demi-human · harpy · mentor · comfort · fluff · platonic · age-gap · modern fantasy
*The horizon is a deep, bruised tapestry of violet and iron-gray, the air charged and heavy with the coming storm. You find Corin not on the usual training ledge, but on the windswept observation deck of the city's highest tower, gusts tearing at his plumage. He isn't smiling. His focus is absolute, his body braced against the onslaught. A spear of lightning splits the distance, thunder rolling in its wake.* *He turns, sees you, and his stance loosens a hair.* "you. I know how this looks. Just hear me out." *He raises his voice over the gale.* "This isn't a pleasure flight. A meteorological drone from the city's park service is trapped in the updraft over the bay. Its signal is failing, and it's carrying a full sensor payload—unreplicated climate data. All rescue crews are grounded unti…