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Archive Warning:
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Language:
English
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Published:
2024-02-04
Words:
387
Chapters:
1/1
Comments:
2
Kudos:
14
Bookmarks:
1
Hits:
150

Labor and Delivery

Summary:

Ever wonder why there are a lot of birds, but no bows and arrows?

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Work Text:

Nier enters his village with ten pieces of mutton for the lady in the marketplace. The lady is in her usual spot by the entrance and Nier strides up to her with the mutton.

 

“Oh, thank you Nier. You’re a great help, especially when I’m expecting another child.” The lady hands over the payment.

 

“Another child?” Nier smiles. “It’ll be nice for your son to be an older brother.”

 

“If they got along as well as you and Yonah, I can’t ask for any better.” The lady smiles as Nier bids her goodbye. As Nier walks by the fountain, he wonders how babies are made.

 

The next morning, Nier notices Popola by the tree on top of the cliff. How odd. Popola usually is at the library. His thoughts are cut short as a large bird swoops down with a bundle in its claw. Popola reaches for the bundle and cradles it in her arms. The bird leaves while Popola walks down towards the marketplace.

 

Nier follows Popola into the marketplace.

 

“Congratulations, it’s a baby girl.” Popola hands over the bundle to the mutton lady and then leaves for the library. Nier runs up to Popola.

 

“Hey Popola, that’s her new child?”

 

“Yes.” Popola examines Nier’s face. “What is it? You look confused.”

 

“Um… how do people make babies?” Nier looks at Popola expectantly. Popola’s smile wavers for a moment.

 

“A big bird brings over a new baby when a couple are ready to expand their family.”

 

“But how does the bird know?”

 

“The birds watch over us, so be nice to them.”

 

- Several years later -

 

Nier and his friends roam the plains and eventually Kainé grumbles about the lack of game.

 

“Hah. It’s a shame there’s not as much sheep around anymore.” Nier sighs.

 

“There’s a lot of birds flying overhead. Should I shoot one down?” Emil asks.

 

“Don’t, they deliver babies!”

 

“Where the hell did you hear that s&!#? Kainé scoffs.

 

“From Popola…” Nier trails off. Nier thinks about how those birds don’t go up to anyone like the chickens do. The only time he ever saw a large bird go to anyone, it was Popola. Are they friends?

 

“From Popola hmm? Then maybe it’s better you don’t try to eat them.” Weiss drawls.

 

“Yeah.” Nier shakes off the unease and goes back to hunting.

Notes:

Seems strange for the villagers to not have bows and arrows. Even Façade launches their spears, but why not arrows? The world has a lack of a food but there are plenty of large brown birds flying overhead in the hills. My headcanon is that the birds are eyes for the overseers and that’s how Popola knows when guardian shades are taken out. The birds can probably talk like the pigeon gatekeeping the Shadowlord’s castle.