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 Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 10:46 am
Her braid fluttered with the wind as Aaricia spun to look back the way she'd come from. If there really was a chance to get more roati, she was all for it!
She walked with determination until the snow started to get deeper off the main path. "Yeah, we're close." She was looking around for her own tracks, disappointed to see they were already mostly filled in. She hurried a little faster along the trail she had left, feeling the wind cutting through the trees around her. This wind... She could only just see the tracks when she reached the spot. There was that little hole where she'd jumped into the snow, so it was the spot. "They all scattered everywhere," she said, looking up at Callum with a little frown. "How will we find them?"
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Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 6:47 am
It wasn't hard to keep up with Aaricia, deep snow or not. Had she been in the possession of longer legs Callum might have found himself in trouble. No matter how long he was in Zena he still couldn't quite get the hang of running through snow deeper than his ankles. It felt like plowing through sand.
Once he reached the area of her 'hunt', Callum bent over, trying to get a feel for the tracks. He followed them with his eyes, trying to see if they kept enough depth to be followed. It would work; but only for a short distance. Frowning, he rocked back on his haunches and pondered it. "We'll just get some help then."
Rising up, Callum placed his forefinger and thumb to his lips. He gave out one sharp whistle, waited, and then did it twice more. At first there was nothing. Then he tried it again and again. Before the third succession was finished a loud cry could be heard from the sky above, heralding Faulina's arrival. He waited for her to spot him, hard as it may be against the white expanse before her, but Faulina zeroed in on her master. It didn't take her long to land beside him once more, kicking up a mighty snow tornado in the process.
"I need you to find three roati, the things you ate earlier, and bring them back alive. Can you do that?" The way he spoke to her was like a father talking to a small child. It took her a moment, though eventually she nodded, and stretched her wings once more to take off.
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Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 10:46 am
Aaricia watched Callum curiously. She'd never actually seen someone tracking prey before. It was interesting. She tried to copy his movements, peering at the faint tracks. ..Of course, she had no idea what to make of them...
Help? She winced slightly from the high whistles, thinking that it would only scare the roati further. She kept poking around the snow until she heard that sharp cry from before. Yelping, she hurried to duck behind Callum, peeking out once Faulina had landed. Her eyes widened with shock and awe. That bird was huge! It was also quite beautiful. So that was what had nearly scooped her up earlier. ...If she had one of those, it would be so easy to leave Zena with her loved ones. "She must be really smart," she murmured softly, watching Faulina fly up into the sky as directed.
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Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 11:10 am
"Kinfa are a naturally intelligent species, and Faulina's been well trained." Not by him, but by his father. She was the first, if only, thing the man had ever bestowed upon his son. Some of his more complex commands she would shirk off, if she understood them at all, but the older she became the easier it was for her to follow little things; such as numbers, and direct commands.
Callum reached behind him to ruffle Aaricia's hair. It was an affectionate gesture that he himself didn't realize he'd made until it was already over. He was a natural clingy guy, so it didn't exactly surprise him that he'd doted on her. "I just wished she was smart enough to behave," He grinned, "My...friend-" because how did one explain lover to a child? "-has a raptrix and Faulina isn't the most social around her. Do you have any pets?"
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Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 11:27 am
Aaricia chewed a lip gently. Maybe... maybe she could...
Admittedly, she was surprised by the touch to her head. She looked up at Callum with warmth in her eyes. Such casual affection from someone other than her mother or her friend... She was hungry for it.
The mention of the friend with the raptrix made her gasp softly with delight. Raptrix were such gorgeous creatures! She'd always loved them! Resisting the urge to start daydreaming, she smiled sadly and shook her head. "No. We don't have any. But it's okay. I get to play with everything out here."
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Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 12:27 pm
Callum had never been more tempted to kidnap a child in his life.
He was beyond pleased that she seemed so happy with her mother, and yet, there were qualities in this child that he saw in himself. It was obvious from how she reacted to his praise that Aaricia needed the contact just as much as he. Callum wondered if it was simply a trait shared by all hybrids, or if they were somewhat unique souls.
If the latter were the case he would pray fervently that her life went smoother than his own.
"You're still young yet. Plenty of time to get a pet." Callum hadn't been much older than her when his father had given him Faulina. She was just starting to enter the age where such things were a good idea for children, and not a torture on the poor creatures. She would be old enough for care for it, and not attempt to shove things up it's nose. "As for being in nature...nothing can really compare, can it?"
It didn't take as long as he thought to hear frantic bleating from up above. Callum squinted just barely making out pink feathers when Faulina lowered just enough to drop off two frightened roati. She didn't bother landing; presumably she went off in search of a third.
Callum moved away from Aaricia to put an arm around each roati just in case they decided to bolt. "They're not as fat as the one Faulina took, but they look healthy enough. Do you think your Mama will like them?"
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Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 6:57 pm
Aaricia smiled lightly. Having a pet would be fun. Better for after the move, though. Unless it was something that could help with the move! ...If only she had a giant kinfa of her own...
The noise above made her hide behind Callum again, cheeks warming slightly. She knew Faulina was Callum's friend... but Faulina was still a little scary. Aaricia's expression lit up though when she saw they already had two roati. She walked closer for a better look, and nodded with a big grin. "Yes, mama will like these a lot. Together, they'll get a lot for her." Rather excited by the possibilities, she looked up at the sky expectantly, eager to see if there really would be a third roati to come.
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2016 6:53 pm
Cornetified Your next post could be an ender if you want c:
The avian seemed to accept it begrudgingly. She passed what might have been a contemptous look to Aaricia while her master looped a length of cloth from his belt around the neck of one of the roati. A collar, as well as a small lead was created; one he handed over to the child. "I thought this might be easier for you. I can carry the other two, but this way we can make it back to your mama before sundown."
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2016 7:08 pm
Aaricia remained hidden behind Callum while trying to keep out of the way of the squirming roati. She could hardly believe it... three roati so easily...
She bounced on her toes, delighted to see her mother's face when they brought their prizes into town! Her brow rose when she was handed the leash, and she laughed with delight. It was so cute! "I wanna keep this as my first pet! And I wanna name it Callie!" She looked up to Callum with delight, clearly pleased with her name choice, and just overall grateful for Callum's help. "Mama will be so happy." Painted Moose Just need one more from you~ cat_wink
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2016 7:15 pm
Callum snorted, unable to hide the little burst of laughter. "Are you now? Well, I'm sure Callie will have a wonderful life with you and your mother." Only time would tell if the girl's parent would actually let her keep the roati. She looked so happy about it, though, that he wanted it to happen.
Callie, though?
He led the way back to the city, feeling lighter than he had in days. Zena had been an eye opening in experience in more ways than one. Not only had he opened up to Nimueh, come into his own as a man, and visited the Grand Council, but Callum had met a hybrid child whose parent actually loved her. Imagine that!
Nimueh just wasn't going to believe this.
(FIN)
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