[Flashback] Finding a place in the world

[Red Daghul]

Timestamp: Summer 504

The sun from the summer light spread down into the opening of the great mountain that Red called his home, which brought a almost soothing feeling to his soul. The mountain air was clean and warm, but the cool breeze that flew pass him gave it a fresh taste. The morning had been so far quiet, but Red had a good feeling his good day was about to take a sharp turn for the worst.

Red was not the strongest among the youth his age, and he kept mostly to himself for several reasons. One of the biggest is that he was always getting pushed around by a group of boys who claimed to be close to being bonded by one of the great eagles. A dream that Red had from a young age. Red had trained to hunt, and to fight since he was a young boy as most did, but he felt that he was going no where.

Walking quickly through the grounds Red started towards his home, which was only a little ways away. Every step he was sure he could feel his worst nightmare coming closer, and with every turn he was sure he would run into the small group of boys that seem to always stain his days.

Sure enough as he rounded the last turn to his home he found a wall boarding his way. Three boys stood in his way blocking any chance of passing, but it was never to late to slip away around a corner and out wait them. Quickly changing his path Red was clear to make a great escape from the cruel jokes.

It was as he turned he saw what kept the boys busy from seeing him down the way. A young boy who most likely was trying to reach a training, or trying to complete a task set to him was standing right in the line of fire of the bullies. Red froze still a moment his heart in a whirling frenzy of conflict. For on one hand he was so close to avoiding the older boys who so liked to push him around, and on the other hand he hated to see another go through what he had been the last few months.

Taking a breath that all of the sudden seemed to be hotter and more dense Red started down the way towards the group. "Hey!" Red shouted "shouldn't you be busy pushing someone your own size around" his voice rang aloud down the way reaching the boys ears. For a moment all seemed frozen as the insult processed in the bullies ears.

With out a second thought and little warning the three bigger, older, and better trained [or at least Red thought] boys were surrounding Red. "Ah, look my brothers, it is our weak friend come to defend the weak" laughed the leader of the three "and who are you to challenge us" it was no question.

"Leave the lad alone he does not need your cruel jokes" Red said as his heart thumped in his chest.

The leader of the pack grabbed Red by the shoulder and threw him towards a wall and laughed "and what, have you become our better... hmmm" there was a dangerous look in the young mans eye. "what gives you a reason to tell me what to do?" that was a question Red was sure.

Trying to find a way out of this problem Red quickly let his mind race through any answer. Then it came so clear "I am about to be bonded myself by a great eagle, it should happen any day". These boys picked on others who were of lower caste, or who they deemed lower class. They were better because they were soon to be bonded... or at least they thought.

"oh really, well then Im sure you would not be against us seeing this eagle of yours" he gave a dark grin as he motioned for Red to lead the way to the eagles home. Red had only ever been to the nests once or twice, but never returned scared that he would not be chosen. Now though, he was caught in his own lie and he started his path towards the eagles all hope of having a good day washed away.

In the distance the young boy who Red had saved quickly bolted away looking for some one to help his hero. There would be little time.

[Sairque]

"Mmmm, I love you," the sultry voice whispered, fingers caressing the firm covering that hid a soft and warm interior. It was the velvety inside that Sai was after, for, without waiting to receive a response, fingers dug into the flesh of the roll and gutted it. Meal freedom, neither quantity nor variation being dictated any longer, was one of the easier acclimations after bonding to Catabasis the previous spring. Steaming, the ball of doughy goodness was popped into her mouth, and being larger than said mouth, the youth chewed down on it awkwardly. Amid this graceful glomping, taking place against a random wall in a random corridor, a little boy, hair brighter than a ripe strawberry, shot around the corner and with too much momentum to halt the impending collision, smacked right into the Endal.

The Endal didn't budge, and he bounced off her like the newly bonded youths attempting to get on their Eagles for the first time. The boy was practically as tall as her, though he couldn't have seen more than eleven winters, but far scrawnier. Not that Sai was all that muscular herself. Watching the flopping boy with an indifferent eye, she swallowed and ripped the crust apart into manageable chunks. As most children did, he bounced and leapt back to his feet, every little limb twitching with fear. Some might have been moved, but Sairque didn't much care about children; they were better off experiencing the hard things earlier. Not that Sai was going to actively participate in their learning; from the way he was jittering, he was more than aware that he had, through thoughtless clumsiness, accosted someone he shouldn't have. There, lesson learned.

