Katrina Rix
Apprentice
Del pasado al presente, vivimos en un universo encantado.
Posts: 108
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Post by Katrina Rix on Mar 11, 2006 15:31:14 GMT -5
Shazrad took her saddle down and moved outside to clean it. Talk to Gavyn? Blazes, most of her plans had involved making contact with him. The problem was that anything coming out of her mouth when he was around seemed to be irreparably stupid. The last thing she wanted was for him to think she was an idiot. Shazrad polished harder. He probably had plenty of admirers. He was very good looking, but more then that, Gavyn was kind. He cared deeply about the skybax and their riders. He was always willing to help, even at his own expense. He was brave and tough... There was also the matter of those green eyes, which never failed to shut down Shazrad's brain. She flipped the saddle over. It was hard to believe anyone could hurt him, but Connor was no liar. She remembered Gavyn's soft voice as he stitched up Alpenglow's wing from one of his fights with Cloudrunner. Both skybax had both come out pretty bad - their first serious brawl. Shazrad had been panicked, seeing blood on her partner, and Gavyn had made her breath and calm herself. He had talked quietly throughout sewing Alp up, keeping both the worried young woman and her injured skybax from hysteria. She had been entirely entranced, and had developed her hopeless crush at that time. Shazrad realized that she was mooning again, and threw herself wholeheartedly into cleaning. She finished in half the time it would have normally taken her. Shazrad stood, working the cricks out of her back and neck. Well, I could go see him. Ask how his shoulder's feeling. Even I can't mess that one up. Besides, I won't have time to really blow it before my patrol starts. She set the saddle down near a big rock, so it would be easy to get going once she returned. She stretched and set off, trying to ignore the tornado that suddenly went churning through her innards. Gavyn's house was fairly close, but Shazrad had time to formulate a short speech. It was friendly, courteous, and slightly flirtatious. She saw the door, and her courage, which had withstood everything from fires to carnivores, nearly failed her. She raised her hand to knock on the door, then dropped it, then raised her hand again, then stepped back, then gritted her teeth and knocked. There was no response, so she tried once more. Gavyn was throwing himself into his work. He wasn't sure he'd heard the door the first time, but the second was confirmation. He closed his book, carefully marking his place. "Wait! I'll be right there," he said, getting to his feet. Shazrad had turned away when she heard Gavyn's voice. She wasn't sure whether she was overjoyed or panicked. As usual, the mixture was no good for her brain. She still had the speech ready, though... Until Gavyn opened the door. He was giving his wounds some help in scabbing over and getting air. In other words, all he had on for a top was the bandage over his shoulder. It was too much for the well-rehearsed speech, which fled into the recesses of Shazrad's mind. "Hello?" he said, somehow making it a polite question. Eyes up. Don't stare at the chest, not at those beautiful eyes. Oh $@&%. I must just be cursed... Or blessed... No! Eyes up! "Urk," Shazrad managed. Her eyes flicked everywhere, then focused on a point just in from of her left shoe. "I... Er. Hello. Ah..." The speech made a gallant effort to return, though it had been garbled. "I... uh, thought I'd, er, see, how your shoulder's, um, feeling." Poor Shazrad was really flustered, but some part of her was aware that this time, at least, she'd managed to open her mouth and say something. Since her sole other actual conversation with him had been about Alp's health, this was an improvement. "Well... Umm. It looks good. Er... Um, does it hurt? Eh, I suppose, um, that that's a really stupid question... How are, ah, you doing?" she stammered akwardky. Shazrad, cruising on pure adrenaline, managed to dragoon enough of her brain to manage a smile. It was very shaky, but she'd managed to look up at his face. Her stomach was one nervous earthquake. ***** Brightfeather chatted quietly with Seires. She was ready to sleep, and soon reclaimed her nest, more than a little exhausted from the day. This time, she intended to sleep soundly and throughly. Seires returned to her house, with a promise to return at dawn with extra tea. ***** Alpenglow clacked his beak rapidly, laughing. "Well, you can help me ambush Cloudrunner. That'd be fun." He paused, cocking his head to inspect her. "You look like you've had one horrible day. Safyre, you should get some sleep. The barn's a good place. No one will hurt you... Not with that bodyguard," he added, pointing with his beak to the tiny bundle of snoring feathers that was Brightfeather. Alpenglow opened his beak widely, smiling. "Sleep's the best cure for what ails you, even Gavyn will tell you that." Safyre contemplated this for a moment. "I am tired," she admitted. "Where do the rest of you sleep?" Alp enjoyed being the tour guide. "Well, usually in the barn, though tonight, Shaz and I have a patrol, so it's anyone's guess whether we'll crash in the straw with the rest, or just sleep outside so we don't wake anyone up."
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Kiva
Apprentice
Self-proclaimed Ninja Mistress... with cat ears...
Posts: 171
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Post by Kiva on Mar 11, 2006 17:42:06 GMT -5
Gavyn was surprised to see Shazrad standing outside his door. He was expecting Connor to drop by and check on him, but Shaz was a different story. Too late, he realized, to go put his shirt on now. Oh well, he might as well be polite.
“Hello?” he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. For some reason, her apparent embarrassment at seeing him this way was a little amusing. He listened patiently as she stumbled and mumbled her way through what sounded like a rehearsed speech questioning his health and well-being. He smiled within himself. 'Connor probably sent her as a means to exact revenge on my chewing him out earlier...' he thought. A shame she had to be dragged into that. Still, he thought it best not to make her pay for their stupidity.
“Yes, it does hurt a little, but it's not as bad as all that. Just a scratch really. Nothing to concern yourself with.” His mind flashed back to a memory of Yvonne. “I've dealt with worse pain than this.”
There... for an instant, Shaz saw it. A coldness flickered across his eyes, though it seemed to be directed at something he was seeing in his mind and not at her. A brief instant of visible agony that shadowed his face and tightened the smile on his lips to a strained appearance. But before she had a chance to fully register it, it was gone, and a warm glow replaced itself in his eyes, and his visage relaxed.
The moment was interrupted by a shout from another Apprentice Rider. It was Shaz's patrol partner for the shift, and he was yelling that it was almost time to go. In Gavyn's eyes, Shaz seemed a little grateful for the excuse to leave. He knew she was nervous about being there near him, and he didn't want to prolong her pain.
