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 Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:01 pm
 Vanya sat on the ground underneath her nest, various pieces of gold and chains; beads and gems placed around her. She frowned as her claws worked; picking up each piece delicately and placing it carefully; as if it was her own child. A low growl coming from her throat, Vanya threw the pieces on the ground. No matter what she did, she could not get them to work; could not create the beauty she had foreseen in her mind.
Gathering all her items, she shoved them into her pouch and stood making her way to the Artisans' Guild. Met by a guard, she bowed her head low to her sister. "I wish to see a member who might help me with a task." Raising her head, she was lead inside and sat at a table. She pulled the items from her bag and waited.
While the Artisan Guild housed men, Vanya felt comfortable here. She did not look down on the men here as much as the others. They were skilled in creating beautiful objects and for this Vanya held a feeling towards them as close to admiration as a harpy female could get without being looked down upon.
Vanya eyed the materials. A bracelet. That was what she was creating. She was to gift it to someone; one who was higher up, in hopes of receiving her blessing for.. Vanya's lips pursed. It was much to early for that; she had still yet to consider a lot of factors. Perhaps today would help her make up her mind.
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Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:50 pm
The guard politely shrugged, unsure of who'd be best for the task but pointed her to who'd be most likely to either know it himself or lead her to the stallion who'd be most likely to of some help.
The Stallion in question was easy to spot, his usually shaggy hair and feathers pulled back out of his eyes in a loose topknot, usually preferring to let it fall in his eyes. However, as he was holding a stone tool wrapped in leathers in his talons, carving a wooden set of claws to create a mold from, so in the future he could make removable talon'd gauntlets some of the younger mistresses and new flock members born without the gift of front claws out of the same sort of metals as his arm bands and bells rather than gold or carved ivory, he instead opted to keep his vision clear.
Seeming to sense the elegant mare's approach, Taarab looked away from his project and smiled slightly, getting up with a slow stretch to unkink his muscles, before bowing respectfully to her, "Mistress Vanya! Welcome back, it's been a while since you've graced us with your beauty. Have you come for your usual order, or for something for your next costume?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:08 pm
Vanya smiled as she was directed to Taarab. She had dealt with him regularly and he was her favourite; those talons of his created the tiniest, most delicate and beautiful items. It was like magic. She admired his work thoroughly. At first it had intimidated her and she watched from afar, dealing with lesser artisans. Their work was pretty but it was no match for Taarab's.
Eventually, when she had approached him, she was rather amazed at how humble he was. Though she did not expect him to be vain - pride not being something a male in the flock should hold - she expected.. something. She had asked if he would make something for her; a surprise. A week later he presented her with tiny little bells for her hair and a promise to make more should she lose them.
Such tiny things made by such large claws. Vanya loved them dearly; never taking them off. She showed them proudly to all her sisters; always praising Taarab's work and the Artisan Guild in general. The looks she got didn't bother her. She would not give praise if it wasn't deserved.
Vanya nodded her head in greeting, flashing a smile before chuckling softly. "Not today, Taarab. Thankfully my bells have stayed in place." She sat next to him on the bench and pulled the materials from her satchel. "I can't seem to figure out what to do." She frowned in annoyance. "I'm trying to make a bracelet. Something that looks like silver vines. But no matter what I do I can't work it." Pouting lightly she shook her head. "I'm not as gentle or skilled as you are."
Vanya eyed him carefully and then turned her eyes to his work. So like him; always working on things. She wondered what he was working on. It wasn't jewellery but she was sure it would still be beautiful. "If you're busy working for someone else I can come back later.."
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Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 10:26 pm
Tilting his head to the side, the Oracles pet blinked a bit in confusion, before following Vanya's gaze, "Oh, this?" he picked up the wooden sculpture carefully in his talons, showing it off, "It's a prototype for an idea I had. I thought I might have an idea for making faux talons more uniform and durable for those born without talons for hunting."
