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 Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 10:15 am
"Aye," agrees Caroline, nodding. "Times were certainly simpler back then. But ye cannot live without movin' forward, eh?" The corners of her mouth draw up into a smile. "Thank ye for comin', Valelldia," she says again. "I appreciate yer time."
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Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:29 pm
Open roleplay that was far too drawn out to post everything: Here
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Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:39 pm
Menelie Rojiza, interested in the man with the Banya, winds her way back a few wagons to Honeyed Aria. She checks again to make sure her book and pencil are tucked in her skirt. A flash of inspiration had moved her to carry writing implements with her always in case gesturing could not clearly communicate her ideas.
She knocks softly on the wagon door, knowing that Banya can startle. Taniel Ansterh Taniel opened the door, looking at the girl with a kind smile. There were three Banya visible behind him: two chicks, and the Banya that she had seen last night.
"Why, hello there, again! What brings you here today, hm?" Menelie Rojiza nods. Yes, hello again. Upon seeing the Banya chicks, though, she's unable to contain a very undignified, girlish squeak. Blushing, Ro takes out her notepad and pencil and writes for him:
I'm Rojiza. I don't speak. May I visit the Banya?
She hands Taniel the notepad for him to read. Taniel Ansterh Taniel took the notepad and quickly read the message. Then he handed it back to her, stepping aside and motioning for her to enter. "Go right ahead. I'm sure they're longing for new company. The two babies hatched about a week ago. Both are male, one's a Fortune breed and one's a Sea Loam. The negative looking one... well, he's mine. He's a Snow Crested." Menelie Rojiza takes her notepad back, tucks it in her skirt, and drops a little curtsy before entering. She peers closely at the Banya chicks. Aurelia had only been a chick when she'd gotten her, but not anymore. She tentatively reaches out to stroke the Sea Loam's head. Taniel Ansterh The Sea Loam baby boy squeaked, then fluffed his wings a little. He watched Rojiza closely with large eyes, squirming when her hand brushed his top plume.
"He's a little touchy for a Sea Loam," Taniel said, after a moment, watching the interaction of the two. Menelie Rojiza's face turns a bit puzzled. She takes out her paper and writes again:
I have a Sea Loam--well, he lives in our wagon. Nobody owns Taog. He's always like this.
She offers him the notepad and turns her attention back to the feathery creatures. Taniel Ansterh "Ah, I see. In my experience, Sea Loams are aloof, but generally easy to deal with. This one can easily misbehave, compared to the other Sea Loams I've raised."
As if to punctuate Taniel's point, the chick nipped at Ro's fingers, then hopped away a little. Apparently, it had had enough of being the center of attention. Menelie Rojiza nods her agreement, giggling slightly as her fingers are nipped at. She sticks her tongue out at him and turns her attention to the golden chick with dots on its forehead.
She takes her notepad back and writes again:
Is this one a Fortune Banya? Taniel Ansterh "Yes, he is," Taniel said, nodding. "Not quite old enough to produce money, yet, but almost there. Banya chicks rarely tell fortunes or do much of anything except look cute. But after a few weeks, they grow into their own." Menelie Rojiza nods. She continues to lavish attention on the Fortune chick. He'd appreciate it, then. Vain little things, Fortunes are. Like her Aurelia. Taniel Ansterh And he did like the attention, pushing his head up against her hand much like a cat would. A very needy cat. Menelie Rojiza smiles at him, her cheeks rounding prettily. Curiously, she writes again for Taniel.
Are you selling these two chicks, or are they yours?
Ro gently gives the chick's head a little scritch. If he -is- selling them, she thinks, perhaps Aurelia would like a friend of her own breed. Oh wait. Nevermind. Fortunes are jealous. Aurelia already doesn't particularly care for Taog or Iagan. Finnean is alright by her, though, evidently. Fickle little thing she is. Taniel Ansterh Taniel answers the question of both of his quests (after greeting DeArca with a smile and a gesture to come inside), with a simple, "They are both for sale. Vahe," he gestured with his head to the annoyed-looking icy blue Banya in the corner, "is too much of a handful on his own.
