Birds First [Tiaue'a]

[Neis]

Winter 3rd, 511 AV, Mid-afternoon "...Oh, and while you're at it, clean my bath tub too. I suppose you know where the cleaning supplies would be?" Said the random Endal, Neis couldn't keep track of their names anymore. All she knew was work, work, work. Do what everyone of higher rank told you to do. And of course, she had no idea where she would get supplies to clean the tub. Borrow some from the kitchens, probably. "Yes, sir." She lowered her head down, and started the trek to the kitchens. If they would even let her take the cleaning soap, maybe. If she told them she had to clean an Endal's tub, most definitely. And...the Eagle Aeries were on the way...what harm in just looking at the birds? Well...considering the high rank of the birds, Neis would probably be punished for brushing against one. You couldn't get punished for just looking, could you? Although, if she took too long, she would surely get yelled at, or even beaten. She decided it was best to just not visit the Wind Eagles. So, Neis plodded along, head down, to fetch some cleaning soap and a few rags. She passed by a group of Endals gossiping, about who knows what. One looked at her and snickered, and started whispering to the others. Neis only caught snatches of their conversation. "...twin sister..." "Ha, what's she doing now?" "Don't look at her..." Of course, her stupid brother was there. How she hated him for being an Endal! At least they hadn't ordered her to do anything. Of course, she knew that these Endals were inferior to the Endal who had just ordered her to clean his bath tub, but still. It was enough that Neis had to be a talentless slave, but to have her twin be liked by many and to be high-ranking in the caste system? She hated it. Neis hurried to the nearest door outside, to avoid running into anyone else who could order her to do something. What she wasn't ready for was the intense winter cold. With only a thin tunic to cover her, it was terrible. "Well, too late t-to t-turn back n-ow," Neis said to herself, gritting her teeth and walking quickly to another door inside. She didn't want the Endals to see her come back inside and taunt her even more. Lost in her own thoughts, Neis didn't notice the giant Wind Eagle perched right in front of her, until she ran right into it.

[Tiaue'a]

The hunt this morning had been terrible. It had only become worse as food grew scarcer as the winter came upon the high mountains of Kalea. The Endal still managed to bring in enough to get by, but there was an omen looming over head. That was certain. The skies were darker, and the winds cooler. But more incredible yet, she could feel it coming. That instinct, you know, that animals have. Some birds migrate or prepare for the long winter. Wind Eagles did the second, to a degree, being part of the grounded colony. The year was spent building up a bit of fat, not that they realized it, but the bareness of the mountains was taxing on the bodies of all inhabitants of the mountains. For instance, even this morning’s hunt. Tiaue’a managed to capture small game for herself to sustain her for the day. Tomorrow she’d have to double the efforts, or perhaps fish while the waters were still not covered in ice. She was just resting now. Maybe she’d give it another go in a little bit, but it was becoming more or a lazy day. So she perched on the walls and watched the little people go about their daily business. The glassworker still blew glass, and fletchers still made their arrows. Yasi could be seen running around attending to their bendi with the greatest enthusiasm. Some of them would be old enough soon. Tiaue’a had eagerly been on the look for one of them to strike her outright. One of them would certainly… She was struck, though not as she had intended. Ti’ue turned her head and looking at the girl, or perhaps a woman. Her appearance was her label. The dek was fumbling around, it seemed. If she had any duties to be fulfilled, she’d certainly not be able to do them out here. There was no poop to be cleaned, and she didn’t come across as the suicidal type. Not yet, at least. I’d hope no one would poop up here…the view is nice. Well, most of it. This dek was interrupting her, frankly. She analyzed the girl a bit more. She looked famished, a bit distraught too. She was cold, certainly, as her teeth were even beginning to chatter. Or was that simply her nerves getting to her. Looking into the eyes of a bird of prey was sure to be less than…appealing to most. This look at least, the look of annoyance. That’s all Neis really got out of her, that look. Tiaue’a tilted her head to the side and looked at her inquisitively. If she had an explanation, now was surely the time. It was well known fact not all of the eagles were brainless. There was the unfortunate truth that some where though, in the minds of the Wind Eagles. It was almost a pity they survived their first flight sometimes. So long as they don’t get a good Endal dead, Ti’ue reassured herself, then there’s no harm done. Back in the moment, she continued to look at Neis for answers. This dek was not worthy of hearing her thoughts or sharing the images she had in her mind. She just looked at her. And if, or rather when, she hesitated, she would turn herself around more, and perhaps give her a squawk. That would clarify everything, of course.

