Completed [Flashback] The View From the Edge of The World [Phoenix]

[Kiran Pelyna]

Timestamp: 8th of Summer, 510AV

Kiran was bouncing on the balls of her feet. Well she was usually bouncing, a constant complaint of any adult in the vicinity of her. Although the complaint wasn't usually too heartfelt for while the child had energy she always used it in a productive manner. Well usually.

Right now though there were no adults around to criticize her energy as she fed the raptors that were kept for the non-endal hunters, because the people around here liked them, and just because sometimes a bird needed a place to rest. After she finished feeding the birds and cleaning the floors she would be off to explore the aeries. Or perhaps she would practice archery, or her glaive work. Kiran hummed at all the possibilities of things she could do. The humming escalated into a full scale song. She sung with a soft voice, meant to not startle her charged.

Some of the birds just looked at her but when she gave them their slivers of fish or mouse and gently straightened some wind torn feathers they calmed down quickly. Kiran held a deep awe for these creatures, some of them smaller versions of the mounts that enabled them to get much of their food. But even small these guys could do a good deal of damage to someone. they could get your eyes, open the artery in your neck. A determined raptor could kill a human. So Kiran treated them with the utmost respect, and a little bit of fear. Kiran's task today was simply to clean and feed, she was a tiny bit disappointed she didn't get to train or hunt with one today but she was still happy to be around these majestic creatures. So she continued to inform each and every one of them how amazing they looked, what she wanted to do today, and how good the winds were outside.

The twelve year old girl finished her work, the falconry rooms were spotless and the birds content. Kiran, satisfied, went off to see the aeries, or to go into a courtyard where she could look out at the world. She stopped by a glassblower and wheedled him out of a few colored beads for her hair with the promise to help him when she could to blow new ones.

Her hair pretty with the new ornaments in a braid by her head and tied off with a blue string Kiran by-passed the aeries where the new fledgling were. She had already dropped gifts off to them previously. One she liked best and had made a point of giving her the most unique and handmade gifts. But today Kiran was hoping she might see the fledglings testing their wings on the edge of the world, Kiran hoped that perhaps the more the fledgling saw her around the more likely it would be to talk to her. Kiran had only said soothing, kind things to the eagle. She had told her her own name and talked to her about winds, hunting and a tiny bit about herself. Of course she had yet to get a reply, no one else had either yet and that gave Kiran some hope. She wasn't sure if the bird was stubborn or just shy. But Kiran was determined to get this bird to speak to her and bond to her, hence her going to check to see if they were practicing flying.

Kiran eventually found herself on the Edge Of The World. It wasn't sunset yet so few people were here for sightseeing, some Yasti were repelling off the sides but other than that there weren't many people here. Kiran sat where she could look out at the forest and she contemplated hunting and the joy flying must cause. She watched as several Endals and Wind Eagles flew to the forest and back, envying them their freedom and bond to such a majestic creature. The Eagles she envied their wings and strength.

[Phoenix]

It was the perfect day for flying, that was to be sure. Even the songbirds were out, flitting around the tops of the trees and the shrubs that clung desperately to the sides of the mountain, while larger flocks of birds undulated and seemed to dance in the sky. The Endal were taking advantage of the clear skies, using the warm day in order to scout out new, heavily populated hunting areas as well as revisiting old ones. Air traffic was thick around the city, the silence of the early morning long replaced by the excited twitter and caws of frolicking and hardworking birds alike.

Avora and Chiet were also out en masse, crawling over the face of the mountain as they went about their various jobs. Usually a deserted place, Kiran didn't find herself alone at The Edge of the World for long. Soon a few women appeared around the corner followed by a flock of squabbling Yasi. The Chiet women looked tired, older than their years thanks to the gray hairs of stress that peppered their crowns; caring for a few dozen children on a daily basis was not an easy job.

As soon as Kiran came into view, the woman at the front of the group missed a beat in her step, stumbling just a bit as her careworn face morphed into an apologetic grimise. "Oh, dear, I'm sorry! I hope you weren't looking for someplace to be alone." A guilty look over her shoulder as the children left the single file they had held, bursting out into a mass of arms, legs, and screeching voices as they began to climb all over the piles of rocks scattered around the open area.

