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 Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:56 am
Ever alert, pale eyes made continuous sweeps of the area, ears poised for any sound outside the norm. They were at the edge of the nesting grounds, but that didn't necessarily mean safe. An oblivious harpy was generally a dead one. There had also been signs as of late that they were not entirely alone. Nothing fresh, but the old trails and marks of others were enough to unsettled the queen, and that was enough to unsettle the commanders.
There was talk of movie again, but nothing set in stone just yet. As it were, Zahraa' was pleased she hadn't bothered to build her nest in the trees. It was a lot of work lugging everything up into the branches, and she'd have hated to do so much work for nothing.
She could feel the weight of the vine that linked herself to Cabriole, felt it tighten, and was saved from having to force him forward by his own feet moving again. He'd started humming again, clearly nervous, but the pale mare couldn't say she minded the soft, wordless tone. It was kind of pretty.
Azshara was allowed to remain. Raa' saw no reason to dismiss the younger sister. The presenting of a new stallion to the herd tended to draw crowd anyways, so no doubt other's would be arriving soon anyway. They'd crossed into the clearer area of the actual camp, and any moment now she expected to hears cries of interest and congratulation.
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Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 6:24 pm
Word of her Commander's return and successful capture soon reached the ears of the Queen. Although it was custom for captured males to be brought before the Queen - and no doubt Zahraa' of all sisters know of this act of respect - it was one of their first captures since their arrival in this new land and thus, prove to be significant... This is true both to them as a Flock physically and spiritually. If this male is a weak male, it might mean that the males around here are weaker than those living near their old mountain home, and they will have to be extra selective about the males they bring back to the Flock - every male is one extra mouth to feed after all! Spiritually, males who upset the spirits will have to be either freed or killed.
However, seeing that the spirits seem to be rejoicing at the new capture, Aviania wasn't too worried about that - it was more for excitement that she decided to head down to meet Zahraa' and the young forager she recognized as Azshara as she neared the returning party. As the rest of the gathering sisters saw their Queen, they parted to let the mare through.
"Zahraa', Azshara! Darlings, welcome back home!" The Queen smiled, first delightfully at the two harpies before flashing the tan male a darker grin, "And welcome to your new home, male. What is your name?" She eyed the stallion, narrowing her eyes as she did; he looks healthy... Bright, currently nervous eyes, and relatively well-built although smaller than some of the stallions she had seen in her lifetime - he is a good specimen of the male species, and the Queen felt comforted that there are suitable mating partners out there.
Turning to her Commander, Aviania moved a few steps toward her before she chuckled, "Great tastes as usual, darling! You brought home one that pleased the spirits... The initiation ritual will go smoothly, I believe."
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Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 1:26 pm
(New posting Order with Uta's permission! Perhaps we can welcome other members of the Flock so its more 'natural')
The warmly colored soquili's ears drooped submissively as the Questioned him, stamping his feet in a nervous rhythm, which made his bells jingle sweetly, ".. C-c-c-cabriole Amachi."
While he wasn't exactly a warhorse with Bulging muscles, The young stallion was obviously healthy and not weak. His body was well trained, having lived most of his life on the road traveling, up in the forests of Cuauhcoatl's valley, taught how to carry heavy loads and to subdue and tame feral animals to act as familiars. He lacked his fathers natural gait, though the genes were there.
he looked around, a little, trying to figure out how many were there, hidden in the darkening shadows, and tried to keep his mind off of what the initiation ritual entailed.
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Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 5:56 pm
Poor Cabriole was pulled ahead a little quickly as Raa' trotted forward to rub her cheek along the queen's neck. There were few among her sisters that were privy to the commander's affection, but the queen and her fellow commander were two of the few. "It's good to be home, Aviania." She smiled brilliantly, turning with the queen to glance back at the tan male.
She remained quiet as the queen questioned her new pet, the feathers of her mane fluffing proudly. She couldn't deny taking small delight in the poor stallion's nerves, it was in her nature to be somewhat cold, a little sadistic. Like a cat that toys with a small creature before eating it.. Despite that though, she was keeping a careful eyes on her sisters, and would certainly step in should one over step their rights.
