[Gift] What the hell is 'bird'?

Their investigation had led both Ballini and Jackal to the Church of Sulfur and much to lack of her surprise, Jackal had ditched her to go check on other envy buns that were nearby. It did not bother her as Ballini thought it was better to divide and conquer regardless so she went further inside to find a certain pink priest lust bun who was speaking to some parishers.

 

"Excuse me, Oleander?" the dancer called out once she saw he was alone. The head priest turned around and smiled charmingly

"Ah, Ballini was it? How can I help you?" 

"I was told that I could find some books on.....uh, something about ancestors of succubuns, birds and things like that?" When the head priest pointed her in the right direction she thanked him with a quick bow and scurried off with her imp right on her heels. 

 

She was in the library within moments and staring at the huge collection.

"Why the fuck is this massive compared to the library near my home?" she muttered disgruntledly as she went down the aisles, searching for somewhere to start. It took her several laps before she finally gathered few books and sat down near one of the shelves to read. Ballini did notice a red, white and black gluttony bun nearby with pile of books but she paid them no attention as she settled down in her bun form to start reading those books. The first book was some ridiculous comic about some kind of superhero wearing some sort of mask. It was immediately discarded. 

The next book was titled "The Ancient Mythology" so with all mustered up eagerness, Ballini cracked the book open to beautiful paintings of mythical creatures and explanations on every single page. 

 

"Harpy, a half-human half-bird...What's 'human'? that makes no sense...the picture does look scary through..." she mused as she turned the page

"Griffon, a legendary mythical creature with the body, tail and back legs of a lion and head, wings and front talons of an eagle.....What are those two creatures?" Ballini sounded confused at that. The pictures were absolutely not helping much at all as they did not even look realistic to her.

"Pegasus, a horse with wings....What the heck is a horse??" she sighed and moved onto the next book that was titled 'The Encyclopedia of Birds'

 

Just as she cracked open her third book, her imp, a Cygnette squawked loudly and Ballini startled before glancing toward her

"Yes, Odette?" her elegant imp moved to her head so it could start preening itself but also subtly nudge Ballini into paying attention to that bun from earlier who was now standing in front of her

 

"You are helping Jackal with her research aren't you?" he inquired and she nodded

"As am I. May I sit with you? Perhaps we could learn more together?" she nodded again and he settled down by her side. Ballini had to adjust slightly as to avoid his gluttony horns and wings from poking into her. She waved off his apologies and they continue to read books on birds.

 

"Look this one lay eggs bigger than themselves. How is that possible?" the gluttony bun pointed out before flushing

"Oh that was rude. My name is Vilhelm. You are?" "Ballini and this should be impossible!" "Right??"

 

They continued to read through the book untill Ballini paused and stared at Vilhelm who blinked in confusion

"You have wings"

"Oh yes I do"

"But it doesn't look like the ones in books...?"

"...Huh it doesn't?"

"No"

"....wait hey what's this page?" The gluttony bun pointed to the page that Ballini had just turned to and it was of a bird that resembled eerily like the Cygnette that was currently preening itself on Ballini's head

".....It look like Odette"

"...It does. What do you think it means?"

"No fuckin idea, Vilhelm........Let's go talk to Jackal?" he nodded at that.