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Wemmbu spotted the flash of blue and gold feathers from across the wooden dock, his eyes narrowing immediately. A macaw. Here. In the middle of the ocean, on Jaden's pirate civilization where the only birds that made sense were gulls and the occasional albatross.
His boots thudded against the planks as he approached the citizen who was showing off the bird to a small crowd. The parrot sat on the man's shoulder, preening its wing feathers with precision that seemed almost... deliberate. Too intelligent.
"Where'd you find that?" Wemmbu's voice cut through the chatter, sharp enough that the group quieted immediately.
The builder startled, nearly dislodging the bird. "Oh! Uh, it just—it flew onto the ship this morning. Well, more like crash-landed, really. Thought it was pretty, so I—"
"Yeah, real pretty. Super suspicious too." Wemmbu stepped closer, his eyes fixed on the bird. The macaw's head swiveled toward him with eerie precision, one beady eye meeting his gaze with far too much awareness, and Wemmbu felt recognition slam into him like a fist to the gut.
Those eyes. He knew those eyes.
The bird made a low, miserable sound in its throat—not a squawk, not a chirp, but something closer to a groan of despair. Very human. Very familiar.
Oh. Oh, this was perfect.
Wemmbu's lips twitched, fighting back a grin that threatened to split his face in half. "Hand it over."
"What? But I just—"
"Now."
The builder scrambled to transfer the bird, clearly not wanting to argue with Wemmbu of all people. The macaw—Parrot, because there was no way this wasn't ParrotX2 himself, somehow transformed into an actual bird—shifted his weight awkwardly, wings fluttering in what might have been frustration. Up close, Wemmbu could see the intelligence in those eyes, the very human indignation in the way the bird's feathers ruffled.
The macaw opened his beak, and for a moment Wemmbu expected words—some sarcastic comment, some demand to know what Wemmbu was staring at. Instead, all that came out was a harsh squawk that made the bird's entire body recoil in what was clearly horror.
Wemmbu's shoulders started shaking. He turned away slightly, pressing his free hand to his mouth, trying desperately to maintain composure. This was—this was too good. This was cosmic justice. This was everything he could have possibly hoped for and more.
"Taking this to Jaden," Wemmbu announced to no one in particular, his voice slightly strained from suppressed laughter. "Can't have random birds showing up. Security risk."
The macaw made another indignant sound, this one tinged with what Wemmbu could only describe as despair. The bird's head drooped, blue and gold feathers flattening against his skull in the universal language of misery.
Wemmbu's grin was vicious as he walked toward Jaden's quarters, the transformed bird balanced awkwardly on his arm.
He kept his claws fully retracted—wouldn't want to accidentally damage the merchandise before Jaden got a good look at him. Every few steps, the macaw would shift, trying to find a comfortable position, and Wemmbu could practically feel the waves of frustrated humiliation radiating off the bird.
"Comfy?" Wemmbu asked sweetly under his breath, quiet enough that no passing citizens could hear.
The macaw's head whipped around, beak snapping shut with an audible click mere inches from Wemmbu's nose. The message was clear: I will bite your face off.
"Now, now," Wemmbu murmured, still grinning. "That's no way to act. What would Jaden think?"
The bird made a sound that was probably supposed to be a string of creative curses but came out as a series of discordant squawks and chirps. His feathers puffed up, making him look twice his size, and his talons flexed against Wemmbu's arm.
"Yeah, yeah. Save it." Wemmbu adjusted his grip, deliberately jostling the bird just enough to be annoying. "You know, this is a really good look for you."
Another attempted bite, this one accompanied by an angry flapping that accomplished nothing with those clipped wings. Wemmbu watched the bird realize mid-motion that he couldn't fly, couldn't escape, couldn't do anything but sit there on Wemmbu's arm like the actual pet bird he currently was.
The defeat in the way those wings folded back against the macaw's body was amazing.
They passed through the main square of the civilization, drawing curious looks from the citizens. Wemmbu ignored them.
The macaw had gone very still, very quiet, and Wemmbu could practically hear the internal screaming.