“Be careful, Shazrad,” he said, softly. “If these 'Untamed' are as dangerous as they seem, they may be a problem.” He grinned at her. “And I'd hate to have to be patching Alpenglow up just to get a chance to talk to you again.” She looked a little shocked at this, but before she got the chance to say anything, he whispered a quiet “good-night” and closed the door.
---,--'--(@
Safyre looked up at him, sharply. “You can't mean you're going outside tonight! It's dangerous out there! They[/b] hunt at night...”
Alp shushed her with a soft coo, not wanting her outburst to wake Brightfeather. “Don't worry, Safyre. Shazrad and I know how to take care of ourselves. We're not stupid.”
Safyre dipped her head again. “I'm sorry, I wasn't implying that you were.”
Alpenglow's gaze softened. “It's all right. No harm done.” He turned his head at the familiar whistle of his partner's approach. “I have to go now, but you get some rest and stop worrying so much.” He ambled off.
“Alpenglow?” she called out, causing him to pause and glance at her over his shoulder. “Thank you. You are the first of my race who has been kind to me. I am grateful.”
---,--'--(@
Nightwing was out on his own patrol, ensuring that the whereabouts of his small group remained a secret. His powerful wings brought him swiftly through the air. A whim had brought him close to the Rookery to see how well guarded the blue female Skybax was. The powerful Skybax dwarfed most of the other members of his species by about 6 feet all around. He was an aerial fighter, and could hold his own against any opponent. Foolhardy was the individual who dared to cross him. Foolhardy and short lived...[/color]
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Katrina Rix
Apprentice
Del pasado al presente, vivimos en un universo encantado.
Posts: 108
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Post by Katrina Rix on Mar 11, 2006 19:49:39 GMT -5
Alpenglow wasn't worried. He was the biggest skybax of his age, and he knew that night flying was difficult. For starters the thermals were few and far between, so it was mostly powered flight, except over water. Skybax had eyes for daylight. Fighting at night would just be stupid... He piped cheerfully as Shazrad approached. Her eyes were bright. "Alp! I actually talked to him! He grinned at me, and not just to be polite!" She flung her arms around her partner. He chirruped delightedly, and boxed her shoulder with his beak. Shazrad pulled on her hat and jacket, actually singing. Alpenglow joined in, his caws horribly flat and entirely deliberate.
The other rider was a younger boy, David. His partner was a small, fast, narrow-winged skybax called Swiftflight. She was slightly more mature then David, but both were youngsters. David saddled up Swiftflight, bemused at Shazrad's antics.
Shazrad smiled at him as she flung her saddle onto Alpenglow. "Ready for your first night patrol, kid?"
"I suppose. I'm a little nervous, but I'm sure Swiftflight can handle it."
"Okay, just remember - if Swiftflight can't see, or something seems off, start blowing that whistle." She paused, checking the straps on her saddle. Then she moved over to check David's. "Check mine. Good. Okay, so, when the moon's behind a cloud, your skybax won't see too well, so this is a very high patrol most of the time. Got your jacket? We're going to follow the river down for most of the way - it has the only good wind to ride."
David nodded and gulped. He had just reached 16, and was apprehensive. Most of the kids his age had already flown a moonlight patrol, but David had avoided them. The idea of flying blind terrified him.
"One more thing - you actually have better night vision than your skybax, so I want you to give her lots of hints. Use your weight," Shazrad instructed. She wasn't convinced that she had enough experience to be teaching, but she knew that David had heard it all before from the real instructors. The tall woman was just repeating the information to help calm the sandy haired boy. "It's really kind of fun," she added. "Usually, this show-off", at that point she affectionately boxed Alp's beak, "can see thrice as far as I can, but at night, I'm ahead." Alpenglow retaliated by shoving his rider.
Shazrad tussled affectionately with her partner, then scratched under his beak. Swiftflight and David traded apprehensive looks, then both riders mounted up and the skybax dropped from the rim of the canyon, into the air. Shazrad whispered to Alpenglow, "I think he said that he actually wants to talk to me again." Alp blew a raspberry and laughed. Then he caught the warm air rising from the river beneath his wings.
It took Swiftflight a little longer to find that rising breeze. She was nervous, too, and the trouble with seeing bothered her... Not that she didn't trust David, but still... Flying half-blind was no fun. At that point, Shazrad and Alpenglow plummeted past, hooting like banshees. The wind would ensure that their voices wouldn't wake the whole Rookery, and both were in a good mood. Alp felt like showing off.
He turned, wheeling perpendicular to the ground in a wide arc, while Shazrad hugged the saddle and suggested paths with her weight. He caught one of the bigger rising air currents, and shot past the youngsters on the way up. "Alp, he told me to be careful!" Alpenglow listened with all the patience of one planning on heckling endlessly about Shazrad's euphoric reaction as soon as possible. He was happy - Shazrad was finally getting the courage to talk to Gavyn, and he hadn't had to fake injury or be torn up in the process.
David kept the tremor out of his voice. "C'mon, Swift, we can catch them." Swiftflight, trying to be brave for her rider, burbled agreement and used her speed to catch up. David was at first, terrified of telling Swiftflight where to fly, but he slowly got his confidence up. Shazrad and Alpenglow ceased their antics, flying relatively sedately, though Shazrad still occasionally whooped when Alp dove or climbed suddenly to catch the air over the river.
((OOC - I'm not up to handling Nightwing until I get more sense of the character, so the next move's yours.))
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Kiva
Apprentice
Self-proclaimed Ninja Mistress... with cat ears...
Posts: 171
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Post by Kiva on Mar 11, 2006 21:05:52 GMT -5
(OOC: Not a probelm Katrina. I'll give you a little taste of what Nightwing is like here in this post. Enjoy!)
Safyre tried to sleep, but couldn't. Her exhausted body screamed for rest, but her racing mind would give her no peace. She started again when she sensed someone approaching, but calmed when she saw that it was Gavyn.
“You can't sleep, can you?” he asked her, keeping his voice at a soothing whisper. He walked slowly up to her, hand outstretched and gently touched her beak. She remembered his touch and did not mind it.
When he saw that she was calm in his presence, he settled himself nearby and pulled out a tin whistle that his father had given him many years ago. Using it lulled the anxious skybax to sleep finally, and he pulled out a notebook. He would sleep here tonight, examining his patient, making notes, and ensuring that no one disturbed her. Yet as the evening wore on and Safyre did not stir, sleep soon overcame Gavyn as well.
