Welcome to Gaia! ::

Chase took a moment to examine the little bird (who seemed to be watching him with just as much interest). Picas were extremely rare especially amongst non-Mystics and this was the first time he actually had the opportunity to meet one. In fact, he was quite happy about it. “You can call me Chase” he added to his introduction, slightly worried about the way the Pica repeated his name and after a brief hesitation he dared to continue with a question, completely forgetting his first intention and wondering if he wasn’t being somewhat rude and nosy. “How did you two meet? I mean... Picas aren’t the most common of companions.”

"Chasechasechasechase... Chase, okay, good, Chase." The pica bobbed his head, as if approving the nickname.

"I don't mind at all. It proves to be a long and interesting tale, if one has the time to sit and listen. Perhaps I shall tell you the full story some time." The young bard gave Chase a wink. He had a hard time hiding the pride that welled inside him.

He, being a bard, loved any opportunity to tell a tale. At hand, though, there were other things about and he was afraid of becoming too wrapped up in the story and forgetting what he was doing.

"In a nutshell, I found him. He was still a little fledgling... Er, I think he was, anyways. Looked very young, but it was the first time I had ever seen a pica. Only time, too. He was about to be the lunch of another sentinel."

Honored by such noble gestures, Dewfeather felt an overwhelming sense of shame. How careless she had been; having all her manners swept away by nerves. She returned his gesture, hoping that he'd forgive her belated manners. Her head cocked slightly as she listened to the other Mist, and a slight grin escaped her,

"Well…" the Sentinel was about to protest, although she grew silent to listen to his other words. She chucked slightly and nodded under his words. "True true." She added.

Dewfeather watched as the male entered into the crowd, flattered as he beckoned for her. Still slightly shaken by crowd, she followed close behind him, listening to his every word, taking it to heart.

"No…I guess you're right," she offered a smile, nodding a thanks as she nibbled on a berry. "Quite true-" She paused to finish the berry. "So Silverwing, how long have you been here?" The Sentinel asked, slightly surprised by his knowledge of the place.

"I c'n do that, I c'n do that!" The pica chattered away and hopped a few more paces before lifting off into the air. "I'll ask everyone, everyone. We'll find it fast-quick like!" With that, the black, orange, and yellow pica took off.

Fjord watched the pica go for a moment. "Be careful, Feth."

Once the little pica was gone, Fjord leaned forward. "So, y'really wanna know 'bout that scoundrel, eh? Oh yes, really, pica are not forbidden, but it isn't like they are parus or chirop, now. I mean, for goodness sake, they are usually companions of the mystics, which gives them an interesting and mysterious background in their own right."

While Fjord started to tell his tale, Feather was flitting through the trees in search of other sentinels. Since there was a celebration going on, it they weren't hard to find.

"Parus? Parus? Who missing a parus?" He called out loudly in his light, melodious voice.

The wind was billowing, caring the distant chorus of the moonlight celebration father in the heart of the woods. Away from the commotion, the trees could now he heard as they rustled in the cooling wind, shattering moonlight through the congested canopy. It was a pressing silence that muffled the cheering of the festival, out of reach and earshot. Somewhere was the distant calling as a Pica weaved in and out of the treetops, chanting as it called out to anyone and everything, having no criteria. Its calls did not go unnoticed as the tiny bird fluttered past the thick, clawed branches of a withering oak, eyes focused ahead and passing by the darkened silhouette that was hidden in its depths.

"Missing Parus?" The voice spoke out, velvet smooth and deep and in the ominous glow of the moon, the gleam of a curling smile on a razor-edged beak could be seen. The Sentinel was smooth-colored ebony, easily disclosed in the sheltering darkness the open moon could not pierce. Here, the subtle gloss caught on ink-back plumage and glowing, gilded optics seemed to smirk as viciously as his curling beak could.

With all the excitement over The Brigadier and his tale, Sly personally felt the gossip put it on too high of a pedestal and in the end, hadn’t nearly come close to meeting his expectations. True, the Brigadier was a sight to behold, but any special occasion was lost in the presence of a hundred or so other Sentinels. He was nothing more than a mob in this event. No. If it wasn’t in private company and out of earned respect, then this whole event was nothing more than a pointless gathering. If he had wanted to hear a fairy tale, then he’d spend more time listening to Bards!

Cringing at the thought, he turned his attention to a more promising idea of a challenging and unprotected snack. Maybe this was an occasion to celebrate as what was now considered a nuisance of a gathering, was now a pleasant distraction. It just proved that, if one waited and was patient, opportunities would show themselves.

His talons flexed on the wood as he pivoted in place and turned. Taking off, he went in the opposing direction of the yammering Pica. A search was on and to the victor would go the spoils.

Alright, so he was a little late.

Auu'weh scampered half-heartedly through the branches, heading towards the sounds that bubbled and crackled from the center of the forest where the gathering was taking place. He had meant to appear sooner, honestly! In fact, Auu'weh was watching the moon rise, waiting for it to hit the right spot in the sky that would mark his departure...But it was the moon that made him late in the first place. Auu'weh had gotten so infatuated by the moon's silver glow, bathing in its milky light from his watch post in the tree, watching it rise...Rise...Rise...

It was when Auu'weh had his head pointing straight up that he realized it was...Far past the point he had originally been planning to take off on.

Cursing silently underneath his breath, Auu'weh had fluttered from his perch and set his course to the Gathering Place.

It was right as he entered the boundaries that he ran beak-first into another owl who had just taken off from another branch.

"Fumblefeathers!" the young owl scowled as he struggled to find his balance. As soon as he had connected himself upon another nearby branch, Auu'weh fluffed his feathers back into place and swiveled his head over his shoulder to gaze in annoyance at the owl that had encumbered his route, "Pardon," was all he managed to squawk in reply.

Liam looked worried. "The poor thing..." He hugged Roth tightly to him. "No matter how much trouble they cause, Companions are always worth it. I'd miss my Roth terribly if anything every happened to him. You probably don't have to worry about Furry Hazel so much, him being a Martes and all, but Roth... well, his kind are known for being tasty. He's such a help around the nest though, none of the hatchlings have ever tried to eat him. Use him as a pillow, maybe, but never eating!"

Thorn, on the other side of the clearing, heard the Pica's cry. Nodding farewell to his companions, he and Cassiel followed the cries. No harm in looking for the little creature, and he might just meet a new friend!