[Flashback] Soothing Ruffled Feathers [Aselia]

[Raiha]

Closed. Aselia Timandre, please.

Flashback: 10th of Summer, 509 AV.

Raiha had spent precious little time in Mura over the last season. She wasn't comfortable with giving Kanikra any more of an outlet than she already had... not after she had nearly killed Camau. The incident still weighed heavily on her, and was one of the reasons she spent even less time in Mura, preferring to go outside the city and stay there. It was better for all involved, she told herself, and she could spend time with Uzima and Diallo. He had it coming, Kanikra told her. He only had himself to blame. You weren't comfortable, and you told him no. It's like you would rather stab yourself in the heart with your own suvai than stand up for yourself when they are trying to take advantage of you. Why can't you see that? And why can't you bring yourself to do something about it?

If this is meant to console me over the fact you tried to kill someone when you could have just knocked him out... Raiha warned her, you are doing an abysmal job of it. She wasn't much in the mood for Kanikra's banter, and was far more interested in quieting her down for now. Hawks were smart, smart birds, and they picked up on your emotions. Diallo shoved her hand as he looked up at her, and she automatically started to scratch behind his ears before she pushed open the door, motioning him in and following along behind him.

Oh, calm down. We're at the Animal Center. Stop ruffling your feathers... Raiha liked to come in from time to time, even though she kept Uzima separate from these birds, and just see what and who was around. Dawn had yet to rise, which meant she could get some quiet time in before the rest of Mura woke up and the city came to life. Uzima had been left at home for now, but once Raiha was done, she would take the hawk out and go fly her. She slipped inside, the Deerstalker trailing along behind her. Raiha's long white hair was pulled back and braided, out of her way, still damp, the ends beginning to curl. She wore simple black pants with a coarse grey shirt, fastened at the neck. Some people may have found her taste in clothing drab, but Raiha didn't see the sense in trying looking fabulous with bird droppings on your expensive finery with all of its frills and exquisite stitching. She was going to get dirty anyway, and, quite frankly, that was the way she liked it.

The beauty of Auristics, Raiha thought, was that you had less of a need for light. The auras told her where things were, and she could make guesses as to what they were by the shapes they exhibited. Sure, she should probably get herself some lenses to protect her eyes from the sunlight (the prospect of going blind was not a thrilling one). The dog padded along beside her, his worn-down nails never touching the floor, and the pair silently made their way through the center to where the raptors were kept, passing other animals in the process of rehabilitation. Her own healing gifts weren't of much use here - her skills in medicine were low, although she was learning, and her healing ability easily outclassed. But she had a knack for understanding what birds needed and wanted at the basic level, and she had taken to Auristics in an attempt to augment that. As she learned, she could seek out where they were injured, or what was wrong with them... and go from there.

Here, in the dark, was blessed peace and quiet. She was alone with the birds, and she stayed there for a while, watching in the dark, seeing their auras, watching them, listening to them. She looked in on a fledgling owl that was learning to go from perch to perch. One day, she thought to herself, one day, she would raise a fluffy owlet of her own, and teach it to fly... and teach it to hunt, Kanikra added helpfully. You can't forget that.

[Aselia Timandre]

OOCI'm sorry for the delay! I wanted to read up about falconry before writing anything here and didn't have the time for that during the week. My pace shall be normal from now on.

Aselia hadn’t been to the animal center for a long while as well. Since getting Linel she had been focused on bonding with and training that one bird. Putting everything she had learned to use was an exhausting and difficult task, but she took delight in figuring out the thin threads of her relationship with the magpie, finding out how far she could go and when it was time to retreat. Just like sentient individuals, birds were proud and independent beings. Linel would never stay with the Konti if he didn’t learn that she offered him protection and food.

Still she was drawn to her previous workplace. After Linel, that last goodbye present from Nefre, Aselia had almost begged the chief falconer to let her go. Too many sharp edges of memories had stung at every corner. It was almost too painful to bear. That day, however, her feet carried her to and around the main building and she slipped in by using the backdoor for the staff. This way one could directly get to the mews without having to pass all the other areas before.

