sentence was barely a whisper.

"We should be a little quieter, this place is very open minded but you aren't wearing your mask and well, I shouldn't know Alepos is a part of it either"

This woman also knowing Feroc as Alepos is odd, is that Ferocs actual name ?
Piper wishes she could ask her but there are many people around them.

"The name's Fortuna, this is Tàmit"

The aviant smiles.

"You can call me Pine"

No flock association and Piper's instincts yell at her to claim her. An aviant without a flock won't survive, her primal instincts are almost taking over until Piper tells herself that she probably just doesn't name a flock alliance to protect them.

"Well Fortuna, maybe I'll find you later"

They walk home after their done staking their fruits and vegetables into the shop.
Feroc had spoken to what Piper assumed to be the owner, a pink haired Fennik with a nose ring.
This had been a strong contrast to the people they see on the streets, all prim and proper, white robes and long black hair, all with perfectly shaven faces.

"The man I talked to was Blossom, one of our allies. He'd been running the charity shop for ages and he's been supporting us nearly just as long.
We have many friends around this city."

Leander and Arie ponder over their plans again as they walk into the main room.
Spraying cans lay littered around but there's also the sharp smell of fire in the air.
No one mentions it.

"Oh yes, Blossom and, Fortuna did you meet Pine ? She's one of the only other Aviants around"

Piper nods and Leander smiles.

"Glad you did, we need her on our side for this, I feel like you can definitely convince her. She's pretty strong from what I can tell so she'd be a good ally."

The way Leander said that leaves an odd taste in her mouth.
She ignores it and listens to Arie and Leander explain a new plan.

Break into the temple of this city steal what they can find, paint a few messages as they go.
Arie had written a few sentences onto their board.
"Down with the oracle, down with the false prophet"

"You can't ask me to do this. Pearl's our friend.
He's never asked to be the oracle"

Támit nods and Feroc takes her hand.

"From all I heard, Fortuna is right"

Arie rolls her eyes.

"Well if it's so all hight and mighty why ain't it here ? Why ain't it helping us ?"

Piper explains that Pearls compass leads him somewhere else. That their compasses show them their future.

She takes her own out of her bag.
It's running hot.
Almost scoring her skin.
It's needle pointing in the opposite direction and suddenly she feels a strong pull towards the direction the needle is pointing her.

"Okay well where is yours taking you then ??"

To her.
To Aimsy.

"The human of the prophecy"

Chapter Text

"This is hastely done. Nothing that was carefully planned"

Pearls voice is strangely fierce, Sirius wouldn't have had expected him to stand this tall.

"Pearl what is this place"

And Pearl shushes him, going through old books that he finds.
Sirius shrugs and takes a book out of the dusty bookshelf. Nothing of real value, it explains Fennik traditions.
He gets to a page that goes into detail on their hair and Sirius spends a while looking at different hairstyles.
It's odd to see a culture so well documented and explained.

A cold sensation runs down his spine.
That's because this is the version the humans want to see.
This isn't carefully crafted years and years of spoken poems, styles taught to kids by their parents. This is 70 years of brainwashing.

"Sirius... I please come here"

Pearls voice sounds choked up.
Without Sirius even noticing he had gone to another room.
With quick steps he races into the other room, a tiny door leading into a dimly lit corner.

"This looks like my room. Down to the decorations."

It's odd to see what Pearl spends his life in.
Albeit this beeing an old and rundown version.
The walls have claw marks ripped into them, pretty wallpaper ripped to shreds.
A bed on the floor, soft sheets in expensive looking covers.

Pearl looks wrong.
His entire body twisted in an unnatural way, pearl often looks like he wants to run away while standing still but never to this extent.

His sharp fingernails breaking the skin on his arms, his breath coming too quickly.
He looks terrified. And terrifying.

Sirius stares at the golden blood that slowly drips onto the ground.

He wants to taste it again.
An urge in him nearly drives him towards pearl, a greed he had never known.

But as he takes Pearls hand he forces himself away from it.
Picks up a cloth on the ground and wipes the blood away.
Brushes over the wound softly, taking both of pearls hands away from the fenniks arms.

"Drink it so I can feel better. It only reacts if it's taken"

There is a desperation in his voice.
His body screams at him to follow Pearls order.
But he remembers Pearls words.

"I won't."

His arms wrap around the fennik, a bit taller then Nylou but otherwise oh so similar. His tail wraps around him and Pearls claws rip through his arms.
He can tell that even though Pearl is panicking, his claws are deducted enough to only barely break his skin.

