It's About Time We Got There (Sai)

[Ariel]

Ariel shrugged. You don't really talk. You just communicate with us somehow, through our minds... I hear you in my mind, but your beak doesn't seem to be moving. There was a slight pause. It is said, that if gifted by one of the Gods, one gains the ability to talk to birds. It seems far easier to take than the ability to talk to kittens... but then again, unless we are both gifted by this particular god, we shouldn't be able to communicate with you at all. Ariel's thoughts fell away for a moment, so then, perhaps we're all special... or losing our minds, she finally concluded, before a small giggle escaped her tiny clay lips. It's because she's still convinced she's talking to a little clay doll... or perhaps even, a strange new bug. Once she gets over her initial curiosity, she will more than likely find the two of us rather... boring to say the very least, Ariel went on. But that's no matter. Surely we'll be on our merry way long before then. The pycon often kept herself from looking down, preferring to look out into the expanse of blue sky as the group traveled onwards. She could vaguely make out the inarta's voice. She knew she should reply. "Perhaps not then," Ariel called, as she did her best to nudge the offering away. "With the way the bird sways, it seems all too likely that someone will fall... I'd rather not have to experience his large beak crushing me... the early days of Rafael's and my companionship are enough." The pycon shuddered. "No more being used as a chew toy... promised Harameus himself," the pycon ended, in a whisper.

[Sairque]

A chuckle rippled through Ariel’s mind, the Eagle clearly enjoying the ‘Little Raspberry’s’ argument. You are neither special nor losing your mind, he deadpanned. It is a gift of Wind Eagles, though the telepathic abilities of those we speak to affects the level of communication. You and I are speaking at a very high level. Sai and I achieve and even higher level, most due to her rather than me, Catabasis explained, massive wings suddenly dipping and propelling them forward as he lost the draft. He had no response to her subsequent observations, there was no telling how Sai would react to Ariel once they established a relationship beyond their initial impressions. Taking the hint, Sai removed the offending restraint, an eyebrow lifted sardonically. The expression froze as Rafael took a cheap shot at her face, the razor sharp claws opening thin lines of red on her chin. As she firmly contained him, sharp golden eyes returned to the little red lass. Harameus…the name did not ring a bell, but she let it slide. “Very well. Why have you come to Wind Reach? How long are you staying?” she asked, falling into the habitual process of preparing a foreigner for life in the rough city. As she got the low down on the Pycon, Catabasis winged toward their destination. Eventually he banked and slowly circled a peak. A chunk was missing in the mountain, a few lakes visible, a waterfall, and then he’d descended too low to get a good whole picture. They passed a plethora of aeries along the side, various Eagles with splendid colorings and imposing presences coming and going, some with riders some without. The landing was smoother than it should have been, but Sairque clearly knew what she was doing as he hopped to a stop on the rocky shore of a lake within the confines of the peak. The endal accounted for the jarring of the bird and held her bundles accordingly tight. As she slid out of the thin leather saddle, a dock with a little ship extended into the water nearby, and a gorgeously domed building to their peeked out of the mountain. “This is the Valintar’s office. He is in charge of the city. He will give you a job if you intend to stay for very long.” Rafeal was deposited at her feet, but she kept a hold on his leash. Ariel she didn’t quite know what to do with and finally bent to place her atop her mount. "Most visitors come in through the front doors from the gate, so I'll introduce you," the Endal offered, peering through the various windows for any sign that Kaden had spotted them. Wrapping the tether around Ariel's little clay body, because after all the work getting it around the kitten's body she sure wasn't going to take it off, Sai slowly guided the way onto the dock and into the atrium. After giving Ariel proper time to stare about in wonderment at the gorgeous structure, she ushered her into the reception to wait.

[Ariel]

Ariel shrugged in response to Sai's question. "It depends on how long it takes to get everything I wish to accomplish done," she explained. "It's said that your people's knowledge of birds is great. Falcons especially. I want to know what you do, and perhaps, come to ride one just as you do. Although, on a much, much smaller scale. Obviously, a bird the size of your own is a bit too large to be managed." The pycon chuckled as Catabatsis circled the mountain, and then seemingly, dove into its side, landing rather smoothly, she felt. "I guess we're here," Ariel muttered, as Sai got off her mount, and set her back down on her own. Instantly, Ariel reached for the reins, clutching them tightly in each of her hands as her kitten mewed unhappily. Ariel ran her tongue over the roof of her mouth, producing a low clicking sound. "That's enough Rafael," she insisted, "there's no need to be afraid," she added, as she gave his back a little pat, and laced her feet into the stirrups. She hugged her legs against him as she looked up at Sai. "Thanks for the ride," she called, as she flicked the reins a little, urging her companion forward. She hoped Sai would follow, or drop the leash so that they could at least, keep moving on their own, unhindered. The pycon returned her gaze to a place in front of her mount. "We'll just go and say a quick hello, and then we will find a place for you to rest, alright Rafael?" she asked, as she kitten stepped forward. He was meowing discontentedly all the same. "Maybe we can find you a snack or something before that though," she added, as she flicked the reins again, urging Rafael past their landing area, and onto a large dock. Something that seemed to be an endless expanse to her, and so out of place considering the largely mountainous terrain of the region. "Just a bit more love and you can rest," Ariel insisted, as she finally made her way into the atrium, and flicked the reins again. Her eyes were growing wider as she stared at the size and grandeur of everything around her. It was far more beautiful than most everything she had seen before. Rivaled only, she felt, by some of the architecture she had come across while in Mura. It seemed to fly by too quickly as Rafael trotted through, into reception, as both his mistress and Sai herself prodded him along. "And now we wait," Ariel whispered. "Thanks for guiding us here Sai, and offering to help by introducing us. Just don't make a fool of yourself and say that we're Rafael the talking kitten, and Ariel, his clay doll rider. Alright?" Ariel's lips curled into a small smile. She hoped Sai found her last words just as amusing as she did. OOCI figured I'd stop there since Valintar stuff needs to be moderated. Hopefully this is ok now that it's all edited up.

[Gossamer]

OOC: I'll moderate the Valintar when and if he is approached. As is no one is inside his office or even remotely describing where they are in WR that an eagle could have landed etc. Once you get organized, we'll talk moderation. I don't know if you are outside the gates, or by the Valintar's private deck overlooking his dock or what.