He set the half finished carving down, "So Its really not something that needs to be made immediately since we have the other ways of making talons, and if I get it right, these would end up being somewhat heavy and need training to use properly, so the bone ones will remain most commonly made for a while. Lets just take a look at your bracelet."
He moved over to one of the holes dug into the rock walls of the guild, taking out a metal roll of tools marked with one of his feathers and the cured material painted with a dotty pattern, and took out another leather roll, setting it out for her work to be placed on without getting parts lost.
The 'bench' was the stump of what hadhad once been a grand and mighty stalagmite collumn in what used to be a cavern before the spirits caused it to collapse and create the roofless enclosure near the falls. Nature had felled it like a tree in the forest, its side smoothed out and flattened by the friction of harder rocks by Harpy talons to make a long table, its root making for a good rise for observers to perch, thick enough for two soquili to rest on comfortably, though most simply worked with their lips if they lacked talons, using tools for it.
Taarab however liked getting his work up to the light for other reasons, Since he could stand beside it and move around the work with greater ease, seeing it from all angles, "hmmn. I see. I think, perhaps... If you twisted this together with this like a rope..." he unrolled his tools, taking a flattened stick and bending the tips of the wire into the holes of one side before closing it tight on it with a bit of twine, and setting the stick into a groove carved into the rock, "I can see why you were having issues -- you wouldn't have the right sort of tools to do this by yourself in the nests." The sky blue haired stallion gave the mare a soft smile, clasping the other end of the wires in a similar manor and pulling it tight, "I'll do the first few, then guide you through it. Once we get the base down, we can work on the vine design. But this will give you strength so it will hold it's form better."
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Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:56 pm
Vanya marveled at the prototype; it was quite a brilliant idea. Bones were well enough; but they could be broken easily. Metals gauntlets would be stronger and able to do more damage. Training wouldn't be an issue; these would be well sought after despite that fact. Vanya would have asked for a pair had she not been born with hooves and if she was a warrior.
Born without talons.. That was a nightmare to Vanya for she wouldn't have been able to craft her treasures as well with her mouth as she did with her claws. This hobby of hers was dear to her. She was responsible for the beauty she crafted; it was a reflection of herself. Without her skills in crafting - and, ultimately, her dancing - she was just a pretty face. Vanya worked hard for everything she was. She practiced dancing and crafting daily. Even her beauty she earned by enduring the taunts of her sisters and never doubting herself.
Vanya snapped back to attention when she felt Taarab move. She watched him intently from then on; the tools he used, the way his claws held them so delicately, the strength and skill he showed when he used them. It did not surprise her when Taarab figured out what needed to be done. It was why she hoped he would be the one the guard pointed to. He had never let her down when she asked for help.
Vanya realized that Taarab had helped her a lot and while she had said thanks she had never repaid him. It was odd for a mare to show such kindness to a stallion and it was possible her sisters would talk about it behind her back. But Taarab had proven his worth and his loyalty to the flock. He was worthy of the Oracle; he was worthy of Vanya's praise and attention. She would make him a gift later tonight, when this was done. If any of the flock members had a problem with it they could take it up with her personally.
Vanya returned Taarab's smile with her own, flashing grin. "I knew you'd have the answer," she continued watching him intently, making sure she understood what she had to do. It was true, there was no way she would be able to do this on her own. Rummaging through her bag, she pulled out a few small green gems; seven in total. "Would it be possible to attach these to the bracelet? Like leaves on the vines?" She tilted her head to the side. The idea sounded nice in her head, but she had no idea if it could even be done.
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Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 8:54 am
"Hmn..." Taarab looked it over, and then he removed the tied clasp from the rock, opening it up and adding another wire to the one side, letting it fall loose as he reassembled the device and put it back in its place, "With this we can string the beads as we get to places you want to have them placed, and they'll be secure within the wire and poking out the sides like leaves."
