|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 8:33 pm
Liam hooted softly as he tried to focus on finding things in the storage area of his storage cavity, as well as on the task at talon. He desperately missed Hazel, even if his charges would never know that. He put on a happy face for them, even though they, too, missed the pretty female's cheerful presence. But today was an important day for many of these little ones; today was the day he'd give them small samples of material and allow the fledglings to test their Wills before graduation. No sense letting an affinity go undiscovered, after all! As he dug up his scraps of soft metal, he smiled as he remembered doing this with Thorn, and how the little Deep Woods had taken so well to the metal, now proudly brandishing the first bent thing he'd ever made around his neck. Let's see... there were the twigs, and here were the bits of old soft hide... Liam waddled out of his hole, burdened with the items, as Roth scurried after him, a few stray twigs in the Skurri's jaws. The fledglings would be returning from their flying lesson soon, but setting up the bits of material was quite easy, and the nest was already cleaned. Satisfied, he hopped back and away from the wide Minding nest and overlooked his territory. It seemed so empty without Hazel...
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 8:52 pm
Foxfeather was drifting silently through the center woods of Noctua and doing what his task was; observing. The sleek dark feathered deep woods type aspired to be a ranger, but had found himself a watcher due to unforeseen circumstances. He did not necessarily take pride in his position in the forest, but served his duties well and kept an eye on all of it's inhabitants. He did a great deal of hunting for the minders, in an attempt to make himself appear more useful than just watching, despite not being a hunter, gatherer, or ranger. That would change once he was accepted into a new task, he was sure of it.
The bigot currently had a small hare clutched in his talons and hooted softly as he came near the enclave. He wanted a chance to look over the fledglings again, as he had not done so since before the storm shook the forest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 9:02 pm
Liam's head snapped up as he heard a hoot, eartufts quivering. It was a male, and as he turned around and saw a Deep Woods flying at him, he briefly thought it was Thorn. However, he drooped a bit when he saw that it, in fact, was not. It was a male he'd never met before, carrying a rabbit in his talons. A delivery from the Matron, or perhaps a hunter who needed a place to stop for a few moments? Whoever he was, his company was welcome. "Evening, friend!" he called. "Welcome to Barkhaven! I'm Liam, one of the Minders here. Might I have the pleasure of your name?"
Roth ducked behind his master, as the silent Skurri was wont to do. No sense in getting in front of a Sentinel who probably hadn't eaten yet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 9:06 pm
"Foxfeather, how do you do?" The male was particularly polite to the Minder. Being a minder was something to be proud of, and on top of that, he was a wildtype, probably the only type he considered to be equal, if not better, than his own. There was featherdye... But he could overlook that, given the male's profession.
He dropped the hare before himself and bobbed his head. "For you and your charges."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 9:21 pm
Ah, so it was for the little ones, then! Liam bowed, quite deeply. "Excellent- well, as excellent as one can be, given the current situation. My mate's out on the borders, helping with damage control- she's a ranger- and the hatchlings are still all shaken up, but I think it's inspired the older fledglings a bit, which is always good. Fortunately, we did not get hit too bad here, though a good half of my stored food was ruined when a bough broke off. So I especially thank you, Foxfeather. You've come at a very opportune time. The fledglings are all off at their flying lessons now, so they're sure to be quite hungry when they return. Fresh meat will be an excellent treat for them, as well as strengthening for the task ahead." He swept a wing out, indicating the rows of scraps of material in the nest. "They're going to test their Wills for affinities and task preferences today, though I think that only a few will really need it... I think most of this current group will grow up to be Rangers and Hunters, and hopefully a few medics." He went on, oblivious to the other male's time constraints. It was so good to be speaking to somebody his own age! "They wanted to know what they could do to help with the storm damage, bless their feathery hearts, and one of them, charming little Wildtype named Duskbloom, she's been offering me to take her food back at mealtimes so that it can go to the hurt Sentinels! I'm really looking forward to this graduation- you should attend!" He nodded vigorously. "It's really a good crop of fledglings we have this time, yes it is."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 10:21 pm
"Certainly sounds it." The deep woods hooted thoughtfully. "We could always use more, especially in the combat positions... Medics, too, what with the more recent events and all." His golden eyes followed the painted skurri as it hid behind it's master.
