PM to join Getting out (Beren)

[Rosalyn Snowsong]

12th of Spring, 514 AV She starred at her reflection in the icy pond she came across, caressing her own face as she went over her features. Rosalyn wasn't vain, but curious about her own appearance. She wondered why it was so hard for people to overlook the one flaw that set her apart from other Vantha. It seemed like her monstrous snake eyes grabbed the attention of Avanthal, no one ever noticed that she had a strong athletic body like most vantha or a sheen in her webbed-like hair. The community of Avanthal -which was a good percentage of Vantha- did not make Rosalyn feel out of place, at least not with their words. No one has ever insulted Rosalyn and made her feel out of place with unkind or hurtful words. No one has ever said or did anything to make her feel out of place, and they didn't need to say anything. Their face expression and even the way they would concentrate on her face told her what they thought about her. Rosalyn never got mad or upset about it, at least not in front of them. Rosalyn decided she had enough of her reflection, so she turned away. This was the first time she stepped out of Avanthal, and she kind of liked it. Now, she wasn't too far away, Rosalyn promised her parents that. Just out far enough to enjoy the snowy forest, or was it the woods? She knew nothing about nature or how to survive in it, all she knows about nature is that she likes it. Maybe it's the dhani running in my blood... do they like nature? It was a question she would only ask herself, because there were no dhani around and people were already uncomfortable about her being part-dhani. A mutual feeling she kind of had herself."Halo, come." Rosalyn took the muzzle of the horse that accompanied her and began trudging through the light snow atop of green grass."Let's go just a bit farther." The horse blew in her ear in disagreement. Even the mare knew this would be a bad idea."Don't be so stubborn, what if we run into a dashing stallion?" Rosalyn laughed at her own joke, and as if the mixed blooded horse understood, she stomped her hooves a couple times and neighed. Hiking up the end of her dress, she continued moving. Those serpent eyes of hers looked around, carefully watching her surroundings. In the corner of her eye she notice something very intriguing. There was a beautiful nest in a pine tree, and she wondered who it belong to."I bet the Frostfawn hold would know who that nest belong to." Slowly, she approached the tree to get a better look. The thick pine tree his the nest very well, and the closer she got to the tree, the harder it was to find the nest again.

[Beren]

Berengar laid on his back, toying with a knife and a bit of stick. Unlike many Vantha, whom were skilled with their hands, he had to steal away to keep them from watching him pathetically attempt to carve beautiful pieces of work. At the moment, he was just whittling down a branch he had yanked off a tree into a fine point. He had no vision for the stick except a tooth pick to get the scraps of breakfast out of his teeth. Taking it into his mouth, he tested it out. Pleased with the point, Beren looked up through the canopy. He had been hiding all morning since breakfast as he was not supposed to be on duty until a little later. That, and if he did not hide, his father would set him to training. Not that he minded, his heart just wasn't in it today. Today, he felt like getting into some trouble.

He perked up the moment he heard a nearby horse. Sitting up, snow clinking to his short black hair, he looked around. Someone else was out here. Bolting up, he sheathed his carving knife and lifted his jacket up out of the snow. Thankfully, Morwen's gift kept him from getting cold and he was able to enjoy the snow as if it were grass. Tugging the sleeves up his arm, Beren walked in the direction from which the noise came. He was careful, picking his snakes in the snow thoughtfully. This was Avanthal, sure, but he never knew if it was friend or foe until he laid eyes on it. Most Vantha were exuberantly kind, but there was that occasional tourist that made him rethink being merciful.

He watched from the shadow of a nearby tree as a petite woman led her horse to another tree. She seemed innocent enough. If it looked like a Vantha, smelled like a Vantha, and spoke like a Vantha, then it had to be a Vantha. Slipping from his hiding place, chewing on his hand crafted toothpick, he cleared his throat to make himself known.