"Kind praise as always, Aviania." She adored the queen's approval, craved it, and it made her stand a little straighter. A smug grin twisting along white lips. "I believe so as well. He is already very obedient." And to prove the fact she moved over to him, nipping the remaining vine to free him of the binds, stepping out of the loops that'd been curled around herself. "Aren't you, my songbird?"
The nuzzle along the back of his neck wasn't exactly one of affection, more sadistic pride, but at least she wasn't hurting him.
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Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 12:08 pm
Benn'joon slipped out of the river nearby with a smile. She quickly trotted over to her sisters and queen. Trilling a greeting to the trio and bowing respectfully to her queen, she eyed the male. "I see our Sister hasssssssss wonderful taste. Thisssss male seemssssss quite....deliciousssss..." She smirked as she eyed him, not that she would ever touch another sisters' toy, but she did love scaring them.
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Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 12:35 pm
Aviania chuckled, clearly amused; she had always trusted Zahraa' to keep her males in check, but seeing such an obedient male on day 1 was uncommon. Most captured males will struggle and even try to escape, even when it was clearly impossible, until their spirit was broken and they decided to submit to fate... It was easier that way. They get fed, a roof over their heads and protection from whatever dangers might be lurking about. Of course, this protection often does not extend to the Harpies themselves!
"Cabriole Amachi, what a lovely name!" She chuckled a little too happily before eying the bells hanging off the string of beads draped on his body, the ones attached to his legs and the huge one securing his mane. At Zahraa's comment, the Queen grinned before continuing, clearing amused, "Oh? A songbird? I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay here then... We love a good song to dance to, but I'm sure you'll be educated on those things in time to come... For now, perhaps its time to start the initiation ritual." She turned to Zahraa', giving her a nod; they would have to proceed to the throne, her nest.
She turned to the newcomer with a small smile, "Now, now... Let's not startle the new male, Benn'joon..." She then paused, her eyes widening before she chuckled, "Ah, of course! This will be a good chance for you to observe our male initiation ritual! I don't believe you have seen it before."
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 8:30 pm
Luinil trotted gracefully back towards the harpy nesting ground, her tail feathers spread proudly as she hummed a lilting tune. Another successful hunt! The deliciously fragrant smell of the large dead rabbit she bore in her strong jaws teased and tantalized her senses, but this prize was destined for one of the nannies.
This new land was fertile and flush with game, but all of the hunters and foragers had noticed disturbing signs that their area wasn't as uninhabited as they would have preferred. But that was a matter for the queen and commanders to worry about. Luinil's job was simply to help provide meat for the flock and some reconnaissance assistance to the guards. Luinil had NO desire to get involved in any of the higher up decisions. She had served the Flock loyally for many years and trusted her queen implicitly.
Approaching the main clearing, she heard excited voices ahead. Picking up speed she saw most of the harpies were gathered around the queen and - of all things - a new male!! From the proud and proprietary look on Commander Zahraa's lovely face, the new male must belong to her.
Sighing inwardly, Luinil slowed her pace as she drew near her sisters. Males tended to complicate things. Sure, they were essential for the future of the flock and, much as she hated to admit it; she deeply missed her own favorite pet that had died during their move. But still, males could cause such trouble! Jealousy...competition...possessiveness...envy... Some of her sisters were notoriously short tempered when it came to their toys. Not to mention how vicious a few of them could get when the males wouldn't behave. Such a waste...
Pushing such thoughts to the back of her mind, she trotted up to her queen and bowed. Tossing the rabbit towards the nursery nest, she cleared her throat of bunny fur, delicately licked a last drop of blood from her muzzle, and smiled. "Greetings, my Queen!" Turning towards Zahraa' she nodded in appreciation. "Congratulations, Commander! A most worthy capture!" Her eyes widened as she noted the small bells decorating the stallion. How intriguing!