---,--'--(@
Nightwing saw the two skybaxes and their partners take off. He was far enough away and high enough up to ensure they could not see him, but he had a perfect vantage point to observe them.
He watched them fly around for a bit and decided to have a little fun. He paced them, examining each one, and chose his target.
Two powerful flaps of his wings brought him ahead of the pair. Tucking his wings in close to his body, he shot downwards in front of the smaller skybax. In the space of a second he whirled himself around and spread his wings. The motion acted like a parachute, allowing Nightwing to hover in midair for a moment. The smaller skybax was heading straight for him and was flying too fast to swerve without risk of throwing her partner off balance.
Swiftflight turned her wings upright to stop in time, and this caused her to stall. The skybax and rider started a fatal plummet towards the ground, and there would be nothing to stop it unless a thermal lay close to the ground with which Swiftflight could get herself moving again.
David and Swiftflight were in serious trouble, and Nightwing had disappeared.
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Katrina Rix
Apprentice
Del pasado al presente, vivimos en un universo encantado.
Posts: 108
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Post by Katrina Rix on Mar 11, 2006 22:41:34 GMT -5
Shazrad saw the huge male pterosaur, and shouted a warning. However, it got lost in the wind, and Swiftflight was plummeting in moments. Shazrad pressed herself against Alpenglow, helping to guide him in a tighter dive than the uncontrolled fall of the two youngsters. "RIVER!" Shazrad screamed. "AIM FOR THE RIVER!" Alpenglow bellowed along with her, and David understood. He threw his weight to the right. The shift was enough to force Swiftflight, screaming piteously, in the same direction. It wasn't everything they needed, but the more experienced pair had leveled out just below. Shazrad flattened herself as much as possible, and gripped the saddle with everything she had as she helped Alpenglow throw himself into Swiftflight. Alp hit with his shoulder, wings folded out of the way. The impact from below and to the left flung the smaller pair over the river, where Swiftflight's still opened wings caught the air rising from the water. The river had received light from the sun all day, and water changed temperature less rapidly then land. Warm air came off the river, bringing Swiftflight up. Alpenglow was fast, but not fast enough to get his wings open before they hit the water. He went into the water on his back, and the skybax was ripped away from his rider by the current. The water buffeted him towards the shallows. His saddle caught on a branch, allowing the big male to clamber onto the bank. He screamed frantically, searching for his partner. He couldn't see her in the bad light. She wasn't answering. Alpenglow and Shazrad had seldom been out of earshot since they'd become partners, and to have silence where there should be her whistle made him frantic. Alpenglow was about to wade back into the river when David approached. "Swiftflight's in one piece," he said. Alpenglow could see the boy quaking, and, peering up the bank, he could see that Swiftflight was in worse shape. She was peeping to herself like a frightened chick. If Shazrad was alive, she'd want these scared children back to the Rookery. Besides, they didn't need to be there when he ripped the wings off the huge male skybax. Alp considered. He mimed flying low, close to the ground. He indicated Swiftflight as lead. "Look, I need you to calm down, Swiftflight. I need you and David to guide me back. He's got the best eyes in the dark of any of us, even the stranger. If we fly low and stick together, he won't be able to strike. We're flying half blind; so's he. David's our advantage in the dark." Swiftflight was shaking badly. She was still in shock from the sudden, violent strike. She'd never had anything try to hurt her before, and to be attacked by a member of her kind had shook her to the core. She might never have responded, if David hadn't chose that moment to stroke her soothingly. Swiftflight looked at Alpenglow and nodded vigorously. Together, they managed to mime to David what they needed. Alpenglow keened repeatedly for Shazrad, but she never responded. They went along the river, sometimes less than two meters above it. Alpenglow kept a very sharp eye for the skybax from above. Cold realization was beginning to seep in from the empty saddle on his back. Only his duty to the young pair kept him in the air. He could feel despair eating at him. He had lost his partner... David and Swiftflight managed to cling very tight to the river canyon, staying below the lip. Alpenglow followed them, purely driven by reflex now. ***** Nightwing watched the procession. It frustrated him that this time, they were more careful. The little female was flying dangerously close to the river and the rocks of the canyon. Nightwing enjoyed causing trouble and injury, but he was none too fond of taking risks. He didn't see any easy openings, so he contented himself with the loss of the male's rider. In the morning, when he could see well enough to dive below the lip of the canyon, perhaps he'd see if he could find her remains. He swung away as they neared the city. ***** Alpenglow followed the youngsters up into the Rookery, watching for his enemy. When he landed, without Shazrad, the big, rust-red male began to keen loudly. It was a noise every rider and quetzacoatlus knew, though hoped never to hear - it was the broken-hearted mewling of a skybax left on his own. The empty saddle... Alpenglow wasn't ready to give up on Shazrad, but his fear for her and pain at her absence emptied itself into a series of whimpers. She had to be alive... He hadn't seen her die. Alpenglow threw back his head and keened again. He shut his beak and hissed. As soon as dawn broke, he was going back for her, even if it was on his own. ***** Shazrad had taken most of the impact of their crash, because her body had hit the water first. By the time she was able to tumble to the surface, she was already 10 meters downstream, and that was just for a breath, because the current bludgeoned her against a boulder, then another. The first was fine - she hit with the flesh of her back. The second went wrong. Shazrad could hear her ribs crack. Her fingers scrambled for purchase, but there was none. She hit two more rocks before she managed to pull herself out onto one. She started by whooping for Alpenglow, but there was no answer. She hoped frantically that the river had left him alive. Shazrad examined herself. The ribs - some were cracked. Drawing breath hurt. Her left ankle hurt to put weight on - a possible sprain. Lastly, her back was raw and bleeding, a souvenier of being dragged over boulders.. She managed to stand, more or less, and leap for the bank. She fell as she landed. The left ankle wasn't strong enough to put up with that kind of punishment. She lay in the mud, waves of pain and cold sweeping over her. ((Shazrad's fun and games with the river brought to you by my own accidents when rafting... Though I've never been banged up so badly at once.))
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Kiva
Apprentice
Self-proclaimed Ninja Mistress... with cat ears...
