Closed Fall Meetings (Sira)

[Drusilla]

50th of Fall 514AV Drusilla had climbed the gate once again today. Now that she knew it was climbable Why wouldn't be? and not laced with some secret Inarta magic. As a youth the gate had seemed omnipotent in some strange way, it kept you in or it kept you out. The simple notion that it was climbable had never crossed her young mind. But now knowing the gate was just that, a gate she had started to explore just outside it. Never straying too far, just far enough to snag a rabbit to fill her strange dietary needs that she tried to stretch or to find a patch of flowers to admire. She had lucked out today and catching a rabbit. As fall set in the small animals seemed to grow restless. Perhaps she could get lucky a capture some more food and maybe she could gain some fat on her exposed rib cage. As much as she tried, she knew she couldn't live solely on fruit. Drusilla was in a way starving herself of the main nutrients her body needed. She could 'play' human all day but in the end it was useless, her stomach would never change. She was about to sit and wait for the rabbit to bloat up and become something any human would find utterly disgusting when a patch of purple caught her eye. Carrying her soon to be meal by the ears, Drusilla investigated the patch of purple only to find her namesake. Asters. She knelt down beside the patch happily looking them over. You, like the aster that blooms in the fall... With a smile she opened her bag, carefully picking some of the flowers. She would surprise Turrin and place them in his room. Drusilla looked out farther past the gate wondering if she'd find some more flowers or rabbits. Maybe she'd check. Turning to her rabbit, which looked thoroughly disgusting by now. Drusilla sunk her fangs in and ate, half disgusted at herself for having to do this to live.

[Sira]

Sira hated watch duty. Nothing interesting ever happened. It was the most boring part about being an Endal. All you did was sit around and stare at nothing all day or night, trying your best not to fall asleep.

Sira was not alone on her watch, a small blessing, but her partner was more interested in sharpening his knives than talking to her. More than once she had tried to get his attention, seduce home, annoy him, get some sort of reaction out of him other than a disinterested glance. Every time he would give her a blank stare, maybe a word or two in reply, and then go back to his knives.

At the rate things were going, Sira was worried she would fall asleep on the job. She was starting to do just that, her head drooping as she struggled to keep her eyes open when she spotted movement out of the corner of her eye. She jerked and sat upright, drawing a look from the other endal, and leaned forward, peering out beyond the gates.

"What is it," he asked.

Three words. Wow, that was the most he had said to Sira all morning. She ignored him, giving him a taste of his own medicine. Now she just had to.. there! Yes, there was definitely something outside the gates.

"I thought I saw something. You stay here. If I need help I'll call for you."

Sira then proceeded down the stairs and out the door into the unforgiving. She knew about where the movement had been seen, and did not have a problem making her way there. She had flown and hunted the area far to many times to get lost so close to home. As she drew near she slowed and strung her bow, nocked an arrow, and slowly crept forward. What she saw caught her completely by surprise.

A Symenestra, she knew what they looked like from the descriptions, and she recalled vaguely having met one in the past, though she couldn't remember where. And it was... picking flowers? Sira tensed and dropped into a crouch. She did not know much about Symenestra, but she had heard all the rumors. Evil creatures that could shift like Kelvics, but only into spiders. They kidnapped and raped women, and ate children. And their babies were so vile they killed their mothers and devoured them whole. The only thing worse was a Zith.

Sira had met a few Zith, and while most were fierce and animalistic, they weren't monsters either. She doubted that Symenestra were all the rumors said they were, but just to be safe...

Sira drew back her bowstring and let fly an arrow, watching as it thudded into a tree right next to Dru. She quickly notched another and shouted a warning.

"That wasn't a miss, Symenestra. Make a move I don't like and I'll put one where it hurts. What are you doing here?

[Drusilla]

Drusilla sprung from her seat as the arrow flew by her and stuck in a tree. She looked at the woman with bewilderment and slight anger. "I was eating out here as to not upset the rest of Wind Reach! Along with picking some flowers for Turrin's room...That are now scattered everywhere!" She spoke in perfect Nari. Drusilla quickly tried to recollect the flowers that had tumbled from her bag. However, she had trampled a few in her fright. She groaned sadly. Some of the best were ruined. Standing to face to woman Drusilla sighed, "I am Drusilla Aster Cheit Seamstress soon to be Avora. I just moved into the Aeries with Turrin and Aponivi. Honestly with all the rumors flying, you'd think...or the fact I'm in Bryda and Vinati..." She muttered the last part. Giving a good look at the woman she had a familiar feel to her. "You, we've met before. Somewhere." "It doesn't matter, I guess. I have more flowers to pick and perhaps another rabbit to eat." Drusilla made her way to the tree with the arrow stuck and pulled it free. "I believe this is yours. I'll just lay it here." She placed the arrow on the ground and returned to her flower picking. "Maybe I could put some of these in with the asters, make a mixed bouquet...." She mused to herself. This would be a story to tell Turrin, an Endal shooting at her! How long had she lived in Wind Reach now? Yet people simply saw her hair and skin and assumed the worst.