As soon as she was there it didn’t matter any longer why she had come. It was simply good that she was there, regardless of what had happened. Things had changed as well, the stock of birds as well as apprentices. Not that many Konti favored doing such a dirty work, but the ones who did usually were earthy, honest and practical people. Before even noticing it, Aselia had lost herself in a friendly talk with a newbie about the recent additions. The eggs of S’kraw, a female red-tailed hawk had finally hatched and revealed a couple of healthy offspring. Some were promising, some not, as it always was with captives. The most impressive addition was a large sand eagle, a species exclusively found on Konti Isle that fed crabs, cancers and occasionally shells. The proud exemplar sitting in its mews made Aselia’s jaw drop in silent awe.

The sight of the sand eagle had another effect, she realized when slowly walking away. The memories, everything that had stuck to the walls and creatures, had been washed away by a single bird. The epiphany couldn’t be ignored. Change embraced Aselia and the passing of time protected her from the pain she had been living all the time. She realized why it had been necessary to come back. Now that the pressure, the doubt had been washed away – she could as well get some training, right?

It was then that she noticed a stranger standing in the narrow corridor. She squinted, trying to see details, although a Konti’s vision was somewhat limited in darkness for they were born in light. Strange that that person seemed to be comfortable in the shadows … but Aselia wasn’t one to stand there and stare, so she simply approached the person until only three or so feet separated them. She was wearing a white tanktop and short pants that didn’t even begin to cover her thighs, but seemed to be comfortable with showing much skin glittering with scales. She had, however, tied her long snow white hair up in a ponytail to keep it out of her face while working.

Upon realizing that the person was watching the clumsy tries of an owl fledgling, she couldn’t help but give a small smile. As if reading Raiha’s thoughts, she said in a soft voice: “I’ve heard that owls are difficult to work with. They often get eaten by other birds of prey.” It wasn’t meant as an encouraging comment, obviously, but Aselia also didn’t realize that it might turn her opponent off. She simply stated a fact, truth obsessed as she was.

Then she turned and looked up to the unusually tall woman. “My name is Aselia”, she added, leaving her surname out on purpose. Sometimes she didn’t possess the will to be associated with the prestigious Timandre name, although it was possible that one simply knew her from word of mouth. “Are you a falconer yourself?”, she asked, curious about the reason that had driven the woman to that place. The large dog accompanying her indicated that she had at least some experience with caring for animals. And why wouldn’t she be here if she was no bird person?

[Raiha]

The clumsy little bird made its way to another perch, and Raiha refrained from cheering. It was beautiful, soft and fluffy, though one day it would be anything soft - owls were predators, hunters, and once they grew into themselves, they were beautiful in a different way. They did not inspire one to stroke and cuddle them, marveling at the fluffy downy feathers and the way the enormous, much-too-large feet and talons were adorable, but rather to step back and let them fly... keeping one's fingers well out of range. The talons and beak left nothing to imagination of what a feral owl could do to you. Some people felt that the fluffy things with their enormous eyes were just hideous. Raiha, however, didn't share their sentiments. She reached down to scritch the enormous Deerstalker, long, graceful fingers scratching away at just the right spots behind his ears. The dog sighed with contentment. Life, he clearly felt, was good.

Auristics in the dark were interesting... they stood out, illuminated, even, in a way that they were not in the day time. The night had never bothered Raiha - she could see equally as well as she did in the daytime, even before she had immersed herself in the magic. The night had a quiet, sweet solace all of its own. A peaceful calm. Reflection, change... the peace that people associated with the sunlight Raiha found in the night when Mother Akajia graced them all. She was working on Auristics, slowly but surely - using it always made her tired, and the more tired she became, the easier of a time Kanikra had with coming out and taking over, even if only for a bit... but every time she took over... Raiha had to deal with a messy aftermath. But now, left in peace in quiet and watching the owlet, Raiha focused on the little bird's aura, reading it, learning. The more she concentrated and studied the owlet, the more its aura revealed certain facts to her. It was a male... approximately 55 days old... and he was hungry, so hungry...