"Both are for sale, as are a few trinkets for the Banya that I've found on my journies. The Fortune Banya you're looking at right there is 120 couplets. Very well behaved, too, especially for his breed." --- Menelie Rojiza waves good-bye to the Fortune chick. She's sure DeArca will give him the attention he deserves.
But Rojiza's attention now turns to the little trinkets, one of which DeArca had purchased. She recognizes the frequency charm as the one he'd bought, and the other he'd liked was the...clarity charm? She peers at the other two kinds of baubles and writes again for Taniel:
What do these ones do? Taniel Ansterh Taniel turned back to the girl, and smiled at the question. He motioned to the one that looked like an olive branch. "This one makes Banya get along better. If they don't get along well, one of them might fly away. But it only makes the Banya it's given to feel less stressed. The others will still be able to get on each others' nerves.
"The other one simply keeps Banya from flying away. There's still a small chance they'll take wing, but it's much less." Menelie Rojiza considers these little trinkets. She's naturally attracted to pretty, shiny things, but she shrugs a bit. Her Banyas are fine on their own. She'd rather have them prophesy naturally than to enchant them to do things differently. She nods, though, signalling that she understands, and searches for something else to ask. Finally she writes the question she's been wondering for a few days now:
How did you catch Aurelia again? Taniel Ansterh "I didn't... catch her. She found her way to me. When I saw the Banya scattering overhead, I realized something was wrong. I tried to call them back. I have a gift - my voice flows through our tangible world as well as the Meij. The Banya can hear it in threads of Meij, and often come back.
"The others didn't come back, though. I'm waiting for their owners to come talk to me. There are a few things I can do, but I won't do them without being asked to. They're very... tiring." Menelie Rojiza nods. That's a very interesting talent. She's very glad Aurelia came back, in any case.
That's a useful talent. How did you discover you could call to Banya? --- Menelie Rojiza, who had faded into the woodwork, as it were, listens intently to Taniel's explanantion. And there was the woman whom Mama was talking to. Rojiza hopes she purchases the Banya to give him a good home. Sea Loams aren't as bad as all that, she thinks. Taog is nice enough. Taniel Ansterh "Well, Heather, I'll gladly try the first step for you today - if you will wait until my other guests are gone?" He smiled gently, then turned back to Tamlin.
"He is, for sixty couplets. And that will include perch, all care instructions, and everything else to help you settle in."
He caught sight of Ro from the corner of his eye - she was still there? Oh, but he felt like a bad host! Suddenly, a thought occurred to him. Holding up a hand to excuse himself for a moment, he went over to the girl, bending his head slightly to whisper to her. "I have a question for you, if you don't mind staying a bit longer...?" Menelie Rojiza nods and smiles a little, happy to stay as long as he wished as long as she could be among the birds. She understands that he needs to attend to people who need his attention. Menelie Rojiza waits patiently, happy that the pretty gypsy had gotten a Banya of her own. She giggles and blushes a little when Taniel mentions her. His assistant! Her mind races, thinking over what that might mean. She listens, enraptured, as he sings. What a beautiful voice! Mama's voice is nice, but so husky compared to Taniel's clear song.
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Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:18 pm
 Down the depths
The Bells Presume
To ask of me a question you can't answer
Three Ways,
Three Harms,
Before the Sportze
At Last Aurelia bristled at the sound of the fortune, and hissed. It was an unruly sound for a bird, but what came from it was a rustle of feathers, a squawk... and two hundred couplets on the floor of Caroline's wagon.