[Sira]

Well, she certainly had the attitude of an Inarta. That along lent some credit to what the spider woman was saying, but as she listened, she began to call the rumors she'd heard. Yes.. there was an Symenestra living with an endal. It was a bit of a scandal, though Sira wasn't one for gossip, so she had never paid much attention to the rumors. She herself had been a scandal plenty of times, she didn't feel the need to get involved with other scandals.

Dru's words stung more than she likely expected, truth be told. Sira had been the butt of much prejudice herself, and so she should have known better. But without Addy to soften her, Sira had grown sour and quick to jump to conclusions.

Sira lowered her bow, a frown on her lips. She wasn't used to being talked to in such a way, but it didn't really bother her all that much. Usually when a member of a lower caste gave her lip it amused her more than it angered her. And to be fair, she had just shot an arrow in the woman's general direction.

She knew of Turrin, and Apovini as well. Aponvini was nearly the same age as Sira, and they had grown up together, though they were not close. Still, Sira knew every wind eagle on the mountain, though some better than others. Their riders she was less interested in, unless she actually had a reason to interact with them. She could not remember if she had met Turrin or not, actually.

The kelvic knelt to pick up the arrow and watched Drusilla return to her flower picking. Such a random thing to be doing.. it was something Addy would enjoy, Sira thought.

"Don't pick that one," she said, breaking the silence. "There are bugs on it."

Sira's keen eyes could easily see the little aphids crawling around on the flower Dru had been reaching for. A close inspection and anyone else could see them too, but she needed to say something that wasn't hostile. An apology probably would have been better, however, but Sira wasn't quite so thoughtful as that.

[Drusilla]

"Oh! Thanks, didn't notice the little guys there on that one." Drusilla smiled and leaned forward watching the little bugs go about their business. After watching the bugs for a few ticks it hit her, "A party... I met you at a party! Yeah... Wait, the party was for you! A baby shower!" Drusilla paused, the woman's name was on the tip of her tongue. "You're Sira! The Wind Eagle herself, wow. How have you been?" She asked picking flowers with a closer eye. A thought rose to her mind, all the questions she had discussed with Azira... She could get some insight. "Hey Sira, is it true an Eagle won't take a rider with gold eyes? That's what Azira told me... I know Inarta do stupidly dangerous stunts to woo an eagle. But, what do you eagles look for in a rider?" She gave a laugh. "Don't worry I'm not asking for me, I know I'm a no go for that being a Symenestra. But what is it you seek? Can you see something other humans or humanoids can't see or sense? Can other birds see this or are they not as... excuse the word, picky?" Sira was amazing to Drusilla, she had insight from birds. No, Wind Eagles not just any ol' birds. While Drusilla had millions of questions, but she had already jabbered away with thinking. Darn her inquisitiveness. She had already been slightly short with Sira, then again she had almost been shot. Still it was time to show she wasn't a mean person, in fact she was quite the opposite. "So what are you doing out here just watch duty? If you want want, I'm gonna practice with my bow I can barely hit a target. But I get tired of the Archery Range. Your shot was dead on... Azira's been teaching me... But I bet you could give me some pointers.. And um, sorry for being snarky to you. You honestly scared the shyke out of me."

[Sira]

Sira blinked at the flurry of questions that came at her once the woman actually recognized who she was. She did recall now.. she had met this woman at her baby shower. That had been a good day. How was she now.. she thought about it, and decided to ignore that particular question. There were plenty more to answer.

"Golden eyes? That's nonsense. Of course we would. Azira.. she's just had some bad luck, is all. That's what I'd guess."

Sira had recently met Azira, in fact, but she didn't know a whole lot about the woman. She seemed like the sort that a wind eagle might choose, but some eagles were picky, and some Inarta just had the misfortune of never being picked. There wasn't always a reason why.

"Some eagles are impressed by dangerously stupid stunts. Some look at personality. I chose Aidara.. well.."

She paused, thinking about it. More than once her bondmate asked her why she had chosen her, and Sira could never give her a straight answer.

"Honestly, I have no idea why I chose her. We do see things other people can't.. but in Addy's case, I was just drawn to her. Actually, at first I was terrified of the whole idea. But then, well, we fell in love. I.. Why am I even telling you all this. Wind Eagles choose who they choose, and if you don't get chosen, it doesn't mean there is something wrong with you. There are a lot more of you than there are of us. And as for you specifically, don't rule yourself out. Non-Inarta have been chosen before."