Raiha broke it off, then, exhausted as she rested, however content. Things were quiet. Auristics always left her tired, and with a little luck, she would be left alone. Clearly, though, it was not to be, but tired as she was, she was content to just watch the owlet as it fluttered and flapped to its next perch, talon-capped toes reaching for the branch. She hardly even noticed Aselia's arrival. The dog did, though, and he got up to eye the approaching Konti. Diallo was used to the Konti, but he could tell his mistress was tired, and when she was tired, she liked to be alone. So he just stared in the darkness at Aselia's arrival, particularly when she came so close. The big dog wasn't sure how much of a good thing this was, but he neither raised his hair nor his hackles, just stood there watching her. When the tall woman turned turned around, though, Aselia was in for a shock. Features that had been hidden by the darkness became readily readable. Golden eyes looked at her, contrasting sharply with deep blue skin, offset by the white hair. There was a raw, understated power in the woman as she turned to look down at the Konti.

An Akontak.

Perhaps it was poor timing on Aselia's behalf... combined with the words she chosen to greet them with, because Kanikra took serious offense to it. Raiha would have just dismissed it as being someone else's opinion, but her black twin wasn't about to let it go so easily. Falconry was Kanikra's preferred method of acclimatizing her other half to killing, and she would not allow anyone to ruin her hard work in this regard. Kanikra, as far as she was concerned, was the only one who was allowed to make comments like that to her. And Aselia simply wasn't Kanikra, now, was she? And with Raiha already tired from Auristics... it was a mere matter of surging forward and taking over before Raiha even realized it was happening. By the time she was able to protest, it was too late. Kanikra was firmly in control. Stop it! Don't...

She let Aselia introduce herself, her mild expression bland and polite, though her eyes had taken on a particular cast to them. Aselia. One of the Exalted Timandres, no less. Kanikra didn't care for them at all. She respected Marishka, the one they had met all so long ago, but... Hush. I'll handle this. You rest, relax, and enjoy the show. I'll show her not to run her mouth unless she can back it up... It was times like this, perhaps, that Kanikra appreciated Raiha's studiousness. "Owls are only hard to work with because some idiots prefer to try to turn them away from their nature. They ask them to hunt in the day," her lips curled into a partial smile. Her voice was soft, concealing a razor as surely as the owlet's fluffy feathers concealed his talons from sight, with just the faintest hint that they were there. "Owls are creatures of the night, and when they are in their element, they have no equal. It's like asking a pretty, pale, delicate Konti to hunt in the dark when they cannot see and are forced to stumble along as ungainly creatures like the rest of them." Kanikra studied Aselia, taking her in. She could take her. Easily.

Could you not be a little more polite? Raiha scolded Kanikra. She didn't have the energy to force Kanikra back out, not right now. All she could do was watch and listen to the unfolding wreck. Keep your hands to yourself. Don't hit her!

Hush. I could thrash her for you, and leave the body for the birds to eat. A bit of fresh flesh would do them well. Let them learn to rip and tear. But I won't kill her. Not yet... just for you, sweet sister Raiha... Ah, the things she did for her. Well, a mother cat often taught her kittens how to hunt by first breaking a mouse's back for them... She would just have to show her how it was done, now, wouldn't she? "Owls are top carnivores... near the top of the food chain, but for people who would hunt them," the Akontak told her. "They have few natural predators... perhaps some tropical snakes, or foxes and such that would snatch the fledglings only learning to fly. The only owls that are devoured by other birds of prey are perhaps those belonging to the pygmy persuasion," Kanikra could rattle off such facts as well with an almost icy cadence. "Raptors are diurnal; owls are nocturnal. They hardly coincide... ergo, they are not natural prey to anything but perhaps their larger cousins, and only rarely so..." The Akontak grinned at Aselia. There was something unsettling in that smile, more so than the first... all teeth and no warmth, combined with the gleam in her eyes...