The sweet aroma of the roll beckoned once more, and a light brown morsel met it's demise at the mercy of her teeth. There was work to be done, but it might be imperative to the safety of Mt. Skyinarta that she wander back to the kitchens and scrounge up some more. What was a Wind Rider weak with hunger? or mind lost in the clouds because they reminded her of rolls and plums? Why, she would be useless, and a danger to everyone! Her hunger fatigued muscles would fail her and she would shoot before aiming, probably killing at least four Inarta with that one ill-fated arrow. Instructors would find themselves taking more time to teach distracted youths instead of providing their services to the well-being of society. A faint buzzing invaded her musings, and, glancing around, the source was finally discovered to be that little boy.

"-Eagle nests! They're going to kill him!" he shrieked in his shrill pre-pubescent voice. Sai jolted upright, her mind linking Eagle and kill, having missed the first half of the boy's warning. In one smooth motion, hand clamping down over the boy's shoulder, he was turned about and marched toward the nests. The few remaining pieces of delectable crust hit the dust, bouncing to their final resting place and forgotten.

"Start over," she instructed him, voice low and relaxed. Already, her mind was going over possible scenarios. The most distressing was also the least likely; a group of people planning on murdering an Eagle. No one in their right mind would attempt this, the culprit would be killed themselves, and not in a polite way. Maybe even eaten. The least distressing was also the most likely; a youth, graced with the mentality of a Dek, was attempting to bond with an Eagle and he was going to be killed. Death wasn't exactly a big deal nine times out of ten. The boy had to jog-walk to keep up with Sairque's long strides, and she led them down the quickest path to the aeries.

"Jorgan, Blench, and Nami are going to an Eagle to keep it from bonding with another boy," he jabbered, clearly expecting the older girl to know who these people were and how dire the situation was. Unfortunately, Sairque didn't spend much time getting bullied, and no one that she socialized with regularly was preyed upon either. Naturally, the three youths avoided those that stood up to them, although they were all roughly the same age. However, the Endal did know that no one should try to sabotage a bonding; the Eagle's will was final. It didn't occur to her that the young Eagle would most likely be able to handle three misguided squirts. "He saved me and said that his Eagle wanted to bond with him beca-" suddenly his little hand clamped down on her wrist and he threw the other one forward to point to a small group of people walking some distance ahead of them. "That's them!"

[Red Daghul]

The sound of Red's heart seemed to fill the air around him, which only made him start looking to the future and what he was going to have to do. Who was he kidding there was no eagle in the nests waiting for him that was just a cleaver lie to save the boy, but more and more it seemed that this was going to end with some sort of fight. Red had been planning for the last few minutes about turning on the boys, but he knew Jorgan was much more decent fighter then he. Then again it was not like he had much of a choice.

Each step was another step towards the impending doom... well at least a good beating from the three. Sweat fell from his forehead and Red found himself wishing he had some sort of weapon. Soon they were going to start their assent towards the nests, which meant he had to act now or never. Taking a deep breath he started to plan his simple attack, and escape if at all possible. The air of the day smelled of his sweat, he knew he was out numbered, but what other option did he have. Really.

Taking in his last breath Red turned sweeping his leg under Blench throwing him to the ground, and then moved his fist at the boy Nami landing it in his gut throwing his breath out of him. So far it was looking good, but looks can be so deceiving. Jorgan's fist landed into Red's face and pain erupted as he tried to regain his senses. Still shaky Red brought his fist to Jorgan's face, but hit him in the chest doing so damage... maybe.

Red was starting to think he should make his get away while it seemed that the boys were licking their wounds, but as he took a step away he found that he was still way to disoriented and things started to spin as he made a descent to his heads and knees. "RED!" Jorgan's voice boomed through to Red's ears "your going to pay for that stunt. Taking deep breaths trying to gain some sort of stability Red took a quick look at his foes who had gathered themselves up and were heading towards him.

Trying to crawl away Red just was not fast enough to get away and felt the painful blow of a boot in his side "you little dek" Red was not of the dek, but this was meant to be a insult "Im going to teach you to respect the Endal" Jorgan said and another blow to the side. "pick him up, I want to meet this bird of his" and soon they were going up the mountain Red in pain being pushed ahead. Something had change in Red though escape was not important, for Red was intent on teaching these boys a lesson.

