#grus

Aokiji/Kuzan — Snowy Albatross

Physical

Has large, feathered wings with a massive wingspan; large even next to his already impressive height. The feathers are white, with bits of black around the tips and wing edges. 

More patches of feathers scattered across his body (especially on his shoulders and upper back) have the same snowy-white coloring as the main ones.

He also has a short, white-feathered tail. It’s mostly feathers forming a blunt, square-ish shape, with only a small stump underneath.

He can maintain flight for longer than most bird hybrids (since his wings are meant for gliding/extended time in the air), but actually doing so still comes with the price of sore muscles afterward. His back and shoulders will suffer after too much time spent in the air.

Cloaca instead of external penis and testicles, with a small bump near the upper edge that resembles a glans in appearance and sensitivity.

Behavioral

The migratory, ever-moving nature of his hybrid species means that staying in one place for too long can leave him feeling restless and “trapped”. When he’s forced to be too stationary, his mood starts to plummet, leading to lethargy and irritable behavior. 

Very sensitive to wind, temperature changes, and weather. Likes to be outside as often as possible, since being shut off from those things feels wrong. 

Despite how visually impressive his wings are, he finds them more annoying than anything— both a nuisance to take care of, and constantly in his way when not in use.

Although he has some degree of nesting instinct in him, the urge doesn’t strike very often. Not particularly territorial, either.

His molts are “partial”, meaning that he only loses and regrows a few feathers at a time. There’s a pattern to it, with feathers falling out in a certain order each year. While this makes the whole process less awful, even a few pin feathers are still miserably uncomfortable.

Kizaru/Borsalino — Ring-Tailed Lemur 

Physical

Pointed, triangular-shaped ears covered with fluffy, off-white fur. The fur here is thin enough for the black skin underneath to show through.

Long, thin tail covered with dense, fluffy fur in an alternating pattern of black and white stripes. The tail is longer than his full body height over again, and often stays curled around his leg to keep it out of the way. (And to stop its more emotional gestures from slipping out.)

Thicker, denser body hair than a normal human; some patches of it are the same off-white shade as his fur. His teeth are also sharper than a normal human’s, especially the prominent canines. 

His eyes are highly reflective in (a rather eerie effect to experience), and his ability to see in low-light conditions is excellent. 

Penis is covered in small, blunt spines. The spines aren’t sharp enough to be more than interestingly textured against skin (rather than painfully abrasive), but they’re quite sensitive to pressure and friction.

Behavioral

Highly social. Suffers psychologically if he doesn’t have sufficient social contact; effects from this can include emotional dysregulation, increased aggression, and even self-harming behavior. 

Similarly, regular physical contact (especially petting and touch that registers as “social grooming”) does wonders for his mental state. 

Keen sense of smell that’s connected with scent-marking and establishing personal territory. Idly rubbing his wrists on walls, flat surfaces, or nearby objects to “mark” them is a common nervous habit, although he tries to keep the behavior contained. 

Capable of a wide variety of inhuman (and often involuntary) vocalizations, ranging from clicks and growls to a surprisingly catlike purr that can slip out when he’s especially relaxed. 

Extremely high-energy, both physically and mentally. Boredom or prolonged confinement quickly leaves him restless and miserable.

Ryokugyuu/Aramaki — Brahman Bull

Physical

Floppy, tapered ears at about the same position as a human’s. They’re covered in dark, reddish-brown fur with a soft, velvety texture, with a visible downward curve in the overall shape. 

Long, thin tail with a fluffy tuft of dark brown fur at the end. The tail is surprisingly sturdy, and can be used to manhandle him.

Short, dull-colored horns that emerge a few inches above his ears. Their shape naturally curves upward, and they’re usually kept filed down blunt to prevent accidental (or otherwise) harm to others.

Unguligrade lower legs with rough, split-toed hooves. The hooves need to be either worn down on their own or occasionally trimmed, but in his opinion, any hassle that brings is well worth having built-in weapons at the end of a kick.

Sheathed penis that emerges when aroused. When everted, it’s stiff, thick, and visibly darker and redder in color than a normal human’s. Its length is impressive... even for someone so large.