Posts: 171
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Post by Kiva on Mar 12, 2006 12:51:29 GMT -5
Gavyn scrambled to his feet the instant he heard Alpenglow's distress call. He knew instantly the reason for its sounding, and his heart nearly stopped when he saw the riderless skybax. Connor and Clourunner were already talking and tending to David and Swiftflight so he made his way to Alpenglow. He held up his hand and gripped Alp's beak, gently drawing his head around to look Gavyn in the eyes. They simply stared at each other for a moment before Gavyn nodded.
“She's alive, Alpenglow. I know she is. She's alive and we'll find her.”
The gray light of dawn found Connor, Cloudrunner, Alpenglow, Gavyn, and few other Skybax/Rider partners getting ready for the search. Gavyn was adjusting the straps of Alp's saddle on the Skybax's back when Connor walked over.
“You flying with Alp?” he asked. Gavyn shook his head.
“I can't fly, Con, you know that. It's too much for me to ask Alpenglow to humor me for that anyway.” He stroked the Skybax's neck. “Besides,” he continued softly, “You'll need a way to transport Shazrad back here.” He turned and handed a length of rope to Connor.
“What's this for?” Connor asked, surprised.
“Shazrad may not be entirely able to grip the saddle on her own. She'll need to be tied down to ensure that she stays on the saddle... one way or another.”
Connor slung the coil over his shoulder and sighed. Gavyn gave the other Riders a few last minute instructions and then turned away. He needed to prepare himself for Shazrad's return... however she came back.
---,--'--(@
Shaz had passed between sleeping and waking several times during the night. She was cold, and couldn't seem to get warm. Her back and chest hurt horribly, and somewhere behind all that was the realization that she might not make it out of this.
It seemed to take forever, but finally she saw the sky begin to lighten as the sun peeked over the horizon. Dragging herself down to the river, she drank from the cold flow and quenched her parched throat. She was still shivering, but now it seemed more from shock than from cold.
Her head jerked up at the sound of wings flapping closer to her location. She whistled, praying that it was Alpenglow. Unfortunately, it was not.
Nightwing landed several feet away from her and glared. Shaz was terrified. It was the same psychotic creature that had tried to hurt David and Swiftflight the night before.
With a malicious glint in his almost black eyes, the massive dark crimson colored skybax advanced menacingly on her and she backed away, wracking her brain for a solution to this deadly problem.
Both were momentarily distracted by the arrival of a slightly smaller Skybax who greatly resembled Nightwing, the latter of which seemed furious at the interruption.
“Nightwing, what are you doing?” the newcomer asked. “I thought you said to avoid human contact.”
“I'm just having a little fun, brother. Nothing to worry about.”
The other Skybax clacked his beak nervously. “Well, there is, actually. They've sent out a search party for the human. Some of them are getting dangerously close to our nest sight. We need to hide.”
Nightwing looked from the newcomer to Shaz and sighed irritably. “Fine,” he grumbled. Spreading his wings, a powerful flap took him off the ground from a standing position.
The other Skybax caught Shazrad's eye and she could see a look of sympathy in them. “I'm sorry,” he squawked.
“Stratus!” Nightwing called from above. “Let's go, now!”
Stratus took off and followed his older brother back home. Shaz breathed a sigh if relief. They were sending a search party to find her. If that was true, then they should find her soon... she hoped.
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Katrina Rix
Apprentice
Del pasado al presente, vivimos en un universo encantado.
Posts: 108
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Post by Katrina Rix on Mar 12, 2006 14:39:18 GMT -5
Alpenglow shivered as he tested his wings. The search party would sweep the river first, looking where he'd lost Shazrad. They'd widen out along the same path, looking downstream. He took off with a piercing shriek. The party was made up of ten pairs, mostly the more experienced. They had flown search and rescue before, and knew what to expect. Alpenglow led them downriver, heading towards where they'd hit water. The big male pressed the pace, frantic.
There were a couple of glances exchanged between the older skybax, but none of them chose to reprimand Alpenglow. Instead, they kept his pace. As Alpenglow neared where he thought they'd been separated, he began to shriek loudly, then pause and listen. The full party descended into the canyon, where the flying was more dangerous, due to the morning breezes sweeping down. They were forced to slow down - except for Alpenglow, who didn't seem to care how near he swept to the wall.
Cloudrunner shrieked a warning at him. "Slow down!" Alp wheeled and hissed loudly at his rival. For a second, it seemed like Cloudrunner was going to take umbrage, then he backed down. "You won't help her if you're a bloody smear on the walls, Alpenglow."
Alpenglow stared, then folded his wings and dove closer to the water. However, he slowed down. He kept calling desperately, hoping for a reply. The other skybax ranged themselves throughout the canyon - some sweeping low, some high, and on either side along the river. Alpenglow's heart sunk as he saw the swifter white water and the rocks. He called again.
This time, he heard a whistle in return, at almost the same instant as Cloudrunner whooped, "I see her!" from the high watch. Alpenglow careened ahead, calling like a lost chick. The rest of the team followed on his tail. They rounded a bend in the corner, and there she was.
Shazrad had dragged herself upright against a rock. She managed a shaky tune on the whistle before Alpenglow landed beside her. He nudged her gently with his head, and she winced. "Careful, big guy. I'm one big bruise," she whispered, hugging him. "Are you all right?"
Alpenglow chirruped and folded his wings around her protectively, not actually making contact, but the gesture was clear.
"Hey, Shaz, you look like the river chewed you up and spat you out," Connor said. "Can you fly?" He moved to hold her up. Shazrad put her left arm around his shoulder, and let him hold the weight that her ankle should have managed.
Shazrad laughed, but winced when it disturbed her ribs. She kept her voice down, to avoid drawing deep breaths that would hurt. "Ow... I'm not so sure, Connor. I've got some cracked ribs, but I guess I have to try." In the narrow canyon, skybax were really the only way to get her out. "Ankle's shot, my back's pretty scrapped, and I don't know what all else. I've felt better." She decided not to mention the crimson skybax until they got back. There was no telling how Alp would react. He was thrumming now, his head thrust under her right shoulder, but... She was delighted to see Alpenglow in one piece after the river. "Alp... Are Swiftflight and David okay?" He chirped affirmatively, to Shazrad's relief.
