Welcome to Gaia! ::

A cold dry breeze blows through the trees. Squat skeletons take the place of hardwoods leaving awkward gaps of space between the clusters of softwoods. The usual pleasant sound of rustling leaves has been replaced by a chilly sounding whistle or creak.

Even though there are times when the sky is clear blue, the sun offers little warmth. The seasons are changing. Winter is near.

Added Thoughts...
*Di'Taki should be busy preparing for snow as it's usually a hard time of the year.
*Young are even rarer since the Adahy usually won't be breeding.
*Food is harder to find.
*If anyone would like to kill off their Di'Taki due to circumstances this season would be a good time. (I WILL NOT kill off anyone's Di'Taki without their permission) Creatures in Grim will be turned into 'ghosts' and are still RPable. Just with a few restrictions; such as breeding. But they can still adopt. ALL rps ghost Di'Taki do will be towards another elder's stage.
*Di'Taki are tougher in the cold than Adahy. Probably casue of their thicker plumage.

Wit was slightly lost. But Wit, in his short life, had always been slightly lost. Once he'd hatched from his egg he'd managed to find the main di'taki settling areas rather easily. It was probably instinct. Everything else was pretty difficult. He didn't know what food was (until he'd discovered what food wasn't) and right now he had no idea that he should be finding somewhere to shield him from the cold.

The albino child was rather obvious against the stark forest setting. He skittered around in the increasingly cold breezes, hiding under tree roots and nibbling every little bug and plant he could find instead of saving and hoarding it. He had been smart enough to find himself a hollow to sleep in every night.. and only by chance was it lined with his baby down (as his more grown up feathers came in) but the truth was that Wit.. was not very intelligent.

As he skittered about he tried to play with the very few children that were around. They all seemed uninterested. He sometimes would sneak into people's nests... until they chased him out. In fact he wasn't even looking, not yet utilizing the useful nature of multiple eyes, as he skittered right into the legs of a sleek grey male that he'd seen watching over them recently.

His mismatched eyes focused, in awe almost, on the grown male whom he'd hit.

"Ah.. sorry!"

The winter was a quiet time, a scene of quiet, of rest, everything from the plants, and even the small critters that usually littered the forest with life were beginning to vanish into their burrows and hole to remain hidden from the rapidly lowering temperature. Soon all will be as still as the snow that would cover the ground, but for now the forest had a crisp bustle as the life of the forest hurried to prepare for that blanket of silence and rest.
Large claws were an addition to that noise, heavy, almost deliberate footsteps crushed upon the leave beneath. It was male, though for a male; he was huge, bulked with strength, and easily the size of a large female. His black body sank into the background, though the elaborate markings covering his body gleamed brightly as their own source of light

I know these times are considered important, the last minute chance to get everything prepared for the long winter months that lay ahead.
And I can hear others telling me I should be getting ready rather than meander the land, but I find this a great opportunity to watch my fellow Di’Taki… you can always tell who the weak ones are. The ones who are most diligent about their store supplies, and there nesting area. The ones, who need the most, are the ones struggling to survive. Weak blood, the Di’taki race could never use them for a greater purpose.

I can now the distant sounds of voices, and I immediately lift my head, perking ears to get a better sense of their direction. I might as well check in on their progress, get a feel for who they are, and if they will be of any significance. Just a look, then I can move on and let them continue with their scrambling
Not bothering to quiet my step, I rather enjoy the sound of leaves being crushed beneath my glowing claw, Let them hear me coming, see my horns held high.

Marrowmourn was silent as she usually was, walking the forest in the attempt to gather any hidden food for the winter store. Though her eyes had a glaze to them, clearly lost in her own thoughts, thoughts about a strange creature she had recently met, and in all honesty, a grotesque creature… but fascinating. Since she met him, she found it difficult to get the creature out of her mind, wondering if he had to do his own preparing for the winter.
Her lavender feathers swayed as a gust of cold air breathed through the trees and licked over her body.
Her stride hesitating to lift her head and look around. Everything was dead, or dying, slipping into a deep slumber until the earth wormed again. May females hoped that this winter will show them good fortune in there breeding, they would have to wait and see.

Firethorn stopped to breathe in the brisk autumn air. Winter was just around the corner. The cold season would bring many challenges with it.

The dark red male hadn't reached a seasoned old age by ignoring the signs. He knew many of the Di'Taki would just be starting their hoarding for the bleak months to come. He'd spent many a cold, hungry winter to have learned his lesson well. Firethorn thought of his hidden cave and his growing stash of food. When fresh meat became scarce to find, he would have enough to get him through the coldest nights.

The stillness brought voices to his large ears. With nothing better to do, his curiosity led him in the direction of whatever might be happening. He tread lightly. He would observe before he made his presence known.

