#flustered fools

“Careful…careful…care—,”

“Careful! I know!” The smaller harpy glares up at her older sister, blue eyes filled with annoyance. “Get off my wings, sis.”

Raven sighs and runs a hand through her hair, “I’m sorry Jewel. I just want to help—,”

“You already did!” Red hair swishes as Jewl snaps her head back down the garden path. “You got me a job at the Aviary, so let me do the job!”

“But you’re still new to the castle!” Raven’s wings puff up, “What if you get lost?!”

“I’m a kid in a place FULL of daycare attendants.” Jewel deadpans, “I think I’ll be fine…”

“…do you have the letters?”

Jewel pats her messenger bag, “Yep.”

“The packages?”

“Yes!”

“Adress book?”

“Ahuh.” Jewel pulls out the small leatherback item.

“You know where to go today—,”

“YES!” Jewel tosses her hands up in the air. Her outburst startles others also walking in the garden. Some fae DCA variants creating a small cloud of pixie dust (or the equivalent of it anyway) in surprise. Raven and Jewel give them sheepish smile and wave before turning back to their conversation.

“Don’t you have paperwork? Go do that instead of bothering me.”

Raven rubs the back of her neck, “I do…but I also have an appointment with a Creator—,”

“And it just so happened to be the same one I’m going to see? Yeah right.” Jewel scoffs. She rolls her eyes, “Just admit it, you don’t think I can do this on my own—,”

“No!” Raven jumps in front of her little sister, grabbing her shoulders. “I would never think that! I…I just don’t want you to get hurt…The Trolls—,”

“Mr. Aviary Director Eclipse told me that the Defenders have been the strongest they’ve ever been!” Jewel sets her hands on her hips.

Raven smiles at the how grown up she looks. Her Aviary Delivery uniform was a tad dirty and had some tears, but looked well loved. The bandana around her neck was cleaner then the rest of her attire. The same bandana Raven gave her before going to the Academy.

Jewel pushes her older sister’s hands off her shoulders, “I’ll be fine.” She steps around Raven, “This will be a piece of cake! I’ll deliver the packages to one…”

Raven raises a brow when Jewel’s voice starts to trail off. Her little sister opens her little address book. She flies through the pages, her eyes scanning each one until they lighten when she finds a certain name. “Bearitt!”

Raven furrows her brow, “Did you do you research on Bearitt and her AUs?”

Jewel shrugs, closing her book with a snap, “You told me about her. Don’t see why I needed to read her file.”

“Jewel.” Raven pinches the bride of her nose, “Did you read her file or not?”

“I glanced at it, why?”

Raven’s wings shoot out, “Why didn’t you read it?!”

“Because it was so long!” Jewel reaches a small fence gate and opens it. Her steps light as she walks down the stone path as she walks down the stone path, heading to the log cabin at the end.

It was old, something built long ago. Yet there were some modern touches scattered here and there. Some of the windows had stain-glass panes of stars and flowers. The porch had some plants along the railing. Hanging from the porch were some windchimes, glass, wood, and metal made. There were even some handwoven dreamcatchers here and there. A swing bench rests near the door, having pillows with unique embroidery.

In front of the door was a floral doormat, that had the word, ‘Welcome’ spelled out of vines. It was all very homey, but that was just the outside. Raven knew how crazy and magical these Creators can get on their worlds. Jewel, however, was still new to this…

Jewel knocks on the door once before her sister grabs her hand and pulls it away. “Careful!”

“It’s a door.” Jewel rolls her eyes.

“A special door.” Raven points out. “You need a special code.”

“Like…the Hufflepuff dorm—,”

“Don’t talk about the HP Castle to me…I’m still having meetings with the Archivist there regarding “Crossover” forms and—,”

“Blah blah blah.” Jewel groans, her smaller wings twitching. “How do I get in?”

Raven sighs, “Let me do this.”

She knocks in a certain rhythm. A rhythm she and her sister were VERY familiar with.

“The daycare theme!” Jewel’s eyes sparkled, her mind distracted by the peppy tune, “Awesome~.”

“Focus, hummingbird.” Raven teases.

