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 Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:00 pm
“Isn’t that true...”
Breeze quietened down as she wondered for a moment if the spectre’s minder would actually find a Teacher willing to teach the little outsider. Not many would accept such a task... and even fewer would volunteer for it. And yet, the spectre had to learn the ways of Noctua - the customs, principles and traditions. Would he ever be able to fit in Sentinel society with only the guidance of his minder alone? Of his minder... the teacher had known her name at some point. Something fruity... not apple... lemon, no... tangerine? Tangerine, the minder? Close, but not quite right, Breeze thought to herself. Anyway, she wouldn’t dream of teaching the spectre so it was beside the point.
Noting her silence had lingered for longer that she had intended, she preened a wing slowly before continuing.
“How about your new task? Had many customers yet? Did you find a mentor or are you learning as you go?”
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Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 6:20 am
"I enjoy the company of the chirops." He told her with an air of cheeriness to his voice. It was true, he did enjoy the company of his little charges. They were by no means a suitable replacement for actual contact with other sentinels, but they did not fear illness from him and some could speak moderately well.
"There is still those who do not want to venture to me for companions, but I have had a few customers. It is surprising, because I have had to get a feel for it, myself. I don't know any keepers willing to give instruction. And I think you are the only teacher willing to take on someone like me. I got off lucky." He preened his feathers and spoke with ease to his former teacher, unlike if he was with strangers.
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Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 11:59 am
“Well… I don’t think I know that many chirop keepers. I guess I could try to see if any of them is willing to give you some pointers. In any case, you seem to be doing well. As white as you are, you have no mist feathers to hide your bones if you weren’t eating properly… so I’d know.” Breeze chuckled again, delighted to have a nice carefree chat with an adult sentinel once again.
Talking to a former student made her relax considerably but a growing uneasy feeling was crawling inside her mind. She was a little worried for the albino and secretly feared he wouldn’t succeed at his new task even if keepers didn’t really have to interact with fellow sentinels as much as medics. But at least he'd always have culls. What worried her more was that (like it always happened when she took on students) she felt isolated and far from the usual commotion at the center of the deep woods. The seclusion she willingly embraced for the sake of teaching Osprey and Hollyhock didn’t come without this annoying drawback: she was always the last to hear the news.
“I should take these two to the enclaves for a visit. I’m sure their minders would like that. It’s about time they show everyone how well they’re flying.” How well I made them fly, she thought with a naughty smile. “The smaller fledglings need role-models they can look up to... and I haven’t shown off these two yet. It’s far more impressive while they still look this young.”
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Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 6:33 am
"You always know everything." Odd pointed out with a soft chuckle. "I don't think any pupil of yours has ever managed to hide a thing from you. I would very much appreciate it, though... I mean, if you find someone that is."
He quieted and listened contently as she spoke of the enclave and a smile shown at the corners of his beak. "You've certainly taught them well. You'll have all the little ones wanting your guidance! The other teachers'll be jealous. You'll be giving them a run for their mus."
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Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:50 pm
“Oh trust me, dear. I’ve had all kinds of students and I can guarantee that I can uncover most of my little students’ secrets. Sometimes it takes more than a few moons but if patience permits, they all blurt it out in the end. Seriously Winter, from a little idiot that hid his Will abilities because he didn’t want to be pushed to an artistic career by his annoying parents to a fool who couldn’t tell the difference between a skurri and a squirrel even if they were dancing in front of him…” she stopped abruptly as the image of a slightly younger Hollyhock swallowing any object that didn’t stand still for too long crept into her mind. A wide smile curved the corners of her beak. “… And yet, I still find myself surprised every time I take a new student under my wing. My my, Winter. I’m a little chatty today.” As much as she enjoyed teaching the two fledglings, Breeze had to admit she felt a little lonely sometimes without someone a little older to talk to.
“I... I really hope I can prepare these two well.” Breeze’s head dropped slowly as her eyes rose in search of her current student’s shapes and for a moment the teacher seemed a little worried again.
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:50 pm
"Believe me, it's good to hear some chatter." Odd hooted jokingly. He enjoyed talking to Breeze, partially because she was more a mother figure to him and partially because she was one of the few who would tolerate him.
"They are already molding into what appear to be fine sentinels. A while under your guidance and I bet even the highest of ranks'll be thanking you." The aberrant prodded at her with his words in an attempt to help stave off what worry she seemed to have. He hoped what he said would help her.
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:17 pm
Breeze laughed wholeheartedly and it didn’t take long before she was eyeing Odd with very wide and very much mischievous grin.
“They should be thanking me already! Soon enough I’ll be sending them two outstanding workers to join them. By the way, Winter…” Her wicked smile grew as she spoke “… I wonder if you’ve been meeting anyone interesting lately… with your new task and all… Any girls? You would tell me if you’d met a nice girl to settle down with, wouldn’t you?”
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:33 pm
"Hurk?"
Odd had been about to say something, but Breeze's question had caught his words in his beak. He wore an easy grin again, once recovering from the sudden surprise of her question.
"Me, settle?" He chuckled wholeheartedly, masking the slight twinge of sadness that he really felt deep in his chest. "You know very well how the rest of the forest would take to that! Naw, I haven't met anyone, really." Except for Mallow, she seemed nice. The last bit he kept silently to himself, for the sake of not instigating anything. He hardly knew her and it was just one accidental meeting.