Carefully taking up one of the gems by pressing his claws delicately together and capturing it like his talons were tweasers, he squinted as he looked it over, "Now we just need to turn these into beads. It'd be easiest of they were set into some forms rather than risk damaging them by drilling, but it's up to you -- would you rather they be pure stone, or should I see about making a leaf shaped setting for them?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 9:45 pm
Vanya watched him, making sure she took everything to memory for later. The tools he used were marvelous; she wondered if it would be possible to get a set of her own. But then.. she wouldn't have as much reason to come visit the guild. Unless she stored them here. Hm.. Vanya felt a p***k in her head and reached a claw up to pull a feather that had come loose out of her hair. She placed it on the bench; not wanting to create a mess. She could throw it away later.
Turning back to Taarab, she pondered for a moment, head tilting to the side. "I wouldn't want to risk damaging them. It took my little owl so long to find them." Pavone had spent all of his nights digging around the mountains in search for the gems. He'd found quite a few of other types, but only a few of the emerald coloured stones. He'd also found a diamond, rather large. Vanya kept it hidden. It was the most precious thing she owned. So rare and wonderful. One day she would turn it into a piece of jewelery for her first born daughter so that it may be passed down.
Vanya thought back to Taarab's first comment. Another piece of jewelery for herself.. She wondered if he wouldn't mind making her something new; a surprise. She'd ask him once he was done helping her.
"Is there anything else you're working on besides the gauntlets?" She asked, part making small conversation, part wanting to see the wonderful things he was making.
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Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 10:04 pm
"Then they should be wrapped and set in wires in a leaf design.." Taarab mused, more to his self than anything else, tracing designs in the air with one talon as he pondered over with an unfocused gaze, trying to think of the best design that would hold them rather snug while still showing off most of the stone as well as being decorative.
So focused on figuring out how to set the stones, he almost missed her comment. He blinked a little in confusion, brain going over the question again, "Other... oh! Right. Well.."
The artist tapped the back of his claws with soft little ticks on the the side of the fallen natural column, "I've been teaching my son, Sulo, how to make pottery since it seems to interest him, under order of his mother, Mistress Aylin. Though he's currently at his classes in the nursery." He smiled slightly, tipping his head a little unconsciously, proud and honored by the fact that their oracle had selected him as her Protected stallion.
It had given him more freedoms and the mark signifying he was hers was proudly displayed the purple feathers he had crafted into an accessory to mark her claim, even if he was more than allowed to have excursions with other mares, so he thought fondly of it, "I've also been working with the weavers and those that stitch the fabrics gathered from the human offering posts by familiars -- blankets are growing in popularity for spreading across nests. As are 'pillows'. And of course, the brewers, but we're in a lull currently."
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Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 7:04 am
Vanya smiled fondly as he traced the design in the air. She tried to follow along, but his movements were too skilled and too fast for her to make any sene. Not that it mattered; he'd show her how it was done as he went along.
Vanya listened to his words, always enjoying hearing about other projects he was working on or other forms of craft that were becoming more popular and available in the guild. She wanted to try them all. Pottery sounded like a wonderful art. She could make beautiful vases to hold flowers. The smell would be heavenly. "I'd love to learn pottery!" She exclaimed with glee. "Perhaps one day your son will be my teacher, rather than you." She laughed at the thought of his whole line teaching her new things rather than the thought of a male holding a role such as a teacher over a female. It wasn't like her to think things like that.
Vanya eyed the charm tied in his hair, the oracle's feathers fluttering in the breeze that blew past. She felt a pang of something.. but brushed it off and focused her eyes on something ahead of them, lids half closed. Blankets, eh? She imagined they would come in handy for those who don't have a stallion to warm their nests. Pillows she was interested in. The nest she currently resided in was scratchy. In the future she planned on asking for a cave for her and her harem to reside in. Pillows would come in handy. "I may have to ask for some pillows in the future. They should would make things a lot more comfortable."
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Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:15 pm
"Oh, pillows are wonderful -- I have one in my working nest." Taarab laughed, motioning towards the overhanging rock, near enough to the kilns for warmth but far enough away to not be a fire hazard, "Though a thick blanket woven out of pieces of scrap fabric also makes for a wonderful nest cover. Its something the untaloned can make with their teeth and the threading tool made for them, and can have some pretty colors to them.."
