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 Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 8:02 am
The storm had passed, now nothing more than darker-than usual night skies, soggy perches, and far distant rumbling remained to tell of it. Clover and the rest of the crew had taken of not too long after the rains had ceased, and were now winging towards their destination. Of course, Clover had little interest in meeting this 'Rainbow Chaser' fellow...her Business was with Sly. But it had sounded like they lived close enough, and she was glad of the company.
"Won't your friend be surprised to have so many visitors all at once?" She called back over her shoulder (since when had she been leading the way?) to any of the sentinels behind her. It seemed they all were his friends, save Rosemary, whom she knew was his mother. Distantly she wondered if maybe she herself should stop home for a while and visit. Her parents did send regular parus-messages, but it wasn't the same...
She resolved to take time off for that in the near future, and sped up her flying. The storm had delayed her plans, and she was eager to catch up. They were near the river now, and Sly lived just off this way. She banked, expecting the others to fall away, headed to another territory, and was alarmed when they didn't at first. But then Rainbow Chaser might very well live on the far side of Sly's area, she supposed, where going around this way made more sense. She lit onto a branch and hooted softly to Sly, announcing she had arrived. "Hello! You're not busy, are you Sly?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:02 am
Rosemary had been thrilled by all the company that would be escorting her to her son. She had been spending a long time looking for Rainbowchaser’s territory, and worried that she would spend a lot longer finding it. This was especially difficult when she didn’t exactly have a place of her own to rest, and didn’t want to impose too much on Rosinweed’s hospitality.
Not only did she find the company thrilling, as she felt it brought her a bit closer than she had been to her own son by associating with his friends, but because of the potential danger she felt inside. She didn’t want to trouble the others with this concern, or ruin Rainbowchaser’s reputation in regards to his friends, but the security of numbers was something she was glad for. Surrounded by friends, she hoped he remained more accepting to her presence.
She couldn’t help but feel her heart beat faster and feel a heaviness in her own wings as she flew. Part of her felt this was a bad idea that could be a repeat of the first time she had wanted to see her son after he was dropped off at the Minder’s Enclave when he was young, but surely no one could hold a grudge for that long!
As Clover flew, Rosemary looked back and forth to Clover and then to the rest of the group, torn on which way to go. Clover was leading, but she had said she was visiting a friend, yet all of them were heading in the same direction. As Clover landed, Rosemary was about to fly over, but noticed the group descend and land as well. Following, she landed.
As Clover called out, Rosemary felt the insides of her twist. He was still going by that name, and the fact that he refused to use his given was something a mother like her felt bad about.
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Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:17 pm
Liam was bringing up the rear, feeling somewhat guilty. He was checking on the fledgling Sly had, that was all. It wasn't like a single male Hunter with a serpe was the ideal candidate for a single parent. Compassion, kindness, patience, tolerance, and wisdom were all needed to be a good parent, and the Rainbowchaser he remembered had none of those qualities. He still questioned what made the enclave that did turn a young Sentinel over to the Shadow. If Sly was proving to be a kind parent, Liam would leave with no hard feelings. But if something was wrong, one toe out of line, and that fledgling would be back in the enclave before you could say "Skurri." This was entirely about the fledgling. It wasn't about any sort of petty revenge, he kept telling himself. That little one is one of Noctus's gifts, and if Sly was hurting her in any way, he deserved everything Liam could bring down on his head. Right? Of course right. He waited somewhat distanced from the group, not wishing to be seen or heard until he had observed enough.
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Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 3:16 pm
Fjord drifted downward as they came to the territory that he dreaded going to. The fact that he was actually headed to see Sly made no sense to him, except that he must of had a death wish somewhere beneath his aberrant feathers.
