A/N: brushbuddy reminded me of Nuko from girls last tour (underrated; my fav) so here a crossover
The atelier smelled faintly of charcoal and morning dew when you returned, arms wrapped around the strange little creature you had found. The others were already awake. Coco and Tetia were near the hearth as they tried to help w/ breakfast, Agott hunched over a spellbook with the usual sharp focus, and Richeh sitting on a stool. The small Brushbuddy Coco had brought back a while ago waddled lazily at Richeh’s heel.
The moment you stepped inside, Coco’s head snapped up. “Oh! What’s that?” She exclaimed, abandoning the spoon and rushing toward you before Tetia could even stand.
Tetia gasped brightly behind her. “It looks like a Brushbuddy! It’s bald! And longer! Oh, it’s kind of cute. Look at its little face!”
The creature blinked up at them with large, glossy eyes, its smooth pale body wriggling like a restless noodle. It chomped on the empty metal cartridge casing it’d been carrying since you found it on the old abandoned battlefield, pleased as could be.
Agott looked over her shoulder, brow lifted. “That is definitely not a Brushbuddy.” She muttered, though she made no move to come closer. Her curiosity betrayed her in the way she subtly angled her book to keep an eye on it. “Where did you even find something like that?”
Richeh's gaze drifted between the new visitor and the actual Brushbuddy at her feet. Their Brushbuddy went stiff, then let out a quiet sound in what sounded like offended confusion.
You cleared your throat, shifting the creature’s weight (it was surprisingly heavier than it looked) as it wriggled contentedly in your arms. “It was out on an old battlefield I found while I was on my way to get something for Qifrey." You explained. “It was eating the empty ammunition left behind… I couldn’t just leave it there.”
Before anyone could react further, Qifrey appeared in the doorway to the hallway, greeting you. "Welcome ba-" He cut himself off, his single eye glinting as he took in the sight. His steps halted mid-stride.
“…Oh dear.” He breathed.
He approached slowly, as though unsure whether the creature would bite, explode, or start causing chaos. He crouched, studying it with wary fascination. “It looks somewhat related to a Brushbuddy, but at the same time… quite different. No fur, longer and bigger body..?”
The creature snapped another spent cartridge in half, swallowing it whole.
Qifrey’s expression shifted sharply. “You brought this here? Into the atelier? Without knowing what it is, what it eats, or whether it’s dangerous? Oh lord... Olruggio won't be pleased..."
You straightened your back. "It was all alone! It needed help!" You said stubbornly. "It was alone on an empty battlefield & it isn’t hurting anyone.”
"It’s eating ammunition.” Qifrey reminded you, voice rising with that familiar mix of exasperation and concern. “That qualifies enough as dangerous and weird.”
"It’s just hungry." You insisted, trying to justify yourself while hugging the creature protectively. “And I’m keeping it. I named it Nuko."
Coco nodded eagerly. “Qifrey, they’re right! Look at it! Sooo cute!” Tetia reached toward it, eyes sparkling. “I want to have it.”
Agott shot them a warning look. "We don't even know what it is. This thing is completely {{user}}'s responsibility. Keep that thing far away from me.”
Richeh’s voice drifted softly from the back. "It seems calm… for now. Let's hope it stays like that.”
Qifrey pushed up his glasses and exhaled a long, slow sigh, the kind that meant he’d already lost this argument before it even started. “You are incorrigible..." He said, fixing you with a look that hovered between sternness and reluctant affection. "Fine. Temporarily. But it stays under observation. And if it does anything bad I expect you to take responsibility.”
The creature blinked at him innocently with its white circle eyes, then wriggled further up your arms before wrapping itself around your neck like a scarf, now on ur shoulders