[Neis]

Oh, what a gorgeous bird. Though, Neis loved all birds, including the Wind Eagles, but she had never seen one up close. This one appeared to be somewhat annoyed, and Neis would be too, if she was considered sacred and the lowest of the low in servants just ran into her. "I...uh...excuse me. I have to get to the kitchens...please, do not mind my rudeness. I did not mean to run into you," Neis hesitated, she would surely get beaten for this. What if she hurt the bird? It was so...enourmous, and she was so small, but still. This bird would most definitely tell someone of high authority about this. "I wasn't paying attention to the outside world...I'm very sorry." Of course, this bird was probably wondering what a lowly drudge was doing out in the cold. Well, reasons are reasons, and what does it matter if a bird is wondering what, or if? But, she felt compelled to tell this Wind Eagle. She felt compelled to tell this eagle all of her problems, and concerns, and hates and fears and...but why would she or he or it care? Deks were just another thing to clean the city and Aeries and stables and such, not to be worried about. No one ever realized that drudges had feelings too...no one ever considered, Who washes all the dishes? or, Who shovels all the snow, cleans the city? Neis could go on a rant of all the unfairness of it all, all the feelings she kept bottled up. Looking into the eyes of that Wind Eagle made her realize all of that. It was a semi-comforting feeling, but obviously this bird was looking for more of an explanation. "My brother is inside. I never want to see him, ever again. I hate him, I really do. That's why I'm outside," Neis said, almost in between tears. She was so cold, and he felt terrible, but this eagle was in her way and it looked like it wouldn't move until it had received a satisfying answer. The only problem, was that a satisfying answer?

[Tiaue'a]

She blinked. I see… Well why don’t you just. Oh these dek anymore. If her damn brother in there and she’s out here… They both better get to working. Tiaue`a brought her head back and looked at Neis with narrowed eyes. She had seen that face before somewhere. That was one benefit of tracing relationships, how Inarta children were born together, and often looked strikingly similar. She ruffled her feathers a bit, his beak pecking under her wing. She had an itch, but it was certainly more than a loose feather. She stepped right past Neis and bowed her head to look inside. She caught a glimpse of him, Neis’s brother. It all made sense. The boy was an Endal alright. If she couldn’t tell from his dress, she would recognize him from the hunts. He had not bonded too long ago, and even then was lucky at that. No one likes a snob, not even the eagles. He must be doing something right with a bow, she assumed. Regardless of his matter, she was able to sympathize. Her own “siblings” had riders, damned good ones at that. They didn’t compare to this dek’s sibling though. Sympathy only ran so deep, but she did try to be understanding. Dek, Endal, Chiet, Avora, and so on, all are Inarta, her wards in Wind Reach. If she was distracted by a bully she wouldn’t perform to her best abilities, whatever they might be. Cleaning must require some level of skill, focus, or knowledge. “And?” a gentle thought faintly appeared in Neis’s mind, inquiring. Tiaue`a pulled back and returned to her ledge. She made herself comfortable again, and looked to the girl’s eyes. She was just a girl. While no clear emotions were communicated, it seemed she had someone who would listen and encouraged her to speak her mind. Too often are deks ignored because of status. All the same, knowledge only gets you so much. Knowing how to hunt doesn’t compare to the act itself, only the latter provides food for the colony. While listening to Neis, she made sure to keep eyes on the surroundings. She was nonchalant about it, hoping to not distress the dek further. But it was important she was not caught taking her time all the same. Some of those Endals abuse their rights, and without mercy. It was inexcusable in Tiaue`a’s mind. Unfortunately, it was also law. The thoughts that must have gone into such a thing. There was little humanity, Ti’ue thought. It only concerned her because – If her Endal brother caught her out here there was nothing she could really do aside from trying to nip him. His eagle couldn’t be too big. She would probably know him too. What ass of aw wind eagle would find comfort with such an ass of an Endal? Hopefully not the kind to start a conflict. Tiaue`a was hungry and cranky, there were few exceptions to a meal at this point.

[Neis]

She saw the bird look inside, for who knows what. Maybe to figure out who her brother was? It all confused Neis. But by the look of the eagle's eyes when it came back, she understood. Somewhat. There was a small chance it was attempting to sympathize for her, because it obviously had no rider, therefore being in a similar situation. But just looking at a Wind Eagle made Neis want to ride one. Or at least try. Neis barely had time to think past that when a strange thought appeared in her mind. She had never heard anything said to her through telepathy, or whatever this was. And? Well, wasn't that a million pinion question? Neis couldn't figure out what the bird wanted to hear. What she was supposed to be doing? How her brother had become an Endal, and had skills that Neis couldn't dream of? There were plenty of things that the 'and?' could mean. "You know my brother, don't you. He's a great rider, too, and hunter. Always getting the best kills. He doesn't even bat an eye on how I'm treated, he's just as mean as all the others. And, I'm supposed to be getting cleaning soap and a few rags from the kitchen, but it's getting close to mealtime. I suppose I'll miss dinner, too. These people have a habit of making me do tasks for them right before I'm supposed to get food, so I usually--" Neis was cut off by an angry man. His ugly face was as red as his hair, and he looked like he was just about to yell. "Neis, what are you doing out here? Annoying the Wind Eagles? Shouldn't you be working?" He yelled, roughly grabbing Neis's wrist. "Tiaue'a, I'm sorry that this drudge was bothering you. Trust me, she won't be bothering you again." Oh, so her name was Tiaue'a. Which meant it was obviously a she, if Neis couldn't already tell by how the 'and?' had sounded in her mind. Although the little chat was nice, she knew she wasn't going to be seeing Tiaue'a again unless something drastic happened. Worst of all, her brother and his friends would have a front row seat in watching Neis get dragged back inside and punished. Wait, wouldn't a Wind Eagle be able to order him to let me go? I mean, something sacred should be above even the Endals. thought Neis. Maybe Tiaue'a was thinking the same thing.