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Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:20 pm
 You're so close to being forgiven
Do not be afraid of hurt
To find your voice
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Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 3:57 pm
Caroline, as soon as Taog starts speaking, grabs her journal and a pencil. She jots down the fortune, miraculously word-for-word. She doesn't even hear the clink as Aurelia drops couplets on the floor, for Finnean had started speaking as well. She writes down his fortune as well and then sighs. Caroline just wishes they would reach the Isle, and soon! She hates boats and water, and often joins Oqaia ten minutes after mealtime. She looks at her daughter, to see Rojiza's reaction to the sudden whirlwind of prophecy.
Rojiza had heard the clink, and the little magpie knows the sound of money when she hears it. She looks to the noise, and there below Aurelia are couplets. Quite a lot of them. She scoops them up into her hands, wondering if her mother would let her keep them. In the meantime she wonders at Iagan's silence and Finnean's fortune. Do not be afraid of hurt to find your voice. Hm.
Caroline looks from Rojiza to Aurelia to the gold in Ro's hands. "Well then." She strokes Aurelia's crest, rewarded only with a n** to the fleshy web between her thumb and index finger. "Ow!" she exclaims, jerking her hand away and shaking it. She glares at Aurelia, who just ruffles her feathers, satisfied with herself. "Er. I suppose they're yours, Ro," she says. "She's your bloody bird, anyway."
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Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 3:54 pm
Iagan hated the water. Of course. But it was his first banya fortune. How exciting! It was nearly enough to drive the little bird berzerker with excitement. How exciting!
Right here, the chance for a Blessed!
...Not a Peaked
Nor a Threece
But yes, a Golden Wave
Maybe others.
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Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:33 am
A few moments after the other Banya had spoken or otherwise spit fortunes, Iagan speaks. Rojiza is the only one in the wagon, as her mother had stepped out for a bit. Ro doesn't get seasick, which is fortunate. She ponders this bit of prophecy and jots it down in her journal. What's a blessed? she wonders, Or a threece? Maybe she'd ask some of the others if their Banya said anything about these. Smiling, she kisses Iagan's little red head. What a good birdy you are, she thinks at him. We'll be off the water soon, and you'll feel better.
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Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 4:36 pm
Menelie Rojiza heads toward the Banya man's wagon with two of her precious birds. Taog, perched contentedly on her shoulder, and Aurelia nestled in her arms. She's still rather wary of Aurelia flying away again, and keeps a firm, but gentle hold on the neon-colored fowl.
Ro knocks on Taniel's wagon door. She'd puzzled it out in her head, what Iagan had said, and thinks she knows what he'd meant. Taniel Ansterh Taniel opened the door with a smile. "Ah, Rojiza - you haven't come by as of late! Grown-up life distracting you?" He beckoned her in. "Come, come- might I ask why you're here, bringing these two lovely birds?" Menelie Rojiza smiles. She takes out her pad and pencil. They've been predicting very odd things lately. She writes. I've been trying to work it out in my head. I think I have it, though. Her writing becomes more cramped as she becomes more excited. It's a long story, but I think I'd like some FitzCherries, if you would.
She offers him the pad, juggling two birds and it at the same time. Taniel Ansterh Taniel read over what she'd written, then laughed, good-naturedly. He went over to his chest, sorting through things before pulling out a small bag. He opened it, fished out a pair of fitzcherries.
"That will be sixty-five couplets, then, if you will." He moved closer, held out an arm for one of the Banya to hop onto. "Do you remember what I taught you a few weeks ago about breeding Banya?" Menelie Rojiza nods emphatically. Of course she does! She lets Aurelia hop onto Taniel's arm while she fishes in her pocket for the couplets she'd brought along. She counts out sixty-five into a furry hand and then offers them to him. Sure, she thinks toward Aurelia. You're good for -him-. Taniel Ansterh "Well, then! Just make sure they stay in the same wagon until the egg is lain, and you should be fine," he said, smiling and handing her the cherries. "I trust you - I'm sure you will do just fine."
