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 Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 10:43 am
"Harrrumph..."
Foxfeather grumbled quietly to himself as he flew silently through the lower portions of the canopy. He didn't dare go any higher than that, lest he go too near the Above. He skirted the outside boundaries of Deep Woods, as he did not want to be near many others as of the moment.
He was irked by the lack of combative youngsters, not that he was in much of a position to complain, as he was but a Watcher. Not for long... He though devilishly to himself as he winged in silence. He came to stop in an old, heavily branched and gnarled tree. It was often a place where he and his two friends met.
He hoped that Sylverbeth would join him there, soon, with the other two.
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Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 10:59 am
Sly had been working round the busy hours of the early morning and day to surpass his requirement for his hunting. Returning to his rank, he made it a point to one up others and prove that making him a watcher, for even a short time, had been damaging to them all in the long run. As he had placed his catch of the day with the collectors, who would sort it all out to be distributed, he gave them all a confident and smug grin. They did not say anything to deflate him, as they had no power to as he had placed 3 plump Skurries on the pile, where Dayga, his recently acquired Serpe, had found a nest of eggs to add to the pile, though Sly made it a point to drop the Serpe at home before dropping off the hunt to claim the privilege of saying it was all his doing.
Still, what sense of pride he had was fading and that high spirit quickly extinguished back to his typical mood as he flew about. He had only just now acquired a rest and was now going off to find his own meal. Luckily, he happened upon a skittish Mus and had his way with it, devouring the entirety and finding it satisfying enough to quell his appetite.
After such, he decided to take a rest at a familiar spot. Hunting and eating now done, he was back up to feed his itching need for conversation. Thus far he had no luck, but Sly knew that opportunity would come to him, as all things did. So, he went to a usual meeting place in hopes that one of his more respectable and brighter colleges would arrive or maybe a wayward Sentinel would pass by for him to toss out a few good mockeries at their flight patterns.
Settling on a branch, he easily was disclosed in their shadows, as he often was, and rested. It was only some time till he noticed the image of his friend, Foxfeather arriving. Perking up, he watched the other land, stepping out of the shadows of a branch two or three above Fox. “Fox. It’s been a while since we talked. You seem healthy.” He said. Sly was not one to say ‘glad to see you’. He was never admit he was glad to see anyone as that would mean it was his privileged and pleasure to see them when it was everyone else’s honor to have him about. Still, he kept up idle chat enough to point out that Fox did look well preened and well kept. Sly didn’t associate on a friendly manner with sickly or damaged Sentinels.
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:14 am
Foxfeather fluffed his pristine plumage proudly and turned his tawny gaze to his shadow 'acquaintance'. He did not realize that Sly had already arrived, which was an overlook in his part. It was something he had to improve if he was ever to be an Elite.
"Healthy, indeed. You look similarly." The deep woods watcher replied airily, but he did not sound unfriendly. Sly was one of the few sentinels that he held in high esteem. Sly always looked well. His sheen, beautiful feathers were always immaculate.
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 1:33 pm
The ranger wheeled high above the others, just under the canopy where the light was brighter as it trickled through the leaves. He'd been toying with the idea of rising above it, even just for a second, just to see what was there, and if what the others were saying - of all the danger - was true. And what if it wasn't? What if it was all just a waste of time? What if he was the next to be made an example out of, how one should never venture above the canopy?
It all seemed so... trivial.
Stormbringer sighed heavily, confused and angry at himself for not being able to make sense of the issue. Golden eyes were trained on the usual spot, the meeting place between the small group of sentinels, the only ones he'd felt comfortable to carry on with. They weren't pushovers like some of the others he'd heard and met. They had voices.
Tilting into a slow descent, he made his way around the trunks and into view, noting Foxfeather and Sly chatting idly as he started picking out suitable perches. A few feet from Foxfeather and just below Sly was his chosen spot, and he outstretched his talons to seize the branch, folding in his cloud-painted wings as he landed.
"Good day, Fox. And you Sly," he intoned, voice heavy and eyes half-lidded.