"Indeed so. I am a falconer. I have a goshawk hen... I've been hunting with her for years," she was matter-of-fact. So it was only a year. Nothing like a little expansiveness. "I've raised her since she was a chick. Tell me," the grin blossomed into a radiant smile of acute interest, "do you hunt with songbirds?"

[Aselia Timandre]

The large dog didn’t concern Aselia for she was used to being around all sorts of animals. Although raptors were her favorites, she had spent a considerate amount of time around canines as well, thanks to Nefre … but that was the past, and this was now. She felt confident enough to not be afraid of such a large animal. Of course, the Konti always strived to live in harmony with nature, and animals were a common sight around Mura.

Then the woman who was quite tall herself turned around. Golden eyes glinted in the darkness, and then Aselia suddenly realized what she was standing in front of. Indeed, an Akontak. She had heard fantastic tales, read a couple of stories about that rare crossbreed of Konti and Akalak. Only one out of ten children was an Akontak. There were no known individuals inhabiting Mura, but apparently Aselia had missed someone. Her delicate, yet somewhat feral and exotic beauty intrigued Aselia. Midnight skin like the Akalak, pale hair like the Konti. Interesting.

The woman’s expression, however, wasn’t exactly welcoming, she realized next. To her surprise the first words coming from the dark person didn’t sound like an introduction … rather like an invitation to a discussion. The staff seemed to silently have agreed to let Aselia handle the stranger, so nobody would interrupt them. While listening with an interested, but otherwise emotionless expression Aselia considered the information she got. Oh, so she had gotten something wrong, but she loved learning new things anyway. Although those words were embedded in ice she considered the information given as a present, an opportunity to learn and augment her knowledge. Plus, she knew how to properly lead conversations. Kamalia, her closest sister, wasn’t exactly talkative, but she believed to have quite some experience through putting up with her mother and grandmother. They wanted to control her, but she was as wild as the birds that framed the sky. Ever wandering, ever free.

She could do what she wanted. Because of that she gave a tiny smile when the stranger was finished. “I didn’t know that. It sounds reasonable, and it might be possible that my information is wrong. I recited it from a book written by a Syliran falconer.” As if the heritage of the author was enough reason to be skeptic. Perhaps it was. It didn’t seem that far from reality at Konti Isle, an island with a high-developed culture and vast library.

Then she tilted her head and rocked back at her heels. Unconsciously she was creating space between that strange person and herself. Her Konti senses whispered of disharmony around the stranger. And although she wasn’t well-versed in Auristics, she knew a few things about reading people. There was something that wasn’t quite right … and Aselia, drawn to secrets like bees to honey, would find out what that was.

So she kept a goshawk. Aselia nodded in visible respect. Beautiful predators. The smile was mirrored almost immediately as she replied: “Yes, that’s right. I sometimes hunt with a magpie, although we’re more companions than anything else. I also got him when he was still barely at his imprinting age.” Pausing, she considered her next words. While giving in to her burning curiosity, she also wanted to talk shop more than anything else. It was rare to find a new, already experienced colleague around the mews.

Eventually she continued: “I would give you a tour, but obviously you aren’t new to the animal center. Did you see our latest addition? A huge sand eagle, a proud and beautiful exemplar. It’s a pity that it’s in captivity now.” Once again the image appeared in her mind, an image that was of personal value for her. Her whole posture and expression radiated relaxation and warmth.

[Raiha]

Kanikra's youthful features took on a look of almost faint amusement to hear that Aselia's source had been a book, and she laughed, mirth that died almost as soon as it had come up. She clicked her tongue, shaking her head to dismiss the notion. "You do not learn falconry from books. It's a failed endeavour at best, and mess of epic proportions at worst. But I suppose it would make sense, else you would know that such a statement, from a falconer or not... is sheer nonsense. Experience is always better than theory. You can learn the latter from the first, but it doesn't work the other way around."