"Almost there," Wemmbu said conversationally. "Better behave."
The bird turned to look at him, and the sheer loathing in those eyes could have melted steel. Wemmbu met the gaze steadily, his grin never wavering.
Yeah, he thought with vicious satisfaction. How's it feel, ParrotX2? This is what you get for—well, for existing, really. For being in the wrong place at the wrong time. For being you.
They reached Jaden's room—a sprawling building near the center of the civilization. Wemmbu didn't bother knocking, just kicked the door open with more force than strictly necessary.
"Jaden!" he called out. "Got something weird. Found this bird with one of your people."
Of all the humiliating, degrading, absolutely mortifying situations Parrot had found himself in over his years on the server, this had to take the cake.
Correction: this had to take the cake, eat the cake, and then laugh at him while he watched, unable to do anything about it because he was a literal bird.
When he'd woken up that morning with feathers instead of hands, a beak instead of a mouth, and absolutely no idea how or why this had happened, he'd thought things couldn't get worse. Then he'd tried to fly with his permanently clipped wings and crashed face-first into the ocean. Then he'd barely managed to flutter his way to the nearest landmass—which turned out to be Jaden's floating civilization, of all places. Then some overly enthusiastic citizen had scooped him up before he could figure out how to escape.
And then Wemmbu had shown up.
Wemmbu. Of course it was Wemmbu. Because the universe apparently had a sick sense of humor and wanted to ensure Parrot's complete and total humiliation was witnessed by the one person on the server who would enjoy it most.
The man’s grip on him was deliberately annoying—not tight enough to hurt, but positioned just wrong enough to be uncomfortable.
Parrot could feel Wemmbu's barely suppressed laughter in the slight tremor of his arm, could see the vicious amusement in those eyes every time they made eye contact.
I hate you, Parrot thought venomously, not that it mattered since he couldn't actually say it. I hate you so much. When I figure out how to turn back, I'm going to make your life a living hell.
"Better behave," Wemmbu murmured, and Parrot wanted to scream.
Instead, all that came out was an angry squawk that made him want to die.
They entered Jaden's workshop, and Parrot's heart started racing. Jaden. Of all people to be handed off to, it had to be Jaden.
Parrot had been carefully avoiding Jaden for months.
Ever since the siren had joined the server and worked for Clownpierce, ever since everytime Parrot looked at his face and felt that uncomfortable pang of recognition, of reminder, of things he didn't want to think about. Old friends who were gone now. Times that couldn't be brought back. That was precisely why he'd kept his distance, why he'd made sure their paths only crossed in groups, in public spaces where actual conversation was impossible.
And now here he was, about to be literally handed to Jaden by Wemmbu, unable to speak, unable to explain, unable to do anything but sit there like an actual parrot and hope the siren didn't look too closely.
Jaden looked up from a map on his desk, his head fins flicking in surprise.
"Wemmbu, you can't just—" The siren stopped mid-sentence, his eyes landing on Parrot. His expression changed instantly. "Oh."
That single syllable hit Parrot like a physical blow. There was something in Jaden's voice—soft, wondering, almost aching—that made him want to hide. Or fly away. Or literally anything except be here, right now, in this moment.
"A macaw," Jaden said quietly, standing and crossing the room. "Out here?"
"Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Super weird." Wemmbu extended his arm, offering Parrot. "Middle of the ocean, no land for miles, and this thing just shows up? Crashed on one of your citizens. Something's not right."
Please don't take me, Parrot thought desperately. Please just—I don't know, put me in a cage somewhere, anything but—
But Jaden's hands were already coming up, positioning perfectly to receive a bird, and then Parrot was being transferred. The siren's touch was gentle—so gentle it made something in Parrot's chest hurt—and warm, and careful in a way that spoke of experience.
"Hey, hey, it's okay," Jaden murmured as Parrot tensed automatically. "I've got you.”
No, Parrot wanted to say. No, this isn't okay, nothing about this is okay. You can't—I can't—
But all that came out was a soft, miserable chirp, and Jaden's expression melted into something unbearably kind.
