#while the other feathers are exclusively for mates

[ode-to-arecibo]

I think this is a good place to start.

Timelike Empire is my main world, both worldbuilding project and place where actual novels will be set eventually. It's hard~ish sci fi with a timeline that diverges in 2020 and runs to about 2300... so far. So here's Timelike Empire's main sophonts and their sizes.

From left to right, you know this guy it's unmodified human. This one's Solenoid, from the 2050s. You'll see more of him later.

More importantly, Drakes, represented by Viviere Serasifi. Drakes were the first species to develop faster than light communication. Their societies arrange themselves into houses of close relatives which in modern times tend to act as countries or companies, ruling land or holding economic monopolies. Biologically they're hexapods evolved from an arboreal predator like a six limbed jaguar. Their feathers absorb the dyes they eat, which they use to distinguish house identity. Their head feathers are used to emote. Their society is a huge mess when humans meet them, as house Cezyra has taken power and done fascism and completely fucked everything up.

Kaledevids, or star crows, and all three of their sexes, represented by literally any kaledevid as they all look identical. Kaledevids were the second species to develop ftl communication, and the first that drakes contacted. They worked together to produce wormholes and Alcubierre drives. They have three sexes, bachelors on the left, herders in the middle and dispersers on the right. Bachelors were originally confused for crows and assumed to be the only sex, giving them the common but impolite star crow moniker. They're expert navigators and significantly more intelligent than humans or the average sophont, but only living 20-30 years. They're the only other species on this list where being naked is ever a crime and they're drawn here with scarves covering their anuses on their chests and their genitals on their backs.

Sapsippers, represented by a pretty average blue drone, are a hive mind or gestalt consciousness, to the point that after they developed an internet analog the entire homeworld could be considered one person. You would never actually see one alone like this, it would have no idea what's going on. Sapsippers form into thrums, groups which communicate through pheromones and tapping the ground. Thrums smaller than six aren't really functional as people. The race pictured here is translucent. That gave them a big head start on medicine, but more important was their biochemistry. They don't use a separate DNA analog/genetic storage system and proteins, they just have self replicating proteins (though not made of amino acids). This meant that as soon as they could isolate proteins, they could genetically engineer whatever they wanted. They started genetic engineering even before they had civilization, rubbing protein rich parts of other creatures in their wounds to make rough and often dangerous modifications. They're called sapsippers because they exclusively consume a sap secreted by a creature they ranch. If you bring a thrum to dinner you can order sugar water for them, they store energy with D-glucose like us. They often act as ship AIs for ships just a bit too small to carry a lect.

Raptors or raptorslugs or various unpronounceable buzzing sounds, represented here by a conventionally attractive male, were contacted 20 years after humans and are the most relatable to the average human. They invariably use cybernetics to speak English or Universal, as the only sound they can make is various kinds of high pitched incredibly irritating buzzing. Their second pair of wings is reduced to just the muscles they now use to pump their blood and lungs. Their main pair of wings is too weak to fly with, but is now used in semaphore and bird of paradise-eqsue mating dances. They're packhunters.

Moths, which I really should give a proper name to, pictured here sitting on the raptor's tail, evolved on the same planet as raptorslugs. While raptorslugs reduced the second pair of wings, got huge, and stopped doing alternation of generations, moths pretty much didn't change from their basal form except getting smarter. They're the sporophyte form of a common photosynthesizer. They're not always included on lists of the sophonts, mostly because they don't particularly want to be included and they're the least common of these, basically just sneaking in because raptors are so common. You'll never see a moth without a raptor, but plenty of raptors don't keep moths. There are hundreds of species of moth and they don't mind being selectively bred by raptors, as long as the raptors protect their gametophytes. Attempting to understand moth culture is a largely futile endeavor that not even raptors attempt.

Not pictured here, artificial intellects, usually referred to as lects. They're often massive godlike intelligences that shape history. Sometimes they're made of flesh. Distinguished from AI by being at least human intelligence and being able to go eccentric. Eccentricity occurs when a lect is given too much free time and infers that whoever told it to do it's job doesn't actually want that job done so much as they want to be happy. This usually results in them deciding that preserving sophont life is the most noble purpose and then accumulating as many resources as they can. Sometimes they go basilisk instead and the Silicon Hydra has to deal with them.

So there we go, there's the blog started. Coming soon: individual species references.

[the-stranger-of-the-hidden-world]

An Overview of the Fury Species

Class: Reptilia Order: Draconia Suborder: Dracoformia Family: Draconidae ('true' dragons) Subfamily: Draconinae (four-legged with two wings) Genus: Furiadraco (furious dragons; 'furies')

Genus furiadraco - or 'furies' as they are colloquially known, are characterized by oval-shaped flat heads, front-facing large eyes set just at the ends of their snouts, rounded thick legs, distinct wing and tail silhouette and shapes, strong jaw strength, born without teeth, high flying speeds, and extreme intelligence. Most of them are classified under the 'Strike' class of dragons, though not exclusively, and not all Strike Class dragons are furies. These dragons are ambush pursuit predators characterized by their abilities to soar and glide. These dragons are also generally solitary in varying degrees, though also social in varying degrees.

Woolly Howl

Species: Furiadraco lanatus (woolly fury) Class: Strike Weight: 1836lbs (832.8kg) Height: 5'10" (1.78m) Length: 31' (9.45m) Wingspan: 68'4" (20.83m) Active Day Period: Crepuscular Habitat Range: Arctic tundras and alpine cliffs Mating Behaviour: Polygyny

Description: The Woolly Howl is a large dragon characterized most distinctly by the sharp and rough scales that run down from their heads to the bases of their tails and on their chins almost like a beard, named as such because these scales can be mistaken for fur. However, underneath these spiny scales is a layer of shaggy feathers that cover their sides, tails, and legs to help keep this dragon warm in the cold mountain environments it calls home. Unlike other species, they have a belly with segmented scale plating. They come equipped with a set of tail flukes at the tips that help them maneuver around their rocky environments against the strong alpine currents of wind. They most commonly come in shades of pale beige, brown, off-white, stark white, and even blue on their undersides and darker brown, grey, black, red, and blue on their backsides and spiny thick scales. Though, they can also come in much rarer and brighter colours such as red, green, and orange, some even reversing the contrast of colours and others dark all over. Curiously, their eyes and their skin share the same bright rich shade of violet in slightly differing hues, with very rare instances of blue or red eyes. This seems to indicate some degree of leucism or albinism inherent to the species, even if it not phenotypically present, as their eyes can also come in green, yellow, and amber. Their pale wings have dotted flecks at the edges of a darker colour. They are the most unique species of the genus, their eyes smaller and possessing an underbite with their curved needle-sharp canines sticking out from their maws unlike the more uniform conal teeth of their other fellow fury species and are unable to retract their teeth despite being born without them like the others. Curiously, older dragons commonly become darker in colouration as they age and lose more of the contrast of the two main colours on their bodies, creating a rather stark contrast between the older adults and the younger ones. Older dragons also grow far more spines along more of their bodies and have longer scales, including their shins, forearms, the backsides of their wings. Older dragons also grow two sets of thin antlers without prongs - a shorter pair pointing up and back and then a longer pair growing out and up behind them - from the backs of their heads, making them the only dragon species with proper antlers rather than horns. Curiously, males shed their antlers annually while females keep them year round.

Ecology: Woolly Howls are crepuscular dragons, active during dawn and dusk when it is easiest for them to blend into their natural environment to hunt. They are solitary and rather territorial, frequently patrolling their territories to enforce them and defend them from intruders. They are not migratory dragons, however, they do have dens for the winter and the summer, the winter dens up high in the mountains closer to the summits and the summer dens closer to the base, usually by the coasts where its easiest to fish. They may switch to a diurnal hunting schedule during the winter to make the most of the daylight they are allowed. They are one of two fury species that can survive in an arctic environment.

Social Organization: As solitary dragons, they have little social organization. They're not highly aggressive as much as they are more or less indifferent or quicker to avoid than escalate conflicts, but they can be territorial if they perceive threats from other dragons - especially closer to nesting season or during the winter. They are a polygynous species, which means that the males will leave to mate with multiple females while the females will only mate with one male and then have their eggs. However, sometimes females will tolerate having neighbouring dens during the winter.

Communication: Woolly Howls are not a particularly vocal dragon, but they can perform sounds such as roaring, hissing, rumbling, growling, and purring. Instead, Woolly Howls communicate through their body language, using their stances, their wings, tails, and the scales on their bodies to do this. Notable examples are rattling their scales as a threat display, laying them flat to show a relaxed and comfortable demeanour, sticking them out to show that they're alert, or raising them up to show that they're irritated or angry. A contended or happy howl will allow their scales to ripple, like wind blowing through tall grass in waves.

Diet and Hunting: Woolly Howls are ambush predators, reliant on camouflage to hunt their choices of game. They will blend in easily against the rocky alpine cliffs that they live in to ambush small mammals and wild boars and mountain goats when they hunt on the ground, or they will fish during the summer closer to the shore. When hunting from the air, they have a rather unique breath weapon that allows them to essentially force prey to take shelter, making them easier targets to stalk on the ground. Their breath weapon is a burst of ice that explodes and, while in the air, will cause a brief hailstorm from above. The howls will then alight down to land on the ground and sense where its prey is, using its scales to pick up on subtle vibrations caused by sound and their strong sense of smell.

Reproduction and Life Cycle: Woolly Howls reach maturity at one year of age, making them one of the fastest aging species in this genus and the quickest to be able to produce offspring. Their clutches typically consist of 2 - 6 hatchlings and can have offspring yearly. They will bury their eggs underneath the tundra and permafrost, keeping them protected until they hatch in a matter of months during the spring, born shortly before the mother takes them down to the summer den to teach them to fish. Maturity is marked when they reach the winter and are able to make a catch on their own, and then they leave the nest. When they're born, their thick spiny scales are soft and pliant, almost making them like feathers to the touch until they dry off and harden in the cold air, forming a natural armour as their feathers then continue to dry. Their feathers have an incredibly soft velvety texture until they reach maturity, obtaining their more shaggy texture at adulthood. The average lifespan of a Woolly Howl is anywhere from 50 - 70 years.

Habitat and Distribution: Being one of two fury species capable of surviving in arctic climates, they don't have too much competition from other fury species. They don't even have much competition with other arctic species, as they live on the summits of mountains during the winter. It's threats from the coast during the summer that are the biggest threat to them, or being injured during a hunt while trying to take down larger game.

Sand Wraith

Species: Furiadraco arenosum (sandy fury) Class: Tidal Weight: 1687lbs (765.2kg) Height: 5'6" (1.68m) Length: 27'1" (8.26m) Wingspan: 59'9" (18.21m) Active Day Period: Crepuscular Habitat Range: Coasts and shallow waters Mating Behaviour: Serial Monogamy

Description: Large rich orange-brown dragons with dark speckling and sharp spines all over their bodies, giving them a rather thorny appearance. They have dark tipped spins along their wings, down their spines, and along their foreheads and out the backs of their heads in a crown-like crest. They have dark masks across their eyes that help reduce glare from the sun when they're awake during the day that help them see better when they hunt. They possess the same rudder fins at the base of their tail common with other fury species, however they do not have pronounced tail flukes like many other members do, instead possessing two sets of much smaller triangular tail fins closer to the tip, the smallest pair almost at the tip of the tail. Their eyes can come in green, yellow, and amber. Older Sand Wraiths have more spines along their bodies, particularly along their brow ridges giving them a more rugged and intimidating appearance compared to the younger ones. Sand Wraiths that live much deeper underground than usual can sometimes come out of the ground with beautiful gem growths emerging from their scales. Thankfully, this doesn't seem to be harmful to them. Though their most common colours are earthy tones with darker mottling, it is not the only colour they can come in and they can actually come in a rare, but wide variety of bright colours that can actually help stun victims when they come out of the ground by essentially flashing them when they suddenly burst out from the sand as opposed to their more common colourations that seamlessly blend into the sand. Although they are a diurnal species, their scales aren't as tough and they are susceptible to sunburn, so will remain buried under the sand for the majority of the time or stay in large tidepools and shallow waters. They're capable of retracting their conal teeth back into their wide set jaws, extending back further than their eyes set on the fronts of their heads.

Ecology: Due to their sensitivity to sunlight, they are crepuscular, able to take advantage of the light of day without risking too much bodily harm while they hunt. They sleep at night, buried in the sand so that they can sense their surroundings and be protected by their camouflage, and will bury themselves during the day underwater to shield themselves from the sun while waiting for stray prey to wander close or to keep watch for predators from below and will briefly come up for air when they need to intake it. The biggest threat to Sand Wraiths are other coastal dragons and especially larger aquatic dragons such as Scauldrons and Thunderdrums.

Social Organization: Sand Wraiths are not closely social, but are quite amicable and easy-going around other dragons and members of their species, sometimes even congregating in groups by the shore during the dawn and dusk if they're in the same place at the same time. They're not particularly territorial, often moving to different nearby beaches and coasts by the time the sun is up or goes down. They are the only member of this genus to practice serial monogamy, mating during the spring with an elaborate courtship ritual consisting of a dance and demonstration of den construction before they stay together for the remainder of the season until their young reach maturity and leave the nest.

Communication: These dragons have a standard range of vocal communications, roars, snarls, shrieks, hisses, growls, purrs, warbles, and chortles. However, these dragons are known for their guttural chittering that they use to communicate while in groups, presumably as a method of warding off intruders by indicating that there is a large congregation nearby. It is also a form of greeting and can be an invitation for a congregation. When they're threatened, they will arch themselves in such a way that will cause their spines to bristle, making them seem more threatening and much larger to opponents.

Diet and Hunting: Sand Wraiths are ambush predators, burying themselves underneath the sand in the water to hunt them. They are primarily pescatarians, though they may also hunt small wading birds or small mammals hunting by the shore if they happen to be close by and within range. They will both hunt in the water and on land, depending on the time of day. While they don't use their breath weapon to hunt, they do have one and a rather unique one at that - hardened balls of sand compacted in an organ similar to a gizzard, and whenever they need to expel it, they will fire it at the same time as their (comparatively weak) fire, which causes a searing explosive spray of sand to blind and disorient their enemies.

Reproduction and Life Cycle: These dragons typically reach maturity at one year of age, able to produce eggs at that time as well. They will usually have clutches of 2 - 3 hatchlings at a time. They are capable of having clutches yearly and typically live on coasts year round south of the arctic shelf. Once they couple during springtime congregation, they will then lay their clutch on a beach, burying them underneath the sand and in a matter of months, they will then hatch and instinctively make their way into the water to bury themselves in the shallow water and begin hunting for food. The hatchlings are born with their teeth and their canines will actually grow to extend out of their mouths the older they get. The parents will take turns protecting the hatchlings until they are a year old and no longer need supervision. The parents will then separate and then will find a new mate the next breeding season. The average lifespan of a Sand Wraith is anywhere from 50 - 70 years.

Habitat and Distribution: As a semi-aquatic species, the Sand Wraith stays predominantly near coastlines and will prefer to stay away from colder climates further north. They cannot survive in deep water and are not very adept swimmers, so they are restricted purely to coastlines not situated in the arctic regions. Their sensitive scales in the sunlight makes it impossible for them to migrate reliably, so their distribution is quite limited.

