Closed Fall Meetings (Sira)

[Drusilla]

"Thank you, your consideration is all I ask. I would love to see either take to the skies." Drusilla said with a smile, even if there was a small chance either would bond with Sira... She was happy, no beyond happy. She viewed both as adopted sisters. Azira was fiery and needed someone to listen and care. As for Khara, so innocent and talented Drusilla would protect her with her own life if needed. ...Freedom, yeah that sounded about right in Drusilla's mind. Pure freedom with no restrictions... It made Drusilla smile. Drusilla stood and let Sira model her arms and back until the Endal was happy with her stance, Drusilla didn't mind. She nodded to Sira, the pose was a bit strenuous and within a few ticks Drusilla could feel her muscles beginning their protest. An ignorable lament for now... But the Symenestra knew that would change with time. Drusilla was relieved when Sira told her to drop the stance. Drusilla watched as Sira effortlessly notched and fired the arrow. Would she ever be able to do that? Or was she destined to always be so awkward with a bow? She couldn't help but wonder as she prepared her bow. Notch. Draw. Release. Notch. Draw. Release. Notch. Draw. Release. Notch. Draw. Release-Notch!? The last one caught her slightly off guard, but she had tried the best she could. Sira's praise was happily welcomed but the Symenestra had to wonder, just like breathing? Really? She hoped so.

[Sira]

A thought crossed Sira's mind as she watched Dru practice with her bow. With Aidara, choosing her had been an act of pure randomness. They met each other, fell in love, and the bond came naturally. Now, though, Sira was actively searching for a rider. She did not want just anybody, she wanted the right person. But how did she decide who was the right person?

"Do you mind if I ask you something? ..you can stop practicing now. Just remember those exercises and work on them every day, with whatever else you have been taught to do. Anyway, my question.. If you were a wind eagle, who would you choose? Azira or Khara? I'm not saying I'm going to choose either of them, but if it was a choice between the two, who would you pick?"

Sira had never asked somebody a question like that before. She could not count how many times Aidara and others had asked her how she chose the healer, or how other wind eagles chose their riders. Sira had never truly been able to answer the question, and always told them wind eagles chose who they felt was right, and that was all that mattered. But Sira had no idea how a wind eagle chose its mount. For all her closeness to the creatures, that was a subject she had never broached.

Perhaps asking Drusilla was inappropriate, especially considering she was not an Inarta. But perhaps Dru would have a unique insight on the matter, since she was not a likely choice herself. For all Sira said about how it could be possible, it honestly was highly unlikely that any wind eagle would ever bond with a Symenestra, no matter how Inarta-like they were.

[Drusilla]

Drusilla paused to think, "They are the opposite of one another. But both have seen hardship, Azira's seen more and that's why she is how she is. She's temperamental and is not afraid of a fight, her way of covering up her scars so she can never be hurt again. But in protecting herself, she's pushed many away. Her father never claimed her. She's been hurt in ways a girl should never be. Bad relations have followed I would guess. She has something to prove to the world. She misses her mother. She just needs to finally trust someone and have them tell her it's alright. But, don't try and hug her not even a friendly hug. Getting to know her takes time, you can't rush it... One day, I'd like to see her happy as any other sister would want to see their younger." Drusilla had sat down and made herself comfortable in the grass, watching the bugs climb along the flower Sira had pointed out. A warm smile graced the Symenestra's face, "Khara, the definition of innocence. She tends to fidget and ask questions about everything. So curious. She has natural talent as a game scout. Her twin was still born, and that haunts her. She tries to do what is expected of her, but feels she falls short. She loves and can be loved. She's a dreamer. I adopted her as family as well." She stopped and looked to the sky. Thinking. Playing things out in her head. Slowly making one of the hardest decisions of her life. "I believe... that Azira deserves it...but with an eagle much different than you. With you and her I feel like there would be nothing but fighting. She needs to open up more before she's really ready." Her smile returned, "Khara won't see herself fit for the honor of being chosen, maybe that's why she should. It would take her some time to view you as an equal. But in the end, she'd be your best friend. The kind you tell secrets to and sneak candies with. She'd ask every question she could. Never doubting your view on a situation. I would pick Khara. Her soul and dreams already fly."

[Sira]

Sira was a bit surprised by the answer. Though she was not certain about either of them, she barely knew them, her initial opinion of them had her leaning toward Azira over the game scout. She liked the avora's fire, Khara was just so timid. But there was something about her, some inner spark that caught her eye. Sira had no idea. If she were forced to choose right away.. she did not know if she could. Thankfully she did not really need a rider during the winter, there was little opportunity for hunting then, but come spring Sira intended to take a new one.

