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[Elna]

14th Day of Fall, 512 Early morning

Elna had to put her last failings behind her. Loafing around in bad wasn't accomplishing anything and it was time to take action again. She sat up in bed quickly thinking to her self, "All right Elna, you can do this. Just have to think positive. Today could be the day, my big break. I'll find a permanent advisor, someone with a career I'll be an absolute natural at. No more bad luck. It just has to happen, right?" She lets out a heavy sigh, not really believing in her own mental pep talk. She place her feet on the floor the gets her sellout of bed anyway. Clutching the bridge of her noise she slowly walks over to her clothes to get dressed.

After throwing her Katinu over her shoulder, she whistles for Iris and her loyal Blue Jay flies the opposite shoulder. "Did you sleep well" she says stroking her feathers, at the very least Iris could still bring a smile to her face. "Watch over the room for me ok Seaghdh." running her hand over the back of her falcon, feeding her a treat. She walks out the door, together with Iris and down the hallway to get some breakfast. She doesn't really acknowledge anyone on her way to the Communal Kitchen, she certainly wasn't in the mood for talking to anyone before she even had anything to eat. She gets to the pantry and collects a modest meal made of grapes, grain and milk. She finds a nearby empty table, Iris hops down and Elna places the food next her. Pushing her hand in to the grain she splits off a section for Iris to eat. Popping a grape in to her mouth she rhetorically asks her bird "So where do you think we should look for work first"

[Raif]

So little of the fare seemed to suit Raif’s discerning appetites this morning, a disgruntled expression reflected upon the surface of his olive skinned countenance as he sneered over a boiling pot of yellowish broth. If Davoid had caught him with such a look of disdain brandished upon his features, the Endal was certain to catch the back of her hand for his own insolence, a quandary considering their respective castes. But she unlike any other held a special place within their tiered society, and many an Inarta respected her for her craft. Without it, the daily blood feuds would certainly be more severe if they shared dissatisfied stomachs.

Pilfering a freshly baked roll of bread from a tray that had just been removed from the ovens, Raif tossed it onto his plate before its touch scalded the callused flesh of his fingers. The smell was the most inviting to a stomach that sought to revolt against him every time he spent more than a few seconds pondering over another dish, the acerbic taste of alcohol still clutching to the back of his throat from the night before. And while the droning sounds of conversation from the common room pained the back of his scalp with a dull pounding, he held no regrets for his nocturnal actions. Laying aside his troubles was perhaps the very best thing for his conscience during these times.

A crowd of chattering voices greeted him as Raif entered the eating area, having picked an apple to go along with his ration of bread towards the very end of the serving line. Russet colored eyes searched for a familiar face to share in company, but those he knew were busy being crowded by a host of Avora and Chiet whom hung upon their every word, each Endal regaling their retinue with a tale of their most recent foray into The Unforgiving. It was such a common occurrence that he barely even bat an eyelash. But for Raif, it seemed a little relative peace and quiet was in order. Finding a table that was occupied by nothing more than what appeared to be a single Yasi girl and her feathery companion, his lips curled briefly while he made his way across the room.

When the plate came down upon the stone surface of the table, its clanking thud forced its bearer to pinch a single eye closed so as to ward off the pain washing across his scalp. When you were an Endal, things such as politeness or manners were rarely practiced, but on this morning it did not seem to stop him from apologizing to the young girl with a conciliatory grunt--better than what most got.

Plopping down inelegantly on top of the bench that each table was mercifully provided with, Raif appraised the young girl for a moment before resting a hand over his roll of bread. ”Not going to give me any trouble, are you little bird?”

His bare shoulders heaved with a restless sigh, placing an opposing hand upon his navy blue bryda that wrapped around his waist and was trimmed in silver.

[Elna]

Elna snaps to attention as the plate hits the table, jumping in her seat a bit. Eyes shooting up at the man in front of her with stun surprise, her heart pumping just a little bit faster. She wasn't expecting any visitors. Iris jumps up from the noise and flutters to the floor. "Not going to give me any trouble, are you little bird?". At this comment Elna glances down out at Iris "No she's very gentle." She explained, "I've trained her pretty well and she is too old to be confrontational. I mean, it's not like I take her out hunting." She looks down at Iris making short chirping sounds to which the little bird fly back to its meal.

Elna paused for a moment to get a good look at the stranger, well built, certainly someone with a more active life style at the very least. He had a bit of an attitude too, it seemed. Perhaps why he came to eat alone, either he doesn't like other people or other people don't like him, probably both. Or at least thats what she guessed from personal experience, being far from the sunny type her self.

"I'm Elna by the way. What do you do for work?" Elna forgets her manners, not asking for the man's name first. She cared more about an adults profession and if they are willing to teach then anything else, but normally she'd be better at hiding it. But when opportunity presents it self there is no reason to beat around the bush, right? She certainly didn't care about his attitude. She promised herself to make the best out of every opportunity, shallow thoughts like that never stopped her before and they certainly weren't going to stop her now. Here she thought she would be spending breakfast trying to listen in to conversations about needing help but now she had a chance to try and promote herself to this stranger, for whatever it might worth.