Behavioral

Emotional temperament. Prone to agitation, irritation, and sudden mood changes. Aggressive behavior and lashing out are common, but that aggression crumbles just as quickly when he’s reprimanded by someone of higher authority.

Highly protective of people he considers “his”, but he’s so blunt and intense that sentiment tends to come across as more creepily clingy and possessive instead. 

As a herd-animal hybrid, he feels safer when he’s part of a group. No matter how tough he tries to act, isolation in any amount wreaks havoc on his mental state, leaving him stressed, miserable, and dangerously agitated. 

High libido; gets restless, excitable, and disoriented when aroused, to the point where he’s really not thinking (even more so than usual). 

Despite his usual cockiness, prey-animal instinct means he’s easy to startle, especially in unfamiliar situations— of course, he’s just as likely to lash out as he is to visibly show any fear. 

Fujitora/Isshou — Iriomote Cat

Physical

Rounded, triangular ears covered in fluffy, dark brown fur, with a white, circular marking on the back. 

Long-ish tail in the same shade of dark brown, with black spots along the upper side and a matching black tip. The fur there bristles when he’s agitated, and can fluff up quite impressively. 

Sharp, claw-like nails and equally intimidating canine teeth. The claws have to be kept carefully trimmed to prevent accidental damage. 

Even before losing his sight, his other senses— especially hearing and smell— were keen. Now, he’s even more acutely aware of subtle noises and traces of scent, to the point where chaotic environments can be painfully overwhelming. 

Penis is barbed with short, blunt spines. Although they’re too soft to be painful to the touch, they’re highly sensitive to pressure, especially friction that pushes opposite the direction they’re angled.  

Behavioral

Naturally nocturnal. While he’s capable of staying awake and functional during daylight hours, he’s much more alert and energetic at night— and often ends up with an erratic sleep schedule because of it.

Capable of purring, and he rarely bothers to suppress it... but it’s also rare for him to feel relaxed enough to make the sound at all.

His instincts lean toward “solitary”, which makes it difficult to relax around others without a lot of trust involved. Despite his best efforts to contain the more aggressive tendencies, he can be territorial and defensive when he’s not sure if someone is trustworthy or not.

Strong prey instincts. Although he can’t see moving objects anymore, sudden sounds can make the “zoomies” kick in— as in, a burst of restless energy for catching the potential prey. 

Keeping his fur groomed is both necessary hygiene and a self-soothing gesture; when he’s especially stressed, he can end up almost obsessively cleaning or smoothing it. 

Monkey D. Garp — Honey Badger 

Physical

Short, dark-furred ears that are little more than short ridges of skin barely protruding from his skull. The edges are nevertheless ragged from countless prior fights. 

Thick, short tail covered in long, dense fur; pale gray on the upper side, and black underneath. 

Thicker, denser body hair than a normal human, and thick, durable skin to match. Skin is especially thick around his neck. 

Nails are strong and claw-like, especially on his hands, where they have to be kept carefully trimmed. Sharp, sturdy teeth as well, with short yet powerful canines that deliver a nasty bite. 

Partially sheathed penis that emerges fully when aroused. When fully erect, the area between the sheath and shaft is extremely sensitive.

Behavioral

Territorial and naturally solitary. Although he knows enough decency to at least try to hold back, the presence of anyone perceived as a threat still makes him irritable and aggressive. Prone to lashing out first and only thinking things through afterward. 

Impressive pain tolerance, and next to no rational fear once he’s angry. Anything that can hurt him doesn’t seem to matter. 

Denning behavior. Small, enclosed spaces feel safer, so he tends to pile up his bedding in layers he can disappear into. Nocturnal versus diurnal sleep patterns change with the time of year. 

His tail is an obvious emotional indicator— it bristles and angles upright when he’s agitated or about to attack, and tucks down as a (rarely seen) gesture of nervousness or submission. A less prickly, more deliberate lifting indicates near-desperate arousal.

Capable of a few inhuman vocalizations, including a low, ominous growl, a harsh bark, and a distressed whine that he rarely allows to escape (and sounds uncharacteristically pathetic when it does).

