|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 2:33 pm
**This was an rp begun in AIM.
Painted Moose:
The region of Zena had proven time and time again to be far more than the young swordsman had bargained for. Callum had been at risk for hypothermia, destroying his relationship, and dismemberment by aggressive weywa. While he couldn't say this adventure had been boring, he was beginning to suspect that what he was in sore need of was a quiet day off.
Against the grey and blue landscape Callum blended right in. His snowy appearance left little to stand out against the tundra, making him a less likely target for bandits as he traversed the main road outside of Zidel. Without a clue as to where he was going, or what he would be doing the young man pressed on. A fierce wind cut through his hair, tousling the wavy strands about his ears before settling in wild fashion about his head.
What he should be doing was finding Faulina. His kinfa had yet to make her presence known since they had settled in Zidel, and Callum had been worried for the avian. Was she doing alright in the cold? Was she getting enough to eat?
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 2:35 pm
While her mother was in town doing shopping, Aaricia spent her time exploring just outside the city. She'd found roati tracks, and had been following them for some time now. At the least, catching one would be useful! ..Not that she had anything to hunt with...
Still, she pursued until she came upon the little group. Most of them were nearly as big as she was, but that didn't stop her from sneaking as close as she could before pouncing. The roati squeaked and scattered, and Aaricia laughed with delight as she flopped into the snow. Unbeknownst to her, there was a small roati under the snow where she landed! She yelped with surprise at the sudden movement beneath her, gasping as her arms wrapped around the squirming critter. Mama would be so proud!
Now, she just had to hold onto it until mother returned... but the roati wiggled incessantly, making holding onto it difficult for the girl. Pursing her lips, she headed for the main road to go toward to town. Maybe mother would be on her way out by now?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 2:36 pm
Painted Moose:
Callum placed a hand just over his eyes so that he could block out the sunlight while looking into the sky. There was no sign of his rambunctious kinfa, which left him curious. Faulina normally wasn't a reclusive creature, and would never have hid herself unless injured. Please be okay, baby girl.
Pushing forward through the snow Callum found himself circumnavigating the city until he'd returned to the very spot he had set out from. He didn't dare go out further without alerting his lover, but what if he waited too long and-
Oh, wait, there she was.
Callum's smile was somewhat tempered, though, by the speed at which Faulina was descending. The large avian seemed to have her sights on something; a snack, no doubt. Typical. Lowering his gaze made Callum's blood shudder. Logically he knew his kinfa wanted the roati as her prize, but the child clinging onto it was going to be struck as well!
Great, and powerful orchid wings beat through the wind, claws extended to scoop up her meal when a very loud, very sharp succession of three whistles caused Faulina to emit a shrill cry before reascending into the sky. She didn't go far, however; just a few feet above the child's head before landing solidly in the snow. Callum ran for all he was worth towards the trio, hand gripping the hilt of his sword to keep it from smacking against his legs as he moved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 2:41 pm
Aaricia wobbled side to side as she fought for control of her catch, determined to get it to town. She was utterly oblivious to the silent threat above, so focused on her prize. The sharp whistles startled her, making her jump and yelp, gripping the roati tight as wide eyes darted around for the source. Then there was another sharp cry from behind, and a large shadow crossed over her, the mass sweeping a wind by her so that her braid fluttered. Belatedly, she let out a shriek, dropped the roati, and ducked to the ground. Gasping heavily, she curled into a ball, covering her head with her hands. What had that been?! She could hear the footsteps, but she was too petrified to move! Was the thing coming to eat her?!
Freed, the roati turned and scurried away from the scene. It wasn't going to stick around!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 2:44 pm
Painted Moose:
Faulina might have been contained, had the roati not scurried away. She cawed once more before raising her large wings, bustling up a flurry of snow around the two earthlings while she took off in chase. Callum had thought his kinfa would be contained, but once Faulina's stomach settled on a target she couldn't' be dissuaded.
His attention was drawn away from the avian to the child hunkered down atop the frozen ground. She was darker than the earthlings, and yet her hair reminded him of their ilk. She's a hybrid. Not that it mattered much to him; the swordsman knew, hybrid or not, that she was frightened. Moving closer to her, Callum lowered himself into a crouch and placed a comforting hand on her back. "It's alright, you're safe now."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 2:45 pm
Aaricia shrieked at the ground again, curling tighter as that horrible sound stabbed her ears again. 'Please don't kill me! Please don't kill me!' It was bad enough when she knew what was trying to kill her. This was a whole new level of scary!
Trembling in her ball, she shrieked yet again at the touch to her back. However, it was followed by a gentle voice... Blinking, she continued holding still for a moment. She was still alive? ...When she felt brave enough, she slowly raised her head to look up at whoever was there.
Wow!! He was pretty! She could barely tell him from the snow!
From there, her eyes darted around cautiously. "Is it.. gone?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 2:47 pm
Painted Moose:
For a moment Callum's hand still, afraid that he was doing more damage than good by touching the child. Hesitantly he touched her once more, this time rubbing soothing circles on her little hunched bank. Callum made little soothing murmurs in the hopes of calming her frayed nerves. What if she worked herself up into a tizzy, and became ill later because of it? He would never be able to forgive himself.
