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 Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:13 pm
This arpee takes place after Osprey's time in the north (part of the metaplot) and before she goes to visit Holly. 
“That wasn’t very good, now was it?” the harsh voice stated with seemingly cold bluntness after the large ghost landed next to a large dark fledgling. “Try again. Again and again until you do it right.”
A rather loud sigh could be easily heard from just a few trees away but the teacher made sure to ignore the furry companions that were glaring at her. One was her own and she would never eat the skurri that had taken so much time to train. Her student’s little mus on the other hand…well, that annoying little creature looked as if it could fit all too perfectly inside her beak and Breeze wasn’t one to tempt fate.
The young shadow dropped from the branch without so much as a word and proceed to repeat the same flying exercises he’d been practicing for almost an hour now. In spite of his thin plumage, he didn’t seem to notice the cold air that surrounded the platforms.
Not even a moan, Breeze thought contentedly, His parents taught him well.
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Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:48 pm
It was just a little detour, right?
Osprey's gray dyed wings carried her swiftly towards the all too familiar territory of her former teacher, Breeze. The air was chilled, but her thick plumage kept her warm enough and she actually felt some pity for those who weren't endowed with the warmth of her own type. The poor Shadows must of felt miserable, especially if they were staying in this neck of the woods.
Just an itty, bitty detour... And she would still be on time to meet Hollyhock at the platforms! She was certain of that.
The Scout had not intended on visiting Breeze so soon, but she was fueled by her own worry for the future, her new Mist friends in the North, and a sudden longing to see the imposing Ghost. These three reasons together were enough for her to change her path almost instantly on her way to Deep Woods.
As she approached the all too familiar stands of trees, she belted out a hoot.
I am here, it's me, coming to visit. Is that alright? Was the meaning behind her tone.
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Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:45 am
The red-eyed imposing shape turned to face the approaching sentinel with a mildly surprised expression. Though the call sounded familiar in a way, she wasn’t expecting anyone to drop by that night. Her student froze on a branch unsure if he was expected to continue the exercises but he quickly got back to work just as Breeze was about to order him to and her admonishment was replaced for a pleased smile.
She answered the call with a soft hoot that perfectly hid her surprise and curiosity, waiting patiently for the white sentinel to draw closer and land. Still, Osprey’s clever dye job made sure that the teacher didn’t recognize her former student and as she caught the young Mist’s shape flying swiftly in her direction, she wondered why this stranger would come all the way to the platforms. A young mother, perhaps?
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Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:39 pm
Although she had made her decision to visit Breeze almost split second, she had not forgotten her manners. On her way to the familiar territory in Deep Woods, she had made a point to do a little extra hunting and on the way she had managed to snag a rather plump squirrel and it currently was dangling from her darkened talons.
The hoot sounded alright... So entry must of been fine. She swiftly crossed the borders into Breeze's territory and landed further down on the platforms.
She offered a broad grin on her beak edges and dropped the dead squirrel before herself, before quickly placing her feathers with expertise that this particular Ghost had so painstakingly taught her.
"Madame Breeze? Sorry to drop in unexpectedly, but I was sort of in the area. I hope that's alright..." She hooted, completely unaware that her dye had tricked her former teacher into thinking she might of been someone else.
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Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 8:01 am
The teacher blinked a few times before she finally realized who had just spoken.
“Osprey? Dear girl, is that really you? You’re bigger and…” the teacher moved a little closer to the Mist and inspected her a little more closely. “ …and got your feathers dyed! Good camouflage… you’re no longer that beaming beacon of light that we could spot a thousand trees away.” Breeze’s tufts twitched excitedly for a few moments and she laughed wholeheartedly at her own little joke.
“Of course it’s alright. You know this will always be your second home. Ally, we’ve got company! Just keep working, Crow.” Breeze turned her gaze in every direction as she spoke to those around her but it finally settled on the young mist. “So… how have you been?” Coming back to see her so soon, Breeze hoped she wasn’t having troubles at work already.
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Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:05 am
Ossie practically beamed with delight as Breeze laughed, even if her little joke was at the younger sentinel's expense. She was glad that her dye helped camouflage her a little better, even if she was dyed to mimic her namesake.
And she had grown since her graduation, which wasn't surprising as she had already been a rather large youngster. She couldn't help but glance at the hard working little Shadow... It had at least been long enough for Breeze to get over the fact that her last two charges had graduated, which felt like a looooong time for the young adult, although it was relatively short to others.
"Been well!" She responded rather enthusiastically. It wasn't a complete lie, despite her worries. She loved her chosen task and worked diligently, there was no real reason for her to worry about that. "I've been assigned to the North for a little while and I was on my way back to Deep Woods, 'cos I am supposed to meet Holly there, soon. Anyways, so it's been pretty good. How about you?"
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Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:41 am
The red-eyed teacher’s smile grew wider. Osprey looked happy and untroubled which only gave more meaning to her former student’s visit.
“You seem to be doing fine.” She said softly, eyeing the dead squirrel between them. She also noticed Osprey’s glance at the little shadow but answered it quite dismissively. “Crow’s from a long line of hunters and I’ve been asked to give him some flying lessons. He’s only staying until the next full moon. His parents are harsher than me, if you can believe that.”