His own chirop was out and about and painted to match the unpainted sentinel. He had set the faithful chirop on the task of monitoring any youngsters within the vicinity and around the teachers. He needed to see the youngsters, but not with the same intentions as Sly. He had no desire to take on one of the snivling youngsters.
No, he would watch for the young and promising new members of the clan that would care for other fields. From the sounds of it there were not many artisans or bards.
"Duskbloom, you say? She sounds as though she will serve the clan greatly. Has she expressed any interest in profession yet?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 10:39 pm
"It's hard to say with her. Sometimes she thinks she wants to be a medic, but other times she says hunter. Either way, she'll be incredibly good at whichever one she chooses. She's a bright girl. Hazel was looking at her to take on as an apprentice, but she's not one for the long loneliness of that task. A thing I've noticed with this group is that far fewer of them have taken on specific apprenticeships- they do a lot of group learning. I suppose they've gotten pretty good at multiple things, which should really be good for our ranger crew. Y'know, if you wanted to, you could stick around for a bit, maybe meet some of 'em. They're good kids." Liam's eyes were almost pleading for the other male to stay. Although the Deep Woods was short of words, he was still an adult. Still company.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 10:45 pm
Foxfeather was never one to babble, nor were his two chosen acquaintances, Sly and Stormbringer. Words were never wasted and only things important were spoken of, so Liam's constant talking was, needless to say, different for the Watcher.
"I would be pleased to stick around and see them, actually. Watchers watch, you know. To agree with the profession chosen by the youngster, one must see the youngster to know the profession suits he or she. It is partially why I have paid this visit, though I hope it is not bothersome to you." His eyes drifted slowly over the materials the Minder had been gathering.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 11:09 pm
"Of course not! Ever since the storm, it's been my duty to Noctua to remain here and keep a very close watch on the hatchlings and fledglings, just as it has been my mate's to be a ranger and my son's to help with repairs. But this has meant that I haven't seen either of them, except briefly, and it's been quite some time since I've had anybody to really talk to. You're quite welcome here." Liam nodded happily. "And it's good to know how much the clan cares about these fledglings. Though, they are the future, after all- it's only normal to care."
As Liam prattled, Roth ducked further behind him. He didn't like this Watcher, though he honestly liked only three Sentinels total. The rest he respected, and feared, but this one he really disliked for some reason. A soft rustle caught his attention, and he snapped his head around to see the source of the noise. Ah. Fledglings. He tugged sharply on the feathers on his master's talons to alert him of the incoming birds, but remained silent.
His Companion cut him off quickly. Liam cast his eyes about to see what Roth found so important, then hooted happily. "Ah, they're coming back!"
It was quite a sight to see them. Five fledglings, not the Enclave's entire population, but a good portion of it, all on the verge of adulthood. They were becoming far more confident in their flying abilities and could be heard talking quietly to each other as they entered the Enclave. As they landed, they bowed to Liam and the stranger, their companions following orderly behind them. The smaller creatures gathered away from their Sentinels in the main cavity away from the rabbit corpse. Liam waited for them to land and settle before greeting them.
"Good evening! I hope the lesson went well?" His voice was proud and paternal, but a bit more aloof than it normally was, as Foxfeather was present. "This is Foxfeather; he brought you that rabbit. He's here to observe tonight's proceedings, which, as soon as you're done with dinner, will begin!" He indicated the materials in the nest. "But first, allow me to introduce you to him." Turning to Foxfeather, Liam pointed with his pinions. "The Shadow female on the far left is Borealis, and the male next to her is her brother, Aurealius. That Wildtype male in the middle is Almondwing, and the grayish Deep Woods girl there next to him is Ashrose. And the Wildtype female on the right here, the dark one- that's Duskbloom." All five of the fledglings bowed again, murmuring their greetings before looking again at Liam. He nodded, and they tore into the rabbit and its trappings. Liam looked on, beaming.
