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 Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:12 pm
 Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, the tall Shadow wondered quietly as he landed heavily on a thick branch. Safely guarded inside his pack were the rare and valuable Winter flowers he’d come to collect for an Apothecary but facing the current situation, the plants didn’t look like they were worth what we would later trade for them anymore.
The dark sentinel’s eyes darted in every direction. So much white. So much, in fact, that he stood out like a Lani in a flock of Parus. Feeling a little insecure (as if it wasn’t enough the cold was taking its toll on his sleek body), Chase hopped to a higher branch. His Shadow plumage was but a small protection against the brisk wind that whistled every now and then or the tiny snowflakes that lazily dropped from the sky.
Unsure of whether to look for shelter or simply begin his flight back South, the Gatherer decided on a compromise. Head home, yes… but should he pass near a suitable shelter, well, there was no point in refusing a little grace from Noctus when one was graciously given. Outstretching his wings, the dark sentinel dropped from the branch and rid the currents with ease, narrowing his eyes against the wind as the small blizzard threatened to reduce visibility even further.
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Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 2:52 pm
Silk flew towards his roost returning from his hunt. He began humming softly to himself as he looked up at the sky and frowned. The clouds were darkening ominously and he could smell snow in the air. He shivered despite his warm feathers, he disliked blizzards. The weather had been very strange lately and he hoped this storm would not be a long one.
As he closed in on his home, large snowflakes began to fall gently from the sky. Silk picked up his speed, nothing worse than flying in snow. As the flakes thickened the air he thought he saw something in the distance, like a shadow. Nervously he looked again at the spot he saw the dark shape but it was gone. Not wanting to find out what the shadow could have been he made a final practiced swoop at the entrance of his home and landed lightly in the nook.
Looking around he sighed at the mess of old pellets and warn nesting. He suddenly he felt quite alone, it had been quite some time since he had talked to anyone. The weather had prevented a lot of travel, everyone wanting to stay close to familiar territory and guaranteed shelter.
'Curse the weather.' he thought. With another deep sigh he began to shove the old nesting bits from his roost. If there was going to be a blizzard he might as well be comfortable.
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Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 7:27 pm
Chase was certain he had seen something. He wasn’t of what but… it was something big. Something colorful! “Big and colorful” was rarely a threat (and usually a sentinel) so the gatherer aligned himself with sturdy branch landing rather gently in it but still causing a curtain of snow to drop below.
That way, Chase thought to himself before dropping and moving towards the last place he’d seen the colorful shape. He circled a group of trees with keen eyes looking for any sign of color or movement. He was almost giving up when he noticed “things” coming out from a large opening in a tree. An opening large enough to fit a sentinel.
Well, he had hoped to find an unoccupied shelter… Chase hated to disturb sentinels in their homes. Still, the gatherer didn’t think anyone would be too territorial in a situation like this and it wasn’t if he any other options at the moment as the snow threatened to freeze his wings mid-flight.
The large shadow dropped to a closer branch where he’d be in plain sight to anyone in the hollow and hooted a hesitant call that clearly said “I’m terribly sorry to intrude”, ready to move should the occupant feel intent on driving him away. But no one would do that to a poor (shadow) fellow trapped in this weather… would they?
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Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 1:34 pm
As Silk's roost began to resemble less of a hovel he began to smile at his handy work. Turning to remove the last bits from the nook, there at the entrance of his home was the dark shadow. With quite a start he hooted and jumped knocking his head on the low ceiling of his roost.
Pain immediately shot through his head as he landed roughly on the floor again. Dazed and bleary eyed he tried to focus on the dark shape. When he heard the soft hooted greeting he sighed with relief. A sentinel, thank goodness. Silk blinked a couple more times as his vision cleared.
Shakily he made his way to greet the weary traveler, suspecting he was seeking shelter from the snow.
"Startle me you did." Looking at the Shadow he then wondered why he was so far up north. Normally it was only the Mist gatherers that were seen in these parts. "Silk is my name. What brings you so far from home?" He made a motion to welcome him into his roost; further conversation in this weather would be foolish.
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Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 5:37 pm
Ah, the fellow looked nice enough. He didn’t even wait to invite the shadow inside. Chase obliged quickly, shaking the snow from his body before entering the hollow, lowering his head a little as he did.
“Thank you.” Chase said with a quick nod before he preened a few chest feathers. “I’m terribly sorry for the sudden approach,” he would’ve been even sorrier had he caught the previous commotion. From what he could pick up from the tone (and perhaps the feather dye as well), the mist looked rather a rather amiable sentinel which instantly put the gatherer at ease. “… but I was a little surprised by the weather. I could barely see a wingspan ahead of me. I’m Cloudchaser, but please do call me Chase. A gatherer, at your service.”