Ally appeared from behind the ghost and ran against the young mist, shrieking excitedly. “Just Ossie! Ossie, no Holly.”
“Behave, you silly thing. And I can see you slowing down up there, Crow. Keep working. You’ve seen Holly? ” Again, Breeze’s head kept twisting on her neck as she turned to face each creature and it was nothing short of hilarious how her tone could change so quickly between indifferent, critical or simply pleasant depending on who she was addressing. “How’s he doing? Has he been working hard? I’m so glad you still spend time together. It would be a shame if you two lost touch with each other. You were such good friends.”
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Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 1:32 pm
"Hahah, really? Wow, well. Good luck to him." The Scout chuckled as she watched the youngster practice. He seemed to be doing well enough and if what Breeze said was true, then this was almost like a break for the little guy. The entire visit felt nostalgic and she had to admit she was enjoying herself.
As Ally approached, chattering, Ossie leaned forward and carefully gave the skurri a little preen on her head. She had a fondness for the little companion, especially as it had been her who made Breeze's lessons a little more bearable. Her own mus felt a little more brave now that she noticed that her master was on good terms with this large Ghost and scuttle down Ossie's back to sit on her talons and sniff hesitantly at Ally.
"Nah, no Holly right now, Ally." She couldn't help but grin as she addressed the companion, then turned her attention back to Breeze.
"I saw him a little while back at the platform. We both happened to be dropping off prey at the same time, so we did a bit of catching up. We plan on going to see the leaves turn up north... Y'know, to celebrate our first autumn. It's supposed to be real pretty, so we wanted to see. As far as I could tell, he's been right busy, too. Oh! Which reminds me, I brought this for you." She lifted the unfortunate squirrel with her Will and nudged it closer to her former teacher.
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Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:23 pm
“Ah, he’s a good boy. Not much trouble really. Just keeps a little too much to himself. If you ask me, he’d do better as a Scout but after his family’s training… well, we’ll see what the watchers say.” Breeze said twisting her head all the way to the back to get a better look at her dark student while Ally cuddled under Osprey’s chest feathers. The appearance of the mus seemed to perk the skurri’s interest but Ally was reluctant to leave the comfort of the mist’s feathers. Still, the smaller companion’s cautious movements made her lift a paw playfully as she took a step back, burying herself a little more into the Scout’s plumage.
Breeze also followed the mus’ movements even if with considerable less interest but her eyes lit as Osprey mentioned Hollyhock. Something in the way she spoke should’ve (and maybe in the back of her mind it did) alarm her somehow. But that deep, unacknowledged concern was something unthinkable to the teacher. It was something that just didn’t happen. Not with her students, at least.
“Oh, thank you dear! That looks delicious. And meat is becoming a rather pricy commodity so it’s much appreciated.” Breeze took the squirrel with a talon and a smiled tentatively. “So he’s doing well. So far I’ve only heard some vague things about you two. Good, yes but vague. I’ve been wondering if you’ve lost that little habit of talking just a little too much…” Breeze chuckled and her smile grew wider. “It’s a good thing you have a bit of free time. And you’re going together… so I suppose none of you found… how should I put it?... someone interesting? Maybe a bit too soon? I know you have to adjust to your new working schedules but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep your eyes open.” By the way the teacher’s head tilted until it touched her wing and the way her smile grew even wider, it was quite clear she was enjoying the little tease.
“And you got a mus, I see. Not one of Liana’s, is it? It looks bigger than the ones she breeds.”
(OOC: Liana is my mixed type aberrant keeper who Breeze sort of bullied into teaching her students Care and Companion Training – so Osprey and Holly would have spent at least one night with her learning a few things; I guess I should send you two the classes they’re supposed to have taken…)
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Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 6:15 pm
Ossie listened with interest as she watched little Crow continue his training. Poor thing, what with being bullied into a task by his parents... Perhaps he would do what he really wanted in the future. The ever optimistic side of her wanted to believe that he would, but reality was always so very different.
"Ah, yeah. He's doing well from what I can tell... And he didn't mention a lady friend or anything. I don't think I've found anyone yet..." Her voice trailed off and her posture expressed embarrassment from the talk. She was letting her thoughts drift to her dearest friend, but it probably just came off at being shy or embarrassed about not having found someone of interest yet.
"I'm keeping an eye out, though. Not many out there seem to match." She shoved her worry down for a moment and gave her former teacher a rather devious smirk and nod.
"Ah, Mus, naw. She isn't one of Liana's, but if I get another one I'll probably get one from her. Mus is a good one, but a bit on the hefty side. She's well behaved, though."
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Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:00 am
Breeze matched her student’s smirk with a wicked one of her own.
“I’m glad he’s doing well. And don’t you worry. The northern regions are very rich in… let’s say, Mist gentlemen of combatant tasks… “ she winked playfully. “I’m sure your best match would be a combatant but you never know! Only Noctus knows which poor sap will have to deal with that feisty temper of yours.”The teacher’s loud laugh that followed her words made her little shadow student freeze on a branch, looking thoroughly dumbfounded.