At the mention of a magpie, Kanikra's golden eyes rolled as she looked up at the ceiling, sighing. "Hunting with songbirds indeed. Magpies make adequate enough companions, though parrots would be better to hawk with. Maybe just as well. Not many like falconry for what it is." Kanikra found it deeply amusing that keeping birds now counted as falconry these days. Really. Falconry at its core was about hunting. It was doing what birds were meant to do. They were never meant to be pets. And she calls herself a falconer. This one probably gets squeamish at the sight of blood.

Kanikra was far better at controlling Raiha when she took over... usually because Raiha was tired, and didn't have the requisite strength to force her black twin back out so quickly. Practicing Auristics was a two-edged sword for the Akontak, but she had to get better at it. If she did it where Kanikra couldn't hurt someone... but now it didn't really matter. There was nothing hinting of disturbance in the gold eyes now - Kanikra had her for sure. "I'm familiar enough with it," Kanikra shrugged slightly, reaching down to scratch behind the Deerstalker's ears. Raiha was here often enough, usually in this wing. They just preferred to come when it wasn't very busy... the more deserted the better, as it were. Not that she had to ever let anyone in on that. Secrets weren't meant to be told. You kept your secrets to yourself, and your cards close to your chest to play them when you could get the most points for them. Common sense. Not everyone had it.

The owlet, now that there was noise outside of his flight, had retreated to its hollowed trunk to hide. It was about time he settled down "I did. Birds like that don't belong in cages," Kanikra pushed herself up to her full height from where she had been resting against the railing watching the little fluffball's attempts. The owlet had long since stopped since the conversation began. Not only was it getting early, but the voices were a small cause of alarm for the bird. Kanikra barely glanced past Aselia, like she was seeing right through her, in the general direction of the others. They wouldn't interfere unless she did something. Just as well. She didn't care for them. "I'd rather find a wild one and train it myself," she brought her attention back to Aselia in front of her. She wouldn't mind. Eventually, Kanikra knew, they'd move beyond goshawks, and owls and eagles, and then... well, that was when they would visit Wind Reach.

One day, some day.

Still, Uzima was an excellent bird, and Kefi before her. She would lay on anyone a very good bet that that the kestrel could, and would, given the opportunity, tear a magpie apart. Kestrels could be sadistic little things, and Kanikra had liked her for it. That was nature. Survival of the fittest. "Do you hunt at all?" the Akontak surveyed the Konti. "Or do you just keep them as pets?"

[Aselia Timandre]

Aselia slowly got uncomfortable around that one. She didn’t know the family of the woman, if she was alone, if she even lived around the isle. Apparently she was familiar with the mews and the birds. However, her sensitive Konti senses told her that there was something dangerous about her. The yellow eyes didn’t hesitate – they wouldn’t hesitate at the sight of blood and even death. She spoke like being the perfect falconer, but in fact she was more of a ruthless falconer. Nothing that Aselia or any other Konti appreciated.

Yet she kept talking with the other one, although she didn’t even know her name. Everything she knew was that the Akontak was more than self-confident, that she hunted with a goshawk and had no respect for apprentices. But Aselia knew that learning was a very important process.

While she was thinking, an idea slowly formed in her mind.

“I won’t call myself a falconer. I’m still learning and everything I learn about the world of those dangerously beautiful birds is valuable”, she explained, meeting the Akontak’s gaze with her own determination. “They’re freedom to me. I don’t care about skill or ability; I just strive to live and hunt with them and understand them.” A slight smile formed on her face. “Sometimes I wish I was a bird myself, so I could ascend into the sky and leave this porcelain cage.” Her voice was filled with true longing. For a moment she forgot that she tried to argument with her opponent. Countless times she had looked up into the sky, had sung songs about freedom, love and adventures, but never had her wish come true. Although the gods didn’t seem to hear her, she couldn’t stop trying and hoping. Perhaps it was a curse. Aselia was grateful that the birds stayed with her, especially Linel, although his presence could be painful and rewarding at the same time – depending on her mood.

However, her thoughts soon returned to the present and the dimly lighted corridor. The echo of a question was still hanging in the air. Aselia nodded and folded her arms. “I do hunt. Of course, magpies don’t catch very big prey, certainly not enough to survive in the wilderness, but that doesn’t matter. I like hunting, experiencing the age-old laws of nature.”