[Raif]

It was just his luck that Raif should find the most dim-witted Yasi this side of The Unforgiving, the Endal’s elevated brow serving as the only noticeable sign of his irritation. But the thought of tormenting the girl somehow left him with a sour taste on his tongue, pity overcoming the intensity of his eyes as he tore off a piece of bread and shoved it gracelessly between his lips. If frustrations intended to get the better of him, at least a full mouth would be enough to silence any misgivings he wished to share.

Chewing mechanically as she spoke, Raif had to admit that he thought very little of the girl. Only the mention of hunting seemed to waken his interests for the short span of a breath, amusement replacing discontent. Too many from the nest thought that thrill was worth pursuing. But in the decade since he’d risen to Endal, Raif had seen the faces of far too many return grief stricken by loss, or horrified by what fates worse than death had befallen them. So few left the comforts of their haven for a second ranging into the wilds.

When posed with the question, the second bite he’d taken from the roll froze in Raif’s mouth, the weight of his chestnut eyes leveling with the simple gaze of her own. He pondered for a moment whether she was actually interested in the answer, or was just creating small talk to pass the time. The Endal never cared much for the latter, more irritation crawling into his olive toned features. Quickly swallowing the bite in his mouth, Raif looked down to his plate, attempting to discern meaning from what remained of the bread. ”I am an Eagle Rider. Endal if you prefer.”

If the girl was truly interested, it would be by her efforts that the conversation would continue.

[Elna]

Hearing him say Endal had taken her aback for a second, she wasn't exactly used to their kind giving her the time of day without needing something. But surprise soon turned to disappointment. Endal's can't give apprenticeships, the only way you get to be one is being lucky enough to bond with a wind eagle. When it came time for her to respond the best she could do was let out a clearly disappointed "Oh". She sat there in silence for a moment, her eyes fading off to the side with disinterest as she slowly brings a bit of grain to her lips.

Maybe it wasn't all bad, they have been known on occasion to take Yasi out flying to shoot from the back, or maybe he could use his influence to give her a recommendation. Both of these things seemed unlikely considering his salty disposition. He's probably some complacent Endal snob. She could't give up without even asking though. She had already spent a chime or two trying to process her thoughts, but she had no idea how she could get this guy to do anything for her.

There was only one thing she could do, be direct, no more waisting time. She placed her hands firmly on her lap, shut her eyes, took a deep breath and came out with it. "You don't take people out rinding with you, do you?" That didn't feel right, simply asking a question didn't have enough… commitment behind it. "I want… I need some work experience." She looked up, waiting for a response. Now that the words had left her mouth, she actually found herself somewhat intimidated. She could only hope she didn't blow this opportunity.

[Raif]

For the first time since Raif had sat down at their sequestered little slab of stone in the dining hall, the russet tones of each iris became profoundly focused on the girl before him. She was a runt if he had ever seen one; hair a tangled mess of crimson, and blue eyes so innocent they could make him regurgitate the few bites of food he had in him. Flesh clung desperately to what little muscle she possessed, and her face was so round that it reminded the Endal of an unripe melon. But she had some tenacity. He would give her that. Perhaps that was all she needed.

Time to test her convictions.

Without the slightest bit of hesitation, Raif‘s eyes narrowed to reproachful slits while his voice poisoned her with condemnation, a venomous smile slowly blossoming at the edges of his lips. ”You look as if a gentle breeze could toss you from an Eagle’s back, youngling. I sincerely doubt you’ve even been into The Unforgiving. Unless you’re daft of course. Dangers you can’t even fathom are out there, and it takes more than just your wits to survive. But I’m sure there’s a reason why you’re sitting all alone and not with the other Yasi this morning.”

His gaze broke momentarily from hers towards the sound of children‘s voices crowded around another table, playing a game of some sort that had them fitfully giggling at one another. Raif knew they would catch trouble if they didn‘t scurry along to their bendi soon, but that hardly seemed to concern him as he altered his attention back to Elna. “Why not pick a mentor with something more…delicate and womanly for you to do? Like working the kitchens, perhaps. Your arms look as if they couldn‘t even properly pull a bowstring.”

Filling his mouth with the last morsel of bread on his plate, its honeysweet flavor touched Raif’s tongue with morbid satisfaction. Hopefully the girl would remember her place if she decided to display her emotions for all the hall to see. As much as the Endal enjoyed speaking down to others, he did not relish the idea of having to make an example when tongues flew freely. There was still an order to maintain.

[Elna]

She sat quietly as his sharp criticisms pored over her. Her brow furrowing as he went on. His angry yet smug tone progressively grating on her. She could already tell the guy was a jerk from the moment he sat down, but his comments still cut fairly deep. It certainly didn't help that she knew much of it was likely true.

