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 Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 6:25 am
The sky was grey and forbidding, with the threat of rain hanging ever close in the air. Corvinus puffed out his feathers as much as he could afford to, scanning the waving grasses far below him for signs of life. It was hard to see the movement of prey in all this wind. He squinted, turning to swoop over the field again and hoping that his shadow wasn't scaring everything away. More than his own belly relied upon him catching something today, and that made him anxious. Claudia, for one, hadn't eaten since the small hours of yesterday morning, and given her condition...well, failure didn't bear thinking about.
His gaze flicked towards the small clump of trees. Hopefully his little companion was still warm and dry where he had left her. Hopefully nothing had found her. He would never forgive himself if something had decided she looked like lunch.
[10]
As she watched Corvinus swoop around for another pass, she longed for warmer days, for the safety of the cave, and for the company of the two eggs she had taken under her care. In their silence they could not judge, and in their helplessness they made her feel a little less incapable.
[11]
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Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 6:54 am
Saraphia: The red phoenii swooped over the area, the distinctive swirls on her cheeks and wings made her easily recognizable, well to any who knew of her that was. She peered down at the ground below, the land passing by swiftly. She was out on her own today, wondering what her brother was up to, but she pushed that from her mind. She smiled slightly as she flew, but something drew her attention, another phoenii below her. Herself she was too high for her shadow to make much of anything, though if it landed across the male below her then he might notice it. She was not doing anything so she figured she would watch him and keep an eye on the male, just for fun to see what he was up to. [9] (I assume your tracking points ^.^)
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Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:08 am
There - the tell-tale twitch of grass stems, even among the wind a clear sign that there was prey beneath him. Corvinus swooped downward on silent wings, extended his talons - WHUMP. The little furry creature didn't even have time to squeak. He'd broken its spine on impact, killing it swiftly and painlessly. Its vital warmth in his grasp was a huge relief. At last. He'd finally managed to catch something. Allowing himself a brief smile, he did his best not to long for the meat. 7
In the copse, Claudia looked on with delight. He'd got something! She fought the urge to dance along the branch - it would have warmed her up a bit, but she also risked falling off in this terrible wind. Perhaps today wasn't such a disaster after all...
...And then the shadow fell over her companion. Claudia looked to the heavens with wide, frightened eyes, and soon caught sight of the red female flying far above. She was larger than Corvinus: admittedly this was no great surprise, but it did mean she was an immediate threat. Without a second thought, Claudia took a deep breath - 7
The shrill alarm cry reached his ears in an instant, sending a shiver down his spine. Corvinus closed his taloned feet around the small creature and took off in a hurry, heading for the copse and shelter. Tiny droplets of rain picked at his feathers as he flew. When he landed, awkwardly, almost dropping his prey, Claudia shuffled along the branch towards him and eyed the meat for a second before speaking. 4
"There's a big crimson female up there," she said in a hushed voice. "I saw her shadow fall over you - I think she's out hunting, but her eyes must be good for her to hunt from so high in this wind." 2
Corvinus swore under his breath. "Damn! I wanted to get more than this, what with Mark sick... I'd better get you out of here." 2
But Claudia shook her head, nudging him away. "No, you go. Get the food back to Marcus - I'll be fine, Corvu, I promise." 2
Corvinus goggled at her. "But that female, she's - " 0
"Just go, Corvu, please!" Claudia sounded suddenly desperate. "She's bigger than you too, and I can't get the food home if anything happens to you!" 1
She was right. Corvinus didn't want to admit it, but there it was. His feathers fluffed up with a mixture of cold and pre-emptive rage. "...If she gets her talons in you..." 3
"...I'll forgive you, Corvinus." She hopped forward and nuzzled his chest. "See that the eggs are kept safe, won't you? For their little Mother?" 2
Corvinus buried his face in her downy feathers. "I'll be back for you, chick, I swear it. Even if it's too late, I'll be back for you." 3
Claudia chuckled fondly. "I know you will, you dear old thing. Now go. Please - before it's too late - " 1
He was already taking off, and within moments his wide wings began to carry him homeward. 1
[20]
From the treeline, Claudia watched him go. She sighed. With luck the female wouldn't spot her, though she wasn't exactly well-camouflaged. Or maybe she'd take her for an abandoned chick, and feel kindly disposed toward her. That was more likely than her getting on with acerbic Corvinus, especially since he had food that she would likely want. Claudia was no threat, and probably not much of a meal. 5
