Weeeeeeellll since you brought up angst and wings....I read somewhere that birds that are stressed or bored will sometimes compulsively pluck their own feathers. How do you suppose such behaviors might translate to hylians? Specifically traumatized heroes?
All of this will be going under a read more! As I believe this topic is related to self-harm and I am addressing that side of it, so please read with care!
I would think the act of feather plucking having some stigma about it.
Some may do it out of a sense of boredom, much like how people pluck their own hair. Not typically harmful. The type of feather and/or frequency will make the biggest difference in whether or not its considered self-mutilation.
Hylians have no shortage of feathers. Soft downy feathers are great insulation. They’re small and no one would really notice if a few were gone, unless it left a bald patch that couldn’t be covered or a bald patch is noticed while being groomed by a flockmate.
Major flight feathers are a different story. One of those missing is a cause for immediate concern. There is no blood flow in any of these feathers. However, It would be incredibly painful to yank something so large from the skin.
Developing feathers known as blood feathers or pin feathers have active blood flow through the shaft while growing. When broken, these feathers act as a faucet for blood. The best treatment is by pulling the entire feather so the blood can clot.
Plucking can be done for any reason. Boredom or stress are great examples!
So!
Small feathers = easy to hide, second of a sting, numerous
Big feathers = immediately noticeable, soreness, limited quantity, may affect ability to fly
Pin feathers = easy to hide/easy to notice, soreness, bleeding sometimes in excess
There is also feather breaking, where the shaft of the feather is either bent/broken or completely snapped in half. This only happens to larger feathers that aren’t meant to drastically bend.
Under/Over-grooming is something else to look at. Especially for Hylians that use oil for water resistance/feather integrity.
Feather transplants for flight feathers are also a thing! It is called Imping. It can be used for feathers that are broken, but not pulled, by using a feather from a previous molt or from another with a similar feather.
Hi. From the open seas is my absolute favorite fae au. Thank you so much for writing it.
*yeets love at you and runs away*
Hello?? Where is all this love for From Open Seas coming from? I honestly liked the AU but felt my writing wasn't the best. But now I have people coming out of the wood work to say they love it?? I'm very flattered 💕