Sengoku — Great Horned Owl 

Physical

Massive, broad wings with an open wingspan greater than his standing height. The feathers are pale gray striped with horizontal brown markings underneath, and a darker blend of mottled browns on top. 

More patches of feathers are scattered across his body, with the largest ones on his upper back, around the bases of his wings, and on his upper chest, as well as two tall, prominent tufts on his forehead. The feathers on his chest are notably light-colored, similar to the shade on the underside of his wings. 

Also has a short, blunt-feathered tail. Meant for controlling movement while in flight, the actual bone is short enough to keep the tail tucked above his waistband. The feathers fan out when he’s agitated. 

Sharp, talon-like nails that he’s usually forced to keep filed down. His grip strength is powerful enough that the blunted tips functionally do very little to make those nails less dangerous. 

Cloaca instead of external penis and testicles, with a small bump near the upper edge that resembles a glans in appearance and sensitivity.

Behavioral

Naturally nocturnal, being forced to stay up in the day and rest at night for appearance’s sake is miserable. He can function like that, sort of, but he hates not operating at his best. 

Despite being drowsy and grouchy because of it during the day, night comes with a burst of energy that makes proper sleep difficult. 

Extremely keen senses, especially sight and hearing. He’s sensitive to any noise (loud sounds can be actively painful), acutely aware of every movement around him, and has impeccable night vision.

Though capable of flight, he’s by far better suited for short, precise movements rather than sustained gliding. However, actually keeping himself in the air, even for a few moments, puts a lot of strain on his body— which means sore, achy muscles the next day. 

His feathers molt every so often (usually in phases; not all at once), and the physical discomfort involved is only rivaled by the irrational, yet unsettling feeling that he’s unable to fly properly and vulnerable because of it. Grouchy during molting, though he tries to hide it.

Smoker — Alaskan Malamute

Physical

Small, upright, triangle-shaped ears covered with dense, fluffy white fur. The thick fur makes even such delicate tissue cold-resistant. 

Curved tail covered with the same thick, fluffy white fur as his ears. The tail reaches past his knees if fully lowered, but it’s usually held curled up somewhere near his hip/lower back. He’s good about keeping any wagging under control... most of the time. 

Thicker body hair than a normal human, with a similar fluffy, almost wool-like texture as his fur. The fur parts grow in double-layered, and require a LOT of brushing to stay well-maintained. 

Sharp teeth, sturdy, claw-like nails, and an impressive bite force; his chewing habit can easily end up destroying things if he’s not careful with how hard he’s biting down. 

Partially sheathed penis that emerges fully when aroused. The shaft is a vivid shade of red, and a thick knot forms near the base.  

Behavioral

Chewing habit that becomes harder to control when he’s stressed. A cigar between his teeth (even unlit) can usually suffice, but he’ll resort to firmer objects when feeling especially tense. 

Rules, structure, and training do a lot to help him feel psychologically stable and secure... but he’s also extremely stubborn about who he respects enough to take directions from at all. Once he’s attached to someone, however, he can be quite loyal and obedient. 

Prone to separation anxiety, though he FIGHTS to suppress it. Loneliness doesn’t sit well with him, and he’s more prone to worrying about his loved ones than he’s comfortable admitting. 

Can make a variety of inhuman noises, ranging from (VERY LOUD) barks and snarls, to a much less threatening whine of distress.

Needs a lot of physical and mental activity, or he starts getting restless and irritable. Prone to lashing out (either verbally or physically) when bored or filled with too much pent-up energy. 

X Drake — Rottweiler/Border Collie

Physical

Triangular, dark-furred ears that flop and fold forward. The fur on the inside is a lighter shade of warm, ruddy brown (similar to his hair). There are a number of old notches and scars in both ears.

Long, curved tail covered with the same soft, black fur as the outsides of his ears, left at about half of its proper length due to a botched docking attempt when he was a preteen. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t control the eager, frantic wagging when he’s excited... 

Sturdy, claw-like nails, sharp teeth, and enough bite force that he’s been muzzled before— for “safety”, as the excuse went. 

Narrow ring of raised, lumpy burn scars around his throat, inflicted from overzealous use of a shock collar to “keep him in check” when he was younger. Self-conscious about the scars; prefers to hide them. 

