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 Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:19 pm
  Growing Up
"Sarah, what is it like to grow up?"asked Falco one day while learning how to swim. It seemed to the young Zahdl that his guardian was determined to teach him everything under the sun about survival.
Not that he was complaining; being prepared was good. Being prepared ensures survival. By ensuring survival one could live to see another day.
"Well...growing up is a process where your body not only increases in size but also weight , number of cells and physical appearance,"Sarah said sounding (to Falco) like a school book.
"Will I look different then?" Falco asked pulling himself out of the water.
"Well...as to that, I'm not sure seeing that you're the first zahdl I've met. But I'm sure that even if you look different, you'll still be the Falco that I love," Sarah replied giving the zahdl a small ruffle in the feathers.
"Umm...," Falco replied happily.
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 6:40 am
 Falco's thoughts
Nothing much to report here except that Sarah ( my guardian) is getting rather paranoid about me climbing up tall trees but... I just can't help it. Being high up there is awfully fun and exciting. Sometimes, when the wind is just right, I almost feel that I can fly.. Not that I can't really but Sarah calls what I'm doing 'gliding' which is to cruise over long distance of land with the help of the wind.
Well...if that s the case, I hope I will be able to 'really' fly soon.
Sarah's thoughts
Maybe it's because it is in his genes. Falco, my little Zahdl keeps having the urge to try out his wings. Not that I can blame him. Those wings are there for a reason. It's just that sometimes Falco does really dangerous things; like jumping off a high branch in the hopes of catching an updrift so he can glide (his wings are currently not strong enough to fly yet). I hope he won't hurt himself doing that...
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Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 1:37 pm
Quote: {Roleplay Prompt}
!PROMPT! You spend a fun day out in Mother Nature! Yay! Upon returning home, your Zahdl starts acting somewhat strangely, complaining of weird feelings or something similar. As the night goes on, these get progressively worse. How did you spend the day? What do you think these feelings are? How do you react? What do you do? Etc...Etc... 
It was an unsually warm day today.The winds that usually blew through the plains where Falco and Sarah roamed and lived were asleep...or so it seems....
However, the absence of wind was was the least of the duo's worries. Falco, the little zahdl had been acting rather odd. First, he started fidgeting while Sarah tried to show him how to differenciate between a ripe and unripe fruit and later kept turning his gaze elsewhere as if distracted; something the little zahdl was never known to do during the course of a lesson. Sarah who immediately noticed this did not think much about the little one's odd behaviour and attributed it to the bad weather. Afterall, Sarah reasoned the little zahdl was not used to having such still air about him and he should get better as the day progressed.
Well, needless to say Falco soon started acting really odd beyond what even Sarah had predicted. Climbing into a high tree Falco just sat between the boughs and started staring off into space. Except for the occasional flick of a wing the zahdl remained vitually motionless. "Falco...what's wrong?"Sarah asked concerned. Falco was not one who liked sitting still for even a minute and this latest stunt of his had definitely lasted more than a minute.
"N-nothing is wrong Sarah...," replied Falco as he continued looking out into the open world. "I-it's just that I...,"
Suddenly Falco's eyes fluttered and the zahdl lost his grip. Falling down Falco did not even make an attempt to glide as he usually would.
"Falco!!" screamed Sarah as she watched the little zahdl fall. "Hang in there!!"
Summoning her strength the guardian created a whirl of air that cushioned the zahdl as he was about to hit earth. Placing him gently onto the ground Sarah observed the young zahdl's features. Falco was sweating and panting slightly and his yellow eyes were unfocused. Even as Sarah watched Falco seemed to be losing his sense of coordination. Little arms were lifted to catch hold of a nearby branch but they missed it completely. Realising this Falco bit his lip and closed his eyes not even bothering to try a second attempt. This latest behaviour scared Sarah alot. Was Falco poisoned? It couldn't be. The only food Falco had eaten today was the berries of a tree that was definitely safe to consume.