He landed further down the limb that Rosemary had perched herself and as his orange hued eyes drifted towards her, he felt a pang of guilt. He was not a malicious being, by any means, but he knew very well that Sly would not be happy to see him. This would certainly spoil any happy family reunion business, not that Sly seemed to be the type to get all mushy. The fact that he was raising a fledgling, one of another type even, was strange enough news. Rosemary was too kind, too sweet to be saddled with such a burden as Sly...
Why couldn't it of been him, instead? Why couldn't be of been the one hatched to a specific type and under the guidance of such a sweet mother? He wasn't one to be particularly sentimental about such things. He didn't have bad feelings towards his parents (whoever they might of been) and he was content with being raised by minders. But...
If anyone deserved to be hatched healthy, of normal type, and with such a sweet and caring figure, it wasn't that Rainbowchaser.
"This is the place, I'm fairly sure." He told Rosemary with a faint nod and smile. "Hopefully he won't be too bothered by visitors at this time. I haven't seen him much since being at the Enclave." For obvious reasons. The last bit he added silently to himself.
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Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 10:30 pm
Rosemary nodded, circled with the three and feeling as if she had a guard around her. Her hope was for a simple, civil talk. If she could simply show she was around, and that she wanted to try and talk to him again, she could push on more concerning matters. The main test was to see if things hand changed. Seasons passed, and with absence, she hoped that with her last visit, he would have reflected upon it.
Breathing deep, she nodded. “Thank you for taking me here.” With that, she turned and waited for a response from deep into the territory.
Sly was at his enclave and was now watching Raine and inspecting her flying. He had criticized her on how her turns were not sharp enough, and that she hadn’t been as dedicated as she said she was. As hopeful for praise, she went into several drills, and Sly occasionally threw a comment here and there to keep her going, feeding the little fire that burned in her. After a while, they both took a break and were resting outside the enclave.
Preening, he heard the distant calling from Clover and turned his attention about. “Stay here.” He told Raine, and took off. Sly hadn’t expected another visit from Clover, but was just as pleased to have someone more his age about. A moment to talk about events and daily happenings was something he felt was needed about now, and he took off in the direction of Clover’s voice.
Only expecting Clover, he descended to a branch the moment he spotted her, but as he finally gripped the branch and was about to say hello, his eyes caught color. First it was Fjord, whom he hated without boundaries. To have his rival around and on his territory made him want to get ride a segment of his territory. There was no reason for Fjord to be here. When he spotted Liam, he wasn’t surprised though wasn’t thrilled. He was sure that once word on how Sly managed to get Raine without going to his enclave would lead the Minder to check up on him. What was most unexpected, and nearly unseen in the dark cover that usually hid Sly, was someone he didn’t expect to see ever again.
It was a good thing that the perch he picked as sturdy, else it would have snapped under his talons. Sly was well practiced with glaring, but his look spoke volumes that purely expressed hatred and nothing else. With such a large, unexpected gathering of Sentinels he didn’t like, he wondered what was the reason.
“What are you doing here?” He said, his voice pulsing hatred. It seemed his Will was radiating, as it wishing to push out but holding back.
“What are all of you doing in my territory?” No. He didn’t care why they were here. He didn’t want them here. He had a right to see who entered, and he didn’t want them here. His eyes directly went to Rosemary. There was no denying that he recognized her. “I want you all out of here.” If Dayga was around, once would wonder if the serpe had been the one to hiss those words.
Rosemary felt her feathers rise from the look. Apparently reflecting on the past was something Rain did not do, and it seemed it would be a practice he would never entertain.
“Rain.” Rosemary called out, hoping to curb him to at allow a moment of time. “I wanted to talk to you again. Your friends were kind enough to bring me here. Can we talk for just a moment? “ Her voice was pleading, and the already small Shadow seemed to shrink more despite her purpose.
“Once is enough.” He said, and started to turn. “Leave.” He stated, in a way that said something could happen if they didn’t. The fact that they were all here to watch this little exchange burned him to the core, and he made it a mental point to get back at each and every one of them.