At first he hadn't even noticed she was looking up at him, so focused was he on watching Faulina leave. He could just barely make out a pink figure diving down into the snow, a far off shriek of the roati confirming what he knew to be a successful kill. When his soft hoary eyes returned to the child he smiled. "Yes, she's gone. I'm sorry that she scared you; Faulina only wanted the roati." Callum wanted to tell the child that his kinfa would never harm him, but as the avian had an extreme dislike of females, admitting such a thing would be a bold faced lie. "Are you okay? Can you stand?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 2:51 pm
Faulina? Aaricia's brow knit as she straightened a little more. "Wh-what's a faulina? Do they always do that? ..Shouldn't we leave before it comes back?" Wanting the roati or not, it was only polite to ask first! Though, wild animals wouldn't ask, right? Of course not.
Though she still trembled from the fright, she nodded and carefully pushed herself up to stand. "It didn't get me. ..Just really scary."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 2:55 pm
Painted Moose:
"Faulina is the name of the kinfa that almost attacked you. They're very large, feathered flyers who come from Tale, and they only do that when they spot something they want to eat." Or if they were upset, though he didn't quite feel the need to share that tid bit at the moment. "She'll most certainly come back, but she won't hurt you, not with me here. She's my friend." Even as he spoke there was a warmth to his words; Faulina meant a great deal to him and it showed. "I guess I've spoiled her so much that she's become a brat." Callum chuckled.
Rising up to stand as well, Callum brushed off bits of snow from his pants, and reoriented the sword at his hip. "Was the roati one of yours?" He asked tentatively. If the creature had been one she'd just purchased, a favored pet, or one she was taking to market then Callum would owe her for the damages.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 3:13 pm
As the stranger described the mystery monster, and his relationship with it, Aaricia's brow rose high with surprise. That scary thing was his friend?!
As quickly as that shock came, she shoved it back down with hot cheeks. She knew better than to judge based on looks. People had many levels; just like she did. "I'm glad she has someone nice like you," she murmured softly, keeping her head bashfully down.
When the stranger mentioned the roati, Aaricia gasped and looked around. Oh no! Shoulders slumping, she sighed and clasped her hands together. "I'd just caught it. ..I was going to take it to the market." Well, that plan was a bust. There was no way she would get so lucky twice in one day. Brow knitting, she looked up at the man apologetically. "I'm sorry if that ruined Faulina's dinner. Mama says snacking before dinner is bad for your tummy."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 6:22 pm
The corner of Callum's mouth quirked up with his head canting just so to the opposite side. His tousled curls shifted as well, wrapping themselves loosely about his earrings. "You are very sweet to say so. You shouldn't be so bashful, though; a pretty girl like yourself should carry her head high." For all anyone knew she could have held royal blood within her little veins. Shyness was sweet in it's own way, but he much preferred an open, unreserved personality.
"It is bad for your tummy." At least, Callum assumed so. He had never had much in the way of excess food growing up so 'snacking' had never been a concern. "Faulina's going to get a tummy ache, and she'll deserve it." He grinned, holding a gloved hand out to the girl. "How about we go round up another roati, maybe a few, so that you can get back to your mama?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2016 9:18 pm
Carry her head high? Eyes lighting up, she looked up at the man with a smile. "That's what mama says, too!" And this guy was weird looking, so he would know to hold his head up! Pretty, but certainly weird looking. She didn't think he had any ice blood in him...
She had to giggle lightly, reacting to the stranger's grin. She did think that Faulina deserved a tummy ache as well, but she wasn't going to say that out loud. "You'll help me get another one?" she asked with a gasp, quickly reaching to take his hand. "Thank you! Mama will be extra surprised if we came with two!"
With a little gasp, she turned and gave the man a short curtsy. "My name is Aaricia. What is yours?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 6:55 am
"Your mother is a very smart woman then." It was so encouraging to see a hybrid child with a supportive family. He knew from personal experience that more often than not this wasn't the case, and exceptions to that rule were rare. Her smile warmed him from the inside out because of how full of life the child seemed. Callum would have to tell Nimueh about her later.
"Well, if she's going to be surprised with two, how about we get three?" For an experienced adult roati wouldn't be that hard to catch. All that had to do was track the little beasties first. "My name's Callum. Do you remember where you found the first roati, Aaricia? If we can go back we might not have to hunt as long to get the others."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2016 10:08 am
The compliment to her mother had Aaricia nodding enthusiastically in agreement. "Yes, she is!" It was so common for her to hear insults and otherwise about her mother when she was out around others. She couldn't help instantly liking this man.
"Three?" she practically squeaked. "How are we gonna get three?" She'd been lucky just to catch the one! Maybe this man was a hunter? That had to be it. Callum. Weird, but pretty, just like the man himself! Lifting her chin, she nodded firmly. "I mighta scared them off from where I got the first one, but they should leave tracks in the snow. They're funny things to watch in the snow."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 9:03 am
"The same way we're going to get two," Callum chuckled. The wind picked up his free floating hair, dragging it across his face to the other side before he was able to push it back. That was the one, true thing he missed about having longer hair; all one had to do was pull it back to avoid having to mess with it. If he did it now there would be just a tiny stub of a ponytail, and he hated that sort of look.
"It's alright. You've got a great idea, so we can try finding their tracks first and see where that gets us." Of course, he didn't actually expect to find any tracks in the snow, not with a wind like this blowing. Callum wouldn't tell her that, though. Better to let her think it was possible, and then explore other options once they got there.
If all else failed, he would summon Faulina if she was still in the area and have her do the hunting. After all, she'd started this whole mess! "Are we getting close?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