“Feathered kill joy.” Jewel shoots back wile sticking out her tongue out.

“Oh real mature—,”

Both harpies scream as the doormat vanishes from underneath their feet. They drop down a long tunnel, illuminated by a glowing gems and moss. They land on a wet and slick mass and get a split second of rest before heading down a fast river-like slide.

Jewel’s screaming turns to delightful squealing. She even tossed her hands up in the air and spreads out her wings as she zooms down the slide. Her bag flies back and Raven almost misses it, but succeeds in snatching it’s strap.

Luckily no letters or packages fell out.

“Jewel!” Raven’s eyes widen when she spots a fork in the slide up ahead.

“Wha—,” Jewel’s voice gets cut off as she goes down the right side.

Thinking fast, Raven tosses the letter bag down the right side before zooming down the left. Hopefully everything will be alright. Raven just needs to find the Creator.

She needs to find Bearitt.

*

*

*

Jewel sighs and wings out one of her longer feathers in her left wing, watching the water fall to the floor. “Welp…that was interesting!”

She picks up her bag and looks around the new area, “Sis?...Raven?...HELLO~?”

She pouts when there is no answer. “Okay Jewel. You got this. Raven will find you. All you have to do is—THERE’S A LAKE?!”

There was, indeed, a lake. With waterfalls to boot. Jewel pulls on her hair, “How is there a lake down here?!”

She starts pacing, “C-calm down. You got this! Just…Just stay put.” Her wings start rapidly flapping, lifting her off a feet from the ground. “Next time I have to read the files…and should never tell Raven about this—,”

“You talk very fast.”

“That’s just how I talk.” Jewel pouts, “Not my fault no one can listen that quickly—wait…” she holds up her hands and hovers in place, “Who just talked…”

“I did!”

She turns her head to find a yellow, orange, and white crest poking out of the water. Along with two golden eyes.

She yelps and her wings stop in surprise, dropping her to the ground a tad roughly. The fishy being chuckles, “You are very jumpy, little starfish.”

The downy feathers on her wings puff up and she rushes to the lake side shore. “You look familiar!”

“Do I?” The being tilts their head.

“Yeah.” She copies their movement, “you kind of look like one of my favorite Legend of Zelda species…But I don’t think there is any Zelda stuff around. You see, I’m kind of new here and I’m still getting used to all the people, heh.”

“Oh?”

“Yep!” She sits down on the sand cross-legged. “My older sister is Raven, the Archivist of the Castle! She got me an internship at the Aviary and I’ve been working delivering letters and packages…This place is my first actual ‘Big Delivery’……Huh I still can’t figure out where I’ve seen you before!”

The being chuckles, “Do you take swim lessons here?”

“You can take swim lessons here?” Jewel tilts her head.

“Of course! I teach some of those lessons.” A tail fin appears directly behind the being’s head. “One of the best instructors here.”

“Really? How many lessons have you taught?”

“Too many to count.” The being’s tail fin starts to wag.

She laughs and holds out her hand, “I’m Jewel! What’s your name?”

A large, webbed hand engulfs her own and she strains her neck as she tilts it back to keep eye contact with the strange being while they climb out of the water. Her eyes winder and her jaw drops in awe. Her wings start flapping again and she flies up to his head level.

“Y-You’re a-a-a-a—,” She starts buzzing with excitement, “ZORA?!”

*

*

*

“She’ll be back soon, please don’t worry to much.” Artisan Y/n reassures while pulling out a tray of freshly made cookies out of the oven. Filling the room with a delicious and sweet aroma.

Raven continues to pace along the width of the counter top, “I’m not worrying! Who’s worrying?! Heh not me!”

From the dining table, human size fae Moon looks over the edge of his book. His red eyes holding a skeptical glint to them, “Sure… and Sun doesn’t get jealous—,”

“I don’t get jealous!” Sun, also in human size fae form, brings in a basket full of various produce. His clothing slightly covered in dirt and grass stains.

Moon rolls his eyes and looks back down at his book, “Then you are as deluded as the harpy—,”

“Hey!” Both Raven and Sun puff out their cheeks at Moon, who in turn just laughs in response.