"Thank you.. you've given me a lot to think about."

Sira glanced up at the sky. It was nearing the end of her watch, she had free time for the rest of the day, and without Aidara or Natalie around, she had little to do. That would be another plus to choosing a rider. She would have a constant companion again, and wouldn't spend her time off bored to death.

"What are your plans for the day? I guess I interrupted whatever it was you were doing. I could come with you, if you don't mind."

Of course she could come with her even if she did mind, being an endal. She could do whatever she wanted, but what she wanted was a friend for the day, and you could not order someone to be that. Sira sent a mental message to her watch-mate's eagle, letting him know she was leaving for the day, then turned all her attention back to Drusilla.

[Drusilla]

Drusilla shrugged, "I just told you what I know and who I'd choose. But I am me and you are you. We may see different things within different people. Or see the same things but view them differently. Either way or neither, one day I know both will get chosen. I just know it!" Drusilla smiled and nodded to herself. "For them to fly is for me to fly... When I came to Wind Reach as a girl, nobody ever told me not to try and impress the eagles or to leave them alone. They gave me the chance if I wanted even if my chance was close to nonexistent... But I never tried. Because I watched half-bloods and full-bloods fighting for one, fighting to death to be an Endal. Who was I to join in that fight? To take a chance away from them?" She fell silent sadly aware of her jabbering again. Why couldn't she just close her mouth? Drusilla was surprised by the Endal's question, "Huh, oh my plans? I didn't really have one besides catch a rabbit and pick some flowers... If you have any good ideas though.." She sighed, "All I focus on is my work, so on days off I'm kinda lost honestly. So any recommendation would be better than anything I've got. Where do you like to go?" An honest and curious question. What did Endals do for fun? She was now the lover to one, and with that her status had changed in a way. Knowing where to be seen and what to do could help with what was now expected of her and what she expected of herself to be more Inarta-like. Stopping to really focus on Sira, she understood. How lonely she must be... "You know if you ever want to compare Aeries or something like that your more than welcomed to swing by, Turrin and Aponivi are almost always out on watch or hunting... I did the decorating in our Aeries so it's got a Kalinorian type feel to it.." She couldn't just come out and say 'if you're lonely, we could hang out and be friends' to an Endal. She hoped Sira got the message behind her words.

[Sira]

"Compare aeries? Why would I want to.. oh, um, nevermind. Thankyou, maybe I will stop by some time."

Sira's initial reaction to the offer was cut short when she realized what Drusilla was actually offering. Sira had little to no interest in the decorations of any aerie. Before she'd moved in with Aidara and Sai, her own aerie had been rather plain, save for the nest area and the bath. Her current aerie, while much larger and luxurious than her last, and far better decorated thanks to the healer, was falling into disuse, save for her bedroom, and was a cluttered mess. But Dru wasn't really offering to compare aeries, she was offering Sira companionship, and the endal was grateful for it.

"As to your question about what I like to do. Well.. this will sound silly, considering my job, but I like to hunt in my spare time. Besides that.."

Sira paused, considering. What did she like to do in her spare time? She would have said spending it in the bed of random strangers, but that felt a bit inappropriate, and while she was a bit curious about what a symenestra might look like under their clothes, she was also a bit wary. Despite her willingness to trust the woman, there were still the stories, and Sira wasn't entirely sure if she would even want to risk something like that. What if the woman bit her in a moment of passion? Besides, Sira doubted the Symenestra would be interested in anything like that. Beyond sex and hunting, well, there were a few things.

"I like to go to the Inclement Weather, but they're probably not even open right now. I like to practice archery or train with my sword. Um.. if it's warm, I like swimming down at Thunder Bay, and looking for seashells. The baths are always nice when it's cold."

Sira thought some more on it, but could not really come up with anything else. It was a bit sad, really, but she did not want to dwell on that fact.

"Honestly, I guess I'm a bit boring. When I'm not working, I'm usually practicing to get better at working. When Addy was around we used to do lots of fun stuff, but... well, she isn't around anymore."