Sensing Sarah's distress, Falco let out a faint smile. " I'm okay Sarah...just a little tired....that's all,"
"Oh Falco, stop pretending....You know you're not feeling okay....," Sarah said in a trembling voice. "You need help...only... I don't know where to get it...,"
"Sarah...," said Falco softly and pointing to a small cervice beneath a tree. "Co-could you please move me to that hole over there? I w-would like to rest a w-while "
"S-sure Falco...anything you say...," replied Sarah as she once again summoned her strength and gently pulled Falco towards the hole. Though this was draining for the gurdian, her tiredness was not felt as Falco's condition was the only thing on Sarah's mind. Why was falco acting so strange? I hope Falco does not...die.... prayed Sarah silently to herself as she watched Falco whimper softly to himself. Please let him be okay....
That night the winds of the plains howled loudly....
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Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 1:54 pm
Falco's thoughts
Tired...that's what I feel. Though I know Sarah's concerned I can't hide that fact anymore. I've been feeling weird all day...I think Sarah notices this too but she tries to act casual about it...casual that is till I fell...then she was really worried. I really did not want that to happen but I guess I just...slipped. However,I was saved by Sarah. She really cares...
Sarah must be feeling extremely worn out from all that energy that she used today...Sarah...I'm really sorry for the trouble caused...
...
everything is getting rather dark and i-it's hard to think an-anymore...
I...I...
Sarah's thoughts
I hope Falco is okay....He's not responding to my call anymore and I believe he has shut me out of his mind. His attitude scares me. I really want to be able to be by his side;especially now seeing how Falco is suffering. Falco...please hang tight.....
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Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 5:37 pm
Alone?...And changed!
Bright sunlight slowly flitted through the crack through which a curled up figure of a young boy could be seen. Then, very slowly as if still in a daze the young boy pushed himself up with his hands. Yellow eyes opened to observe the scenery before him.
Though it might be strange to see a child lying out in the open, it was even stranger to note that this child upon closer inspection, possesed certain abnormal(if it is the correct word to use) attributes. For one, wings could be seen clearly growing from the back of the child. Another would be his slightly clawed looking feet...
"Uhhh....Sarah...what happened? I-" Falco asked before closing his mouth with shock. Was the voice he just heard his? True it was not very deep to say the least but...the words that came out from it was definitely more pronounced and ...not so high pitch?
Am I coming down with something? Falco thought worriedly as he remembered Sarah telling him something about diseases and colds. What was the symptoms again? A clogged up voice? Well, his voice was certainly odd sounding so that must be it. He was getting a cold!
"I wonder if Sarah knows what's going on...,"the zahdl muttered to himself as he subconciously pushed his hair back out of his eyes. The action; though completely normal to most, sent the young zahdl into another heart rendering shock!
"W-what is this?" Falco stammered as he pulled a lock of hair into view. This was not normal! Why was he growing fur on his head now?And what was this?
The 'this' of Falco's latest horror proved to be the the formation of fingers on his hands. Previously, the zahdl had oddly no fingers and now he was looking at five of them! Five on each hand too to boot!
"I-I don't like this...," whimpered the zahdl as he shakily got up with his now length-tier feet. "W-what's happening to me Sarah? SARAH!"
Falco screamed now officially terrified. Eversince he had awaken Falco realised with increasing alarm that his guardian was not talking to him. True he could still feel her presence but that was all.
"W-what have I done?... What has happened to me?" Falco whispered softly as he made his way to the river's edge hardly noticing that now he had clothes on him too. Did this sudden change make Sarah disappear? Perhaps this is all a weird dream....
Upon reaching the river Falco's hope of anything being a dream was smashed as he looked upon an unfamiliar face in the cold surface of the water. Startled eyes of a youth looked back at at Falco; the only similiarities between them was the look of shock reflected on each other's face. As he peered closer, the fringe of his hair once again got in the way and Falco was forced to use his goggles as a makeshift hairband to prevent them from obscurring his view. However, having long hair was not his utmost worry right now. It was the fact that Sarah was not answering him that was worrying.
"Maybe...your change scared her...," a tiny voice whispered in Falco's ears.
"No, it can't be....," replied Falco trying to keep his senses together. "I-it must be something else...,"
A sudden movement caught Falco's eyes and with a hawk-like movement Falco instantly diverted his gaze towards the said object. It was yet another butterfly that had just emerged from its coccoon. The image of this somehow triggered a memory within the zahdl. It had to do with a conversation they had recently. What was it about again?