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Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:49 pm
It was great timing that Storm arrived shortly after Fox, the image of the ghost gliding through the trees before his graceful landing. Sly gave a short glance to Storm’s plumage, never liking the idea that that ghost had destroyed his heritage and fine feathers by marking them, but he knew that most people didn’t hold his high standards, dressing up in paints, strings, and metals. He had vocalized this at times, but now showed a tolerance, if not simply forcing himself to ignore it, in regards to Storm. With everyone else, he would make it vocal. It was probably the fact that Storm’s rationality and common sense saved him from most of Sly’s comments and sharp words, as did Foxfeather, not one to destroy their trio over something as minor as a bit of dye here and there.
Assembled, Sly, Foxfeather, and Stormbringer had the largest collection of enemies in the entirety of Noctua.
“Good day.” Sly said, keeping automatic pleasantries that where more thrown out just for the sake of speaking than anything more. Though most of the time the spoke of news they had happened upon or concerns, there was something on Sly’s mind. “ It’s been some time. I did not see you two at the Graduation Ceremony.” He said, which was probably surprising, as Sly wasn’t the type to be at a Graduation Ceremony either. Still, if neither where there, they missed an opportunity. One of which Sly didn’t hesitate to point out. “ If you where there, I’m sure you would have saw the unnatural collection of Elites there, including the Brigadier himself.” Sly was opening the conversation in a way to open up some more topics on the subject. More specifically, the obvious number of Sentinels who did not turn to field work and the slight concern that seemed to be shown by the members of the Elites.
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Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:56 pm
"Indeed, there was..." Foxfeather replied to Sly's opening remark. There were always important conversations here. Rarely ever were trivial things brought up and for this, the deep woods sentinel was thankful.
It was here, in this refuge, that they could speak their like minded thoughts on the great happenings in Noctua. It was here that he did not have to watch himself for speaking his mind.
"And very few youngsters took to rank. All bards and crafters, the lot of them! A few brave stepped to the plate, but surely the Elites worry over this."
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Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:08 pm
Keeping an eye on the two, he moved closer down the branch, eyes narrowing, brow raising slightly as Sly surveyed his dye, knowing full well that he did not approve. He shrugged it off in respect, however, grateful that Sly held his tongue and saved them any unnecessary arguments over the time that they had known each other. Head inclined a touch, he listened intently, words of the unchecked conversation soothing to his troubled mind.
Storm scoffed at Fox's remark, nodding his head in eager agreement. "More willing to take to frivolities than better the clan! Hmph!" His grey feathers rose in annoyance, though he cooled himself and shook, feathers falling back slowly into place. "I was at the borders. Not much to report, I'm afraid, as all the action was at the ceremony. The deer herd that passed through earlier seems to have moved on...," the ranger trailed off, sighing bitterly and shaking his head.
"What if something were to happen? Who would notice if all of us were in the Deep Woods? What with the spectre-child...," His face contorted into one of distaste and he shifted and spread his wings, the air around him snapping as he did so, and quickly folded them back in, momentarily distressed. He wasn't usually one to be so paranoid, but it was possible, wasn't it? Tempest's appearance definitely proved their existence, past or present... all the terrible possibilities rolled around in his head, a visible shudder moving through his body.
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Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:00 pm
It was a relief in this situation. Though Sly often appeared cool and collected, it was only in this situation with these other two that he could let his tension drop down a degree. (It was impossible to be fully at ease in anyone’s company.) Still, Storm and Fox where smart enough to see the topics he presented, converse in the same way, and they all shared most of the same opinions. It was for that they even bothered with each other’s company.
Nodding, Sly waited for Storm to finish, noting his visible disgust at the Spectre that was mentioned. That’s what was great. Not the child, who was far from anything in that regard, but the dedication they all shared to their colony. “Yes…. Tempest I believe. That vermin who has been tolerated for reasons beyond me..no doubt some plea of mercy. Both the Graduation ceremony and acts like letting that child live have show us that our colony is moving in the wrong direction. Sentinels today are getting to sympathetic….soft….mud-headed..” Sly felt himself fume and to vent, picked himself up from his spot and turned, making a short walk to the end of his branch before turning. It was one of his little habits, once he was trying to limit but found himself often riled up to perform and in such company, knew he could indulge in. “. …more and more Sentinels are ignoring our heritage which makes us the proud colony we are and are just slipping into a luxurious ease, blinded in a false sense of security. The idea of the war is become even more distant with each passing generation and only the idea of the honorable Brigadier is being passed on now to Parents and Minders. They are failing at telling them of the war and the bards…?” Sly made a show of clear disgust, cringing as he was reminded of a group of bards who made an outburst during the Graduation Ceremony. “…they can barely string sentences, let along remind everyone of the great wars. Vital History we should be enlightened on.” Sly was bitter on that fact. As much as he wanted to know about the wars, all records where either gone from Sentinels long past, or restricted by closed beaks.