“Just kidding, dear.” The teacher said softly. “I’m sure you and Holly will find great matches when you least expect it. But… I suppose I won’t see any eggs in the Spring, will I?” She was faking disappointment now.
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Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:19 am
Osprey roused her feathers as she listened to Breeze speak. She couldn't help but to grin outwardly. Poor sap, indeed. She couldn't picture any sentinel being able to withstand her other than the few who already did, namely Holly and Breeze. There was Snowpeak, too, though he was younger than she. He seemed to have an attitude fiery enough to match her own... But he hadn't even graduated yet! It was a silly thought.
"Ah, most likely not this Spring..." If things aren't official, if I have to find someone else... Or if we decide to wait. Her voice trailed off, but thought still filled her mind.
"There did seem to be plenty of decent Mists up North. I happened to make a couple of friends up there while I was scouting. Fiercefire and Fireflight, both siblings. Fi's younger sister was about my age, too." She beamed as she spoke of her new friends and had half a mind to keep what was happening to herself, but... Well, she needed to test waters with her former teacher. She knew that Breeze wasn't exactly fond of aberrants.
"Fi's been getting a bit of trouble lately, though. She's taken by a Wildtype and the harassing from neighbors was getting pretty bad."
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Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:54 am
“Fiercefire… I think I’ve heard the name before…” Breeze said quietly before preening a wayward feather. “Perhaps I’m mistaken.” By the time Osprey had finished speaking, however, she was quite sure she knew who her former student was referring to. Oh dear, dear… what kind of company what Osprey associating herself with…
“I think I know who she is. I’ve met her great uncle.” Her mind took her to the memories of Blackbirch’s visit and the teacher’s voice sounded much colder now. Aberrants. She’d rather avoid the subject altogether. “Tell me… is she still with that… with Basil? That’s the Wildtype’s name, is it not?”
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Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:17 am
Her fear was only confirmed as Breeze's voice took on a colder tone and her heart felt like it had fallen a little in her chest as she listened to the Ghost speak.
"Hmm, haven't met him before, but she mentioned him. She's a Trapper, though, and that was neat! I got to see her traps catch a hare! It's really, really cool!" It took some force, but she managed to keep her positive, up beat tone as she spoke about her new friend. "She and her sister both come from a long line of skilled hunters and from what I can tell, they do their tasks well. I even practiced with Fireflight for a little while." She preened her chestfeathers after speaking and kept an eye on Breeze, watching for any sort of reaction.
She had always been a hard one to read and now was no different. Noctus forgive her for pushing such a sensitive subject on her former teacher.
"Basil's his name, yep. She was when I left... I don't know if they are, still. I'm hoping to check up on her, later. She's such a strong Mist... I hope things turn out for the better for her, despite hte position she's gotten herself into... It's a shame, really."
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Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:13 pm
“A shame, yes…” Breeze spoke absent-mindedly dropping her eyes to her companion. After Blackbirch’s visit she’d found more than one sentinel willing to heatedly discuss the subject. Apparently, the couple was a hot topic at the moment and while the mixed heritage of the Mist didn’t bother her half as much as the rumours she’d heard concerning her chosen mate, she’d still prefer if Osprey stayed away from both of them. Fiercefire already seemed like a major influence on her former student but the teacher would rather Osprey didn’t follow that example.That, however, wasn’t something she’d say out loud of course.
“The neighbours’ reaction was to be expected.” She started slowly and cautiously. “In spite of the recent increase of mixed type couples, aberrants are far from openly accepted by the general population. There’s a reason why types exist. You should remember, we talked about this a long time ago.” She looked a little uncomfortable but willing to go on.
“You know how each type has its strong points. Take Mists for instance... light colors, thick plumage... you are perfectly adjusted to the harsher weather of the northern regions. Types make the Clan stronger, allowing us to occupy the whole of Noctua comfortably and succeed at defending every border with ease.” Most of this was Breeze’s family talking but she had always believed these things to be true. “And of course, the mixed blood doesn’t always work well... think of a large wildtype with a shadow plumage... how difficult it will be to maintain body temperature... Or would Holly be able to fully exploit the deep woods famous speed if he had a plumage as thick as yours? There are things that dye cannot fix.” She barely paused before she continued.
“They’re not all weak. You’ve met Liana. And the Trapper’s great Uncle is obviously part Deep Woods. They only have to face prejudice – and even that is not always easy. But I can’t respect someone who will create aberrants lightly. In the end, it is something that weakens the Clan and places a great burden on misfortunate children who luck out with the mix. I’m not saying I don’t understand love, but with so many eggs around these days. I wish some of those couples would just take one and raise it as their own.”
The ghost’s plumage stood on end and settled back a few times as if the teacher was shrugging off the words that so often went unspoken. Sighing, she lifted her gaze to the patches of sky she could see from the platform.
“Sorry for speaking so much. It is a complicated subject and everyone has their own views on it. Don’t you have anything more cheery to tell me about? I’ll even take frivolous gossip at this point.”
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