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 12:02 am
Clover of course had been...bewildered at first when the flock landed. "No, I'm stopping here, not go-..." She trailed off. Rosemary had been first to land after her, and she'd intended to tell her that she should stick with the others...But Fjord's words had stopped that intent. What did he mean this was the place? This was Sly's land, she was sure, not Rainbow chaser's! It was all the flustered keeper could do to simply sit and preen herself agitatedly. Maybe they were stopping for directions...maybe it'd be faster to fly through Sly's land and they wanted permission.
It was only when she saw Sly land nearby, saw his nearly-pleasant look (a rarity indeed) molt into a fierce stare. Her eartufts flattened for a moment at his challenge, then perked again. Obviously there was something she was missing here. Sly had to know Fjord and the rest, she'd seen him with strangers and he was at the worst irate and guarded. Now he was angry.
She swiveled her head to look at Rosemary. Had she called him Rain? But he was Sly...and Rainbow Chaser was her son...She glanced between the two rapidly and could have fallen from her perch when the meaning clicked. "Sly is your son, Rosemary?" She felt she had to ask, just to be sure. She felt something unpleasant crawling in her gut. Surely the others had known that Sly...no, Rain...No, Sly. Sly was how he was. Part of her felt she wanted to leave the family business to the family. It wasn't her place to poke her beak in, but the sight of Rosemary, so meek under Sly's stare...well that just wasn't right some how. She grimaced, as the familiar ring in her ears seemed to swell with all the high emotions. Great, just what she needed.
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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:04 pm
Anger was welling up inside of Liam, not just for the rude way Rainbowchaser or Sly or whatever his name was addressed his mother. What idiot Minder would give a fledgling over to this cold creature? He knew there was no possible way that a Sentinel with this much hate for his own mother, the female who'd laid his egg, guarded it with her life, and even raised him until he was given to the enclave, the female, who obviously still cared about her son, inside of him was a fit father. Sternly, he called out to Sly. "Hold on a minute. I'm here to see that fledgling of yours. Enclave business. This is not a social call. I'm not leaving until I see her and I know that she's being well taken-care of- physically, mentally, and emotionally." Whatever ulterior motives he might have had were pushed to the back of his mind; he feared for the development of the poor little girl. The clan didn't need another plotter like Rainbowchaser, nor did they need somebody so disrespectful to their elders. Sly had never been known for his compassion; not when he was a fledgling, not when he was a Hunter. Fledglings were imperfect. They made mistakes. Now, maybe he's just this evil to his own mother. Maybe he has learned from the fledgling, Liam told himself. And maybe I'm lying to myself louder than a moulting Lani. All I know, is if she's unhappy, or stunted, I'll be doing everything in my power to get her into loving talons. More than ever, Liam had good reason not to trust the Shadow, and he would be damned if he was going to give a fledgling that reason, too.
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Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:31 am
The already tiny aberrant seemed to shrink under Sly's rather hateful glare, which seemed to be extended towards Rosemary and Liam with equal dislike. The creamy feathered bard couldn't help but to clack his beak as he repositioned himself on the limb and fluffed his feathers out in an attempt to look larger.
It was completely disrespectful the way Sly greeted his mother and for a moment the young bard was tempted to lash out with words, only he couldn't seem to find something that wasn't ill fitted. He really had no reason to be here, while Rosemary and Liam did. Still, the situation of the fledgling had him worried just as much as it worried Liam.
"Are you alright, Miss Rosemary?" He inquired almost meekly as he turned his orange gaze towards the brightly painted Shadow. Rainbowchaser didn't deserve her, not at all. The way he spoke to her... It wasn't a wonder she left him at the enclave, was it?