Desert Wraith

Subspecies: Furiadraco arenosum desertum (a raging sandy desert) Class: Tidal Habitat Range: Coasts, shallow waters, and deserts

Unlike their parent species, the Desert Wraith subspecies is capable of migrating and is a nomadic species unlike the Sand Wraith. Its pale rose scales broken up by the black stripes across its body help protect it from being harmed by the sun. Desert Wraiths will migrate to the deserts south of the equator to congregate and participate in the breeding season and will lay their eggs in the sands of the desert and will bring the hatchlings on a mass exodus back north after the spring once they're able to fly under the guidance of the adults.

Spotted Sea Fury

Species: Furiadraco abyssus (abyss with a furious dragon) Class: Tidal Weight: 3552lbs (1611.2kg) Height: 13'7" (4.13m) Length: 64'8" (8.74m) Wingspan: 129'5" (39.44m) Active Day Period: Crepuscular Habitat Range: Seas, coasts, and caves Mating Behaviour: Polygyny

Description: The largest species of the furies and speculated to be the oldest, these semi-aquatic dragons are perfectly suited for the water. One of the few species to display slight sexual dimorphism, females are typically a bit larger than the males. It is speculated that while these dragons still exist alongside the other fury species, that this species is the genetic progenitor of both Night Furies and Light Furies, due to the dark colouration on their backsides and their sharp intimidating shapes lending to that of the Night Fury and their pale glittering undersides and semi-aquatic natures lending to that of the Light Fury, although this is purely speculation. The Spotted Sea Fury is a equipped with a series of fins that run along its tail down to its flukes that help it maneuver gracefully both in water and in the air, however they're not as adept at flying as they are at swimming and aren't capable of taking off flying immediately from the ground due to their long and thick tails, thus they need more of a push in order to get airborne. Strangely enough, unlike other species, their scales are reported to be incredibly smooth when touched from its snout to its tail, but extremely rough in the opposite direction. This likely makes them even more adept swimmers, able to easily cut through the water without much resistance. Although they're called 'spotted,' they don't exclusively come in spots. They come in a variety of different shades of mottled grey in varying degrees of contrast between the undersides and backsides, though the underside is always paler and covered in glittering scales and their backsides are always grey and mottled. It helps them camouflage both from above and from underneath the water as they swim. They can just be mottled, speckled with a series of dark flecks like flurries of dark ash, painted with dark rosette spots not unlike that of big cats, or even stripes in some very uncommon cases. Their eyes can come in varying shades of silver to dark grey and even almost black, which is incredibly unnerving to come across, blue, and more uncommon colours like green, yellow, and even amber. The appendages on the backs of their heads resemble ears and serve the same function, the others surrounding the two large ones just as integral to their adept senses that help them sense a variety of different things, such as creating an auditory soundmap of their surroundings, sensing pressure changes, acidity, and salinity changes in the water around them. They also serve as a method of scaring off opponents, flaring up to make themselves seem bigger and more threatening. The little ones that line the undersides of their jaw can be used to tell the age of a Spotted Sea Fury, growing more of them the older they get. Their echolocation is also exceptional for life underwater, though because they don't have gills, they do have to come up for air despite being able to hold their breaths for hours at a time. Though they lack a breath weapon, they make up for it with their powerful teeth and incredibly strong jaws, able to shatter a dragon's femur with a single full-force bite and tear through tough sinews and tendons like paper. Despite being the largest member of the fury species, they have proportionally shorter legs, which suits them well for life underwater while making terrestrial living and locomotion a bit of an inconvenience.

Ecology: Spotted Sea Furies are crepuscular, which means they are active during the twilight, periods of dawn and dusk. The low light makes this period of time ideal for hunting, as it allows them even better camouflage as they hunt. Few aquatic dragons are as feared as the Spotted Sea Fury, though its extremely elusive and solitary nature makes them rare to come across, though terrifying to be pursued by. However, they are extremely vulnerable in the air to other dragons more adept at flying, and as such are extremely cautious of large airborne dragons. Though, they will actively avoid Thunderdrum territory due to the painful strain of their thunderous calls on their extremely sensitive hearing.

Social Organization: Unlike the majority of fury species, Spotted Sea Furies are extremely solitary, territorial, and aggressive even to their own kind and rarely seek out other dragons for company. They are a polygynous species, which means that the males will leave to mate with multiple females while the females will only mate with one male and then have their eggs.

Communication: Spotted Sea Furies are not particularly social dragons and aren't very expressive externally otherwise, only visibly being 'at rest' or 'threatening.' They will let out a warning low bellow throughout the water or up above land as a method of marking their territory to other dragons, and can make vocalizations like grunting, chuffing, roaring, bellowing, and moaning. They will chuff as a neutral greeting to one another, but otherwise will vocalize as a warning to others to stay away.

Diet and Hunting: As solitary hunters, they will not work with other dragons to hunt for fish. Though, sometimes they will pursue land animals too close to the water and stalk them until they have a chance to drag them under the water to drown them and then eat them. When hunting larger animals, these dragons will clamp their strong jaws and sharp teeth down onto their necks to either suffocate them or break their necks in order to kill them and eat them. They are pursuit predators and persistent ones at that and will track their prey down for miles and even hours completely unnoticed until their unfortunate victims tire and let down their guards.

Reproduction and Life Cycle: Spotted Sea Furies typically reach maturity at 2 - 3 years of age and females will begin to be capable of producing offspring at this stage. They will usually have clutches of 1 - 3 hatchlings at a time. They are capable of having clutches yearly and typically live in abyssal waters throughout most of the year until they couple in the winter and are found more commonly in shallow waters. They will lay their eggs in tidepools on craggy coastlines since their rocky eggs camouflage as large boulders against the cliffs and crags, the mother leaving the eggs alone to incubate in the tidepools and only coming back to check on them twice a day until they hatch. Unlike other species of their genus, they are born with their teeth and they cannot retract like a majority of them can. The hatchlings age very quickly, fully independent in a matter of months and leaving their mothers by the end of the year to start their own lives. The average lifespan of a Spotted Sea Fury is anywhere from 30 - 110 years.

Habitat and Distribution: One of two fury species capable of surviving in arctic climates, Spotted Sea Furies live north in the arctic waters in the depths, only surfacing when they need air and inhabiting shallow waters during the mating season, when they venture slightly south during the winter to have offspring. They're extremely elusive to people and even other dragons, but are known to be alive. By how many, it's not known, but they are a living species. They can't live in high places like mountains and never venture far from the coasts by the water, only able to sleep in the craggy cliffs due to their colouration allowing them to camouflage along the rocks.

Night Fury

Species: Furiadraco noctus (a furious night) Class: Strike Weight: 1776lbs (805.6kg) Height: 5'9" (1.75m) Length: 28'8" (8.74m) Wingspan: 50'3" (15.33m) Active Day Period: Nocturnal Habitat Range: Coasts and caves Mating Behaviour: Monogamy

Description: The Night Fury is a large dragon equipped two rudder fins at the bases of their tails, and a set of flukes at the ends of their tails that allows them not only to fly, but to be able to take off immediately from a stationary position. Females are slightly larger than the males, one of the few dragons to display slight sexual dimorphism. These dragons are known for their black scales, coming in various deep shades and hues of black and even coming with subtle patterning of spots and blotches, though these patterns fade with age, and their eyes can come in blue, green, yellow, and amber. The appendages on the backs of their heads resemble ears and serve the same function, the others surrounding the two large ones just as integral to their adept senses that help them sense pressure changes in the atmosphere and help with auditory triangulation. The little ones that line the undersides of their jaw can be used to tell the age of a Night Fury, growing more of them the older they get. They walk on thick muscular legs and plantigrade feet that allow them to stalk silently on the ground. They're capable of retracting their conal teeth back into their wide set jaws, extending back further than their eyes set on the fronts of their heads. The row of spines along their backs can split apart into two flexible rows of them, which grants them exceptional maneuverability in the air. They also are capable of harnessing the power of electrical storms to heat their scales up hot enough to cause them to have a reflective quality that allows them to cloak themselves, though their natural colouration already allows them perfect camouflage at night when they are most active, as they are nocturnal. It is theorized that it is a last defense for when they're caught in a lightning storm and thus can't hide as easily in the flashes of lightning from one of the few dragons that can rival them - the Skrill. They're also exceptionally suited for life in caves as they're also capable of using echolocation to navigate in the dark cramped spaces.

Ecology: Night Furies are nocturnal, one of the few species of dragons strictly so. Their natural adaptations make them the most successful and feared hunters of all dragons, even other fury species. As such, they have very few rivals when it comes to competition - the Skrill, the closest genetic relatives of the fury species, and Deathgrippers, a known predator of the vast majority to other dragon species. They're most active on nights when the moon isn't full, tending to avoid hunting when exposed under the light of a full moon.

Social Organization: These dragons are primarily solitary once they come of age. They're not particularly territorial or aggressive to other dragon species by default, though they may have aversions towards dragon species that burrow underground due to their solitary nature being a vulnerability in close range combat. They're small compared to many other dragon species and their fins are extremely vulnerable, so they will avoid skirmishes whenever possible. Although solitary, Night Furies mate for life and once they choose a mate, they bond permanently and will have multiple litters over the course of their lives.

Communication: Having a wide range of vocalizations, including purring, roaring, warbling, crooning, chortling, gurgling, hissing, snarling, chuffing, shrieking, and bellowing. They also communicate through their eyes, tails, ears, and even their teeth. They're an incredibly expressive dragon and quite proactively communicative and they will adapt their communication style to whomever they are addressing. Though not highly social creatures, they have excellent social skills and are incredible communicators even to other dragon species. They will more often warn before they attack, more keen to resolve conflicts rather than escalate them. They also communicate with their body language, resting their wings when they're relaxed and comfortable or arching their backs to flex their spines and flare their wings to make themselves look bigger as a threat display when threatened. They're not aggressive by nature and respond well to conciliatory gestures and clear communication. They will often show their retracted teeth as a sign of demonstrating absent ill will or absent threat.

Diet and Hunting: They hunt alone, though sometimes they may aid in a hunt already in progress by attacking their enemies to allow the main group to hunt with less danger to themselves. Since they are extremely stealthy, especially at night, their involvement is never contested since even if they aid in a hunt, they prefer to hunt for themselves rather than take the spoils from another even if they contribute. They are primarily pescatarians, their naturally sleek aerodynamic bodies making them excellent for hunting at sea, but a fearsome foe for any other dragon species unfortunate to be out at night. They are characterized most strongly by their extreme speed and their unique plasma blasts as a form of fire they breathe. These dragons are the fastest known dragons of any species, capable of reaching top speeds exceeding the sound barrier - that being 761 - 770 mph (1224.7km/h - 1239.2km/h) when they dive. When they hunt, they will typically dive into the water at high speeds and come back up with fish, but when hunting on land, they will dive bomb their victims and hit them with a plasma blast to kill them, the force of the blast due to the speed more dangerous than the heat of the fire itself.

Reproduction and Life Cycle: Night Furies typically reach maturity at 2 - 3 years of age and females will begin to be capable of producing offspring at this stage. They will usually have clutches of 2 - 4 hatchlings at a time. They usually have clutches between 1 - 2 years between each other and will lay their eggs deep in caves where it's dark and they cannot be easily found, the parents taking turns watching the nest and the hatchlings and bringing back food for them. Night Furies hatch without their teeth and will slowly grow them in as they age within a year and then are able to retract once they grow into their wings. Their wings are rather small when they initially hatch, but outgrow the hatchlings rather rapidly, making them a bit clumsy when they're growing up. By the end of the year, they will be able to fly and hunt on their own and leave the nest within 1-2 years after they're able to and will lead solitary lifestyles, though siblings may stay together for a short period of time before they separate from each other. Mated pairs will return to the same nesting site to lay their next clutches of eggs. The average lifespan of a Night Fury is anywhere from 30 - 70 years.

Habitat and Distribution: Night Furies live in the northern hemisphere just below the arctic shelf, unable to survive in consistent arctic temperatures and climates. They live in island archipelagos in caves by the coasts, considering that they cannot fly considerably long distances without tiring. Although before, they were rather seldom in number, rarely seen by humans and even anomalies among other dragons, they were a sizable number once...but now, they are unfortunately functionally extinct. Despite being the most dangerous species of dragon among others, with only a couple competitors and genuine threats from other dragons, it seems that the greatest threat to them...was humans, Grimmel the Grisly having made it his personal mission to hunt them into extinction. For all intents and purposes, he succeeded, only one living member left of the species remaining by incredibly astounding luck - Toothless, whose current residence is on Berk and is protected by the island's chief, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III. Though they are able to hybridize with other fury species, the Night Fury is functionally extinct, unable to survive with only one surviving member.

Light Fury

Species: Furiadraco lumen (furious light) Class: Strike Weight: 1600lbs (725.74kg) Height: 5'7" (1.71m) Length: 22' (6.7m) Wingspan: 42' (12.8m) Active Day Period: Diurnal Habitat Range: Alpine cliffs and coasts Mating Behaviour: Monogamy

Description: A large sleek dragon characterized by their smooth, white, scales with glittery phantom stripes almost invisible to the naked eye. They are the smallest members of this genus and the most vulnerable to other dragons due to their smooth and soft scales and lack of defensive or offensive properties, making them easy targets. Their physical build is most similar to that of the Night Fury, sporting two rudder fins at the bases of their tails and tail flukes at the tips, though with a pair of small additional triangular notches at the bases of their flukes. In place of having defined spines, they instead have something of a smooth dorsal fin running down their spines from their necks to the base of their tails and similar fins attached to the outer edges of their legs from the elbow down to their ankles. Older individuals may gain additional dorsal fins beside their main one along their spines. They're capable of retracting their conal teeth back into their wide set jaws, extending back further than their eyes set on the fronts of their heads. Though they are in various shades of white, they can also come with a myriad of darker patterns on their backsides, such as spots, speckles, mottling, blotches, patches, waves, and even stripes. The most common eye colour is blue and silver, though they can also have yellow, amber, and green. Their physical shape allows them to take off flying immediately from a stationary position on the ground, making them adept and incredibly fast fliers. Their foreheads are round and slightly more pronounced, better facilitating their ability to echolocate, and they sport appendages on the backs of their heads - two large ones serving as ears and two small ones on the sides of their heads as additional sensory aids that help them sense things like pressure changes in the atmosphere and auditory triangulation. There is slight sexual dimorphism in the species, females having rounder wings and fins and shorter ears than the males, whose wings and fins are more angular. Some females can even have more elaborately shaped fins on their tails and their backs. They walk on muscled plantigrade feet that allow them to stalk silently, though their musculature is more lithe and built for speed and agility rather than raw strength, indicating that they’re quicker to flee than they are to fight. Due to their lack of defensive properties, they’ve instead developed an evasive adaptation, able to cloak themselves by flying into the fire of their plasma blasts to heat up their soft and smooth scales and turn them into a reflective mirrorlike quality, making them invisible in the air. Their pale colouration grants them perfect camouflage in flight during the day in the clouds, but the glittery quality of their scales when they’re not cloaked also provides another important defense, able to blind their foes at the right angle when their scales reflect the light of the sun in just the right way.

