Adventures in the Wilderness (Aello)

[Alenias]

Season of Spring, Day 24, 511 AV

Alenias' eyes were wide with amazement as she looked around at the trees spreading out in every direction from where she stood. When she had gone to the Wilderness before it had been dark, and her and Siriana had been running from Trevinus so she had not been able to actually see what it was like. Now that she could see she wanted to run between the trees and flit amongst their branches.

Some birds could be heard chirping and chattering back and forth up above, and Alenias added her own call to the noise, "Hello!" there was a moment of silence from the birds, and then an assortment of replies that made her giggle.

While the day was slightly overcast and cool to Alenias it seemed beautiful. As much as she was comfortable with the streets and canals of Ravok there felt like a part of her deep inside that delighted in being in such a natural and wild place. Giving another giggle she twirled in place a few times, holding her arms out wide to feel the wind blowing against her hands as her cloak flew out and away from her body.

Turning to her two companions, Aello and Yune, she gave a huge smile, "I like the WIlderness! There are trees and birds and no big scary people!" she paused and thought for a moment, "But there isn't tasty bread out here, is there?"

[Aello]

Aello laughed as Alenias chirped alongside the birds as the wound their way in and out of the mass of trees. It had only been a few days since they met, and thus, she still hadn't quite gotten used to the idea that the girl could talk to the birds. Or rather, that Alenias the bird could turn into a human at will. One of them... both of them? Aello smiled pleasantly as she strode beside the Kelvic. "It is rather nice out here, and no, there aren't many people. Nor, is it likely that we will find any of that sweet bread out here." Aello stared up at the tree branches. They had been barren only a few weeks before, but now, the trees seemed to be growing their leaves back, and everything was just beginning to bloom. It was as though the forest were awakening from a deep sleep. Aello listened to each of the birds, clueless as to what they were saying. She looked over at the Kelvic, and couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be her. To know if the birds constantly mocked people like her; people who could not fly, or if they were truly as jealous of her, as she was in a way, jealous of them. She wondered if they could even think of such things, if their minds were even capable of grasping a concept such as jealousy. She wondered if they understood common as well as the bird language. The girl thought about many things; which only sparked more questions. Of course, at least, now that Alenias was at her side, there was a chance that she may one day know the answer to some of them. Aello was silent for a few moments, before she worked up the courage to ask, "so Alenias, what is it that the birds are saying? Are they upset with us for venturing into their forest, or are they happy to see another sign of life? Do they think humans look funny, or anything like that?" she inquired, suddenly feeling rather self-conscious. Here she was, the only true human in a forest filled with birds. Oh, if only you had a beak and a feathery tail. "Or do they speak of other things? Do they, perhaps, gossip as humans do? Or pass the word of what comes? If anyone or anything seems dangerous?" Aello tilted her head to the side as she tightened her grip on her father's old bow. She had never felt so many beady little black eyes on her skin. She had never felt quite so alone, even though she was surrounded by so many lively creatures. How could anyone feel quite like this, when they all seem to be singing to you?

[Alenias]

Alenias' smile fell slightly as Aello confirmed that there wasn't any sweet bread out here, but it came back quickly as she realized she could just bring bread out with her next time.

Giggling happily and skipping along as Aello grew silent, Alenias occasionally chirped a reply up to the birds above as they spoke to her. She'd never seen so many other birds in her life! Even the few birds that she'd seen around Ravok she usually hadn't talked to, as there was usually someone around so she couldn't talk to birds. It was safe with Aello though, because she was taking care of Alenias like Treanas had.

Alenias paused in her skipping and giggling as Aello asked her what the birds were saying. It still seemed strange that Aello couldn't talk to birds with the way the woman spoke to Yune. Maybe she was just pretending? Either way Alenias still wanted to make sure Aello liked her and kept her, and so she was more than happy to answer, "They're like the people in Ravok, talking about many different things. Some don't like us here, but others are happy or curious. A lot of them are just talking to each other about food, the weather, nests, babies, and things they've seen in the forest," she paused and tilted her head a little as some more birds called out, "Some are nervous that you might be here to hunt them for food."

Suddenly a bit of fear gripped Alenias' heart, and she looked at Aello with wide eyes, "You don't eat birds for food, do you Aello?" she hoped not. She didn't want her or Yune to end up being eaten if Aello got hungry.

[Aello]

