That Cuddly Side...[Ishgrameer]

[Hoa]

Hoa sat at the base of one of the trees in Cherry Grove, legs criss crossed, head bowed. She was thinking. Daydreaming about things she'd never admit to, to a total stranger. Things such as what it was like to be a bird. Being able to fly high, soar, free. Up in the sky with the clouds, going as far as the wind could take her under her wings. This thought led her eyes to wander up to where her redtailed falcon, Lane, was perched in one of the trees. She blinked, now thinking of herself as Lane. What it was like to be able to hold herself to high and mighty on the branch. Despite not being the largest of the falcons, Hoa still looked at her as a predator to be feared. If she wanted to, Lane could easily harm Hoa. Hoa was respectful to her falcon, as her falcon was to her. But now, Hoa leaned back, legs stretched out beyond herself. She curled her toes, imagining talons gripping bark.
At this point she felt free to steal her own gaze away from the bird, which had been holding it the whole time. As if expecting Hoa to command her, to do something. Which never happened. Instead, she started to whistle a little tune that she herself wasn't familiar with. It was a low alto tone, and it was similar to a song she didn't know nor had ever heard.(reference Silent Night.) The redtailed falcon decided that she should flutter down and sit beside her. Hoa pet the feathers from the top of her head down her back with two fingers, lovingly petting the bird.
"Oh Lane, you're so sweet." she had always wondered if the bird could tell the difference between her words. If she could understand them. She could always see glimmers in her eyes, but she never knew if it was recognition of her words, or something she had seen that had lifted her spirits.
That'd be nice, though. If she could understand me. Hoa had thought to herself, again fantasizing and losing herself in thoughts.

[Ishgrameer Windwalker]

Despite it being winter the weather had yet to truly plunge. The air was calm, and no wind stirred. The cherry trees were as sweet as he had remembered from the one time he had journeyed there in his youth. It stirred within him memories of his mother who had loved the sweet taste of the delicious berries. Dressed in the only wardrobe he owned he strolled through the grove. The sweet scent fluttered into his nose. A chakama bird could be heard far off in the background. Its song sweet and melodic like the fruit it ate. He tried whistling a tune, but it fell short. His heart was not in it. Then he tried again, and the song slipped from him. Anyone who heard it would notice that it sounded like swaying tree branches. He rounded tree after tree, until after a moment he noticed that off in the distance there was a red-tailed falcon perched in one of the trees. He stopped and wondered curiously what the falcon was watching. He stood for a while with his gaze unflinching. Then there was a faint whistling that was not his own, and he so he stopped whistling. It flew through the trees from an unknown source, and the falcon swooped to something below. He rounded a few more trees until he noticed that it was a young inartan female. She was rather beautiful, as they all seemed to be. However her beauty appeared somewhat reserved, as if she chose to hide it. Something in the way she composed herself alluded to such, at least in Ishgrameer’s eyes. He wondered what knowledge the woman held, and what he could offer her. He knew that she must be a falconer, and so he was sad that she would not be the one he’d bond with. However at least he could chat with her since it seemed they were alone. Perhaps her falcon would even strike up a conversation. Though he hoped it wasn’t snobbish. Falcons tended to be difficult conversation birds, at least in his past experiences. Without further delay he walked forward towards the inartan, with a simple smile on his face. He adopted a body language that he hoped would show her he meant no harm. As he got closer he was sure the falcon would pick up on his presence. So he said “Hello there. Can I join you?”

[Hoa]

Hoa had in fact, heard a sound that was not the natural landscape around her. It wasn't The trees standing there tall and beautiful, the rare occurence of leaves that may or may not still be falling, or the berries on the ground that appeared to either be freezing or now, not edible. She reached for one that seemed to be glistening with frost. She pickep gently, and licked it once with care. But at this point, she didn't pick it out from her surroundings to be whistling. She didn't really take full notice of it. It seemed to go in one ear and out the other, not being of much signifigance. But she knew that not a second later, she felt that strange presence. That strange feeling that anyone could get if someone were to be staring at them long enough. And, that is what Hoa was feeling. That strange pressure from one direction. And it was a direction she wasn't facing. She knew that feeling. Often before she had felt the same one and knew the intensities of it. It felt like the one magic she felt.
But she knew that if it were someone that would come closer, Lanes head would whip over to look at them in perhaps a protective manner. This, Hoa had never been able to read, but in a strange way she liked to imagine her bird was a protective being of her partner. Which is how Hoa saw her bird, a partner, not a pet. Soon enough Lanes head did turn, and as hers did, so did Hoa's.
Hoa turned to see a tall figure. One that she didn't expect to see. He didn't have fiery hair that was startling to anyone that wasn't used to the Inartan hair. This in itself, was shocking. Listening to him, her eyes narrowed. He would like to join her? The scowl on her face made her face much more intimidating that it usually was, when alone, pretty and peaceful. "Alright," she said almost monotone.