[Drusilla]

Drusilla smiled, happy that Sira had understood her. Even if it had taken her a tick or two. As lonely as Drusilla was with Turrin gone, Sira had to be miserable not having Addy or their daughter. Plus, the two had been together for well, forever. The least the Symenestra could do was offer her friendship. "It's not silly! You enjoy what you do, there's nothing better than loving what you do! Love what you do and you never really work a day in your life. Maybe once I get better with my bow, maybe come spring. We could go on a hunt or something..." Drusilla shrugged. She gave a slight laugh, "Sorry, I guess we're both boring outside of work. Workaholics..." Drusilla stopped to think, "How about the Dreaming Lady? I go there sometimes just to sit and think, but a massage and soak never hurts either." She had caught that Sira had thought of something but decided to keep it to herself. Maybe it was an eagle thing.. She may never know but that was okay. If Sira had wanted or needed to know, she'd tell her. Drusilla had found her Sira's like of looking for seashells cute and endearing for a women who was also a fierce predator. "So want to go treat ourselves? I don't go to the Weather often. Maybe we can hit the Weather after that? But I'm no good at dancing, just a warning."

[Sira]

"The Dreaming Lady," Sira whispered.

A shudder ran down the endal's spine as her mind was filled with memories of the last time she had been to the spa and the reason that had brought her there. It was not long after the strange lightning storm that had zapped a number of people off the face of the planet, and the terrible encounter with the otherworldy entity high above the world. Sira quickly shook her head, forcing the memories down. It was silly to be afraid of the place. All of that trauma was long behind her, and she was determined to move forward with her life.

"I suppose it would be nice to go there to actually relax," she finally responded, "You can show me how, and then maybe I can show you how to dance... not that I'm very good at it either."

Relaxation and dancing with a Symenestra. It was not where Sira had expected her day would lead, but it was probably far more interesting than anything she might have done on her own. Besides, the strange woman seemed to be genuinely want to get to know Sira, and she was easy on the eyes too. Sira had always had a thing for exotics, and Dru was about as exotic as they came. Not that she expected to pursue that line of thought, but neither did she bother to push it aside. No harm in thinking, right?

[Drusilla]

Sira's face had gone pale and Drusilla panicked, "Sira! A-are you alright?! You lost almost all your color! Do you need to lay down or something?" Drusilla was just about to reach out and steady the Eagle, when without warning she appeared to return to her former healthy state. All Drusilla could find to do is just stand there half confused and terrified. Dru smiled as Sira spoke, she seemed fine now. "I get some of my best sewing ideas after a visit to the Lady. I expect you'll be much better at dancing than I. You know though, there is a school in Kalinor just for the study of dance? It was called 'The Cobweb.' Not sure who thought of the name.They could of done better with naming it... I never attended there, maybe if I had stayed. Heh, like that would of happened... I attended The Weft and Warp, the school of silk weavers and Seamstresses. We also had a basic non-specialized school too." She spoke as they walked back to the gate. "So are they going to open it or should I just shimmy back over the top like I did to get out? If you held on to my back I could get us both over..." She thought out loud. In Kalinor if you had a non-Symenestra visiting, you were expected to ferry them via a basket or back across the city as it was impossible for them to walk the tightrope like roads that connected the city. Even if someone somehow could walk the ropes, it was too dark for normal eyes to see where they were going and a fall to the bottom of the cave with gods knows what lurking below. As a child strange noises had echoed up from the bottom of the cave making a young Dru wonder just what alien creatures roamed the floors under their city. She still wanted to know. She spoke up again, "Hey Sira, do you recommend any of the drinks at the Weather? I can handle one or two. But I don't go there often enough to really know all the drinks that well... Erm preferably something sweet?"

[Sira]

"I'm alright. I just had a bad experience last time I was there, but I know the place can be relaxing if I let it."

Sira considered her own words as Drusilla spoke about Kalinor. It was strange that the Dreaming Lady was what brought a chill to her spine, but the Inclement Weather did not, especially considering that it was at the Weather where she finally snapped. The Weather she associated with battling her demons, she supposed, even if it was a drug induced battle that resulted in a terrible loss of many lives.. The Dreaming Lady had been a failed attempt, however, and so it was harder to face.

"Honestly," Sira said in response to Dru's last question, "I have no idea. I just tell the bartender I want something strong, or sweet, or whatever I feel like and take whatever he gives me. I usually don't ask what it's called. I don't really go for the drinks. I go to dance, or to pick up a friend for the night."

In truth, Sira rarely drank anymore, not since someone slipped a bunch of drugs into her drink and bad things happened. She had only recently begun returning to the Inclement Weather, and she mostly went for the dancing and nightly companionship. Going to the Dreaming Lady would be a very different experience. Sira glanced over at the Symenestra as they walked, studying her with those piercing golden eyes she had.

"How long have you been here," she asked curiously. "You speak Nari very well. How did you end up here? Kalinor is a long, and dangerous, way for anyone not on the back of a wind eagle."