Back To WindReach (Vaas)

[Alori Sai]

Timestamp: 32th of Summer 512 AV Where: Thunder Bay Who: Aela, Vaas Morning would come again in Thunder Bay, and with it the life of a new day. The breeze from the ocean extended outward, cooling the lands, unhindered by the rays of the approving sun. There was a calming silence in the air, only being interrupted by the call of animals every now and again, as they rose for the day. Awaking that morning for Aela had been different than normal. While she usually found herself lost amongst the sheets, and nestled in the comfort of her bed, which tended to make her want to sleep even more. She had spent the night sleeping in a bag on the grounds in the wild. The simple nap sack held no rival to the bunk that she was used to sleeping in, and the lowered elevation took it's tole as well. It all came together to form what was a night's rest, but none to deep of sleep. She slowly sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Her limbs felt stiff from being in the same position for a short time, and even caused her muscles to make a popping sound as she stretched out her arms and legs. Looking down at the wound on her arm, Aela noticed that it looked a bit discolored. Wind Dancer had clamped onto her arm the day before and punctured her skin. She had wrapped it before she went to sleep, but it had fallen off during the night, as she had made a quick job of it. The day before when it happened, the pain had dulled by the time they reached the log cabin, and at that point Aela was more interested in having fun. She didn't think to wrap it until that night just before bed, which was why she had done it rather quickly. She looked closer at her arm, the wound was closing up, and had started to itch as it slowly healed. She gently moved her fingers over it and covered her arm, anything to resist the urge to scratch it. A sudden snorting sound caught her attention, and she turned to look around. Vaas still laid asleep beside her and seemed to be dreaming peacefully. It was a wonder to the little huntress, and she couldn't imagine what a blind person dreamed about. Was it darkness, surrounded by sounds? Or perhaps something else, something that she could never experience or understand. Whatever it was, he seemed to be happy, and she didn't want to wake him. Aela smiled and shook her head, as she turned away and quietly slipped out of the tent. It was still very early in the day, and the atmosphere reflected the serene feeling that was morning. Aela stretched her body again, clasping her fingers together, turning her palms outward and extending her arms as far as they would reach. She felt a calm wash over her, and suddenly leaving the cabin and returning to the city seemed a waste. Vaas hadn't said how long he planned to stay that day, but Aela hoped they'd have enough time to go for another swim at least. Standing outside the tent, Aela wrapped her arms over her chest. She decided not to do anything for the moment, just to stand there and enjoy the simple things in life. The world around her was a dangerous place, and predators lurked throughout the lands. But there was also a beauty to it all, a wondrous blend of evolution untouched by mankind. It was enough to humble even an Endal, although probably not for long, but Aela could see it. The young Avora would enjoy it for what it was and take none for granted. Looking up, a familiar squawk caught her attention, and she spotted Wind Dancer just as he landed, finding a perch on a tree. "I guess you're an early riser too.."

[Vaas]

Wind Dancer watches the little human woman leave the structure that Vaas built the night before. Not understanding the human need for shelter on a clear night like last night, he perks his head up when she starts talking to him. He chirps loudly at her remembering she gave him food the night before. He stands up and stretches out his wingspan for her, and he flies down onto Vaas large wilderness backpack, and he starts biting and clawing at the leather trying to get at the leather and the treats inside. Windy looks at her from top of the backpack, and he starts bobbing his head up and down than he shoots a annoyed glance at the tent. He stares at it for a moment than he turns back to her and opens his mouth ready for food.

Vaas' snoring is abrupt silenced when he is woken by Aela leaving the tent. Vaas just sits there a moment enjoying the peace and quiet of the morning without Wind Dancer's morning harassment. He smiles to himself and listens to Wind Dancer pathetic chirps towards his friend. Vaas heard those chirps for many morning when he first got the bird. He thought Wind Dancer would grow out of it eventually, but from the urgency of the chirps and the growing intensity of them. Vaas figures the Aela will have a hell of a morning if she doesn't wake him up first. On the other hand, Vaas could save her the trouble and get up. However he decides to catch up on some much needed sleep. He rolls over and looks at the drool mark on the side of his tent, Vaas covers it with his sleep bag and he decides to spread out in his tiny tent made for one. He hears Wind Dancer take off and fly to something out side. He tries to stifle in a snicker and knowing his bird way to well. He starts to hear clawing and biting at a leather surface. Vaas groans know it is his new backpack and he pulls his sleeping bag over his head in defeat.

