[Kabrin Road] Wind Beneath My Wings [Ethan]

[Hadrian]

25th Summer, 511 A.V. Hadrian was scouting, or that was what he had told the others. Ethan was doing most of the work, aloft and seeing only he knew what. When the young enchanter caught sight of that familiar aura up above through the trees, he smiled, but he was a bit envious of the bird-man's freedom and flight. The Bloodbane, Adrasteios, was used to him now, and they had a sort of a truce going, though he was bruised from a few bites and had narrowly missed being kicked on more than one occasion. If he wasn't exuding a Hypnotic calm, this might have been more difficult. His aura mingled easily with that of the horse since they were in constant physical contact, but the tractability was all false, a product of Hadrian's concentration and growing skill. It had been slow going since Alvadas, but he was getting better at it, and hopefully more subtle. With Ethan watching over him, he didn't feel so nervous straying from the road, knowing he could always get back to it. Adrasteios stopped at a creek and Hadrian tried not to fall out of the saddle. It seemed like a likely enough spot to rest, allowing the stallion to drink. He took a lead rope out of the saddlebag and tied him to a tree branch with enough space to drink and chomp on some grass if he was of a mind to. It seemed like he was always seeking out water when he went off on his own anymore, perhaps seeking out that root element even as he marveled at his control over a new one. Taking off his boots, he rolled up his trouser legs and let his feet dangle in the cold water. He was always deathly afraid that Kendall would complain of a stink when he took them off in the tent every night. Lying back, he pillowed his head on his hands and closed his eyes, allowing his focus to spread out a bit, keeping his fingers on the pulse of the local djed for disturbances that might mean danger. He figured Ethan would find him eventually, possibly with a snack.

[Ethan]

