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 Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 6:23 pm
With Drywood's words, an immense weight was lifted from Hazel's chest. She was certain that such a thoughtful Sentinel would be strictly forthcoming about the venomous capabilities of his companion, and, well, the fact was that not all Serpe were venomous. This one, this Longtail, must have been one of the other kind. She looked at the snake in a new, slightly more kindly light. She still didn't like it, but at least it wasn't an immediate threat to her granddaughter. That wasn't saying it would be safe at all around the chicks... but, really, that could be dealt with later. "My, my," she murmured. "I've never come across a Serpe that could measure. That's highly impressive. You must have had quite a time, training her to do that. Does her original Keeper know? I'm sure he'd be proud to know that you managed that." She smiled kindly at Drywood, letting him know that she didn't really hold his companion against him. She was quite happy to have an idea of a topic to segue into away from the Serpe's immediate presence. With some careful questioning, she could perhaps find out the names of his friends and see if she recognized any of them. Knowing his family history might have been Hollysong's job, but knowing his character was a job for family.
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Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 2:05 pm
Drywood's plumage slowly inflated to its normal state as his mind moved further and further away from the moment of panic. He was actually getting a bit fired up again, and was enjoying the conversation - quite unaware of Hazel's subtle attempt to leave the subject of his Serpe.
"Oh yes, quite," he said, nodding earnestly. "But Longtail is a clever girl, and we sort of figured the whole process out together. I'm not going to say that it wasn't my idea, though." He beamed at Hazel. "And yes, Sootfeather was quite impressed, I believe. I don't think she expected us to succeed so well."
Drywood might have sounded a bit cynical in his words, but they were honestly meant. He actually felt rather comfortable with his businesslike relationship with the unusually large Shadow female who had once bred Tails into the world.
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Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:57 am
Sootfeather. Hm. She'd never heard the name, but then again, she'd never been after a Serpe, either. "Have you shared your techniques with other Apothecaries? Or is your Serpe-training and measuring system your trade secret?" She could honestly say she was surprised by his use of the snake; she'd never thought of training one to measure. But if it assisted in the precision of his cures and remedies, as well as guarded his nest from any unpleasant vermin while he was out, how could anybody fault him for owning it? After all, the things wouldn't be bred if somebody couldn't use them, and with his non-venomous example of the species, Drywood was demonstrating a noble utilization of the scaly creatures.
This really was shaping up to be a fine visit. Hazel was very pleased with Hollysong's work in finding Drywood. She was quite certain her granddaughter would be pleased as well. With their complimentary colors and Willowbreeze's near-Chestnut build and beauty already, this pairing would be an excellent addition to the Chestnut bloodline, and frankly, she was proud to play even a small part in it.
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Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 12:05 pm
"Um." Drywood hesitated, ear tufts risng and falling slightly as he considered the unexpected question. It was certainly worth contemplating. Bobbing his head in an owlish shrug, he looked from Hazel to Tails and back again as he thought aloud:
"Well, it's not like it is some sort of big secret, but... I guess, nobody has asked me. Though, it does seem as though many react rather negatively to the enacting of the procedure. It can take a lot of talking and explaining to get a patient to agree to it." He sent another, sharper glance over at Hazel, and then quickly ameliorated it with another amiable smile.
"Not everyone likes Serpes, after all. Er. I do apologize if she ruined your appetite..." He awkwardly indicated the remains of the food, somewhat scattered around from Hazel's earlier panic.
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Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 11:16 pm
"Not to worry, not to worry at all", Hazel said, gently piling the bits of delicious mammal with a nudge of her Will. "Liking her or not, if she allows you to succeed, then she's important to you, your task, and your clan." It was difficult for her to accept the snake, but she didn't want to offend Drywood, and it seemed as if he and his companion were a package deal. And if my granddaughter can't stand the thing, then she can work it out. The older female carefully nudged a piece of mouse towards the snake, a peace offering of sorts. Her feathers were mostly settled, and although her heart still pounded in her chest, the fright was over, and, in her mind, the situation was resolved. She was certain that this procedure of his was merely the same reaction from any of his patients who weren't expecting the Serpe to be there... though it was a bit odd, his referring to them as patients. After all, he wasn't a medic. But, she thought, with a bit of a mental shrug, perhaps that's just his way of referring to them, showing how engrossed her gets in his work. Dedication to those receiving his medicines, after all, is an excellent quality in an Apothecary.
Attempting once again to change the subject, she nodded at Drywood and lifted a bit of the hare to her beak. "Do you mind? It looks delicious, and I'd hate to waste your efforts in procuring it."
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 4:19 pm
"Oh! Do go ahead!" Drywood beamed with relief. Not only did the frightening conflict seem to be entirely resolved - and so easily too - even in spite of her earlier distraught, it appeared as though Lady Hazel had fully accepted Longtail already. He must have misjudged the seriousness of the situation at first, but if so, he was quite happy to have been so mistaken.
Settling back a bit, watching Longtail sniff the offered morsel with her quick tongue, he even allowed himself to preen a few of his chest feathers as he relaxed.
This had all really gone a whole lot better than he could ever have dreamed. Especially considered Longtail's cheeky little faux pas. It was almost too good to be true, but he fully intended not to let this fortituous turn of events lull him into any sort of false confidence. Instead, he resolved to be even more careful from now on. He straightened up and placed his most amiable smile on his face.
He would make sure to be as much of the Perfect Gentleman and Generous Host as he possibly could, from now on.
((OOC: Would you like to go on, or do you think we should do some sort of "fade to black" from here?))
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Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 10:03 am
With a gracious nod, Hazel began to strip succulent bits of meat from the hare's haunches and ate them as daintily as she could manage, eating slowly and taking everything in. Today really could not have gone better; aside from the snake, there was nothing about Drywood's character that would make her granddaughter object to the pairing. He was patient, smart, gracious; eventually, he would be a fine father to a new generation of Chestnut Sentinels. Very briefly, she wandered about Hollysong, the Storyteller who had discerned this match. It must be times like these, she thought that make it all worthwhile. As a grandmother, she certainly knew that this was true; she could rest much easier now, knowing that her granddaughter's future mate was of the best quality.
Surely this little opus of the Storyteller's contrivance would have a happy ending.
((Fade to black here is good.))
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