Partially sheathed penis with a flushed, red shaft that emerges when he’s aroused. A thick knot forms around the base after orgasm. 

Behavioral

Prone to anxiety when he doesn’t have enough to do. If he’s not keeping occupied with some distinct task to focus on, a familiar sort of restless, unsettled nervousness quickly starts creeping in. Herding instincts mean that he needs tasks to feel useful (and thus, sane).

Needs training and lots of interaction to feel secure. Despite his gruff exterior, he’s highly eager to please, and thrives under praise and strict directions, especially from someone he’s attached to. 

Although he’s too afraid of potential damage to actually chew on anything, having something in his mouth is still soothing. 

Has issues with separation anxiety; once he’s attached to someone, it’s stressful to be away from them. Nervous, self-destructive habits start up if he’s left alone for too long. 

His tail posture gives away a lot more of his emotional state than he’d like (whether happily wagging or nervously tucked between his legs). Weak to physical affection; in particular, petting around his ears is guaranteed to make him melt. 

Hina — Black Rat Snake

Physical

Snake tail in addition to human legs. The tail is long (nearly her total height over again) and solidly muscled; its scales are plain, dull black on top, and pale gray on the underside. 

Scattered patches of scales across her body. The largest one starts at the base of her tail, spreading upward to cover her groin and most of her lower back. These patches are mostly black, with pale gray areas only appearing on her stomach, chest, and throat. 

Poor eyesight, but a keen sense of smell and heat make up for it. Acutely aware of living things due to the warmth they emit.

Slightly forked tongue and sharp teeth, with prominent, fang-like canines. Fangs lack venom.

Genital slit that opens horizontally over her pelvic area instead of a vulva. The interior can be penetrated. A bifurcated, fused hemiclitoris rests against the upper wall, and can evert from the slit when aroused.

Behavioral

Impressive grip strength, especially with her tail. It tends to coil around things idly, often either as a self-comforting gesture or a means of fidgeting when she’s bored or irritated. 

Cold-blooded; needs external warmth because her body can’t make much heat on its own, and is drawn to heat sources because of it.

Scales shed from time to time (roughly every couple of months), and the process requires a considerable amount of time, effort, and ideally, humidity. The patches are tender for a while after they shed. 

The shedding period makes her notably tense and irritable, both because of the physical discomfort and the vulnerability of having so much raw, new skin. Typically dislikes/avoids touch immediately afterward... but careful, warm hands can be tempting. 

Aggressive when threatened or cornered. She’s not venomous, but the threat of a bite (or a bruising squeeze from her powerful tail) is most often enough to put off potential threats.

Grus — Five-Lined Skink

Physical

Patches of scales on various parts of his body. The scales are mainly dark brown, almost black, with a notable pattern of pale yellow lines along his back. The scales are overall smooth and fairly soft, but the pale gray patches on his throat and stomach are downright delicate. 

Long, scaled tail that has the same coloration as the rest of his back near the base, but fades to a bright, vivid blue farther down. The tail can detach (either partially or entirely), then slowly grow back.

The scaled areas of his skin shed from time to time. This process is uncomfortable and exhausting, and he finds the patchy look of half-peeled scales downright embarrassing to be seen by others. 

Sharper teeth than a normal human, and pointed, claw-like nails that eventually grow into a hooked shape if left untrimmed. 

Horizontal slit on his pubic area contains hemipenes, which evert when aroused. The hemipenes are bright red and have a ridged, almost spiky-looking texture, and are extremely delicate. The slit can be penetrated, but any rough handling there will hurt horribly. 

Behavioral

Cold-blooded; needs external warmth because his body can’t make much heat on its own, and is drawn to heat sources because of it.

Dislikes bright, open, exposed-feeling places, and gets notably anxious if he’s forced to stay in one for too long. Dark, enclosed rooms that feel hidden and safe are much more comfortable.

Winter and cold weather make him lethargic and irritable. He doesn’t hibernate, but he’s low-energy at best in the cold. Meanwhile, warmer temperatures do the exact opposite— but the increased energy levels then have the slight drawback of an increased libido along with it.

Although his main instinct when threatened is to run and hide, he’s been known to bite when especially upset. 

