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Hawk's Keep, home of the Avian royal family. Danica Shardae, Tuuli Thea, and her alistair, Zane Cobriana, can both be found here- sometimes. When they're not in the Serpiente palace, that is. Hawk's Keep is a place of dreams to some...Serpiente who never before could see inside of it, visitors from other lands who always longed to invstigate it...those who wanted or needed something only the Keep had to give. But not everything is fine and dandy here. The peace is recent, and tempers run high. It is a world where emotion, however powerful, is hidden beneath the mask.
Lift up that mask, and find...
Your heart's desire.

((Obviously, this is a post-Hawksong RP. Actually, probably around the end of Hawksong through the beginning of Snakecharm. Be logical- not everyone will be thrilled about the two races mingling. Other than that, have fun.))

Aravitri Dravinse paused for a moment just outside the gates of Hawk's Keep. Her pant legs were stained to the knee with the dust of travel, and her muscles cried out for rest, but for a moment all that was forgotten as she stared up at the structure before her. Slowly, the serpiente girl shook her head, her black braid swinging. Of all the things she had imagined, standing before the Hawk's Keep had never before seemed possible. She ignored the two suspicious Avian guards at the gate in favor of studying the windows and balconies. Only when one of them coughed, rather pointedly, did she return her attention to them.
"Were you planning on going in today, serpent, or were you just here to gape like an-"
The other one elbowed him, but he finished his sentence in an undertone. "-idiot."
Aravitri didn't know whether to be angry or amused. She found the hostility preposterous, but knew she had to take it seriously. She smiled at the guards and made a polite answer. "I would appreciate being permitted to pass, gentlemen, if you would be so kind." Without waiting for a response she strode forward, her muscles protesting the end of their short inactivity, and the guards let her through without another word.

Though her instinctive response was to jump back, Aravitri simply regarded him cooly until the threat was withdrawn. She didn't have the energy for instincts.
"Hopefully, more along the lines of studying. I know Avian artistry is admired in every royal court for leagues around, and I happen to be somewhat of an artist myself." For a moment, his hostility tempted her to break her vow and take serpent shape, but a memory of pained golden eyes- this stranger, too, had golden eyes, how strange- made her reject the idea. The last time had not ended well, and too recently for her to risk anything like that again. Even if the prospective target was a hostile Avian.

"Actually, I thought to begin in the market. I'll admit, that's not all professional intrest- I've been eating road rations for the last month or so, and I've a mind to sample the offerings of Avian chefs as well as artists." Aravitri was starting to be a bit unnerved by his blank face, remembering tales of the soulless bird-people.

Somewhat surprised, Aravitri examined her attire. Green tunic, fairly clean...no, not really, there was a bloodstain on the hem which no doubt extended to her pants. The pants themselves were dusty and travel-worn, the right knee beginning to thin, a tear across her left shin. She grimaced. Fine first impression I must make.
"A change of clothes would be nice, except that I fail to see where I would aquire any such." Automatically, she raised one hand to the strap of her pack; inside it was her coin pouch, still fairly well filled despite several mishaps. It might buy her clothes as well as food and board. She made a mental note to ask this Avian about lodging next; he seemed fairly helpful, if reluctant.

As Aravitri took his arm, she was startled by two things. The gesture itself was unexpected from one whose people had so recently warred with her own. His skin was warm, as well, which surprised her all the more, even though she had expected it. She almost flinched away from the unnatural heat, but managed to contain that reflex both out of politeness and weariness.
"I did not expect such hospitality," she said honestly. "I am pleasantly surprised to be welcomed so...so..." Frantically, she groped for the right word and found nothing. Willingly? No, his suspicion had been clear from his first speech, despite the famed 'Avian reserve'. Warmly? A pun, but true only in the physical sense. Cheerily? Certainly not that. Farthest from that, in fact.

"Arami," Aravitri corrected automatically, before remembering that the Avian was right. "Sorry, actually, he is Diente now that he's announced his mate. And simply because things 'should' be a certain way does not make them that way." Far from it. She studied the doors, unsure what to do next. Presumably, she was to enter the room beyond, but better not to take chances.
"Excuse me- where do these doors lead?"

Aravitri held her tounge until he was almost out of earshot, then muttered, "Of course it's a room." This was accompanied by a roll of her eyes. She opened the door somewhat hesitantly to discover a room filled to the ceiling- literally- with rolls of cloth and folded clothing. Stepping in, she noticed the room's single occupant, a well-dressed kestrel woman seated by an arching window, marking in what appeared to be an account book. At the sound of the hinges, the woman stood rapidly and curtsied, looking at Aravitri's face only as she rose out of the gesture. Awkwardly, the girl attempted a skirtless curtsey, without much sucess. When she lifted her head, she found herself skewered with an icy glare.
"Excuse me, mistress, I was directed here by one of the guards. To aquire fresh clothing?" The last sentence, meant as a statement, had become a question.
THe woman seemed to be made of stone- all except her mouth, of course. "Which guard?"
Aravitri frowned, trying to recall. "He did not tell me his name. He had gold eyes, if that helps at all. And black hair."
The kestrel relaxed at this description. "Kiva. I suppose you aren't overtly evil, then. If he sent you, I might be able to find something for you. Come here."