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 9:22 pm
He hummed softly, skittering a bit as Benn'joon slithered in, noting the females tail, scales, and sail -- a Kelpie of some sort, but not one of the likes he had ever heard of, much less encountered in his travels. Snakelike despite her four limbs, and powerful. And yet another female -- a vital clue that this truly was a situation of a female dominated tribe. Especially with how they stressed his gender.
Cabriole's state, was caused more by a mix of fate and hope -- He had family, and knew if he followed along and didn't anger the herd of female predators, the longer he'd live and the more chance of surviving till rescue.
It wasn't a case of a broken spirit, but rather an adaptive personality around a keen mind. However, he hoped the male initiation ritual didn't involve on quickly spreading possible material out to the viable females and then executing Mantis Style, but there seemed to be too much effort in capturing males in methods that would not work in their favor for that sort of behavior, rather then luring them with promises and imbibement, and offing the males in their exhausted slumber after the fact.
However, a new female moved into the clearing, and Cabriole turned his gaze towards the mare having returned from a successful hunt, skittering slightly in yet another nervous little dance, finding himself oddly enough shifting closer to Zahraa' as he gave a careful little bow towards Luinil.
Better the demon you know...
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Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 8:53 am
Benn'joon dipped her head low to the queen, "Assss you wissssh my queen." She eyed the male briefly, ears pricked toward her queen. When Aviania mentioned the male initiation ritual, the green mare's eyes took on an inquisitive look. Her head canted slightly to the left as she asked, "Initiation my lady? No, I have not yet had the pleasssssure."
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Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 9:57 am
A twitch of brow turned the neutral glance she'd turned on Benn'joon something closer to a frown, but she salvaged the look in the end, her smile made easy by the compliment the naga had given. "Thank you, Sister." She didn't bother warning against scaring him, the Queen had spoken before her. The message had been given, and that was that.
The jingle of bells never ceased, but the quality of the noise changed depending on nerve, movement. She turned when the sound of frantic bells met her ears again, and was pleasantly surprised to see the male had moved closer to her side. A firm believer in positive reinforcement, she took a few casual steps to place herself a little more squarely between the returning hunter and her new pet. "Welcome home, Luninil! And thank you, your hunt went well, I see." She'd seen the hare get tossed towards the nannies.
Stepping back, the harpy mare nudged the tan male with her hip, turning herself to follow the queen. It was time for the ritual,and she was eager to get to it. "We best not keep the queen waiting," she murmured, laughing softly as she moved closer to the cocoa mare. "To the throne then, my queen?" She dipped her head as she moved, offering the slightest of bows.
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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 8:41 am
"Excellent! I'm sure you'll enjoy it... This tradition is quite native to the Flock!" Aviania chuckled at Benn'joon, clearly in a good mood. She then turned her head to look at the new arrival, acknowledging Luinil's greeting with a nod, "A good hunt, I see... Food in this forest seems to be rather plentiful!" She smiled approvingly at the blue female, having seen the rabbit she had brought back; the children are going to enjoy their little snack!
{PS. When I read Raa's reply, my brain went "TO THE BATMOBILE, AVIANIA?" "TO THE BATMOBILE, ZAHRAA'!"}
"Ah yes, we better do! The faster we get it done, the faster you can show him around... To the throne then," She replied, throwing another quick glance at the stallion; he seems to be getting more jittery by the second as more sisters join them - a good sign that he is most likely aware of the risks of attempting to escape. However, judging from what she could gather from his behavior, this male is a smart one and should be watched closely... Then again, he's Zahraa's male and she had yet seen her Commander get outwitted by a male!
Aviania turned, leading the sisters and Cabriole deeper into the Flock's territory. From their nests, several Harpies looked down at the "parade", some singing songs of congratulatory to the Commander as they passed by. They eventually came to a small clearing where the only tree in it was a tall and huge one near the middle. Upon closer inspection, there was a huge nest situated on it; only someone with powerful legs can possibly reach it in a single leap... Large wings might prove to be a hindrance as they might get tangled up in the tree branches, hurting the Soquili.