"And yes.. I am on watch. I should probably get back, since there isn't a threat.. but I don't think I'll be missed."

Sira doubted the other endal even remembered she was there. He had probably gone back to sharpening his blades, and Sira was content to let him do that without her. If there was a problem, Sira was nearby and could respond quick enough. It would be fine.

"Sure, I could teach you. I'm good with a bow, but I'm no master, just so you know. I could have missed that tree and hit you.. so be glad that trees are easy targets. But I'd be happy to show you a thing or two."

Sira enjoyed teaching people things. She hadn't always, but lately she was trying to take on more of a leadership role, and often helped teach the Yasi. It helped keep her mind off losing Aidara, though that pain was finally starting to fade on its own.

"How about you show me what you can do first, and I'll give you some pointers if you need them."

[Drusilla]

"Really so the golden eye thing is nothing more than a tale? Heh, most of the Inarta don't know that... I've heard it more than once. Golden eyed Inarta were eagles in their past life and because of that an eagle won't accept them. They really believe that." Drusilla informed Sira. A smile crossed her face, she knew Azira too. "Azira has a good heart under all the walls she's built up. She's had a hard life from what she's told me. I think the birds pick up on her insecurity and get frightened or flustered. I get the feeling something happened to her with an Endal... But she didn't say anything really. I brought up Endals and she flipped out on me." Something had definitely happened with an Endal, something personal. It didn't matter if Azira ever told her. She didn't have to. Some things were better left unknown. Just so long as Azira knew Drusilla would be there for her. Drusilla gave a laugh, "That's good. I didn't think you'd be one for stupid stunts. But, I could of been wrong... Personality sounds like a safer bet, any idiot can do something stupid." It was happy and sad what Sira said. Drusilla was aware that Aidara had gone missing, leaving Sira alone. But to hear how much Sira had loved Addy, it was heartwarming. But it was heartbreaking now that she was gone. Drusilla made a confused face, "Because you want or need to talk about and or you feel I'm trustworthy? I don't know?" "Me? Honestly, I couldn't even see an eagle giving me a second glance I'm too diferent. Besides I've flown on Aponivi before and his free falls and my stomach...Didn't get along well." Drusilla admitted. When the mention of her watch partner came up Drusilla smirked, "It's a he isn't it? Turrin's people, he's Myrian on his dad's side... Well they find men to be too.." She couldn't find the right word, "Too stubborn and pigheaded. The whole tribe is governed by women. They have all the power, a women can have many husbands and make them leave if she is unhappy and he must return to his family's home." Drusilla pulled out her bow, "Okay but I'm pretty bad." She warned. She lined up an arrow and aimed at a tree. Okay let go on an exhale. With a little hesitation she fired and much to her own surprise and amazement it hit the tree. "That had to be luck! Had to be! That normally doesn't happen. I tend to lean right..." She had hit the tree. She had hit the tree!

[Sira]

"Everybody likes to come up with reasons why they aren't chosen, but we choose who we want. Our reasons are our own. If an eagle wants to choose someone with golden eyes, or of a race other than Inarta, they are free to do so, regardless of whatever superstitions are floating around out there."

Sira chuckled at the comment about stupid stunts. This woman clearly did not know her very well. Sira did a lot of stupid things, but she wasn't going to choose a rider based on their stupidity, now matter how stupid she herself could be.

"You'd be surprised at some of the stunts I've done, but being reckless isn't the only thing that matters. It shows courage.. in a way, but that's not the only thing I look for."

When it came time to shoot the bow Sira grew quiet, watching Dru's movements carefully. She took her time, aimed, hesitated, and then let go and actually hit the tree. Judging from her reaction, Sira assumed it was the tree she'd been aiming for as well

"Good job! You've clearly got the basic idea of it down. Eventually you'll want to get more fluid in your motion. Don't take so long to aim, just trust yourself to point the arrow where it needs to go. If you were going to throw a rock at me, would you aim? It's the same idea with the arrow. Instinct is just as useful, and to me even better, than taking a long time lining up the shot. Besides, in a real life situation, you aren't always going to have time to aim and go through all the proper steps."

There were a lot of other tips on form and all that Sira could give, and she would, but to her just relaxing and trusting oneself was the most important part. She recalled her early days of learning to use her bow, and remembered how important being able to relax was. It was amazing how much better you could shoot when you weren't tense and spending all your concentration on making sure you did everything perfect.