Taniel straightened a few of Aurelia's feathers, gently, then stroked a little under her chin. Menelie Rojiza smiles. She writes again. Thank you! I promise I'll be in soon to visit Vahe and help you out and learn some more. And of course I'll bring the chick in to visit. She holds her arm out for Aurelia, who'd been nipping affectionately at Taniel's fingers. She's picky, but she does like the attention. Taniel Ansterh Aurelia hopped back over to Rojiza, rustling her wings a little as she settled.
"That will be lovely. Tell me how it goes, absolutely!" Menelie Rojiza nods and waggles her fingers in a little wave before exiting the wagon and going back to her own.
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Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 4:40 pm
Rojiza sets Aurelia and Taog back on their perches. She looks at the little berries in her hand. She snaps them apart and gives one lovingly to each of them. She hates manipulating them like this. Shouldn't they fall in love or something before having a chick? But if it was prophesied....maybe it was for the best anyway. Nothing to do now but wait.
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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:22 am
Rojiza watches her beloved birds and sighs. It had been ages, it seemed, since she fed those FitzCherries to Aurelia and Taog. Would the baby ever come? Did she do something wrong? She strokes the crests of the two Banya. Her very best friends.
Without warning, Aurelia squawks. Ro grabs her pad and paper, thinking another fortune was about to grip the Banya. Instead, one egg, followed shortly by another, drop to the floor, and crack open. Two chicks, fully-formed, blink and shake off the egg bits.  Rojiza gasps. They're the most beautiful things she could have imagined. Tenderly she picks them up and cuddles them to her face. She checks their genders and notes that the blue one is a boy, and the green one is a girl. I'll have to give you names, she thinks. She puts Taog and Aurelia on her shoulders, and takes the chicks in her hands, and sets out to share the good news with the caravan.
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Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:59 pm
Annjette Annjette was sitting upon the ground near her wagon with Slaine grazing upon the grass near by, freed of his burden for the moment. Upon the horse's back was the body of a small Ermine, idly napping in the sunshine. It was a good day, a clear day.
Upon her lap Annjette was weaving bits of grass and a book laid at her side as if she had forgotten it or was otherwise bored with it at the moment. Rojiza Rainiera Rojiza, laden with birds, notices Annjette and goes over to her, practically bursting with excitement. She sits on the ground next to her and shows off the new chicks. She nestles the babies in her lap and pulls out her pad to write.
Taog and Aurelia had twins! Aren't they so sweet?
She offers the notepad to Annjette. Taog hops off her shoulder, onto one knee, to keep watch over his family. Ro giggles and scritches his head, and is rewarded with an affectionate n**, and a sharp bite to her ear by Aurelia. Ro yowls and pets the jealous female as well. Annjette She looked up upon feeling someone sit next to her. Annjette had an inkling as to who it was, likely having seen the form of the shadow on the ground and recognized it.
Annjette grinned lightly at her friend's excitement and watched the birds while she accepted the note.
"That is wonderful! Congratulations." It was always wonderful that her friends had a good fortune no matter if it is for a day or a year. Rojiza Rainiera Thanks, she writes. I haven't thought of any names yet...do you have any ideas?
The little male hops out of Ro's lap and into Jette's. He makes a raw chirping sound and bobs up and down. Annjette Annjette looks down at the male after reading the next note and giggled.
"I may have a couple of ideas." The swangirl said thoughtfully as a hand reached out to gently pet the little male on the head.
"Dalia is a female name meaning luck and fate. Aras is a male name meaning Eagle. Which if you think of what an eagle can represent it could be a suitable name." It was a suggestion and nothing more if Ro didn't approve of those she could always come up with more. Menelie Rojiza giggles at the little male and nods a little.
I like Dalia...ooh, what about Daliea? That looks pretty. What about Anjou for the boy? That sounds like Annjette, and he seems to like you.
Ro watches the birds joyfully. She loves all of them so much! Annjette "I like him too, he's very a very handsome little one. Takes after his father I am sure." She grinned playfully as she scritched gently against the side of the baby-bird's head.