"We usually take them here to tire them out early in hopes of getting ourselves a little rest laters as well." With her voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper, the Chiet woman seated herself next to Kiran with a groan. She had her back turned to the open air, positioned so that she could easily keep an eye on the children. "It's just so hard to catch a break. I'm Miren, by the way." And with that she stretched out her feet before her, falling into a comfortable silence.

With the chatter of the birds and the shriek of the children, there was no shortage of things to occupy ones attentions. Kiran found the Yasi endearing enough that she stuck around to keep Miren company. Neither of them saw the dark, winged and furred creature that sat hunched in the shadows behind them, watching the children run around with a hungry look in it's eye.

The predator didn't have to wait long. After only half a bell, the children began to tire of chasing each other and their energies began to dwindle. Wandering off in ones or twos, poking things with sticks and picking up clods of dirt or bugs, it was a tiny girl no older than five or six that got too close.

It happened while she tried to climb a pile of rocks, chasing a squirrel that sat chittering down at her from just out of reach. The Zith didn't wait long, seizing this perfect opportunity to snatch up the child while the adults were distracted. It was the shrill scream that rent the air and startled everyone into action as the little girl was carried away off the edge of the cliff and into the shadows there.

[Kiran Pelyna]

Kiran was startled from her peace where she was almost falling asleep from all the serenity and quiet. She looked over towards the source of the noise, her child's ears keen enough to pick up the sounds of younger children screeching from this distance. As the woman came into view and saw Kiran relaxing there her face became one of apology, which made Kiran somewhat curious.
"It's fine, I was just looking to see the new female fledgling flying." Kiran explained right before the children became something akin to a beast with many arms, legs and screeching mouths and the attention span of a gnat. Kiran let out a small chuckle, it hadn't been too long ago she had been one of these energy filled youths, and she was still energy filled and youthful. Just not quite so...insane.

At the woman's explanation Kiran's eyes went wide and she let out a laugh.
"So that's why you always took us here when I was younger!" Kiran exclaimed, and it made sense. especially for herself who seemed to have no end in her energy reservoirs when she was a child. She smiled at the woman as she sat down next to her, she was slightly surprised that the woman was talking to her as an adult. Kiran was only twelve, still a child in the eyes of some. But this woman was talking to her as an equal and Kiran quiet enjoyed it.
"I'm Kiran." she replied and she happily let the silence take over as she watched the children play, stuck in imaginary worlds she could only guess at. The company of the woman was nice and the laughter of the children, and their yells, made this place seem more lively.

As the children began to walk off into singles and doubles she began to watch certain pairs, already seeing who would rise above Chiet level and who would fall below it, for habits started in childhood could haunt one for the rest of their lives. She glanced briefly at one girl as she attempted to climb a pile of rocks. She was looking away when something darted out from behind them and snatched the girl up. It was a streak in Kiran's peripheral and it turned her head back towards the girl.

A Zith. The girls scream called people to action. Children screamed in reply and huddled towards the adults, Kiran jumped up. She only had her dagger but her mind wasn't think of what she didn't have right then. She was only thinking that Zith ate humans, or enslaved them. Many ate the humans they captured though. Kiran was off, chasing where the Zith had flown until she reached the edge of the cliff. She looked around, spotting some repelling gear near by, quickly she pushed an anchor into the ground, pushing it deeper with a well placed kick. She was keeping herself calm as she did this, knowing that if she jumped off this cliff after the girl it would be easy to knock her off of it and to her death, but it was hard to reason that to herself.

Thinking of something she turned towards the women, surrounded by frightened children that were all in tears.
"Get the hunters and an Endal!" she shouted towards them.

She could still hear the girl screaming and so Kiran tied the rope and forgo the belt to attach to it, instead she just dropped the rope and began her decent downwards with the rope in her hand. There was a cave two yards down and the girl quickly descended and dropped into it. She could hear whimpers now and she pulled out her dagger, holding it in a firm grip she bit back the fear, anger and calmed herself. Her eyes narrowed and she began to walk towards the sounds of the little girl, hoping this Zith was either too hungry or too stupid to think of using the girl as a trap.

[Phoenix]

It took both of the women's combined skills to get all of the children under control; the appearance of the Zith had sent some of them into a frenzy, as the volume of their shrieks increased tenfold, the little things practically tripping over each other as they dashed about like they'd lost their heads. A few children froze in place and were easily collected... until the crying started.