"What brings you out here m'am?" It was his duty to make sure that nothing...suspicious was going on. As an Icewatch guard, he was sworn to protect Avanthal from all enemies whether they be outside the walls or in.

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Vani

[Rosalyn Snowsong]

She touched the branches and pulled herself up a little, standing on the tip of her toes. Now she could see it again, and for a while she admired the nest. It was beautifully crafted with twigs and colorful feathers. There weren't any eggs, sadly but if there were, out of curiosity she would take one and wait for it to hatch. She would probably have to hide it from the hold, Rosalyn didn't think too many people had pets in the hold because music was the center of almost everyone's attention. No one really had time to take care of animals in the hold. Rosalyn's back was turned as the man approached, she was still focusing on the nest. But when she heard his voice, it gave her a fright."Oh!" She let go of the branches and turned around quickly to see who ever. The slits in her eyes got bigger as she seen the man. He was a lot older then she was, not to mention very big. The man's hair was dark, but there wasn't a sheen to it like other vanthas. Wait, was this man a vantha? She watched his eyes and notice they didn't change colors. "Sir, you scared me!" Rosalyn told him in vani. She clutched her chest. Once she realized what she just said, Rosalyn covered her mouth and turned away, facing Halo."You scared me."She repeated but in a soft mumbled. She was beginning to feel shy. The half-breed walked toward her horse and began to pet it's muzzle. While she did this, she closed her eyes. "I want to be by myself." She sounded slightly irritated. Rosalyn wanted to be out by herself.

[Beren]

Beren held is ground even if he had "scared" the young woman. Sure, he was a massive brute, but it could be worse. He could be standing on all fours draped in white fur and large black claws. Even though he was aggressive looking, this was his tame side. Before she could turn around, he recognized the eyes from the stories he had been told by other Icewatch guards. She was the half-breed snake woman. Immediately, Beren narrowed his eyes. Half-breeds put him on edge. Completely loyal to Avanthal, Morwen, and her people, Berengar could not imagine why someone would find the need to lay with another creature. Especially one as vulgar as a Dhani.

Granted, all he knew about species outside of Avanthal were from the stories that travelers brought in. Occasionally he would have the displeasure of meeting one of the tikita. He would prefer that they never came to Avanthal, but the hospitable nature of the Vantha made that hard to express. He just kept his prejudice to himself.

"I want to be by myself."

She really could have just hung a sign around her neck saying "I am being sneaky and I don't want the Icewatch monitoring my every move." It screamed suspicion. As if he was going to leave her alone now. Beren crossed his arms, letting out a heavy grunt. "I am sorry miss, but I don't think I am comfortable letting you remain out here on your own. Shall I escort you back to your hold?"

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Vani

[Rosalyn Snowsong]

"Oh." She looked away and tried not to cry. The man wasn't like everyone else who tried to avoid eyes contact. The man was bold, and once he took a look at her face, he made an unwelcome expression on her face, like if it were up to him and not Morwen, he would ban her. Rosalyn controlled her feelings, and dampened the grief that wanted to take over. She returned the expression he had given her, trying not to back down. This is your home too, don't let him scare you away from it. She was more Vantha, more faithful to Morwen then he was and she had to remember that."Don't look at me like that." She found her voice and spoke up, bit she couldn't build up the courage to look him in the eye."I-I am a child of Morwen." Rosalyn's voice cracked as she tried to sound just as bold as him. Who was he? Why did he think he could walk all over her? This was the first time she was put in a situation like this. It was the first time anyone had given her such a cruel expression and made her feel like she didn't belong. Was he racially profiling her? Would Morwen approve of this? The gates of Avanthal were opened to those people with the purest heart and a love for the goddess. Avanthal was,suppose to make people feel safe. How was Rosalyn suppose to feel safe with him around? Keep calm, don't do anything that will get you in trouble. She told herself. "No." She shook her head."I have been practicing my singing and dancing all day my parents let me have some free time. Today, I'm spending it out here. I'm sorry that you feel uncomfortable, but I pray that Morwen keeps me safe and I believe she will." Rosalyn began walking away from the man, her head stayed down as she pulled her horse behind her.