"Daliea and Anjou ... Mmm they seem right. I think they are very suitable." Annjette said agreeably. Menelie Rojiza smiles and nods. That's it then. Anjou and Daliea. The newly-christened Daliea imitates her brother and bobs up and down as well, though she doesn't seem to make quite as much noise. Ro giggles. Annjette "They are very sweet little things. I hope they stay this sweet." She cooed softly as she watched the little ones and the parents.
Q looked up from his moving perch, blearily and then laid his head back down continuing his nap.
"Q has turned into a little lazy ermine.." Annjette said with a giggle and a teasing tone. Menelie But he's so fuzzy, writes Rojiza. Who cares what he does? She glances over at the napping furball and smiles. She loves her birds dearly, but they aren't precisely cuddly. Annjette Again Annjette gave a small giggle, "He is very fuzzy and he's cute. So he's lucky he's got that going for him." There was love for the familiar in her tone. The two had gone through much together.
"But your Banyas are all very lovely and colorful, it is like you have bits of living rainbow in your wagon." Menelie Wish my mother would see it that way. Two was too many. She's going to be so mad when she finds out they had babies... There's no worry in her face, though. Just joy, and a tiny bit of mischief. Annjette She snickered a bit, "It happens, what is your mother to do when there is love amongst the brood." Annjette said playfully.
Annjette watched Anjou before speaking again, "But if she makes you give one of them up or something .. I wouldn't mind taking care of one of them or something for you. That way you can still come over and be with them whenever you like." She would never presume to own or take something from her friend. Menelie Rojiza giggles. Love indeed. I doubt she'd make me do that, but if she does...I'll definitely think of you. Q doesn't get picked on enough. Annjette "He definitely doesn't. He needs someone to help me keep him in line." She nodded, again it is a playful tone.
Q sat up now crawling down from Slaine and wandering over to the girls and the flock of birds. The look on his small furry face seeming to say, you were talking about me? Wonderful, wonderful me? Menelie Rojiza smiles and scritches the ermine's head.
Taog surveys this creature with a narrow look and a head-tilt that clearly says "Is it food?" Annjette For now the ermine seems to ignore Taog as he leans into the scritching with a happy chitter sound and a swish of his fluffy black-tipped tail.
Annjette laughs lightly, "Such an attention hound." Menelie Rojiza laughs and picks up the little ermine and cuddles him to her face. What a sweet little thing!
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Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:04 am
Ranger Kate at the call from the young lady zak sighed with releif and lead his team away from the others and onto what he thought looked like prime sleeping real estate. the wagons didn't seem to be prepared to circle so this seemed alright. he hopped down from his perch and unyoked the horses putting their noses into halters and leading them to the side of the wagon. they fought him over a chance to nibble on grass but were settled with a long-ish tether of rope and a pocket weary half carrot each. zack dug throught the caravan carefull not to disturb his landlady and retreved the tack cleaning equipment (covered in spiders), currycombs, and two buckets for water. he headed for the stream as pulling wagons is thirsty work for man and beast. Menelie Rojiza scoops up her bird-brother and carries him inside to the bed with their mother. She smiles when Caroline praises her driving ability, and then goes back outside to look at the stars. She feels....better about the open space than she thought she would. The lack of trees makes her a little nervous, but facing one's fears is a good thing, right?
