Unnaturally Natural (Ven)

by **Risa Moontide** on August 28th, 2011, 7:54 pm

83rd of Summer, 511AV
Risa was tired. But she was more than most of the way up this cliff face! The top was looming ever closer, each hand moving by smaller amounts than she wanted, but moving nonetheless. She didn't have any harness with her, so the stretch of rock below her was a little intimidating, but she wasn't too far from the slope that had brought her to this novice rocky surface.

Advice from Sairque led her to this climbing experience, not too far from Wind Reach itself. It was intermediate, and Risa had meant to try climbing it for a while now. The rock wall was broken all over the place, finding handhelds was sometimes easier than on the Edge. Really, Risa's biggest challenge was keeping her strength from failing her, keeping fighting toward the top. Risa shifted her weight for one leg to the other so she could reach up again.

Fala flew around her occasionally, not resting his light weight on top of her any longer. Risa was too focused to make note of him though, as she pulled her free leg back into place on a higher foothold, letting the pressure back on both her legs. She was sweating, and the headband was doing little to help. The sun was baking her to this rock like a lizard in the sun, but she was still moving. Her hands, both wrapped in cloth and in gloves, were probably sweating too under the layers of fabric. At least her grip was firm!

Risa's mind started to wonder for a moment as she just clung to the mountain, not taking another step for a moment to catch her breath. Her thoughts turned to Tavaltia, wondering what he was doing. She was enamored by him, completely lost around him. it was nice. Risa reached up and grabbed another part of the rock, pulling on it to test its surface against her weight.

'Wind Reach is such an interesting place.' Risa smiled as she let her other leg loose this time, shifting her body weight again. As she went to pull her arm locked up. 'Arg, I reached too high.' She just couldn't get her other leg to support the weight as high as she wanted it to, so lowered back gently on both legs, scanning the surface for another handheld. Risa was glad she had came here first, sailed around most of Mizahar just to get here. Hopefully the rest of the world would be just as marvelous. Still, a part of her heart pulled away from the idea of leaving. She had grown so attached to the people here, the love of birds as strong as her own. Risa didn't want to think about that now.

Finding a new handheld Risa again let her weight shift, and this time more easily pulled herself onto the new position. Her leg found the hold her hand had been on a chime ago, and her weight was even again. Risa glanced over at the majestic mountains and valleys surrounding her. It was all so beautiful. Almost unnaturally so, like a painted picture in a book. 'I can examine the scenery when I get to the top, keep going!' The edge of the cliff was so close so she reached up again, fingertips just out of reach of the slope's plateau. Still, Risa continued climbing, her focus fluctuating internally to the cliff face and back again.

by **Ven** on August 30th, 2011, 3:34 pm

OOC :

Hmph. Why should I worry about where Vala went, I can take care of myself... That was false, Ven was only a child and he still didn't understand enough of Wind Reach. Without Vala Ven would only be a low life Dek for the rest of his life. There would be no hope for him, no one to teach him or make him strong. He was alone now, the mountain had given him a monumental challenge. Should he stay or should he go? Sure if he stayed he'd probably have a hell of a hard time to pay with learning. He wasn't even sure if he'd join the hunter ranks by then, but if he left then he would be challenging himself to the extreme. Kalea is a rough wild region, and if he managed to follow his instinct and traverse it he'd be alone. Such risk was indeed a matter of life and death. He was confused, unsure of what he should do.

With the situation present before him, Ven could only sit alone. Watching the water on the distant horizon, wandering what his next move should be.

by **Risa Moontide** on September 1st, 2011, 4:20 am

oocI didn’t know which form you were in so I just assumed fox form, I hope that’s ok
Risa’s arms were sore, but the months of rock climbing gave her the ability to hang on at least a little longer. After all, the top was mere inches away! Fala flapped up to the top at last, his short wings flapping furiously. Just as his webbed feet touched the surface he turned to see the little fox, staring back towards him. Fala screeched out an alarmed call, high pitched and short and Risa understood it as meaning “Predator! Fly away!” With that the small bird hopped from the ledge as quick as his little legs could, opening his wings as he dived away from the surface. Risa paused to look down, but he was flying lower on the rock face, at least safe for now.

Risa was more curious now as her fingers finally touched the upper surface of the ledge. Her legs were still holding fast and she saw the next footfall, hopefully the last footfall. Steadying her weight on the cliff face, Risa gripped the mountain as tight as her fingers could hold. At last Risa slowly moved her leg; again the weight was bearing down on the one still implanted in to rock, and pushed it against the last footfall. As she did so Risa also pulled with all remaining strength in her arms, hoisting herself where her head and elbows were above the rocky surface. Using her elbows as leverage Risa pulled her lower body up, resting on the surface.

After her final climbing exertion Risa looked over at the small fox whose bright eyes looked back at her. The little guy was a pretty orange color, inviting. For some reason he hadn’t run away, which was peculiar. In the back of Risa’s mind, a memory stirred, low and indistinct. She wasn’t sure why, but the fox seemed familiar. Had she seen any foxes here? Risa couldn’t remember. Still, she pulled herself to the sitting position and looked over at the lovely creature. Not expecting a reply, Risa said, “Hello little one. Come to watch the clouds float away?”

by **Ven** on September 2nd, 2011, 4:26 pm

OOC :

Huh? What? Predator? He saw the small bird fly away, and a small laugh was felt inside his chest. Yeah a bird your size I'd be your worst predator ever. A hand then grasped the surface of the cliff not far from where he was, he shocked to find that a human finally pulled itself up. Good heaven and the grace of Mount Skyinarta, Where the hell did you come from??? It was a she, and she looked incredibly worn out. Yeah? The cliffs work you out poor thing??