[Beren]

Berengar did not let his gaze fall. Instead, he intensified it. Not that she would notice, as she had already turned away from him. Gruffly, he followed at a distance. Although he too was a child of Morwen, one of her loyal Ice Bears, he was not Vantha. He did not necessarily understand there need to allow every tikita into their fair city. That is what he adored the Icewatch so much. He was entitled to keep it safe, within the bounds. Yet, just one false move, and he would fall upon his enemies with a killer hunger.

"Well, since I am a faithful Ice Bear to Morwen, and you have prayed for your safety through her, I am obligated to stay in your shadow now." Loophole. Could he get away with a lie like that? Maybe, maybe not. He kept his distance, observing the young girl and her steed. She seemed so young. Did the Dhani blood inside of her make her slower to age physically. Berengar hummed to himself, kicking the snow with his boot.

The woman had mentioned singing. Was she a Snowsong, or did she fall in with another hold? Had she been a Snowsong and was now married to a man in another hold? There were so many questions, but all of them were tied with pureblooded Vantha. Did she even have a hold, as a half-breed. She must have, if she had parents that required her to study singing and dancing. Thoughtfully, he chewed on his pointy stick. "So, what is your name? Or would you prefer that I come up with one on my own."

[Rosalyn Snowsong]

She slightly frowned. Maybe because she lacked in both wilderness survival and any kind of fighting style, Morwen sent him out. Or maybe it was simply because she answered the kelvic with something false instead of telling him the truth. I'm a little tired of people right now, so I just want to play and carelessly wander through the woods. The truth sounded childish and almost unreasonable. The bear was obviously prejudice, but Rosalyn didn't want to discuss why that's so. She didn't want to get her feelings hurt, and risk being hurt so badly. Again. It wasn't worth it at all. She smiled, holding her head high. If there was one way she could fight this, it was with happiness. "Morwen works on miracles." Rosalyn's tone of voice changed, it didn't sound the way it did before. This is the way she would've normally sounded."I would be happy to have you around. Maybe you could tell me about yourself?" She continued to smile. He obviously wasn't going to leave, so she had to make the best of this. The mixed blood decided to go even farther into the woods, only to find herself surrounded by identical pine trees covered in snow. He asked an odd question. First he asked for her name and then asked if she prefer him to come up with his own. It puzzle the young girl, yet at the same time curiosity hit her. She answered the first question,"My name is Rosalyn Snowsong." After she said her name, she began to sing it in a soft, sweet melody. She held the last note of her name for awhile before saying,"You have a name of your own for me?"

[Beren]

Berengar would have patted himself on the back for his victory if she hadn't changed her vocal attitude. Even though he could speak Vani fluently, he had nothing on the sing-song voices of the Vantha. No matter how is mother had tried, his voice was always gravelly and out of tune when it came to speaking. Which suited him, being a bear and all. He demanded respect for more than his pleasant attitude and flouncy skills. Now, if anyone were to ask him, he would be gruff about their frivolous ways. Yet, deep down, he wished he could do some of the creative things they did. It was simply his outward persona that made him keep the "brick wall" attitude around.

"My name is Berengar," He chortled back to her. Of course, it was not pretty like her voice. "As for telling about myself, there isn't much to tell. I have served in the Icewatch as an apprentice since I was capable of walking. My parents, Ice Bears as well, served before me. It is my duty and honor to serve Morwen." Suprisingly, his tone was not warm, but neither was it cold. He could answer her questions, especially if they were simple.

As they walked further into the forest, he subconsciously pulled his jacket tighter around him. Although he did not need the layers courtesy of Morwen's gift, he sometimes acted as if he could feel the chill. He kept his distance from her to a few yards, just in case she tried to run or attack him. There would be many opportunities to retaliate if he had a moment to think about it.