Ro unhitches Cornelius from the wagon and nuzzles his big nose, making a clucking noise as she pats his neck. Silly mule, she thinks. She takes note of a young man near Ki's wagon, and wonders what he's doing. She doesn't remember having seen him before. Curious, she approaches him. He seems to be tending the horses. She follows him silently to the river, watching him fill the buckets with water. Water! She dashes back to her own wagon, grabs a bucket, and darts back to the river to fill her own bucket for the beloved mule. Ranger Kate the horses were watered but Zak was weirdly tired from a day of sitting and bossing them about, walking in the water felt good against his rough freckled feet even as it froze them pink. he hefted the buckets of water easily and scooped out as much of the gravel as he could. he heard a splash and saw a girl indistinct in the twilight come down to the river bank to his right, she had had to be another of the gypsies so he put down a bucket and waved before picking it back up again and taking it to his horses. he hoped that was the right thing to do he never knew what to say to girls. ears flushing hot in the darkness he tramped back to the horses. they drank with gusto and Spot (not knowing the names, theses horses will be refereed to as Spot and Binky) knocked over his bucket but as binky was done already this was less of a problem. what was more of a problem is the draft horse joke of taking the spotty guy trying to brush out days and possibly a lifetime of neglect from your coat and squishing him between you and your buddy. draft horses think this is hilarious especially if said spotted guy then squeaks quietly in pain while certain essential ribs attempt to lead an abdominal revolt. Zak was squeaking in an attempt not to scare his bemused half ton tormentors, as Zak knew that scared draft horse is always worse. Binky trod thoughtfully on his foot. Menelie Rojiza takes the bucket of water back to Cornelius, who drinks greedily from it. She smiles over at the freckled man in silent thanks for reminding her to tend to the mule. She kisses the side of Cornelius' head and walks over to Zak. Ro winces as she sees one horse step on his foot, and giggles softly when she realizes the two big horses are squishing him between them. She clucks at one and draws it away so he can escape. She gives a little wave in a belated response to his. Ranger Kate "Oh hi" Zak said looking at the horses, they were behaving with out bribery. this was unusual. "Careful they can be a bit bite-ey" he said the the brown haired girl, but despite his own warning he pulled out a hand brush and started working out the sweat in Binky's coat. this time on the far side from spot. Binky gave out a whuff noise and seemed to appreciate it, leaning into the brush. with something to occupy both hands and eyes he felt a little more at ease "So, how long have you been with the caravan? probably know I just joined," he pulled up binkys foot and hacked at the rocks and gopher poo caught under the somewhat over grown iron shoe, great one more thing kep has let slide, he thought letting the hoof down and picking up the hind foot, sticking close in case of bad horse decisions. Menelie Rojiza giggles softly at his mannerisms. She pulls out her pad and writes a message for him: I was born into the caravan, but my mother's been travelling with them for nearly four years now. She offers him the notepad with a sad little smile.
She wonders if Cornelius needs shoes? Ranger Kate Zak stood up after tending to the hoof he kept one hand on Binky's side and took the notepad with a confused look. was it a rude question? I'll never get the hang of these people, but maybie she likes me he thought as he flipped through it a little, there were different inks and stains on the pages and lots of words. made of letters and everything. "oh, umm, this is a nice book but theres no call giving it to me" he said handing it back " its better off with somebody what who can, umm, get some proper use out of it" he smiled awkwardly and gave Binky half a carrot before starting work on Spot. Menelie Rojiza blinks at him a bit. He....can't read? She frowns inwardly. This would be...interesting. She nods and tucks the notepad back into her skirt, along with the bit of pencil. Well, first thing's first. She tugs on his sleeve to get his attention back from the horse. She points to herself, at her throat, and shakes her head. She shrugs a bit. Ranger Kate "ah huh," said Zak nodding with semi-incomprehension and going back to picking hooves. "Sorry for bleeding on you anyway" he mumbled finished grooming Spot and providing the requisite carrot before heading back to start the campfire. Menelie Rojiza stares after him in amazement. He...he didn't even...did he even understand? She follows him to wherever it is he'd headed, intrigued by the simple man. She's a bit frustrated by his inability to read. How would she communicate to him? Obviously he's too simple to understand gestures and body language. Ranger Kate she's following me, ok, she can do that, Zak worried that he had gotten on the wrong foot with every body already. no matter, eyes on the task ahead, he grabbed an armful of rocks from by the river and cleared a space for a fire a little way from the wagon, laying the rocks in a circle and tramping down flammable grasses. he grabbed a bucket and loaded it with two potatoes some dried meat, an onion, the herb kit, and a carrot, from the wagon, also a smaller black pot a roll of gauze and then some of the tack he slung over his other shoulder. Ooof muttered objections from old bruises and ribs under dirty rags. that should be everything. he put this down by the ring of rocks dumbed out the bucket and went down the river to grab some sticks and a bucket of water. grasslands, well they used to burn out the pastures every other year or two but that would not do here. wooden wagons and all that. Zak carefully smacked a small flint from home against a curled hunk of steel only occasionally skinning his own fingers in the process. but the fire lit and caught but did not spread too bad. he nestled the potatoes on rocks beside the fire and filled the small pot with water from the bucket to boil. Annjette After having helped her father set up the wagon she was free to meander about. It had been some months since she had actually interacted with anyone beyond a nod and a quick glance. She had been ... Preoccupied. She was learning her 'power' finding ways to control it. It scared her a little but slowly she was gaining confidence ... Just a little.