[20]
((Yep, I'm counting points - I've left my counting numbers in this time so whoever's marking it can see how I'm doing it. I'm not counting sentences of less than six words, since I don't think it's fair to do so. I do often write in short sentences for impact, though, so I've a feeling I'll be doing a lot of work to get up to the totals I want. XD))
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Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 6:43 am
Saraphia merely watched as the male caught the animal, smiling to herself. So he was out hunting, well she wouldn't get in his way then. She was hardly one to interrupt someone when they were catching a meal, let alone attack one. (3)
When she spotted him take off suddenly, she knew someone had spotted her and warned him, but if she had been a real threat then his response would have endangered the one who tipped him off, flying straight to the trees. Her eyes picked out the tiny ball of fluff, and she headed that way. (3)
She spotted the male taking off again, leaving the fluff ball there. She wondered at that, but shrugged it off, still coming down towards the trees. As she got closer she noticed that the fluff ball was a phoenii chick, the fact surprising her somewhat. (3)
Carefully the crimson phoenii landed on the branch with the chick, eyes turning to look the little one over. Her size made her seem scary to one so small, and her smile, to one already frightened, might seem threatening. But her voice was soft and calming as she spoke. "Hello there little one, where is your friend off to in such a hurry?" She waited patiently for an answer, examining the chick before her and wondering why the male would leave her here alone. (4)
[13]
[9] + [13] = [22]
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Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:14 am
The female didn't seem to be a threat - either that or she was trying to lull her prey into a false sense of security. Claudia had heard of sadistic predators like that. She returned the much larger Phoenii's gaze without apparent fear, though. "He's taking the food back to our leader, Marcus," she said simply. "We couldn't be sure if you were a threat to us or not, and with Marcus ill and unable to hunt for himself...well, frankly one less mouth to feed would be a bonus for the flight. I'm only a burden to them anyway." She smiled brightly, showing no signs of melancholy. "I suppose you're not inclined to eat me, though? Not being eaten would really make my day, if I'm honest."
It was probably a good idea to try and get along with this female, Claudia decided. Quite aside from the fact that she didn't want to be eaten, she also had no desire to share a temporary roost with a cranky she-Phoenii. Corvinus would be back for her all right, but the caves were a good way off. He could take the better part of an hour to return, particularly in this wind. The poor soul wasn't used to this much hunting. Normally Marcus did the bulk of the work, partly because he was the better hunter and partly because he enjoyed it, but with him sick there was nobody to hunt but Corvinus. It wasn't as though she could be of any help. She struggled to catch worms, for goodness sake, never mind decent-sized game.
[17]
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:07 am
The crimson phoenii sat on the branch watching the small one, a grin crossing her face for a moment at the small chicks comment. She giggled slightly and nodded "Yes i am sure one less mouth to feed would make things easier for them, but then i am sure a little one like yourself wouldn't eat much anyway, and i would guess that such a cutie would brighten their day." (3)
She smiled down at the little one and moved closer to her, pulling the chick against her and draping a wing over her so the small one was against her side. "No i won't eat you little one, however i might help you out a bit if you would like." she waited patiently for the response, wanting to help out the poor girl. (3)
The red pheonii sat beside the small femme, warming her up with her wing some as she awaited the answer to her question, her larger form dwarfing the chick. She was hardly threatening, instead acting almost like a big sister might. "How would you like to come with me and gather some more food, i can carry it and you can show me the way and you can help out your friends some." she suggested with a soft smile. (5)
[11]
[22] + [11] = [33]
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 7:23 am
Claudia couldn't help grinning - what a stroke of luck! Not only was she not about to be summarily devoured by this big red female, but she could get some more food to Marcus and Corvinus! This was definitely turning out to be a good day. And the other Phoenii was so warm. She snuggled a little closer, glad of the shelter from the wind as well as the soft feathers. "You're very kind," she said quietly, still grinning. "I'm afraid you have me mistaken, though - I'm not as young as I look. There's this curse, and...well, it's complicated. I want to find the Sapphire Phoenix some day and ask her to break it, but until then I'm mostly helpless. Marcus and Corvinus look after me. That was Corvinus you saw hunting earlier. Oh! And I didn't introduce myself: I'm Claudia, Claudia of the Sable Flight."
