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 Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 5:26 pm
Nehanda sat on her bed and looked around her small room. She was pretty sure she had -hopefully- packed everything she'd need for this trip she was about to take. Foenix hadn't been able to give her many details, and reading over the letter for ehrself hadn't given her any other hints of what to expect.
She pulled her carry-sak toward her and rooted around in it. She'd packed her herbal kit, with bandages of several sizes, salves, tinsanes, and dried herbs for many common accidents and ailments. Since Acia had also mentioned the possibility of being able to gather new plant specimens, the swan-girl had also packed one of the more small-yet-thorough of her plant guides for temperate zones such as this one. Cira had come in earlier and given her a length of rope. This didn't really make much sense to Nehanda, but the Jivvin had simply said that you couldn't go on any sort of adventure without rope! There were a few other little things in the bag, so it was full without being very heavy.
Cran wiggled his way in through the cracked door and scrambled over to Nehanda. With his odd peeping squeak, he pushed his head into her lap. He wasn't very smart, but he knew she was going somewhere, and he wanted to go, too!
Nehanda giggled. "You can't come, silly! But I might look all diff'rent and stuff when I come back. You'll remember me, right?"
The Aerandir creature peeped and noded his head, then sighed happily as she scritched along the sides of his neck.
She sighed. "I guess I'm 'bout as ready as I'm gonna be. Foenix is pro'bly waiting for me. She's gonna put sandwishes in my bag or something, like she thinks I'll starve without her."
With one last look around her room, the child stood and left the room. Who knew what she would be like when she finally returned?
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Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 9:02 am
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 4:13 pm
With strong beats of her wings, Nehanda sped towards home. She was tiring a bit from the flight, but excitement spurred her onward. As she approached the house, she called out, "Foenix! Foenix, I'm home! I'm back!"Foenix had been searching through her bedroom for the ribbons she had promised Emi. Upon hearing Nehanda's voice, she jumped to her feet and ran outside. She burst through the doorway just in time to see her charge touch down to land in the small clearing out front. Words escaped her completely. Only that morning, she had sent off a young child. Now, as darkness crept over the sky, not even 24 hours later, here was this beautiful young woman. "Oh, hun!" She ran forward to embrace the statuesque swan-girl. Nehanda laughed and threw her arms around Foenix. "I'm back." "Yes, you certainly are! Come inside. You've got to be hungry. You're okay, though? Are you allowed to tell me anything about the trip?" Foenix ushed the young woman into the house, her deep blue eyes scanning quickly over this new form, assuring herself that Nehanda was well. "Guys, look who's home!" Kylara peeked out from the office, and gasped. "Wow, what a change! You look amazing, Nehanda."Nehanda had to smile as she tossed her heavy braid back over her shoulders. "Thanks, Kylara. It's really nice to be back." she sat down at the kitchen table, carefully lifting and draping her enormous ivory wings over the back of the chair. She'd have to see about finding stools now. The high-backed chairs that Foenix had chosen for the house were not precisely confortable now.
She looked over at her guardian as Foenix brought over a glass of juice and stir-fried veggies left over from dinner. how to start? There was so much she could never tell them. "It was . . . amazing," she settled for saying. "The place we went to . . . it was the most welcoming place I've ever felt. And there was this-"
She stopoed, and looked down as she pushed a pice of bell pepper around her plate. "I'm not supposed to tell you. There are things that non-Aerandir can't, that they shouldn't know. I'm sorry. I hate to keep secrets from you."Foenix reached over to pat her hand. "It's okay, sweetie. I understand. I'm just glad you're back. And you look so wonderful! So very different. It was true. It wasn't simple the change of body size. Nehanda looked, acted and spoke with so much more assurance. She no longer stumbled over the pronunciation of words, and there was a look of maturity in her eyes that had never been there before. "Eat your dinner, hun. I'm sure you're tired. You can tell us more in the morning." 
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Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 5:37 am
6.05.06
Hi, Jornal.
I know that it's misspelled, but I still think of this as my 'jornal.' It's just one of the many things emphasizing the changes within me. As a child, I had all of these thoughts and concepts swirling around inside my head. It was confusing. I had so much knowledge, but I wasn't able to process it. My words wouldn't come out right. Spelling, grammar; mine made Foenix sigh.
But it's all there now. Everything inside of my head has found where it's supposed to be. I can understand it now. And it's very odd.