After a while she found herself standing a little distance away watching the odd little man making a fire with Rojiza apparently standing near by. Annjette blinked a little and began to wander a bit closer, "Greetings...?" Ranger Kate "Hey" said Zak nodding to the dark haired girl. Taking of his shirt and revealing a messy sweat stained undershirt of bandages, there was some dried blood but the cuts had been small and were scabbing over properly. he winced with the motion of putting his arms over his head and continued to make faces as he unwrapped the old gauze and some flat slats of wood. His dirt stained pale freckled skin moved over purple green crescent shaped bruises and the sort of musculature only found in people who have been working outside lifting things for almost as long as they could walk. he breathed shallowly without the support of the bandages his ribs screaming a dull protest. "Sorry, but it's been three days already and the damn thing itches, beggin' yer pardon" said Zak, dropping the slats and the dirty bandage into the simmering pot of water. Annjette Being greeted she moved a bit closer but not too close, her flippered feet whispering through the grass. She knelt a bit once being within normal talking distance and just watched him with large amethyst colored eyes for a brief moment. Her black lips parted before she spoke again. "Do you need help? I am sure Rojiza and I can help, right?"
Annjette looked over at the silent squirrel-girl who was, hopefully, still near by ever silent. Forget that the man was a stranger to her and that she knew not his name but she did feel the occasional bouts of compassion and empathy for others. A small slick ermine head peeked from behind her neck, the white-ness of the ermine contrasted with the dark of the girl's hair. Menelie Rojiza nods, thanking whatever deity happened to be listening for the presence of Annjette. She scribbles out a note for her to read:
I don't know his name, and I can't communicate with him. He can't read.
She offers the pad to Annjette and pets the ermine's head. She has a sudden urge to teach the freckled young man to read. He can't be much older than she is. She tucks a lock of chestnut hair behind her ear and watches him. Poor dear. Ranger Kate "Nah nah, I got this. no worries." said Zak his ears blushing in the twilight as he wrapped the clean bandage around his chest. he took a boiled stick out of the pot wiped it on his shirt and tucked it along his side in the bandages before dropping the ball of gauze to roll on the grass. Pales "Well...Okay then..." She said, her tone seeming dubious and uncertain. Dark child glanced over at Ro as she handed her the note and took it. Q, meanwhile, leaned into the petting happily making small happy chittering sounds before settling again.
Annjette read the note and then nodded, "Ahh, I see. Maybe I can help if you wish to talk with him for a while?" she didn't seem to mind having to act as her friend's interpreter.
She looked at the odd male before speaking to him, "I'm Annjette, and well that is Rojiza, may we know your name?" she indicated Rojiza with a nod of her head. The swan-girl wasn't sure how much the person knew about them for she knew nothing of him. Menelie Rojiza shakes her head at her friend's offer. She'd rather figure out a way to communicate directly with the freckled man. She watches him dress his wounds, wishing she could help in some way. Ranger Kate " 'm Zak" he said with a nod finishing up the slats and gauze bandage by tucking the end of the clean cloth in and covering it with his old dirty shirt. " 'm staying with Ki and her boy" he said turning the potatoes on the rocks and setting out the onion to bake beside them and sitting down on the ground. Annjette "Zak." She repeated as if to see how it sounded in her own voice and then she nodded. "Pleased to meet you." She was a well mannered child, a product of her father's teachings.