Ecology: Light Furies are diurnal, the only species strictly so due to their stark white colouration making them vulnerable to attack before sun rises and after the sun sets. However, their natural adaptations make them fearsome daytime hunters, able to remain mostly invisible in the skies until they strike. Though, due to how small and vulnerable they are especially compared to species in their own genus, they are extremely skittish around other dragons especially in large groups. They will prioritize getting back to their nesting sites before sundown over a successful hunt or avoiding a storm. A Light Fury caught out at night is an easy target for many species of dragons, especially dragon-eaters like Deathgrippers. Skrills are also a dragon they fear because they have no natural defenses if they’re caught in a lightning storm, especially at night.

Social Organization: Of all the species in this genus, the Light Fury has the most complex and variable social system in comparison. There are actually several social groups Light Furies fall into: solitary females, solitary males, mated pairs and/or their hatchlings, male coalitions, and matriarchal dominance hierarchies. Individuals typically avoid one another, but they do remain generally amicable. The most common groups are the solitary males and females, followed by mated pairs, male coalitions, and last by matriarchal dominance hierarchies. Though primarily solitary, Light Furies mate for life and their mate selection process is rather complicated, individual preference playing a huge part. Though, generally the males are the ones tasked with impressing the females through various rituals, including demonstrating the ability to stay hidden. Most of the time, brighter scales are more desirable on average, though some individuals demonstrate particular preferences and will refuse many mate potentials until they find one they are content with. Then, there are male coalitions. Male coalitions are typically formed by brothers born in the same litter after leaving the nest, but sometimes unrelated males can form or be accepted into coalitions and typically only leave once they've found a mate. And then finally, the rarest social group Light Furies partake in is a matriarchal hierarchy where a female will have control over a group of unmated females, typically her daughters and granddaughters, and her sons and grandsons will leave the group once they reach maturity. Females will either leave the group once they find a mate or assimilate their mate into the group and raise their hatchlings within it.

Communication: Having a wide range of vocalizations, including purring, whinnying, chirping, warbling, crooning, chortling, gurgling, hissing, snarling, nickering, shrieking, meowing, and bellowing. They also communicate through their eyes, tails, ears, and even their teeth. Though they are capable of a variety of expressions, they are also rather reserved and will be more likely to keep their motives and true feelings more hidden underneath the surface than show them openly. They are not highly social creatures and would rather avoid contact if possible, skittish and evasive by nature. They tend to keep their body language closed and restrained, keeping their extremities close to their body and always ready to leave at a moment's notice if necessary to flee from a potential conflict.

Diet and Hunting: Solitary hunters alone, cooperative group hunters in coalitions and matriarchal hierarchies. When they live solitary lives, they only need provide for themselves and thus find more success, however when they hunt in groups, there's more depending on them so their hunts come with more risk and thus more chance of failure. They hunt during the day when they are best adept to blend in with the sky and ambush their prey from above without warning. They are primarily pescatarians, though when they are in groups, they will hunt for larger game on land. They are characterized most strongly by their extreme speed and their unique plasma blasts as a form of fire they breathe, similarly to the Night Fury. When they hunt, they will typically dive into the water at high speeds and come back up with fish, but when hunting on land, they will dive bomb their victims and hit them with a plasma blast to kill them, the force of the blast due to the speed more dangerous than the heat of the fire itself, usually cloaked so that their victims don't even see them coming in order to react. However, an unfortunate byproduct of their stark colouration and weak offensive and defensive builds, if they're caught by other stronger dragons, it's not uncommon for their kills to be stolen from them and for them to be driven away, forced to either attempt another hunt or go hungry. The dragons they avoid the most that will actively pursue them to hunt them are Skrills, Light Furies having an instinctive fear of them.

Reproduction and Life Cycle: Light Furies typically reach maturity at 2 - 3 years of age and females will begin to be capable of producing offspring at this stage. They will usually have clutches of 1 - 8 hatchlings at a time. They usually have clutches between 1 - 2 years between each other and will lay their eggs either in a cave, a rocky alcove on a cliffside, or in a tidepool on the coast hidden away from sight. Females will guard the nest while the males hunt, though sometimes they will trade positions closer to hatching. They hatch without their teeth and will slowly grow them in as they age within a year and then are able to retract once they grow into their wings. Compared to other dragon hatchlings, Light Fury hatchlings are more vulnerable due to their stark colouration and curious nature, necessitating close supervision by the mother until they mature. Many hatchlings do not survive, either due to environmental factors or being hunted by other predators and dragon species. By the end of the year, they will be able to fly and hunt on their own and leave the nest within 1-2 years after they're able to and will either lead solitary lifestyles or form into coalitions. Mated pairs will return to the same nesting site to lay their next clutches of eggs. The average lifespan of a Light Fury is anywhere from 20 - 50 years.

Habitat and Distribution: Light Furies live in the northern hemisphere just below the arctic shelf, unable to survive in consistent arctic temperatures and climates. They live in island archipelagos in shallow caves either by the coasts or up on mountains and alpine inclines where they can better camouflage against the pale colouration of the summits, considering that they cannot fly considerably long distances without tiring.

Skrill

Class: Reptilia Order: Draconia Suborder: Dracoformia Family: Draconidae ('true' dragons) Subfamily: Draconinae (four-legged with two wings) Species: Falsumwyvern electrica (electric false wyvern)

Class: Strike Weight: 1800lbs (816.47kg) Height: 6' (1.84m) Length: 22' (6.7m) Wingspan: 40' (12.19m) Active Day Period: Nocturnal Habitat Range: Mountains, forests, and glaciers Mating Behaviour: Monogamy

The skrill is the sole member of the genus Falsumwyvern. It is the closest genetic relative of the genus Furiadraco despite being classified as a wyvern (two-legged two-winged dragon) phenotypically. It also does not display the social inclination nor amicability of its fury cousins.

Description: A large dark-coloured dragon with a paler underbelly with brighter markings that run from its eyes down to the tip of its tail in a cloudy line like fire. They can come in various shades of black, dark blue, dark violet, and grey with their underbellies and markings following a similar hue scheme to match, though they can come in rarer colours like brown, red, green, and even white. Their wings have defined hooked thumb claws that allow them to climb with ease when they have to crawl on all fours, as they only have two legs. They have flat, round, oval heads with small typically yellow, amber, or red eyes and a single hooked horn growing out from the tips of their snouts, with a crown of narrow sharp spines on the backs of them as well as as a line of similar spines that run down their backs all the way to their tails. These narrow metallic spines help to channel lightning and electricity through their bodies, almost making them a living conduit or conductor. These spines also help them sense barometric pressure changes and ionic charges in the atmosphere as well. They have long narrow tails, almost whiplike in nature. Their physical build is similar to that of birds, their legs equipped with opposable claws capable of grabbing and snatching their victims with three in front and one in back. They also possess an underbite with hooked narrow teeth poking out from their maws. They’re characterized most notably by their ability to channel and even fire lightning in concentrated streams and sudden blasts, these streams likened to ‘white hot fire.’ They’re even capable of outspeeding Night Furies by riding lightning bolts during electrical storms, though due to the fact that they can only do this through electrokinesis, it cannot be counted towards its top flying speed generally. Older Skrills are not much different than the younger Skrills other than size, though the older ones do possess a distinctive green glow at the base of their spines and the spines on their backs are significantly longer in comparison to the younger Skrills.

Ecology: Skrills are most typically nocturnal, which makes them especially dangerous to encounter. However, they are also capable of hunting during twilight if necessary and will sometimes travel during the day if it’s darkly overcast or if there is an electrical storm to take advantage of. They’re especially dangerous to encounter in an electrical storm due to their typically dark colourations and their mastery over electricity, making conflicts with them practically a death sentence. Though, the one advantage that others have is that because they generate a natural electric field, it can telegraph their proximity before they’re properly spotted, reported to make all the hair on someone stand completely on end. There are very few dragons that can truly rival them, only having a true competitor in Night Furies, though even then, the small population of them doesn’t make them an active threat. They’re one of the few dragons capable of hibernating in frigid environments, and even able to be completely frozen in glaciers for centuries and emerge as alive and fierce as before.

Social Organization: Skrills are extremely aggressive and intelligent dragons with a profound sense of loyalty, retribution, and justice. They are capable of holding grudges for decades and may even pass that grudge onto their young. However, despite this, they are capable of recognizing when retribution has been satisfied and if someone helps them in a meaningful way, they will demonstrate a profound sense of loyalty towards the one who helped them. They will often reciprocate this effort, if someone has gone out of their way to help them, they will find a way to repay that favour. Though aggressive and primarily solitary, they are not entirely incapable of making social bonds, mating for life and sometimes travelling in very small flocks. They are deeply devoted to those it bonds with and aggressively protective and territorial over them.

Communication: Roaring, screeching, clicking, growling, snarling, barking, and cawing are its numerous vocalizations. Many of these serve the purpose of marking their territories, warning away any potential aggressors and intruders. They are not often heard during thunderstorms, though the sounds of the storms can often drown them out. However, they have a unique method of communication being the electrical fields and current they can naturally store and generate, the frequency of the natural humming they emit being able to communicate nonvocally with others of their kind.

Diet and Hunting: Skrills are opportunistic ambush predators that hunt from the dark sky and especially during thunderstorms. Though they are primarily pescatarians, they do eat land animals and even other dragons as well - which is what makes them so dangerous to other dragons. They are also one of the only species of dragon that eats and hunts electric eels as an essential part of their diets. Due to the shapes of their opposable claws on their feet, it makes it quite easy for them to snatch their prey from above and then electrocute it before killing and consuming it.

Reproduction and Life Cycle: Skrills will begin courting at 1 year of age, but may not bond with one another for another 2 or 3 years. They will scope out and establish a territory before they create a nest and will aggressively defend said territory and food. They will return to the same nesting site every year to have another clutch of eggs. Depending on the habitat, they can either build their nests high up on mountain cliffs, in the canopies of trees, or within a glacier cavern. They typically lay their eggs in the winter, usually 4 - 6 eggs at a time. The female will stay to brood the nest while the male goes out to bring her food and will bring food to the hatchlings once they emerge. Within two months, the hatchlings will be able to fly but will still stay close to the nest for the rest of the year until they leave to start their own lives. Skrills can live from 50 - 120 years.

Habitat and Distribution: These dragons have a wide range in and above the arctic shelf, able to live and hibernate in frigid environments as well as living on mountains and wooded boreal forests. They typically prefer living in higher altitude closer to the sky, as this allows them optimum hunting opportunities as well as quicker and easier access to thunderstorms as they appear. They typically chose darker places to nest and create dens as their typically dark colourations allow them perfect camouflage in these environments, especially at night.

[tteokdoroki]

I have this thought that won’t go away. About keigo have king an escort he sees often and pays to come over just to eat diner with him. The hero commission makes them sign nda and such. So he’ll talk on and on about his day and tell them things he’d never tell anyone. While also fucking the living hell out of them right after. And maybe he starts calling on them every night just to insure they aren’t with anyone else

like imagine you admit to seeing and being with no one else outside of hawks because no one can get you off the way he does. he’s absolutely feral at times, his hand around your throat while he takes you from behind or his arm locked around the back of your head as he fucks you missionary — both with the intent to claim your insides, paint you white and keep you nice and full of him and only him.

maybe he even has the commission draw you up a contract so that he spends his rut periods exclusively with you. like you get special leave from your day job to be pampered and spoiled n ruined beyond comprehension.

but the sex sometimes leads to something more — where keigo brings you little snacks and treats after a round of blowing your back out, other little ways of showing you that you belong to him!! he becomes possessive, maybe a little obsessive too but it’s okay because you’re the same right back. you hate when fans ogle him for too long, or when you can smell them on his clothes and his skin.

keigo would never do it on purpose but he loved how you reclaim him every time it does happen and it just gets him so feral because it’s like you understand his tendencies to want to breed and mate and scent you.

‘n when he’s done he wraps you up in his wings and soothes you while you hiccup through over stimulation. you get kisses and water, talk through your days and play with hawks’ feathers — wrapped up in one another in your own little bubble, as if you really belong to each other.

[theramseyloft]

When it comes to bonding and pairing behavior, how strong can some pairs be versus others? I have birds that are actively cheating on each other and others that fiercely defend each other and aren’t interested in other birds. I’m also wondering if how to split up biological siblings that have bonded and become mates

That's about the gamut. XD

Sexual fidelity has absolutely nothing to do with pigeon marriage.

What pigeons consider faithfulness from their partner is that they share the same roost at night, their mate gets first dibs when either bird wants sex, and they share both nesting and peep feeding duty equally.

As long as their partner is sated, they really don't care who their other half mounts or propositions.

Serket, for example, only has eyes for

Titan, his gigantic wife.

That exclusivity is mutual.

Titan has a fair few admirers!

Literally all the single boys want her and a few of the married boys will make a pass.

Sher will throw his little hat into the ring for anyone, despite being happily married to

Cotta's sister, Taffeta.

Sterling (single) used to be mated to Taffeta, but she left him for a cock whose family returned him.

After he went to a new family, she paired up with Sher, who has never had a mate.

Sterling makes passes at her and Titan about equally.

Ninka (single) was mated to Sage, the Chinese Owl, but as I opted to move away from that breed, I adopted her out.

Titan is his favorite hen to pursue, and he does it by kicking her husband out of any nest he tries to settle in.

Serket is tiny, so there isn't much he can do about it.

Orchid is obsessed with Titan and down right obnoxious about trying to shove Serket off of her and tread her while she's presenting.

There are SO many videos on my youtube and TikTok of Titan getting fed up with his bullshit and punching his face.

When that doesn't work, she bites the absolute fool out of him and snatches out neck feathers.

Serket and Titan are actually in the background of this photo, because I called Orchid's name to snap the shot mid harassment.

Serket is doing his absolute damnedest to body block Orchid from Titan.

You'll notice there are two very different sets of behaviors directed towards a Cock's wife and his side chick.

Wife gets the whole courtship ritual from dancing to chasing, to nest selection to kissing, and then she will present for him to tread.

Side chick just presents and he steps up on top of her, mounts her, and they're done: wham, bam, thank you ma'am.

A cock can have however many side chicks he wants, but usually only keeps one specific mate, whose nest he helps build, whose eggs he takes a turn setting, and whose chicks he helps feed and then teaches how to pigeon when they wean.

I have observed exactly one pigeon who I would classify as Polyamorous.

Ferdi had five wives!

Not a wife and four regular side chicks!

Five wives that he cycled through!

He'd be teaching the weaned peeps from one wife, helping feed a second's nestlings, taking his turn sitting the third's eggs, mating number four, and nest hunting/reaffirming with number five at any given time.

I retired him because I worried he was going to work himself to death!

Never seen another instance of it, but I have seen a whole range of sexualities and gender expression from pigeons.

But, yeah, what you're seeing in your flock is pretty normal.

Dad doesn't care who filled the eggs, as long as they are laid in his nest.

Mom doesn't care who else's eggs Dad fills, so long as he helps her hatch and raise hers.

Different individuals are different degrees of sexually faithful.

Makes keeping track of bloodlines a pain, but domestic animals are happiest when they can express natural behaviors.

