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 Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:47 am
Tousled didn't look as if she was fine, but Birch wasn't going to embarrass her further by pointing that out. The sudden wheeze attack startled him and luckily she coughed up the berry on her own before he could figure out what to do. If Tousled had been forced to wait for Birch to thump her back or call a medic she would probably have suffocated.
Luckily she didn't need any help with the berry. Birch reached out to help her preen just to do something, anything. It would help calm him down if nothing else.
"My father used to laugh and say that my eyes were hungrier than my beak when I choked on a piece of food," Birch said and preened one of her ear tufts, "And it really didn't help me feel any better when I was still choking."
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Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:10 am
Usually quite uncomfortable with letting others preen her (as long as she would be aware of it happening, that is) Tousled found to her surprise that Birch's attention actually calmed more than it upset her. First of all, he couldn't be feeling uncomfortable about her silly mistake if he was still willing to get so close, and secondly, she felt quite certain that he had nothing but good intentions - even before she heard it in his voice.
"Well, yes," she giggled, feeling some of her awkwardness melt away. "That does seem profoundly unhelpful. He even laughed at you? I thought your parents were nice!"
In fact, had Birch ever made a comment about her plumage? Even once? It slowly dawned upon her that she couldn't remember a single instance, and in all honesty, that quite confused her. Her smile faded momentarily as she fixed the bard with a very thoughtful gaze. What did it mean? Was he avoiding the subject, so as not to hurt her feelings? Did he think it would be awkward to ask, and was postponing it? Or could it actually be that - it was never good to get one's hopes up too much, but she just couldn't help thinking it - he really didn't care?
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Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:59 pm
As the rest of her feathered acquaintances settled themselves around Granny and herself, Snow couldn't help but feel a spreading sense of positive accomplishment course throughout her body. She took extreme pride and joy in helping others out as much as she can, and this was no exception. While she had meant to do it alone, it seems that the small gathering had worked to the best, and she may have even made a few friends in the process! That always gave the unusually small mist a kind of glee that is hard to put out. She stayed silent in respect to let Granny and Fjord re-acquaint with each other from what seems like it had been a while, and then averted her attention to Chase when he dismissed him. She wondered if she'd ever see them all again after this encounter.
She certainly hoped so.
"Mmm? Oh!" She focuses back on the current events and bows her head a little low, embarrassed that she was caught day-dreaming off like that. "I'm sorry about that! My name is Snowdrift," she answered bashfully, "This is actually my first time ever out on my own without my parents. How incredibly rude of me to nod-off like that."
Light blue eyes quickly glanced at Rose, and it was hard for Snow to contain her excitement to see the little pink parus a significant amount more active than she was up above. "Well, I'm glad to see you're doing better! Are you happy to be back with...." She blinks at this pause, just now aware that she hadn't been properly introduced to Granny as well. "...why, you know, I don't think I ever caught your name, m'am."
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:49 pm
Linnéa bowed her head briefly in farewell as CloudChaser left. A sensible young man, she thought, family is important. Rose answered Feather with her own little tune and hopped closer to the other bird.
"Snowdrift," Linnéa said and smiled approvingly, "A fine name for a fine young female."
She hadn't noted that Snow seemed distant until the younger female pointed it out herself. Oh, at least she is honest. Dreams are a part of youth, and Granny wouldn't have it any other way. She might berate a distracted fledgling, but she doesn't wish to prevent them from dreaming entirely. There is a time and a place for everything.
"And do call me Granny, dear heart," she said as Snow reminded her to introduce herself too, "all my students and old students does."
Birch laughed through a beakful of feathers and had to preen the same spot on Tousled's head a second time.
"He is nice," he said, "He's just very fond of teasing his poor family. And friends... And sometimes random strangers... But mostly just those he like. I guess his sense of humour is a bit on the cruel side."
Tousled's pensive gaze made him a bit nervous and Birch quieted down too, shuffling his feet and watching her.
"Oh, there was something I meant to ask," he said suddenly, and actually managed to keep serious for a few heartbets before starting to grin again, "Did you find any Skurri?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 6:12 am
Tousled snapped out of her pensive daze with a start. She had been staring at him, hadn't she? Had she made him feel uncomfortable?
