Fickleclaw

Beyond cleaning out familiar litter trays and being scolded by Matriarch Marlys for spilling the chowder, Fickleclaw doesn't expect to be noticed much as the clan's apprentice keeper. He tucks his Feathered Wings close to his body and performs his chores as best as his can, living his life by the day. That is, until he met Clarissa.

The fallen Duchess, they called her. Fickleclaw thinks she's beautiful, regardless. He wanted to be her friend... and maybe something more. But given their positions, that's almost unfathomable. And so he slinks back to the familiar dens to start on his evening chores.

That night, while he is feeding Kaius, his Nightsky Fuiran, a Swift Lumen bounds up to him with its nose twitching. It starts to scale him like he was a tree, not heeding his squeaks of protest.

"Her name's Cornelia. I think she likes you."

Fickleclaws whirls around to the voice, and finds Clarissa standing at the mouth of the den with her hands playing at her bracelet. He tries not to appears so idiotic--

"Um, she's yours?" He fails. "Uh, I've been told I smell like black mulberries in sunshine. Familiars love it. Probably." Fickleclaw replies bashfully as Cornelia nibbles on his hair, purring.

Clarissa gives him a little smile.

"I love it too. You smell like home. My mother planted mulberries in our garden and they always smelled so good in sunshine."

Fickleclaws steps closer to her, almost on instinct. "I-- Do you miss your home? Oh, that's a stupid question. Of course you---"

"I don't, really." Clarissa casts her gaze to the floor. Frowning, Fickleclaw steps even closer. "Ever since my mother died... her mulberries died with her. Everything changed."

"Hey." Fickleclaw unfurls his Feathered Wings and wraps one around her. "This is your home now. We'll take care of you."

"Thank you. That's a nice thought. You are...?"

"Fickleclaw." He grins. "Hey, do you wanna look at our familiars? Our Light Sprite loves newcomers, and I'm sure she'd love to meet you..."