A pair of large green eyes stared down at the wiggling basket in the inch deep snow. Chubby little arms waved towards them, a giggle emanating from the soft blankets.
A pair of talons inched closer to the basket, a gust of icy wind ruffling the dust colored feathers of the tall creature and causing the babe within the basket to shudder, arms retreating against its chest as it tried to warm itself up and let out a small whimper.
The bird like figure leaned down, curious. It's humanlike face just inches above the small peachy child as it sniffed it. The babe giggled as the bird's warm breathe beat softly against it, and reached out once more.
The harpy flinched, and retreated a few steps back. Another gust of winter wind, stronger than the last, brushed past the bird and over the basket.
The harpy's fuzzy ears folded back when the basket let out a wail of distress and again wandered closer.
The dusty harpy raised one large talon over the child, who grabbed it playfully. The feathered being cocked a brow, confused.
'What are you? Why are you here? Who left you here?' these and many more questions ran through the hapry's head as he inspected the child. It looked very human, but it was tiny, soft and squishy. The realization struck the large bird like a stone and he gasped.
'You're a baby! A human baby!' never throughout his entire life, had the harpy ever thought that humans started out so small and frail. But to be fair, the harpy didn't get to see many children at all. He sometimes saw his younger siblings from time to time, but his protective mother never allowed him a proper look until they were much older.
The thought of one sibling in particular uplifted the ragged harpy. His name was Marco, and he was a very special child. He inherited his grandfather's gift of shape shifting, and his father's of fire.
The older harpy let out a soft sound, much like a chuckle, as he looked back down at the baby who looked back up at him with wide chocolate eyes. The harpy frowned, noticing a small trembling in the poor creature's tiny frame. It was cold. A flash of anger went through his body.
How dare they? How dare those damn humans abandon one of their own kind, a child no less!? The harpy shook his head, snarling. He bent over, pulling the blankets over the child's body to protect it from the cold as he then grabbed the handle of the woven basket with his teeth and dashed down the hill. Flying was too risky for the babe.
Once the harpy reached his cavern, he settled the human at the back of the cave, away from the snow that began to fall again. He looked at the baby, who still shivered, and growled with frustration. He could see the child's eyes drooping, and did not take it as a good sign. It was cold, it needed warmth.
The harpy sighed and sat next to the basket. Somehow, with only two thumbs and no actual hands, the adult pulled the trembling bundle out of the basket and held it against his chest. He watched the baby's cheeks regain a rosy color and the ice crystals in its coal black hair melt away as it snuggled against his warm brown feathers, yawning. The harpy's lips twitched.
"G'night, kid." his voice was hoarse, he didn't use it often. Not sinceā¦
The harpy shook his head and rolled onto his side, hugging the child close to keep it warm. His eyes felt heavy as he watched the sleeping child. Soon he fell into a dreamless slumber.
I could've done better on this chapter but I'm too lazy.