[Aidara]

"OI! YOU! Step back, sparky, or do you want the heel of my boot in your eye?" Much like her sister, Addy had been meandering down the corridors humming softly to herself and munching on a delicious pastry she had procured from the kitchens with only a flutter of her eye lashes. Purring happily at the sweet, flaky crust and it's succulent warm apple center, the small redheaded youth had stumbled upon the beginning of the hazing by pure happenstance. Quick green eyes took in the scene in a matter of seconds, her leisurely stroll stopping dead at the sight. She was tiny, that was for sure. Slender and looking as if she lacked any muscular tone at all, Aidara's threat normally would have evoked a laugh from, well, anyone. There was no way her head even reached the other youths eye, let alone her foot. However, her eyes snapped and her posture stiffened. Striding forward, Addy easily stepped over the crawling boy and pushed herself right in to the personal space of his attackers. "First off, you'll be the Dek before he is, if I can do anything about it. Which I can. Second, what did he do to you? Why did you not just take this to a superior instead of lowering yourself to nothing more than a big, ugly bully?" Drawing herself up to her full five feet one inches, Addy poked her pastry into the boys chest with each word, smirking softly as it gradually squished against the fabric, leaving a gross looking stain. Even as a teenage, Addy knew how to get what she wanted, and there was no hollowness in her threat. She meant every word. Belatedly remembering the boy crawling around on the ground, Addy took the rest of the pastry, reached up and patted the offending boy on the cheek, splattering the rest of it there. Turning around she offered a small hand to the victim now, a soft smile taking over her face. "I'm Aidara. Who are you? Why are they intent on you anyway? Do we go need to get somebody and turn them in? I'm not going to just let them beat the crap out of you- or you them." Addy would have been surprised if this boy would allow such an offense by others his own age go unretaliated. She could see the anger in his face, his posture. Addy wanted a world full of love, puppies and rainbows. Fights weren't her thing. Placing a hand on his arm, she attempted to steer Red away from the offended teenage boys she turned her back on, paying them no more attention. Trying to change the subject, perhaps lighten the mood or maybe she was just anxious to get away from the gang before they decided to pummel her too, Addy tried to get them out of the corridor none the less. "Hey, have you eaten? I seem to have lost my pastry. I'd rather like another."

[Red Daghul]

Talk about strange timing Red though to himself as this red haired maiden maybe a year or two older then him jumped down the boys throats. Jorgan was not doubtly stunned by the words on the girl, though he was not one to give up so easily something was amiss by the way they had let them go. Of course, Red could not complain after his first attempt to be rid of the boys had gone... Well that didn't mater the fact that he no longer had to travel up the mountain with the boys to the grait eagles was a blessing.

"Hey, have you eaten? I seem to have lost my pastry. I'd rather like another." The girl who had somehow saved him asked.

"well now that..." Red stopped in his tracks right in the middle of his sentence as a thought brust into his head. Jorgan was not normally one who would just give up his prey, and not when his prey had stood up to him and made a claim as Red had. This was the first time Red heard a voice that he would come to know well "He didn't give up Red" Looking around Red looked for the voice's owner.

It had not come from the girl, for the voice was deeper as of a male, plus the girl did not seem to hear it. No this was coming from his mind, confused as he was he knew why he had gotten away so easily. Jorgan was going after "Red's" eagle, but there was no eagle. Red suddenly started towards where Jorgan and his gang was called for the girl to follow "We have no time for food, there going after the eagles, miss".

Red's legs shot forwards as he started the climb to the nest where he was sure he would find Jorgan and his gang of bullys. Hopefully that girl knew how to fight because he was sure that this was going to turn out bad.

[Sairque]

"He's the scrawny one!" the boy pointed out, trying to show her the lad when glimpses of him could be seen between the burlier boys. Sai scrutinized the group as best she could, long steps eating up the ground between them.

"And they're going t-" Sai was in the middle of asking for clarification when the little scamp suddenly turned on the bunch, showing an impressive display of violent coordination. Naturally, taking in the various techniques being displayed was far more important than rushing to help. Sai couldn't be sure, but she was fairly certain that all four of the males were commoners, something that was particularly important as she had only ascended to a higher class the previous season.