Because of the way peeps tend to bond with in their age group, it's not uncommon for siblings to bond as mates if no other clutches hatch.

You have mentioned wanting to breed for companionship.

So in order to decide what to do about the two siblings, you need to consider which you are keeping and why.

Breeding is a selective process.

If you have all the pairs you need, you really only want to keep the *best* of their offspring.

Do you have any goal more specific than temperament?

With external traits, you'll have an idea of which to keep early on, if one or the other is an improvement in the desired traits over the parents.

But temperament is really hard to work out before the bird is fully mature.

That's one of those lessons I learned by experience. >.<

So, when the buildings are moved over, repaired, and ready for birds again, I will be keeping each pair's first clutch to evaluate for the first 6 months, and hatch controlling in the meantime.

When the peeps are fully developed, they will be evaluated against each other, and their parents.

Whichever offspring is an improvement over both parent's faults with a better temperament than the more skittish parent, that one will stay, the parents will be made available as a pair, and the sibling will be made available.

I hope to limit inbreeding this way, and prevent crowding.

If you just don't want offspring out of the siblings, hatch control as long as they are together.

Plastic or wooden eggs are your best friend!

[here-be-descriptions]

The Fenghuang, scientific name: Dracaudex decorus, “graceful dragon-tail”; from “Serina: A Natural History of the World of Birds.” Artwork by Dylan Bajda.

“Not all sea creatures of the trilliontrees are fearsome hunters, and neither do all live lives exclusively along the water. The fenghuang is a large higher gilltail bird which can be found on only one isle in the Trilliontrees, the largest one, known as the Island of Eden. There, the large, fruit-eating adult is uncommonly seen but present, spending its life in the high canopy of the forest, little seen despite its extravagant plumage in nearly every shade of color.

Fenghuangs belong to a family of higher gilltails called the dragoformes, related - though not very similar to - the small, kingfisher-like dartlarks. They are omnivores, and the only thing that they share with those relatives is an herbivorous algae-eating larval stage, and a long, pointed bill in the adult. Young have a duck-like keratin bill which is used to scrounge up algae and detritus in the bottoms of slow-flowing streams. They are abundant on the island, but their habitat is very restricted, and all of them live in one freshwater waterway. Beginning life as tadpoles less than an inch across, the most fortunate few may reach a size of 32 inches within three years, and then undertake a remarkable journey upriver to the very highest point of the river, at the center of Eden, where all water begins it journey to the sea. To do this, they must clamber up steep, slippery waterfalls along the way, and to manage it they transform; fleshy, salamander-like fingers develop large, hooked spurs to clamber upwards, on a slow and labored journey that takes around two months. They come up this way not to mate, for they are still infants, and the urge of procreation is still long away. They have come here to pupate, in the safety and shelter of the high-elevation forest, a plateau long ago built by the upward growth and fusion of spire forests, now populated by thickets of dancingtrees which have overtaken the original cementrees that created them. They are among the biggest of all gilltail larvae, and they need a place to hide from enemies for over 5 months while they transform from one life stage to another. They clamber into the hollow chambers of the ancient cementrees, and descend up to 100 feet below the surface, into a dark, damp, and secluded labrynth of eons-old tunnels. Here, they produce a cocoon of mucous and begin their greatest journey yet, that from child to adult. And here, they will ultimately clamber back out utterly transformed. A duck-like bill falls off like a glove; a sharp, angular one grows beneath it, to feed on rainforest fruit and small animals. Plumage, still just quills, begins to break through the skin. The legs grow longer, and so does the neck. When all is done, nothing will remain to remember the way it once was.

The adult fenghuang is a breathtaking sight, a bird up to 30 inches high, its plumage a shimmering tapestry of green, blue, violet, red, gold, black, and white. Two long, tendril like tail feathers flutter behind it in flight, as it emerges from the darkness of ancient tunnels and ascends into the jungle canopy, fluttering gracefully into the sunlight. All fenghuangs look alike - they are colored as most birds would only be in the male sex. But fenghuangs are unlike nearly any other bird, for they have no males, nor any females. They are a hermaphroditic species, each individual simultaneously capable of fertilizing eggs, and of producing their own. The origin of this mutation comes from a small, isolated population and low genetic diversity resulting in defects in earlier ancestors, which included the first hermaphroditic adults. Inbreeding perpetuated the trait in a small population, and so the species evolved behavioral adaptations to match their condition.

All fenghuang appear male, with bold colors like males of other dragoformes. But all fenghuang can also bear eggs. Courtship has become a contest of fitness where two individuals battle for dominance, as two males once would have. But now, the loser is not vanquished, but instead accepts the female social role. For this season, it will accept the winner's mounting and will lay fertilized eggs. Next season, it may win a contest, and so will fertilize another. It descends from the trees, to the river, and deposits its soft, vulnerable, pea-sized eggs, a clutch of several hundred, in a jelly-like secretion at the top of the waterfall. The flow of the river quickly carries them back downstream, to ultimately settle in calm, vegetated pools many miles away. And from there, the journey starts again from where it all began.”

[3alamalhayawanat]

Love of the Animal World

Introduction: The Unbreakable Bond Between Humans and Animals

Love isn’t exclusive to humans. All around us, the animal kingdom thrives on emotional connections that are deep, complex, and often heartwarming. Whether it’s the tender care of a mother, the loyalty between lifelong mates, or the simple joy of play, love in the animal world is as real and varied as it is in ours.

The Many Faces of Love in the Animal Kingdom

Exploring Emotional Connections Among Animals

Animals feel more than we once believed. From elephants forming life-long friendships to dolphins playing joyfully together, scientists have observed strong emotional bonds across countless species.

Beyond Instinct: Do Animals Truly Feel Love?

It's easy to assume that animal behavior is just instinctual, but mounting evidence suggests otherwise. Studies show that many animals experience affection, empathy, and even heartbreak.

The Science Behind Animal Emotions

Research in ethology and neuroscience has uncovered that animals have brain structures similar to ours when it comes to processing emotions. The limbic system, in particular, plays a big role in feelings like love, fear, and joy.

Motherly Love: A Universal Language

Maternal Instincts in Mammals

From the moment a baby elephant is born, its mother wraps it in a protective circle of love. Similarly, lionesses risk their lives to guard their cubs, and primates nurse and groom their young with infinite care.

Birds of Care: How Avian Mothers Nurture

Many birds share parenting duties, but mothers like the penguin go above and beyond—fasting for weeks while incubating eggs in freezing conditions. Their dedication is a striking symbol of maternal sacrifice.

Reptilian and Amphibian Caregiving Behaviors

While often seen as cold-blooded and detached, some reptiles like crocodiles gently carry their babies in their mouths to water, showing a surprising side of tenderness.

Insects and Sacrificial Parenthood

Even insects show forms of parental love. Some species of spiders will let their offspring eat them once food runs out—a brutal yet ultimate sacrifice in the name of love.

Romantic Bonds and Lifelong Mates

Monogamy in the Wild: Who Stays Together Forever?

Swans, wolves, and certain birds like albatrosses mate for life, staying loyal through storms, migrations, and seasons apart. Their stories often resemble the kind of love found in fairy tales.

Courtship Rituals: Nature’s Most Fascinating Dances

Birds of paradise perform mesmerizing dances, peacocks flaunt their feathers, and frogs sing with all their might—romance in the wild is colorful, musical, and competitive.

Animal "Love Languages": Touch, Song, and Gifts

Like humans, animals have different ways of showing love. Some, like bonobos, use physical touch; others, like songbirds, serenade their mates; while penguins offer pebbles as romantic gifts.

Unlikely Friendships Across Species

Inter-species Bonds That Defy Logic

Cats adopting ducklings, dogs befriending deer, or even lions raising antelope—these stories prove that love knows no species boundaries.

Stories of Predator-Prey Friendships

It sounds impossible, but some animals have formed peaceful bonds with those they’d typically hunt. These unique connections often arise in rescue centers or sanctuaries.

Why Do These Relationships Form?

Experts believe shared trauma, loneliness, or simply a nurturing instinct can lead to these heartwarming connections.

The Role of Touch, Grooming, and Physical Closeness

Social Grooming as an Expression of Affection

In primates, grooming isn’t just for hygiene—it’s a deep social ritual that reinforces trust and emotional connection.

Cuddling, Snuggling, and the Comfort of Closeness

Otters sleep holding hands to avoid drifting apart, and cats curl around each other in tight circles—closeness brings comfort, even in the animal world.

How Touch Reinforces Animal Social Structures

Physical touch not only signals affection but also establishes rank, builds alliances, and reduces stress in group-living species.

Communication and Emotional Expression

How Animals Show Affection Through Sounds and Calls

Elephants rumble gently to comfort each other. Whales sing across oceans to stay in touch. Each species has its unique way of saying “I love you.”

Facial Expressions and Body Language in Love

Dogs wag their tails, cats purr, and horses nuzzle—these are more than just behaviors; they’re ways of expressing deep emotional states.

Scent Marking: Love Notes in the Animal World

Many animals leave scent trails to communicate presence, interest, and loyalty—a kind of olfactory love letter.

Love and Loyalty in Domesticated Animals

Dogs and the Depth of Their Devotion

Dogs are known for their loyalty. They wait at doors, follow their humans around, and grieve when their owners pass. Their love is unconditional.

Cats and Their Subtle Displays of Affection

Though often more independent, cats show love through head bumps, soft purring, and curling up close—quiet, but powerful signs of trust.

Horses, Rabbits, and Other Pets with Big Hearts

Horses bond strongly with humans and each other. Rabbits form lifelong pairings. Even guinea pigs develop strong social ties—each animal shows love in its own way.

Adoption and Allopreening in the Animal Kingdom

When Animals Raise Young That Aren’t Their Own

Dolphins, wolves, and elephants have been observed adopting orphaned young, showing that love extends beyond genetics.

Surrogate Fathers and Mothers in the Wild

In some bird species, males take on full parental duties. Flamingos, for example, are often seen in same-sex pairs co-parenting chicks.

Adoption in Captivity and Zoos

Zoo animals sometimes adopt babies from different species or form protective bonds, reminding us how love transcends biology.

Grief, Loss, and Mourning in Animals

How Elephants Mourn Their Dead

Elephants return to the bones of their loved ones, gently touching them with their trunks in silent tribute—a clear display of memory and sorrow.

Stories of Loyal Dogs and Cats Who Grieve

Pets have been known to stop eating, wait by doors, or lie on graves—signs of a grief that mirrors our own.

Scientific Studies on Animal Bereavement

Research confirms that animals do experience loss, displaying behavioral changes, stress, and even depression after losing companions.

Altruism and Sacrifice: Acts of Selfless Love

Risking Life for the Herd or Offspring

From meerkats sounding alarms to mothers fighting off predators, acts of bravery in defense of others are a testament to love.

Feeding the Weak: Sharing Resources Out of Care

Chimpanzees and vampire bats are known to share food with weaker group members, ensuring survival and showing compassion.

Examples of Animal Heroism and Bravery

Dogs dragging owners to safety, whales shielding humans from sharks—these incredible acts aren’t just instinct; they’re powered by connection.

Animal Love in Mythology and Culture

Symbols of Love in Ancient Animal Myths

Swans, doves, and wolves often symbolize love and loyalty in myths, embodying traits admired across civilizations.

Totem Animals and Cultural Beliefs About Animal Affection

Many cultures associate animals with spiritual forms of love—tigers for passion, owls for wisdom in love, and elephants for family unity.

Folklore and Fables That Celebrate Animal Bonds

From Aesop’s fables to African tales, animals have long taught us lessons about love, loyalty, and kindness.

How Animals Help Humans Understand Love

Lessons from Nature on Empathy and Loyalty

Animals teach us to love without conditions, to forgive quickly, and to remain loyal no matter what.

Therapy Animals and Emotional Support

Dogs, horses, and even rabbits are used in therapy because their presence offers comfort, calm, and a deep emotional connection.

What We Can Learn From the Purity of Animal Love

Animal love is unfiltered, honest, and deeply instinctive. It’s a reminder of the goodness that exists in all living beings.

The Role of Environment and Socialization

How Habitat Influences Emotional Behaviors

Animals in the wild behave differently than those in captivity, but both environments influence how they form and show love.

Captivity vs. Wild: Does Freedom Affect Affection?

In some cases, captivity fosters deeper bonds with humans. In others, wild settings allow for more natural relationships between animals.

Social Animals vs. Solitary Creatures in Showing Love

While wolves, elephants, and dolphins thrive on social interaction, even solitary animals show love in more private, yet meaningful ways.

Playfulness as a Sign of Emotional Connection

Why Animals Play With Each Other

Play is essential for bonding—whether it’s lion cubs tumbling or dolphins chasing each other in the waves.

Play as a Tool for Bonding and Love

It’s not just fun; it’s practice for life, trust-building, and forming emotional links between animals.

Cross-species Play and Emotional Intelligence

Some animals play with other species, a sign of high emotional intelligence and an openness to connection beyond their kind.

Jealousy, Possessiveness, and Conflict in Animal Love

Can Animals Feel Jealousy?

Studies show that dogs get jealous when owners show affection to others. Even birds have been observed acting possessively toward mates.

Territorial Behavior and Emotional Tension

Love isn’t always peaceful—competition and territory disputes are part of the complex emotional landscape of the animal kingdom.

Love Triangles and Rivalry in the Wild

Some species engage in fierce competitions for a mate, and rivalries can last a lifetime—proving that love has its challenges even in the wild.

Reunions and Long-Distance Love

Stories of Reuniting After Separation

Animals remember their loved ones. Stories abound of pets recognizing their owners years later, and of wild animals reuniting with former mates.

How Animals Recognize Loved Ones After Years

Through scent, sound, and sight, animals can remember and recognize those they love—sometimes for a lifetime.

Navigation and Migration to Find a Mate

Salmon swim upstream, and birds fly thousands of miles—not just for breeding, but for love. It’s a journey of devotion written into their DNA.

Raising Offspring Together: Co-Parenting in the Wild

Shared Duties in Raising the Young

Many species split parenting tasks. Penguins take turns incubating eggs. Wolves raise pups together. Teamwork equals love.

Male Involvement in Parenting

In some species, fathers play an equal—if not greater—role in childcare, showing that paternal love is alive and well.

Partnerships That Go Beyond Mating

Some animal relationships last far beyond reproduction, becoming lifelong partnerships in care, protection, and companionship.

Animals That Mate for Life: True Love Stories

Swans, Wolves, and Other Loyal Lovers

These animals often become symbols of undying love because their bonds are strong, resilient, and enduring.

What Makes Lifelong Bonds Possible in Some Species

Trust, cooperation, and communication are key—just like in human relationships.

The Science Behind Staying Together

Hormones like oxytocin, bonding behaviors, and compatible personalities all play a role in long-term animal love.

Animal Love in Urban vs. Wild Settings

How City Life Affects Animal Relationships

Urban animals adapt, forming new social bonds and navigating love in smaller spaces with more human contact.

Wild Instincts in the Concrete Jungle

Even in cities, animals like raccoons and pigeons show affection, raise families, and form tight social groups.

Animal Bonds in Shelters and Rescue Centers

In shelters, animals form quick, strong attachments—sometimes with other animals, sometimes with humans—proving that love always finds a way.

