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 Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 1:32 pm
It was a sight to be seen, the banquet hall in the center of the Mountain, carved out by harpies in years gone by as the original shelter for those who had fled the beaches, and the attacks from the ever-threatening Naga. Flowering vines had been strewn across the walls, and elaborate tapestries displayed deeds of harpies past, including even Kendra, the Matriarch and current ruler of the Mountain. Though one might not suspect it now, the dark brown harpy had once been a fierce fighter, and a valuable extension of her mother's hand.
In the room's center she now stood, wings folded in contemplation as she peered around her, taking in the splendour of the decorations that Iris and her own Koda had been working on for nearly a month now. The sight pleased her. It was good to know that the colorful harpy had some use, and that her daughter and most likely successor was capable and willing to learn skills that would broaden her horizons and further expand her chances of finding herself a male. If there were any males to be had anyways. They were a precious rareity these days, what with one of their few males having died the year before, and the others growing older.
She had sent scouts out to the beach colonies in pursuit of what few there were left, encouraging them to come to a life of stable safety, with plenty of females and trinkets to strike their fancy, but they had their own females already, and the colonies were reluctant to let them go.
Still, with this new male coming, there was cause for celebration. And so she had declared that tonight would be the start of a festival, kicked off with a ceremony of naming, so that the new fledgling would come into the world with a proper name to signify his meaning to the colony, and that his mother might reap the honors of having brought him into the world.
It would be a night to be envied by those who had refused the sense and security of the mountain. There were no fairs on the beaches, but there would be one here. They would see what they could have, and they would come. Kendra had made sure of it.
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Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 2:53 pm
Koda silently thanked the builders of the great hall that they'd carved tunnels connecting it to the nests. Flying with eggs was out of the question, so wrapping them gently with blankets and moving them on foot though the tunnels was the only way.
Mari carried the bright red egg herself, Koda and two of the matriarch's most trusted carried the dully coloured eggs of her assumed daughters. All the eggs had to be moved at once for it was horrible luck to split up a clutch before the eggs had hatched. With a potential male in the group luck was a horrible thing to tempt.
The eggs would stay in the great hall for the banquet and naming ceremony, then would be whisked back to their proper nest before the gathering got too rowdy.
Koda just hoped that Iris and her mother hadn't gotten into too much trouble... one over three  What's this? A family photo?
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Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 3:38 pm
Iris and Kendra were, in fact, not into any trouble at all. The Matriarch was surveying her domain, and the decorations, which Iris was busy fussing over. The scarlet harpy would not be satisfied until she was assured that all of the decorations were firmly in their place. The party could get a little rowdy, and she wanted to be sure her work would survive for the rest of the festival. It had taken her two weeks just to get everything made, and two more weeks just to put it in place! So Koda would recieve very little of her attention as she hurried here and there, fluttering about to check her vines and make sure the tapestries were in their proper places.
Kendra, however, moved to greet her daughter and the prized clutch, gently taking the supposed male egg from it's possessive mother's arms. "If his shell is any indication, he will grow up to be strong and beautiful. You've done well by us Mari." Gently, she set the male egg down into the temporary nest that had been made for the occaision, then reached out to give it's mother a squeeze on the shoulder, just a bit of light pressure from clawed-but-gentle fingers. "Koda, see to it that the sisters are put into place. They will be honored tonight as well."
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Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 3:40 pm
Far as anyone was concerned she was nameless,
of cource she had a name, like all her brethren, and the new Egg soon to reserve one. but knowing her name was a whole different matter, she stayed away from others as often as she could, finding joy in the solitude. but she was able to understand the significance of this ceremony, and out of courtesy to her struggling race there was not question of her attending.
she lingered in the farthest part of the chamber, where there were least bodies, understanding that her presence could be uncomfertable to some, since unlike the rest of them, she was not as tight nite to the compunity. she was only greatfull that she had somewhat of an "invisible" affect, giving her a presence that barely stood out, even when she spoke.
small observant eyes blinking sharply as the harpies carried the precious eggs.
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Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 3:44 pm
Liluye peered into the hall uncertainly. She'd only just gotten back after an...extended trip down with the taur, and was a bit at a loss as to what was happening. Whatever it was, it looked exciting! She wanted to go inquire as to what the occasion was, but she needed to avoid the adults for a bit, just incase they'd managed to notice her absence this time. It was...a fair bit longer than usual. Thirteen days and ten hours longer. Somehow she thought she was going to be in big trouble this time.