“Simmer down, you three.” Y/n rolls their eyes and smiles. “Cookies anyone?”

Sun runs over, shoving his basket into Raven’s arms. “Sweets from my sweetie? Absolutely!”

Moon chuckles as Sun practically drapes himself over Y/n to grab a sugary treat. His eyes dart back to Raven as she walks over and sets the basket down on the table. She sits down across from him, eyes darting from her hands to the clock.

He rolls his eyes and marks his place in his book before closing it, “Relax, birdie.”

“You lose your spitfire of a sister and see how well you hold up.” Raven shoots back before her eyes widen and she shakes her head and holds it in her hands, “I’m sorry Moon. I didn’t—,”

“It’s alright.” His eyes dart to Y/n and Sun. “I know what it’s like to be protective over someone.”

Moon snatches an apple from the basket. “Know this though, this place is the perfect place for a little one to get lost in. Nothing will try to hurt her, or eat her or—,”

“What about Afton—,”

“He’s still in his cage.” Moon assures, taking a bite our of the red-skinned fruit.

Raven nods her head and lets out a long breath or air. Her wings droop on yeh floor and her shoulders drop. She jumps in her seat when Sun grabs her shoulder with one hand and offers a cookie in the other.

“It’ll be alright friend!” Sun offers her a smile, giving her some pets before taking a seat himself.

A knock at the door has Y/n wiping her hands clean with a towel and heading out of the kitchen. They greet the new arrival and practically sprint back into the kitchen, beaming at Raven.

“She’s here!”

*

*

*

Jewel giggles from her perch. Looking around the cavern with sparkling eyes. “This is so cool!”

“Starlight, although I am happy that you are having fun, can’t you just fly—,”

“Shh, Mr. Moon. I am currently watching over my mermaid subjects.” She spreads her arms out, gesturing to the blue wet mass surrounding them both on all sides.

The darker of the two Zora raises a brow while his mate, Sun, tries to stifle his laughter. Moon rolls his red eyes, “What subjects?”

Jewel points to a few floating leaves and some fish swimming by, “Those subjects. Duh~.”

“Oh yes, of course~.” Moon grumbles yet smiles still.

Sun laughs and walks over, plucking Jewel off Moon’s shoulders. “You are such a cute little bundle of joy starfish!” Sun nuzzles his crest against her cheek, “you should have dropped by earlier, we could have added you to a swim class!”

Jewel lights up, her wings puffing up. “Really?!”

“Really!” Sun spins her around, creating small waves in the water. His smile widening at her giggles.

“Moon?! Sun?! Are you in here?!”

Jewel turns her head and watches as a somewhat short woman (Around Jewel’s own height really) with brown, wavey hair and cloudy grayish-blue eyes behind green eyeglasses. She even had a lot of freckles just like her!

She had on a black choker with a cute bear pendant in the middle of her neck. Her soft green striped sweater hung off one shoulder, revealing the strap to her denim overalls. The pant legs had some images of sun and moons. Her hands were covered by the over-sized sleeves, but as she walked and swung her arms, one could make out a leather bracelets on her wrists.

Her smile warm as she gazes at Sun and Moon. “Found a new friend?”

Sun nods and Moon steps forward, “How are you darling~.”

“Well—,”

“JEWEL!” A blur of feathers whizzes by and tackles Sun into the water. Jewel sputters and pushes at Raven’s face as her older sibling scoops her out of the yellow Zora’s arms.

Sun sits up and shakes his head, “That was…unexpected.”

“Sorry, Sunny.” Bearitt gives him an apologetic smile, “She’s been a bit stressed about losing—,”

“My baby sister!”

“PUT ME DOWN YOU SHE-DEVIL!”

“I love you my cute widdle baby sis—,”

“*Hisses*!”

Moon crosses his arms, “Are you sure they’re sisters?”

Bearitt laughs and shrugs. “Thanks for looking after Jewel.”

Raven looks up at them both finally, “She didn’t cause you any trouble, did she?”