Fuming, he turned on a branch to continue his pacing. “ Each one if failing in their responsibilities and making this colony fall to it’s knees. The Graduation Ceremony was just one recent form of proof of this. With such a lack of field tasks, it puts strain on us all…….if it’s any consolation, it is that our jobs will become more valuable, needed, for the protection of our clan…..but I doubt the other Sentinels will value this aside from others like us.” It was a sad reality.
“The Spectre child is another. …more troublesome worry. To allow it to be here, living, is like turning our back on the history of the wars to begin with. I’m sure our ancestors would be angered to know they lost their lives to later allow one of …those …live here. And no one sees the danger in it. Last I heard, the pest grew to a fledgling. Then what then? I wonder how worried they will be when it grows to adulthood. When that Spectre grows to an adult, I wonder if then it will show it’s true nature….or even still, as you mentioned Storm, if it will side with the others of it’s kind when they finally show themselves. And who knows if that will happen when Tempest, the child, is in some position of power, or at some vital time that puts danger to us all.”
Sly stopped his pacing, seeming to be chewing against his beak in thought. These where recycled thoughts he had already brought up to himself and was now saying to Fox and Storm. It was something he often did. It took him time to think things over his head and reexamine his words before he even felt trusting enough to repeat them to anyone else. When it did, it was usually well worded and rehearsed. “ But it’s a delicate situation….the child being guarded, watched, yet a present danger that could grow worse as it grows…..and when would we all be to blame when that child turns on the colony and puts us all at risk?…..It is our duty to protect, but in this way, too early in action would be a tricky situation with severe punishment out of misunderstanding…but if this was done correctly….” Sly was openly musing an idea, or moreso, hooking and fishing to see if any of the two would be interested. What he would propose was something that could put them all at risk, jeopardizing their positions. “ …Storm…..Fox… …the Spectre…..how do you feel about it? ” He had to fish to see if it would be a welcomed idea. To know they where on his side.
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 4:49 am
Fox parted his beak and hissed softly at Sly's final question. His feathers sleeked back and he gave a curt nod of his head.
"That creature is a danger in and of itself. It will be a sad day when it does realize it's heritage, for I do believe that it will turn on the ones who raised and protected it. It is in it's nature to do so. The clan is unsafe with a young Specter in it's mist."
It... He knew the specter was a male, but in his mind, Tempest would never be anything other than an it. It did not deserve to be referred to as one would a sentinel. It and it's kind had caused so much pain and suffering in the past. He took pride in having lineage that fought bravely in the war and had heard many passed down stories from the elders of his family.
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:00 pm
Stormbringer listened intently to Sly's speech, eyes in their usual half-mast state as he idly preened a few errant chest feathers, nimbly picking around his necklace. When the idea was proposed, Storm's head bobbed enthusiastically, his wings snapping open again and quivering.
"I completely agree," he said, turning his head between Foxfeather and Sly. "Something must be done about it. For the good of the clan!" His beak snapped on his last statement, tail fanning and a foot raising, talons slicing at the air.
There was a strange glint in the ranger's amber eyes, and a small smile grew on his face as he mulled over the idea, the outcomes, and the consequences. He glanced at the two again, brows furrowing, knowing silently that they were all at an agreement.
Hopefully they could pull it off.
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:16 pm
Sly’s beak curled, smoothening his features as he grinned, clearly pleased. Still, he had the possible punishments that could come from his idea and in regards to everyone else, he had the most to loose. Yet, how could he attend the ranks of Elite when he failed his own duties now? It was shameful. It was best to stomp it out now, or better yet, deal with the problem when it was a spout before it came a permanent vine.