[12]
((Bah, excuse my fail - I had a crapload of writing to do the last couple of days and it completely murdered my RP mojo. Reckon I'm back on track now. XD))
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:48 pm
Saraphia smiled softly down at the little phoenii, nodding to her explaination. She rubbed her wing along the small ones side, keeping her sheltered from the wind as she said quietly "Well you are a little one though, and you are quite cute. Your friends are quite lucky to have one such as yourself with them." (4)
She glanced about slowly, her eyes searching out some more prey. She had a fun trick she could pull sometimes, by moving her wings in a certain way, the swirls on them seemed to spin, and it could hypnotize her prey for a few moments. She looked down at the little one and asked quietly "Shall we get started then? You hop on my back and i'll take you out hunting, that way you can really say you helped get some food." (5)
She would wait to see if the little femme would hop on, saying in a soft tone. "Don't worry Claudia, i won't let anything happen to you. You can help me keep an eye out for more food, and once we catch it, you can help hold it on my back so we can take lots back." she brushed her wingtip over Claudia's cheek lightly and smiled at her. (4)
[13]
[33] + [13] = [46]
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 5:19 am
This trick she knew fairly well. She hopped on to Saraphia's back with ease, taking care not to hurt her with her talons, and settled in. "I'm all set," she said cheerfully. "I usually ride on Corvu's back, so don't worry - I'm experienced enough not to fall off. He's been known to surprise me with loop-the-loops just to see if I'll squeal, the rotten so-and-so."
Privately she looked forward to introducing Saraphia to the boys. Marcus' ailment wasn't contagious, just the unpleasant result of an injury sustained while hunting, and he would doubtless welcome some pleasant company during his convalescence. Even Corvinus, upon seeing that the red female had helped his little friend, might stretch to a cordial welcome.
"We've been flying low," she added, remembering to mention it, "since it's difficult to spot the movements in the grass in this wind. Horrid day for hunting, of course, but we don't have much choice."
[10]
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Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:04 am
Saraphia nodded as she let the girl onto her back, allowing her time to settle in. She didn't mind a few nicks, and told the femme lightly "If you feel like you are going to fall off, don't worry about hurting me. I would rather get a few scrapes than have to risk trying to catch you in mid air. Cause i'm sure you would rather avoid the sudden stop at the bottom." (4)
She gave a soft smile to the little one and then took off, taking into the sky. She flew higher than they had been, her larger form able to handle the winds better and her eyes easier to see the prey on the ground. "Keep a lookout for anything, i'll need your help with this." she wanted the small phoenii to feel like she was a part of it, knowing so soon after meeting her how much she wished to help her friends. (5)
She was flying along and soon spotted some prey, warning the girl as she began a dive. From the higher height she dove fast, the wind whistling by her until it sounded like a scream. There was not even a thud when she struck the prey, catching it in mid hop. She checked it over to make sure it was still good, and then reached back to put it on her back with the small one. "Hold onto that if you can, dig your talons into my feathers some and hold it with your wings, that way we can carry more." she tells her softly. (6)
[15]
[46] + [15] = [61]
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Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:20 pm
"Oh, good shot!" Claudia cheered, delighted by the red female's hunting skills. "Goodness, that was exciting - Corvinus never goes that fast. I think he's a bit of a speed wimp, to be honest, but don't tell him I said that." She hung on to the prey as best she could. "Are you going to be able to fly all right with this and me?"
It was only then that she realised her new friend had never given her name. That seemed odd to Claudia, particularly since she'd been easy about giving her own. She decided not to press the issue, though. If she came to a point where she desperately needed to know, she could ask then.
[9]
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Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:00 pm
Saraphia got some air again after the kill, grinning at the cheering she got from the little femme, turning to look at her and said softly. "I'm fine dear, i can carry quite a bit more than that and still hold you as well. Now just you make sure to hold on, i would hate to lose a cute little one like you." she teased her a little bit, before looking back for more prey. (5)
"By the way, i forgot to give you my name. I am Saraphia, but you can call me Sara." she swooped down again, heading for a small bunny she had spotted. She streaked from the sky and struck the furred bunny, swooping up into the air again as she handed it back to the girl to hold on her back. (6)
She did this a few more times, and soon her back was covered with food, enough to do them for at least a little while. Finally she lifted up into the air again, her back loaded down and she even had some in her talons. When she was high enough into the air, she looked back and said quietly "Point out the way to your place Claudia, i'll fly you home and deliver this food." (7)
[18]
[61] + [18] = [79]
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:05 pm
Saraphia... Claudia turned the name over and over in her mind, soon finding that she liked it. It suited the red female, she decided - it sounded like a kind of rare gemstone, and a rare gem her new friend most certainly was. "Head due west from here," she called over the rush of the wind. "Towards those cliffs - do you see them? Argh, we'll be flying straight into the wind at this rate..."
