A Cool Winter's Flight (Tiaue'a)

[Sira]

Timestamp: Winter 28, 511 AV Several days had passed since Sira gave birth, and finally she had a chance to escape her motherly duties. Sairque, much to Sira's delight, graciously offered to take over for a few bells so the kelvic could have some time to herself. Addy was busy treating pneumonia cases at the time so it was just Sira. The kelvic wandered the aeries, bundled in a warm katinu but nothing else. The cold stone floor bit into her toes, but Sira didn't mind. Soon enough her cold feet would be replaced with talons, and she would discard her katinu for wings and feathers. In the weeks leading up to her giving birth Sira had been grounded, forbidden to shift and fly unless absolutely necessary. The healers believed that the strain of shifting and flight could potentially harm the unborn child, or even induce early labor. And so it had been some time since Sira last spread her wings, now she finally had a free moment, and she fully intended to fly. Sira could have launched from her aerie, but the takeoff was an important thing and it was first first time in a while. Sira wanted it to be special, so she was headed for the Edge of the World, her favorite place to launch from in all Wind Reach. ..mostly because she could be dramatic, and there were usually people to watch her. Deny it though she might, Sira loved the attention her status as the only known Wind Eagle kelvic alive brought her. That was another annoying thing about being a mother. Since she gave birth all manner of Inarta were hovering about her aerie watching.. and waiting, waiting to see if there would be a shift. Had Sira given birth to Inarta or Kelvic, and more importantly, had Sira given birth to a Wind Eagle kelvic? So far there had been no shift, no sign that Sira had birthed a kelvic, and she was happy to escape it all for a few bells. Sira reached the edge of the world, the snow covered cliff freezing the bottoms of her feet. Sira dropped the katinu and let out a satisfied yelp as the cold wind whipped over her naked flesh. No longer was she swollen with child, but her figure was still not quite what it once had been. Sira worked out diligently every morning, however, and fully intended to be back in fighting shape by the end of the season. The naked kelvic, her read hair whipping in the wind about her face, approached the edge and looked down. She had no fear of heights, and never felt the vertigo normal people did when peering over such a ledge. The only reason she swayed at all was the wind. Sira looked up and spread her arms wide as if to embrace the cold wind. Her eyes searched the clouds for nothing, and a smile spread on her lips. "Oh winter sky, how I have missed you." Sira whispered and then fell, or rather jumped, forward. The air rushed past her and the ground drew ever closer. Oh, it was cold, but there was no more exhilarating feeling than the free fall. Except that Sira wasn't falling, she was diving. The ground continued its relentless approach, and before it was too late the woman that was Sira vanished in a cloud of sparkling smoke and lights and in her place was a wind eagle, wings tucked back in dive formation before she spread them wide and suddenly leveled out and rocketed forward and out over the Sanikas valley. Sira climbed and looked back to the Edge, giving herself a mental smile when she saw the crowd of astonished onlookers that gathered when she fell. Always astonished.. they never did get used to seeing Sira shift, did they? The eagle's eyes turned away, searching the sky for another to fly with. She still had no assigned duties, but that didn't mean she couldn't tag along with someone else. OOCSo I was intentionally vague regarding Sira's child. Those specifics will only be revealed when the birthing thread is actually complete.

[Tiaue'a]

While some were warm in bed getting attention for getting knocked up, as if that was any comparison to her own work…Tiaue`a had been hunting. The effort itself was fruitless other than the smaller things she needed to sustain herself. Hovering above the valley, within shouting distance of the Edge that was, she had been stalking something. She still wasn’t quite sure, but it might have shot out some snow digging. Perhaps it was a fox. Their meat could be stingy, but beggars couldn’t really be choosers when the valley got like this. Of all the places for her to hunt, the valley was still one of the most questionable. There were so many trees and small hills and other things that just get in your way when you’re flying to high up trying to pin point even the smallest of prey. Every bit helped, sure, but there were simply better options available. The truth is Ti`ue was getting that feeling again. She was a bit lonely, but it was probably her fault for being so stuck up. She had spread her wings and hovered over the valley, being sure to seamlessly drift over to the Edge from time to time. One of those girls had to have the guts to come near her. To jump even! Maybe! Maybe… Maybe she was doing it wrong? What exactly? No one could really be sure. But it was clear that she wasn’t as comfortable as she could be, and that’s just another distraction. She had been further over the valley when that attention hogging Sira came over. She still looked bloated, especially that flabby, fleshy, white belly. It was surprising she only had one. Ti`ue tried to imagine the stretch marks if Sira had twins, or triplets. She would never work all of that off. The Healer would certainly have more to work with during their flights. She laughed in her mind to that thought. What is that show off doing now? Jumping to her death from shame of belly flab? Wouldn’t be the first time she tried, I bet. And there she goes… Mental sigh here… If only it were that – and the shifting – simple. Disgusting thing, truly disgusting. As Sira began to close the gap between herself and Tiaue`a, the latter tried to shut out her thoughts and play nice when Sira came into range. Just because she was disgusted with Sira and all of her… the point was she could at least pretend to act civil about it all. Their encounter was a bit forced. With Sira’s flight path, which was as limited as the valley’s means of escape, they’d be meeting up soon. Well, they potentially could. Ti`ue tried to ignore her and looked back to the girls on the Edge looking out. Maybe Sira would miss her. Oh, were they looking at me? Ti`ue tried to look at their grain sized eyes, even for a Wind Eagle such details could have a blur to them. They had better just not be looking at her. She’s had plenty of love and affection as it is. Sira could have heard that last one…maybe not. Ti`ue hoped she had not, though she wished Sira did… OOCpara 4, “read hair” Daw, da baby! Tag, you’re it!