Then she paused and inspected the tall woman in front of her. She didn’t know anything about her skill, so she couldn’t be sure, but she expected this one to be receptive to competitiveness. Very much, if her assumption was right. Aselia’s dark violet eyes glowed with an inner fire as she said: “Do you intend to hunt with one of those birds? If so, I want to make a suggestion to you: Let’s make a competition out of it. Both of us choose a bird we want to hunt with and then we release them at the same time in the forest. The one whose bird catches the biggest prey is the winner.”

She paused, realizing that there was something missing. After a short moment of silence she continued: “I’m not sure what I can offer … I can sense if someone’s telling the truth and I like to sing. Maybe you want to make use of those services if I lose. What do you think?”

[Raiha]

Kanikra just stared at her. It was clear to both souls that shared the Akontak's body that this one didn't much care for killing... or maybe it was just the way Kanikra was talking so freely and calmly about it. Something Kanikra and Raiha could agree on was that it seemed far crueler to both hunter and prey to just play a game of cat and mouse with what they were pursuing. Kill it and be done with it. Magpies were far better to learn about birds and the basics of birds and looking after them. Hunting with them? Not so much. Magpies, more often than not, were the hunted rather than the hunter. Raiha knew about magpies, after all. Small birds. Beetles. Seeds. Berries. Tiny mammals, rarely, and the eggs of small birds and reptiles. And, of course, they were opportunity eaters - if they found another hunter's kill, they would quite happily help themselves. But hunting larger prey they did not. Of course... we could suggest getting our own birds. Uzima would rip a magpie apart, Kanikra mused, much to Raiha's acute displeasure. She could use the experience.

You wouldn't dare. That's someone's pet! Raiha protested. No. Absolutely not. She didn't want to be encouraging Uzima to rip apart someone else's pet to prove a point.

I would. If they're stupid enough to fall for that, then she deserves what she gets. Kanikra dismissed her twin's thoughts. But, alas, I don't think Uzima will be dining on magpie tonight. She did mention picking a bird from here, after all...

Raiha understood the wish of being a bird, and understood it well - but she was satisfied to enjoy the birds as they were, and to hunt with them. She wanted to fly, that was true - to spread her wings and take to the air... to visit Wind Reach, and to learn from the best of the best when it came to falconry. And maybe, just maybe, fly on one of their giant eagles. "You do realize that hunting involves killing, yes?" the Akontak looked her over. "Magpies aren't for hunting. What you do with a magpie is fly one around and keep it as a pet. Maybe you catch bugs or butterflies or other insects, maybe a spider or two. Some of them even eat eggs from reptiles and smaller birds. If you're lucky, they might get a dormouse. That is not hunting. But I suppose we all cling to our own delusions from time to time."

Truly told, neither Kanikra nor Raiha had intended to borrow one of the birds from here to hunt with. Raiha was more interested in working with Uzima, and had been planning to take her goshawk out later. There was no hesitation in the glittering gold eyes, either, when Kanikra grinned at her. She wasn't about to pass up a challenge, not at all. Aselia had been right in that regard - Kanikra was not going to back down there. Not to one who played with magpies and hunted with songbirds. When Aselia mentioned telling the truth and singing, the Akontak shrugged. "I have no problem hawking with you. As for myself, I offer something maybe more practical. Five hides, good quality." It wasn't like the more practical skills of the Akontak would have much use here, besides mucking stalls and cleaning mews. And that, honestly, would be the last thing she would be doing, if this Konti had either of those that needed cleaning. Even if Kanikra had no plans of losing. She knew better than to get too confident. She knew they were good enough at what they did, but she didn't know how they compared to this one. Probably better. But they'd just have to see, now, wouldn't they?

The Akontak's eyes roamed the flights, thinking. She knew when birds hunted best... on an empty stomach. And she knew which ones would have that. Her lips quirked slightly. If this Konti knew when someone was lying, then chances were, her abilities to relate to birds on the level that they did were slim to none. Of course, some were just naturally perceptive that way, but still. There was no point in counting her chickens, now, was there? But there were a few problems that Raiha was thinking of that amused Kanikra immensely. An experienced falconer would have thought of those before even suggesting it, which hinted that this one had a chip on her shoulder... or a desire to put her in her place.