“Just what I wanted to hear.” Sly replied, turning his elongated eyes to regard the branch he was on, pacing once more but more in a leisurely and less troubled pace. “ I have an idea as to what we can do about the little Spectre, but I’ll tell you now, this will be hard and tricky. Our problem comes from the fact that Tempest is well guarded. He’s watched over his minder, both for the child’s welfare to protect it from the clan from danger, but more for the fact that people are worried about the Spectre. It’s this that we are going to use to our advantage. The fledgling has enemies the moment it hatched and though there are Sentinels who will tolerate Tempest and even speak to it, no one can forget the tales of war and horror that we all grew up with. It’s planted in us all and though everyone else is masking this with fake sympathy and tolerance, if something where to arise, they would all show their true forms. There are more than just us that know how dangerous the child can become. We need to trigger that.” Sly turned a corner and resumed his pace above the two.
“Now, being watched, we cannot approach Tempest directly. With what we are doing, it’s best we keep our talons clean* incase foul play should arise and target us. No. We shall use an agent, under our supervision, who will approach Tempest and using them, lure the child to us. Then that is when we start with the tricky part…” Sly grinned, opening his wings and fluttering down to them both, centering himself in the middle and gesturing them to approach, though not too closely as he never liked being near anyone. Inclining his head, he started to tell his ideas to the only two that would hear it.
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*Talons clean = Hands clean (as talons are used to preform acts of killing rather than hands)
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Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 10:33 pm
After long determination, Sylverbeth had decided to take the offer he was given at the Graduation. He flew to the place Fox had told him and landed a few hundred yards away from it looking around cautiously. Finally he stretched out his wings and flew closer landing within listening range of Fox and Sly.
Agro looked around cautiously as she pushed aside twigs that concealed a secret hole in her center-most tree. The hole entrance to the thick tree was tight, but once she squeezed through, there was more than enough room to stretch out. Although, most room in this particular tree was occupied already by her little collection.
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Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 3:50 pm
Foxfeather inched nearer to Stormbringer and to Sly, but remained at a respectable distance from the sentinels that he admired so.
He focused intently on the hushed words that Sly revealed to them both and his golden eyes widened with wonder and approval. He was unaware of Sylverbeth's sudden intrusion on their spot. It was not so much as an intrusion, as the second deep woods male had been invited.
It was just that Foxfeather had not realized that the timid yet proud Sylverbeth would take him up on the offer so soon. Regardless, Sly's voice was soft enough that these words did not drift away from the trio.
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:18 am
Stormbringer's golden eyes narrowed slowly, his head nodding every once in a while as he took in the plan, rolling Sly's words over and over in his head.
It was an interesting plan... well thought out in both pros and cons, could be beautifully executed with the three that were here. Tricky business it would be, and the consequences of failed attempts would loom over and around them and watch their every move, but the ranger felt confident, and his chest swelled in a quiet chuckle.
His ghostly head snapped up as he looked around in quick alarm, the faintest swish of leaves and twigs, the scrape of talons on a branch - his ears were well-trained, as any Sentinel's should be, and even moreso from his many moons of solitude along the silent, sometimes hauntingly echoing, borders. He did not, however, tune in to Agro's shuffling, and so pinned his clear eyes on Sylverbeth.
"Sly, Fox. Company," he announced in a murmur, feathers around his head and neck raising a bit in what he could only perceive as a threat.
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Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:06 am
Sly finished his words, delivering them with the necessary meaning, empathis, and rolling words that would have made one wonder, for a guilty little second, how well Sly would have been if he had chosen to be a bard and exicuted stories with the same delivery he gave his scheming. Then again, these thoughts would have to be private, for if Sly heard any of such a thing, he would be sure to have a talon puncuring something soft and vulnerable the next moment after.
As Sly finished, his eyes slide to the attention of a new Sentinel. Sly rose up, back to his correct posture and not of that inclined whispering, and regarded the new Sentinel with a curl of his features. He didn't like strangers inviting themselves to areas he held as sanctuaries and he didn't the idea that a strange could later be used as a witness to say that they where in the wood, alone with Storm and Fox, and whispering. Sure, he could brush it off with some well-placed words, but suspicioun would arise and with their ideas in their heads, he didn't need it.
"Who is this?" Sly said, his voice back to normal as he look across to the newly landed Sentinel. His voice held an air of someone asking what something was that they had stepped in. True, the Sentinel was pure, but he wasn't feeling that hospitable when he felt more defensive with their plotting. Luckily he whispered. You never knew when someone was listening and this just proved why Sly was always so cautious and suspicious.
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