Parrot caught Wemmbu's eye over Jaden's shoulder. The demon hybrid was watching with barely concealed glee, his grin positively evil. He gave Parrot a little wave, wiggling his tail mockingly, before settling into a corner chair to watch the show.
I will find a way to make you pay for this, Parrot swore silently. I don't know how, I don't know when, but I will make you regret every second of this.
Wemmbu's grin only widened, like he could hear every word of Parrot's internal monologue.
"Oh, you're beautiful," Jaden breathed, holding Parrot up to examine him properly. His eyes were wide with wonder. "Look at these colors. I've never seen feathers like this up close."
Parrot wanted to die. Actually, genuinely wanted to cease existing right there. The way Jaden was looking at him—with such pure, uncomplicated wonder and affection—was somehow worse than anything Wemmbu could have done to him.
He made another small sound, trying to convey please put me down, please stop looking at me like that, please just—
"Shh, it's okay, dude. You're okay." Jaden's voice dropped even softer, and he moved to his workbench, settling into his chair with Parrot carefully cradled. "Let me just—these feathers are all messed up. When's the last time someone preened you properly?"
A year ago, Parrot thought bitterly to Paragon. His beak opened and closed uselessly, clicking sounds the only thing that emerged.
From his corner, Wemmbu was visibly fighting not to laugh out loud. Parrot shot him the most venomous glare he could manage with bird eyes.
Jaden set Parrot on the workbench surface, one hand remained cupped gently around his head to steady him, while the other began carefully working through his feathers. His touch was practiced, finding bent feathers and straightening them with surprising skill.
"So," Jaden said, glancing up at Wemmbu. "Any updates of Lettuce?”
“No," Wemmbu replied, settling deeper into his chair. “He’s probably still dicking around.”
Parrot felt Jaden's fingers work through the feathers on his wings, straightening, smoothing, removing bits of salt and debris from his ocean crash. Despite himself, despite the mortification of the situation, it felt... good. Really good. Like an itch he hadn't known he had was finally being scratched.
His eyes started to droop.
No, he thought firmly. Stay alert. Stay aware. Don't you dare enjoy this.
But Jaden's touch was so gentle, so careful, and the conversation with Wemmbu faded into background noise as Parrot found himself focusing entirely on the sensation of being groomed.
Parrot's head tilted slightly as Jaden moved to work on his other wing.
He should probably listen to the conversation, it may contain important information about the Law, but the siren's fingers were steady, confident, moving through each feather with care.
This is fine, Parrot told himself. This is temporary. Just a few hours until sunset, then you transform back and slip away. No one has to know. Just endure this.
"These tail feathers are a mess," Jaden observed, shifting to examine Parrot's back. "Poor thing must've had a rough flight getting here."
Rough crash, more like, Parrot thought. Because I can't actually fly.
But he couldn't say that, so he just made a soft, ambiguous sound and let Jaden continue his work.
His mind wandered, focusing instead on the sensation of Jaden's careful grooming, the warmth of the siren's hands, the gentle way he held Parrot steady without restraining him.
It reminded him of—
No. He cut that thought off viciously. He wasn't going to think about old friends, old times, old losses. That was the whole reason he avoided Jaden in the first place. Too many reminders.
"—don't you think?" Wemmbu's voice cut through Parrot's thoughts.
Jaden paused in his grooming, glancing up. "Sorry, what?"
"Said the bird looks like he's about to pass out. You're putting him in a trance or something."
Parrot's eyes snapped open fully—when had they drifted half-closed?—and he ruffled his feathers indignantly. I am not falling asleep. I am alert and aware and definitely not enjoying this.
Jaden laughed softly, the sound warm. "He does look pretty relaxed, doesn't he?" His fingers resumed their work, moving to Parrot's head now, carefully smoothing the feathers there. "That's good. Means he's starting to feel safe."
I don't trust anything, Parrot thought. I'm just... tolerating this. Because I have no choice.