Hearing the sound of Windy attacking his backpack, Vaas decides he better get up before he has to carry his stuff back in his blanket. He sits up and runs a hand through his hair. He frowns to himself when he notices it matted to one side of his head, and the other side is acting like normal. He blows on his bangs away from his face, and he is way to groggy to care at the moment. He gets up and unties the tent. He slips out of the tent. He hears Aela around the camp site, but he not sure where she located. He grabs his staff by the side of the tent and make his way to his backpack.

Windy notices Vaas leave the structure and he kind of does a happy dance with his mouth open. Vaas walks to his backpack, and Windy looks up at his tired friend and tilts his head. The bird starts flapping his wings at Vaas and screeches loudly at him, “Kree-eee-ar!" Vaas gives the bird a impish grin decides with counter Windy with own avian display of well something. Vaas starts hopping up and down flapping his arms like a bird. Windy jumps back confused his wingspan still out on display, but he scrunches up his head to his body. Windy starts to think about what to do next. Vaas stops his flight and starts waving his hands over his head and slightly towards Wind Dancer. Windy now thoroughly angered by his mockery screeches loudly in Vaas' direction. Vaas decides to close his act of absurdity with a sound effects. Still waving his hands over his head, Vaas starts trying to mimic Wind Dancers trademark sound, Kree-eee-ar. Whatever sound Vaas attempted to make wasn't even close to the original sound. Windy having enough of this absurdity and insult jumps off the backpack, and he flies into the nearest canopy.

Vaas smiles at his little victory, kneels down on the grass besides the backpack, and finds his green ribbon. Selia gave him long ago. He pulls his long hair back and ties his hair. He smiles a little bit to himself when his hand brushes the glass beaded braid. Aela tied in his hair last night. He decides to leave the lock of hair loose with the braid. He stands up and says to Aela nonchalantly without looking at her, “Good Morning Aela. Welcome to a typical morning with Vaas and Windy.”

[Alori Sai]

"What are you up too Windy?" She asked smiling at him, as he extended his wings before diving off his perch and landing on Vaas's backpack. To say that Aela loved raptors would be an understatement. All of Wind Reach held a love, or at least a respect for the birds, as it was in their culture to do so. However, Falconer's and aspiring Falconers, had a love for the birds unlike any other. Aela shared that trait with Vaas, and started to care for Wind Dancer the more she was around him. "Umm..Vaas. You might want to get out here." She didn't know how long he had the bag, but the leather didn't look too worn and she didn't want the hawk to ruin it. Aela moved closer to the bird, at first she thought to call for him, but the soreness in her arm suggested otherwise. She bit back a giggle as the bird opened it's mouth to be fed, after losing it's battle with the leather bag. "Oh, now you want me to feed you, huh?" Having a thought, Aela began daintily waving her arms out in front of her. If the hawk even fluttered, she'd quickly pull her arms back to her chest. "Come on Windy, get back in the tree." Suddenly Vaas appears from the tent, and not a minute too soon. "I think Windy is hungry." She smiled as she started to rub at her arm again. The pain was dulled fairly, but in it's place was an itch and a slight soreness. She giggled as Wind Dancer, in homage to his own name, started to dance about the backpack upon seeing Vaas. "I guess he's not taking so well to hunting for himself." Aela laughed louder when Vaas started to flap his arms as if he were a bird. "What are you doing?" She bit back another giggle, noticing that Wind Dancer wasn't taking kindly to Vaas's obscure interpretation of him. She could only shake her head as the bird squawked even louder and Vaas continued to taunt him. The squawking was much louder than the chirps that she heard when she first came out, and she could tell that the hawk was not happy. "You're just making it worse Vaas. He's going to get you now." Smiling she stood by and watched the humorous display between the two. They seemed like family, as if Vaas was the parent and Wind Dancer the youth. She could see it, through all of the trouble that the hawk gave him, they seemed even closer now. She giggled more, watching Wind Dancer take flight into the canopy, after taking enough of Vaas's torment. "Good morning Vaas. I didn't mean to wake you..but Windy here was about to trash your backpack." Aela waited for his reply, figuring that it would be comical in some fashion. Another loud squawk caught her attention, at first she thought it was Wind Dancer still protesting the manner in which Vaas treated him, but the sound was louder..deeper. Again the strange call echoed through the air, and the little Avora spun around to look behind her. Standing just into the clearing, in the same direction she had taken the day before to reach the spring, was a large bird. "Um..Vaas?" She called out as he stared at the bird that could easily stand toe to toe with her. The bird was over five feet, it's brown feathers seemed tanned, and it's feet were an unusual yellow. A yellow that seemed to glow almost. In once instant, it's eyes seemed golden, and then yellow, and now black. "I-It looks..mutated..." The most notable thing about the strange creature was it's long bill with a hooked point at the tip. The deij deformed bird moved closer and squawked loudly again. "..Vaas, there's a really big bird here..and it looks hungry." Aela stepped back, looking over her shoulder in search of her bow and quiver.