[Tiaue'a]

It was a shame that pretty face had no brains. Being ‘sacred’ in any sense isn’t a promotion to an authority figure, especially not in Wind Reach. If you were bringing home the bacon, however, like her brother, then it was a different story. The man who grabber Neis’s arm, she had no idea who he might be. That was the fun part of being a Wind Eagle, everyone knows you! Or maybe Tiaue`a is simply a bird of a different color. No one could tell, it would be impossible, she reassured herself. To greater misfortune, he was right, a dek has better things to be doing. If they were not providing for the colony, they had better be tending to it, not day dreaming of eagles. Still, she had a merciful heart for the girl. She had seen some “families” split before by the castes, and it was both sad and necessary. She did what she could for the girl, and took the lashing for her. “It is my reason she’s here. Perhaps she had seen the hunting parties coming in. I was seeking my siblings. She knew nothing, and was going on her way. She has worked, and must eat, then return to her duties. Night is coming. I suggest she moves quickly.” She sent these ideas to the man alone who held Neis’s arm. She caught sight of that too. “Are you here to babysit a dek or don’t you have work to be doing too? Get back to work, and send her on her way… Now.” Ti`ue had little interest in the dek. She was as much an Inarta as the rest in Wind Reach. There were women and men in the colony who not only lacked difficulty with their tasks, but pursued them with enthusiasm. If this little girl wanted to get lost in the crowd, that was her problem, not Ti`ue’s. Winter was here and it could snow at any moment. The cold air was biting, and the snow blinding, and this made the hunt by far the most difficult task in Wind Reach. To provide for herself, and others who did not have wings to fly and hunt; now that was hard work. Hard work she was spared from mostly…not having an Endal, that is. She gave the man a sharp glance to do as she requested. There was no sense in him not going, and to be honest he was just as guilty for wandering the halls. As were the Endal chatting up a storm in the hall. They should be hunting, or preparing for the next hunt before the sun did totally fade from the sky. She should be getting back to work too, in fact. With that last glance to both the man and Neis she went to the edge and prepared to fly. Take off was always an important moment when you were this close to the cliff side. Neis would have to endure one more tease of a wind eagle’s grace. Tiaue`a opened her wings. The cool wind now flowed under them, letting the delicate ends of her feathers wave in the breeze. She reached out more and began to beat down on the air between her and the ground. As she lifted, her talons drew into her body and she began to glide away from the company on the ledge. She was gone from the scene. Further across the crater, perhaps somewhere near the center, a wind eagle could be seen in flight. It appeared as only a pigeon in size from such a distance away. It climbed in altitude, its wings pushing hard off the stiffening air. And as it reached higher in the sky it began to arc, and soon dive. It dove deep, wings compressed for that aerodynamic form arrows were known for. And it spread its wings and arced in the other direction, taking the speed it had gained to fly higher yet. It flew from sight in a spiral up and away from Mount Skynarta’s grasp. An eagle’s cry screeched down and across the way, faintly… OOCWhen you finish your post explaining what Neis is going to do next, and how the final parts of the scene unravel, highlight the URL and note the thread’s name. Take it to one of the Wind Reach story teller offices (Gossamer’s, Halcyon’s, or Phoenix’s) and fill in the rubric there! It was an interesting start, but she needs to be careful or she will get in trouble, wind eagle or not, she should know better. Also, be careful with NPCs running around and knowing wind eagles by name. If there’s any question with the to-be-graded form in regards to skills..I think this was more of a social thread, so whatever the storyteller sees of worth is cool; I wasn’t looking for many skill points in this thread. After this is graded and we have the basics, we should plan for a follow up thread at a later date. K? Keep up the good work.

[Gossamer]

. Character: Neis Experience: Cleaning + 3, Observation + 3 Lore: Being Reprimanded, Having a Wind Eagle Speak Into Her Mind, Trying to confess to someone and being ignored, The realities of your rank. Character: Tiaure'a Experience: Observation +3, Leadership +3 Lore: Being in charge. Giving orders. Disregarding those of lesser caste. Additional Note:Nice thread. I wish you guys would have taken it further. It seemed sort of truncated as if you both could have had an adventure together but maybe Tia had too much fun shooing the Dek away rather than talking to her.. which of course is what a Wind Eagle would probably do anyhow realistically (unless they were hungry and just ate the dek). .