The stallion pondered a little bit, sharp eyes flitting slightly as he looked around the artisan guild ,thinking of the various crafts about. A flitting flash of color catches his eyes and he then carefully put the gems back into their roll so he doesn't lose them, "I think perhaps you should keep these a little longer until we can get them set -- Jaylyn would likely take one and stick it into one of the pottery pieces if left alone with them. Care to take a bit of a tour while we discuss designs for your bracelet?"
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Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 6:04 pm
Vanya smiled thoughtfully. A blanket may indeed be something that could come in handy when she didn't have a male to warm her nest. Perhaps, when she has a cave of her own, she could use one as a seating mat. She would have to learn about sewing, now that her mind was invisioning beautiful drapes hanging around her cave; sashes for herself, blankets and pillows. She shivered with excitement.
Pottery intriqued her, too. She had a lot of items with no place to store them, which risked them being damaged. Perhaps she would comission Taarab's son; or Taarab himself for some trinket boxes - at least to use until she learnt to make her own.
Vanya's own eyes caught the flash of colour and she took up the bag with the gems in it, clutching it tightly to her chest. Pavone would surely have a fit if he found out she'd lost the gems he'd spent so long looking for.
She smiled and stood. "Of course, I always love seeing what others are working on and the new tools." She eyed his working nest. "You don't sleep with Aylin every night?" Vanya asked curiously. It was no secret that Taarab was Aylin's; she simply assumed they shared her nest every night.
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Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 1:23 pm
The question resulted in a soft chuckle from Taarab, who shook his head, "its rather difficult to share a nest with Aylin, seeing as most of her time is spent in the old territories, half a moons walk from here if the weather is good and you keep a good pace."
The artisan lead the way through the karst collapse, the different work areas set either on the outsides of their own little caves or separated by walls made from the rubble that had once been the roof of the ancient structure, circling the common area in the center where the underpath of the natural bridge, the spring fed stream going out the passage to join the mighty river to the west, "Its sometimes hard to know when she comes and when she goes since she spends time in the priestess area or with the queen when she visits. But she does visit me, though sometimes she shares her nest with another stallion for the night."
The statement held no jealousy, instead a hint of pride -- the priestess was incredibly picky, and he helped hand pick some volunteer stallions from his guild that fit her minimum requirements for a possible sire. He was still her favorite, and he was under her protection to signify her interest in his abilities to better the flock needing a little more guidance in who to pair with, as well as give him the freedoms necessary to do his work for the guild with greater frequency. His ability to pick her possible partners was something considered another invaluable skill and another reason to be given escort from location to location, wherever other stallions where, to check up on them and observe their traits, strengths, and personalities.
They arrived in the weavers section as the flit of colors that was Jaylyn swooped in carrying the shed feather Vanya had plucked and set aside earlier, Swooping in and pestering a brightly colored Raccoon, flapping around her loom as the sow swatted with Frustration to keep Jaylyn away from the thick patterned blanket she was working on, trying to tie the feather to the strands, making a chittering noise to show her seriousness. The pale stallions approach cleared his throat, "Jaylyn -- perhaps you should trim the feather a bit and ask around if anyone needs it for their project before you try sticking it into Cashmere's work?"
The Crested Raven sighed, pausing on the loom to look at the feather a bit in thought, before heading towards to sharp flint and metal trimmer tools used for fabrics and fibers to clean up the imperfection that had caused Vanya's disposal of it.
Cashmere let out a soft sigh of relief, a hand going to her chest before she turned towards Taarab and Vanya, "thank you, Taarab -- She's been a little flightier than usual lately." She jestured at the Corvid, who was now tucking the feather into a headdress design and looking it over thoughtfully, before trying to adjust it and make it work the way they wanted, "I keep telling her that this is supposed to be a nestcover or a matt and not a tapestry or decorative drape, so any additions would either break or make it uncomfortable."