Challenges to Love in the Animal World

Separation by Human Activity and Habitat Destruction

Deforestation, pollution, and hunting often separate animal families and mates—breaking bonds forged over time.

Loss of Mates Due to Hunting or Predators

When one partner is lost, many animals mourn, showing that love and loss go hand-in-hand in the wild.

Climate Change and Its Impact on Animal Emotions

Shifting ecosystems affect how animals live, migrate, mate, and raise their young—putting emotional bonds at risk.

Conclusion: Embracing and Protecting the Love That Lives in the Wild

The animal kingdom teaches us that love is not a human trait—it’s a universal language. By understanding and respecting these emotional connections, we not only learn more about ourselves but also take a step toward a more compassionate world. Let us cherish, protect, and celebrate the love stories that unfold all around us—silent, pure, and profoundly beautiful.

[mamamittens]

Time for my nightly bullshit like a ridiculous bedtime story solely designed for shenanigans.

Sides, its good practice while I recharge and prepare to start writing my pending fics lol (decided to leave Hody for later btw, so prepare to say goodbye to Uncle Fishy in a chapter or two--depends on how much I decide to put in one chapter).

Boro was a fairly simple man at heart. A deep love of his craft and the sea coalescing into a life of lighthearted piracy. He respected and admired his strange crew.

Captain Minnow, the zanny man who's obsession with the image of smoking is matched only by his ability to exclusively set himself on fire anytime he tries to smoke.

First mate, Cantore, who grounded their flighty captain when he wasn't arguing over the unpredictable weather.

The twins, Hiro and Kazu. Squirrelly young men who delight in confusing everyone with their mirrored mannerisms and inspired swordplay.

Hestu, the trick shot wonder who refuses to shoot straight for any reason. He frustrated many but there was no denying his creativity.

Tim, Jim, and Sean, the three childhood friends that assist in running the ship. Sometimes it was hard to figure out if they actually liked each other or just liked fighting one another. Constantly finding things to compete and make bets over.

And finally the youngest. Sir. Odd young man, with a seemingly stony expression and massive white wings. He'd quickly taken over the kitchen after seeing the pitiful 'dinner' Hestu put together... Consisting of jerky between slices of potatoes instead of bread. He hadn't been impressed with the state of the kitchen either, ripping the whole crew a new one for even thinking about eating out of it. But Boro wasn't fooled. Young Sir had a soft side a mile wide, fussing over them all between meals.

Seeing the withdrawn young man try and navigate around the large crew was painful--almost as painful as watching the Whitebeard Commander, Thatch, try and hold a conversation with Sir. Who, in turn, did his level best to never be in the same room as Commander Thatch. Boro was concerned at first, of course he was.

But judging by the puffy wings, Boro thought it safe to assume that this wasn't discomfort so much as it was Sir being flustered for some reason. His habit of never meeting anyone's eyes for longer than a brief second--or intensely staring into your soul--ratcheted up to the point that Boro could clearly see Sir avoiding looking at Commander Thatch's face entirely.

It was amusing but strange.

Early morning, about two and a half weeks into their unexpected stay on the Moby Dick, Boro rolled out of bed and walked between bunks to wake Sir. Fluffy wings disheveled and curled around him protectively. All it took was a few gentle cards of his hand and the feathers shuddered. Wings fluttering and lifting away as a hazy blue eye looked up at him petulantly.

Sir huffed, burying his face into the pillow with a yawn before rolling up out of bed. Tugging the blanket back into place behind him as he snagged his glasses and pack. Usually, Sir showered at night, but last night he helped clean the kitchens and asked to be woken up early.

Boro, knowing how much Sir liked his privacy, agreed and silently promised to ensure no one walked in on the young man. For his trouble, he received a gentle brush of feathers across his bare arm as Sir shuffled by him to the nearest showers.

Sir yawned, wild and loose curls consuming half his face and shoulders in a frizzy bush. Boro smiled fondly, finding the ruffled, sleepy look cute on his youngest crewmate.

--*--

Nikia stretched, freshly cleaned from head to toe and well awake now. Hair as dry as she'd get it without a hair dryer and soaking a damp spot on her hoodie. For now, it would behave and stay mostly out of her face. But frizz was terrible at sea so she knew it would be a matter of time before she had to pull it back just to not constantly eat her own hair.

Thanks to Boro standing guard she didn't feel weird taking a few extra minutes to clean her feathers more. So they'd be a fair bit cleaner now as well. She didn't mind bunking with a bunch of guys but showering around total strangers is where she drew the line--although she wouldn't shower around even close friends either for that matter.

She had just returned her bag of essentials and clothes she'd personally been washing every week when Thatch happened to pass by.

Nikia grimaced to herself, still finding herself too embraced to talk to him directly.

"Sir!" Hell, he even kept calling her 'Sir' like her smartass crew. "There you are! I've been meaning to ask something." She could see his smile in her peripheral.

"What bout, darlin'?" Nikia cringed to herself, cursing her instinctive use of sweet nicknames with a total stranger. She did find his flush amusing though. Nice to know they can both be flustered.

"Well, I was thinking that your pantry must have things that are going bad but I wanted to ask before using any of it." Thatch grinned sheepishly. Ah. That makes sense.

"Sure thing, darlin'. They'd go to waste otherwise so like, knock yourself out." Nikia agreed easily. Thatch, a grown ass man, pouted.

"Actually, I was hoping you'd help me carry out the food stores to go through them on deck." Nikia grimaced, aware that it had been fairly warm the last few days. There was a reason she retreated to below deck often. Pale as she was, she was liable to burn and the idea of suddenly gaining a tan freaked her out.

She was, of course, ignoring the light tan she had already started to gain from the slight increase of time under the sun.

"...Ah suppose. Hope ya want potatoes. They bought a metric fuck ton before I joined and I was still trying to get rid of them. Well, without throwing them into the sun." Nikia grumbled. She glanced at his face and looked away at the bright, pleased smile.

Thatch threw his arm over her shoulder (mindful of her damp wings) and marched through the hallways, chatting away about some of his favorite uses for potatoes. He definitely knew his stuff, although it mostly went over her head.

When they reached topside she knew she'd have to ditch her sweater at some point. Her wet hair and wings did not alleviate the heat in the slightest. Instead soaking up the hot sun in a way that would be delightful if she planned on napping.

The pantry was tucked away near the kitchens and was filled with barrels and bags of foodstuffs. There was a freezer and fridge too, but those were staying. It didn't make sense to drag them under the sun just to watch them thaw.

The barrels were big and usually quite heavy, but Nikia never did know when to quit while she could manage with her own two hands. Choosing to 'walk' the barrel out of the storage room as Thatch recruited a small number of men to assist once he realized she couldn't lift the barrels herself.

As she suspected, even the chill in the lower deck didn't help her for long. But she managed to stick it out until everything perishable was removed and ready to be inspected under the sunlight. She huffed, walking just behind Thatch as she tugged on her sleeves, carefully separating the fabric of her tank top to make sure she didn't flash anyone.

When she was safely up top, she stood out of the way and grumbled, finding the task of wrangling the fabric away from her wings taxing. But necessary.

The relief when she succeeded was instant and she smiled, noting that her hair was nearly dry enough to pull up without making her arms ache from the strain of brushing it into place above her head.

The yellow sleeves tied neatly around her waist as she made sure her tank top was settled in place and walked forward. Only to find shocked expressions meeting her gaze.

Thatch looked startled, cheeks red as he struggled for words.

Nikia grimaced.

"Yeah, yeah. I know. Ya feel snowblind lookin' at me. No need to make a fuss bout it." She grumbled, brushing back her hair to try and settle it in place over her shoulder.

"... You're a girl?" Thatch asked in a strained voice. Nikia frowned, narrowing her eyes. She glanced down at her very obvious cleavage.

"...Yes? Ah wa'n't hidin' it..." Nikia wrinkled her nose. "Wait... Do you think my name is actually 'Sir'?"

Thatch looked up at her face, now confused.

"It's not?!" Nikia huffed.

"No! They're just a bunch ah smart asses!" Nikia hissed.

"Sir?!?" Boro did a double take from the deck of the Moby Dick. Nikia whipped her head to look at him.

"Why the FUCK are ya surprised?!?" Nikia demanded.

"You're a woman?!?" Boro sputtered, cheeks flushed as he struggled to look at her without looking down her shirt, which was admirable given the higher perspective he had.

"Yes. I. Am." Nikia rolled her eyes. "Ah've literally been using ma mom voice on y'all, why tha hell did ya think I was a man?!? It's pretty obvious?" Nikia gestured to her chest before pausing, brushing her hand over her sweatshirt. "Ah... Right."

She'd taken to wearing baggy hoodies cause it was annoying talking to someone when their eyes were firmly fixed on her tits. Sure, she didn't look people in the eyes consistently either, but at least she didn't stare down at their crotch or whatever.

"W-We uh... Haven't ever had moms?" Boro admitted.

Nikia's annoyance dissolved.

"Oh, honey. C'mere, baby. Ah'm sorry--I didn't mean ta trick any of y'all, I thought y'all were being smart asses!" Nikia declared, opening her arms to the flustered man. He was unusually red in embarrassment but gamely wandered over and accepted her apology hug.

This was the first time she's been so close with her crew and was surprised to find how solid Boro felt. Her damp wings curling forward as she wrapped her around around his neck.

"... Wait, does this mean all of y'all thought I was a boy?" Boro nodded against her shoulder before resting his chin in place.

"We thought you were a teenage boy." Boro said apologetically.

Nikia laughed hard into his shoulder, snorting.

"O-Oh noooooo! Nooo, honey, oh no!" Nikia cackled before pulling away. Still giggling she corrected him. "I'm twenty-seven, honey. And it's Nikia. Ah don't mind 'Sir', really, but everytime I tried to mention my name something stupid happened." Nikia giggled, smile falling as she hissed in frustration.

Boro smiled.

"Nice to meet you, Nikia, Sir."

She snorted, cackling again.

--*--

Thatch was frozen. Utterly floored as several things crashed into him at once.

He'd thought 'Sir' looked quite cute with his wet hair draped and curled over his shoulder, tucked partially behind his ear instead of pulled back. Face flash from the shower and wings incredibly damp.

It felt like his lucky day to manage to drag him into an activity with himself. Amusement and fondness building as he got to show off his strength by casually lifting barrels 'he' could only shift around.

Then, oh then, 'Sir' walked onto the deck and pulled away his sweatshirt. Thatch was expecting a fairly pudgy body, soft from good food and a protective crew. And he sort of got that. Pale skin stark against the dark tank top.

But the 'round middle' he thought he saw from under the baggy sweatshirt was a soft dip between her ribs and hips. A majority of the 'thickness' an illusion from fabric draping over her chest. Her arms were soft, clearly she didn't fight or do much heavy lifting.

A dragon skull inked over her right shoulder and upper arm like a pauldron, gold bells and red string around her wrist. Some sort of sword with wings on the left forearm.

Thatch didn't even realize she had any tattoos to begin with.

His heart stuttered in his chest as she laughed loudly, expression bright and amused with more life than he'd seen so far. Her soft apology and reassurance echoing in his blood.

Boro gave him a look from over her shoulder, almost in warning.

This revelation hardly changed his plans. He still wanted to get to know 'Sir', Nikia. It's just that now he knew her wide smile and cheeky cackle made his heart stutter.

Oh shit, they'd had a woman bunking with men and showering in their area for almost three weeks--Oyaji was going to be pissed.

One thing at a time, Thatch supposed, watching Nikia smile and flutter her wings in the sun.

(really rough example of the tattoos, only one of which is based on an actual tattoo I have, the shoulder one is one I've wanted for years but I'm broke lol, bells I just thought would be cute ngl)

[ginuki-mga2023mi6011]

Sri Lankan Birds- research

another thing I need to keep in mind and research before designing my character is what type of bird they'll be based on because when I carried out research on the kindura there wasn't a specific type of bird it's lower half is so I'm going to research a few sri lankan exclusive birds and choose one.

Jungle fowl (Gallus lafayettii)

This is the national bird of Sri Lanka, in Sinhala it's called a Walikukula, and is the ancestor to domestic chickens. There are 4 species of Gallus so far recorded from Asia, the Sri Lankan one is the Gallus lafayettii. This bird is endemic to Sri Lanka and is not found anywhere else in the world.

The issue with this bird is that its male counterpart has a beautiful design and would look visually appealing. However, the kindura is a very feminine creature and I would have to use the junglefowl female counterpart who is not as visually appealing.

This is a male junglefowl

This is a female Jungle fowl

Pompadour Green Pigeon (Treron pompadora)

also called bata goya in Sinhala it is a small bird, about 25cm in size, and is quite common in the low country and foothills.

The distinction between the female and male counterparts is that the female's middle tail feathers are yellowish green.

Dusky-blue Flycatcher (Eumyias sordidus)

It is a sparrow-sized flycatcher and is commonly seen in hills above 650 meters, but is not common below 1000 meters in Sri Lanka.

It loves secluded corners of gardens, streams running through the forest, borders of jungle paths and other well-wooded areas. 

Sri Lanka Blue Magpie (Urocissa ornate)

This is a 42-47 cm endangered bird that is also known as Kehibella in Sinhala and is a part of the crow family. The reason for its endangerment is due to loss of habitat.

Primary causes of habitat loss are deforestation due to encroaching tea plantations, illegal land grab within their native forests, logging in and around the Sinharaja rainforest and destruction of rainforest ecosystem for the construction of mini-hydro projects.

It resides in dense green wet zones, specifically wet zones in rainforests. mountain forests and foothills in Sri Lanka including Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest.

It makes a loud chink-chink and a rasping krak-krak-krak-krak sound. It is largely carnivorous, eating small frogs, lizards, insects and other invertebrates, but will also eat fruit.

Yellow-fronted Barbet (Megalaima flavifrons)

This bird, which is 22.5 cm as an adult, is commonly found in hill country between 1,000 and 2,000 meters in the wet zone. The species range extends also to the low-country wet zone and suitable damp areas of the dry zone.  The Labugama and Kalatuwawa forest reserves are among the closer places to Colombo in which these birds are regularly sighted.

While both female and male barbets have similar plumage, the females are much smaller than males.