"That's just these five. The others are with their teachers or are off practicing with the other minders. But, as you can see, quite a healthy bunch!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 7:37 am
"A pleasure to meet you all."He hooted as the fledglings tore at the rabbit. His eyes stayed on the youngsters, taking in their markings and the way they behaved around one another. It was a promising bunch indeed and they seemed rather well in their manners from their entrance into the enclave.
"They are very healthy and lively. You and your mate have done well with them." He praised Liam, but something was gnawing at his mind. What did this fine and upstanding minder say earlier? Something about his mate... A ranger? He was trying to remember the name of the ranger he had mentioned. Surely he would know her, what with his aspiring to become one and frequently tagging along with Stormbringer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 3:07 pm
The fledglings all nodded back at Foxfeather, acknowledging his greeting and hooting their own "Pleased to meet you"s back at him, eyes all cast down a bit. For all they knew, he was one of the upper echelon of non-Elites, or perhaps looking for an apprentice. It was time to be on their best behavior.
"Thank you!" Liam hooted, quite pleased. "You have no idea how much your compliments mean to me, and to my mate, though if she was here, I'm sure Hazel would say that she didn't do anything. But I'm certain her presence had an influence on these fledglings' bent toward combative professions. Last graduation, it seemed that almost all of my fledglings went into more relaxed tasks, like gathering- though that's really paid off! They have a tendency to bring me special treats, which are a great aid in teaching the hatchlings manners. If it wasn't naptime now, I'd let you have a look at them, too. Adorable little things, hatchlings. So much potential!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 9:05 pm
Hazel!?
The watcher had to fight to keep his disgust from displaying through his body language.
"Gathering, you know, is just as dangerous and trying as hunting. Not many sentinels would willingly land on the forest floor, for there are always those that wind up a pile of bones and feathers while gathering mushrooms and berries to feed the clan." His tone was quiet, but matter of fact. Perhaps he was scolding, but it did not sound quite like he was chiding the minder. It could easily come off as his strange and quiet nature."
Hazel is his mate? The nerve! Such a beautiful deep woods sharing a nest with a wildtype! Have her parents and teachers taught her nothing! And him! A Minder! What sort of example is he setting!
He had to grit his beak to keep from fussing at the male right then and there, before the well behaved fledglings. At least they were learning a thing or two from Hazel.
"Hatchlings are, indeed, the most beautiful creatures in the world. They are the future of the clan and ought to be cherished. I would love to see them, sometime, to see their little budding personalities. For now, though, these fledglings... They hold promise and are here. Hopefully they will achieve their full potentials and serve our clan well."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 11:51 pm
Liam was oblivious to any change in tone in the other male's voice; he just seemed the same quiet, almost broody self he'd been since they met. "True; but right now, more combatives are what we need!" He nodded, pleased. "Besides, tales of the adventures of the older ones are always so inspiring to the hatchlings, especially when their friends go on to excel at their tasks." He paused for a moment, wondering what happened next. He wondered if this male had been raised by Minders or by his parents, but he thought that to ask such a stranger would be overstepping some social boundaries. "Unfortunately, we don't have so many at the moment, but I'm hoping this will soon change." He smiled to himself, a small, private smile. "And who knows? Maybe even someday soon it will be my mate's eggs in here, being Minded by me while she's on duty. Do you have a mate, Foxfeather? Or little ones of your own?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 5:31 am
"Currently none, though that is not to say I will never look to settle down. I have to find the right deep woods female before I will be inclined to have youngsters." He quipped as he studied the male closely. He found himself utterly repulsed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 12:07 pm
"Mm, they don't make 'em much prettier than the Deep Woods. You've got excellent taste, Foxfeather." Liam winked conspiratorially. "My Hazel's a Deep Woods, though that's not important. She's also brilliant and funny and incredibly sweet, and devoted to all that she does- but still, she's the most beautiful bird in the forest. I wish you luck in finding your own beauty."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