Blue's ears swiveled in all directions, he could hear the others move about in a busy buzz like a hive everyone was working. except of course this youngster here with the odd hues. he creased his draconic lips in an odd, compliant sneer and rolled his eyes slightly, "a pleasure, wit. My calling is Blueflax " he said with a polite bow of his head. "you should be gathering food to horde for the long cold winter where food will be harder and harder to find!" he said in a false shock tone. "haven't you a parent to help you with such important matters?" he asked, though he was getting the impression this child did not have the whit of his namesake nor the knowledge to know better. he tilted his head and began to wonder if he was maybe using to complex phrases for the young mutant he kept forgetting how to talk to children, simple and less flourished.

"Blue. Flax." Wit's expression was very intense as he memorized it. He may not be very aware, but he did have a good memory. "Blueflax. Hi! Hi Blueflax!" The youngster was very excited about meeting an adult who even cared to pay attention to him.

Wit listened as the male told him of gathering food. He hadn't been saving any! He was a growing boy and all he wanted to do was eat, eat, EAT!

"Collect? Save?" Wit shook his grey feathers until the thought really hit him. "Ohhhhhhh!" The reason the air was so cold was WINTER! "I don't have.. umm parents. I don't have a den really. Can you help?" Wit hopped a little in place, immediately looking around as if food would be waiting all around him.

Usul continued to slink. He'd managed to find a small nest, watched as the inhabitants went off to search for food, and took himself a little of their cache. Not too much. Just a few pieces of fruit. They would still have plenty. As he slipped away, he found his hiding spot and stashed it, before setting off once again.

Unfortunately for him, his hiding place was close to Ragemane's cave. He'd been especially careful not to be too close but his shady 'foraging' was sure to interfere with the Elder's commander out on her own search. His suspicious behavior would also not be a help if he ran into any of Ragemane's crew.

The old tree lay at an angle, leaning on it's neighbor. Storms and soft earth had won over it's roots grip in the soil. Heavy gnarled roots hung in the air hiding a menace within.

Blood spirit lay hidden in the shadows of the large gnarled tree roots. The skull on her face muddied to hide it's starkness. She watched the interaction between the gray Di'Taki male and the white youngster. She'd been following the youngster for awhile, sizing him up. He'd looked to be an easy target and she'd taken her time picking a spot to end his wandering.

This interruption in the stalking of her prey did not bother her. Half the fun of a kill was in the challenge of the chase. Not that this one was much of a challenge. She waited for the inevitable when the adult would chase off the annoying youngster.









Firethorn watched, hidden among the low hanging branches of close growing trees. He was slightly amused by the pale colored Di'Taki adult and youngster. The child was almost blindingly white in the dark wood. The red spotted elder wondered why such a young one was out on his own. If the elements of winter didn't claim, a desperately hungry Di'Taki might. Firethorn relaxed a little when the gray adult appeared to take the youngster into his care for the time being.

A change in the wind brought an unpleasant scent to Firethorn's nostrils. A smell of death and hatred.




Blood Spirit's ears perked forward. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Was this adult actually encouraging this dim-witted child? Memories of what she'd endured as a child, even being a quick learner flooded back, reminding her why she hated Di'Taki and Adahy alike. To further fuel her anger, she could see her easy meal slipping out of her grasp. Maybe not, she thought. She could probably take down the adult. It wouldn't be her first. She was sure the dim-wit would not fight in defense of the older Di'Taki it'd just befriended.

Blood Spirit rose to a crouch to creep closer. A deep hiss from a stand of dark trees to her side stopped her cold. Slowly turning her head, Blood Spirit peered through the shadows, her red eyes searching among the trees for what might have made the noise. A red glow appeared, growing closer until shape took form, then she saw ghostly white eyes watching her. An Elder. Blood Spirit sank to the ground. She was sure she was dead.

The dark red Elder stopped and watched her. She didn't understand why he didn't rush in and crush her small body. It's what she would have done to a cornered prey. Blood Spirit stared back at the Elder as he watched her. Confused, she started to back away, leaving the hidden safety of the gnarled tree. Moving free of the roots, she stood and without a single glance back, Blood Spirit ran as hard she could.





Movement caught Firethorn's eye. He moved towards the it, picking his way quietly through the trees. Even without her rising out of her hiding spot, Firethorn would have been able to find her from the reek of death on her. Anticipating her intentions, he hissed a warning at her. Firethorn walked closer to where her searching eyes could see him. He felt a sense of satisfaction when he saw that she realized she was now the prey. Firethorn would not put up with any Di'Taki that would harm a youngster. The young ones had already been turned out by their Adahy parents, so he strove to protect them from any that would harm them further.

Had this offending Di'Taki been an adult, Firethorn would have dealt with her severely, but since the stalker was still obviously young, Firethorn made no advance towards her. Watching her edge out from under the tree roots, he could see why this one hid. At first glance, she looked completely Adahy. When she turned to run Firethorn saw the ridges on her back. Enough of a deformity to be shunned by the Adahy, but not enough to be accepted by the Di'Taki. Firethorn had a strong feeling that he would encounter this young female again.