Sira pulled an arrow from her quiver and drew it back on the string. As she did so she straightened her back, pulled the string all the way back until her thumb was even with her lips. She was turned sideways, and her feet were about shoulder width apart. She held that pose easily, letting out a long slow breath, before breathing in and speaking.

"This is what you would call proper. Back straight, feet spread apart the width of your shoulders. Draw all the way back to your lip or ear, depending on how long your arms are, the size of the bow, and what's comfortable. Normally though, you would not hold this pose, but it's good to practice just standing like this. It will help build your muscles."

Muscles that Sira could start to feel straining just a bit. She could hold the pose for a long time, but that didn't mean she would not feel it. Sira released, opening her hand and smoothly pulling it back past her ear. She didn't bother to explain that part of the technique, that could come later.

"Now.. see how long you can hold that pose. Oh, and make sure you point that arrow away from me while you do it," she added with a grin.

[Drusilla]

"Yeah, but you have wings. You can be more dangerous. Tell me, what's it like to be able to fly? I mean by yourself not relying on anything else... To just..fly? One other thing.. if you are looking for a partner.. do me a favor and consider some people for me Azira and a cheit tracker named Khara. Both have potential." Drusilla nodded, "More fluid motion.." She listened to every word Sira offered. Drusilla herself would never be an Endal she was sure, but having the privilege to learn from one was perhaps just as good. They saw it all so they could teach vital skills. She took up the shown stance, "Yeah I have really long arms. Kinda comes with the skin and fangs. How far should I pull?" She found a comfortable pull and waited to see if Sira corrected her. "So what's the dumbest stunt you've done? If I'm gonna stay like this, I'm gonna need some distraction to stay this way for awhile." "My dumbest thing would be falling in love with an Endal. I met Turrin when we were kids. Love at first sight." Azira had made her hold this stance for forever that one day. Standing here gave her time to think of everything and the silence gave her a strong need to fill it. She fought the desire to talk, she knew she spoke too much. But she hated it, the silence. It held nothing but emptiness and that emptiness reminded her of the emptiness of Kalinor. "Sira, do you see many Symenestra out here? If you ever see a male, just kill him. Kill him, don't even give him a warning. Their hunt starts in the fall." Her eyes dilated, not out of fear. It was her body going on guard, without her knowledge. It happened when she thought of her race.

[Sira]

Going on vacationI will be going on vacation tomorrow after work, and don't expect to have much internet access. I will be back Monday evening, so I probably won't post again till then.

Sira was silent for a moment as she considered Drusilla's words. She had met both of the women mentioned, even hunted with them, and truth be told, she was considering them. Sira knew she needed to get a new rider, and she was finally at a place where she thought she could open up again enough to do so. She did not know either of them well, not yet anyway, but they were potentials.

"I.. I will consider them. As for flying, it's wonderful. I can't really describe it in words. It's.. freedom."

Sira stepped forward, placing a hand on the Symenestra's back, pushing her up a little straighter. She lifted her arm a little higher and then stepped back and nodded, apparently satisfied with the results.

"As you are probably starting to feel, if you hold this pose too long, you'll start to shake and get tired. It will throw off your aim, make you miss, and you might even hurt yourself if the string catches you, or someone else with a stray arrow. You want to practice this pose so that you can build endurance, but when you are shooting you want to hold it only as long as is necessary. You should be aiming as you draw back the string, that way you can release as soon as possible.

Sira tried to consider what else she should say. She did not consider herself a very good teacher, even if she did have the knowledge. After a moment, though, she had an idea.

"Okay, that's enough of that for now. You'll want to practice that pose every day to build your strength, but there's something else I thought of that's really important and will help a lot. Notch. Draw. Release. The important part today though is notch."

Sira reached behind her back and drew an arrow from her quiver, notching it to her bowstring without looking.

"Notch."

She drew back and then released the arrow at the tree.

"Draw and release. The key is to be able to notch an arrow without looking, and in the right spot. You can look at first if you need to, but eventually you need to be able to do that without even thinking. Oh, and the arrow should be dead center on the bowstring. Too high or low and you'll throw off your flight path, and probably miss. Or hurt yourself. Now, on my command I want you do do just what I did. Aim at that tree, but don't worry about accuracy for now. We'll start slow at first."

"Okay. Notch.

Sira watched as Dru complied, then said, "Draw... and release."

As soon as the arrow thudded into the tree Sira said, "Notch," again, and then, "Draw.. Release."

She repeated that over and over three more times. On the fourth go she said, "Notch!," immediately after the previous release, not waiting until the arrow struck it's target.

"Draw. And release. Good. That last one was a bit more advanced.. But good to practice. Anyway, practice this and the pose every day. Once you can hold that pose for a half bell, and notching becomes as easy as breathing, then you can add in aim."