"Do stay here, darlings... Zahraa' and Cabriole should be the only ones following," She reminded as she stopped, her voice firm as the atmosphere around her changed - it became one of seriousness although it was obvious that she was still pleased... It was just a personal policy; as long as she is Queen, traditions are strictly to be followed - everyone but the captor and captive are supposed to join her at the throne. Everyone else must stay a distance away and in this case, it means staying out of the clearing. After a brief pause, she continued walking, halting again only at the base of the tree. Leaping up, she grabbed one of the vines she had hung out to dry before slinging it over her neck and turning her attention to the two standing in front of her.
"Don't look so nervous, Cabriole," She chuckled, raising an eyebrow, "Don't move during the ceremony, and I promise I won't put a single scratch on you..."
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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 7:29 pm
Luinil stopped at the edge of the clearing along with her other sisters as the queen and her commander moved towards the throne. There was quite a turn out of harpies to observe this initiation. The flock had been without males for longer than was comfortable so it would be most auspicious if the ceremony went smoothly.
The huntress' keen gaze noted the way the male nervously hummed and shifted his weight, causing the small bells attached to him to jingle anxiously. She frowned. While his nervousness was understandable, it might be difficult for the male to stay as still as was required. Hopefully the male had enough sense of self-preservation to control what appeared to be a nervous habit of constantly moving. It would be a shame for scars to mark the new male.
While the Commander would no doubt keep such a choice pet for herself, Luinil was hopeful that the male would be allowed to sing for the flock on occasion. Music was a passion for many in the flock, including the sapphire huntress.
Ah, the ceremony was about to begin...
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Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 7:58 pm
Benn'joon watched excitedly. This was her first initiation ceremony as well as her first flock event. She shifted and began to wonder what exactly was about to happen. She laughed to herself at the admonishment to stay in the clearing. It's not like she could've done anything else anyway. Ah well, she wasn't going to say anything in contrast to what she was told. Her eyes weren't as keen as her Sisters, but she could just barely make out the figures in the Queen's throne.
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Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 7:48 pm
This... Is obviously not my day.
Cabriole hummed nervously, being taking along to the private area for this unknown ceremony, his skin twitching and mind reeling. He didn't want to be here, but what he kept thinking of was how he hoped his father would not come for him or be captured. That the man, oh so recently reunited with his mother, would not end up trapped by these mares. While he didn't want to be alone, it was better to be alone in his captivity then for others to suffer for him.
However, when instructed to not move, he fidgeted for just a moment before freezing fully, eyes closing as he murmured a song under his breath, once again singing the Swahili prayer for the spirits to watch over him. He didn't want to give them reason to hurt him, but if he couldn't move, he would sing.
Thankfully he wasn't as bad at it as he was as a child, and was talented when he wasn't really putting effort into it. He paused his song and bowed his head slightly, "Ah.. S-sorry, I either sing or dance when nervous.. I'll keep it down, though, so I can follow instructions and keep from interrupting.."
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 7:51 pm
Zahraa' was quiet as she followed the queen, tuning in on the growing seriousness of the situation. She understood there were traditions to follow, and she felt as passionately towards the upkeep of their way of life as Aviania. She imagined it had been a leading mark of favor towards her being selected as one of the two commanders. She was eager to get the ceremony over, but not for the reasons one might think. She could show her prize off tomorrow, for the rest of the evening she had plans to fill him in on the do's and dont's of the Flock.
Cabriole's humming drew her attention back around to him, and and she couldn't help but watch him for a moment or two as she fought to remain still, betrayed only by twitching of skin along back and hips. Perhaps it was because he was so far complaint, or more specifically because he was her's, but she felt a little sympathy for him. Not enough to release him, she wasn't half so charitable, but she did step in to lean her hip against his.
"You may sing, but as you said, quietly." Her own voice was hushed, and she'd leaned her head in close to his ear so he'd be sure to hear her. She had no interest in hurting him unless he did something blatantly to deserve it. Slight mistakes or missteps were forgivable. At least to her. She was strict in her own right, but still fair.
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