for the longest time, mumbo has worn one of grian's feathers clipped onto one of his belt loops. none of the hermits have ever really questioned it, not to his or grian's faces anyway. it's just been there as long as anyone has known them, occasionally replaced with a fresh feather every so often. it's just a unique quirk of their friendship.
one day, grian approaches scar with a present. it's a feather, red, yellow, and blue, and obviously grian's, carefully crafted into an earring. he's absolutely over the moon and wears it practically everywhere, earning little comments from other hermits about his and mumbo's matching accessories.
he is entirely, totally oblivious to the significance of grian's gift for months. it's only when he's sitting around one day with mumbo that the topic actually comes up.
"grian will probably want to replace that soon," mumbo says, gesturing to scar's feather earring.
scar pouts. "why?" he's become rather emotionally attached to this specific feather, quietly hoping grian won't bother replacing it. mumbo raises an eyebrow at him.
"well, because of," he gestures vaguely, cheeks colouring a bit. "you know, everything it represents. the bond, the... claim, whatever. the more pristine the feather the stronger the bond... or something."
scar, blinking at him, replies, "the who what now?"
mumbo stares blankly back in return. "you... you do know why he gave us the feathers, right?" scar just blinks at him again. "oh dear."
