Morning on the Faction Isles

WC: 4,076

TW: Panic attacks but only for a bit

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The day started like any other, with a beautiful sunrise and the calling of birds. Another gorgeous morning on the Faction Isles.

Gabriel does his usual routine, making the bed, getting changed and going to the Heron community kitchen for breakfast. After getting what he needed, he packed his food in a bag and headed up to the tavern.

Most of the Herons ate together in the evenings to share stories of adventure and discovery. At night it was a lively community full of music, dancing and laughter. The booths were constantly packed and the bar was always busy. That being said, the tavern was practically deserted this early in the morning.

Gabriel liked the quiet start, it gave him time to reflect on the previous night and plan for the day. Usually, he was the only one there, save for Christian and the occasional bartender restocking before the rush. Sometimes he talked to the faction leader, but most days he just kept to himself.

Gabriel sat down at one of the tables in the middle of the tavern. This seat had a clear view of the glistening sea gently rolling onto the coast. The SunGod must be feeling particularly joyful this morning, for the sky looked extra beautiful, clear for the most part, with minimal cloud coverage. A few ships could be seen in the distance, raising many different flags.

A small fleet of Nightingales sailed off together, their blue and orange flags flapping in the breeze. A lone Kite travelled across the horizon, likely in search of monsters to defeat. Kestrel ships were scattered throughout Gabriel's field of view, hulls scattered with gold, constantly flaunting their wealth. And most importantly, a single Heron ship pulling up to the docks.

Gabriel would recognize this ship anywhere, with its dark hull and billowing orange sails, but most importantly, a large blue and green Heron flag swaying in the wind. Owen's. Now, Gabriel loved all the Herons in some way, but Owen... now there was a pirate that held a special place in his heart.

They had first met on the day of the factioning when pirates came from far and wide to test their luck at getting a spot in one of the legendary factions. Gabriel didn't get to meet all of them, most of the new recruits didn't talk to him, choosing instead to explore the isles instead. He understood, the isles were full of mystery and adventure, which is much more exciting than talking to a simple scribe.

The new Herons talked to him, it would have been quite rude not to after all. They gave up their time to indulge him with brief descriptions of their adventures so far, and he was grateful for all the words they shared.

He had known one of them, Scott, for as long as the young Heron had been alive, his parents were well-known and it had been the talk of the town when their youngest had run off. He may not seem it, but Gabriel was always up for a spot of drama.

Most of the people who came to talk to him that day were just experiencing the faction isles for the first time, so he took extra care not to overwhelm them. (Later that day he would reflect that he might have been a bit of a bore, but he didn't do well with new faces, and it was best for him to disappear under the guise of a simple scribe).

There had been one pirate that stood out from all the others, a lively young Heron named Owen. She was so different from himself, while he covered up the best he could without looking out of place, Owen proudly showed off his body without any concern for the thoughts of others. Her chest displayed various scars from past adventures, and his hair grew long and free.

She was everything Gabriel was not, and he would be lying if he said that the outgoing pirate went unnoticed. He had seen many people eyeing up the beautiful Heron and had been surprised when he felt a pang of jealousy at their actions. Owen flirted with half the isles, so it shouldn't be unexpected for there to be a few wandering gazes. Even with this information, Gabriel still had the urge to intervene. Obviously, he stopped himself, it would just be embarrassing for everyone involved. He had no claim over Owen, and if he was too shy to make any moves, he didn't deserve to stop others from trying.