"It is good that you have a wagon to stay in even if it is not your own." She said with a light nod glancing at Rojiza to see if she agreed or as if to see if she had said the right thing at all. She was not sure what to say to the freckled man in before them. The little swan was mostly a hermit most days, her socializing skills were failing. Rojiza Rainiera Rojiza nods encouragingly to Annjette. Zak. It's a good name for the compact man. She wonders how Van D'ien is taking to the outsider. The shy boy doesn't take well to friends, let alone new people.
Ro sits down, arranging her skirt around her with her pad in her lap. Ranger Kate "In?" he chuckled at the the thought and then stopped with a wince "not so much with the in, more like under. that wagon isn't built for two let alone three so I get some blankets and the ground beneath it." he turned the onion which was scorching and wrinkling in its skin in the heat. remembering his manners Zak asked "did you two want a potato? I could grab a couple more" Annjette Annjette blinked at that. "U...Under? Don't you get sick or anything?" It seemed odd but not so odd as to make it seem impossible to the swan-girl. She knew, first hand that wagons were usually small and barely fit anyone in them.
Her stomach gave a small grumble at the mention of food. The small girl blushed a bit and looked to Rojiza and then back at Zak. It seemed rude to say no and it seemed equally rude to just sit and watch him.
"If it wouldn't be too much trouble, Mr. Zak." Ranger Kate "right well," he looked at rosa? thats not it, well what ever her name was she could use a potato too "one sec" he walked back to the wagon and rummaged around the box tied to the back "potatoes potatoes potatoes, wish I had time to catch some damn fish" he muttered rummaging further into the box. Menelie Rojiza watches him. Fish? She could get fish. She whistles softly for Finnean, the best fisher of her bunch. She strokes his crest and thinks at him sternly. Fish. Could you catch us a couple fish? And *don't* eat them yourself this time. After you get me two fish I'll let you go catch as many as you want for yourself and the rest of you, alright? She lets him go, hoping dearly he'd return with fish so she could impress Zak. She gets the feeling he thinks she's strange, or at least a nuisance since she can't talk but insists on hanging around.
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Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:24 am
The useless bumbershoot Mama got was actually a Fortunette! It transformed one day into a bumbling pink creature. I can scarcely call it a bird without wincing. But I seem to have a brother now, and we've named him Solas Mama says it means solace in Gaelic. I do hope she teaches me this language from far away. An odd thing--I somehow comprehend Spanish, her own native tongue, without ever having spoken it.
Taog and Aurelia had two chicks instead of just one. I am told this is a rather rare occurrence. They are beautiful; a boy and a girl. I've named them Anjou and Daliea. Annjette helped me to give them names. I hope Mama lets me keep them. I know she feels so crowded in her own wagon. I have begun to keep all my precious Banya on the front and back decks of the wagon--it frees up space inside, and I know they enjoy being out-of-doors. I bring them in when it gets cold, but the weather has been so favorable lately.
Speaking of Banya, all of them have been rather silent lately. They chatter amongst themselves, certainly, but not in any language I understand. The Meij has brought us no word of itself in some time. I do wonder if this bodes well or ill.
The most exciting thing, however, is the presence of Zak. I cannot say how, but I feel drawn to him as the moth is to a candle. He is quite the pitiful sight; he sleeps each night beneath Ki's wagon, and keeps her horses and wagon for her. He seems to have been injured, but I know not how and have no way to inquire. His skin is decorated beautifully with freckles, especially on his nose and arms. The most distressing feeling, though, is that I have no way to communicate with him. He cannot read, and I cannot speak. He does not appear to comprehend gestures, either. I fear he finds me tiresome. But I will find a way.
Be still, trembling heart!
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