Nevertheless, she didn't doubt that Saraphia could manage the flight. In a quiet, pleasant way, she envied her: this was the sort of Phoenii she wanted to be when she - ha - grew up. She wanted to be capable, both self-sufficient and able to take care of her friends and her adopted family. She wanted people to look up to her and come to her for guidance. She wanted...she wanted all sorts of things, and they seemed very far away indeed in the presence of one who apparently had them all for herself.
She didn't voice any of these concerns, of course. Worrying Saraphia with any more of her troubles seemed excessively unfair, particularly when the red Phoenii couldn't do anything about them. It would get them nowhere save into what Marcus termed "Emosville", and that was the last thing Claudia wanted.
"Once we're closer you should be able to see the caverns," she added, adjusting her grip on the food they had gathered. "I'll show you where to land - if we fly straight in Corvinus might not spot me, and that'd only cause a big scuffle."
[15]
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Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:42 am
Turning to fly in the direction the little phoenii had given her, she protected the girl from the wind, her head up in front of the small one on her back. "Don't worry Claudia, i'm not going to let you get hurt. And i won't hurt your friends either." She liked the little one, Claudia may have been small, but she seemed to really want to be able to help her friends. Saraphia envied the smaller one a little, she had friends at least, Saraphia had no one aside from her family. (6)
She flew steadily, automatically compensating for the wind so the flight was barely more than bumpy, making it easier to hold onto the food. She found her way to the cliffs, knowing something was bothering the small phoenii but not mentioning it right then. (3)
She decided to have some fun, ignoring Claudia for now as she flew straight towards the caverns. If she saw Corvinus she would drop one of the pieces of food she had, aiming right for him. It would be one of the smaller pieces, not enough to hurt but enough to hopefully distract him until she could land. (4)
Once down she would look to him with a grin "Hurry up and unload this, and do be careful, not all of it is food." she joked, clearly meaning Claudia, though the small phoenii wasn't easily seen surrounded by the food on Saraphia's back. In the meantime the red phoenii waited patiently for the food to be removed, not even bothering to explain herself, letting Claudia tell her friends. (5)
[18]
[79] + [18] = [97]
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:33 am
Luckily, Corvinus did spot Claudia on Saraphia's back. If he hadn't, he would have swooped instantly down to attack. Normally this was Marcus' job, sitting as sentinel by the main entrance to the caverns. His injured leg prevented him from fighting effectively, though, and Corvinus was left to fill the void. He didn't fill it brilliantly, and was glad that no swooping and attacking was necessary. Instead, he hurried down from his perch to help with the food. "Good grief," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. "How'd you get all this home in that wind?"
Claudia laughed as she hopped and fluttered to the ground. "I haven't the faintest idea," she admitted, looking up at Saraphia with a smile. "It seems my new friend is a worker of miracles. Saraphia, this is Corvinus, upon whom usually I impose whenever I want to get somewhere; Corvinus, this is Saraphia, who appears to have rescued us all."
Depositing the last of the females' spoils on the smooth, clean rock floor, Corvinus gave the red female a long appraising look, and eventually offered her a small smirk. "Well, I'll say this for you," he said, "you don't look half so scary as your shadow. Thanks for this - Marcus needs all the help he can get while his leg heals."
"He's hiding further in," Claudia explained, "to keep away from possible danger. I'll go and fetch him out - he can lean on me, save him putting any weight on that leg."
She hopped towards the back of the cavern and out of sight. [7]
"Never stops, does she?" Corvinus remarked to Saraphia as he watched his little friend go.
[12]
Running total for Corvinus: 10 + 20 + 12 = [42]
Running total for Claudia: 11 + 20 + 17 + 12 + 10 + 9 + 15 + 7 = [101]
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