But alas! Something was going on, maybe they had been distracted this whole time. That would be great. So, she slowly stepped out into the open, though stayed close to the wall, staring at the direction with wide eyes. Wooow. It looked so nice. But still, what was the deal? Did someone die?
No, wait...they didn't celebrate that.
Someone's birthday? A special dinner? A regular old party? She frowned, lips tightening in thought. Babies came to mind and she frowned. Babies? Maybe. But she'd still have to keep an eye out for another kid to ask.
((Take it we're allowed to post? >>; ))
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Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 3:59 pm
Koda placed her egg gently next to the bright red one, then moved aside so the older ladies could do the same. She made her escape as soon as the eggs where in place and their proud mother had settled on top of them.
Looking about the grand hall Koda was surprised at how many harpies where filtering in, the party hadn't even started yet!
((mhm =3))
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Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:02 pm
Einin fiddled with a garland of flowers, humming softly. The hall was beautiful, the day was beautiful, and the occasion was beautiful. Eggs! And a male egg! How very lucky for Mari. How very lucky for everyone, she corrected herself.
The garland hung in its proper place, she turned to watch the procession come into the hallway. keeping herself out of the way. She was still young, of not much importance. Maybe someday; but today was for someone else, and she was happy to join in the celebration.
There was another young one hovering uncertainly around the doorway. What was her name? Einin didn't think she knew. She nodded and smiled a bright smile of welcome anyway.
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Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:12 pm
uneasily aware of the number of harpies come in as well, though with the birth of a potential male, there eagerness was understandable. though she could not say that was the same reason for her. she only feared that if she showed up when it was more crowded, she would have turned and left out of nerves. showing up when it was practically empty was the best solution.
her eyes shifted from the eggs as there mother perched on top of them. turning her gaze to the harpie now looking around the hall. and slowly over to two female far closer to her position. one seemed to be but a child. the other, older, and giving the child a kind smile. she wondered if they knew one another.... probably
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Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:20 pm
Score! They weren't angry with her. She grinned and waved, then hopped further into the hall to begin investigating. Eggs? Aha! So it WAS babies! That really didn't tell her much though. But, if it was babies, she was really only coming for the potential food, and playtime. And to look at the pretty decorations. She made her way around the hall, fluffing up her feathers, then shaking to smooth them out again. When was someone her age going to get here?
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Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:33 pm
Iris herself was rather busy fussing over what remained of the decorating, adjusting her vines, making sure the flower baskets were properly hung. It had taken her nearly two weeks to make all of the decorations, and almost as long to make it look spectacular. And it was spectacular. There were flowers everywhere, and a thick tropical perfume wafted around the room, adding to the cheerful atmosphere.
The harpy herself was hard to miss, bright feathers marking her as one of the prettiest females on the Mountain. No one quite understood how she had come to be so bright, but it was simply accepted. She was..exotic, and no one could say she didn't know it. When the scarlet bird finally landed, she ran a clawed finger through red locks, making sure all of her beads and flowers were still in place.
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Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:38 pm
Koda chose that moment to flit over to Iris, "finally finished fiddling with those?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:45 pm
"I haven't decided," Iris replied, frowning up at the vines. "I keep thinking we need more to the left, but then when I move them the right looks bare, and then when I space them out it looks all wrong. I should have picked more Lena Flowers. We could use a few more baskets of them here and there..." One black finger tapped a tanned cheek thoughtfully.
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Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:52 pm
"I've been wondering," Koda changed the topic, "If you know what your male name was? I mean, I know there was a huge fuss over your egg so I'd assume they'd named you."
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Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:56 pm
her eyes followed the child as she entered the hall, seeing to have gained more confidence since the other female had smiled at her.
"quite late, for such a young thing" she spoke to the child, her voice carrying an awkward raspyness to it, it was clear she was no much of a talker
maybe it was because a female, but she had always felt comfortable around children. never having had any of her own, but often wondered what i would be like.
she let her eyes wander back to the proud mother, perched lovingly over her eggs, then back to the child.
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Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:58 pm
Liluye blinked, then paused and looked at the older harpy, "You startled me!" though she hadn't acted very much startled, she had been surprised. She hopped closer to her, playing with her fingers, "Do you know why they're making a big hub-bub?"
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