For the last week or so Ethan had been setting his mind on two tasks. First, magic, his constant priority. Second, catching birds. Surprisingly the second proved much more difficult than the first. Hawks were his main target. They were large enough to get a grip on with his talons, but small enough not to be a threat. What they lacked in danger. They made up for in speed. They were fast creatures and could pivot and turn much quicker than Ethan. Hawks had been flying circles around him for the better part of a week. He had tried many attempts to get near these creatures and all have failed. He even tried communicating with them threw their shared Avian language and deceiving them, but it wouldn't work. They were much too dense and cautious to take the bait He had chased these birds above, under, around and threw every cloud in the sky but they wouldn't give. Until he figured what they didn't have... Wingspan! As a bird Ethan had ten feet from tip to tip of wide strong wings. He couldn't out fly them but he barely moved a muscle when he flew. He could glide for hours were as Hawks had no choice but to flap the whole way. Especially in strong winds. So today Ethan was trying one more time. A particularly gifted and beautiful Brown Hawk was his target. A fine specimen that would be a proud trophy for his teacher. It had been hunting on the steeper side of the mountain ranges when Ethan had spotted it. The Hawk is a territorial creature but didn't dare make the first move against something Ethan's size. He had hoped to take it in one surprise sweep but it was of no use. Ethan soared above the bird and dropped down when the winds didn't create too much drag. The Brown Hawk must of heard Ethan cutting threw the sky. Because he swiftly turned to the left with a sharp warning cry. The chase was on and Ethan was putting his intelligence and endurance against the bird's full animal instincts and swift wings. The two creatures collided again and again in long Ariel sweeps. Trying to run or catch up to each other. Turning mid air with natural grace that hid the fear and excitement of the two birds. For little less than an hour Ethan drove the bird past its limits. He used up little effort as he glided and swooped in to suddenly pull out before the Hawk could strike back. The mid air twists and turns began to slow in speed and he could tell it was working. He noticed the wings straining to keep the pace up. The Hawks movements were choppy and ridged. Also Ethan knew that Hadrian was finding a spot for them to meet and talk. From the distance and speed he last saw Hadrian going at. He knew he had time but not a whole lot. Something needed to be done and quick. With a sudden flash of insight. The Kelvic flew under the Hawk and started driving him further and further up. Higher altitude were the winds would push the Hawk even harder. The summer provided a warm draft but not enough to make much of a difference for the Hawk. He could see the creature faltering more and more as they went. The winds were getting stronger and the bird no longer had the energy to dodge Ethan and just made a straight climb up in a foolish attempt of loosing the bird. Unfortunately for him, Ethan was a Kelvic. He could turn back into a human and get treatment from Hadrian or rest with his group of friends, but for wild animals any injury or extreme exhaustion almost always meant death from lack of food or other predators. The wind was slapping against his face and gripping his body. He could feel the drag each loose feather created and would remember to let Hadrian know why grooming was so vital. His wings were beginning to feel the burn as they climbed vertically into the air. The clouds were beginning to come closer and the sun was beating hard on both birds. The feeling of weightlessness was exhilirating. You were swimming threw the air and nothing could control you but your wings. Each movement of your body decided your direction and it was glorious. He could tell it was coming. He could almost smell the fear off that fucking bird it was so close. His tail feathers were inching closer and he would soon be close enough to snap at them with his beak. Ethan was pulling in strong. Using the wind currents to climb up higher and higher. Using all his energy for one sprint. As the Hawk was slowly sinking. He knew the time had come. He could taste victory. The Lammergeier's beak passed the birds tail feathers, and in one motion he pulsed his giant wings down and reached out with his talons as high as they would go. The Hawk faltered for one second. One missed beat of his wings and the Kelvic sunk his Talons in. Ethan could feel the skin pop as he punctured. Sinew ripped and dark red blood oozed out from the bird and onto his talons. Any loose blood was whipped into the sky by the wind. Into a fine maroon spray. His talons were clamped into the lower back of the beast while Ethan's beak. Usually only used to break apart bones. Crushed threw the back of the birds neck with sickening force. His wings surrounded the bird and encased him as his talons squeezed and his beak tore threw flesh and feathers. Both animals plummeted to the ground. One holding on and the other slowly dying with shrieks of pain swallowed by the wind. In that moment Ethan never felt more alive. Gravity was trying to do its best to send them crashing into the blue mountain side. The Grey silver lined clouds almost seemed to run away from the blood as they raced to the ground. The Blue Sky twisted and flipped them with such ease as they fell. The Hawk slowly struggled til its last breath and only then did Ethan let go with his beak and unfurl his great wings. Instantly he caught the winds current. When he leveled out he quickly flew to where Hadrian was. Not wanting to waste any time. Making sure not to harm the prize he just won. It took him a moment to find Hadrian and swoop in. Screeching and cawing with pride. He quickly landed near the relaxing Mage and changed. He was tired, out of breath and fucking exhausted. When the magical light cleared and the man stood before Hadrian. He shouted and jumped into the air. Careful not to step on the bird. ”I did it! I fucking did it Hadrian!” He laughed and desperately tried to catch his breath. Red faced and kneeling. He grabbed the still fresh Hawk and held it up as it struggled a bit. Puncture wounds in the mid back and a deep gash in its neck, but other wise in tact and perfect for Hadrian. ”It even fucking looks like you Hadrian!” He ran over dropped the bird at his feet on the boulder and quickly hopped into the water naked as a jay bird. Normally he would have to be fucking mad to do this but he was steaming hot from the flight. The water felt good and pure. Stinging, it was so cold, but in a good way. Ethan splashed about and chanted several times I fucking did it! He submerged himself in the water happily. When he was done cooling off he popped out of the water and waded back to Hadrian. ”You have no idea how difficult it is to hunt a Hawk mid air! It is for you Teacher! All for you. Go on and tell me how I did. Examine the beast. It still has some life left in it!”

[Hadrian]

There was a flash of auras of a sudden that he could see through his eyelids, sense plummeting toward him. One was bright, fierce, and triumphant, also quite familiar. The other was fading fast, wild, and weary. Chlorine blue eyes opened at the flash of shapeshifting, and there was Ethan, glorious and naked, a testament to the skill of a long dead archmage. At his feet, a dead hawk, its body still warm. He laughed at the sight of Ethan's rear as it flashed before he jumped into the water, whooping at his victory. He carefully examined the corpse as Ethan splashed about, marveling at Nature's perfection. If he ever chanced to meet Caiyha or Eywaat, he would have to compliment Them on Their work. "Amazing, Ethan," he said, a wide grin on his face, enjoying the enjoyment of his friend. "Tell me all about it. Tell me how a hawk is different from a lammergeier. Tell me everything." In the meantime, he ran his hands carefully over the bird, Sensing things that his normal senses would miss, trying to memorize everything, even the pattern of the djed that was quickly escaping back into the aether. Such patterns would be helpful for the Morphing, to know the soul of a hawk as well as its form. He promised Caiyha and Eywaat in the silence of his soul that the raptor's flesh would feed Ethan, and that he would Maledict the bones, making use of as much of the fallen hawk as he could, learning much in the process. Should Ethan bring him another, one not quite dead, he might even borrow that raptor's soul to Animate some creation, too, copying that pattern into inanimate matter and giving it a sort of life as he had with the tiny gem souls of flies and watery souls of frogs. "You are the best bird I know, Ethan," he said, and it was the truth.

