The Keinling tiptoed through the tall grass, pausing to sniff the air now and then. The myriad of late spring scents combined into a sweet aroma, a delicious succulence that made him smile, made him want to run, to jump, to laugh out loud. Shaking his head slowly, he focused again. He could smell her close at hand. Her scent was warm, invigorating, like clothes dried in the sunshine.
Erionda caught the swaying grass off to her left as she pretended not to notice Lanzecki's proximity. The nearly thirteen year-old girl sighed and tried to concentrate on her books and scrolls. 'Six more weeks, Rio. You can do it! Concentrate!' It was a very real concern to her, finding materials and ways to craft a shield. If she did well on these studies, she'd graduate on time and in decent amount of knowledge on what to do, or someone who could make a better crafted one for her---both of which had been in question not so long ago.
Flicking her thick light pink hair over her shoulder as she leaned in closer to her books, Erionda frowned in concentration as she absently fingered the smooth heirloom her mother had given her. An object that had been crafted by her ancestors and hung attached to her belt buckle. An heirloom perfectly scaled to a true dragon soul, the one clan name had been written on the back: Aiskala. It had been given to her by her mother. Which had once belonged to her father. Well, that was how she understood the passage of the item, as Ytuaya had told her.
Funny how lives change. Erionda sighed and closed the book with a loud snap. Rolling her slender shoulders to alleviate the tension below her neck, Erionda sighed and let her head fall back, absently noting how nice the warm sun felt on her skin. With an exaggerated gasp of surprise as a blurry ball of giggling grey landed in her lap, Erionda hugged Lanzecki. I'm getting better, huh? he demanded through broken feelings and images across their bond. His eyes bright, proud of his own ability to stalk his prey: in this case, her.
"Absolutely," she agreed, giving Uassae another quick cuddle before the Keinling hopped out of her arms and curled up beside her. His head propped up at the movement not far off. Sending images of Erionda's guardian to his bond's mind.
Turning her head towards Ytauya's direction, Rio's eyes widened. The Dovaa caretaker was carrying a plate out to her. Setting it down beside Rio, Ytauya shifted into a sitting position. "Your Drakein's three weeks old now isn't he?" She paused to wait for a nod from Erionda. "And with your birthday's matching, well, have you given any thought towards your clan? I -"
"Yes." Erionda smiled briefly. "I'm following my mothers direction."
Ytauya sighed, her dark grey eyes focused on Rio. "I had hoped you would at least-"
"I have." Rio interrupted, Lanzecki gave a snort simultaneously matching the timing of her words. Shifting his head into Erionda's lap, staring up at Ytauya. The maid flushed, Erionda had become easier to read now that Uassae and Lanzecki projected the stronger emotions. "I still want my parent's clan. Aquon said it was a good choice."
"Of course he did." Ytauya mumbled. "Then I guess it's best to take you to see the orbs I've had my brother help collect. I warn you Erionda, you cannot change your clan once it's decided. This is a permanent change. Just like your sword." Ytauya winced at the object. She had insisted over and over, tried drilling into the hybrid that the staff would be the best option for her skills. She had been more than furious when Rio had returned with a sword instead of the required staff.
"You were hoping I would have joined your clan. Or you brother's clan. I'm still sorry for the sword, but it was what picked me. The staff didn't want me nor did any of the other weapon choices." Turning to her books Erionda swiftly began to gather up her study items. "I appreciate your desire. But I need some thing that will allow me to keep my mother and father close. It's what they wanted after all. Their death wont change my path."
Uassae gave a short rumble from the tree he was hovering it. His whiskers flowing around his head as he shifted more into view. He was protective of his bonded hybrid, in return Lanzecki since the bond with Rio had been growing. Erionda returned his expression with a pat on his head. Hunger had carried across the bond shared with Lanzecki. "I need to feed Lanzecki, then I'll be ready to go with you to see the Orbs. We've put this off long enough. I wish it could have been done on my birthday." Gracefully nodding to Ytauya, Erionda began the stroll up to the large home. Uassae and Lanzecki walked smoothly beside her, their wings tucked close while his tail trailed along the ground.
Erionda was swift in preparation. She had eagerly awaited the day she would be able to join the Aiskala clan. Fingering the small heirloom on her belt. Her lavender eyes watched the Keinling eat. The moments the Keinling finished eating the pair found Ytauya, following her brisk pace towards the upper leveled attic of the large home.
Ytauya opened a large wooden door into the grand room above. The room glowed with various colors. The room was full of massive orbs, one from each of the clans. Erionda felt a surge of joy as her violet eyes scanned over the orbs it was clear Ytauya was doing everything possible to sway Rio towards the wind based clan. Even going as far to place it at the first and foremost of her vision. As Rio pushed carefully passed each orb Ytuaya would once again point out the grey orb before her. When that no longer worked to help pull Erionda, Ytuaya picked up the orb herself.
Walking towards Rio, the caretaker tried pressing the orb into her hands. Irritated Erionda shifted backwards, trying to press the orb back against Ytauya and away from her body. "I don't want that one!" Erionda insisted. Her heart plummeted as she felt her body bump into something. Spinning around in the attempt to catch the falling orb Erionda's fingers crazed along the orbs edge before it smashed into the floor. Releasing all the contents within.
Whirling back at Ytauya with angry eyes Rio felt the power surge around her. Unaware of the physical features the orb was changing, not just granting her power. Opening her eyes she watched as Ytauya took a step back with a gasp.
Dark grey eyes stared at the hybrid before her. What rose to met her gaze was nothing Ytauya had predicted. Hetero-chromatic eyes stared back one eye had retained the pale violet color while the other had taken on the color of the Aiskala clan. The edges of Erionda's long hair were starting to seep with the same pale color as if it had been dipped in a bucket of paint and the hair itself was trying to pull the color up the strands. Some succeeding more than others.
"Even luck grants you the Aiskala clan you so desire. It's a shame Erionda, but you are weaker than most Dovaa now."
Erionda felt rage struggle to burst from her body. Breathing hard to keep it contained she felt pressure release from her shoulders. Leather wings unfolded and refolded as they attempted to adjust themselves. "I will be what I want to be! I will not be told who and what I should be! I am my own person Ytauya! And after my time in the forest with just my Drakein for company I know that I can handle myself!"
Erionda was surprised at the confident tone in her voice. At the sword she gripped in her right hand. "You cannot push me around as if I were a doll! This is my fathers home! And I don't need you anymore!"
"Why you ungrateful little Hybrid. After all I've done to help you!!"
Erionda stood shaking with fits of anger. Cautious of the unbroken orbs around her. They were the only thing keeping her back from attacking the woman before her. Slipping her sword into a makeshift sheath on her back Erionda stormed past Ytauya, now that she was complete she wanted to speak with Lanzecki and Uassae whom she had left waiting at the bottom of the long staircase.
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