Besides, it would be frowned upon for one such as himself to take a mate. Who would want to accept him, in the first place?
"You'd probably be the first to know, other than Lute. That is, if the rest of the forest hadn't caught wind yet!" He laughed.
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:26 pm
“Pfff…! Mus brains, the lot of them! They’d talk of what they don’t know and lie awake during the day wondering if you’d hatch little white aberrants. I mean, I’m not telling you to… find some random girl and create descendents. I’d actually oppose that idea. Those eyes… you really shouldn’t risk passing them on to a child… But having a mate is more than just going about laying eggs! It is truest form of companionship and acceptance. Finding someone willing and happy to share your life with you… don’t ever speak as if you’re not considering it!”
Her voice was graver now but her smile didn’t waver.
“Don’t let anyone stop you from living your life to the fullest! You’ll meet many sentinels during your life. Most will be idiots, true enough… but remember this dear: one day you’ll find a nice girl who will see you as you are. Someone who will accept and love you as you deserve. And someone like that, who can overcome such an obstacle as your oddly colored feathers and eyes… well, you’ll know she’s something special. And she’s out there, you know. You might have even met her already.”
The teacher stepped a little closer to her former student and preened his eartuft lightly (after making sure Holly and Osprey weren’t looking their way) which startled Ally. The furry companion scurried off rather quickly towards the food storage hollow (aslo known as Breeze's nest).
“You’re so devoted and responsible, Winter. And kind… You’d make a great father. Maybe you’ll adopt an egg or two one day… you know where to look if you ever need a teacher…” I’m sure I could convince a minder or two to give him an egg… it would probably have to be a mist though…
“With all due respect to Lute - who I’m amazed you still get along with – I reserve the right to be the first one to know. I’m glad the little rascal hasn’t been too influenced by some of our society’s less than perfect ideas. I hear he’s a pretty good Crafter nowadays. Have you seen him lately?”
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Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 6:53 am
Breeze's kind and inspiring words and preening caused Odd to fluff his feathers comfortably, though it would be easy to read some of the embarrassment etched into his features. Yet he smiled genuinely and his funny eyes seemed to shine with hope.
"I suppose your right. Aw, of course you're right. You're always right." And deep inside, he hoped she was. Though the thought of raising eggs made him nervous. He knew his white illness did not rub off on anyone, but he imagined the rest of the forest would bother the little sentinels and that turned his heart sour for a moment.
Still, anything like that would be a long way off... And Breeze seemed to think he could do it...
"Lute's a fine fellow. A bit lost in the head from time to time. He comes to visit me every so often and sometimes I go to him. Poor fellow hasn't ever been much of a hunter, so I give him culls now and again." Odd chuckled lightly as he thought of his closest friend. "I'll be certain you know first."
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Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:48 am
“Hardly, dear. Most of the times… yes. But I’ve been proven wrong on more than one occasion.” She joked with a cocky tone “Don’t forget you have to bring your girl here to gain my approval… I won’t accept just anyone.” But what kind, type, or personality she would accept for “her” Winter was beyond even her imagination.
“Lute, Lute. He was rather… peculiar as I recall. But a good boy none the less. I’m glad he’s still the same. Pity his head didn’t change a little though.” She chuckled again.
“I want to hear more of that new acquaintance of yours, too. The apothecary. Do come back and tell me about it after meeting him, alright?”
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Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 6:22 am
"Of course, of course." He chuckled, though he could hardly imagine he would ever be bringing a female to meet Breeze, friend or otherwise. To him it felt like something that would never happen.
"Yes ma'am, I will certainly let you know... I'm still kind of nervous about him coming to my oak, but I'm sure Lute will come to stay with me at the time." He ran his beak through his chest feathers self consciously, but his good humor did not leave him. "I'll come back right after."
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Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:30 pm
“Ah, yes. If Lute’s there, everything should be alright. He should be pretty big by now… oh, thank you Ally. ”
The red-dyed skurri returned with a small pouch filled with dark berries and small nuts . She placed it right between the two grown Sentinels and the teacher took a berry for herself before pushing the pouch a little closer to Odd.
“Help yourself, dear.”
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Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:00 am
"Miss Breeze, ma'am!"
Holly, grinning with triumph, his former chastisement forgotten, came winging back into view as quickly as he could, though he had to slow himself down immensely as he neared the tree...crashing wouldn't be good at all, particularly not in front of the strange stranger, and he didn't know how close or far behind the gatherer was, and it wouldn't do at all to have two strangers see him crash. He landed, inelegantly as ever, and fluffed his feathers, giving Odd a quick bob of the head in respect.
"The Gatherer's coming," he said cheerily. "Should I go get Ossie?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:03 pm
"Oh thank you very much." He nodded both to Breeze and to the little skurri that he had taken a fondness to when he was younger. She was certainly a good and smart companion.
The aberrant took a berry for himself, which he ate promptly. It was rather sweet, just as he liked them, and followed it with a nut.
About this time Hollyhock had landed inelegantly. Odd returned the nod and smiled warmly. Breeze certainly seemed to get a good lot this season.
Ossie, still in the distance and on the opposite side of Breeze's territory, was watching ever vigilantly.
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