The Zith used this distraction to his advantage, having chosen his target carefully. The girl was small and easy to hoist, maximizing his chances to escape as he tucked the child up and against his side, clamped beneath one arm. The mountain face was of no issue; he had found a relatively easy set of hand and footholds on the way up and simply used the same on the way down. Flying was out of the question, as he was using one of his wings to make sure the child, should she manage to squirm away, didn't fall all that far. Still, even one handed the Zith far outstripped the abilities of any of the Inartans present and completely confident that he would get away cleanly. Confidence usually leads to sloppiness.

Dropping down onto the ledge outside of the cave before Kiran had even managed to get the spike into the ground, the Zith disappeared into the dark depths with little sound. The cave a long abandoned aerie, set far away from where the other Endals lived. With tunnels and adjoining caverns branching off of the initial cave, it had long ago been the start of additional housing until the tunnels began to collapse. Lives had been lost there, but the kidnapper and his prize hardly cared.

Setting the child down on a high ledge, the Zith wordlessly slunk off into a darkened tunnel for some unknown reason. Were companions waiting in the distance? Was it a trap?

Kiran had no way of knowing as she reacted to the child's cry; the ledge had been shallow, and in the darkness the poor dear squirmed and fell the half a dozen feet to crash onto the cavern floor. If she moved quietly enough, the brave young woman would be able to reach the child before the Zith returned, but they were also a few dozen feet below the Edge of the World, with only a single rope as means to get back to the top.

[Kiran Pelyna]

Kiran tried to ignore the sounds of hysterical children, hoping that one of the women had managed to run off for help. If there was more than one Zith, or even just one really, Kiran stood the best chance of simply distracting the things. Perhaps just long enough for an Endal to get here and help.

Kiran looked around the cave and began a very slow, wary walk into it. She knew these caverns, not personally but when people died in them the whole community was warned about them. They were likely to fall on one's head if you weren't careful. Any shock against the walls or loud sounds were liable to start a collapse. Kiran waited and took a few more steps into the murky darkness as her eyes adjusted. She heard a body hit the ground and a whimper, not a few yards in front of her. Kiran hurried, still careful of where she put her feet. She could hardly see, and she bet the child would be blind in here as well.

She mentally cursed all Zith's to the darkest pit in a volcano far from this one. This place would be a wonderful place for an ambush for Zith's. They could probably see into this place like it was midday! She could personally barely see anything. She was closing in on the sounds of whimpers, rocks were beginning to be displaced by her feet as she went farther in, where the wind hadn't cleared the floor of debris. She tried to walk as quietly as possible but with so many rocks keeping her balance was still somewhat iffy. She could see a small shadowed form on the ground and she bent and whispered lightly towards the girl, reaching out her hand but not touching her in fear of the girl screaming.

"Hello little one, you seem to have gotten yourself into a spot of trouble. Take my hand and I'll have you out of here." Kiran told her in her softest voice. The girl sniffled and put her tiny hand in Kiran's. Kiran pulled her towards her and lifted the girl, swinging her onto her back. The girls arms locked around her neck like metal binds. Her legs gripped like she was terrified of dropping. Kiran rubbed her sweating hands on her Bryda and re-gripped her dagger in a stronger, less wet grip. She began to back out, keeping her eyes on the darkness when a sound came out. The sound of wings, fluttering, adjusting. And claws. Against stone. More than a single set. Kiran hastily looked towards the cave exit, more than three yards behind her. She began to speed her walk when a rock found it's way under her foot and she fell, twisting her body so she didn't land on the small child. Skin sliced open against rocks and gravel. The claws were coming closer.

"Can you climb?" she asked the girl nodded and Kiran sighed happily. The child could live then.

"Run to the cave opening, there will be a rope there. Climb up it and run back to the city or an adult. Don't stop running." she instructed as she stood. The girl looked hesitant at first but Kiran just pushed her towards the opening, hoping she had nothing broken that would stop her climb.

Kiran turned back towards the darkness and her hand tightened around her dagger. If she died she die fighting, and she'd take a few of these Zith's with her. If all else failed she could distract them long enough for the girl to get away and then she could jump. If she climbed they'd have her in seconds, but if she jumped she would die on impact. It would be better than being some Zith's slave or meal.

With a prayer to whatever deity might be listening she glared into the darkness and said something she'd probably regret.