"I'm here Pearl. I'm here for you"

Pearls mouth escapes a whine.

"You are my friend Pearl. You mean so much to me"

Pearls forehead rams into his own and he looks into two terrified eyes. One golden and one grey.
Both so human and so holy that Sirius nearly breaks the eye contact.
To look at him was almost too much.

"I want to be there for you Pearl. I love you for you, not for what you can do for me"

A softness returns into Pearls eyes.
A voice, barely above a whisper.

"Prove it"

And Sirius hand cups Pearls Cheek, brushing over his cheek with his thumb and he bends down to place a kiss on his forehead.

His other hand lets the blood stained cloth fall to the ground.

Pearls hands let go of his arm and instead, wrap around him.

He sinks into him and they hold each other until Pearls tears stop streaming, his breath regulates itself again and the wounds have closed up.
The only thing that doesn't seem to go away is his irregular beating heart.

"This room used to belong to Amber"

Chapter Text

There's an uncomfortable silence in the room, only broken by the nearly silent tears.
Nylou walks over to where she assumes Aimsy sits.

"We don't have two years"

Aimsys hands take hers.

"I know Nylou but-"

Nylou gently brushes over her hands.

"I know you are scared but Sirius will die if we don't do anything"

Aimsys grip gets stronger.

"Wait what ? I thought Pearl ment Piper? Why would Sirius die?"

Did Pearl not make it obvious? The way that he said it, the way Sirius also knew that Pearl ment him.
Is this her worrying for him or is this her actually understanding what Pearl implied.

"Haven't you noticed how much he tries to keep himself from talking to Piper ? He avoids her"

Like he's scared he will get attached to her when she inevitably dies.

The words cling in the air, Nylou knows Aimsy thinks this too.

"Do you recon it's both of them"

The words feel like their pressed out, forced into the world.
Aimsys voice darker and raspier then she had ever heard them.
Filled with fear.
And Nylou understands that their group is all that Aimsy has.

Nylou moves over, following Aimsys voice until she can feel her back and lets herself sink against her.

"Yes"

The word is more of a sob then anything.

They hold each other and cry, grieving people that are still alive.

Her hands grip onto Aimsys arm like it's the only thing keeping her from going under.
And Aimsy sinks into the touch, equally as desperate.

It's hours later that they hear a knock on their door.
Aimsy takes a moment to open the door, she had already made herself look proper again, left Nylous arms way before Nylou felt like she was able to breathe on her own again.

"Mother ? Is my presence needed ?"

There's no shake in her voice anymore.
She sounds like the Aimsy that Nylou met weeks ago.
Cold and calculating.

"Certainly. Tomorrow you will have a talk with Anelious, regarding the proposal of a union between our houses"

A short pause.

"Of course mother. I will be ready"

"As is expected of you. Remember there isn't much time left"

The day seems to stretch on for ages.
When it's finally night Aimsy leads her to a guest room to sleep.
It's weird to sleep alone.
Nylou hasn't missed Sirius this much in forever.
He used to be at her fingertips.
Always there.
Always with her.
Now he seems miles away.
----

Aimsys heart is beating.
There's a longing in her that she can't quite explain.
Like there's something fundamental missing.
Her compass runs as hot as it has the last few days.
Almost painful to the touch.

She gets ready but there's no excitement to be found.
Like a routine that she had almost forgotten she paints her eyelids, puts on her prettiest jewels and a longer dress.
A dress like this would be uncomfortable on the travels she had done in the last few weeks.
She sighs.
She won't get this back.

Her mother leads her to the garden that stretches on their property.
Aimsy hadn't had the chance to talk to Nylou and it's eating away at her.
Comradery had felt natural, friendship like a gift that she had taken for granted.

Anelious waits for her at one of the fountains.
He's pretty. Gorgeous even and before all that had happend after she found the compass she'd get exited to meet him but now it feels like something so heavy that she can't shoulder it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, miss. My name is Anelious, what is yours until you have earned your new one ?"

His voice is sweet, lighter then Sirius and he smiles a soft smile.

"Pleasure to meet you, it will soon be Alycithia"

They talk about sweet nothings for a while.
He's polite and agreeable and Aimsy hates it.
Why can't he push back for once, why can't he return her sentences with an undertone of dislike with some harsh words.

Aimsy looks around, scanning the place for anyone that might overhear her.

"I don't want to marry you. You sure are nice and all but I have something else to do"

Maybe it's a cry for help, maybe she's trying to let him know that when she won't be at the alter it's not his fault.
Because she can't help but feel sympathy for him.