And with that final introduction the shadow nodded again. He eyed the hollow with a polite interest before suddenly realizing the other had asked a question he hadn’t answered yet.
“Winter flowers. For an apothecary. Though I’m afraid I got a little carried away with the snow – I don’t see it that often, you see – and I ended up extending my journey a little further. Not a wise decision as my current situation seems to suggest.” He had a timid smile across his beak much like a child admitting a silly mistake but there were no other signs to imply he wasn’t feeling completely at ease.
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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 2:44 pm
"Not to worry," Silk replied hoping to sound reassuring and dispel some of the Shadow's worries. He nodded with agreement, "Unpredictable the weather can be at times. Besides not often do I get guests way up here."
With the snow began to fall more furiously, Silk hoped it wouldn't last too long, he had hoped to go to his favourite singing perch before the night was done. Fluffing his feathers and giving them a quick preening, he was feeling quite cozy in moments. With the extra sentinel in his roost it had quickly warmed up as well and the bite of the cold was no longer there. He was very glad he had arrived home when he had, it would have been very cramped and uncomfortable with the old nesting.
He looked at Chase curiously, "Winter flowers? Seen those I have not for several months around these parts. Very far north you must have flown." Then a thought crossed his mind. "Why travel so far for the flower? Certainly important it must be to brave this fickle weather."
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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:22 pm
Chase’s eartufts twitched excitedly at the word “guest” and he settled more comfortably, noticing how the temperature slowly rose inside the hollow.
“Oh, I know a few good spots.“ the gatherer said with a chuckle with his wide smile being quickly replaced by mock seriousness.“Actually it’s no secret… every gatherer in the area must know them. To the northwest there’s a rather large cliff and we can find all sorts of treasures at the base. I couldn’t find any daphnes this time which is a shame but I found a good supply of sweetbox and filled the rest of the pack with honeysuckle. I’d show it to you but then it would be hard to get the smell out. Though I find the combination quite lovely actually. A soft mixture of lemon and vanilla, it’s hard to describe.”
Smiling again, the shadow extended a wing to better show his wing accents.
“It’s a bit bothersome sometimes, I admit. But it’s quickest way to pay for the dye jobs I get after every moult season. I trade for the dyes directly at the apothecary and then an artisan friend of mine applies them in exchange for some berries. We’re all childhood friends so it works out nicely.” Mmm, he talking too much about himself. That wouldn’t do especially when he was a guest here. “You have a lovely dye job. It’s based on a butterfly, isn’t it? Are you a bard by any chance?”
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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:56 pm
Silk's pride swelled, he always loved to hear how beautiful his feathers were and of course leaped at the chance to show off a bit. He turned around and spread his wings so as to show off the elaborate patterns. "Tiger Moth my colours be based on. Costly the dye is, but worth it I think it is." He flared his wings a little further before closing them and returning to face his guest.
His smile did not fade as Silk continued with a light chuckle in his voice, "Bard I am not, my singing lacks a certain venous one could say. To be one is my dream though, so practice everyday I must." Then a thought crossed his mind and his eyes lighted with the thought, "By chance would you like to hear a song?"
Even though he knew he did not sing well, Silk knew a bard always needed to practice in front of an audience. Maybe his singing had improved! The little song birds that lived in the tree next to his practicing spot had not woken in a flutter last night. Then another thought crossed his mind, though it could have been that they had moved to a new spot because of his racket. He shrugged off that depressing thought as he heard the wind howl outside.
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 11:39 am
“Tiger moth… how interesting!” Chase started with a smile, silently amused by the watcher’s way of speech. “Of course I’d love to hear a song. But I don’t want to impose on you too much.”
He was being offered shelter and entertainment! Chase decided he’d have to come back soon and bring the watcher some kind of offering for his kind hospitality. Something big… like a rabbit or a hare.
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:47 pm
With delight Silk adjusted himself and raised his head up high so as to look as noble as he could. With a deep breath he broke into song.
How far must one go,
to find their own way?
Which way to go?
Never I will know.
Every night is a new way,
a flight up to the stars.
A wish to capture songs,
in the blowing wind.
Don't need reason
Forever on I will fly...
Silk's spirit deflated a little when he heard the notes crack when he began the song. It was his first time he had shared one of his personal tunes and it did not sound the way he heard it in his head. He sighed a little as he broke off the tune. If the song could not be sung properly he would not finish it.
"My apologies, it is not the way the song should sound. Continue my studies, and then try again for you I will." He tried to smile bravely but he felt the ache of disappointment inside. 'Why am I cursed with this voice!' He thought savagely.