“I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING!!” Jewel starts gnawing on a few of Raven’s wings, “LET ME GO!”

Sun snickers before shaking his head, “She was an absolute angel!”

“All she did was use me as a bird post.” Moon shrugs, “Nothing I haven’t done before.”

Raven looked like she wanted to ask more about that but stops when Jewel plucks one of her downy feathers, “OW!!”

Jewel pulls back and spits the feather out of her mouth, “Put me down…or there will be bloodshed.”

“Okay okay, sheesh…” Raven rolls her eyes and lifts her hands up from under Jewel. Making the poor harpy fall into the water once more.

Jewel breaches the surface and glares at her sister, “I hate you.”

“You love me~.” Raven croons before heading back to shore, “Come on, there is someone I want you to meet.”

“Yeah sure…I’ll go meet someone while soaking wet. What a FANTASTIC idea…” Jewel grumbles while swimming to shore after her.

Sun covers his mouth as he laughs, “She’s even moodier then Ecli—,”

“PRETTY FISH!”

Raven and Bearitt blink and Jewel is out of the water and whizzing past them. Moon falls into the water laughing at the sight while Sun holds his gut and doubles over.

Raven raises a brow, turning her head in the direction they were looking before freezing and blushing in embarrassment. Bearitt tilts her head also turning her head. But what she saw made her smile.

There was Zora Eclipse with Jewel clinging to his upper body while her wings flap happily.  Eclipse points to the small harpy, “Did someone lose this small child?”

“I am so sorry!” Raven rushes over, Bearitt, Sun, and Moon following behind her.

Jewel starts chirping, “Pretty fish~!”

“Jewel! Get off him!” Raven reaches out to pull her off.

The hummingbird harpy hisses and scrambles up and over Eclipse’s shoulders, hiding behind his back. Raven growls in annoyance and meets Eclipse’s gaze. “I’m so sorry. Is she hurting you?”

“I can barely feel her.” He assures with a shake of his head. “If anything, it kind of tickles.”

Bearitt chuckles, “Soooo, I take it that this was what you were warning me about?”

“Yeah…” Raven sighs and drags a hand down her face, “She really really loves Zora…It’s her favorite species.”

“Clearly.” Moon snickers.

Eclipse’s tail fin starts to lazily wag, “While I am flattered, the Fitness Plex will be opening in a few moments and I can’t exactly work with this little one hanging on for dear life.”

Raven narrows her eyes at her sister while Jewel follows the movement of the frilly tail fin with wide and sparkling eyes. Her wings puffing up as she lets out more chirps.

“Jewel.”

“*Chirp*”

“Jewel.”

“*Chirp~*”

“Let the man go!”

“*CHIRP!*”

Bearitt pats Raven’s back, “Here, let me try.”

The room fills with a heavy scent of baked goods and a comforting warmth fills both harpies. Raven tilts her head, surprised at how mute the power of the Aura was. Last time she saw Bearitt use her power, a Fraud had stolen some art that was going to be delivered to the gallery.

They had wanted to pass it off as their own work, but made the mistake of stealing the package while Bearitt was the one delivering it. The baked goods scent had turned heavy, almost to a suffocating degree and that soft warmth had evolved into a blistering heat. The Fraud could barely make two steps before he dropped to the floor, his body in shock from the flood of stimulants attacking him all at once.

It was that day that Raven knew NEVER to cross the seemingly harmless Creator.

Now Raven was also had developed sort of an immunity to Auras, so it didn’t affect her too much…Jewel on the other hand. Her body started to relax against her will and her eyes begin to flutter close. Raven is quick to move behind Eclipse and catch her sister before her grip slips fully and she falls.

Eclipse steps away once Jewel is off him and leans down to get a better look at the young harpy. “She is tiny.”

Bearitt chuckles and lifts her Aura, “No, you my dear are just too big.”

“And who’s fault is that?” Sun interjects with a smug smirk on his lips.

Raven points back to where she and Bearitt had entered from, “Can we go find a place to put her down? She’s heavy then I last remember.”

“Oh yes! Just follow me, I know the perfect place!”