She was exhausted and in a lot of pain. If it wasn't for Connor and Alp holding her up, she wouldn't be standing. Her brain was foggy, and she was suffering from shock still. She clung to Alpenglow, unwilling to be seperated from him again... Though pity anyone who tried to pull them apart. Alpenglow's protective glare said it all.
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Kiva
Apprentice
Self-proclaimed Ninja Mistress... with cat ears...
Posts: 171
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Post by Kiva on Mar 12, 2006 22:11:06 GMT -5
Gavyn nervously paced the landing platform. It was nearing early afternoon and still they had not returned. Deep in his heart, he knew that Shazrad was alive, but the condition of her health was what worried him. David had told him the whole story about their encounter with the dangerous pterosaur. It was now apparent that these Untamed were indeed hostile and viscious. He'd gone and spent some time with Swiftflight, soothing and calming the young skybax.
Surprisingly, Safyre and Brightfeather had joined him. Brightfeather felt a maternal instinct for the shaken 'Bax, while Safyre had sympathized with Swift's plight; having experienced a similar incident herself.
He heard Connor's whistle in the distance. They were returning. Relief and apprehension flowed through his emotions at the same time as he watched them approach. He was a healer, tough and professional, but that didn't mean he was devoid of feeling...
---,--'--(@
Frankly, the nearly hour long flight back to the Rookery was one of the most uncomfortable journeys Shaz had ever had. First, she had to lay on her stomach, which hurt her ribs and made breathing difficult. Secondly, she had to brace herself with her stirrups, which did nothing except aggrivate her ankle. And thirdly, Connor had to lash the rope across her back to ensure she stayed in the saddle, which rubbed the already raw and broken skin of her back.
Shaz was miserable, but at least she was alive. Alpenglow tried his best to make the ride as smooth as he could, but it was still a little rough in some spots.
In the distance, she could see the city and the Rookery looming ahead. Alpenglow landed as gently as he could, and Shaz felt the ropes being cut off the saddle. She was assisted off Alp's back, and glanced back to find her helper was Gavyn. Not paying attention, her foot hit the ground and she winced, remembering that it was her injured one.
In one smooth motion, Gavyn scooped her up and held her in his arms, already making his way to the infirmary. Even through her pain, Shaz was in heaven. Their second meeting and he was already holding her. Not exactly in the way she wanted, but it felt good nonetheless.
She was tired, and wanted sleep. She laid her head on Gavyn's shoulder and closed her eyes, but he shifted her in his arms, pressing on a sore spot on her back, and she yelped. He ignored this and continued on until he came to the infirmary, where he laid her on a bed. He called to one of the nurses, a young female scarlet-feathered Harpymimus.
“Quill, for propriety's sake, I need you to stay here while I tend to her.” Quill nodded and he continued. “I'm going to make sure we're not disturbed, in the meantime, dress the wounds on her back and bind her torso. While I carried her here, I could tell she had cracked a few ribs. Three at least, but make sure there aren't more.”
As Gavyn left to secure the area, Quill tended to Shazrad's wounds, cutting away her shirt to treat the abrasions on her back and wrapping bandages around her torso, protecting her modesty and stabilizing her ribs. Already it made it a little easier to breathe.
Gavyn returned when Quill was finished and examined her for other injuries. He applied a light splint to her sprained ankle, but otherwise, found no other serious wounds. He pulled up a chair next to her bed and sat down.
“Shazrad, listen to me,” he said seriously. The tone of his voice caught her attention quickly and she looked at him, exhausted gray eyes trying to focus. “Shaz, you need to stay awake. You cannot sleep for a while yet. If you do, you won't wake up. I'm here and I'll be right beside you, so talk to me. Tell me about your childhood, your likes, dislikes. Tell me anything you want, but you need to stay awake, Shaz.”
---,--'--(@
Alpenglow was still anxious. Gavyn had taken Shazrad away even before he got a chance to settle down. To top it off, Gavyn had looked worried, and when a doctor looks that way, it's usually not good. Connor seemed preoccupied, and even Cloudrunner had cooed in sympathy to him before the pair left. The two 'Baxes may have been rivals, but all confrontational behavior was laid aside when it came to the safety and well-being of their partners. At the very least, Cloudrunner trusted that Alpenglow would help him look for Connor if the roles had been reversed.
He glanced up as Safyre came out onto the landing platform. She had not seen him yet, and he did not yet make his presence known. Safyre ambled over to the edge of the platform and gazed out across the city, almost seeming to look for something.
Alp watched as she spread her wings and gave a few testing flaps; not hard enough to lift her off the ground, but enough to stretch her unused muscles. She hissed as a wave of pain shuddered down her arm and turned her head to examine the stitching on her wing.
Gavyn had said she couldn't fly yet or she'd permanently damage her wing and never be able to fly again. But oh how much she wanted to. She longed to soar through the sky again, with a gentle tail-wind pushing her along and massive thermals keeping her aloft. But she was grounded until she healed, and she mewled sadly at the loss of her freedom.
(Kinda wrote myself into a corner here, so feel free to do what you want. I trust you. ;D)
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Post by Highsoar on Mar 13, 2006 0:09:05 GMT -5
ooc: I'm sorry I haven't posted again....was going to try tonight but I want off of here before the storm hits. Yikessss! *is really nervous* I'll post tomorrow providing everything is still here.
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Katrina Rix
Apprentice
Del pasado al presente, vivimos en un universo encantado.
