Completed Dropping in

[Taln]

43 Fall 522 AV A big beautiful Wind Eagle soared majestically toward the beach, its wingspan both enormous and powerful to behold. Large yellow eyes took in every detail and it screeched loudly. Abruptly, it banked sharply left and quickly dumped something about five meters to the ground. The rider turned over her shoulder and yelled out something in Nari, With a mighty down stroke, the Wind Eagle flew off at a breakneck pace, not looking back. A shaggy homeless looking grubby guy lifted his face off the ground and spit out some beach sand. "Thanks for the ride." He answered quietly and sincerely in Nari. "I'll never forget it." Pushing up with both hands, he lifted his lanky body to his knees and rose slowly to stand. The movement showed years of practice behind it in its ease. The tall red haired man wore only a patched black bryda and carried a small bundle of clothing tied to the handle of his Talon Sword. Taln looked around him with pure amazement, his gaze birdlike and his attention moving swiftly from one thing to the next. Waves crashed on shore, the tide coming well in and both seagulls and terns called out to each other in challenge. The strong ocean breeze caught up his long, wild coppery hair, flinging it back and forth across his face. Closing his molten yellow eyes, Taln lifted his face into the scent and inhaled deeply. His long legs straddled the strong line of magma beneath and he felt the heat soar from deep within, comforting him like nothing else. When he looked around again, a dense undergrowth loomed on the right, almost beckoning him with its promise of lush green growth and abundantly full fruit trees. Something cautioned him strongly not to go near it and he heeded it. The tide nipped teasingly at his toes, splashing over the bottom of his bryda and whipping it around his legs. Sand moved beneath his feet and toes, the heat of the day warming the clean white sand. The smell of the ocean and sun baked sand made him think briefly of Thunder bay--but it was quieter here. It was peaceful, and beautiful. He had business to attend to and didn't want to be caught lingering too long idle. It appeared he'd been dropped at the farthest possible length of the beach so the guy had quite a walk ahead of him. In a place like this, who would mind? Taln seemed to be walking in an odd path in slight zigs and zags, not fully straight on, his feet sometimes crossing over. His bright eyes trailed along the ground and enjoying the feel of the heat beneath his bare feet. He put out both of his long arms like a child, to keep his balance. People talking brought his head up sharply, his yellow eyes zeroing in on the source. He dropped his hands to his sides and stalked toward the group with long even strides, quickly eating up the ground before him. Multiple voices rose and fell in conversation and laughter, their hands busy as they talked to each other. As he got closer, Taln raised his hands up to slick back his long wet red hair and lowered his hands back down to his sides. He wasn't one to swing his arms as he walked, having learned early on that it only drew too much attention. Taln needed to meet Mathias and get placed with Nora so he took a deep breath. With his chin down and the coppery hair over his face, he looked up through his lashes as he walked on ahead. People nearby nodded politely at his passing and a few even smiled! Completely surprised at the spontaneous friendly gesture, he nearly stumbled over his own big feet. 'There is no rank here. No Endals, no Dek. Just people being people treating you like a person.' Taln tried to remind himself to act normal. Whatever that might be. A tall grey haired man stood with quiet authority, and clearly marked as a Priest of Xhyvas! Taln's golden eyes widened in appreciation and he offered his left hand to shake. "I'm Taln sir and it's an honor to meet you." He said, his head nodding to the marks. Mathias had watched his peculiar travel along the beach but said nothing of it when the tall Inarta approached. "Nice to meet you Taln, I'm Mathias, and welcome to Syka." he responded, shaking his hand. He made a casual beckoning gesture as he walked and spoke, Taln immediately falling in line with him at a half pace behind on Matthias' right side. Like a horse changing leads, the red haired man adjusted his stride to match the other man and carefully kept his right shoulder tucked back. WC 804

[Taln]