Turning her attention to the mutant hippogryphs once more, she finally noted the mare with him before she bowed respectfully, "Ah... I don't believe we've met before, at least not one on one. I'm Cashmere, one of the weavers. My sister Angora is in the back making dyes with some of the other weavers. How may I be of assistance?"
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:26 am
Vanya nodded thoughtfully. For some reason, she was glad he didn't share a bed with Aylin all the time. She shook that feeling away. It was much too confusing and he was claimed; available only if Aylin approved. Perhaps she should visit her. Taarab was one of the more aesthetically pleasing stallions of the flock. He was also quite sought after, given his position in the Artisan's Guild and his position when it came to Aylin. He would certainly make a suitable breeding partner.
But she would have to ask permission and to Vanya that seemed so.. odd. She wasn't used to asking for things; they were simply given to her. But still.. She eyed Taarab carefully from the corner of her eye, noting the sparkle in his eyes as he spoke of his work. He was always nice to her, respectful but not over bearing. And his talents.. God's she was always amazed by his skill; the way his claws worked so delicately to create such beautiful works. She thought of her bells. They were so tiny, so beautiful that she sometimes forgot they were something that was crafted.
"Perhaps some nights you might wish to warm my nest." The words came out before she could stop them and she blushed lightly, turning her head. "If Aylin permitted it, of course." She walked briskly ahead, suddenly more interested in the workings than she had ever been before. She felt the air rush over her as the bird flew over her and she spied the feather. At least it was going to good use; normally she threw them away. She would make sure to send any she preened to The Guild.
"Vanya," she responded with a smile. "Oh, don't mind me. I'm just marveling at your work. You're quite talented." She gave a nod towards the weaving she was doing currently. "I'll be sure to commission something when you're not busy."
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Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:17 pm
Cashmere grinned, pleased with herself and amused that Taarab hadn't quite caught Vanya's words, peering at some of the latest finished projects and some of the dying fabrics, clearly itching to touch some but not wanting to stain his digits.
"Thank you Sister Vanya. If you'd like, after your conversation is finished, I could show you some of our finished works so you can see what sort of things are available for you to choose from. While we Raccoons can produce some of the most delicate workings, but even those not blessed by the spirits with the Claws of your Ancestral Root-mother can, with the right tools, can weave some lovely, thick mats for nest covers."
Taarab, not fully paying attention to her words as he peered at Cashmere's latest weave, softly parroted Vanya for a moment, "If Aylin Permitted of cou- wait what?" He blinked in and slight confusion, reaching back to what he heard rather than what he caught and going over her words again in his head, this time actually paying attention to the full sentence, his eyes squinted slightly in thought. His eyes widened then "Oh! Warm your nest.. Literally or, as some of the other stallions and mares put it, to 'entertain' you for a few nights?"
He smiled teasingly, eyebrows raising a bit. While he was still protected, he was in some ways not as protected as he had been, as his mother was no longer staring down any mare who dare approach 'her property' incorrectly and not go to her first as he was now Aylin's to mind. He had a few mares flirt with him now, but most disliked having to plan ahead for their trysts and simply wanted spur of the moment courtships when the mood for a stallion struck them, which kept him from being exhausted and constantly taken away from his abilities but amorous mares, "Well, it'd be wonderful to spend time with a fellow artisan, especially one as lovely as yourself."
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Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 9:06 pm
Vanya smiled down at the raccoon, nodding her head. "That sounds lovely. Perhaps next time I visit you can try and teach me a thing or two." Eying Cashmere's work more closely, she gave another nod. "Your work truly is beautiful."
Taarab's voice drew her attention away and she looked at him, eyes widened. Entertainment.. He was so forward and she found herself blushing deeply, much to her embarrassment. Bowing her head, she suddenly became interested in the ground in all its gloriousness. She shifted the weight between her legs for a few seconds and, once she was sure she'd regained her composure and lost the hue to her cheeks, looked up at him.
"I was speaking in the literal sense. Though I suppose if Aylin permitted then.." She cleared her throat, leaving the rest to his imagination. His compliments had her blushing once more and she mumbled a thanks, the ground the most fascinating thing in the world once more.
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