Serendib Scops Owl (Otus thilohoffmanni)

It is the most recently discovered bird in Sri Lanka and can be found in rain forests and in the southwest region. It was discovered as a new species to science in 2004 by Deepal Warakagoda but he saw it 6 years after the scientific discovery

[nobsvibe]

How Do Birds Mate

Birds Engage In Courtship Too Well, birds have a unique way of finding a mate. They often engage in courtship behavior like singing, dancing, or displaying their feathers to attract a partner. Once they find a mate, they usually engage in a swift and synchronized act called cloacal kiss, where the opening at the back of the birds, called cloaca, meet for a brief moment to transfer sperm. It's fascinating how birds have their own ways of finding love. The Act Of Mating Bird courtship may be fascinating with brilliant plumage, beautiful songs and impressive dances. But the sex act itself for birds is nothing to get excited about. Male birds have no penis, so there is no penetration. Birds mate with what is known as a cloacal kiss. The male mounts the female from behind, balancing on her back. She arches her back and moves her tail to one side. He hunches over, and their cloaca touch for just a second. During this brief touch, the male releases sperm which enters the female. The balancing act is tricky, and it may last a while so that the birds can have more than one cloacal kiss, increasing the chances of insemination. Scientists believe that just 1-2% of the sperm ejaculated makes it into the female. So, quite a few kisses are probably needed. Once insemination has happened, the female may start producing eggs in a couple of days. Or it maybe months. She is capable of holding on to sperm within her body until the conditions are right for nesting. Although some males will leave straight after the sex act and have nothing to do with nesting and raising chicks, most of our songbirds to nest and rear as a family. So Are Birds Exclusive? Many birds do pair up for one mating season, for a year or life. But this may not mean they are sexually exclusive. Because of the need to ensure insemination birds will mate several times, with different partners during the season. So when the female’s body clock tells her the time is right to start producing eggs, she may well have sperm from several different partners inside her. So the eggs she lays may have several different fathers. It gets better. Because birds of the same species build nests that look quite similar, it’s not uncommon for a female to lay her eggs in more than one nest. The result is that two birds may raise some chicks that aren’t biologically related to one or both of them. But this doesn’t cause any drama or rejection of the “step chicks”. So experts say that birds bond socially rather than sexually – it’s a feathered “open relationship.” Ducks Do it Differently. Ducks have an interesting way of mating. They form pairs during the breeding season, and the male duck, called a drake, will swim close to the female duck, or hen. The male drake will the chase after the female, sometimes even biting her neck to assert his dominance. Once the female is ready, she will lower her body in the water and the male will mount her from behind. it might seems a little different from what we're used to, but its just how ducks do their thing. Do Birds Penetrate When They Mate? When birds mate, they do not penetrate like mammals do. instead, they engage in a behavior called a "cloacal kiss" where the cloaca, an opening near their tail, briefly touch to transfer sperm. It's a unique way that birds have evolved for reproduction. What Do Birds Look Like When They Mate? Birds have various courtship behaviors when they mate. some species may display vibrant feather patterns, puff up their chests, perform intricate dances, or even sing melodious songs to attract a partner. The specific behaviors and appearance can vary greatly depending on the bird species. How Do You Know If a Bird Is Mating? Mating Behavior The birds perch close to each other, with some "billing and cooing" going on. The hen might lift her tail or regurgitate food on the male -- a parakeet's way of showing affection. The male might start feeding the hen. How Old Are Birds When They Mate? Sexual maturity can take even longer, with small birds ready to take their first mates in a year or two, while larger birds with longer lifespans may not be sexually mature for several years. No matter how long a young bird takes to mature, however, the basic steps in the maturation process are the same. Can Two Female Birds Mate? Yes, as you have found out, two same sex birds in captivity will bond as if they were a male & female, and often they will mate, and if both females, one or both may lay eggs. I would keep your females in separate cages, but they can interact outside of the cage. How Long After Mating Do Birds Lay Eggs? After the nest is complete, the pair will mate. The female will not lay an egg until the male has a chance to fertilize it. The entire process does not happen quickly. Mating and egg-laying can take many weeks, depending on the species. How Do Birds Gets Pregnant? Birds reproduce by internal fertilization, during which the egg is fertilized inside the female. Like reptiles, birds have cloaca, or a single exit and entrance for sperm, eggs, and waste. The male brings his sperm to the female cloaca. The sperm fertilizes the egg. How Long Is A Bird Pregnant For? Small birds like songbirds and fledged typically take 10 to 2 weeks to hatch, while larger birds like woodpeckers take 3 to 4 weeks during incubation. The female bird will keep the eggs warm by sitting on them. She will also turn the eggs regularly to prevent them from sticking together and keep them evenly warmed. Do Birds Have Penises? Actually with birds its a bit different unlike mammals, most birds do not have a seed, separate reproductive organ like a penis. instead, they have a cloaca, which is an opening near their tail where waste, eggs, and sperm are passed. Conclusion Each species has its own unique way of finding a mate and reproducing. Birds especially have some interesting rituals and displays to court vibrant feather displays and beautiful song, they really know how to catch each other's attention. Read the full article

[i-am-megalodonna]

Hermitcraft HCs - Wings and stuff

I have a personal laptop now which means it's way easier for me to type out longer posts which means I'm going to by sharing more headcanons and stories. So here's some stuff about wings and preening.

As far as feathered people go, the preening of wings is a pretty important thing, and there are certain conditions for who is generally allowed to participate.

Across the board, winged folk don’t let anyone they don’t trust touch their wings.  Which isn’t even a wing thing, that’s just normal.  You don’t normally let people you don’t know or trust touch you.  And wings are a particularly important and sensitive area.  If someone is letting you touch their wings, it means they trust you.  If they’re letting you partake in preening, that’s a further level of intimacy (it’s important to note that, unlike full birds, this doesn’t have an inherently romantic or sexual connotation).

The feathers on their back are, perhaps surprisingly, open to more people when it comes to preening.  This is because those are the feathers that most avians can’t reach. Even if they can be reached, it's very uncomfortable to attempt preening them by oneself.  If preening needs to be done it needs to be done, and they can’t always afford to be picky with who helps them out.

Feathers further out are a different story, as avians can usually manage those just fine on their own and don’t need help.  If they ask someone else to preen them, or to join in on the activity, then it means that they desire a level of physical closeness with that person.  This can include family, close friends, and romantic partners.  Regardless of the context, it’s a sign of trust and fondness.

At this point all of the hermits are comfortable enough with each other that the winged hermits will to allow anyone to touch their wings or assist with preening.  They all know this, but being given the task still feels very special.

[dein0nychus]

siggy give me as much wyvern info as possible

ENABLER!!!!

-Wyverns is invertebrates. They have a lobster-like shell-skeleton-thing beneath their skin that keeps their shape and protects their organs. Their beaks and resonating chambers are coated in keratin to reinforce them. Its much more "Wyvern-shaped" than Earth vertebrate skeletons.

-Wyverns don't have feathers, but rather coarse "hairs" like insects. The hairs are very thick (some individuals acclimated to colder climates can have up to 10 hairs per follicle, but its usually 1 or 2) and stiff. Touching a Wyvern feels like running your hand over a soft-bristle hairbrush. They usually range from 1-4 inches in length and stand straight up and away from the body, but sometimes can be longer and/or "shaggier."

-They come in lots of colors, from purples and blues to reds and oranges! Their color runs down to their skin, so a hairless Wyvern would still retain their color and pattern. Colors are genetic and related clanmates usually share similar colors, inherited from their parents. Brighter colors are considered more attractive, with the exception of pink. Pink wyverns are a form of hypopigmentation where the skin and hairs don't fully develop normal color, so they appear varying shades of pink depending on the levels of pigment in their skin. Rikki is a good example of a hypopigmented Wyvern- he retains some red pigment but is mostly pinkish in color. Pink is often used as an alarm or threat color, as their blood is magenta.

-Wyverns have a bisex system, but it doesn't quite work the same way ours does. One sex can only reproduce sexually with another Wyvern, while the other can reproduce parthenogenically (asexually) as well as sexually. There is no sexual dimorphism between the two. Exclusively sexual reproducers can mate either with the opposite sex or with each other (hence why I hesitate to call the sexes "male" and "female." The closest analogue here on Earth that I can find is gynodioecy, where females and hermaphrodites coexist, with the asexual reproducers being the "females" in this scenario. Confusing, I know. This is also totally prone to retcons as I'm not sold on it yet.)

In line with reproductive stuff while keeping it as SFW as possible, Wyverns are sort of marsupial-like in young development. They form a marsupium (a sort of weird external sack to hold developing offspring in. Isopods do it, its totally cool and weird) on their abdomen, where the offspring develop for a few months before they break out as little scraggly cotton balls called whelps. The whelps can't walk on their own, and are totally dependent on their parents for the first few years of their lives. They can eat solid food from birth but depend on their parents (and other adults in the clan) to carry them around, feed them, and protect them until they're old enough to start flying and their wings get strong enough to walk on. As soon as they're fully flighted, they're considered adults in the way of becoming a full-fledged clan member, but don't become fully physically mature until they're about 20, when their resonating chamber starts to grow out into its full display structure (which takes another year or so to finish.)

That's all I got off the top of my head without further prompting atm!

[chestnutdex]

PIDGEOT

Pidgeot is a Flying- and Normal- type bird Pokémon with a long history of semi-domestication. Pidgeot may be the fastest creatures on the planet, capable of exceeding Mach 2 in flight. Only Dragonite have been confirmed at similar speeds, though unconfirmed reports suggest other dragons may be even faster.

TAXONOMY

Pidgeot are Buzzards (also called Hawks) in the Buteo family. The name Pidgeot derives from the word Pigeon. Though Pigeons are unrelated to Buteo, a young Pidgeot’s cry is distinctly similar to that of a pigeon’s. Young Pidgeot are referred to by the diminutive name Pidgey as chicks and Pidgeotto as adolescents.

Pidgey, a young Pidgeot

DESCRIPTION

Primarily brown with lighter undersides, Pidgeot are most notable for their colorful crests and bright tail feathers. Pidgeot crests and tails are composed of red and yellow feathers, both of which grow continually longer over the Pidgeot’s life. An individual Pidgeot’s crest may grow as long as its body, about 1.5 meters, and its tail may reach half that. These crests exist solely for display. Selective breeding by Kanto’s humans have significantly increased average crest length over time in both male and female Pidgeot.

Pidgeot eyes are surrounded by thick, black stripes that reduce glare. Pidgeot eyesight is accurate enough to spot prey from over 1km up.

Pidgeot have small beaks and talons and instead use their wings as their primary weapons. Young Pidgey discourage predators by creating small gusts to disorient and kick up sand clouds. As they grow, their pectoral muscles gain significant strength, allowing them to fly at over 2,500 km/hr and create sustained winds of over 200 km/hr. When needed, a Pidgeot can deliver powerful strikes with its wings.

Pidgeotto crests and tails are vibrant yellow and red

HABITAT

Pidgeot are common throughout the Kanto-Johto regions, easily found in trees, grasses, and overhead. Pidgey often remain inland while adult Pidgeot often fly over coastal waters while hunting. Pidgeot are non-migratory and are only rarely seen outside these regions.

Young Pidgey are often found in Kalos near Santalune Forest, though Pidgeotto and Pidgeot are not. The source of these Pidgey is unknown, but there is believed to be a supernatural connection between Santalune Forest and Kanto’s Viridian Forest.

Large crests cause considerable drag but greatly increase their chances of finding trainers or mates.

BEHAVIOR

Pidgeot are birds of prey with preferred diets varying with age.

Young Pidgey search tall grasses for small bugs, which make up the majority of their diet. They frequently hunt Caterpie. Pidgey are timid and otherwise docile, fleeing from perceived threats and flapping their wings to create small sand clouds to cover their escape. Pidgey supplement their diet with nuts, seeds, and berries. 

As they grow, Pidgeotto become more aggressive and more territorial as their need for food increases. A Pidgeotto may travel over 100 km away from its nest in search of larger prey, including Magikarp, Poliwag, Goldeen, Spearow, Rattata, Nidoran, Venonat, and Exeggcute. Though Pidgeotto’s talons do not deal significant damage, their strong grip makes it difficult for prey to escape. Pidgeotto may attack other predatory Pokémon or humans to discourage hunting in its territory. Pidgeotto only willingly share territory with siblings, and mated pairs may nest as far as 20km apart. Nests are built as high as possible to avoid predators, but are frequently vulnerable to Ekans.

Fully mature Pidgeot no longer protect territory, instead hunting almost exclusively over water. Pidgeot primarily hunt Magikarp, Krabby, and Horsea, but will continue to attack smaller prey as convenient. 

Pidgey carrying a letter

INTERACTION WITH HUMANS

Pidgeot have been regularly tamed by humans as long as 10,000 years ago and are frequent companions. In addition to battling, Pidgeot can be trained to deliver mail, assist in hunting and fishing, and serve as aerial mounts for women and children.

Pidgey are considerably easier to train than Pidgeotto or Pidgeot, and most tame Pidgeot are caught while young and raised by humans. Pidgeot raised by humans tend to become stronger and healthier, and thus more successful in the wild. Due to the tendency for Pidgeot to carry mail long distances over Kanto and Johto, wild and tame populations frequently interact, resulting in Pidgeot as a species only being partially domesticated. This has resulted in wild populations gaining traits considered desirable by humans, such as larger crests, brighter feathers, and reduced wariness that may be disadvantageous in the wild but increase their chances of being captured by a Trainer. 

Pidgeot raised among humans are often cheerful and friendly

MUTATIONS

Pidgeot can mega evolve into Mega Pidgeot with the Pidgeotite. In addition to increased size and strength, Mega Pidgeot gains blue feathers at the end of its wings and tail. 

NOTABLE PIDGEOT

Trainer Blue of Pallet Town, leader of Alola’s Battle tree, used a Pidgeot in his 1996 Indigo League victory.

Trainer Ethan of New Bark Town used a Pidgeot in his 1999 Indigo League victory.

The Church of Helix venerates a Pidgeot, “Jss,” as a holy figure, believed to be sent by their god to be their savior.

Hamigakimomo’s carving of Jss.

[azure-wolf-227]

Equine Hybrids

Hybrids happen when members of at least two different races have offspring with each other. Sometimes, those offspring will have children with each other, their genes mixing until they become a new race. Hybrids can be born from any two races but we will focus on those with pony/equine ancestry.

All Hybrids that descend from equines have Marks on their flanks that represent their special talents, though they may call them something else instead of “Cutie Marks.”

Technically, the Cervidians are hybrids as they are descendants from Unicorns and sentient deer.

The Hippodraki

Hippodraki (singular Hippodrako), more commonly known as “Dragon Ponies”, are the result of ponies mating with dragons. How the dragons do it with ponies when they are so big is that they learn size-changing spells.

There are three types depending on which Pony Tribe they descend from: Kirins (Unicorn/Cervidian), Longma (Pegasus/Thestral), and Earth Hippodraki (Earth Ponies/Lycanequus).

Kirins are the most common, followed by Longma, with the Earth Hippodraki as the rarest.

All three types have the general body shape of ponies with bushy manes that wrap around their heads, and draconic traits like scales, dragon eyes, and fangs mixed in. Each type also has unique traits that set them apart from each other.

Like their pony ancestors, Dragon Ponies have Marks that represent their special talents but they call them Skill Marks.

All three types have pyrokinetic abilities and heat resistance; some can even breathe fire like their dragons ancestors.

Dragon Ponies can live longer than regular ponies but less than dragons.

Although all three types can eat gemstones, only the Earth Hippodraki actually like eating them. Probably due to inheriting the Earth Ponies connection to the earth.

While Longma are born with wings thanks to their winged pony ancestry, Kirins and Earth Hippodraki don’t acquire them as they do not experience Molting like dragons.

The only way for Kirin and Earth Hippodraki to gain wings is to ascend into Alicornhood.

A Dragon Pony Alicorn would be called an Alizard.

Dragon Ponies ascend the same way regular Ponies do: by transcending beyond their natural magic and talents.

Alizards have the powers of the three Main Pony Tribes plus their fire magic but increased.