"However, there's a few flaws in your idea," Kanikra returned her gaze back to Aselia. "Since you've such disgust with hunting and killing, which is what falconry and hawking truly is, why would there be a trained mews here? Two, why would those hawkers who trained them let some stranger work them?" She regarded the white-maned Konti. "If you had any experience training a bird, you would know that having some stranger work with them could ruin months, years of work. Three... I understand this to be a clinic where injured animals are taken care of, and where orphaned ones learn how to survive in the wild... and why would you want to hunt with wild birds? They're not going to come back to you, and you're releasing birds that might still be injured or otherwise unfin to return to the wild."

"But since you insist you can hunt with a magpie, go get your magpie. I would like to see this. I'll go get my hawk... and meet you outside of Mura in a bell, on the road to the forest." Kanikra appraised her. "Unless you have something else you want to hunt with... since we both know magpies don't hunt."

[Aselia Timandre]

OOCI hope you're okay with ending this quickly. I have a feeling that Kanikra and Aselia won't get along with each other at all ... I don't see what kind of xp we could get out of the thread, but if you want some, go ahead and post to a storyteller's office (any except Alice's - that's me).

Aselia watched when her opponent seemed to tense with consideration. Of course it appeared to her that Raiha was merely arguing with herself and having a difficult time deciding which side she wanted to take. The Konti was patient, folded her arms and waited in the half-shadows, although her eyes never dismissed the other one.

When the blue woman eventually spoke up, it was something entirely different from what Aselia had expected. Taken aback by surprise, she couldn’t do anything else but listen. Hunting involves killing. But how could one call a magpie catching its meal other than hunting for prey? Of course, a magpie’s prey was different, smaller and easier to catch. But for the bird beetles and insects were their prey. Aselia flinched, but then remembered to stay calm. She didn’t understand this one, but she would argue with her because she had nothing else to do … “I do know that. But for the magpie catching food is the same as hunting. I suppose they don’t care about how it’s called anyway. I just enjoy accompanying them and learning from them how to treat birds and yes, witness the basics of hunting. She catches her meals without much help or control from me, but she lets me be a part of it. It’s more the observer part, but one day I’ll be ready to let prey birds hunt with me.” She shrugged. In the end she didn’t care what it was called – changing the name didn’t change anything about the thing itself.

The arguments were delivered with more than self-confidence. Aselia couldn’t be sure, but it even sounded like a mild threat to her ears. Raiha, this Akontak, was trying to challenge her which made Aselia uncomfortable. She had never been one to fight out arguments, rather she liked to avoid direct conflict and think about the problem from safe distance. She didn’t like how the other one addressed and treated her. She didn’t like her demeanor. Perhaps it had been wrong to suggest the little competition in the first place. Aselia inwardly admitted that she had only mentioned the idea because she was pretty sure that someone like Raiha wouldn’t let the chance of a little power game pass.

While Aselia pondered over the option of simply fleeing and letting this weird woman behind she listened to arguments with mild agitation. When Raiha was finished, she couldn’t help but counter: “Apparently you aren’t too familiar with the purpose of the animal center, especially the mews. Some Konti possess birds and let them live here, but take them out for hunts. Our diet isn’t completely devoid of meat. So there’s a fair share of healthy and trained birds available for practice here. It’s a learning center – someone is always here to show novices how to handle the gentler and easier birds. Sometimes they organize hunting trips. How would someone be able to gain experience if not by getting help from others?” Oh, she sensed that her opponent was a loner. Still she enjoyed mentioning that little fact of mentoring.

Then she concluded with a half-smile that conveyed something slightly different to amusement: “Indeed, magpies don’t hunt. I thank you for your lesson on hunting, but obviously we don’t seem to come to a conclusion. Let’s depart for today … May Lhex decide if we meet again in the future. Then I’ll be up for another try, but not now. I apologize.” Bowing her head in slight embarrassment, but also subsequent agitation, she turned and walked back to where she had come from.