Posts: 108
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Post by Katrina Rix on Mar 13, 2006 0:57:34 GMT -5
Alpenglow wanted to see his rider. He wanted to be by her side, especially after he had come so close to losing her. Gavyn asked that no one disturb them, but Alp was bloody sure that no one didn't apply to him. He waited for a while, long enough to let the doctor do his doctor-y things, but Alpenglow was not feeling patient, and it tested him sorely. He watched Safyre with some sympathy, but he didn't feel like talking, even to the blue female. He wanted to see Shazrad. He turned, leaving Safyre to her own devices, and took off for the healer's house. It seemed fairly calm within. ***** Shazrad tried to roll over, and hissed with pain. She shut her eyes momentarily, letting her body punish her for the movement. "Well, for starters, I'm terrible at taking advice..." She paused, considering. The pain refused to let her focus too much on other things, so the rider didn't panic in Gavyn's presence, as was her wont. "Take your advice last night - be careful. Sure didn't pull that one off too well." She grinned ruefully. "At least Alp's fine. And the kids. You know, that was their first flight at night. I wouldn't bet on their wanting to go out at night again. Blazes, I'm not sure I want to go out at night again." She paused, her eyes focused on her hand. "I hope I'm not boring you." Gavyn shook his head. "You're not boring, trust me. Just stay awake, okay? Keep talking." She managed a smile. "Hey! I just figured something out. You called me Shaz! Only the other riders call me that... And a coupla friends." "Do you want me to call you something else? I'm afraid I picked it up from Connor." "No. No, I like Shaz." Shazrad tried to sit up, but didn't quite make it. Her breath caught as the wounds on her back pulled tight, and her ribs crunched painfully inside her chest. Gavyn held her upright and adjusted the pillow so she could lean against it. "Thanks. Yeah, I'd like it if you called me Shaz, Gavyn." She shut her eyes for a second, then opened them. "Right. Talking. Staying awake. You know, I thought I was going to die up until the moment I heard Alp. I always knew I was going to die on a patrol, but... There were some things I regretted not doing or saying and I missed Alp." Shazrad's head dropped, then came up. "Gavyn... Look, Alp's like half of who I am. Without him, I don't know what I'd do or what I'd be. He knows me better than I know myself." Her grey eyes sought out his green ones, as though she was looking for something. Her eyes were glassy with pain and exhaustion. "I thought I was going to die when the big skybax came back after me. He was going to kill me, Gavyn, and not quickly." Shazrad would have loved to break into sobs, but she was being strong for... Blazes, she didn't know anymore. She did know the only one she cried in front of was Alp. She rubbed her face, turning her head away from Gavyn. Her disheveled hair fell into her eyes, but she collapsed back without wiping it away, and turned her face towards his. "I must be boring you. How about you? What's your story?" Shazrad was too tired and sore to care what Gavyn thought of her at the moment. This was clearly her worst, but she would panic later, when her mind wasn't foggy and incapable of holding tightly to her thoughts. ***** It was Brightfeather who came upon Safyre. She swooped in beside the skybax and twittered. It was a tired, rueful noise. The little maniraptor looked up and caught some of the bigger flier's mood. It was no fun being grounded. She butted her head sympathetically against the skybax's legs, and did a flip. It was a ridiculous trick, about as stupid as acrobatics came. Brightfeather capered around her charge, beak gaping open in a wide smile, and cheeping. Her whole body shouted with the joy of being alive. ((Welcome back, Highsoar! No worries. I hope the storm you speak of leaves you intact. It occurs to me that having a character who communicates entirely with body language presents certain difficulties. *sigh*))
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Post by Highsoar on Mar 13, 2006 12:39:17 GMT -5
Highsoar had left with the search party to find the missing Skybax and rider, and now she glided over the landscape, part of a group searching for any signs that the wild skybaxes might still be nearby. She smelled scents but they weren't fresh, and the only other fliers she saw now were the others in the party.
She had not witnessed the attack yesterday, but her concern with the attacks was growing as they seemed to grow in number. She drew in another breath, curious about a ghost of famliar scent that was now detectible. She recognized her brother's scent but though he lived wild, it did not mean he was invovled in the attacks, she thought.
Unable to find anything, she and the rest of the party were soon back at the rookery, reporting in and finding out about the latest attack victims. A decision was forming in her mind, though, something she felt compelled to do later on.
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Kiva
Apprentice
Self-proclaimed Ninja Mistress... with cat ears...
Posts: 171
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Post by Kiva on Mar 13, 2006 18:18:15 GMT -5
(OOC: A nice long post for y'all, filled with a few surpprises. Enjoy!)
Gavyn smiled and reached over to brush the hair from her face. He sat back and sighed, thoughtfully. “Not much to tell, really. I was born near Bonabba, and met Connor when I was 4. We were both the same age, and we both dreamed of one day riding Skybaxes. He went on to fulfill his dream, while I contented myself with taking care of them when they were sick or injured.”
Shazrad frowned. “Why didn't you learn to ride?”
Gavyn shrugged. “I just couldn't,” was all he replied. Shaz decided against pressing the matter any further. The two sat in silence for a while before a loud grumbling sound broke the silence. Shaz turned bright red as her stomach growled, and Gavyn grinned. He stood from his chair and stretched.
“I don't know about you, but I'm a little hungry. If you'd like, I could bring some dinner up if you don't mind eating with me?” Shaz's eyes sparkled at the prospect and she nodded.
He walked over to the door and was about to open it, when suddenly, his vision blurred. He closed his eyes a moment, then blinked rapidly, trying to clear them. He opened his eyes to fuzzy shapes and dulled colors, but in a moment, his vision returned to normal. But his eyes hurt, horribly. He reached up and massaged the muscles of his eye sockets.
“Are you all right, Gavyn?” Shaz's concerned voice called out. He smiled and turned to her.
“Just a little eye strain. Naught to worry about. Now you rest, but don't fall asleep. I'll be right back.” He turned back around to exit, when the door burst open and Connor barged in, breathless.
“Gav, Cloudrunner and Alpenglow are at it again! I told Alp that Shaz couldn't be disturbed, but he's royally ticked, and I'm afraid things are gonna get worse before they get better. I tried talking to him, but he wants Shaz, and he'll do anything to get to her.”
Gavyn's eyes hardened. This had gone on far enough, and now it was his turn to be upset. He glanced back at Shaz then again at Connor.
“You might as well stay with her, Con. I'll settle this. Just stay with Shazrad and make sure she doesn't fall asleep for the next 5 hours. When that time is up, she can rest. I've got to go meet someone, but I'll be back to check on her in the morning.”
“But Gavyn, what about dinner?” Shaz called out.
His cool eyes focused on hers. “I'll send something up for you and Connor if you'd like. Besides, you'll no doubt feel more comfortable around him than me.” He exited and Connor looked at Shaz, a confused expression on his face.
“Was I interrupting something important?”