Falco frown as he tried to remember and slowly an image popped up.... Sarah was saying something about change and growing up and about being there for him..... Yes, that was it!
"But I'm sure that even if you look different, you'll still be the Falco that I love,"
That was what Sarah had said! She said that she would like him even if he were as altered as he was now!
With that in mind, Falco, for the first time that day let out a small smile. Sarah then was almost certainly still with him; he just needed to be patient, that was all....
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Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 11:13 am
A Suprise and...A promise...
"Uhhh...so tired...," mummured Sarah as she slowly stirred herself awake from what she suspected was the closest thing to a deep sleep that she'll ever get. Then with a sudden jolt of alarm Sarah remembered the incidents of the previous night and was intanstly wide awake with worry.Falco had been acting seriously sick!
"Falco! Falco! Are you alright?" Sarah practically yelled, not really focusing her vision on anyhing in particular in her hurried search for Falco.
"Sarah! I'm right here!" a familiar yet strange sounding voice replied and as Sarah focused her attention to the source of the voice she let out a gasp of suprised. "Falco?! Y-You look different y-you....,"
"I-I grew I guess...," Falco replied trying his hardest not to burst with relief and happiness at the sound of Sarah's voice.
"Y-You look splendid Falco! Why just look at you! You- You have been crying Falco?! What's wrong? Are you hurt?" Sarah asked anxiously. Perhaps growing overnight was painful to the young zahdl...
Afterall back home you took a few years to grow from a baby to a youngster...
"N-No...I'm not hurt Sarah...I-it's just t-that...I thought I lost you Sarah!" Falco stammered trying very hard to rub awaythe tears that were flowing rather freey from his eyes. "W-when you did n-not reply this morning I-I thought that you w-were gone...but now that...now that you are here, I c-can't help myself. I-I am so happy Sarah!," replied Falco trying his hardest (but not succeeding) to smile; afraid that Sarah would worry if he continued to cry any longer.( However, all Falco got for his attempt was a flushed face)
"Falco...," Sarah said a lump suddenly caught in her non-existant throat. "I'll never leave you as long as I am able. Never. I promise Falco...,"
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Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 4:37 am
Falco's thoughts
Sarah's back! I'm so relieved.I thought I used p all of her energy to...change.
Next time though, I won't ask too much of her.
However, Sarah seemed pretty elated about me growing. It went somethin along the line of being cute but I don't think I really care much about looks though.
Anyway, I'm off to try and learn fishing now that I have the speed to do so!
Till then berries will have to supplement me! Go berries!
Sarah's thoughts
Oh my gawd! Falco grew! And he looks like a splendid young lad to me.
Unfortunately I 'awoke' pretty late and the poor fellow thought that he used me all up. No way Falco! I am tougher than I look and I won't disappear that easily.
However Falco's rather emotional outburst this morning rather stirred me. I never knew he cared that much. I mean yeah,I knew he likes my as a guardian but this morning's reaction really told me how much he thinks of me... I suppose that if any of my family members were to encounter such a situation my reaction would be the same too. Sory for all the trouble caused Falco; and good luck with the fishing! (he has been wanting to try it since I told him I reckoned he is fast enough to do it now)
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 7:06 am
 Fish!!
It was there! The silvery grey streak of scales and muscles was there! And it was moving in closer...closer...
SPLASH! The water's surfaced broke and out of it rose...
A rather wet zahdl.
"Missed again...," sighed Falco as he pulled himself back onto dry land.
"That's the tenth try too,"
"Don't give up Falco, learning to fish is not as easy as it looks," said Sarah encouragingly. "Perhaps one more time...,"
"It's okay Sarah, I'll try it again tomorrow. I think I'm wet enough today," said Falco as he tried to squeeze the water from his clothes.
"But I just don't get it Sarah. Everytime I make a grab at the fish it always seems to be just a few inches away than it looks, it is frustrating to say the least,"
"Oh...so that is the case then? And I thought it was coordination problem," said Sarah laughing. " That particular problem can be fixed easily Falco,"
"Huh? It can?" Falco asked in suprise as he shook the last remaing drops of water from his wings. "Care to explain?"