"Do you worst you thrice cursed flying rodents!" Perhaps it wasn't her best insult but it would certainly anger her audience.

[Phoenix]

With a strength beyond someone her size and age and simply driven by fear, the little girl made it up the rope; Little Monkey, they called her after she returned. There were tears and laughter, hugs all around from the Yasi and the two caretakers... until they realized who was missing.

Kiran was way out of her league, her fierce and defiant challenge echoing painfully through the cavern and the hallways beyond. The scrabbling of claws increased, an odd scraping noise accompanied them. Ah, the wings. They dragged against the walls of the hallways, too small for such a large creature.

There was a deep, rich laughter that echoed in a throbbing response to Kiran's call. A few moments of relative silence as the echoes died. As the last ringing cry disappeared into the depths of the hallway, a voice bubbles from just around the corner from where Kiran stood.

"Little morsel..." It was a bastardized version of Nari, the twitters and chirps that made the language beautiful strangled on this creatures tongue. "Come to me..." The sound could make a grown man shiver.

Before Kiran had any chance to act, the Zith pelted around the corner, it's wings tucked close to it's body as it bent low and aimed for the young Inarta; razor sharp claws were extended, a completely inhuman chirping wail issuing from it's lips. Dagger readied or not, Kiran would have little time to stab or slash, needing to dive out of the way if she intended to survive.

A burning pain then, and a how of triumph to match. The Zith whirled, framed by the opening of the cave mouth as it liked the fresh blood from one of it's claws. Kiran would feel her dagger arm go numb, a gash running from her shoulder to her elbow. Not artery was hit, but she couldn't afford to waste any time. Without her weapon, she couldn't hope to overpower the big monster. Agility was her only hope, but the Zith would simply overpower her in such close quarters. She had to get back outside.

[Kiran Pelyna]

Kiran might have a brave face on but as the scrabbling of claws sped up she felt her heart pound painfully as adrenaline pumped into her system. Her body wanted her to run away but she had to wait, just a little bit longer to make sure the girl was safe. But Kiran was terrified, she didn't want to die. She shoved such thoughts from her mind and focused. She would do whatever it took. Either she'd live or she'd die in a way she chose. This ZIth would not hand her, her death, she promised herself that.


A scraping noise came to her ears, she couldn't place it but she could guess. That would be the thing's wings, too big for the half caved in tunnel. But while that might help her some it would also be a hindrance, there was little room to escape, and so many places to trip. A broken leg, or twisted ankle would be her death.

Suddenly deep, rich laughter flooded her ears and she gulped, it was so human that sound. So normal. But as the last echoes repeated it distorting it, making it more creepy Kiran took a step back, then another. But the voice that rung out next froze her to her spot. She could barely understand it, so butchered was the language. So much twittering, no one could mistake those noises for human. She flt her body chill as shiver racked her from fear. Any sane person would be scared, and Kiran was only a child herself. Before Kiran could get herself unparalyzed the beast was darting around the corner. She let out a yelp and dropped her body to the ground, but it wasn't fast enough. She let out a cry of pain that reverberated through the stone corridor.

The thing had sliced her arm open, and even if no arteries were cut it was still bleeding fiercely. She could feel the warm ruby liquid dripping down her arm and hand, staining her blade. She let out a strangled whimper, she had no weapon now. She was right handed, not left. She carefully put her dagger in it's hilt as she stood. She faced the monster as it licked her blood off it's claws.

"I hope you choke on it you worthless pile of shyke." she growled at, glaring at the creature. Her left arm holding her bleeding right she darted towards the exit, her smaller size and almost charge distracting the Zith long enough for her to get by. Perhaps with another scratch on her back this time.

She was outside now, on a small ledge no bigger than a meter and a half. She couldn't climb up, she looked at the edge of the ledge, at the long drop. Her eyes hardened. Well this was it then. She looked back at the Zith and began to back towards the edge of the cliff. She kept her eyes on it, ready the jump back if it attacked, ending herself sooner. She wanted him to know though that he had lost. That while she might die today he till lost. He didn't get the satisfaction of killing her, and if he could find her body it would be in pieces. If he had time to find it, by then the Endal would be here to drive it off.

So today she might die, but at least she died a fighter. And at least she made sure her last opponent still lost.