"Well that sounds about right," Aello commented with a giggle as she stared up at the trees. Funny how they'd be afraid of the likes of you. Do they have any idea how difficult it is to hit a moving target? "Don't you worry Alenias, you and Yune are safe. There shall be no consumption of birds..." There was a slight pause. "Well maybe chickens," she added under her breath with a small laugh. Chickens had always been her favorite, especially when they were seasoned in a honey barbecue sauce. Or a lemon sauce! No yogurt sauces were better! Aello giggled. She never could decide, they were all too good. "Besides, you and Yune here wouldn't provide much of a meal anyway," Aello continued. "Well maybe for a small cat, since they have such tiny bellies." Aello laughed. "But don't you worry about them, for if they come near you, they may just wind up with an arrow through their side." There was another pause, "and without you, there'd be no one to translate for us. Poor Yune would have to chirp until some poor human got the picture; which could be a very long while sometimes. Especially if we humans are sleepy or generally cranky." A branch broke beneath Aello's feet with a loud snap. "So now that we're out here Alenias, what would you like to do?" Aello inquired. "Surely with all this talk about food you have gotten hungry. We can look for some berries or something if you'd like. Or set up a fire if you want to spend the night. Or head to the lake for some fresh water." There was a pause. "We could go hunting, but... do you even like meat?" Aello asked. She wasn't sure if the Kelvic would be interested in rabbit meat when she was in her human form. Or if her bird-like diet carried over from her life as a blue jay, to her life as a human. "If you're not interested, we can stick to vegetarian fare for the night." Aello stared up at the sky. The sun was still high, and peeking through the leaves of the trees. So it is either noon, or just before noon. Now which way is east? Aello sighed. Perhaps she should consider purchasing a compass the next time the three of them were in town. "Well, how about you Yune, are you hungry?" Aello asked. "There should still be some grass in our pack, and if not, surely we can find you something soon. Perhaps Alenias can ask the birds where to look or something." The girl smiled pleasantly. See? She is already making your life far easier.

[Alenias]

Alenias gave a soft sigh as Aello assured her that she wouldn't eat her or Yune. Her breath caught at the mention of a cat eating her. She'd been chased by a cat, and even when she had changed into a human it had still bit her! So when Aello mentioned it would end up with an arrow in it's side Alenias smiled and nodded, "Good, cats are scary and really mean, and I'm happy to translate for you and Yune."

Listening to the list of things Aello suggested Alenias tilted her head at the last question, "You can eat meat? Treanas said I shouldn't take meat because it would make me sick if I ate it," confusion was plain on her face, how could Aello eat meat and not get sick?

"I could use something to eat, yes," Yune chirped in response to Aello's question, and Alenias smiled and repeated, "Yune would like some food," she paused and listened to the birds above, "The birds say some tasty berries are nearby."

Chirping up a question to the birds Alenias gave a nod in response, "This way!" she took Aello's free hand and lead the woman through the trees and deeper into the forest, and soon the three of them came upon a small clearing that had many bushes filled with berries. At their approach several birds fluttered away, startled by their approach. Pulling Aello along behind her Alenias approached the bushes curiously, "Is this how the merchants get their berries? Taking them off bushes?"

[Aello]

"Most humans eat meat Alenias," Aello explained. "And most of the time, it doesn't make us sick. Sometimes, if it is undercooked though, it will." Aello felt the girl's hands wrapping around her wrist. Looks like she plans to take us somewhere. Aello was silent as Alenias tugged her through a line of trees. "Are they truly afraid?" Aello asked as she watched all of the birds fly away before glancing around the clearing at all of the berry bushes. It must have been a paradise to her birds; a hidden place that she and her companions had discovered. "Well, hopefully they'll forgive us for taking a few things for ourselves," she added as she considered the Kelvic's words. "Perhaps the merchants get their supplies by venturing into the forest," Aello began, "but it is unlikely. They probably send somebody else to do all their dirty work." Aello walked over to the nearest bush, it seemed to be filled with blackberries. "Do you have a favorite type of fruit?" Aello asked, as she begun to pluck several berries from the bush. Aello held up a few to Yune. "Hopefully you like these things love, because they're surely not going to do much to fill anyone else." Delicately, the bird extended its head, and nipped at the berries. "Oh just eat it would you," Aello scolded, as the bird nipped at it again, sending a small drop of purple juice oozing out of the berry's side. Yune had managed to drag the berry a little closer to her. Aello sighed. "Please just finish it," the bird chirped before it took another little nibble of the berry. "Does Yune not like it or something?" Aello asked Alenias. "Or does she simply think herself too good for such things?" Aello asked, as she stared at the Kelvic, desperate for answers. OOCI think in the first sentence you mean "her or Yune," not "her or Aello" *giggles*

[Alenias]

Listening to the chirps of the retreating birds Alenias gave a shake of her head in response to Aello's question, "Not really afraid, but surprised. They weren't expecting people like us to show up," Aello's next comment brought a slightly confused head tilt from Alenias, "Why would they be upset if we took some berries? They don't live in the berries, and they're not eating these ones."

Alenias listened to Aello as she started to pluck off some berries, though she blinked at the woman when she mentioned people doing merchant's dirty work. What was dirty about picking berries? Before she could ask Aello had asked her a question, and after a moment of thought she replied, "Peaches! I had one once, and it was the tastiest thing I've ever eaten. Even better than the sweet bread! I don't see it often in the Plaza though."

Watching Aello and Yune as the woman fed the bird Alenias blinked, and then tried to eat her own berries like Yune was. Of course this lead to her getting some of the juice dribbling off of her lip and down her chin, but it was fun to eat that way, and so she continued for a moment as the other two talked.

"I don't want to make a mess," Yune chirped in response to Aello's question, and Alenias stopped her own eating and mess making at Aello's desperate question, "She says she doesn't want to make a mess."