And that's just my head. This new body . . . when I walked inside the house last night, everything seemed so small! Even Foenix was small. She tells me that she's a very short woman, but it's disturbing to come back after one day and have to look down to meet her eyes!
Of course, I love being able to reach things. No more stepstools in every room of the house. (Well, that's not true; Foenix still needs them . . .) And I feel so good! This older body feels so incredibly wonderful. This morning, I ran outside and took off for a morning flight around the clearing, simply because I can.
Okay, I've got breasts. That's really weird. They're not as big as Foenix's, and I don't have to wear one of those bra things she's always complaining about, for which I've very thankful.
And she doesn't EVER need to know that I'm thinking about this sort of thing. EVER.
But there's more.
That dream Aera sent me. Those glowing plant-spirit-things. They're important, and I feel as though there's some sort of potential danger to my family and friends, but I don't know what! I'd love to talk to someone about it. Maybe I'll hunt down Rahujo. She's the oldest of the original three, and seems to know more about the Aerandir then any of us.
And then there are the seed pods. I know, down in the center of my gut, that they'll aid in the creation of gryphons. Or something. Okay, I don't actually know much about them at all. What I do know is that I'm meant to learn about them. And I will.
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Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 3:35 pm
"Nehanda?" Foenix peeked her head inside of Nehanda's workroom. the swan maid was huddled over some large seed pods. Foenix didn't recognize them, but shrugged them off as yet another plant thing that she had brought home to study. "What is it, Foenix?" With a sigh, Nehanda pushed the pods aside. She still wasn't any closer to discovering their secret."I hate to bother you, but a couple of gryphons over on Ar'Idil are ready to become children. Could you fly over and drop these off? I can just drop them in the post if you're too busy . . ." She held up two carefully sealed packages. "No, that's fine. I could use some fresh air. Maybe the flight will clear the cobwebs out of my head." Nehanda rolled her shoulders as she stood up and stepped away from teh table. She'd been indoors all day, after all. Some exercise probably would do her good. She took the two packages from her guardian. "Where are these going?""This one's going to Absinthium, and that one's going to Emi. Do you remember where-" "I think so. Don't worry, I'll be fine." With a kiss to Foenix's cheek, Nehanda ran down the stairs and out the door. Running gave her extra momentum, maing it easier for leap into flight.(Inside Abby's package is a short note and two bright pieces of copper, carefully polished. Quote: Hi there! I heard over here that False has entered his wisp stage. Congratulations! I hope these will come in handy. I took them off of an old piece of costume jewelry." ~Foenix  ) Inside Emi's are three pretty pieces of ribbon. Quote: Hi, Emi! As promised, here are those ribbons. I thought the pastels would look nice against Blanche's white fur and feathers. Let me know how things turn out; we'll have to come visit at some point! ~Foenix  )
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Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 8:41 am
6.12.06
Hi, Jornal!
Boy, have I been busy. For one thing, Foenix is definitely taking advantage of my new mobility. She's had me back and forth between Cetalu and Ar'Idil, delivering Growth Quest items. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. I really love flying, and I'm very excited that so many griffs will become children soon!
In fact, I got to meet -well, re-meet, actually- one such griff yesterday. Since I was over on the other island, I'd stopped to collect a few samples from this vine we don't seem to have on Cetalu. I was just getting ready to take off, when this little voice calls out. I was so startled, I lost my balance and fell off the branch!
Well, that was both frightening and embarrassing. And I can't imagine how startled Air Song and Oleo must have been when I almost fell on top of them!
In any case, it was great to see them again. I met Oleo for the first time when we walked across the Land Bridge. Of course, I didn't remember actually meeting him, so that was another embarrassing moment.
But Oleo's ready to become a kid, so I yanked out a few tail hairs for him. Then I stopped by the Lodge to check out the lists that people have left. There's another gryphon, Li, who needs some things, so I think I'll stop by later today and see if I can't help.
I feel so grown up!
I gotta admit, though, that I'm not having any luck with the seed pod. I can't find anything resembling such a pod in any of my books. I haven't opened it yet, and I suppose that should be my next move. Maybe I'll see if I can't find one of the grown-ups, like Rahujo, to look at it with me . . .
((RP with Air and Oleo here.))
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Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:14 pm
Soft afternoon sunlight filtered in through the sky-light, falling over the swan maid perched on a high stool. The light picked out silver-gold glints in her hair and tail, and brought a soft glow to her ivory wings.
But Nehanda wasn't thinking about any of that. Her entire attention was focused on the large seed pod held in her hands. It was dark brown and about the size of a papaya, with a stem held at the narrowing end.