[Ethan]

"You are the best bird I know, Ethan, ," The Hydromancer wasn't one for compliments and general excitement. So Ethan too it to heart. If he wasn't so excited he might of noticed his own blushing, but he was hot and red already. Despite the dip. ”Thank you. That means a lot Hadrian. And everything you say! Well as you can tell just by looking at the creature it was fast.” He said walking out of the water and onto land. The sun and hot summer winds warmed his wet body. ”Much faster than I could ever hope to be. It's body is perfectly created to out fly any predator and catch any prey.” His voice raised with excitement as he remembered the chase. ”Do you see how slender the wings are!? I mean just look at them they are beautiful!” He said crouching in close and pointing. ”It's slender build is the exact opposite of mine. I have wider and much longer wings. Meant for carrying bones and gliding.” He laughed thinking about his triumph. He had done something no other Lammergeier ever could have or even thought of! ”I couldn't keep up with the bird and when it dived. Gods when it dived it was quicker than lightening. And its claws were sharp and its beak sharper! Of course I didn't get near them. I knew it could of tore me to shreds. Despite its size. Hadrian you should of seen it! I chased this thing for hours and I was about to give up. Unitl I found out what it doesn't have!” He used his hands for a little thespian pop to emphasis his point. ”Endurance Hadrian endurance!” He said with a laugh. ”It is swift and its body is built to swoop in and take things quickly but I am made to glide for hours. Not beat a wing for hours! So I realized what I had to do. I followed the beast til it tired. I could hardly touch it before then. And when it was weak. I pushed it farther.” He laughed gleefully as he pointed up. His face shining like a little boy. ”Plain animals are without logic unlike Kelvics. So I pushed it higher and higher where the winds would test its true might. When the little thing could take no more and we were about to touch the clouds!” He smiled a bit wickedly and made a quick clawing motion at his throat. ”I tore its throat out!” His laugh would of worried anyone. It held a secret pleasure to it, malevolent if it was in a human but for an animal. It was simply the joy of the hunt. Ethan had his first taste of blood and enjoyed it. ”You would have been so proud Hadrian. I was flying right below it as it frantically climbed upwards. And when it faltered for a second I saw my chance. Pushed myself harder and caught up. Dug in my claws and then dug in with my beak! I will hunt more if you want! There is nothing like this Hadrian. I have done something that no other Lammergeier has done!” Laughing he got back up and had to pace around. The energy was pulsing threw his heart like fire in dry bush.

[Hadrian]

He nodded at the instruction, noting how the wings were indeed slenderer than those of Ethan in his lammergeier form, which Hadrian had already studied in detail. Anatomy was not his bailiwick, though he had studied it somewhat with regard to drawing and morphing, as well as in his more grisly experiments with malediction. He hadn't understood a fish's gill system so well as he had to dissect one for Tieh back on Sahova. "An effective stratagem," he said, nodding after Ethan's story of the hunt, smiling himself though not with quite the same elation as the bird-man himself. He reached out when Ethan was close enough in his pacing, touching his arm. No expert in Kelvics, he didn't know if they had bonded or not, and while he didn't want to influence Ethan unduly, the Kelvic was his apprentice of sorts, and his guard of sorts, and he was trusted and they learned from each other and he had grown to care for the little beast. "Sit with me," he asked, "and tell me more. Wings, feathers, all that..." His own body was melting into ideas now, feathers appearing as they had before, something he already knew to do. But his fingernails were thickening, hardening, turning black and long like talons. Even his face seemed to shift toward something more aquiline, his lips hardening toward a beak. The memorization technique was as deep as his flesh, scanning the Auristic spectra while conforming his own shape toward that. But still he could only manage pieces of the hawk, not the form entire. But this was good practice all the same. Hopefully by the time he could manage the whole form, he would have the pieces so well that he could focus his attention on flight and other bird-like activities while his Morphing was easy to maintain from long hours of practice. Once Ethan was kneeling beside him, hovering over the hawk's corpse, he ran his fingers through wet hair as he would any beloved pet. "Tell me more, and I will reward you with something you have wanted for a while now."