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Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:06 pm
Sly only clacked his beak in sharper response to Fjord’s noise and the sickening concern he had for ‘her’. Rosemary only gave a meek nod, playing the part of the shy, innocent Sentinel. And they say I know how to manipulate others. I’m sure if I pretended to be sweet and kind, I could worm emotions just as easily. The fact everyone was here for this unwanted event was in all ways causing him to loose his composure, and it for once, Sly was unable to hide it as well as he did everything else he did in life. His feathers puffed and it looked like they could practically curl at the ends with how much spite and hatred Sly was radiating. His eyes where slits, narrow and gleaming with yellow light more intense then the soft, timid eyes of Rosemary. The painted Shadow only tried to rise up once more, trying to hold ground, though expecting an attack.
“Business?!” Sly spat, hardly buying the excuse. “..and you decided to travel along with such a large party on business? I had rabbit bones that were easier to swallow than that, Liam.” He force, taking no care to dodge around his words in the way he usually did, where he said things without directly saying them. He hated them. He hated everyone present.
“ If you came to see Raine, you do so alone. I will no permit you with this…this group of Mus-brained owls invading my territory.” He spat, shooting his gaze to the party before returning them to Liam. “In fact, I don’t think I want Raine exposed to a Minder such as yourself. The type of Sentinels you fly with clearly shows some defect in judgment. I’ll take Raine to the Minder who gave her to me.” He then shot his eyes to Fjord.
“You shouldn’t even be here. What is your excuse? So easily fooled by a painted face. I’m surprised you haven’t crashed into a limb by now, you are so blind.”
He let his eyes glance over Clover. “I do not know what to say to you. To bring them all here.” His voice seemed to trail a moment before he finally addressed the one person he felt like speaking to the least.
“And you. I thought I told you to find a quite place in the woods to die.”
“Rain!” She shot out, clearly offended and opening her wings. “I only asked these people to help me find you. They aren’t at fault. Please don’t’ be angry at your friends, because of me. I just wanted to speak with you again. I was hoping –“
“No. No talking, and do not call me by that name. We parted ways long ago, and I have no intention of changing that. As I have said to you before. You made the decision. You live with it. There is no ‘forgetting’.”
Rosemary visibly shrank again, lowering her body on the branch. The tension in the air was thick, and she worried that if they continued like this, something might happen that she would feel responsible for.
“We should go.” She whispered, looking to Fjord, who was nearest to her.
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Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 5:17 pm
"I don't think you get it, Sly. This is a surprise visit. Not a check-up. I'm not so sure the Enclave wants Raine exposed to a parent such as yourself."
Liam barely managed to keep his tone civil. Really, what immaturity in somebody who'd been grown up for so long. He was just like a fledgling throwing a temper tantrum. Of course, some of us knew this visit would be antagonizing... But he pushed those thoughts down. You wouldn't trust a Lani with a hatchling for this very reason. This kind of temperament was the reason Liam didn't see Sly having hatchlings of his own.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:37 am
This was...all so very confusing. Sly...was Rainbowchaser. He had a child, an adopted one. He...hated his mother...Clover didn't know if she should feel bad for one side or the other, feel angry for being blamed for bringing them here when she'd had no idea, or over not being told the truth from at least one of those present...
Her feathers began to rise as anger won over confusion. She did not clack her beak--yet, but she couldn't bite back a faint hiss. "I didn't bring them here under the pretense of bothering you. They didn't tell me we were looking for the same person. That you were the same person..." She glanced at Rosemary, cowering, then back at Sly. "I came for a casual visit. I want no part in your squabbles, especially if you are going to blame me in part of them! Good bye, Sly..." She half-hissed before turning her back and departing in an angry rush of feathers and wing beats. Would she come back again? Perhaps...perhaps not.
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Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 7:52 pm
Fjord couldn't help but to feel guilty for his actions.
Not because it caused any discomfort to Sly, no. He didn't give a mus's behind about the ill tempered Shadow that had tormented him for so long. He felt bad for Rosemary, who had visibly tucked into herself and was much smaller than the runty aberrant had remembered her being only a few moments ago.
And then there was poor Raine, who was being exposed to this foul sentinel on a nightly basis. He couldn't help but to worry over her, although he had never met her.