“Hello little one. Come to watch the clouds float away?”

Sure why not. After all I- His thoughts where cut off, a familiar scent was caught from her. It was one he remembered too well, the one who provided a good distraction for the old bat that one time. Oh...it's you. He looked back to the clouds, then shrugged his shoulders. Originally foxes wouldn't do that, so it would no doubt surprise her. He looked to the small bird, a tasty meal it would make for him had he the desire to eat; however he didn't. He only wanted to know what direction to follow. What path or direction he wanted to go, staring into the horizon made his thoughts vanish for the time, but no matter how long he would do so the issue would still reappear no matter what.

He stared back toward the girl. Your the clumsy one that got me away from the old nut, yet Vala wasn't very happy when she got back to her room... He walked over next to her and found a spot to sit, looking up at her with an unusual stare. Still I wish it would happen again, I'd be happy to find a room with Vala then an empty one. What was that you were doing just now? Did you fall off and no one heard your calls of distress? Or maybe you had nowhere to go and at the last second came up with something, and couldn't stop the fall so you managed to find a rock to cling to. Oh well it's none of my business....hey are you listening to me? Oh yeah.... He had nearly forgotten he was in his animal form this whole time, the reason why was also forgotten as well. He felt lost, and needed guidance. He wondered if she could offer him some guidance.

by **Risa Moontide** on September 11th, 2011, 2:46 am

The adorable little fox shrugged at her comment. Risa was taken aback, eyes still watching the furry thing stare over towards her. She opened her mouth to say something, anything, but no words left her mouth. His cute little eyes were watching her, staring into her, quizzing her. It was... it was...

THE CUTEST THING EVER! Risa grinned over at the little fox as it darted over beside her, the expression still as confusing and adorable as ever. Risa let her legs dangle over the edge, trying to relax as she leaned back against her arms. "What am I doing..." Risa sighed, peering away from the fox to the lovely mountainous landscape towards the ocean so far away.

Part of her just wanted to be back on the water. Risa had spent so long here among these mountains. She massaged her tired arm with the other. The little red animal seemed to echo what she was feeling, his posture was worn and tired. What was she doing? A sailor, a seafolk, out in the mountains? In a lot of ways it didn't make sense. She should be back with her pod, she shouldn't have left it.

This feelings were so familiar now, but that was the troubling part. Risa knew she should have put these feelings behind her. She thought she had already, with everything she had been through. Still, with repetition brings preparations. She knew how to deal with these feelings, so she let her thoughts turn more positive. There was a reason she was here, not just in Wind Reach but up this cliff! There was a purpose!

Again she spoke aloud, though Risa didn't really think the cute fox could understand her. "I just gotta remember why I'm here. I'm here because this is where I want to be. My life has lead me a lot of places, but I put myself here. Ya know?" The little fox's eyes were so cute, she would have scooped him up if not for the thinnest fear he would attack her in defense. "What are you here for?"

by **Ven** on September 13th, 2011, 3:56 am

When she asked that question Ven looked out to the sunset, then remembered that she wouldn't be able to hear him. Well, she wants to know so I might as well tell her. He looked back to the girl, seeing that she now was focused on him. Okay lady if you want to talk your going to have to deal with this. He thought to himself, morphing into a human before her very eyes. The fur had shifted and become skin, and he sat perched in front of her. He could see that there was surprise, along with some fascination, at what he did. He only looked to her with a serious face, trying his best not to smirk at the current situation. "No need to panic! Yes I am naked, and it's actually pretty chilly sitting on the cliffs like this." He looked back to the horizon, remembering the question from earlier. You asked what I'm doing here, so I'll tell you what I'm doing here. "I'm pretty much moping because I have no idea what to do."

by **Risa Moontide** on September 20th, 2011, 5:58 am

Risa froze, eyes wide. The little fox... wasn't a fox. It was a boy! Well, a young man. A red luster colored her cheeks and she averted her eyes from the chilled form the fox had suddenly become. Risa sat more rigid, trying to piece together what had just happened.

After a tick or two, a low breeze carried the cooling wind into her face. Risa shook her head. 'What am I doing?' She reached into her bag which dangled from her side. Riffling through the small amount of equipment she brought along she pulled a long cape, thick to prevent rain but the prettiest color of green. She quickly stood and moved behind Ven, laying the hopefully warm cloak on his shoulders.

Risa took a step to the side, but didn't return to her sitting position yet. Her hands felt the air in front of her, trying to think of what to do or say next. "Um... are you..." Part of her wanted to ask if he was real while the other simply wanted to ask what he was. But lucky for Risa Ven was not the first kelvic she'd met. Understanding clicked in an instant. "Wait, you're a- a fox kelvic, right?"

Risa had heard stories of kelvics from her mother and from Selphi. She knew they could take forms of other animals. She had even met Sira and heard of her changing power, though she never saw Sira transform. Risa was quick to shake off the initial surprise now, formulating the change into context. She sat down next to Ven now, looking at his ruffled hair.

"I guess I'm kinda moping too. I'm not sure where to go next. But my choices are clear. Leave or Stay." She didn't want to weigh down Ven with her problems, so let it drop. She wished Tavaltia was up here with her. But he wasn't. He was so distant the closer Risa got to the day she was planning on climbing Mt. Skyinarta and leaving Wind Reach. And it was only a few short weeks now. Risa sighed.