But even as he thought it, he felt himself leaning slightly into Jaden's touch, his body betraying him.
"Anyway," Jaden continued.
The conversation continued, washing over Parrot like white noise. He stopped trying to follow it, stopped trying to maintain his indignation, and just... existed. In this moment. With Jaden's gentle hands working through his feathers, fixing the chaos of his crash-landing, making him presentable again.
It was, Parrot reluctantly admitted to himself, not the worst thing that had ever happened to him.
It was kind of… nice.
He immediately rejected that thought. No. This was not nice. This was a nightmare. He was trapped in a bird's body, being groomed like a pet by someone he'd been carefully avoiding for years, all while Wemmbu watched and undoubtedly collected ammunition for future mockery.
There was nothing nice about this.
Jaden's thumb stroked gently over the crown of Parrot's head, and Parrot made a sound that was dangerously close to a contented sigh.
Traitor, he thought at his own body. Absolute traitor.
"There," Jaden finally said, his hands lifting away. "All done. You look way better now, dude. More comfortable."
Parrot flexed his wings experimentally. The feathers did feel better—properly aligned, no longer matted or bent. He looked down at himself and had to admit that Jaden had done good work.
He made a small sound that he meant as grudging thanks.
"You're welcome," Jaden said with a warm smile, interpreting it correctly. He stood, moving toward the door. "Let me get you some water and food. You must be tired from your journey."
While Jaden went to presumably the closest kitchen, Parrot glanced toward Wemmbu. The demon hybrid was watching him with undisguised amusement, his expression clearly saying I saw you enjoying that.
Parrot narrowed his eyes. Shut up.
Wemmbu's grin widened. He mouthed something that looked suspiciously like adorable.
Parrot's feathers puffed up in outrage, but before he could do anything, Jaden was already returning with a shallow bowl of water and a plate of various fruits and seeds.
"Here you go," the siren said, setting them within easy reach. "Take whatever you want."
Parrot eyed the offerings. The mango looked good. He was actually pretty hungry after his ordeal. Carefully, he leaned forward and picked up a piece with his beak, eating it with as much dignity as he could muster.
"Oh good, you like mango," Jaden said with clear delight. "I'll make sure to get more."
Wemmbu stood, stretching dramatically. "Alright, I should get back to Egg."
"Thanks for bringing him," Jaden said. "I'll take good care of him."
"I'm sure you will." Wemmbu moved toward the door, pausing to shoot Parrot one last amused look. "See you around, Parrot."
The emphasis made Parrot want to launch himself at Wemmbu's face, but he restrained himself. Barely.
The door closed behind the demon hybrid, leaving Parrot alone with Jaden.
He picked at the food, drank some water, and tried not to think about how many more hours until sunset.
This was going to be a long day.
The hours crawled by with agonizing slowness.
Jaden worked on his various projects of Pirate Civilisation and plans to deal with Law, occasionally talking to Parrot even though he couldn't respond. Sometimes he'd ask questions as if expecting answers, interpreting Parrot's chirps and movements as actual communication. Other times he'd just narrate what he was doing, filling the silence with his soft voice.
Parrot found it both annoying and oddly... comforting.
He dozed on and off, exhausted from the stress of the day and the weirdness of being in a bird's body. Each time he woke, Jaden would glance over and smile, sometimes coming to check on him or offer more food.
It was peaceful. Nothing like the chaos that usually defined their server.
And Parrot hated how much he didn't entirely hate it.
Finally, finally, the sun began to sink toward the horizon. Parrot watched it anxiously by the window, willing it to move faster.
"Getting late," Jaden observed, standing and stretching. His gills fluttered slightly as he yawned. "Should probably grab some dinner. You good here for a bit?"
Parrot bobbed his head—the bird equivalent of a nod. Yes, please leave. Please go away so I can transform back and escape.
"Alright. I'll be back later to check on you." Jaden approached, and Parrot tensed, but the siren just reached out to gently stroke his head one more time. "You're really sweet, you know that? I'm glad you ended up here."