His face twists, shock, confusion and then, something unreadable.

"We are each others perfect options Aimsy, there surely can't be a better one for you"

The accusation lingers in the air and when she turns to face him there's a soft hint of interest in his face.
For the first time she looks into his eyes.

"I can't. I know you are my perfect option and you surely have been holding up to that but... I need to leave"

Her voice has turned into nearly a whisper.
This was wrong.
She shouldn't have done this.

His mouth turns into a smile.

"And what would that be?"

"I need to fulfil the prophecy"

There's a shimmer of hope in his eyes now.

"So it is true. You are the human that's mentioned in the prophecy. Let me help you Aimsy.
I want to be more then just a husband. And there are so many more like me ! Aimsy if you knew how many humans are counting on you to change the way we live!"

Chapter Text

"What If we hold a speech?"

After Piper Had told them about her compass it Had been quiet and shes thankful for Tàmit who broke the silence.

Vasil nods while Arie scoffs.

"What do you think that would do ?"

"Well for Starters, getting information out.
They schould know the proficy is getting solved.
There schould be a few people Out there Like me, people who want Change but are too scared to really do anything at First, people who need a sign of Hope.
You are too young to remember the real Alopex Pyria, they used to hold these big speeches which moved many.

If we fail we at least leave a mark.
Terrorism isnt getting us the Public approval"

As the last few words leave her mouth Tàmit looks at Arie and Leander.

"Dont actually believe we dont know"

The entire room is silent.
Out of everyone, it suprises her that Tàmit was the one to confirm her suspision.

And with that a heated debate breaks out.
Sides are so quickly chosen that she can hear Vasils desperation in his voice as he tries to get Arie and Leander to reconsider.

In the end they stand, opposite sides.
Leander and Arie.
Vasil, Feroc, Piper and Tàmit.

"Can we still at least Work together ? Seperate Sides of the Revolution, one Goal in mind and planning bigger Things together ?"

Arie seems torn but Leander quickly nods.

"Yes. Alopex Pyria"

They point at Piper and the rest of their group.

"And Alopex Thyella"

They point towards themselves.

Tàmit nods.

"Fire and Storm. Fitting I'd say. Good luck to you"

Vasil bows in front of them.

"It had been an honor fighting alongside you two. I hope we will continue to work together to bring the change we so desperatly need"

They take a moment to say goodbye.
Piper notes that Tàmit seems both relieved and sad.

Feroc holds tears back as she hugs both of them.
Leander presses their lips to Ferocs cheek and Arie runs her hand through Ferocs hair before leaving.

Vasil stands to the side.
Both of them bow to him as they leave, their arms full with items they had laying around

Chapter Text

The old oracle.
Her faint smell still in the air.
Or maybe that's Pearls imagination but he's desperate to take it all in.

Amber.
Someone that haunted him for years.
Everyone's expectations.
She was always better then him.
He hears years and years of whispers echo in his head.
And yet.

Now that he really thinks about it, what happened to her?

"She was said to have fallen sick and passed after batteling her illness for two years.
It was so bad they didn't allow any visitors"

Sirius listens to him intently.
His arms stained with blood.
An odd feeling blooms in Pearls chest.
Admiration ?
He didn't drink his blood.
He allowed him and still he didn't.
Instead he held him until he felt okay again.

Pearl cringes at his request.
Prove it?
What kind of claim does he have over Sirius.
What did he think he was allowed to do?

But he proved it didn't he?
He feels a warmth blooming in him when he thinks about Sirius sincere dark eyes, filled with affection as he pressed a kiss on his forehead.
Pearls head is spinning and only when Sirius speaks he is bought back to reality.

"Don't you think that sounds like a cover up ?
Really, the oracle, falling sick and having no visitors for two years ? And I mean really, look at this place. This was abandoned in a haze"

Pearl stares.
The message on the wall.
What if.
He presses his hand to the scratches.

No one to carry their burdon.
A flame.

"Sirius do you know the word for flame in the old human language ?"

Sirius walks over to him, squinting his eyes at the message.

"I think it should be Pyrìa"

Chapter Text

"He really said that ?"

Hours after Aimsy left she had Burst into her room where Nylou was patiently waiting and hastily told her about the man she was set to marry. That there is a whole underground organization working for and waiting for men to be equal entirely.