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:36 pm
The minute the song started Chase wondered if it was too late to leave the hollow. The blizzard outside did kill that idea in an instant but he questioned his previous thought of returning with a large gift. He stretched his imagination in every possible direction, looking for something polite to say for when his opinion was asked (for he was sure the watcher would ask him) and he - as the idiot who had strayed into a blizzard - wasn’t quite sure what to say to his kind host. Was honesty always the best option? He was never one to consider little white lies as an option.
Silk’s obvious disappointed left the gatherer speechless for a few moments as he realized the host was well aware of how the song had sounded. But did that make things easier or more difficult? He didn’t want to sound preachy or condescending or even try to sway the watcher from his objective. He didn’t really know what to say.
“Well, even if not quite ready to hit the stage, the lyrics and melody are rather beautiful… is it an original? I don’t think I’ve ever heard it before.” He said calmly at last trying to keep the mood light. “Don’t be too hard on yourself, Silk. I’m sure you’ll improve if you keep practicing. It was just a little out of tune…”
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Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:39 pm
At the compliment to his lyrics and melody, Silk felt his spirits lift again. He didn't like feeling depressed about his music but it could be really trying at times. "The song is an original." He chirped happily. "To perform it perfectly is a dream of mine. Five moons have passed since first I heard it in my head. Though my neighbours probably wish it had stayed there." Laughing a little he felt the last bit of tension and disappointment leave his body. "Thank you for your kind words, not many do I get when sharing any song."
Fluffing his feathers, Silk poked his head momentarily out his nook's entrance and promptly pulled it back in. Snow covered one side of his face with thick, plump flakes. "Worse it has become outside." He said as he shook the snow away. "Only a brief huff I hope.
Silk smiled at his guest reassuringly, he hoped that Chase didn't feel too put out at being in his home. He was enjoying having the company immensely and then an idea crossed his mind, "Love to visit the spot where the winter flowers you found grow. A very inspiring place to practice it would be."
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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 2:14 pm
”I’m sure you’ll get it right soon.” And the gatherer really wished with all his heart those words would come true. “You must work really hard to pay for such an elaborate dye job. Did you become a watcher right after graduation?”
Chase tilted his head slowly to the side, eyeing the mist (well, at least he believed his host was a mist under all that dye) before his gaze turned to the entrance with a smile. He liked positive sentinels.
“Yes, hopefully brief… although I must say, it’s rather pleasant in here.” Chase preened a chest feather absent-mindedly. “You’d like it, I think. It’s a lovely spot even if not the safest place during the sunset and sunrise hours. There are a few small carnivorous creatures down there and even if they’re not usually interested in sentinels, there’s really no need for one to tempt fate. Especially considering the shortage of prey that we've been seeing lately.”
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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:51 am
"Never give up and some day I will succeed!" Silk's smile broadened as he thought of the possibility of being a master bard. "Yes a watcher I became, no other task did fit." He looked absently up at the ceiling of his roost as he thought of the horrible ranger trials. It had been an absolute disaster in the formations and he had trouble keeping focused all day when given orders to be a look out. It had been horridly boring. Gathering had been just as bad, he hated the ground, it was dirty and filthy. This had repeated itself through each task. The only one that would have fit was being a bard except he couldn't sing so he had resigned to being a watcher.
"Try many task I did. The rangers no focus I had and well, gathering was too dirty." Silk shuddered at the thought then continued, "Expensive my dye job is but the colours I love. Luckily a decent hunter I am so trading fine meat is what I do."
The sound of the clearing sounded enticing except for the carnivorous creatures, hopefully though there were tall trees that would easily remedy the problem, unless they could climb. "Sounds wonderful but during practice it is hard to hear if one is being sneaked up on. If there be tall trees then worry I wouldn't have to, unless they are tree dwellers."
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Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 7:34 pm
Chase listened to the watcher’s words with smile but his expression froze and his eartufts dropped when he heard his task being described as “dirty”. He stared at his talons for a few moments as he organized his thoughts.
“Well, there are some stubborn trees that somehow manage to grow on the rocky cliffside. It’s a safe location just as long as one doesn’t wander around the ground without a watchful eye… or two. I saw a marten once so the trees might not be entirely safe… but I’m sure most animals would keep their distance.” He tried to dodge the whole task subject but he felt he had to say something. If he bottled it up, it would fester inside his mind and the shadow might spend the next week thinking of the things he could’ve said – like it had happened after he’d met that rotten Sly fellow. So when he lifted his eyes back to Silk he was smiling – not widely but still keeping a rather pleasant expression and the gatherer’s eartufts rose slowly back into place.
“I suppose I was in a similar situation after graduation for… different reasons. I was being pulled in different directions without really knowing what task to choose and ended up a Gatherer just to defy… a family member. Although… I must say that I really do love the task now and don’t really find it ah... dirty. I’m rather proud of it, actually.”
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