"If you put them on a leaf, then you wouldn't have to hold them for me," Yune said in a few more chirps, and Alenias translated, "She says if you put them on a leaf for her then you wouldn't have to hold the berries."

[Aello]

Aello giggled as she turned to face Alenias. "You know you have berry juice drizzling down the side of your face love. You may want to wipe it off with a leaf or something," Aello commented. She was silent for a moment before remembering that she had meant to say "thank you." When she had, Aello walked over to the nearest bush, where several medium-sized green leaves were growing. The leaves were shaped like a drop of rain, and had a toothed edge. Those should do, Aello thought, as she plucked a leaf from the bush. She then bent down, and placed the leaf delicately on the floor. On top of that, she placed the rest of the berries she had plucked for Yune. Well isn't that cute? A natural, makeshift plate. Aello smiled as the bird hopped down the length of her arm, onto the forest floor, and proceeded to dive into the remaining berries. Aello watched her bird eating happily for a moment. "Well, it looks like she really likes them," Aello said, rather absently, as she turned back to Alenias. "Just like you seem to be," Aello said, as she pulled a berry off the closest bush in order to see what all of the fuss was about. She raised the berry to her lips, and popped it in her mouth. Aello began to chew. The berry was cool, crisp, and as soon as she had begun munching, a sweet, and slightly sour juice had squirted across the length of her tongue. "Well they are refreshing," Aello commented, as her stomach began to rumble. Unlike her two companions, she may require something slightly more substantial for dinner. When Aello looked back down at Yune, she noticed that the bird had finished eating. "Well, you must be full now little one," Aello said, as she bent back down. She extended her right arm out to the bird, and offered her cupped hand, palm facing the sky, to the bird. After a moment's hesitation, Yune hopped on, and then proceeded to walk up the length of Aello's arm, to her shoulder. Her feet tickled Aello's skin, and the young spiritist couldn't help but giggle. But of course, her stomach had to rumble again and ruin the moment. "Well Alenias, it looks like we may have to go hunting after all. While berries may be enough for Yune, and perhaps you too, people need something far more substantial to keep themselves going." There was a slight pause, "would you like to stay here and eat some more, while we go and look around for something else to eat, or do you want to come along? It shouldn't be too long, and we should have no problem finding you again, so you needn't worry about that," Aello explained. Aello stopped talking for a moment, and looked up at the sky. The sun was getting higher and higher, or perhaps it was lower and lower. Either way, it was obvious that Aello and company had spent at least a few hours wandering through the forest. "It may start to get a little colder soon, so if you stay here, you may want to try starting a fire," Aello commented as she turned back to the Kelvic. "Towards the center of the clearing though, so the bushes don't catch." There was a slight pause. "A forest fire would be very, very bad. Although it may be able to be contained here because of the lake, it'd still best be avoided altogether."

[Alenias]

Alenias blinked at Aello's comment, and then reached up a hand and lightly touched the juice on her chin. She giggled at the feeling, and soon had all of her fingers covered as she played with the purple juice. The amusement only lasted so long, and soon she was back to eating more of the berries happily.

Alenias continued eating the berries until Aello mentioned hunting, and asked if she wanted to come along. Swallowing the last bits of berry Alenias thought for a moment. She did want to eat more of the berries, because they were very tasty, but wouldn't Aello like it more if she helped with the hunting? Not that she really knew what hunting was, but she was sure there had to be something she could do to help.

Giving a small shake of her head Alenias smiled, her lips and hands covered with berry juice, "I want to come along and help you hunt Aello. Could I help? What do you do when you go hunting?" Alenias skipped over next to the woman, curious and excited about this new activity.

OOCSorry for the short post, a bit lacking in thoughts at the moment

[Aello]

"Are you sure you wish to come along Alenias?" Aello asked. "Because hunting involves tracking down animals and killing them, so that we may have something to eat." There was a slight pause. "If you don't want to come, it's understandable, with your being a herbivore and all. But if your heart is set on coming along, then we could always use an extra pair of eyes." There was another pause, "and someone who can talk to the birds and tell us where all the animals have gotten to," Aello finished with a smile. "But if you stay, it would be helpful if you could start a fire. Humans will get sick if they try to eat raw meat, so we'll need a fire to cook everything on," Aello commented. "We could always sell the fur and dispose of the bones and the meat we have not used later tonight. Hopefully, that will keep larger animals from invading our camp. You know, if we stay out here for the night," Aello finished explaining. Her grip tightened around her bow as her stomach rumbled again. It's about time we get going. Aello waited another minute for Alenias to reply, before she nodded her head slightly, and turned around. "We'll start off in this direction, and then head back around. Hopefully we'll find something before it gets dark, and we're forced to stop for the night," Aello added as she walked forward and out of the clearing filled with berry bushes. She glanced around at all the trees that surrounded her, and then down at the ground, hoping she'd find footprints or a rabbit warren or something. Of course, there had to be nothing. Aello looked up again. "Something tells me Yune that this is going to be a rather long hunt, and an even longer night," Aello whispered. Chirp! OOCDon't worry about it!