"Oh, yes, what?" The seriousness of his voice and expression made her feathers slowly begin to sleek back with trepidation. What could he possibly want to ask her with that kind of look on his face? Had she done something...
"Did you find any Skurri?"
The little Deep Woods made a small, snorting sound and then broke out into giggles again.
"Actually," she said, still giggling as she hauled up her stuffed little crafter's pouch, "I did!"
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Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 9:17 am
"Too true." Fjord chuckled softly at Linnéa's statement. He knew her name, but calling her anything other than Granny would seem horribly unnatrual to him. "The evening events have been wonderfully enjoyable. Fortunately, we found Rose in no harm. Miss Snowdrift was the first to spot her." He said, giving a quiet, joyous hoot.
Feather tilted his head and glanced at the parus with a single, curious eye. "Roserose, roseroserose." Then abruptly immitated Rose's tune.
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Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 10:27 am
A wide grin stretched out from cheek to cheek as introductions were made, and Snowdrift felt completely exhilarated. The evening has been wonderfully enjoyable, indeed! "Alright, Granny," she responded, and nearly did a double take from the following words that Granny said, as the full impact of their implication was missed by her the first time around.
"You're a teacher?!" She exclaimed excitedly, then quickly stammered, "Well, of course you're a teacher, there's nothing about you that would lead otherwise...but wow!" Her excitement is hardly contained in her little body as she positively beams at Granny. "I'm one too! Or, rather, I'd like to be, it's just I'm not sure I'm quite ready to strike it out on my own just yet...I feel like I still need to learn a few things, even though I'm technically fully grown and should be capable of it myself.."
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:13 am
Oh, Fjord was such a sweetheart. It was easy for Granny to forget his mixed bloodlines, and she hoped he wasn't getting any trouble for being aberrant from anyone else. Granny smiled at the young female's apparent excitement and nodded as she spoke of her worries about teaching.
"That's quite natural, dear," she said, "Why I still learn new things from my students every single day. You need to have an open mind and not be too sure that you have all the answers. And those companion catching skills of yours will come in handy, I'm sure."
Rose erupted in an excited string of chirps and whistles and hopped closer to the Pica. Granny gave the cheerful companion a stern stare.
"Rose, Granny is talking," she said before turning back to Snowdrift, "Now what was I saying? Oh yes... Many teachers don't take on their task until later in life in order to have gained some experience before starting to teach," she smiled wryly, "Or in some cases because their prime years are over and they have a hard time keeping up with their task."
Granny tapped a talon on her perch, suddenly deep in thought. It was high time to start to train someone to follow in her footsteps, Linnéa mused. She wasn't getting any younger, and two teachers could teach big classes more easily. Two Sentinels would also be able to defend the attractive Deep Woods territory more easily. She hadn't had much competition lately, but some day her mind would turn foggy and her claw would weaken. It would be a shame if the territory went to someone who wasn't interesting in using its potential for teaching.
This young lady seemed to be sensible enough, and there was no better way to make sure... But she was getting ahead of herself.
"Would you be interested in an apprenticeship?" she said, focusing her piercing gaze on Snow once more, "I could sure use some help after the graduations when the new students arrive."
This Longest Night had turned out better than any Birch could remember. A lot of mischief made, so much fun had with his friend, and tasty Skurri with berries to eat too! He had conveniently forgotten about his run in with Granny and didn’t worry about any repercussions. It would come back to bite him later, of course, but why worry now?
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:24 pm
Fjord listened intently to the conversation that passed between Granny and Snowdrift. The young and aspiring teacher seemed nice, calm, and above all, patient. In his mind, he had already deemed her capable, even if she were just starting out.
Yes, she did need to learn more and to get some experience under her talons, but he was sure she would do a fine job.
As he listened, he also made a mental note to bring Granny a mus or parus in the near future. He found it to be a helpful thing to do for a smart, but aging teacher, especially one that had taken the time to teach one such as himself.
Feather opened his beak to respond to Rose's twitters, but no noise left him after she was scolded. Often times he had to be coaxed to behave, but Granny's words alone would silence him...
At least for a short period of time.
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