The young boy grabbed the loose material of her bryda and tugged, trying to further hurry the Endal to the scamp's rescue, a rescue that Sai was in no mood to execute having seen the small scuffle. It had cemented her instincts to stay out of fights with big burly boys that weren-oh Semele. The boy latched onto her bryda was practically jerked headlong onto the ground when Sai sprinted forward abruptly. What was her sister thinking?! Accosting those jerks with her...pastry?! The last beating Addy had gotten herself into still stung painfully in Sai's memory, mostly because it had been the latter that had taken the physical part of it. Something that the young Endal would do again without hesitation.

"Addy!" She called, just as the two started running off to follow the boys. What were they doing?! Leave the petching jerks alone! Holy crap! What was wrong with these two?! But the elder sister heard her and paused long enough to fall in step with the quick Endal, explaining what the scamp had told her, which restored her assumption that they had at least an inkling of reason in their heads. No one would sit back, thanking their lucky stars that they had survived unscathed, while an Eagle was at risk. The two sisters caught up with Scamp, as he was now known in Sairque's head, and it was only a matter of seconds until the corridor spat them out into the nest he indicated had the bonding Eagle in it. Sai reached out to her two companions and brought them to a stop so they could assess the situation before acting.

Not the best looking Eagle ever produced in the nests of Wind Reach, noted with a tilt of her head as it brought one massive claw up and pushed the offending burly boys away. By the time Eagles were mature enough to bond, they were usually near fully grown, which explained why Catabasis had simply snorted at her when she had gotten all in a tizzy over this. Breathing hard, shaking her head, Sai looked at Scamp. At least she had gotten some nice exercise in, sprinting up a mountain.

"If the Eagle isn't going to eat or throw them off the cliff, perhaps you could suggest it should leave and let us take care of the boys," the young woman advised firmly, already developing the ability to reign in the steel of command but not quite succeeding in this instance. Those boys weren't going to get out of here by walking; by attempting to physically accost a Wind Eagle they had pretty much guaranteed themselves relegation to the lowest dregs of Inarta society and a whipping in the Courtyard of the Sky. They were bigger than the three heroes, and more experienced with fighting (being the verbally inept kids they were), but that hadn't ever before put a dent in the ruthless resolve so frequently displayed in the young Endal. Being heartily determined to engage the boys, all the frivolous and unnecessary aspects of Sai's being hardened into methodical calculation. She stood erect, muscles already burned with the anticipated strain, and yellow eyes fixed on Scamp.

"Grab something heavy, Scamp" Sai had already picked out a stick that looked to have pretty good heft waiting just to her left. There were lots of available make-shift weapons in nests, as Eagles picked up all sorts of scraps to make their homes more comfortable. To Addy, the healers face flushed, she turned next.

"Either stay on the outskirts or go get Duvin Kavik," the youthmaster who would know exactly how to deal with these kids. In the thirty or so seconds the three had been in the aerie, the bullies had yet to notice them, and Sai nodded to Scamp as indication to get ready.

Slinking off to the left, she snagged that stick, delighting in it's weight, and hooked around to sneak up behind one of the distracted boys, Jerol, as it happened. Her soft leather boots were quiet on the gritty stone floor, any noise they made drown out by the cajoling of the boys. With the way they kept looking at one another, still at that awkward insecure stage and needing the approval of their peers, the chance of creeping up unnoticed was slim; once within about five sprinting seconds of ringleader, Sai burst into motion. Rushing just to the left of the boy, one of his companions caught the motion out of the corner of his eye and gurgled out a strangled warning cry. Unfortunately, Sai wasn't deterred, there were only two steps separating him from the big stick she gripped in her dry palms, raising it over her right shoulder and already whipping it around to contact with his head. The warning cry alerted him and he spun around to the left to face her, this only added his own turning momentum, left to right, against the force of her swing, right to left, when it connected solidly with his temple. She didn't pull it or her own running, the swing carried all the way through and her momentum carried her beyond the boy.

This stick flew off, the boy staggered back, and Sai went down in a tangle of his and another boy's limbs.

OOCI know I've encompassed a lot in this one post, but with the season change I figured we could gloss over the filler parts and get to the good stuff.