"I'm one of our three Founders, so feel free to ask me any questions you have. Currently, we're in the Community Events area here," said Mathias, pausing to gesture at the different areas and people before continuing on. "There's both a kitchen and storage area here to put your things and prepare your meals. There are mattresses and pillows stored over there and must be returned neatly after use in the morning. You may camp out on the beach where you like, get a Bungalow or even rent a room at the Protea Inn--which includes three meals a day and clean up. No one goes hungry here." Both eyebrows shot up at once and immediately caught Taln's attention. "Three meals all in the same day? Every day?!" he asked in awe, clearly shocked at the abundance. The Founder nodded, "Yes indeed. It's a little like Wind Reach in that we have many Communal areas to gather and that we -all work hard- to keep this settlement going. While there is free food, you must always pick up after yourself. And working everyday to clean up after yourself and others is done by each person here." Taln couldn't hold back the bright feral flare of his eyes at the mention of food, but he took it in and memorized every word from the Founder. "You have the opportunity to buy some limited food supplies at the Mercantile, hunt, and forage for food. There are a lot of options. I think it would be wise of you to consider learning how to gather and prepare food for yourself so that you can in turn, provide for others. We value self-reliance and independence here Taln. No one is a servant to anyone." Mathias remarked pointedly. 'Like an Endal!' The copper haired man thought excitedly. Everyone equally had the opportunity to provide! Hope coiled within him at finding such an open, incredible place that treated everyone equally. Praise Ivak! Something unknown cut through Taln's haze of thoughts with a thrumming power and he saw Mathias gesturing to a large bronze parrot statue. The red haired man forgot to blink as he stared at each and every detailed feather of the statue. An unknown thing stirred from within, drawing Taln, urging him to know more. The founder smiled, knowing that anyone from Wind Reach wouldn't be able to casually walk past anything related to birds. "That's the Bronze Parrot. I think you might want to know that our birds talk here in Syka. Feel free to investigate this further in your spare time." Taln tore his molten gaze from the bird statue and nodded his agreement. They walked on as he explained the locations of the Kiln and Water Storage, as well as pointing out the pathway that lead to the storm shelter and dovecote. They paused briefly at the Monolith watchtower. "The Tidepool is owned by Stu, so if you're in want of drink that's where you can go." The pair carried on, walking in a circular pattern as each place was shown and discussed. Everything looked well organized with a comforting feel to the design. As they walked past the Foundry, Taln gravitated toward the lingering heat of the forge, remembering its location for later. That would make a nice place to sleep near for sure. Their walk took them to pause outside of Creature Comforts and Mathias explained that Taln would clean out bird cages unpaid until he could increase some knowledge to a viable skill worth a wage. The copper haired man would have to work hard and learn quickly because each day would find him in mounting debt with a current unemployment. "We have a gathering every Tenday for people to catch up on what's going on and encourage each other, console those need it and offer help. Do you have any questions? " When the newcomer shook his head no, Mathias' expression turned very serious as he asked, "Look me in the eyes Taln. Do you have any prejudices or biases?" "No, I.." he faltered at completing the denial and re-thought. Molten fiery eyes lifted and held as his thoughts tormented him. He then nodded his head yes. "I don't like Endals. Well, I don't like how most of them act." he fidgeted with his lip ring and couldn't hold up his eyes any longer, letting them drop to his dirty toes. "That's what I thought. Bear in mind that there are no Endal no Dek, no castes." He paused patiently and continued, "Raise your eyes and look at me like a person." Reluctantly, the red head lifted his fiery gaze and held it with resolve. "Being a Priest of a God means at least giving yourself some common dignity for their sake, not just your own. What you say, do and think is a reflection of your God. If you act as a child, your God will be seen as a child. Mathias' tone wasn't unkind but it was a message that Taln needed to keep his wayward attitude in check. "Yes sir." Taln answered quietly, holding Mathias' gaze for half a chime longer before it drifted downwards again. "Good." his smile returned, "Now go get yourself something to eat and drink and if there's anything else you want to know, just ask." WC 884 Total WC 1,688