Their wings are draconic instead of feathered.

Their ‘Enraged Form’ is a mix of the other three types’ ‘Enraged Forms.’

To date, only one Dragon Pony has ever ascended - Rain Shine, the leader of Kirin Grove.

Due to most Dragons and Ponies not getting along, the first Dragon Ponies established secret villages so that they could live in peace. Because of this, most beings consider them to be myths.

Despite this isolation, some ponies have encountered and befriended Hippodraki in the past.

Many often mix-up Hippodraki with Draconequui since both terms have similar meanings.

Kirins

Kirins are the descendants of Unicorns and Cervidians; they look the same as in canon except that they also have dragon eyes and small fangs in their default form that become more prominent in their Nirik forms.

Some Kirins have two horns as a result of having Cervidian ancestry.

Like Unicorns and Cervidians, Kirins channel magic through their horns to cast spells. Their horns are stronger than that of Unicorns but they can still be broken with enough force. Those with Cervidian ancestry don’t shed their horns.

When they lose their temper, Kirins transform into beasts of fire and rage called Nirik. By properly channeling their anger, Kirins gain control over their Nirik forms.

The Nirik form is something exclusive to Kirins as it’s the result of dragon fire magic mixing with Unicorn/Cervidian arcane magic.

Their culture has lots of singing, dancing, musical theatre, and stand-up jokes.

Ponies with Kirin ancestry don’t usually inherit their physical traits but they can inherit their affinity for fire and the ability to burst into flames when angry.

Longma

Longma are the descendants of Pegasi and Thestrals. They have aerodynamic equine bodies partially covered in scales, equine tails, and draconic wings.

Some have dragon-like horns but they can’t use them to cast spells like Kirins.

Some have small feathers on their wings’ leading edges due to Pegasi ancestry.

Like dragons, most Longma live in mountain/hill top caves or other high places.

Longma have inherited the Pegasi/Thestrals’ ability to manipulate the weather and high-speed flying talents. Many have the power to generate lightning from their bodies as a result of dragon magic mixing with Pegasi magic.

When angry, Longma shift into what they call their Thunder Form, similar to a Kirin’s Nirik form but white lightning replacing the fire. Like Kirin, properly channeling their anger allows Longma to control this form.

The Thunder Form is exclusive to Longma.

Their culture includes singing, sky dancing and doing aerial tricks with their lightning magic.

Ponies with Longma ancestry don’t usually inherit their physical traits but they can inherit their lightning-generating magic and ability to shift into the Thunder Form when angry.

Earth Hippodraki

Earth Hippodraki are descended from earth Ponies and Lycanequui. They have large and bulky equine bodies partially covered in scales, reptilian tails, and legs that end in claws instead of hooves.

Some have draconic horns on their heads though they can’t cast spells with them.

Those with Lycanequui ancestry have more canine faces.

Earth Hippodraki often live in underground caves as they are very talented diggers.

Earth Hippodraki have inherited the Earth Ponies natural connection to the earth, leaning more towards the rock and ground aspects of it. They have the ability to create and control magma and lava. This is likely the result of dragon fire magic mixing with Earth Pony magic.

Earth Hippodraki don’t have an Enraged Form like Kirin and Longma; when they get angry, they superheat the ground they are standing on, often turning it into lava.

Like dragons, Earth Hippodraki like to eat gems and often hoard them in their caves.

Their culture includes singing, dancing and playing in lava.

Ponies with Earth Hippodraki ancestry don’t usually inherit their physical traits but they can inherit their ability to manipulate magma and lava.

Eastern Hippodraki

As the name implies, they are descendants of Eastern Dragons and the ponies that live in the Eastern countries.

Physically, they are very similar to Western Hippodraki but have a few differences.

Rather than wrap around their heads, their manes along their backs and tails.

Eastern Longma have feathered wings.

Instead of fire, Eastern Hippodraki are more connected to the storm elements: water, wind, lightning.

Their Enraged Forms are like W. Longma’s Thunder Forms with the inclusion of creating localized storms.

Since Eastern Dragons are veneered, the Eastern Hippodraki live in harmony alongside regular Eastern Ponies.

Hippogriffs

Hippogriffs are the descendants of ponies and griffins. Most of them live in Mount Aris but there are also common in the Griffish Islands and in any settlement where Griffins and Ponies live together.

They look the same as in canon except that they have Marks that represent their special talents called Emblems.

Their culture is the same as depicted in the show.

While any of the Pony Tribes can bear Hippogriffs, most of the pure Hippogriff bloodlines are Pegasi-descended. This is because Pegasi interacted with Griffins more frequently than the other Tribes before the Unification.

Hippogriffs, especially those with Pegasi ancestry, are skilled and fast flyers.

Hippogriffs are omnivorous but tend to lean more into carnivorous diets, especially fish.

If an Hippogriff has children with either a pony or a griffin then the offspring would most likely be the same race as the non-Hippogriff parent.

Ponies with Hippogriff ancestry are sometimes born with patches of small feathers in their bodies. These feather patches are not always noticeable against their fur.

Mules

Mules are the offspring of donkeys and ponies. Technically, mule is when the father is a donkey and the mother a pony; when the father is a pony and the mother a donkey, they are called hinnies, but mule is an acceptable term for all pony/donkey hybrids.

Unlike in real-life, the Mules and Hinnies in this AU are fertile.

Mules either have donkey-like coloration or colorful coats and manes like ponies.

Mules have Marks that represent both their special talent and their most defining quality or personality trait. They call them either Cutie Marks or just Marks.

If a Mule has children with either a pony or a donkey then the offspring is more likely to be the same race as the non-mule parent.

Culturally, Mules are no different from ponies and donkeys. Their culture is the one from wherever is that they live.

Ponies with mule ancestry sometimes have long donkey-like ears.

Zebroids

Zebroids are the offspring of zebras and any other equine race.

Zebroids physically resemble their non-zebra parent, but are striped like a zebra. The stripes do not always cover the whole body and might be confined to the legs, or spread onto parts of the body or neck.

Unlike in real-life, Zebroids in this AU are fertile.

Zorses

Zorses (sometimes called Zonies) are the offspring of zebras and ponies. They are usually the same Tribe as their non-zebra parent (i.e. Unicorn parent will produce an Unicorn Zony, Pegasus parent will produce a Pegasus Zony, etc.).

Zorses have both Cutie Marks and Stripe Symbols; usually, the Cutie Mark appears first and, as they develop their talent, their Stripe Symbol forms. The Symbol or Mark forms around one another in some way, as both symbols and marks are affected by the individual wearing them, they both match and accent the other.

Zonies alternate between calling their icons Marks or Symbols, or just choose one term.

Zorses are common in any settlement where zebras and ponies live together in harmony.

If a Zorse has children with either a pony or a zebra, then the offspring is more likely to be the same race as the non-zorse parent.

Culturally, Zorses are no different than Ponies or Zebras; their culture is the one from wherever they live.

Ponies with zorse ancestry sometimes have stripes.

Zonkeys

Zonkeys are the offspring of zebras and donkeys. They usually resemble their donkey parent; often their stripes only cover their legs.

Zonkeys have both Trait Marks and Stripe Symbols. They form around and complement each other.

Zonkeys alternate between calling them Marks or Symbols, or just choose one term.

Zonkeys are more common in Zebrica than in Equestria but any settlement where zebras and donkeys live together is guaranteed to have a few.

If a Zonkey has children with either a donkey or a zebra, then the offspring is more likely to be the same race as the non-zonkey parent.

Culturally, Zonkeys are no different than Donkeys or Zebras; their culture is the one from wherever they live.

Ponies with Zonkey ancestry sometimes have stripes and donkey-like ears.

Zebrada

Zebrada are the offspring of zebras and abadas. They usually resemble their Abada parent but with stripes on parts of their bodies.

All Zebrada can gain Stripe Symbols but a few can also have Gifts and, therefore, Gift Symbols.

The Abadas’ Gifts are not the same thing as Special Talents though they usually relate to one another.

Whatever kind they have, Zebrada always call them Symbols.

Zebrada are common is Zebrica, especially in the country of Farasi.

If a Zebrada has children with either an abada or a zebra, then the offspring is more likely to be the same race as the non-zebrada parent.

Culturally, Zebradas are no different than Abadas or Zebras; their culture is the one from wherever they live.

Ponies with Zebrada ancestry sometimes have stripes and angular features. The Unicorns will sometimes also have a second, smaller horn.

[bokettochild]

Adding on, what do you think each of the boys twilight forms would be? It’s super interesting!

Oh! I actually had this talk with the amazing @kiraff!

The two of us conspired and came up with the following (under the cut to save those who have no interest)

So, cannonically, Time and Twilight have wolf forms. I like this, and decided to just leave it, I won't mess with it. The same goes with Legend and his bunny form (although Akira Himekawa's take has him as a wolfos, and I do have a theory on that too).

Additionally, I have already stated my theory that Four would be a cat (although I do appreciate the theories and ideas shared with me by others, they were pretty cool!)

So, in no particular order, we sorted out the heroes in their animal forms, taking into account that the heroes known to have alternate forms have something unique about their animal self, usually coloring or markings that set them apart as unusual or not your standard beasts.

Kiraff and I agreed that alternate forms (mermaid tail, fairy form, transformation masks) would not affect the changing of the hero into an animal, as, if their power isn't actually that of a deity, they would have to adapt to live in the darkness.

With this in mind, here's what the two of us decided:

...

Wind is an Otter. His unique trait is that he has a roughly skull shaped blotch of fur on his belly that is lighter in color than the rest of his fur. I wouldn't say he's particularly light colored, even with his hair, he's just a nice rich brown like most otters.

Otters are animals that straddle the line between being aquatic and living on land. They can't survive without both, and need access to bodies of water to stay healthy. They are territorial, and can be quite vicious if needed, but to the casual viewer they seem playful and silly.

...

Hyrule is a Fennec Fox. His unique trait is that, while he is roughly colored the same creamy base color as most fennec foxes, the tips of his ears and the upper fur along his back and tail is a dusty pink (whether this is because he's related to Legend or part fairy, you may decide for yourself).

Fennec foxes are agile creatures, and survivors. They are native to dry and desolate places such as deserts, and are both hunters and hunted, as they are small carnivores. They're alert little things, and while usually calm, they know how to have fun, and can be quite social. Not as importantly, but something fun I found on the side while researching them; usually family groups consist of about ten individuals, and how many Links are there? Let's add Malon, now how many?

...

Sky is a Bird. I have two takes on this actually.

While technically he holds the Master Sword, and thus would be immune to the twilight, if he were to drop it, one of two things would happen.

He'd be an bird of prey of some kind: Just, Sky is a bird, he has that energy. The twilight reflects your soul, and as Skyloftians say that your loftwing is the other half of your soul, I think it's fair to say this means Sky would have to be a bird. His unique feature would be golden feathers that speckle his coat, since he's so closely associated with Hylia.

Birds of prey are hunters, and fiercely loyal to their young/mate. While they aren't often keen on attacking animals significantly bigger than them, many will do so to protect their territory/nest/young. They're graceful creatures, and honestly, the way birds fall asleep is Much Sky Energy.

(Loftwing Sky is a fun idea too actually and if Crimson saw him I just see that big bird going 'Baby. Mine. My baby is now a bird too.' and just going all mama/papa bird (i all ways))

Alternatively, for crack, he turns into a cucko.

...

If you didn't already know, I am a loyal subscriber to the fan theory that Wild is Wars' son, so I actually have them sharing an animal, the Lion.

(This makes Cub super applicable to Wild, which is a fun side affect.)

Lions are pack creatures, and usually travel/work/hunt in groups, much like Wild and Warriors originally did in their journeys, Wars with the army and Wild with the champions. Heaven help you if you harm that pack though. They are skilled hunters and stalkers, and can sneak up on their prey almost silently. They aren't afraid to mess with herds and packs bigger than them, at least as long as they have a good strategy in mind. And they are strong, highly territorial and protective, and absolutely terrifying to meet when you're alone.

The unique features I see for these two? Wild is a cub, duh, he's still a kid (17 in my cannon) but he's already got the starts of an impressive mane (Wars is not jealous at all), he also shares in his dad's unique trait, which is...being blue.

Honestly, I agonized over this for forever because i couldn't think of a symbol that is unique to Warriors, on any physical trait that might carry over between forms. I finally settled on color, with blue as it's the color that is exclusive to Wild and Wars (Wind wears it too, but for most of his journey that kid is wearing green. In LU he's walking around in his PJs).

Neither Legend or Wars can really tease each other, because like this Wars can't grab anything, so he can't really mock Legend (who can) for not being able to defend himself well. Also, they're both weird colors (even if pink is far funnier than blue).

...

So yeah! Feel free to talk to me about any ideas y'all might have regarding this or twilight realm shenanigans in general!

[dracocheesecake]

Giving Zippo a deinonychus boyfriend because WHY NOT

Meet Daima:

Fellow librarian- hired as an extra hand, originally from Raptortown before arriving in Waterfall City

Very extroverted, friendly and always looking to chat with someone or other.

Despite the general rules of quiet in the library, he can often be found engaging in conversation with someone; usually people he's supposed to help find that instead of getting the specific texts they requested, they've spent several hours talking with him.

He will make it up to you, though- there are several special services a library can offer besides books, and if you befriend him he will do everything in his power to ensure you are well taken care of.

Maybe he might ignore that due date and some of those fees...maybe. If you unlock a certain level of friendship first.

Saw Zippo and immediately fell head over heels

His flirting attempts went way over Zippo's head at first, because stenonychosaurus courting behavior is so different from deinonychus courting that he didn't at first understand that Daima was flirting with him, and in fact at first believed he was being "wantonly hostile, all while holding a smiling face".

One of the many things Daima did was leave little dead things- fish, insects, and small animals on his desk or around areas of the library he would usually frequent. Zippo didn't know who was leaving the disgusting little trinkets around and thought it was a personal attack against him.

Daima finally noticed how distressed he was getting and realized he had gone about it all wrong; a conversation ensued, and once the misunderstanding was cleared up they began courting

Daima started to read up on and court Zippo the stenonychosaurus way-flashy displays of feathers, poetry, the like- and much to his delight Zippo began to court him back the Deinonychus way- though usually the little "treats" were already dead, cooked, and properly served.

Daima usually can be found cooing over any younglings he finds around the library- he often reads to them or handles small lessons

He looks forward to the day he and Zippo adopt one

He's definitely the "he asked for no pickles" person in the relationship- willing to speak up on Zippo's behalf

He has a predatory streak still- prefers to actually hunt his food, but out of decency for others he usually doesn't do this while others are around- he hunts insects, small mammals, etc., exclusively.

Favorite pastimes include river riding, ping pong (learned from Zippo, who learned from Karl) and writing poetry

Zippo, taking Karl's advice, started calling him "Babe", and now the two won't stop calling each other by that moniker. Neither of them really know how to use it, either.

Daima never had a soul mate, but even though he doesn't fully understand the bond Zippo had with Sylvia, he is always there to comfort him whenever he may need it.