[Vaas]

Vaas smiles at Aela and says to her, “This song and dance has been raging for years. I honestly think Windy would sulk for days if he missed his morning retinue of annoyance. Don't worry once you have a falcon or a hawk of your own. You will notice they love to sulk when they don't get their way. Now when you bond to your wind eagle, and you make him or her sulk. You need to tell me about it if you survive of course.” Vaas laughs out loud and the visual in his head, and he feels the top of the backpack for damage. He notices minor scratches and bite marks, but nothing that will degrade the integrity of the bag. Vaas smiles to himself when the damage to the bag wasn't serious. He covers a yawn with his hand and says to Aela, “No worries Aela this is the longest sleep in well...ever.”

Vaas thinks a moment and says to her with a smile, “I clearly believe Windy thinks I am a bird, and I should wake up at the butt crack of dawn too. I love the bird, but I might have to eat him some day.” He laughs to himself evilly as he plots the side course to have with his hawk dinner. Vaas kneels down by his back pack and pulls out his wooden flute and two pieces of dried meat. Without looking up at her, he decides to make small talk and says to her, “Also I hope you slept well. Sorry I made the mistake of buying a one person tent. I really wasn't expecting company when I bought it the first time, and how is your arm Aela? I know Windy got of hold of it when you tried to feed him last night.”

Vaas stands up leaning on his staff waiting for her response, but their pleasant morning is cut short by Wind Dancers warning screeching from the tree, and Aela urgent warning of a mutated bird coming into the clearing. Vaas puts the food in his pocket and drops the flute on the ground. He readies his weapon for combat. He just stands his ground and listens for any signs of the large bird. Vaas hears a loud squawk in their direction, and he steps forward in that direction to intercept. He says to Aela in a calm voice, “I'll distract it while you get your bow.” Vaas turns his head to the sound of squawking bird, and starts walking towards it. He pulls out a piece of dried meat from his pocket to get its attention. He takes the meat and throws it towards the direction of the forest. Hoping the bird takes the bait and run into the forest for the food. After throwing the meat, he readies himself and grips the staff with both hands ready for anything.

[Alori Sai]