[Phoenix]

The teenagers shout caused the Zith to pause it's approach, tossing back that ugly head and loosing another deep laugh that echoed off the stone behind him. It was a chilling sound, the confidence that was layered behind the merriment at the young Inarta's confidence. "Oh little thing, how precious."

Still chuckling, the Zith stooped and dashed the rest of the distance between them, rushing out onto the ledge with his claws extended and fingers grasping. Kiran had no where to go, and he knew it. Either she stood her ground and was scooped up into his arms or tumbled backwards off the cliff. Either way was death, and they both knew it. The thought brought a savage smile to the Zith's face, the laughter turning into a hungry, rumbling growl.

When the monster got inside Kiran's short reach, the girl slashed wildly at its exposed chest and arms with her dagger, her fury and fear erupting from her throat in a wild screaming yell. She had a slight advantage in the fact that the Zith's eyesight adjusted poorly upon his exit from the cave; preferring the darkness, it was a savage anger at being denied the child that drove him out into the sunlight.

Claws tore at the skin on Kirans back and sides as she struggled, kicking and slashing away at those eerily humanlike arms. It wasn't until she managed to knick the inside of the things elbow, drawing her dagger down the length of it's forearm to leave a deep, gaping gash did the Zith cry out and try to recoil, dropping Kiran dangerously close to the edge of the ledge and backing away. It was only a momentary reprieve before it roared and leapt towards her, murder in its eyes.

That's when she heard it, the fierce and wild cry of an eagle. If she managed a quick look around, there would be nothing in sight. Was she hearing things? Desperate to be rescued?

Get down! Rang a sharp voice in her head, a command that she knew must be obeyed.

Away from the ledge. This voice was softer, calmer than the first but with the same ring of authority.

There was little time for Kiran to reply as the Zith descended upon her. Instantaneous action was key. Neither of them saw the eagles until they dropped from where the glare of the sun hid them.

OOCDon't bother describing the eagles. I'll take care of that. I just didn't want to overwhelm you with information.

[Kiran Pelyna]

Kiran watched it warily as it paused at her shout. Her foot paused mid step backwards, testing the strength of the ledge behind her. Bringing her closer to her death. Her knowledge of death in her eyes pushed some of the fear form her and her left hand pulled out her dagger, hoping to get another slash in before she left this world. Her left hand was considerably clumsier with the dagger, untrained as it was with it.

The thing spoke again, it's twittering voice sent needles into her ears, she hated that voice. Hated this thing, hated every aspect of it. She had never hated anything so fully and completely before. It'swords were meaningless to her, she could barely distinguish them anyways. It was his laugh that got her again, it had a harsher tone to it. Cruelty, that was what she sense in it. Cruel happiness.

He was still laughing as he charged her. His claws were splayed in front of him, ten deadly daggers ready to rip her body apart. Her body danced back another step, she could feel the ledge looming up behind her and the fear came back in a thundering wave, beating at her will. At her pride. She saw her death in his eyes though, that much was sure. Perhaps she would hit a ledge below them. Perhaps she would survive if she jumped, but she would not survive with him.

Still when he got within range she fought like a hellcat. His growl spurring her, anger and fear pulsing through her body as she slashed out, her hand untrained with a dagger, but his chest and arms were exposed, easy targets for anyone. She might've been able to get a deep hit had she had her right hand to use. As it was her left hand would have to suffice. A battle cry born of rage and terror bubbled up from her throat, beating itself out of her mouth.

The Zith was blinking, eyes obviously not yet used to the bright light of day. They were night hunters, their eyes didn't work as well in the light. Perhaps that could be to her advantage, she made wild slash that tore at the skin on his chest, red blood soaking through his fur, it was only a tiny slash though. He made another angry growl and she screamed as fire burned down her back and sides. She kicked at his knees and groin, slashed at his hands and arms. So inhuman, so wrong. Her dagger struck true though, It dug deep into it's skin and with strength born of desperation she tore the blade through the skin of his forearm, blood spurted from the torn artery and soaked the young Inarta who was already blood coated. At least some of it was his blood now.

The thing cried out and recoiled and she fell close to the edge, it was only a few feet away now. She could roll off of it easily. Then the Zith was after her again, bloodlust clear in his eyes. He wanted her dead, blood for blood. Kiran let out another cry and her dagger arm reached out to slash uselessly at him when she heard it. It poured hope into her being. The wild, untamed call of an eagle. It's hunting shriek.