[Red Daghul]

As Red reached the cliff area where a eagle had picked it's nesting area another maiden with the boy who he had help earlier he must have gotten help. She quickly explained some sort of plan, as well as advising Red send the eagle off, as if it was his. Red had never seen this bird in his life, but as he went to explain that he had no relationship to the eagle, she was off.

"help her, Red" the voice from his head said "there is little time" Red shook his head, and followed her as she moved swiftly around the boys who were attacking the eagle. Looking to the ground Red spotted a stick that seemed a good match to a talon sword, it would be the closest thing to a weapon he could find. Reaching down he pulled it to his side and followed the charging attack.

The girl who lead the charge seemed to have taken down one of the boys, but she must have been tripped because she was now on the ground with him. Red brought the stick up and moved around the small cliff closer to the right of Blench who was just turning towards him to attack. Red was not really a small boy, but compared to Blench he might be called small. The match up of fighters was not looking in his favor.

Blench had also had a fairly big stick in his hand, and seemed irate at the mountain which was not a good thing. The bigger boy brought his makeshift weapon down on top of Red's head, but Red was faster and pulled his "sword" up angled towards the ground parrying the blow and letting it slide down his weapon. Using the force of the blow Red sent his own attack against Blench a slashing movement to the rips which would have hit if he didn't pull his weapon to block it.

Red and blench echanged a few more blows, but each was able to push away the stick from hitting them "tire him out, conserve your energy" came the voice again. Red could not pin point what the voice was, but guessed it was his own mind thinking and pushed it away. Throwing another slash across Blench's chest Red noted that he was slowing down, and so Red even though he was tired started to speed up his own attacks.

Blench went on the defensive trying only to stop Red's strikes from landing, but Red was determed and he gave one final blow to the rips and it struck true. Both boys fell to the ground, Red to his knee tired, and Blench to his back crying out in pain clutching his side trying to quench the pain. Taking a second Red stood to his feet to check how the battle was going, but as he looked up the voice in his head sounded "behind you". It was to late though, Jorgan had broken free of his scuffle and he rushed Red.

The next thing Red knew his feet left the cliff face as he started the decent down into the valcano's depths. Red's thoughts seemed like a flooding river raging in a storm as he felt the rush of free fall, and he felt the end coming swiftly for him as the wind tore at this skin. A screech from a cliff not far from the one he had been fighting on echoed, and a gaint eagle burst from it's lair with wings folded in a deep dive towards Red "Grab hold, brother". The movements next were pure instinct as Red grabbed hold of the bird and they sored through the sky at a high speed.

It was nothing like Red had ever felt as the air whipped passed his face, and the world became a huge painting underneath him. "beautiful isn't it" the eagle said "I am Daghul, wind eagle" Red didn't know what to say. "I have made my choice Red, you shall be my rider". Stunned Red knew in his heart his place, but his mind was still in shock "I..." he tried to say, but he did not know what to say.

Daghul brought himself around and headed towards the cliff where Red's allys still fought "they will need you Red, let us show them who you are" Daghul said and Red nodded "agreed".

[Mercury]

Red Daghul Skill(s) +1 XP Brawling +1 XP Climbing +1 XP Weapon: Stick +1 XP Riding: Eagle Lore(s) Weak Loner Bullied by mini-Endals Moral Dilemma: Personal Safety or Righteous Hero Caught in a Lie Up A Creek Without a Paddle (Figuratively) First Call From an Eagle Daghul Bonding With a Wind Eagle First Flight Escaping into (the proverbial) Sunset Method to my Madness: I'm so sad to see an Endal go… Red looked like he had a lot of potential. Sairque Skill(s) +1 XP Running +1 XP Brawling +1 XP Observation +1 XP Leadership Lore(s) Tough Love Food Lust Having One's Byrda Nearly Ripped Off By An Enthusiastic Yasi Dealing With a Carelessly Brave and Meddlesome Sister Rallying the Troops Method to my Madness: Most interactions were curt exchanges between Sairque and the boy. Leadership XP for rallying the 'troops' in the brawl Aidara Skill(s) +1 XP Intimidation Lore(s) Food Lust Caller Outer of Bullies Careless and Meddlesome Bravery It's A Dog-eat-dog World Method to my Madness: Only one post. Tried to give the lores and skills I could. Though I felt that the bullies would have protested a little more, especially since Aidara is only two years older and not as… buff. You can address any questions or concerns to the little voice in your head. A.K.A. PM me.