"So you have a name for it?" Aela asked as she brought her hands to her hips. She had to tease him a bit, if only to spare Wind Dancer from anymore of his taunting. The thought of having her own falcon was rarely far from her inner thoughts; especially whenever Vaas was around with his hawk. She hoped that she would have learned something useful from Vaas, and when the time came, she could use that knowledge for her own pet. Looking to Vaas now, Aela shook her head and glared at him, after he started to laugh loudly about the joke that he had made. It was in his character, she supposed, to make light of potentially serious situations. It wasn't as surprising anymore, and the little huntress could only smirk and look around for a nearby twig. She almost laughed when he mentioned the hawk thinking of him as a fellow bird. The imagine of him moments ago, standing there flapping his arms about while the bird stared at him curiously didn't help his argument in the least. "You know Vaas, one day Windy might decide to make you his prey if you keep picking on him." Aela giggled a long with him, knowing that he would never do anything to harm his hawk. He had once told her that the bird was like a family member to him; and she believed him. Moving about, Aela stretched her arms above her head, and put her full weight on her toes as she lifted herself up. She turned and looked down at him curiously as he began to apologize again for buying the wrong tent. In truth, in a way, she blamed herself for it and wondered why she didn't bother to fetch one herself. "It's okay Vaas, and we're up now so.." She felt strange talking about it and decided not to say more. Aela preferred to sleep alone as she always had, and the thinness of the sleeping bag on the rough ground didn't make things better. Adding to that the cramped feeling of being stuffed in the one-person tent should have been enough to keep her awake the night. However, that was not the case, despite the discomforts she was actually ok sleeping in the small tent. Luckily for her, Vaas couldn't see the blush growing in her cheeks as she tried not to think about it. When he changed the subject to her arm, she felt relieved. Although the relief was short lived as talking about her arm seemed to cause it to itch and burn even more. "It's still sore but, it will heal." Aela started to wonder if it could be infected, but without someone to look at it she couldn't be sure. Looking down at it again, the thought continued but she quickly pushed it away. If it was infected then that would mean that they would need to cut their trip short and hurry back to the city. She wasn't ready to go back just yet, there was more to do and there was..something else. However before anything more could be said or done, the strange deji deformed bird appeared. After she warned him of it's approach, Aela slowly moved back and looked around for her bow. She steps lightly, hoping not to alert the wild animal. But suddenly Vaas steps in front of her to confront the colorful bird. "Oh..right." Moving quickly Aela crossed over to the tent and took up her bow and quiver. She removed an arrow and slipped it into the bow as she raises it. She hadn't notice Vaas toss the meat in order to send the bird in another direction, and had to look about to find it again. Standing, she moved closer to Vaas and pulled the arrow tightly against the rear string. She wasn't sure why, but she didn't want to kill the bird. Maybe it was because she had just woken up, or perhaps because she just wanted to relax. Either way, she waited and watched it's movements. "Let's just see what it does."

[Vaas]

Seeing Vaas walk towards the giant bird, Windy stands up on the branch and squawks warningly to the clueless human. Seeing the scene unfold, Windy decides to take flight and circles the large beaked bird trying to intimidate it. However, the large colorful bird is taking Vaas' defensive posturing as a sigh of a challenge. The bird lowers its beak at Vaas and displays it wings at him. The hawk watches the scene intently from the sky. He spots the human female approach his human. With her stick throwing tool ready, Windy notices the female is hesitant to harm the large beaked bird. The large beaked bird lets out a loud squawk in the humans direction.

Hearing Aela walk up beside him. Vaas figures she already retrieved the bow, and is ready to kill the bird if it comes to it. Vaas nods to Aela in agreement waiting for the bird to make it next move. Vaas can't see the display of feathers and the waving of the beak, but he can hear the stamping of feet on the ground. He figures he will not get out of this without a fight, so Vaas decides to try to intimidate the large bird. Hoping it will flee the area. Vaas jumps forward with a thrust in the bird direction. Once he is done with his physical display, he lifts up the staff over his head with both hands and yell loudly in the bird directions. After his display of prowess, Vaas does a series of quick attacks into the air. He first jumps forward and does a jab to the mid section of his invisible opponent, and soon after his first attack with the other end of the staff, he does a powerful swing in to the side of his invisible opponent. After show of force done, Vaas jumps back in a defensive position waiting for the birds response.