That there had been rumors already, spreading like a wildfire, that someone, someone finally started the prophecy.
Some students swore they saw her at their university and later heard whispers about the medical report, the death certificate that started the war beeing gone.

Aimsy nods so fast that the carefully placed jewel in her hair make a clinking noise.

"I confirmed it. Showed him the compass and the feather that Piper gave me"

What ?? Nylou is confused.

"She gave you a feather?"

Is Aimsy even avare of what that means ?

"Well not directly, I found one laying on the ground of our tent, one of her pale wing feathers and tried to give it back to her.
She stared at me for a weirdly long time and then told me I should keep it"

Nylou can't even try to suppress the gasp that escapes her.

"What ? It was the easiest way to confirm the truth, it was a naturally fallen out feather so he knew I didn't take it without their consent"

She remembers all that Sirius told her about.
How important feathers where.
How a wing feather holds almost as much importance as the prine feather.
How you don't give them out to anyone.
Him expressing sadness for not beeing able to grow a feather long enough to show Nylou how much she means to him.
All in all.

"Aimsy that's like, such a big deal"

A sharp intake of air.
A cough right after.

"Nevermind, we need to get back on track. What's the plan now ?"

"I'll copy the death certificate for us and give the original to Anelious. I know I know, risky but we need them to fully believe us. If we can trust him then he has dozens of people actively fighting human traditions behind him.
Many, of course men, which isn't ideal but we will take what we can get.
This alliance would benefit them as much as us. Proving the war was never justified would open the world up to critice towards the human ways.
With enough evidence we could overthrow any and all royalties and put a stop to our way of arranged marriages and our men beeing reduced to eye candy, fathers and give way for dual run kingdoms."

Nylou shakes her head.

"No Aimsy, if you succeed we wouldn't let anyone rule above another. You'd loose all your powers and privileges you gained from beeing a princess, alongside your privileges as a woman.
Are you willing to let go of that?"

Silence.
For a bit longer then Nylou hoper for.

"Oh yes, of course I mean."

Aimsy stops for a moment.

"I would certainly want that to change as well, although losing my birthright... Maybe after we are done with all of this we can find an option in between that suits all of us"

Her voice sounds hopeful and Nylou can't help but feel let down.
In the end, Aimsy is still a spoiled little princess.

Chapter Text

"My fellow Fenniks, I assume you can all still remember our symbol, who used to stand with this mask in front of you all"

Vasils voice is loud and clear, cutting through the whispers that started when Vasil,Feroc, Tàmit and Piper took their stand on the wall enclosing the town square.

All eyes glued on them, Fenniks hanging on Vasils lips as he spoke.

"We are Alopex Pyrìa, the peaceful force against the oppression the humans put on us.
And we may call it oppression. How many of you have been turned away by humans, not seeing you as equal ? How many of you spend hours shaving each and every inch of what comes natural to you. How many of you are forced to leave our nature behind and cower in front of humans? How many of you have to teach your pups to not use our ancient calls ? How many more until we forget how a fennic laugh sounds like before its demonized ?

Do you want the pups of your pups to never whine when they miss their parents, to never kecker when their delighted and to never growl when their threatened ?

We need to break the golden chains the humans keep us in, return to our sacred ways and have only our oracle to lead us, no foreigners God forced upon us"

Piper watches as the growd grows larger and larger, mothers with hope in their eyes, pups who listen intently, older Fenniks with a clear recognition of their symbol in their eyes.

Even the few humans Piper can spot dont seem... completely turned away. Their silent and even they listen to Vasil speak.

"But why lift your hopes now, the old Alopex Pyrìa was murdered by other Fenniks, killed for their hopes and dreams.

Because we have something they don't "

That's her clue.
And with that, Piper spreads her wings, bursting through the thin layer of cloth that Tàmit designed specifically for this moment.
In her hands, the compass turned to the crowd.

"Two souls, aviant and human, fate's threads align,
Guided by compasses, a mystery they'll define.
With a prophet, a guardian, together they'll explore,
Unveiling the past, as destiny they implore."

As he speaks the words of the oldest prophecy the crowd explodes in gasps.

"A human and an aviant, working together, this is Fortuna, our good luck charm who will safe us from our silver cage.
And who's the prophet?
No other then our oracle."

As the last words leave his lips two guards make their way towards them.

Angry shouts in the crowd, they want them to tell more.

But one flick of Vasils tail and they dispatch, all of Alopex Pyrìa fleeing in different directions.

It's an hour later that they finally meet again. Piper is last, even with their normal clothes shes a target, there's only so many aviants in this town.