"Perhaps we ought to stay, just until Liam sees the fledgling... You know, for her own safety and in the event we might be needed?" He spoke softly back to Rosemary. As much as he wanted to leave, he feared leaving Liam and Sly alone.
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Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:24 am
Sly was trying to address too many concerns at once. Liam was still persistent, pushing the topic of meeting Raine. He would just let her go see her, but the principle of the matter was that he came with a entire flock of people to aggravate him. That was a complete show of disrespect, as if he needed an audience or at least back up. Well, he sure the Noctua needed one now. If Liam so much as made a wrong move, he would push him off his smug branch and out of his territory. He didn’t care if Liam hated him. The feeling was mutual. He didn’t care if Liam was a Minder. Sly was a Hunter and in his mind, that was more valuable. He was in the right for his actions. “Is that so? Well the Enclave never voice their concern until now. I wonder how they will feel if their own Minders take unqualified members with them on trips such as these without having the common sense to tell t hem to leave. Are you that afraid of me, or are you that much of a coward to not just do your job right and tell people off. Honestly, being a Minder might as well have made you a fledgling.”
As this, Clover was voicing her concern, and Sly turned to her, surprised. “Clover!” He called out, but she was already taking off without any signs of coming back. Mus-guts! He would need to get back on her good side. Parus-droppings, this was all their fault.
Rosemary looked to Fjord, her expression confused as to why he would say such a thing. “Why would you say that?” She said, her body rise and honestly confused. Her eyes turned to Sly, and she swelled. “Sly, are you hurting a fledgling?!” She couldn’t believe it. Was he still….was he getting worse? Was he now moving on to larger game? His own kind?! The very thought of Sly tormenting a little fledgling caused her heart to sink.
To this, Sly turned to her, eyes narrowed once more. “Don’t you start with that!” He pushed, not needing that to be brought up in front of both Fjord and Liam. He wasn’t about to entertain all of this. He didn’t need any of this. “All of you, go away. If you so much as follow me, I’ll tear you into pieces.” With that, he turned and flew to his home.
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Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 4:03 pm
((I'm so so so so sorry it's taken me so long to do this... I think my Noctua muse is coming back, thank heavens!))
Liam was absolutely flabbergasted. If Rosemary thought that Rainbow Chaser was liable to hurt a fledgling... and if he'd reacted so violently to those accusations... Liam could ignore his insults. He was a bigger Sentinel than that. He could ignore the insults towards the others, too. The well-being of the fledglings was the responsibility of the entire clan, and these were good Sentinels who'd come with him. But what he could not ignore was the Shadow's reactions. If his own mother could accuse him of such a thing...
He was going to need evidence. He'd put in a word with a Watcher and express his concerns to the enclave. He'd acted in what he really thought (or at least convinced himself he thought) was Raine's best interest, and it seemed as though his gut feelings were right on this account. "Miss Rosemary," he said in a quiet, grave voice as Rainbow Chaser flew off, "why would your son be hurting a fledgling?"
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Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:08 pm
Sly's outburst and sudden departure into his own home caused the smaller aberrant's eartufts to drop back slightly as he shrank into himself on his perch amongs the boughs of the Forest. His amber eyes were wide and questioning, yet no sound left him for several moments.
Could Sly actually harm a fledgling?
Sure, he could remember well in the past, what with he being a target of bullying and the tormenting of his companion...
But could he actually bring himself to harm an innocent fledgling?
Rage broiled in the hybrid's bosom as he preened furiously at his chestfeathers, listening to the question that Liam offered the painted Shadow. He felt immensly guilty for putting the sweet, older Sentinel through such an ordeal, but he could understand why Liam pressed the matter.
Hopefully little Raine would be alright. He was sure Liam would see to it that she was, even if they had little to go on right now. He remained in silence as he waited for Rosemary to respond to Liam's heavy question.
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