Windy watches the idiocy unfold before his eyes as he watches his human actually accept the large beak birds challenge. Windy notices his human display of aggression made the large bird livid. It lets out a large cry as it make it way forward to the humans. Windy knowing this confrontation won't end well for his human. Wind Dancer springs to action. Before Windy attacks, he cries out a warning to the large bird. Hoping the large stupid bird gets the hint to leave. He decides to fly up momentary than when the hawk hits its desired elevation. He brings his wings together and does a quick dive at the large bird's face. However, this aerial display was just for a distraction because right before he gets to the face. He flies up suddenly and slows his accent with outstretched wings. Confused at the sudden hawk attack, the large bird jumps back trying to figure out where the little hawk gone too. Seeing the large birds confusion, Windy descends again sinking his talons into the top of large birds head. Once loosely latched on he goes straight for the weakness of all creatures and bites at the large birds eye. Years of combating crows and raven taught him how to attack and this behemoth is no better than just a raven. Windy bites deeply into the eye socket and tears something out of the socket, and he lets go of the bird head and starts flies back in the air. Holding a piece of the bird eye in his beak. Now blind in one eye, the large bird decides to cut it's loses and runs back into the forest.

[Alori Sai]

Aela watched silently, hands clinched tightly around her bow, emerald green eyes staring intensely at the large bird fluffing it's wings about in front of them. They were standing ready, both sides ready to attack or defend themselves if need be. It was an unfortunate event, and although this large bird was not a falcon or any of the bird types that the city held dear, it was still a bird no less and killing it seemed wrong. "Maybe..If we just backed away, show it that we aren't a threat it would just leave?" She wasn't completely sure about the idea, but she felt that something could be done. Anything to keep them from having to kill the creature. There was also the fact that it seemed to be affected by the deji, and the city would most likely want it alive to study. Aela thought it over, trying to decide the best course of action so that they could take the bird unharmed. The task was easier said that done however, and the bird was actually large enough for them to ride on. "I don't suppose we could..ride it back?" She turned to Vaas in surprise when he started to display his combat skills in front of the bird. The swings were wild, but there was a strong force behind them, and would like cause strong damage. The bird didn't seem impressed, and even moved closer to them in order to show that it wasn't afraid of them. "Vaas.." She started to say just before he started to display even more of his power, in an attempt to scare the bird off. It seemed to have the opposite effect and the bird seemed to come even closer to them. "Be careful.." Aela looked at Vaas, hoping that he would listen to her warning, as she held her ground, ready to attack the bird if it came too close. Holding the arrow tightly against the string, she hesitated to release it, but with her friend showing off, and the bird didn't seem ready to back down. Suddenly Wind Dancer swooped down and started to attack the bird to save his master. The bird did move back, but she no longer had a clear shot with the hawk so close by and whipping around so. She wasn't sure if Vaas even knew what was going on or not. Trying to think quickly, Aela moved around a bit, closer to the birds unprotected side, hoping to wound it's leg at least. Before she could take aim, she heard the bird cry out and retreat back into the forest. Looking around, she wasn't sure of what had happened beyond Wind Dancers attack. Did the hawk really wound the bird enough to make it run off? She watched as the bird disappeared into the brush, and waited to see if it would return. When nothing happened, Aela turned back to face Vaas and took a long sigh. "Well....that wasn't fun. I guess we should go."

[Vaas]

Hearing the bird run back into the forest, Vaas turns to Aela and says with a smirk, “Well that encounter was anti-climatic.” Vaas wasn't sure what even happened in the last minute or two. All he could hear was Windy's call and a flutter of wings. He heard the large bird cry out in pain, but he wasn't sure if the cause was Aela's arrows, or did his hawk really injure the large bird. He figure he would give the credit to Aela, and say to her, “Nice shot it seemed like you scared it away.” Windy lands on the rock next to them and swallows his trophy. He shoots Vaas a annoyed look when he complements Aela, and he just sits there tired from the fight. Vaas switches his defensive stance with staff back to the staff original use as a walking stick for a blind man. He turns around, walks over to her, and says to her, “Honestly, I was scared out of my mind. Did any of my attacks intimate the bird at all, Aela? I was trying to keep it focused on me while you shot it.”