[Ethan]

"Sit with me, and tell me more. Wings, feathers, all that..." Ethan smiled at the Hydromancer crookedly. There wasn't all that much to tell. After all the hawk was right in front of him. He was about to speak up when he noticed Hadrian begin to morph. Long flight feathers appeared and he noticed his nails grow into claws, and was that a beak? He wanted to laugh but kept it to a lite snicker. He was looking more and more bird every day but the in between was rather odd to take in. It was definitely a testament to his magical prowess and skill. It gave Ethan butter flies to think they could actually fly together. Before it just seemed like a pipe dream. An idea that wouldn't come true, but Hadrian was starting to prove him wrong. He was determined to take to the skies. It was a pity Ethan wouldn't have wings himself as a man. It would make teaching easier. As he knelt next to his teacher. Hadrian's hand came out and brushed his hair affectionately. Making him smile and blush. It made him feel a little silly but Human's did have a tendency to not make sense. "Tell me more, and I will reward you with something you have wanted for a while now." The words made Ethan's heart jump a little. This wasn't fair at all! He knew this meant the world to him. Ethan laughed and punched Hadrian's arm with a smile. ”No way Hadrian. I just flew my ass off to kill that thing mid air. You can figure it out yourself at the very least! Humans are so lazy.” He said happily as he sat cross legged facing his teacher. ”I am your student and I help you more than enough. Now do your job and teach! Before I squawk up a racket.”

[Hadrian]

As the avian traits morphed in and out of existence, feathers hear, beak there, he grew somewhat accustomed to the bits and pieces of the avian form. It was one thing to have talons, another to have skeletal structure, feathers, and musculature tuned to a precise degree in order to accomplish flight. Ethan didn't seem to understand that, at least on a magical level, but it was likely due to an overinflated faith in Hadrian's abilities. He dabbled in quite a few disciplines, but was accomplished in only a select few. "You want me to teach, eh?" he asked, somewhat amused, though another part of him wondered if Ethan truly valued what he had been given. Sometimes it seemed like he was expecting training as a matter of course, or that Hadrian would do all the work. But he was correct on the count of the hunt. Hadrian would have been hard-pressed to hypnotize a hawk out of the sky to die for him, but here he had a still-warm corpse to study, the aura memorized before it dissipated, the systems of the body observed as best they could be after death "How do I know that you're ready for more responsibility?" he asked. It was a valid question given what Ethan wanted from him.

[Ethan]

“You question my capability to have this kind of a responsibility?” His tone was polite as always but a bit skeptical. Responsibility was something all Kelvics had by nature, or at least thats how he saw it. Bonding to one person for the rest of their lives. Holding them above all else and keeping them safe and happy? All without ever wavering their loyalty or betraying a secret. That alone testified to the nature of Kelvics to bare burdens. ”I can see your point in wanting to make sure, after all magic is frowned on and often feared. With the teacher being held accountable for the student. But you shouldn't worry about my loyalty. Your my teacher and I understand your concern, but I can't help but feel a little hurt... I have and will follow you where ever you go, and without question. Even to Ravok where a friend of mine was a slave. My eyes and ears are at your disposal and I keep you and Kendall safe from harms way with those eyes and ears. I try to help whenever I can with hunting for food and even birds.” He nodded towards the now cold Hawk. ”I train faithfully by your side to learn magic and the relationship it has with my kind... If I haven't lived to your expectations as a student please let me know. I value your opinions and your teaching greatly and I would never want to disappoint.” Ethan felt a little queer saying this. Remembering when he said those words but to another. Although he felt reassured by his own voice. It held a certain pride in it. For his work. In his accomplishments as a student and in himself as a person. He no longer felt like a mindless and often scared young boy when he said it. ”Although I cannot think of anything I could do more to help around here. Other than call you my master or pleasure you in the bed.” Ethan laughed a little. Hadrian was a cold fish and seeing him surprised or embarrassed was always a special treat. Often the reason for him being so blunt on certain subjects. ”Of course I can begin crawling into your tent at night, but I do not think Kendall with appreciate feathered company. Although I could do you both. I have see many things in Sunberth and my travels. But alas I am only one bird and I'm afraid you don't know that much magic.” His smile was bright but his cheeks were brighter. Giving away the cool demeanor of his voice. His skin was an even darker shade of copper from the long travels. It made for a subtle but good contrast of his dirty blond hair and goatee and an even sharper one for his light golden eyes.