"Well, when light passes through a more solid form than air, say water it kinda make things seem closer to the surface than they really are," explained Sarah.
"Err...right...and how exactly does this help us?," asked Falco scratching his head. "If anything it just explains the problem...,"
"Well, at an agle perpendicular to the water's surface the light penetrates the water in a straight line therefore showing the true location of the object in question...,"
"...So if I were to fish at a ninety degree angle I would be able to...,"
"Safely and sucessfully catch the fish. Yes, Falco. That's correct," replied Sarah happy that Falco had managed to catch on. "So...?"
"We are going to do some serious fishing now!" said Falco happily as he once again made his way to the nearby river and there, just by the water's edge was a fish....
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Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 7:06 pm
Falco's thoughts
Yay! I finally caught a fish!! Okay..it wasn't exactly the most well planned form of fishing but...it worked! What I did was... climb onto a branch close to the water's surface and wait.
When the fish comes near, dive in and catch!
Now all I need to do is learn how to start a fire....
Sarah's thoughts
Falco seems elated that he managed to catch a fiish. Well, all I can say is good for him! Now it seems that he needs to learn how to cook. Oh boy...
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Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 1:11 am
 Fire
"Dry twigs,dry grass, dry area.... Yep, I think everything's ready Sarah!" Falco said happily as he proceeded to arrange the twigs and other pieces of burnable stuff.... complete with the careful instructions provided by his ever watchful guardian.
Meanwhile, the newly caught fish rested upon a high branch...
"So...I just turn this piece of stick rapidly around until it causes the other to burn?" asked Falco when everything was finally set in place.
"Uh-huh," replied Sarah nodding (if she could) "...the friction that comes from the rubbing should create enough heat for a fire to start and consequently burn to create a fire large enough to emanate heat and light to the user...,"
"Errr...right," said Falco scratching the back of his head. He could never till this day understand what Sarah was trying to prove sounding and explaining the way she does but he suspected that it was probably for his own good sooner or later....later by the looks of it in Falco's opinion.
Soon however, those thoughts were forgotten as the zahdl focused his attention on starting a decent enough flame to burn the twigs. It was proving harder than he had previously thought and soon the young zahdl's hand and arms were starting to feel sore. But Falco still kept at it because a tiny trail of smoke had appeared and after twenty minutes a small flicker of flame could be seen.
Elated Falco then place the smouldering piece of wood into the midst of the dry twigs and watched excitedly as a bright flame soon errupted from its center .
"I think it is possible to cook the fish now Falco," said Sarah once they had the fire going strong.
Nodding happily Falco then reached for the fish...only to discover that it was gone! "Where's the fish?" Falco asked with suprise and not to mention irritation. " I knew I placed it there...,"
"Falco, look up," said Sarah giggling.
Falco raised his eyebrows questioningly at Sarah but followed her gaze nevertheless and soon found the fish thief.
"It's feeding its young...," said Falco as he observed the hawk tearing away at the fish's flesh. "I can't take the fish away,"
"I would say that it isn't wise to attempt it too Falco,"said Sarah as the hawk teared away at another piece of flesh. "Perhaps you could catch another one? Though...it is getting rather dark,"
"It's alright Sarah. I think I'll have berries tonight and tomorrow I'll catch a fish for dinner and another for our neighbour," replied Falco smiling as the nestlings continued to squabble for food.
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Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 6:32 pm
Falco's thoughts
I created...fire! Man, that was fun. Tiring but fun. Errr...I mean the part that the fire started sucessfully and I actually got to spend the night out in the open without feeling cold. I'm not a pyromaniac. Honest!
Tomorrow I'll fish and this time I'll get two fishes. One for me and one for the nestlings. Sarah thinks I shouldn't temper with nature though and that I should let the hawk fish for themselves....
Sarah's thoughts
Falco's growing up well. He managed to light a fire today. I wonder...should I try to teach him algebra now?
Hmm....
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Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 10:56 pm
M As the sun sets slowly over the city of Selena, the buildings cast shadows on the cobblestone walk surrounding the city walls. The grassy plains that come up to meet the stones wave gently in the night breezes.