She lifted it to the light, squinting one eye as though she could perhaps see inside. She couldn't, of course, but she was rapidly running out of ideas.
"Ugh." With a frustrated sigh, Nehanda placed the pod back on the table. "It looks like a seed pod. I know it is a pod! But there's no scientific explanation for the energy I can feel. It doesn't make sense!" She rested her elbows on either side of the pod and placed her face in her hands, string down at the annoying thing. "I've tried everything but . . ."
Biting her lip, she looked over at the small pile of pods she and Pueblo had brought back from the mystical island. "If I break it or something . . . there are more . . . It's not like it's alive, right?"
She picked the pod up one more time, and glared down at the place where pedicel joined to gynoecium. A tiny lip had formed in that joining, just like on the other pods. Holding her breath, she reached over and picked up a tiny knife. It only took a moment's work to slide the knife edge under the pedicel lip. Closing her eyes for one brief moment, she bore down, breaking the join and lifting the pedicel away.
"Well . . . ?" Nehanda opened one eye and looked down. Nothing had happened. She laughed out on a gush of breath, and allowed her tense shoulders to relax and droop. "Handa, you're a goon. Open it up the rest of the way."
Lifting the pod again, she carefully broke the pedicel away completely. A warm rush left the pod, bathing her face in enervating air. "Oh!" The surprised exclamation broke free of her lips as she bent forward to look inside.
The seed pod was not filled with seeds. Instead, the dark interior shed a near-glow; Nehanda could all but feel the energy contained within.
"I knew it," she breathed. "Now I just have to find out if my next guess is right."
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Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2006 10:03 am
With barely a wave of hello to the rest of her family, Nehanda ran inside and up the stairs to her workshop. Sitting down quickly at the table, she placed two seed pods and the package Acia had given her on the solid wooden surface. Her fingers trembled just a tiny bit as she opened the package and looked down at the four little pieces.
The first set contained a bit of black fur, tipped in white, bound by a yellow band, and a rust-brown feather spotted with white. Nehanda didn't know what they had come from, but the fur was very soft. She brushed a finger along the length of the feather before turning to the second set.
This one was very different. A full, bushy piece of fur held at the end by a blue ribbon, and a wing pinion in deep scarlet and indigo. Nehanda ran her fingers over these, quite taken with the colors. It was so very hard to imagine that she herself had actually come from similar objects, but at the same time, there was a sense of something, life perhaps, that she could feel eminating from them. It was incredibly faint, and disappeared when she concentrated on it.
Well, there wasn't any point in procrastinating any more. She had everything she needed right here, and Acia's blessing for her project. Picking up her knife and the seed pod she had shown Acia, she made short work of removing the pedicel. Again, she smiled at the energy coming from within the pod. It only took a moment to slide the first feather and bit of fur into the pod, and she carefully inserted the pedicel back into its hole. Just to be sure, Nehanda then took a tiny bit of gardener's wax and sealed the join. Who knew what might happen if the pod was opened prematurely?
She then turned to the next pod, and the fluff and feather that she already had decided to keep. There was something about this set, its vibrant colors and feel, that appealed to her tremendously. Inserting the knife into the join of pedicel and pod, she opened this one in the same manner as she had the first. The process of insertion and sealing was completed identically to the first set. Nehanda also took a bit of twine and wrapped it around her seed pod. She'd hate to hand off the wrong one!
Leaning back, she studied the two pods. The entire process had felt so very right, as though she were meant to do this. She already knew, deep within her heart, that this was as everything was meant to be.((RP with Acia here.)) ((Pod delivery to Chao and Sanar here.))
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Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2006 10:21 am
Nehanda grinned down at the note in her hand. It looked as though Pueblo was ready to go off in search of the cave from her dream! It was perfect timing; Nehanda had already brought the seed pod over to Chao and Sanar, and she didn't have anything else planned.
"Foenix, could you make me some sandwiches? I need to help Pueblo with something, and I don't want to eat whatever meat stuff she's gonna bring . . ." Before her guardian could ask any questions, the swan-maid was already running up to her room to pack whatever she might need.
"Nehanda, where are you going?" Foenix put down her knitting and ran after the young woman. "And when are you getting back? Air Song is leaving the island for a bit and I need you to fetch Oleo and bring him here. He's going to be staying with us for a few days." It was clear from her tone that she was a bit put out with Nehanda for this last minute change of plans.