[Hadrian]

Hadrian listened to Ethan speak, but then he always listened. Sometimes he thought that was why Ethan talked so much, because there was finally someone who paid attention, gave his thoughts due consideration, and respected him enough to teach him, to help him better himself. He was a little embarrassed that Ethan had misunderstood him; he never doubted his loyalty, but responsibility was something else entirely. He was also impressed on some level that Ethan was standing up for himself in the face of perceived doubt, and the bird's pride made Hadrian feel proud that he thought the young enchanter worthy of following and serving. When Ethan spoke of the bed, Hadrian immediately flushed and looked down. It wasn't shame, but the pleasures of his body were not something with which he was too familiar and Kendall knew his body better than he did himself. When he looked up, it was to appraise the naked Kelvic in a new light. In general, his body was attracted to women, but since the predicament of Kendall, he found that he was attracted to the person moreso than the body. He could appreciate the artistry of whichever god or gods created people, male or female, and Ethan was certainly beautiful in his human form as in his feathered one. His chin rose a bit, not defiant, but attempting confidence. "I would be proud if you thought me worthy of being your master, Ethan, but I would not force it upon you. It should be your choice to whom you bond, even though... I feel like there are some bonds between us. I don't know exactly what that means, perhaps just mentor and student. Friend and friend. You don't want to warm my bed, and I would never force you." But the thought of Kendall's face if Ethan should worm his way into their tent some night made him laugh, bringing color to his cheeks once more. Now that Ethan had planted the seed of thought in his mind, his imagination took a few tangents and he found that he wouldn't mind exploration... "I don't mean to doubt you, though. You have been a good student and companion and I am much happier for having you here. Like I said, you're the best bird I know. And sometimes I might ask you questions like this, not meaning to offend you, but wanting to hear your thoughts, to hear you make your case as you just did. So... the initiation is a bit painful. Do you... do you want to do it now?"

[Ethan]

”You don't want to warm my bed, and I would never force you.” The words made Ethan blush and smile. Oh if you only asked Hadrian... When the Hydromancer smiled and blushed as well. Ethan felt a little naughty. If talking about the subject got such a reaction. Think of all the fun he could have. The possibilities for red faced Hadrian's was endless. This was a subject to be touched upon later. It was also nice to hear he wanted to be Ethan's master. It was a sweet gesture. For the Mage to tell him it was his choice. Even though Ethan knew and would never forget. It was still kind to hear. Although it seemed like Hadrian didn't fully understand. Who Ethan was and what he had gone through, and how important that choice was... He would just have to educate him. The man was so kind and patient. He was sure to understand. "I don't mean to doubt you, though. You have been a good student and companion and I am much happier for having you here. Like I said, you're the best bird I know. And sometimes I might ask you questions like this, not meaning to offend you, but wanting to hear your thoughts, to hear you make your case as you just did. So... the initiation is a bit painful. Do you... do you want to do it now? The Hydromancer said. Concern creeping into his voice. Ethan placed an affectionate hand on his side and looked into his eyes. ”Your concern and respect of me is admirable and greatly appreciated, but I have been beaten since I could walk. I think I can handle a little more pain. I am an animal after all.” With that being said. His golden eyes tailed off and so did his hand. He searched for a clearing to sit down in. A bed rock on top of a slop over looking the river seemed to be the perfect place. He walked over briskly and sat down. Clearing some of the dirt and leaves. So the more castle bound book worm could sit comfortably. He has clothes to clean. Ethan would only get leaves up his ass. ”Tell me how this works. Pain isn't a big deal but I don't want it going wrong. I still have lots to do and many more ways to make you blush.” He gave a wicked smile and casually flicked his eyes up and down Hadrian.