The young Inarta let out a laugh, hysterical and relieved. It gave the Zith pause, the cry of the eagle and the girls odd laughter both a good reason to stop. Suddenly there was a voice in her head, ordering her. Her normal pride was abandoned as she flattened her body, blood soaked through her skin and clothes to the ground, dust, dirt and red liquid making a dark mud.

Every child was taught to obey any order. Especially if they came into your mind, mindspeach was a tell of a wind eagle and Kiran marveled a tit, even as she stared into deaths waiting eyes. Of she died today she would've had the chance to have a wind eagle speak to her.

The next voice was gentler, softer. Warning her from the ledge. She rolled her body away from the deadly fall, ignoring as gravel rubbed itself into her wounds. Instead she focused on the knowledge that the Zith would not be able to escape now, it would die at the unforgiving talons of wind eagles. She smiled, a victorious smile. It would die, and that was all she needed to know.

The Zith was still trying to take her life though, he was coming at her, claws extended, teeth bared and rage in his eyes. She didn't see the eagles until they were on top of them, the midday sun hiding them from view.

[Phoenix]

Two sets of eyes quickly swept the scene below, the pairs mental link making it unnecessary to caw out loud at each other. Circling slowly on a a steady downdraft as the action unfolded, both eagles watched as the small Inartan girl appeared and backed towards the ledge outside the cliff. A mental affirmation passed between the Eagles and they dropped lower.

As the Zith charged out onto the ledge, another thought passed between the two giant birds, their eyes as one focusing on the charging monster. Talons twitched and clenched drawn up against their their undersides as a simple tilt of a wing brought the pairs spiral down faster, into a tighter circle. One above the other, the two Wind Eagles descended from out of the sun.

With a mighty leap, the Zith launched itself across the remaining space between him and his insolent pray. Without second thought, the two Wind Eagles tucked their wings against their sides, tilting into a dive as they shouted mental commands to the young girl to move; Kiran responded with surprising speed, ducking and rolling against the safety of the mountainside. Screaming their rage, the eagles descended upon the monster, wings flaring at the last moment as talons were swung forward and out, the savage hooked claws extended.

"Araggggah!" It was a wholly inhuman cry of pain as the first eagle to pull out of the dive, a female, raked her talons sharply across the Zith's face before he even touched down where Kiran had been standing her ground not a moment before. The impact sent the creature spinning off course, his shoulder slamming into the ground, effectively slowing the skid of his great bulk before he simply toppled over the ledge. Giving him not a second to recover, the second eagle dropped and gripped the Zith by his leathery, bat-like wings. Membrane shredded as deadly talons clenched mercilessly, another ear splitting caw as the heavy body of the Zith was hoisted off the ledge and into the air.

Recovering from her strike, the first eagle winged her way back over to her brother, gaining a little altitude to meet his ascent. There was another cry from the Zith as the females talons wrapped around one of his legs, helping to distribute the load between she and her brother; claws shredded through meat and muscle, the agonized scream echoing off the surrounding peaks long after the great creatures body went limp in the eagles claws. They continued to gain altitude together until, as one, they released their burden and let it fall.

Kiran saw it all from where she lay on the ledge and would have to move back into the mouth of the cave to make room for the eagles as they came in to land or otherwise become skewered much like her Zith attacker.

You were brave, girl. The females voice was crisp and loud, talons clicking against the stone as she restlessly shifted from foot to foot, feathers fluffed in irritation as she settled her wings making her seem even larger than normal. Intelligent, bottomless black eyes watched Kiran with an intensity that would make the hairs on her body stand on end, the skin around the great eagles eyes and beak a pale red color. A great mane of black plumage encircled her head, extending down her back and underbelly, the only other splashes of color being bands of gray on her wing and tail, a distinctive reddish splotch of feathers between her wing joints. My name is Zeryna.

It was the right thing to do, saving that child. Zeryna's brother spoke quietly, the almost whispered thought caressing Kiran's mind rather than barreling it's way into her consciousness. He was smaller than his sister, hanging back along the edge of the cliff while Zeryna dominated the space. Standing side by side, the two were obviously from the same clutch; they looked almost identical besides their size differences, though the male had a distinct purplish tinge to his eyes and feathers where his sisters were black. I am Pelyna. And you're Kiran.

There was a heavy pause, before both of the birds said at once. We've been watching you