"Oh." Nehanda straightened over her carry-sak and made an apologetic face as her guardian entered her room. "I'm really sorry, Foenix. I didn't know. But I promised Pueblo that I'd help her with this!"
"Help her with what?" Foenix folded her arms. "You may think you're all grown up now, Nehanda, but you're still my child, under my care, and I think I have a right to know some of the details when you go running off without any notice."
Nehanda bit her lip. "You know how I promised Acia and Osero not to tell you anything about my growth quest? This is part of that. It's sort of like how I got those seed pods, but this is something Pueblo needs to do, and I don't think I'm supposed to tell you about it." Frustration over the restrictions put upon her was clear on Nehanda's face.
Foenix sighed, then came forward to hug her ward. "It's okay. I don't understand what all the secrecy is about, but I can understand that you need to keep your word to Acia. Air Song isn't leaving until tomorrow, so there should be plenty of time for you to pick up Oleo. I'll go make you those sandwiches."
"Thanks, Foenix."
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 7:32 am
7.19.07
Hi, Jornal.
I'm feeling very tired right now. It's been a very long few days. Yesterday, I delivered the second seed pod to Chao and Sanar, who is just as cute as I remember. She 's the first child Aerandir I've seen since my own transformation, and it was something of a shock to see and talk to her. Only a short time ago, I was that small, and that innocent. One short trip to a secret island later, and I'm bigger, smarter, and more . . . wordly, I suppose. Concepts which I used to find puzzling now seem so simple.
But I'm rambling. Sanar was very excited to receive the pod. I think she's going to make an excellent big sister.
I came home after that, only to quickly pack up a travel kit so that I could help Pueblo find that cave she'd dreamed about when we grew up. So we met very early -it was nice to see Fae again- and flew off. We found the cave, did some exploring, and found some stuff. I'm really glad I could help Pueblo. she's probably my best friend over anyone else I know on the islands. We've certainly spent more time together then I have with any of the others!
((Cave quest found here.))
That reminds me that I should go look up some of the others on Cetalu. Keanu and Yasu, at least, were fun to be around. I feel somewhat bad for spending more time with the kids over on Ar'Idil then here on Cetalu of late.
Gah, I keep wandering off my original train of thought. Anyway, I got back from that little trip just in time to head over to Ar'Idil and pick up Oleo. Air Song apparently had to leave for a while, and Foenix volunteered to babysit. And Oleo's a kid now! He's awefully cute; all white and black and red, and very eager! We flew part of the way, and walked part of the way, to get back home, after which I promptly collapsed into bed. Boy, was I tired.
So, I've got a seed pod and a little boy to keep an eye on now. The latter should be nice; I can draft him into carrying water for the gardens!
And I really should spend more time in the gardens for a while. I feel bad, like I've been neglecting them. They've been fed, watered, and weeded, but I've been so busy that I haven't had the spare time to tend them like I used to. And that's something I intend to fix.
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Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 5:40 am
Nehanda bent over, wings flaring out behind her in a vague attempt to keep them out of the dirt, as she pulled up a few weeds from around the St. John's Wort. Hmmm. The soil was still a little thin over here. Reaching over into one of the sacks and containers nearby, she measured out a careful handful out fertilzers and chemicals. Not too much, though. She was very firm on allowing the plants to achieve their growth naturally.
When Foenix took me over to the mainland, we sent to a non-organic farm. The tomatoes were the size of my head! But they tasted so bland. and the same was true for almost everything that grew there. Nope, I'm never going to force my garden so unnaturally.
She leaned forward, and the carry-sak worn habitually over her shoulder bumped against her side, heaving with the weight of the seed pod. Nehanda paused to check on it, and shifted the bag farther around to her back. The pod had begun to glow yesterday. Did that mean the gryphon would emerge soon? She hoped so.
She was steadily mixing the fertilizers into the soil when Oleo came dashing out of the house.
"Slep in sowy Fweenix made me eat bweyfas fus!" The little boy knocked shaggy bangs back from his eyes as he grabbed up the watering can and raced around the house to the pond out front.
Nehanda stifled a giggle, interpreting Oleo's blur as "I slept in! Sorry! Foenix made me eat breakfast first!" The kid was seriously cute. "Oleo, slow down! It's okay. The plants aren't gonna die if you water them thirty minutes late!"
As a crash and a loud splat! came from the direction of the pond, followed by Oloe's gulped "Oopsie . . ." Nehanda shook her head and stood up to go find out what he'd tripped over this time in his rush.