Can be aggressive and territorial towards others, but this behavior is almost exclusively directed at other men. He’s prone to jealousy, and a perceived “threat” can quickly make him develop a nasty grudge. 

Kujaku — Rose-Breasted Cockatoo

Physical

Large, fluffy wings with dual-toned feathers— the outer surface is a plain, flat gray, while the inside bears bright, rosy pink feathers along the wing’s arm. The total wingspan is surprisingly wide. 

More patches of feathers (most of them pink) are scattered around her back, neck, and shoulders, especially around the base of her wings. 

Capable of brief bursts of flight, although it does put a hefty strain on her muscles in the process. Prone to pain and stiffness in her back and shoulders from the wings’ normal weight; it gets MUCH worse for a day or two after any significant attempt at flight. 

Capable of a variety of chirps and calls. Although naturally a social impulse, they tend to slip out more often when she’s upset. 

Has a cloaca instead of a vulva/vagina. It’s a narrow, tight hole that doesn’t easily allow penetration, with a clitoris-like bump near the top of the raised outer skin that’s subtle enough to often be overlooked. 

Behavioral

Feathers molt from time to time. The whole process is uncomfortable to deal with, both because of the physical discomfort involved from the re-growing pin feathers and the emotional toll of knowing how patchy and strange her wings look throughout it. 

Very particular about keeping her feathers preened— partially because it feels better to have them neat, and partially out of sheer vanity.

Highly social. Needs a lot of interpersonal interaction and gets attached to people easily. Prone to attention-seeking behavior if she gets too lonely, which can range from annoying to destructive.

Nesting instincts. Drawn to dark, enclosed spaces to rest in, and tends to be particular about what bedding she uses, how it’s arranged, and so on. Having an established nest is good for her emotional well-being... but can also trigger “settle down to breed” reactions.

Feathers get puffy when she’s aroused (and won’t settle back down voluntarily). It’s an embarrassingly obvious cue for those feelings.

Tashigi — Deer Mouse

Physical

Large, rounded, slightly droopy ears covered with short, soft black fur. The insides are lighter and flushed pink over the exposed, furless skin. They’re extremely delicate, in terms of both sensitivity and hearing. Gentle petting, however, feels mind-meltingly good.  

Long, thin tail with a light coating of pale gray fur. Rough handling hurts horribly, and the delicate bones can easily be broken.

Strong, sharp-edged (not pointed) teeth that require a lot of chewing to stay healthy. Needs chew toys to keep them properly worn down, but keeps this behavior private out of embarrassment. 

Can make a variety of high, squeaky noises that she usually tries to suppress (again, out of embarrassment)... but that still slip out fairly often, especially when she’s distressed or in pain. 

Her chest is extremely sensitive, with flushed, prominent nipples that make even the most careful touches overwhelming.

Behavioral

Easily frightened, although she tries not to admit it. Prey instincts mean that she tends to get nervous around anyone bigger or stronger than her. Prone to bursts of panic; “react first, think later”.

Ears are very mobile and give away a lot of her mood. Much to her frustration, she can never seem to control them. 

Picky about personal hygiene, especially the fur on her ears and tail, and will keep both almost religiously clean. Grooming is also a sign of affection to her, both giving and receiving.

Highly social, with a deep need for both physical and emotional closeness with others. However, she tends to be much more comfortable around other women compared to men. Gets tense, withdrawn, and increasingly anxious if isolated for too long.

Naturally nocturnal/crepuscular, with a nesting instinct that makes her drawn to dark, enclosed sleeping spaces. 

Koby — Sea Otter

Physical

Small, rounded ears covered with dark reddish-brown fur. They’re small enough to be almost hidden under his hair, and can fold shut to form a waterproof seal when he’s swimming. 

Short, thick, muscular tail that tapers from a wide base to a flattened, narrow tip. Tail is covered with the same thick fur as his ears. 

He’s surprisingly dense for his height, with a sturdy frame, yet almost unnatural flexibility. His lung capacity is also much greater than that of a normal human; he can easily hold his breath for minutes at a time.

Sharper, sturdier teeth and nails than a normal human, with prominent canines, impressive jaw force, and nails that naturally grow pointed. 