But, perhaps this peaceful atmosphere is not an indicator of other things.
"Earth to Falco, I don't think my eyesight is as good as yours," Sarah said turning to look in the general direction that the zahdl pointed to. All the guardian could make out was probably some slightly darkish outline of something which could have been a large rock for all she could see.
"No Sarah, those are buildings. I'm sure," Falco said grinning at his guardian. Sometimes though none of them would admit it, the two of them liked to compare thier abilities with each other. Falco usually won when it came to such things as sight and senses but Sarah would after that mow the zahdl down with equations and such that left the winged zahdl quite confused.
"Shall we take a closer look?" Falco asked flaring his wings and taking off . " Just a small peak Falco. We do not know whether we would be shot down if we flew to close," replied Sarah cautioning the zahdl. " Perhaps it would be better to walk once we've come closer to it,"M The young zahdl had not gone unnoticed. A sadistic grin spread across the man's face as he watched the small figure in the air. He considered his options for a moment, before taking a few steps away from the wall.
"I think we should provide an appropriate welcome for our young friend, mmm?" He said, pulling his cloak up over his head as he threw a casual glance towards the darkness. His companion chose not to respond, turning their gaze away.
"Hmm, you are quite dull, you do know that?" The man asked condescendingly, bringing his attention to the situation at hand. Now, how should he gain the attention of his new interest? Grinning, he pulled a crystal out of his cloak. After speaking a few harsh words over it, a strange creature resembling a gargoyle, about four feet tall, but bulky. It hovered in the air, waiting for a command.
"Bring them to earth," the man snarled. Nodding once, the monster took flight towards the zahdl.
"Sarah, there's something coming at us!" Falco said with a hint of fear in his voice though he knew not why. Tilting his wings the zahdl tried to make it back to the plains.
"It looks like a gargoyle," Sarah said (squinting if she had eyes). "They have been known to guard buildings but this is a bit far fetched...,"M The monster, closing in on its prey, grunted happily. A bloodlust rose within it, until a single sharp thought cut across it's mind.
"You are not to cause any physical harm to the target, fool," the man's voice said irritably. Growling in resentment, yet unable to disobey its master's orders, the gargoyle continued towards it's intended goal.
Once it came within fifteen feet of the zahdl, the monster began to circle about him like a vulture. Its sharp eyes caught the presence of a free spirit hovering about the zahdl, which suprised it as much as its small mind allowed it. The man, who was using the crystal to watch the action above from a closer vantage point, mused on how he could use this to his advantage.
Folding his wings the zahdl then plunged towards the earth at a breakneck speed with Sarah screaming from either the speed of the dive or the monster Falco did not know which.M The creature grunted in suprise as his target took off swiftly, swiveling around to once again bring the zahdl into its field of vision. It prepared to chase, but its master's voice cut into its mind once more.
"The child and the spirit seem to be communicating quite a bit with one another," he chuckled. "I wonder what would happen if the two were separated?"
The monster grunted quizzically. The master was rambling about things it had no intention of trying to understand.
"Imbecile," the man groaned. "You ARE a spirit creature, so retrieve the spirit and bring it to me. That should ground our little friend, if he has any concern for his companion at all."
The monster nodded in affirmation and began to dive through the air after the small figure. It's great bulk added to its speed...
"Falco! It's behind you!" yelled Sarah as the creature flew up from behind. From the guardian's point of view, the creature seemed close enough to reach out and grab the zahdl by his ankles.M The creature had no plans to grab the zahdl, though. It's claws would do too much damage to his unprotected flesh, and the gargoyle knew that the master would punish it harshly later if it disobeyed and damaged the boy before he could carry out his plan. Whatever it was.
Instead it aimed for the spirit surrounding the zahdl. As it got closer, the creature opened it's cavernous mouth with and inhaled, causing a mighty gust. It intended to suck the spirit into it's gaping maw, and, without swallowing, use it's mouth as a sort of cage to hold the spirit until it could be brought to master.
Falco too felt the sudden pull of the monster and the horrible feeling as if a part of him was being torn apart. Turning himself around the zahdl tried kicking the monster back; to prevent the being from taking away his guardian. The one person he cherished above others.
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