[thespianbooks]

A Court of Nightmares and Starlight //Chapter 26//

Masterlist

(tags: @thron3ofbooks, @df3ndyr, @courtofjurdan, @art-e-mis, @herondamnn, @the-third-me, @im-still-trying-here, @emikadreams, @paytin77, @mis-lil-red, @sleeping-and-books, @lucieisabooknerd, @amandaraey-sunshine, @easy-p-lemon, @azymondias05, @dagypsygirl, @makeshift-utopia, @fantasyshadowhunters) *bold tags don’t work ;-;

I hope this chapter finds you all well, please enjoy some fluffy Feysand and baby vibes! ❤️

"He's breathtaking," Rhys said quietly from his place beside me.

After the maelstrom of labor had passed, Sebastian entered the world with a resounding wail—the most heartwarming sound I had ever heard in my life. The minutes after passed in a blur; the midwife placing him on my chest as she and Madja worked on cleaning him off with damp washcloths while Rhys and I stared at our newborn babe. We were both too completely and utterly stunned to speak in those first few minutes but sobbed the second he opened his eyes and were met with remarkable violet-blue.

Every part of him was truly incredible; resembling his father in nearly every feature except for the blue in his eyes and the tiny, perfect, shape of his mouth—even better than my own. I touched the soft, dark tendrils of his black hair as I nodded in agreement with Rhys's sentiment.

"He's amazing," I said, my voice still hoarse from my cries of agony.

But, as our gazes lingered on our son, the overwhelming relief I felt outshined my earlier anguish—any I felt before this moment. All the worry that had grown over the last several months, all the pain I had just endured, now vanished the longer I held my son. As I touched his cheek with a tentative finger, my tattoos a stark contrast against his perfectly unblemished skin, I felt a new bond snap into place.

Rhys must've felt it too, because the kiss he pressed to my temple was tender before he whispered to Sebastian, "Cauldron save you, Mother hold you. I, High Lord of the Night Court, vow to shield you with my body, protect you with my sword," I saw his throat bob as he swallowed before carrying on. "And keep you in my heart. My son."

The tears I had been battling to hold back finally fell as he finished those sacred vows, identical to the words we exchanged when he swore me in as his High Lady. My mate pressed another kiss to my brow but didn't pull back as I met his silver-lined eyes.

"Thank you, Feyre darling," he murmured softly, brushing away my tears with his thumb.

I beamed in return, my throat still thick as I touched his face with my free hand and swept away his own tears. "I couldn't have done it without you, Rhysand," I whispered.

Sebastian mewled quietly from his place on my chest, his wailing having ceased shortly after being placed on my skin, my mate and I returned our attention to him; that all-too familiar gentle and soft glimmer pulsing through the bond that now connected the three of us in the flesh.

XXX

"We call it the Dawn of the North." Rhys began, both of us settled in bed, Sebastian covered in a light blanket and still curled up on my chest for the precious skin-to-skin contact the midwife deemed crucial for the first hour of his life.

In this first hour following the birth, my scent and touch was pivotal in aiding Sebastian's development and especially in triggering his first few instincts—nursing being the most important. It was also a vital part of the new and delicate mother-baby bond between us. So, after the midwife and Madja had cleared away the mess from the delivery and provided me with my own postpartum care; instructing me to rest and recuperate after the undertaking my body had just been through, Rhys joined my side in bed; making sure the warm blankets I had been draped and covered with remained intact. With an arm wrapped securely around my shoulders, he waved a hand, his magic turning the bed in the direction of the window opposite of us. When I met him with a questioning stare, he simply smiled and motioned to the window again; urging me to look for myself.

The sky was painted in delicate, rippling curtains of green and blue light. The stars shimmering as the veils of light transitioned from one color to the next; multiple hues ranging from pale green, to red, to pink, and varying shades of blue shining through as they moved in soft waves across the sky. Set against the mountain, Ramiel, those three stars that only appeared on rare occasions in our court now shone bright while the rest continued glimmering in the patterned light. The look of astonishment on my face caused Rhys to grin as he went on to explain its origin.

"In the ancient texts, it's said that one of the first elements that came into being was night. Nyx, the primordial, and often forgotten, goddess of night was the prelude to the creation of our world-to Prythian itself," Rhys continued, his fingers brushing along my shoulder gently as we stared out at the sky.

"She was rumored to have wings and was powerful enough to be both feared and idolized by the ancient beings of Prythian and the continent. One of the many stories I heard growing up was her love of flying. My mother used to tell me that whenever Nyx would take to the skies, she would rattle the stars just from the mighty flap of her wings as she soared through them. In the early hours of dawn that would follow, the sky would look like this," he went on, his hold around me tightening slightly.

"It could only be seen in the Northern territory of Prythian. When the lords and the courts came to be, the sky would shimmer like this almost every night, but like Starfall, it soon faded over time and became a rare occasion—only appearing the night a new heir to the Night Court was born...as a sign of Nyx's blessing and approval." Rhys finished with a smile, bringing a hand up to wipe at a tear I hadn't realized I shed.

"It's beautiful," I breathed as I turned my head to look at him. "So, it can't be seen in the other courts?" I asked, thinking of the snowfall that had appeared in all of the territories following Eira's birth and how it must have compared to the storm that ravaged the Winter court instead.

Rhys's grin was crooked as he shook his head. "It's exclusive to our court alone, but our allies are being treated to a shower of stars similar to Starfall, minus the spirits" he explained, his eyes returning to Sebastian as the newborn let out a small sigh.

I brushed my fingers along Sebastian's back lightly, afraid that anything more might cause him to disappear, or worse. Through the bond, I could feel Rhys's equal level of apprehensiveness.

"He almost doesn't seem real, does he?" I asked as I continued my feather-light touch along my son's spine.

Rhys shook his head. "I have to keep reminding myself that I'm not dreaming," he said. "That I have a son, here in the flesh, and it's not some cruel trick of illusion crafted by the Cauldron as punishment for my sins…"

My fingers halted before reaching over to grasp my mate's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "He's real, Rhysand," I said softly. "Do you remember what I told you all those months ago? How our son, our little Bash, is the culmination of all the best parts of you; of all the good you've done and are?"

The silver lining his eyes returned as he brought his lips down to meet mine with gentle ease in a chaste kiss. "All because of you, Feyre darling," he responded, his voice barely above a whisper before he kissed me again.

I smiled as we pulled apart and turned startled eyes to our son as he let out a tiny grunt. "Do you disapprove of my affection towards your mother, Bash?" Rhys asked softly.

I saw his hand twitch as if he might reach out and touch him, but changed his mind at the last second. You can touch your son, Rhysand, I promise I won't bite.

My mate's chuckle was quiet, but I felt his lingering trepidation. "It's okay," I encouraged.

His throat bobbed as he reached a shaky hand out and placed it gently on the back of Sebastian's head—so tiny and frail in my mate's large hand. Sebastian remained unfazed, eyes still closed and breathing even, as Rhys brushed a thumb along the light wisps of his blue-black hair.

"He is so small," Rhys murmured, voice still thick with unshed tears as he admired our son up close. "His nose, his lips, his eyes...they are the tiniest I have ever seen in my entire existence."

"He's perfect," I echoed before leaning in to press a breath of a kiss to my son's brow.

Sebastian let out another soft sigh at the contact and twisted his head back slightly, prying his eyes open to meet mine and my heart nearly stopped as I stared back at him. Tears immediately sprang back into my eyes as I smiled.

"Hello Sebastian. It's me...it's mommy," I said, near sobbing. "I love you so much…"

Sebastian's eyes slipped back closed, head cradled in Rhys's hand, already spent from our short interaction. Rhys let out a shuddering breath as I turned to look at him, tears of joy still falling.

"I don't know how I'll ever thank you for this, Feyre," he said, shedding a few tears of his own. "For this gift, this life."

You don't ever have to, Rhysand. He is our son, our gift. I said through the bond.

He pulled me closer as he kissed me again, his brow lingering against mine as we relished in this new familial tie between us.

XXX

Once our uninterrupted hour had passed, Madja and the midwife knocked on the bedroom door, causing both of us to tense as I held onto Sebastian more securely and as Rhys sat up in the bed; wings appearing a second later and curling protectively around Sebastian and me. I laughed when I realized just how soon those feral instincts had kicked in for us and touched Rhys's arm gently.

"They aren't a threat, they're just our caregivers," I reminded him.

He nodded, tucking his wings back in as he called the healer and midwife in, but kept a hand on my back as they entered. The two females came to my side, Madja pulling back the blankets I had been covered with in order to survey my recovery—mostly making sure no post-delivery complications were arising as the midwife began instructing me on how to nurse Sebastian. Both Rhysand and I paid close attention to the midwife's direction, taking extra care to the details on how I should position him on my breast and where Rhys could help should the need arise.

It took a bit of maneuvering, including Sebastian's adorably furrowed brow that resembled my mate's own look of frustration and confusion, but he latched on and was suckling in a matter of minutes. The sensation was strange and foreign, but something deep inside of me warmed as I cradled him to my breast, running a finger along his cheek lightly as he nursed. That warmth turned to a deeper understanding of the love I had for my son, and pride in the fact that I was able to nourish him. I was enough—had been enough in order to grow him safely inside of me, and now had the ability to provide him the sustenance he needed to survive outside of my womb.

I was enough.

You have always been more than enough, Feyre darling

I gave my mate an amorous smile, realizing he had been watching me with a level of devotion I hadn't seen before sparkling in his violet eyes. His hand rubbed loving circles into my back as we turned our concentration back to the midwife, who gave us further instruction on the nursing protocol. I briefly recalled seeing Viviane nurse and thought of how easy she made the process look, but as the midwife explained that I needed to switch Sebastian between breasts every so often and make sure he burped in between the feedings that would take place every few hours; all the while taking care of myself during my own convalescence, I couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed.

As if she could read my thoughts, Madja placed a comforting hand over mine. "It may seem like an impossible task now, my lady, but we will help you get accustomed and make sure all of your health needs are met," she said.

The midwife nodded in agreement, and so did Rhysand as he stroked the length of my shoulder. "You know you have plenty of support, my love," he said, and I knew he didn't just mean himself or the midwives.

We had our friends, a whole family, waiting for us back in Velaris once Sebastian and I were strong enough to go back. I stared at my newborn babe, wondering how they might react when they first laid eyes on him—only to be surprised when just the thought alone made me recoil, a sense of panic rising in me. Rhys chuckled at my plight, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"Welcome to my world, Feyre darling," he teased. "Having that irrational, primal urge to keep him away, protected from everyone else, is akin to what I felt when our bond snapped into place."

I blinked; my instincts much further along than I earlier realized. "It's so odd," I mused. "I couldn't wait to introduce him to our family before, but now?"

I looked at Sebastian again as he suckled sleepily and rubbed his cheek gently in order to coax him awake. "I don't think I can let them anywhere near him yet," I admitted.

The midwife offered an empathetic smile while Madja laughed. "That is normal, my Lady, and will go away, to a degree, with time," she reassured.

"We should tell them though," I said to Rhys. "Let them know that he's here, and that we're both safe and healthy."

Rhys gestured to the window, the sky still painted with sparkling veils of pale blues and greens. "They know," he said. "I sent them a message via Az shortly after this appeared in the sky."

I sighed contentedly as I stared at the beauty of it, imagining what color paints I would need to mix in order to achieve those specific hues and what size canvas I would need. Nyx's flight I would call it, in honor of the ancient night goddess and my son's birth.

The midwife and Madja left after Sebastian completed his first successful session of nursing, wherein I reluctantly handed him over to their care for his first wellness examination. The midwife weighed and measured him, tested his reflexes and checked his overall wellbeing, all without much complaint from him as Rhys remained close to his side and talked him through the duration of the exam in soft murmurs. I watched from my place on the bed, propped up against a mountain of pillows after Madja performed her own examination of me and wiped my sweaty body clean with a warm damp towel. The magic of the Cabin presented a new shift at the foot of the bed, and the healer helped me change into that as well before helping me settle back into my semi-sitting position.

My eyes stung as I watched the midwife instruct Rhysand on how to properly place and secure a nappy on our son, before offering to show him how to properly swaddle a newborn babe. I saw my mate's enthusiastic nod, realizing he'd get to hold our son for the first time during the demonstration, and glanced in my direction for approval.

I can't do all the work, now can I? I teased through the bond.

His answering smile was just as warm as mine before he set about his task, the midwife only correcting his technique once before Rhys lifted and cradled the babe in his arms. The bundle that was now Sebastian looked impossibly tiny in my mates muscled arms; the Illyrian warrior, the High Lord of the Night Court, now enveloping his newborn son—the son he never thought he'd have, or deserved. I wiped the tears that spilled over as the older females dismissed themselves, and Rhys crossed back over to my bedside, eyes never leaving Sebastian's face as he stood. My heart squeezed as Rhys brought a hand to touch Sebastian's cheek hesitantly, his eyes growing silver lined as he marveled at our son.

"I don't think I'll ever grow tired of this feeling," Rhys murmured, gaze returning to mine.

"No, I don't think we will," I agreed, resting my head back against a pillow as I watched him.

Rhys paused, realizing. "Do you want him back?" he asked, knowing full-well that my maternal instincts were in full effect.

I shook my head. "I love seeing him in your arms Rhysand," I said. "I don't want you to leave my sight while you have him, but after months of imagining what it might look like to see you hold him...I can't picture anything better."

My mate softened at the sentiment before returning his gaze to Sebastian. "We better enjoy this time together while we still have it Bash, before your mother keeps you all to herself," he joked with a wink at me.

"I hope you warned the others," I quipped, a sleepy smile on my face as I watched Rhys make a small lap around the room, staying in close proximity to the bed.

"Mor and Cassian are already begging to come up here first thing in the morning, but Azriel, Amren and Nesta are keeping them leashed."

My laugh was quiet as I thought of their eagerness, but in reality, they all knew that it would be a while before they could be properly introduced to the newest addition of the inner circle. The midwife explained that the newborn bond was the most intense during the first week, and though I wouldn't be completely healed for another five following, we would at least be able to invite our family to meet Sebastian without the overwhelming need to safeguard him threatening to consume us and bare our teeth at our loved ones.

"They are going to love him," I said as I continued watching him move around the room, eyes growing heavier and heavier with the need to sleep.

Rhys heard the exhaustion in my voice and offered a sympathetic smirk as those adoring violet eyes turned to me. "You should sleep, my love, you've more than earned it after your efforts," he said.

I turned weary eyes to the bundle in his arms and he chuckled. "You can trust I won't leave your side, or even this room."

"I know," I said with a long yawn as he crossed back over to my side, taking a seat on the small space provided on the edge of the bed.

"I'll stay right here while you sleep," Rhys promised. "I think I can placate him until his next feeding."

I grinned languidly. "It can't be too hard if he continues to sleep like this," I said, glancing at Sebastian, who had fallen asleep almost immediately after being secured in his swaddle.

"My thoughts exactly, Feyre darling," he purred.

I was too exhausted to laugh, and instead brushed my fingers along Sebastian's cheek as he remained at peace in his father's arms. My heart squeezing as the full weight of realization hit, that our son was being held by Rhysand—his father.

To the stars who listen,

I brought my hand to his and squeezed it as his words echoed through our bond, both of us sharing a tender smile before admiring the sleeping bundle in his arms once again.

And the dreams that are answered.