This day hadn’t been too successful … but she had the feeling that a swim in Silver Lake was the right thing for now. Perhaps the day would get better this way.

[Raiha]

OOCNo, no, that's fine. Thanks for the thread. I'll get someone to look it over.

Kanikra watched the Konti leave, and refrained from nodding with the satisfaction of the power play being won, refusing to show what she thought about it on her face. Though there were enough Konti there that seemed to know what she was thinking anyway - she didn't have any desire to give them more than that. See? That is how you deal with them when they approach you that way. Let them talk, and then make them eat their words. Push their buttons. People that like to talk will always cut their own throats. There is a lesson there, sweet sister. Learn it.

You threatened to kill her pet, Raiha couldn't help but press a scowling feeling at her blackened twin. Of course she left. It was the best way to extricate herself from the situation.

Of course, Kanikra pushed herself away from the owlet's flight. And we pushed her to that. It'll be a useful lesson in time to come. If you don't want someone around you, scout their weaknesses in easy questions. Then use that to get them to go away. Since you don't really care for violence... there are other methods that work almost as well. But not everything can be solved with words. This one was easy enough. But it won't always be that way. Never underestimate your opponent. The Akontak tapped her hip for Diallo to follow, and the big dog got up, shaking himself before following her down the hall. She didn't go the same way Aselia had gone, there was no need to, after all. The point had been made. Kanikra doubted they'd ever cross paths with that one again. They are never as strong as they think they are.

Neither are you, she was quick to point out. And when or if the Timandre family gets unhappy about it? Raiha wanted to know. Then what? Do you even think about what happens because of what you do when you do it? Or do you just disregard them and do whatever you think when you think of it?

That is their prerogative. Worry about that consequence when it comes... if it comes. She just effected her own loss of face. I doubt we'll hear anything about it any time soon. Besides, we're leaving here soon, are we not? So why worry about it? What are they going to do from here when we're across Mizahar? And of course I think about my actions, she scoffed at her twin. I just plan them out six steps in advance when I can. That's another useful skill. Learn it. She walked a while, down the rows of flights, Diallo at her heels, occasionally nosing her hand. Kanikra roughly scratched behind the ears of the big Deerstalker with steady, powerful fingers, and stopped in front of a large flight containing an osprey. It was brown and white beautiful, with a white-brown belly and a barred tail. Longing. Hunger? Not just for food. It wanted to fly.

Gold eyes met gold eyes, and Kanikra focused on the Djed, bringing it to her eyes. It was like a burst of colour to see the brilliant copper-coloured threads that formed the bird's aura. It was three years old. The threads that made up its Its right wing was discloured, but Kanikra had a hint there to see it. She knew that there was something wrong with the wing, she could see it in the way the hen held it. It didn't fold properly... and that, she figured, was why she was able to sense the very vague difference in the otherwise uniform colour. She had to strain to catch it, but it was there. The Akontak leaned against the enclosure, and the osprey hissed at her. "Keep your feathers on," Kanikra sighed. "I was just looking. Let's go, Diallo. Home," she told the dog as she yawned and stretched. "Uzima will be waiting, and there's hunting to be done."

[Gossamer]

. Character: Raiha Experience: Auristics 2 XP, Teaching 1 XP, Debating 1 XP, Rhetoric 1 XP, Negotiation 1 XP Lore:Lore of being Arrogant, Lore of Correcting Others, Lore of Looking Down Her Nose At Others Character: Aselia Experience: Interrogation 1 XP, Debating 1 XP, Negotiation 1 XP, Teaching 1 XP Lore: Lore of Akontaks, Lore of Owl’s Hunting Habits, Lore of being Humble, Lore of being Polite Additional Note: Interesting thread. I'm glad it only lasted eight posts. I could really tell the PCs hated each other upon first meeting. I thinkt this would dissolved into a fist fight or worst had it continued. Thanks! .