She had no idea what it took to stay on a Wind Eagle. Inexperienced Yasi never got the chance to hunt in anything more dangerous than then the likes of badgers. And there certainly were many reasons she didn't sit with the other children, not the least of which is their utter complacency with their lives and futures. They didn't understand hard work and taking risks like she did, at least that is what she had convinced herself. She couldn't say all this out loud, at least not bluntly, she needed to sell herself as best she could.

She took a short time to compose her self, taking a deep breath for the second time in their encounter. She had to keep positive. She started to get him to respond with more then one sentence, that must mean she was getting somewhere right? Be simple and concise with her response. Straight to the point and avoid the damaging details. She noticed her hands had been trembling a bit. She slid her hands forward to the front of her knees as if it would hide them better if they were even further under the table. This only caused her to lean forward, making her nervousness and sideways glances off into space all the more apparent.

"I've been trained in how to use as well as repair a bow. I understand the basics of how to move though the mountains and how to hunt. If you are willing to teach me I'm willing to take the necessary risks." There was a conviction behind her words and voice that didn't match her face. "I don't care if it is dangerous as long there is something to be gained." Content with her response, she sat back up straight and held her head high. Whatever his response here was, she can leave knowing she went for it.

[Astreia]

Astreia looked out of the door to the cave once she had finished dressing and realised with a pang that she had missed the opportunity to have breakfast with her family, who always woke very early and, since she was living in a place that was above her caste due to their kindness, they were uncharitable to her being late. This time, she would have to make her way to the communal Kitchen, something she normally avoided at breakfast, when talking was very low on her list of priorities. Normally rather loquacious, petty conversation and niceties this early in the morning were best avoided. They made her irritable and she was liable to offending or antagonising the wrong sort of people when she was irritable.

Astreia pulls on her goatskin Katinu and leaves the cave quickly, not forgetting to take a freshly sharpened quill, her red marble-covered writing book and a little glass container, full of inscribing paint. Ruli would follow when he was ready. She arrives at the communal Kitchen. Once she grabs a selection of fruit, mainly grapes, and a seeded breadroll from the kitchens, she finds a mercifully empty table and sits down gracefully, placing the book to the side of her plate, poised to continue writing as she eats. She only wished she could have a greater knowledge of the world. The gritty realism and caricatural portrayals in her plays would work better.


.

[Raif]

It amused him deeply to watch her struggle with the words that he’d fed her, a churlish smile tugging the left side of his face as she attempted to compose herself in front of him. It was like watching a small prey animal squirm within one of his baited traps, crying for release that would only be found in the arrow head that pierced its heart. And in that thought part of Raif was disgusted by the spectacle, a conjured image of snapping her neck poised on the edge of his mind. It could be so easy.

The Inarta were renowned for their passions and impetuous tongues. This girl seemed nothing if not constrained in her demeanor. And though a barrier of caste separated them by leagues, it hadn’t kept some of the younger boys from testing their mettle against the older Endal in days past. They’d been left with their aeries painted red, but it nevertheless inspired some pride in him for their hubris. Better to fly fearlessly and crash, he supposed, than not at all.

But perhaps the girl was in need of a little encouraging to find her moxie, and Raif felt he knew just the right medicine. Sucking the last savory morsels of the meal from his fingers, the Endal’s tongue swirled around inside his mouth and swallowed what remnants he’d unearthed. If the girl was true to her word, then perhaps she could learn a thing or two from him. When he spoke again, the austerity in his voice was still present, but noticeably lacked an irritable tone. “You’ll follow me for your lessons today. And you'll do everything that I ask of you without question. Is that understood?”

Raif admittedly had little patience for the vast majority of the Yasi, a gaggle of screaming heads who were still excited by everything in life. The table sitting adjacent from them was proof of that, the Endal’s eyes wandering languidly across the room as his head still throbbed from the night before. It was only made worse by the children’s laughter emanating from the small thrall gathered round their piece of slate, a need to be heard among their peers raising their voices into high pitched chirps. Best to leave before his temper flared and an example was made.

[Elna]

At the news her of her acceptance for the task, Elna's face simply lit up. "Thank you! And yes I understand, that I can do." she said brightly. Her previous frustrations about this man had washed away, for now at least. She quickly stuffed down the remainder of her meal and swallowed it down hard. With a big exhale she she turned to him, "Let me just bring my bird home and grab my bow and I'll be right back."

With that Elna lowered her finger to let Iris perch on it and ran off back to her room. Unfortunately it kind of hit her what she was getting into when she pushed for this opportunity. She talked a big game but could back very little of it up. This could lead to trouble later on, her advisor for the day seemed like he was far from a patient man. She would inevitably be in trouble later, but their wasn't much she could do now, it was in her nature to simply jump into a situation and ignore the consequences.

She arrived in her room and tossed her hand towards Iris's perch so she would fly right towards it. She then picked up her bow and quickly made her way back down the halls. She may have been nervous but she was excited at the same time. She had never been on a wind eagle before, she likely may never again. She was going to make the most of that, no matter how hard the task at hand was going to be. She psyched herself making sure she would be absolutely prepared for this, mentally at least. When she got back to the dining commons she stood attentively in front of Raif. "Ok, I'm ready. What's first"