Vaas decides to listen to Aela advice that they should leave, and he says to her, “Lets get our stuff together first than we will follow the trail Malvarin suggested back to Thunder Bay, but first we should break camp.” He pauses a moment remembering. He was going to tell her something important, but he would rather not tell her in the woods. Instead, he gives her a warm smile and says softly to her, “Once we make it into town, I want to take you to the restaurant the Coastal Clam. I heard it has a nice view of the ocean.” Right now he wishes he could see her face because it is well known in Wind Reach as popular date restaurant. He is hoping she doesn't start laughing at him for suggesting the romantic restaurant. Vaas knows he will be leaving Wind Reach in the fall, but she has no clue of his future plans of starting his bard career. Also, he been wrestling back feeling for her for three years, and he figure he should tell her before he leaves Wind Reach. However, he has no clue how to go about it, and he is dreading that telling her will ruin their friendship. However, it could also lead to something amazing. He smiles to himself at the happy possibility of everything working out for him.

[Alori Sai]

Aela stared off into the forest. The large bird was now gone and with it her hopes of catching it. It was a lost, and she imagined that it might have gone for quite a few pinions at best. Perhaps it was for the best and she wasn't in the mood for hunting anyway. She looked back to Vaas, and giggled after he gave her his impression of the situation. "I think...there was something wrong with it. You know,..like those others." Placing the bow over her shoulder, Aela then placed the arrow back into the quiver. "I didn't shoot it, must have been Windy's attack that ran it off." She smiled, looking up for the bird. It was at that moment that the hawk soared around and landed on a rock. The eye of the bird still held tightly in it's beak, but only for a tick as Windy fed on it. "Eww.." She turned back to Vaas just after he was done with his staff display. She thought for a bit, over whether she should tell him what really happened or if she should let him think that it was a team effort. "You did fine Vaas, and you didn't have to do that...I can handle myself you know." Even though he could not see her, she offered him a gentle smile, one that said thanks for the thought. She imagined that he would always be that way, always stepping up to defend her, even when she could do it for herself. It was like him to do so, and she found it more than cute, but she likely wouldn't tell him this..at least not yet. Aela was still unsure about her feelings for him. The little Avora knew nothing of romance, and had no practice confessing her feelings either. It wasn't something that she saw much in her life, and her thoughts were usually else where. Still that didn't mean that she didn't want to feel loved. "Yea, lets get going." Aela found her backpack and stuffed her quiver inside, she hadn't planned on using it anymore and it would be easier to carry this way. Once she was finished gathering her things and pulling her backpack across her shoulders, she moved back to the tent to collect her sleeping bag. A surprised look stretched across the teen's face when he mentioned taking her to the popular restaurant. She pulled herself out of the tent, holding the rolled up sleeping bag in her arms, as she peeked at him from behind it. "Really? I've been wanting to go there." Her cheeks burned a bright blush as she imagined it all, of course this wasn't exactly a date, but anyone there who saw them would surly think so.

[Vaas]

Leaning on his staff outside the tent, Vaas heard tell him that she could handle herself, and Vaas agreed with her. He wasn't trying to put the spot light on him or show her up. He just wanted to help out, and he can start to admit keep her safe. He said nothing to her when she said it and stays silent. He listened to get her things together in the tent. He didn't want to start taking the tent down until she and her things were out. When Aela comes out of the tent, Vaas can hear her surprise in her voice. He smiles at her when she mentions she never been to the Coastal Clam before. He gives Aela a little half grin, and thinks to himself, “It is now or never Vaas.” Vaas says to her with a warm smile, “I figure it could be fun to try new foods from other cities, and besides I get to spend supper with a beautiful woman.” Vaas tries to keep his head, but his head is definitely spinning right now. He just called his best friend beautiful, but he also said she was beautiful last night in a more round about way. Oh by the light of Priskil, Vaas look at what you started! She is going to either laugh at or smack you for saying something, so horribly...corny.

Clueless as ever, Vaas figures the best thing while he waits for her response is to start getting his things together in the tent. He walks past her, and kneels down and goes into the tent. He starts rolling his sleeping bag up. He stops rolling his sleeping and thinks to himself, “I really have no clue about woman. Honestly Vaas, she probably has two or three guys lined up already. Why would she be interested in a silly blind man anyways.” He ties up his sleeping bag, and tosses it out the opening. Vaas comes out of his tent, and he stops for moment and he decides to asks to her, “It should be fun at the Clam. I kind of curious about the taste of seafood. I like venison, but it will be nice to try something new. Aela, would you like to help me get this tent down?”