[Ishgrameer Windwalker]

Ishgrameer was delighted that the woman didn't mind him sharing the spot. Although he did get the idea that the falcon that accompanied her had his own reserved opinion. He thought perhaps to say something to the falcon, but he thought it better to talk to the lovely lady that sat before him. However a brief flash of predatory seriousness took homage on his face when he looked at the falcon, and then he quickly fought it back. Replacing it with a smile Ishgrameer began the conversation as he imagined that the woman wouldn't. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Ishgrameer Windwalker. What is your name? Do you enjoy the peace that this grove offers? I know I did when I came here once as a child. Your friend is a strong bird. Friendly to those he trusts I’m sure.” Then he addressed the falcon his voice a mixture of screeches from an owl “Well met. My name as I have said is Ishgrameer Windwalker, and I mean you no threat. However do not throw your threats at me idly, for I have dealt with many greater. I only wish for peaceful conversation.” Looking back to the lass he wondered what her name was. There was much to be learned from a person through their name. He wondered the same for her avian companion. He looked from his eyes to hers. He was looking beyond her physical appearance for something that lingered beneath her eyes. He eagerly awaited he response with a smile on his face, though he could be patient. He saw within her eyes like he did many others, his reflection, and he wondered how many just accepted his features. However the thought passed. He pulled a feather from his mane of hair, and then wove it back in.

[Hoa]

As soon as the male had begun to settle, Hoa had regretted accepting him to the location. If she were of the animal nature, at that point she would have made a hostile sound. Instead she sighed, leaning her head back against the tree. His sudden wave of questions, and words, one after the other flooded her mind and took hold like wildfire. Since she seemed dazed from the silence to abrupt noise, it took a lot of concentration to consume every word he'd said and arrange it in correct order.
"I am Hoa," she said clearly, speaking as though her voice had not been used in a very long time. Yes, I enjoy the peace," she emphasized the word as she continued, "and silence this grove offers." she had thought about what he said. He liked it as a child. Someone who wasn't that of Inartan race had been here since birth? It wasn't unlikely, but it wasn't fairly common. She listened to him as he said that her companion was a strong bird. She nodded, aware of this.
"Yes," she paused. "Very friendly to me." and that on its own was implication that neither made much contact to anyone other than one another. Her eyes raised as he made verbal contact with her bird. She appeared very unamused with...Ishgrameer.
Seeing that he was Kelvic, a race she was not very familiar with, she decided to treat him as she would any other Inartan, or maybe human. But noticing that there was curiosity in his eyes, she rolled her own in a humorous way.
"This is Lane," she told him, speaking for the bird who didn't make a sound. She looked at him, facial expressions settling back to how they had appeared before he had arrived. Peaceful. Somewhat harmonious with the Cherry Grove. She didn't force herself to look the way she did at that moment, but she seemed like she felt at home in this area specifically. She wasn't one to hold interesting conversation, though. She had done this really only once, when she was with her bird. She was basically talking to herself and imagining Lane was responding. Though this obviously was not the case, she was just lonesome and deprived of someone she felt she could actually be herself around.
"Do you have any companions, Ishgrameer?" she said his respective name, wondering if he went by something shorter, such as Ish. He seemed very friendly. Almost as if he was just begging to befriend her and Lane. Although, whatever he'd spoken to the falcon, it had slightly ruffled her feathers.

[Ishgrameer Windwalker]

Ishgrameer held his smile, though it dimmed so it didn't appear to be exaggerated. He noticed Lane was a little ruffled by his statement, and he issued a light chuckle. Looking to the Hoa who seemed as though conversation wasn’t accustomed decided that it would be wise for him to take the lead in the conversation. “There is something about silence that is comforting I admit. But one cannot be silent forever. Or else the words will burst forth. None the less, I am glad to have made your acquaintance. Yes this place is still as I remember it. Though it is much more peaceful then the wilds I once called home. Here one need not be on their toes.” He thought about the Hoa’s question. Companions. “Alas I have a few friends, very few. Those who have befriended me in my brief season here. But no companions. Although, what do you mean by Companion?” “Lane is a loyal friend, she will protect you well. Always remember that. You need only look into her eyes and what you find there will confirm that. As I know that you are a loyal friend to those you befriend, and that something troubles you…” He laughed honestly “though I may be wrong. I've been wrong before. Though you can learn much from someone’s eyes.” He slowly became more sage-like and wizened with his last words.

[Hoa]