---,--'--(@
Gavyn stormed out of the house and saw the two Skybaxes nearby, posturing and hissing angrily. He strode over and whistled loudly, an angry tone that caused both 'Baxes to pause and look at him in surprise. With the reed in his mouth, his tone became one of a furious mother scolding her chicks. The tongue-lashing went something like this:
“What in Heaven's name do you think you two are doing? Don't you know this place is an infirmary and I have patients inside?” He paused and glared at them both. The two were silent and hung their heads. He continued. “I don't know why you two continue to act this way, since you both have been bickering since you were chicks. But it has to stop! With the violent attacks of these “Untamed” we need unity now more than ever to find them and end this danger once and for all. Everyone else can get along except you two! I suggest the two of you grow up and end your petty in-fighting, or I promise you, I will use every ounce of my influence and have both of you sent on separate missions to another part of the island or back to flight school because you're too juvenile to get along!”
With the scolding complete, he left the two cowed Skybaxes to their thoughts and walked down the street to a back alleyway and knocked on a door. An woman who looked to be in her mid 40's opened it and invited him in.
“Well, what brings you around, Gavyn?”
He sat down in a chair near the fireplace and stared at it a while before answering. “It's happening again, Sofia. The serum isn't as effective anymore. I just had another attack today.”
Sofia's forehead furrowed. “Are you sure?”
Gavyn nodded. “I used some of it just a week ago. It should still be potent, right?”
Sofia frowned. “Yes, it should.” She rummaged through some bottles on a table by the window. She picked one up and examined it before handing it to him. “I made this for you a while ago and let it age somewhat to increase its strength and potency. I didn't think I'd need to give it to you so soon, though...”
The silence hung thick around the room before Gavyn spoke, hoarsely. “Then there's no hope? No hope that this will get better?”
Sofia beckoned to him, and he stood and walked over to her, standing in the light. She examined his eyes, telling him to look this way and that. She sighed and turned away, busying herself by stirring some herbs that simmered in a small pot over an open flame.
“I'll be honest with you, Gavyn; it doesn't look good.”
“How much time?”
“By age 30, your vision will be gone for good. I'd say 4, maybe 5 years at the most.”
“Will it be entirely dark?”
“No, but it will be irreparably blurred and fuzzy. You'll see shapes and bright colors, but nothing more.” She paused. “I'm sorry, Gavyn.”
Gavyn tried to smile, but his lips refused to work that way. “It's all right, Sofia. Thank you for being honest. I'll see... talk... to you later.”
Gavyn,” she called out. “Only use the more powerful serum when you truly need it. Use it too often and it'll do more harm than good. Try to continue administering the milder version of it until it gets too bad to stand. I know it's hard, but it'll slow down the effects of your degenerative eye disease somewhat.”
Gavyn nodded. “I understand. Thanks Sofia.” He left and slowly made his way back home.
---,--'--(@
Safyre looked down at Brightfeather and watched the playful antics of the tiny raptor as it dodged and weaved a dizzying pattern around her. She knew that Brigtfeather was trying to cheer her up, and frankly, it was working.
The little dinobird scampered around behind Safyre and stood in the large pterosaur's blind spot. Safyre scrambled around to keep her in view. After a while, it soon turned into a game of semi-catch-me-if-you-can. Safyre had never had so much fun in her life.
Unbeknownst to wither of them at the time, Cloudrunner was watching the pair play together. For the first time, he noticed just how rich the blue coloration on Safyre's body was. He'd never seen anything like it, and it fascinated him.
He knew that they hadn't hit it off so well that first day, but now he wanted to amend that situation. Not wanting to disturb the two, he simply contented himself to watch them and gather his courage to talk to Safyre.
(OOC: More drama concerning Gavyn. Now you know why he couldn't fly. Hmm... What's this going on with Cloudrunner and Safyre? I wonder what Alp would think if CR started showing interest in Saf? Hmm... ;D)
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Katrina Rix
Apprentice
Del pasado al presente, vivimos en un universo encantado.
Posts: 108
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Post by Katrina Rix on Mar 13, 2006 19:20:45 GMT -5
"I hope so," Shazrad responded. she shifted her weight, flinching. "Connor, he's so hard. I thought I was getting somewhere, but..." She sighed and massaged her temples. "Blazes. Remind me never to go swimming in the Amu again." Connor laughed. "Will do." "I'd almost do it, though." Shazrad looked at her friend, grateful for his support. "I mean, if it got me a chance to talk to him. No, Connor, don't laugh. It's just that I hurt so blazing badly, that I don't freeze up. And he's so nice and... Yeah, but listen to me. I'm getting soft in my old age." "Tenderized on the river rocks, you mean?" Connor asked, a wicked curve to his mouth. "If I was feeling better, I'd beat you up. Do me a favor and hit yourself with something heavy," Shazrad bantered back. "How about this for a plan? The instant Gavyn comes through that door, I just pounce on him and don't let him up until I've managed to explain I have a mad, hopeless crush on him. What could go wrong?" "I see a couple of flaws in your plan." Shazrad cocked her head questioningly. "I don't think you're in pouncing condition. Secondly, I'm not sure Gavyn would take being jumped on well, and he happens to be bigger than you." Shazrad smirked. "True. I'll just have to come up with something else." She explained what had happened, including the strange confrontation with the two skybax. "From what the smaller one said, your rescue party came near their nest." ***** Alpenglow sulked. He wanted to see his partner, and he couldn't understand how Gavyn could keep them apart. Even Connor could see his Shaz... He huffed. It was hard, and he was afraid that his rider was in worse condition then he had seen. Why else wouldn't the healer let him see his partner? He squawked with frustration. The big rusty skybax at least wanted to know how she was doing. He waited for Gavyn outside his house, the fur on the pterosaur's neck bristling. It flattened slowly. The healer was only trying his best. Perhaps he didn't know how badly it scared Alpenglow to be apart from Shazrad when she needed him. He thought again of the big crimson male, and rage flooded through him. What sort of creature attacks the small and the weak? There was Safyre, shy and easily frightened, of course, and for that, the bigger skybax had had help, given her report. Then there was young Swiftflight. The *chocolate* had nearly killed two children... Had come much closer to killing Shazrad. (Alpenglow still had no idea about the confrontation on the river, which was just as well.) He wanted to keep the bigger pterosaur from injuring anyone else. He was surprised to find that his claws had dug furrows into the ground. He saw Gavyn rounding the corner, and almost ran to meet the healer. Strangely for Alpenglow, he was almost polite and deferential. Truth be told, he felt guilty about his confrontation with Cloudrunner. He was frusterated and emotionally strung out, but a fight in front of the infirmary was too far. It didn't help that Alpenglow knew, deep inside, that Cloudrunner hadn't wanted to fight. It had all been his doing. Alpenglow had pushed the other skybax in his anger and fear. Alpenglow ducked his head politely and trilled a friendly greeting. "Gavyn, excuse me, but I need to see her. I need to know how she is." Alpenglow remembered the look in Gavyn's eyes when the tall man had gripped his beak that morning. "I think you understand," he rushed on. "Please, I must see my partner." ***** Brightfeather was glad to see that her charge was feeling better. Hey, one of her plans worked. What were the odds? She quirked her tail just out of reach of Safyre. The young female skybax lunged, and Brightfeather jumped a full meter vertically. Brightfeather chattered quickly, and Safyre piped in response. She was distracted by an itchy feeling in her tail, and Safyre nearly caught her. Brightfeather whisked away and gnawed quickly on her tail tip. As she suspected, one of her long tail feathers was being replaced. The old feather tumbled from her tail, worked loose by her short, sharp teeth. She peeped, examining the dead feather. The tip had a shimmering, iridescent patch, and the rest was the same mottled brown and cream as most of the little dromaesaurid's body. Brightfeather cocked her head, took it in her claws, and presented the long feather to Safyre with an inquisitive burble. (( I do hereby crown Gavyn the melodrama king of this board, with all the rights that this entails. Henceforth, Gavyn can gripe about his traumatic life free from other characters rolling their eyes or going "Get over it, man." Long live the king! ;D))
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Kiva
Apprentice
Self-proclaimed Ninja Mistress... with cat ears...