The words hit harder than they should have, and Parrot made a soft, complicated sound that he couldn't quite define even to himself.
Jaden's smile was gentle as he headed for the door. "Rest well, dude. You're safe here."
The door clicked shut.
Parrot waited, counting his heartbeats, making sure Jaden was really gone. Then he watched as the sun finally dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in oranges and purples.
The sudden change hit him like a wave.
His vision blurred, his balance shifted, and suddenly he was falling—
Parrot tumbled off with an undignified squawk that morphed mid-fall into a very human yelp. He hit the floor hard, landing in a tangle of limbs that were suddenly, blessedly human again.
For a moment, he just lay there, breathing hard, feeling the familiar weight of his body, the ache in his permanently clipped wings, the solid reality of being himself again.
"Oh thank god bro," he muttered, his voice hoarse but unmistakably his own. "Oh thank god."
He pushed himself up to sitting, taking stock. Human hands. Human legs. His wings tucked properly against his back where they belonged. Everything was—
The door opened.
Parrot's head snapped up, his heart stopping, and he found himself staring directly at Wemmbu.
The demon hybrid stood in the doorway, clearly having been making his promised check-in. His eyes widened for exactly half a second before his expression transformed into something absolutely delighted.
"Well, well, well," Wemmbu drawled, closing the door quickly behind him and leaning against it. His grin was wicked. "Look who's back to normal. Have a nice afternoon?"
"Wemmbu—" Parrot started, scrambling to his feet.
"Did you enjoy your spa day?”
"I will end you," Parrot hissed, keeping his voice low. His wings flared. "I swear to god, if you tell anyone—"
"Tell anyone?" Wemmbu pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. "About how the mighty ParrotX2 spent his afternoon being treated like Jaden's pet bird? How you were making happy little chirping sounds while getting groomed?”
Parrot's face burned hot enough to melt steel. "I was stuck. What was I supposed to do?"
"Oh, I know. It was beautiful." Wemmbu's grin was viciously amused. "Watching you was absolute gold."
"I hate you so much right now."
"Yeah, yeah. Get in line." Wemmbu pushed off the door, his expression shifting slightly to something more practical. "But seriously, you gotta get out before Jaden comes back. Unless you wanna explain why his bird suddenly became a person?"
"Obviously not," Parrot snapped. He glanced around frantically. "I need—my elytra's gone. I don't even know where I was when this started."
"That sucks." Wemmbu moved to the window, checking outside. "But you can get out through here. Drop to the street, head for the docks, steal a boat. Easy."
Parrot stared at him suspiciously. "Why are you helping me?"
"Don’t know, you tell me," Wemmbu said cheerfully. "Also 'cause if Jaden finds out, this whole beautiful situation ends, and I'm not ready for that yet."
Parrot scowled.
Wemmbu continued like he was discussing the weather. "But just in case it's not... you know where to find me. I'll make sure you don't end up as someone else's pet."
Parrot’s scowl deepened.
"Excellent." Wemmbu's grin returned. "Now get out. Jaden's probably gonna be back soon."
Parrot didn't need more encouragement. He crossed to the window, his wings tucking tight against his back as he climbed out. The drop was manageable, his knees bending to absorb the impact when he hit the street below.
Behind him, he heard Wemmbu close the window. Through the glass, the demon gave him a mocking salute.
Parrot resisted the urge to flip him off and instead focused on getting to the docks as quickly and quietly as possible. His mind was racing—trying to piece together what had happened, why it had happened, how to prevent it from happening again.
And trying very, very hard not to think about Jaden.
Don't, he told himself firmly. Don't go there. This was a nightmare. A humiliating, mortifying nightmare, and you're never going to let it happen again.
He found an empty boat at the docks and pushed off into the darkness, rowing hard to put distance between himself and the civilization.
Behind him, the lights of Jaden's settlement grew smaller, and with them, the most embarrassing day of Parrot's entire life.
It won't happen again, he thought desperately. It can't happen again.
The ocean stretched out before him, dark and endless, and Parrot rowed, trying to outpace his own feelings.