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Ulmuka stood up from the fireplace and heard a shrieking noise. When he turned he saw a few bird-like minis peering at him from the branches of the tree. The strix grinned and tilted his head. He let out a birdlike call to them, 'Scree!' and giggled.

The minis seemed excited that the boil was also bird-like and they then began to screech out intermittently at him and dance around on the tree branches. The strix seated himself on the edge of the platform and picked some moldy crust from the pocket of his pants. Back at Amityville all the stray bird minis knew that they could come roost in the rafters of his dorm room and the boil wouldn't mind. As a bird himself, he enjoyed the company.

The bird minis swooped closer, landing on the platform and hopping uneasily towards him. He held out his hand but they were wary so instead he broke up his crust and tossed them a few crumbs which were quickly snapped up. The drifted closer and closer until Ulmuka had bird-minis perched all over him. He giggled uncontrollably as their little beaks picked at his hair and clothes.

Just as suddenly as they'd come to him, the birds were startled by something and flew off. Ulmuka turned to see the Heir of War lounged on a plush couch. She looked content, unaffected, and he wondered how he didn't notice her there.

"Pardon me Miss." The owl-boil hopped up and bowed swiftly and politely to her. "I didn't notice you." He was wide eyed and grinning, his usual expression, but he approached and swiflty lifted her hand to his mouth. The strix didn't kiss hands but he did snap his teeth lightly above the flesh (remember he was used to having a beak!). "I am enjoying your home very much. More than I thought I would. Ahh.." he looked around the room and then off of the canopy out where the horsemen were obviously leaving, fully armed, through the portal.

"Where are your fellows heading, if I may ask?"

((Enter))

Not really wanting to go back to the dorms, Shun decided to spend some time in the open canopy to relax in the meantime. As he entered, a bird caw'd at him. It was one of the hungry looking minipets that he had seen the last time he was here as well. Idly, he had to wonder if they were fed at all.. or if they were just always a ravenous sort.

Shaking his head, he just went further in. There, he spotted Muka, as well as Edel. He nodded quietly to them both in greeting before finding his way to one of the seats in the canopy. Oh, and the Heir to War was here as well. A part of him was mildly surprised he hadn't seen her lurking around sooner than now, but then again, this area was rather large.

"Nice to see you again, Eris," he said quietly. The last few times he had seen her, the situation hadn't been so relaxed to say in the least. Hopefully nothing will happen here to make her want to go giant war pony inside... again.

In any case, he hadn't heard Muka's question to the Heir at this point.

Once more she saw the signs of struggle on the floor, but these were nothing new - this time, however, the black feathers she found seemed new, as though they'd dropped here only a few moments ago. She picked one up off the floor, fingering it gently in contemplation as she eyed the group near the couch. Shun, and her new acquaintences.. all facing someone with impeccable legs sitting on the couch. Perhaps they were interrogating a horseman? Only one way to find out..

Calder had been exploring. Sure, everything was terrifyingly up high, but that didn't mean he wanted to see what this new place had to offer. Maybe there was a massive bath somewhere he was passing by and never noticed before. Either way, everything was more sturdy than their dorm room. More comfortable too by the looks of it. Calder found that the rooms he was moving into were all very welcoming and well-built, but then again, these had to be the horsemens' rooms. They put a lot more care into them.

Walking through, he paused at a picture of several horsemen chopping off the heads of what...looked to be humans. You had to love the subject matter, and Calder smiled at it, admiring the detail. Clearly, they were at the right place to learn.

When he woke up was when Roch realized he'd been taking a nap. He didn't move, though, just looked around the room curiously. His eyes fell on a painting and he frowned, getting to his feet and moving closer.

For a long moment he stared at the picture, taking in the dead creatures under the war clan's feet. He had a few mixed feelings about the picture, if the humans were hunters, he would have been reassured. But... He frowned, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets as he headed for the exit.

This definitely wasn't a DETH class.

More students entered the room, but the horsewoman's posture remained relaxed, spread out as she was on the couch. Not as if she owned it -- surprisingly, that didn't seem the case at all, no hint of possessiveness of demand of authority in her posture. No, it was more as if she were relaxed, as if she belonged there, as if it were a place of comfort she had known for years. Which, of course, would make sense. Although she had spent quite a great deal of time trapped on the Hunter's isle, before that, this island had been her home. Before the insanity, before her other heir kin, she had been raised in these very canopies, learning under many of the same teachers the students were now meeting, and exploring many of the places they were just now coming to enjoy. She was in her element -- very likely, she had sat in the exact spot she now sat many a time, after a battle, after a lesson, or perhaps even after a war. Rolling her neck a little, Eris let her cheek come to rest gently on her shoulder as the other students wandered the room, their quiet conversations and the sound of their feet against the smooth wood floor not bothering the woman one bit.

It may have even looked as if she had fallen into a light sleep, except for how her eyes slid open at Ulmuka's words. For a second, Eris merely stared at the bird-like student, warm brown eyes assessing him for a moment with mild interest before she rolled her neck again lazily, straightening a little to acknowledge him. His grin brought a touch of amusement to her eyes, the corners of her lips curling slightly, and she allowed him to lift her hand, the snap of his teeth signifying a traditional kiss. "I'm not surprised," she replied to his comment, tilting her head slightly to one side as she glanced him over again, "But for a few differences, you could pass as one of our own." At Ulmuka's mention, the heir turned her head slightly to watch as another winged squad headed towards the portal, her eyes flicking back to the small group whom had began to form by her. "Why, to war, of course~" she crooned cryptically, seemingly more amused by the question, as if the answer was obvious.

Edel's appearance drew her attention away from the strix momentarily, a new sense of curiosity alighting in her eyes at the student whose element was so opposite of her own. The bow was greeted with a low one of her own, wings stretching a little as she dipped at the waist, despite being seated. Her gaze shifted once more at Shun's greeting, eyebrows lifting as she recognized the student, however brief their meeting had been. "And you, reaper," she replied amiably, offering him a little dip of her head. She let her eyes linger on him momentarily, even as the voice touched her mind, as if she were momentarily distracted by something before finally drawing her eyes away. Focusing them on Riley as the woman mentally breathed her name, another little smile curling the corners of her lips, fire sparking in the depths of her gaze. 'Ah, the one who tastes of the essence of mine domain,' she purred a mental response, answering aloud a moment later, "Of course -- is it an urgent matter? We may speak privately, now or at a later time, if you would prefer."

No, truly, now is fine. I have no reason to hide my query. She shifted an inch closer, leaning in and putting both of her hands on her lap, as if trying to look her best before asking such a delicate question. I tried to ask one of your clanswomen before, but I understand she was busy. So I wonder, could you tell me, does the Isle of War take in outsiders, or do you have to be born into the clan of horsemen to live as one of them here?

Her eyes crinkled in delight. Truly, the sound of Riley so enraptured was an absolute singularity. I have only spent days here, but they have been sacred days for me, which have blossomed a hope that I dare not harbor further until I know whether the customs allow it. Formal words and careful manners hid the most obvious of requests; she just wanted to know if she had a chance of becoming a member of the clan of War. Adopt me, her sparkling eyes said. It was a little unnerving.

Ulmuka smiled when Eris told him that he almost fit in. He'd never been told that directly by anyone before. Even if he felt comfortable somewhere, it was always nice to hear it from everyone's lips. When the Heir pointed out the obvious fact (They are going to War) the strix simply snickered. It had been so obvious!

He did not continue his own line of questioning as the others seemed to also have inquiries the strix stepped away. After a few moments the leapt from the platform and took off. He had a training exercise he wanted to try.

[EXIT]