Posts: 171
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Post by Kiva on Mar 13, 2006 20:29:42 GMT -5
(OOC: Gavyn? Complain? Never! Not unless you got him talking about it. An interesting twist though. Gavyn is a tough nut to crack, but not impossible.)
Connor frowned, thoughtfully. “It helps narrow down our search, but not by much. Several of our group spread out across the area, so their nest could have been anywhere. Plus, if we neared it, they'll take it as a warning and will no doubt have moved by now.”
Shaz's face fell, and Connor sympathized. “Still, it does help.” Suddenly, he started laughing. “I can't wait to see what you've got planned for Gavyn. Make sure I'm there to see whatever it is.”
---,--'--(@
Gavyn looked up as Alpenglow approached and stuffed the thin-necked bottle into his pocket. No need to have anyone asking questions. He smiled at the Skybax.
“It's all right, Alp, I do understand. I know the experience had been harder on you than anyone's realized. Come, I'll take you to her.”
Gavyn's house was indeed big enough to accommodate a good sized pterosaur, so Alpenglow had no problems fitting through the oversized doors. He led Alp to a quieter ward and knocked on the recovery room door. He opened it and stepped inside. Alpenglow followed.
Alp was delighted to see Shaz sitting up and talking. He scrambled over to her and greeted her warmly. She scratched his neck, affectionately. “Are you and Cloudrunner getting into trouble again?”
Connor laughed. “You betcha! You should've seen the two of them squaring off. They looked like two wrestlers ready to pounce[/b]!” As he said the word, he grabbed Gavyn in a playful headlock, bringing the surprised man to his knees in a matter of moments. Gavyn laughed and pushed Connor away, but as he did, a small bottle tumbled out of his coat pocket, landing unhurt on the floor and rolling to a stop at Connor's foot.
Gavyn paled as Connor picked the bottle up and uncorked it, curiously sniffing it's contents. The Apprentice Rider looked up sharply at the healer, his eyes widening in suspicious surprise. Gavyn shook his head almost imperceptably, silently pleading with him not to say anything.
“What's that? What's going on?” Shaz piped up.
“It's just some medicine I've been taking for some recent headaches I've been having.” Though he spoke to Shaxrad, his eyes still remained locked on Connor's, conveying to the knowledgeable Rider the true meaning behind his veiled words. “They've been getting progressively worse, but I'm hoping that this stronger dose will take care of it.”
He held out his hand, and Connor begrudgingly gave the bottle back with an “I'll-talk-to-you-later-about-this” look. Gavyn returned the bottle to his pocket and turned to Shazrad, smiling.
“I never did get dinner ready. What would you all like to eat?”
---,--'--(@
Safyre stared at the shimmery feather for a moment, honored that Brightfeather was presenting it to her. Reaching out, she gently grasped the feather with her three smaller delicate fingers. With great dexterity for a pterosaur, Safyre held the feather up to the light and twirled it slowly between her fingers, allowing the iridescent hues to shimmer and shine in the light.
With sadness, Safyre realized she had nothing to give the little Microraptor in return. But she knew something she could do in the future. She flapped her wings and mimed to the little dinobird that any time in the future she would be in need of a ride, she could count on Safyre's help.
Brightfeather peeped happily and chittered her approval. For a little while, life was good.[/color]
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Post by Highsoar on Mar 14, 2006 1:38:32 GMT -5
(ooc: I'm not troubling you with the shortness of my last few posts, am I? Partly I kept getting here too late to stay long and also I'm still getting the hang of this type of RPG format....many of the ones I'm on have shorter posts. But I'll get used to it. I'm enjoying it.)
Highsoar watched the Skybax and saurian curiously, but her mind was troubled as she recalled her encounters with the wild Quetzalcoatlus earlier. Most of the crowd had been right around her, but she'd noticed one further back, watching intently but not in the attacking group.
Perhaps that one was acting as a lookout, or perhaps it had for some reason simply chosen to defer to the others that particular time. She was trying to find explanations but she knew she had recognized him.
She saw him infrequently because he had chosen to remain wild though he had been in training in the beginning, when she was still a juvenile.
She sounded a sad trill, wondering where things would lead now that family lines were coming into play.
*********** In another place, another Skybax was roosting in the camp of the Untamed. He was slightly larger than his sister, being male and a bit older, and he was a strong flier. He too was slightly troubled about recent events.
The last time, he had gotten lucky, offering to fly lookout, but if there was a next time, he wasn't sure. The others had no idea of anything yet, and it was better that it stay that way as long as possible, for fear he'd be driven out.
On the other hand, he did bear resentment, the knoweledge that Highsoar had become so close to the humans between the speaking ability and her choice to stay among them even after her rider's death.
For now, though, he would make his decision only when and if a 'next time' came, and none of the others would know of this. Highwind would simply keep his silence and wait to see what happened.
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