Seriously cute.
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Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:13 am
Quote: 7.31.06 It's been a while since I made a journal entry. Of course, life has been somewhat busy! Nehanda's simply amazing. She's so mature, and responsible, but she hasn't lost that cheerfulness and joy that made her such a fun child. We have Oleo staying with us for a bit, and I've simply loved having him. It's made Nehanda's maturation a bit easier, since I still have a little child to play with. He's very enthusiastic and rambunctious. As I didn't have an opportunity to discuss any plans with Air Song before she left, I decided not to start him on any of the lessons I gave Nehanda. Instead, I read to him every night. Nehanda feels no guilt about dragooning him into helping out in the garden, and I think he's probably absorbed a lot by association. And then there's the second Fluff and Feather that Nehanda brought home. And they're stuffed into one of the odd seed pods that she brought back from her growth quest. It's required some effort on my part, but I'm stepping back from this one. Nehanda left me out of the loop completely in regards to adding a new family member. Am I miffed? Oh, hell, yes. After all, who gets to feed this newcomer? Me. Who gets to pay for toys and other such necessaries? Me. I am responsible for the welfare of this family, no matter how grown up Nehanda thinks she is, and it was rude to bring home what will eventually become another child. So I'm stepping away. This new Aerandir is not a pet. He or she is going to require most of Nehanda's attention once it emerges. So let her see how exhausting it is to take care of a fully intelligent animal-humanoid creature on top of her regular chorse, duties, and jobs. she has, in essence, become pregnant or adopted a baby. I'll support her, of course. How could I not? She's my child, after all. But there's a difference between support and assuming the position of primary care-giver. Even Nehanda still has important lessons to learn.
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:58 am
Nehanda hummed happily as she stretched out along one of the larger low-hanging branches of a tree near Foenix's house. Her garden duties were all done for the day, the sky was a pretty deep blue, and the air was a comfortable temperature. Instead of eating lunch inside, the swan-maiden had instead grabbed some bread and cheese and taken them and her favorite book outside.
She turned a page and absently nibbled around the crust of the bread. Foenix was very good at baking, and this particular loaf was filled with nuts and dried apricots. Yummy. She did sort of wish she'd thought to bring along something cool to drink, but was feeling too lazy to fetch it for herself.
It had, after all, been a very busy few days. She'd gone over to Ar'Idil with Foenix and Oleo, and had spent a very pleasant afternoon playing with Blanche. Only the next day, Yasu and Osu had come over with Sasha, who had been bitten by a snake. It hadn't been too horribly serious, thankfully, and she had been able to patch things up with a few simple poltices. Then Air Song had returned and taken Oleo home. She'd miss the little boy, but it was nice to have her home to herself again.
((RPs found here, here, and last one coming soon.))
Nehanda dropped her elbow back to her side and -*flash* angergrimdarknessblackwantoutNOW!!! *flash* -"What the hell!" The sudden onslaught of emotions sent Nehanda twisting away hard enough that she dropped off the branch, just barely landing on feet, trembling hands and wings outspread for much-needed balance. She looked around wildly for the source of the attack.
There was no one else there.
In fact, the only other semi-intellignt life form within touching distance was . . . face white, the young Aerandir looked down at the pouch at her side. She took the seed pod everywhere, and took it off only to sleep and bathe. In fact, her elbow would have touched it when she relaxed . . .
Her hand shook as she pulled the bag around and placed her palm inside, up against the pod. There was nothing, only the usual energy of life and growth.
What had just happened?
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Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:36 am
The seedpod in Nehanda's hand seemed to rock slightloy, the life force within it surging and rolling as if a small tide had begun. The fabric of the seed began to glow stronger, the soft brown plant-like glow being replaced by a blue-white gleam. As it intensified it became much more red in nature, crimson seams slashing through the soft blue like jagged wounds. The fabric of the seedpod itself began to crack and slowly, in an almost dream-like manner, pieces of it began shearing off and dropping to the ground. Left, in Nehanda's hand, was a small gryphon, newly arrived.  (( http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/Aerandir/Aerandir/Cerise/photo_gryphon_cerise.jpg ))
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~o[Aerandir]o~ Vice Captain
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![~o[Aerandir]o~'s avatar](https://a1cdn.gaiaonline.com/dress-up/avatar/ava/3d/d8/69039f530d83d_flip.png?t=1301926893_6.00_01)