Partially sheathed penis that emerges fully when aroused. The area usually covered by the sheath is especially sensitive, and he’s notably well-endowed in proportion to his body size. 

Behavioral

Extremely high metabolism, meant to compensate for body heat lost in cold waters. Even outside of that environment, he has to eat a lot more than a normal human his size to meet his body’s caloric needs. 

Very particular about personal hygiene, especially keeping his fur groomed. Feeling dirty or unkempt makes him tense and irritable, with a lingering sense of discomfort that won’t go away until he has a chance to fix whatever feels wrong. 

Sleeps better with other people. He’s not terribly co-dependent, but something about trying to fall asleep without the subtle sounds of life nearby makes it difficult to relax. Cuddling is also much appreciated.

Capable of a variety of inhuman vocalizations, including growls, squeaks, whistles, and a contented, purr-like coo. 

Tends to be physically affectionate with people he’s close to. This can range from mere closeness (such as wanting that person close when he sleeps) to more direct, playful interaction if the other person allows it. He’s especially fond of roughhousing and play-wrestling.

Hibari — Golden Hamster

Physical

Small, rounded ears covered with impossibly soft, pale golden fur. The insides are darker in color. Overall, they’re both very expressive and very delicate; any rough handling hurts. 

Triangular, nubby tail covered with the same golden fur. It’s every bit as delicate as her ears, but easily hidden under clothing. 

Poor eyesight, which is compensated for with an excellent sense of hearing, and instinctive alertness to any movement in her surroundings. Heightened sense of smell compared to a normal human, especially when it comes to anything edible. 

Sturdy nails and strong, sharp-edged teeth that come with the need to keep them worn down through chewing on things. 

Naturally high libido, which she’s painfully embarrassed about. “Heat cycles” as rapid as every week or two only make this issue worse. During these heats, she gets restless and extremely sensitive to touch. 

Behavioral

Prey animal instincts; she’s nervous, high-strung, and prone to panic, no matter what logical thoughts might exist to counter the fear. Anyone bigger or stronger than her makes her especially nervous, as does feeling trapped or restrained. 

Has a habit of hoarding food (and overeating), especially when she’s under a lot of emotional strain. She can also eat a LOT more in one sitting than most people would expect.

Despite her friendly personality, she’s naturally more solitary (if not outright territorial) and prone to social awkwardness because of it. She can get extremely nervous and agitated when forced to be around others for too long, or not allowed enough time alone. 

Burrowing behavior. Dark, enclosed spaces feel the safest, and she’ll end up with a small mountain of bedding to hide in if given the chance.

Though not fully nocturnal, she tends to be sleepier and more lethargic during the day, with bouts of energy and mild insomnia at night.

Helmeppo — Belgian Hare

Physical

Long, upright ears covered with soft, silky fur in the same golden blond as his hair, and velvety, delicate insides. They move to follow the sounds around him, and can flatten back against his head when he’s especially nervous. Likes petting here, though reluctant to admit it.

Straight, short, puffball-like tail covered with the same golden blond fur as his ears. Delicate enough that he doesn’t let others handle it. 

Entire body is extremely receptive to touch. Rough or careless handling ranges from overstimulating to outright painful, while gentle touch feels mind-meltingly good. 

Stronger teeth and nails than a human. Nails are relatively blunt, but still tough and hard. Teeth need to be maintained by chewing on things, so he tends to keep “chew toys” on hand. 

Partially sheathed penis that emerges fully when aroused. High libido; very easily stimulated through even non-sexual touch.  

Behavioral

Nesting behavior. Burrows into soft things like blankets and likes to have a small, relatively enclosed space to call his own. Picky about textures and vastly prefers ones that are gentle on his skin.

Prey animal instincts make him nervous, high-strung, and easily frightened. Despite all of his usual blustering and bravado, something as simple as having his shoulder grabbed from behind can startle him into a panic. Especially terrified of feeling trapped or pinned down. 

Makes loud, squeaky noises when in pain. He can’t control them, no matter how hard he tries to keep the sounds suppressed.

An unusually fast metabolism means he needs quite a bit more food than a normal human of the same size.