At first, Hoa listened content with what she was hearing. She almost allowed herself to chuckle, to smile. To see warm and friendly, if only for a second. But she was so self conscious, that she would not reveal such emotion to the male whom she had just encountered. On her toes? To not be on them, would feel foreign. To feel at home around someone else? Even scarier. Unless it's Lane. The bird never judged her like she felt others would, could, can and will. And she thought about it. The Cherry Grove, like he said, had never really change. But she did know, from what she had learned about Kelvics- that they usually age faster than the Inarta. So it was hard to believe that his "childhood" was too long ago.
The first few things he said about friends, was obviously taken differently than Hoa had implied. She implied someone he may travel, live, stay with. Someone he was with all the time when he wasn't alone such as what he was, before he found Hoa. But thinking about it, weren't Kelvics always with those they bonded with unless ordered otherwise? She made a quick assumption that he had no bondmate, but she would not come to conclusions until he answered it the way it had been asked. Though she would not be able to say this until he was entirely done speaking.
She was slightly taken aback when he began to tell her about her bird. Her Lane. Her precious redtailed falcon that she was sure she knew better than anyone else because it was her "partner in crime"(not literally, of course.) But what he said, she had already known. She knew her bird was loyal, somewhat her own protector. But it made her blood run almost cold. Her eyes narrowed once again.
"Something... troubling me?" she asked, slightly hesitant of what he had said. As if he knew that she was untrusting. That she didn't care to show people who she truly was. These thoughts were interrupted by the subconscious reminder, that she had other words to respond to.
"By companion," Hoa said, getting ready to explain something that didn't require a long explanation, "I meant someone you live with. Travel with, maybe. Such as, for a Kelvic like yourself, a bondmate." but she wasn't entirely sure that was true. He could surely be traveling with someone, or living with someone, and not have bonded with them. She supposed.

[Ishgrameer Windwalker]

Ishgrameer felt as though he perhaps had stepped over a line, as he noticed the shift in Hoa’s features. He was only saying what was obvious, wasn’t he? Perhaps only he could see some of the things that were right in front people. “Don’t fret I’m only stating observations I've noticed as we've been talking. You have a wonderful partner there, and she is lucky to have such a wonderful, beautiful, and I imagine talented lass as her partner.” He thought for a moment as Hoa absorbed what he said. The question stirred to the surface of his thoughts the promise left unfinished. “No, I have nothing like that; in fact up until my arrival to the city I was alone in the wilds. Ever since…” he paused trying to maintain his composure “my mother died.” It was then that his smile faltered as he remembered that cold winter day beside his mother as she died. He regained himself but it was a short time before his true smile was regained. “I am in Wind Reach actually searching for just that, a companion, and to fulfill a promise. Both to another and myself. But my search has been fruitless so far.” He pulled a feather from his hair that did not belong. It was not his because the color was all wrong. It looked more like it belonged to an eagle. In truth it belonged to his mother.

[Hoa]

She looked at him. Wonderful? Beautiful? An assumption that there was talent lurking beneath her stiff and emotionless composture? For she was slightly flattered, though she was not aware of the way she would be interpreted as wonder, beautiful, or possibly talented. Lack of confidence was not good, although she never really revelead this, either.
When the enthusiastic character was not as enthusiastic, nor cheerful, Hoa's face softened and her heart began to faintly throb. This was because she, in the last few moments of meeting the Kelvic, had begun to like him. She listened to him more as he said his mother died, as he said that he had been alone in the wild. Alone? She herself lived an isolated lifestyle, but that was for the reason that it was what she prefered over being actively social. She had never been a social butterfly, but she could see quite clearly this male, was. She wanted to ask about the promise. Why it wasn't kept quite yet and, what it was that was so difficult to live up to. The fact that he was searching for a bondmate, to fulfill his promise, and that his mother died made her face fall at once. She looked down, at her hands which were searching for something to do, then to her feet, which were planted on the ground before her. Almost as if they moved, she would lose all balance and possibly start to show herself. To possibly express the sorrow she felt for him.
"I'm sorry," she spoke solemnly, quiet. To have a mother die must be an awful thing. Watching him untangle the feather from his hair, she bit her lip. Birds. Were they both birds? She wondered, a bit more curious. Having to restrain herself from asking the promise was enough, as he obviously didn't want to say it if he hadn't already, but she couldn't help herself and sputtered out the words as if they had been crammed together, for a while.
"What is it about your promise specifically that is so difficult to accomplish?" and then her eyes grew wide, and she scowled, realizing she had been leaning forward in anticipation for the answer. She leaned back, cursing herself under her breath. But now she might very well get a response, which she, undeniably very much wanted to hear.

[Ishgrameer Windwalker]

Ishgrameer was surprised as the words left his throat. However he was not surprised because he had said them-for they had been said to others before-but because of how they were said. He had done his best to keep the pain and sadness hidden from those around him. When Hoa’s complication fractured and she exposed some of the inner parts of her person, Ishgrameer felt something stir in him that he had not felt for a long time. The grove around him seemed to grow quiet. He watched as she silently transferred her gaze and finally asked him a simple question that now was rather weighty. He collected his words; something about this woman made him more at peace. Regardless of her reserved demeanor he noticed that something was lurking beneath her skin, a warmer woman that she hid from the world. “On her deathbed my mother promised me that I would leave the wilds that I had called home. She asked me to promise her that I’d venture to out into the world and find a companion, find someone to bond too. I promised her that I would find that person and guard them with my life, all the way to my last breath. I promised her that I’d leave the wilds and never return to live there again, only to visit in reverence once on the day of her birth.” The words left his throat and instead of the usual sadness that flooded his veins, he felt relieved. It was strange. He had told other people this-though little in number-and he had never felt this way. Something was different. Rather someone was different. He eyed Hoa with a new set of eyes, and smiled. There was something to be found hear. He waited for her to respond, unsure of what to say after what he had already said. But at the last second something slipped through his lips, something that he hadn't fully intended. “You are rather lovely..”