*

*

*

Raven leans against the rail of the staircase, straining her ears for any sounds that might come from the upstairs guest room. Her sister had conked out hard and Raven couldn’t wake her up so they just set her down on a bed and were waiting for her to wake up naturally.

Moon was sitting on the couch, snuggled up close to Artisan Y/n and having an arm around their shoulder. He tilts his head, “Soo…That is the mentee who will be under our dear creator’s wing?”

“Sadly.” Raven deadpans.

“I think it’ll be fun!” Bearitt smiles and grabs one of the freshly made, flower-themed, sugar cookies. “And she already likes working with the Zora boys, so that’s a plus.”

Raven groans and drags a hand down her face, “If she just read the file—,”

“You said that she’s a new Informant? Has she had any training?” Bearitt waves the Archivist over.

Raven nods and heads towards the free seat. “She has…All she needs is to get some hands-on experiences. Hopefully, with you being an Informant AND a Records Keeper, it might help her focus.”

“…Does she know how to swim?” Bearitt asks with a small smirk.

Raven shakes her head and looks to the side in second-hand embarrassment. “No…But I’m sure Zora Sun and Moon would LOVE to take her under their fins. Heh, now all I can picture is her being a little motor boat with those wings of her’s.” She rubs the back of her neck while chuckling, wings shaking in amusement.

Bearitt smiles, “That would—,”

“WHY ARE YOU NO LONGER A FISH!?!?!?!?!”

Raven jumps to her feet the same time Moon does.

“Wait! Wait!” Sun’s voice comes form the upstairs room, “I can explain—,”

“FISH BOOOYYY!!” Raven relaxes as her sister comes barreling down the steps and falls on the floor. She shoots up and looks around until her eyes land on Moon. She points at him and glares, “YOU!”

“Me?” Moon blinks and takes a step back. “What about me—,”

She charges and climb up his front, standing on his chest and holding his shirt’s collar in a comedic way. Her little wings flapping as she narrows her gaze and starts shaking him, “WHY AREN’T YOU A FISH?!”

“Jewel!”

“WAS THIS ALL A TRICK?!”

“Jewel!”

“GIVE ME BACK THE FISH—!”

“JEWEL!” Raven tears Jewel off of Moon and holds her off the ground, “This is a DIFFERENT Moon.”

Jewel blinks and takes another long look at Moon. He returns her stare, red eyes having an amused glint. Her feathers puff up and her face turns red. She pouts and glares at her sister, “couldn’t you have told me that earlier…”

Beairtt laughs and walks over, waving ‘hello’ at the smaller harpy, “Hello.”

Jewel chirps in confusion.

Raven sighs and sets her down, setting a hand down on her shoulder while gesturing to the Creator with her other, “This is Bearitt, the person you will be training under for the time being.”

Jewel blinks and looks up at Raven with wide eyes, “Really?”

“Yes.” Bearitt answers, gaining the hummingbird’s harpy attention, “You’ll even be staying over some nights and working with my friends here. Mostly with my Fae boys.” She gestures to Moon, “You already meet Moon. And the person upstairs was Sun—,”

“Fae Sun?”

“That’s the one.” The creator crosses her arms, “They help me with my deliveries and help guard my vault.”

“…even the fish boys?”

Bearitt laughs, “Yes, even the Zora boys.”

Jewel salutes her, “Reporting for duty! I shall try my best!”

“You didn’t even hear about the baked goods yet.” Raven teases with a playful roll of her eyes.

“Wait really?!” Jewel starts buzzing with excitement and hovers off the floor.

Y/n nods and waves, “I bake a lot and we always have a ton of leftovers. So if you would like some—,”

Jewel tackles Bearitt in a huge hug, “I LOVE THIS PLACE!!”

Everyone laughs and settles into the warm atmosphere. Sun coming down and joining his loves on the couch. Raven takes a seat on the floor, wings folded neatly behind her. While Bearitt sat with Jewel hugging her tightly as she rambles on and on about how she’ll do her best to help her new mentor.

Raven smiles at the sight, knowing that her sister was going to be in good hands…and maybe she could convince her to sneak some cookies into her office.

***