"You where incredible!!!"

Tàmit jumps up and down in excitement.

"It's Fortuna that really had them convinced. I was just there to give her the entrance she needed"

A knock on their window.

All of them whip their head around in fear.
But a very familiar voice cuts through the silence.

"Good job guys !! I have a few people here for you"

It's Leander, their old Alopex Pyrìa mask over their face.

Chapter Text

Something clicks in Sirius head.
Pieces start to fit together.

"When did Alopex Pyrìa start ?"

Pearl stares at him, confused.

"How do you know about Alopex Pyrìa, that was way before our time"

Sirius shakes his head.

"No not ages ago, 21 years ago. And you are ?"

Pearl squints his eyes.

"Soon to be 19"

Wait no.
That doesn't make sense.

Pearls eyes open wide.

"Do you think?"

"That Alopex Pyrìa's leader was Amber ? Yes. Think about it, their symbol is a fox with both eyes open yet their mask covers one completely. And with all their speeches on how important it is to have the oracle as a symbol of your culture why would they cover the eye that the oracles power's recide in ? If not to cover up Amber's eye"

His suspicion sounds outrageous but still Pearl seems to think, not instantly denying his claim.

"And the two years where no one could visit Amber..."

"Was to cover up for the fact that she ran away"

"But the time doesn't exactly match up with my birthday"

"But how else would you do it, if you murder the oracle and announce a new one was born on the exact same date people will definitely ask questions. Now if you wait for a while before announcing it, it will be less suspicious. I mean with kids, can you really tell how old they are to the month after the first year?"

Pearls eyes dart through the room.
His hand shifting through the different books.
With no idea what to do Sirius just watches him.
Watches him look through the life of the only person that could maybe understand him.

A revolutionist.
The oracle.
A pillar of hope.

Chapter Text

"Is this really fine with you ? Aimsy I can probably handle if you change your mind"

Nylou looks uncertain and Aimsy sighs.

"Nylou, im fine, I'm comfortable, I just need to know that you are"

The slender woman visibly unclenches her jaw.

"Yes. I trust you Aimsy"

And with that she lets her clothes fall.
Aimsy carefully folds them and puts them on a lounge chair.
Her bath is expensive and incredibly big, divided in two, a hot tub and a swimming pool.
One look over to a shivering Nylou makes her cross off the swimming pool.

It takes her a bit to take her own clothes off.
It's weird beeing so exposed while not being exposed at all.
Nylou is blind but at the same time its still a bit odd.

"Oh this is nice"
Nylou sighs and lets herself sink into the hot water.
Aimsy follows.

All her penned up worry and tension seems to fall off her body once the warm water surrounds her.

"You can't go through with the marriage"

Nylous voice seems to shiver.

"I know. I cant let Piper and Sirius die for nothing."

With her sentence clinging in the air, a painful and heavy burden Nylou's head rests on her shoulder.

"We can run. We can leave once you have given Anelious all that he needs to convince the other humans"

Hope sparks in her heart.
Th pull towards the compass.
Towards Piper.
A pull so undeniably strong it chokes her.

"I think"

Nylou's head shifts towards her.

"That's a good idea, we need to"

She shudders.

"I need to find Piper again.
The compass feels like its burning anytime I touch it. My heart feels like its gonna leap out of my chest to go search for Piper itself.
I don't think the prophecy wants me to leave her alone for so long"

Something else stirrs in her chest.
Something heavy.
Something hot.
Something she's never felt before.

Nylou nods.

"I don't think you want to leave her alone for so long"

Her face feels hot.

"It's not that"

Nylou's eyes feel weirdly focused and for a moment she feels like Nylou can look right through anything she's ever tried to hide.

"Aimsy. I think you really like her. I don't think this is just the compass I think this is you too. You don't want to leave her alone for so long. You're jealous of Feroc because they kissed even though you thought when you and Piper kissed it was special.
And let me tell you, it was.
You don't know this because god Aimsy you are blind.
You don't hear the way her voice changes when she calls out your name.
I was the person she confided in when you two kissed."

Aimsys head is spinning and hope sparks in her.
She takes a shaky breath.

"I think she likes you back"

And for a moment, Aimsy feels like Nylou's voice changed. She sounds... Sad.
When she looks at the other girl there's a tear in the corner of her eye.

Not knowing what to say she lets the moment pass.

"Come on let's get out, the water is getting cold"

And as she climbs out of the water her head is spinning with memories, thoughts, hopes and an undeniabe feeling.
A crush.