[Sira]

It felt amazing, as always, but to fly again after having been grounded for so long was truly sensational. Sira did spot the eagle, and she did hear the thought, though she made no comment in return. Sira was used to jealously, though it was rarer among the eagles. Usually it was other Inarta, endal in particular, that disliked her and while she had won many over in the seasons since bonding with Aidara there were still a few who despised her for what she was. But she was used to it, and she could take it. Better to try to win them over than get angry about it. That was the theory, anyway, but Sira was short tempered and could only take so much abuse. She did recognize the eagle, though it was not one she was overly familiar with. Tiaue'a, her name was, and she was an eagle who had never shown Sira much love. But.. she also seemed to be the only eagle crazy enough to brave the cold as Sira had, and there was no avoiding her. Good, Sira thought to herself, I always like a challenge. Sira was drawing closer, and by the tilt of her wings and shift in her flight pattern Ti'ue would be able to tell that Sira intended to join her in formation. Sira did exactly that, picking a safe flight distance but close enough that they could easily talk without over-extending their range. Sira was used to flying alongside other eagles and it was the most natural thing for her to fall into the other's flight pattern, turning when Ti'ue did, rising, falling, and mimicking her movements as they flew together. It was something you learned on the hunt, because a bunch of eagles flying together however they wanted just resulted in a crash. There had to be one leader, with the rest mimicking them. And since Sira had nowhere in particular to go, she figured she'd let Ti'ue lead. Tiaue'a, right? Sira's voice called across the psychic channels shared by all the wind eagles, Mind if I fly with you? It's nice to see someone other than me stupid enough to brave this cold. You hunting, or just stretching your wings? Oh, I'm Sira, by the way.

[Tiaue'a]

Picking up on Sira’s approach, Ti`ue herself tried to avoid the direct communication. She knew enough of the mother that she might not feel well still, and hoped to take advantage of it. In as nonchalant a manner as she could, Tiaue`a began to beat her wings and gain some height reaching even higher over the Edge of the World. It was colder the higher up they went, and if Sira dared to follow…well, Ti`ue didn’t know quite what to except, but it didn’t seem the Endal-Eagle either couldn’t take a hint or was being plain difficult. Her message confirmed the latter. With Sira close enough on her wing, she peered back a moment. It was her alright. She returned to look forward and survey the white landscape, more importantly the girls along the Edge. “I do mind,” she said in a tone much like the current weather, cold and biting, “I’m trying to hunt. Don’t you have your own private hunting grounds?” Of all the terrible excuses… As much as she did look down into the blanket of snow over the valley, it was clear enough something else occupied her interests. You’d go a little further out in your wanted to really try, and Ti`ue’s constant checking of the Inarta on the side was another sign of her distraction. it wasn’t as if Ti`ue truly felt need for guile; being ignorant was rewarding in its own right. “I’m not stupid. I’m hungry,” she sought to correct Sira. It was cold, but she was tough…and hungry. Feeling need to further justify her current position, Ti`ue continued, “[b]I also know who you] are, ‘Sear-ahh.’” She was taunting enough, but surely had not said anything outright awful, not yet at least. it was a shame she was so bitter. Sira was better company than she might have deserved. Ti`ue’s thoughts floated through the air with little feeling behind them, numb and detached…those were good words to describe them. They had reached their new elevation in no time. It wasn’t much of a difference. The air might have been thinner and the clouded sky closer yet. The intensity of the chill was what would really sting an Inarta’s soft flesh this time of year, especially at this height. Ti`ue only swayed at that vertical position. She was turning so smoothly you wouldn’t notice, but Sira held her formation well. She was accustomed to it. Ti`ue had been doing this for maybe an hour before, circling over the valley and back to the ledge in a giant ring. They were headed back out now where they might reach the nearest peak that rivaled mount Skynarta.

OOCThey are CLEARLY frienemies.

[Sira]

Oh, now she was hooked. It was common enough to be disliked by the Inarta, but it was rare that a wind eagle showed such open disdain. True, the eagle had said nothing truly hostile, but Sira was well versed in the social arts and knew when she was being told to petch off. Of course, that only meant that Sira wasn't going anywhere. First of all, it had been decided long ago that Sira was one of the eagles and the eagles were group hunters, and secondly, Sira just liked to mess with people. Whether it was lower caste Inarta or her fellow eagles, Sira liked to play games and whether she knew it or not, Tiaue'a had just engaged Sira in her most favorite of games. Oh? Seems to me you would do better out at sea, and not up here in the clouds. And if you were really hungry, I'm sure all those girls down there would be happy to bring you some food in hopes of winning you over. Sira followed Tiaue'a to the greater height with no problem. The cold wasn't a problem, being coated in a fine layer of feathers, and if Tiaue'a could handle the altitude then Sira had no problem with it either. They were both wind eagles, afterall. The sky was their home. But Sira's game wasn't over, she didn't miss the looks Ti'ue kept giving the girls down below. If Tiaue'a didn't want her around, Sira would go find somebody who did. Dipping her wing, she turned back toward the Edge of the World until she was right over the girls watching the pair of eagles. If she had lips Sira would have smiled as she suddenly flipped backward in the sky and fell into a fast, spiraling corkscrew dive down toward the women. It was her favorite fishing dive, but it was also very impressive to watch, and Sira went faster and faster as she fell toward the women on the Edge. They all cheered at first, but then their faces turned to fright as Sira kept coming. The women scattered just as Sira flared her wings, coming out of the dive and letting out a triumphant screech. Her talons nearly grazed the ground as she flew past them and out over the edge of the cliff, and after recovering from their initial shock and fear the men and women climbed to their feet and cheered and clapped once more. The Inarta always loved when the wind eagles put on a show, and this occassion was no different. Of course the dive hadn't been for the entertainment of the people watching. It was a challenge, open and plain as day, to Tiaue'a. Sira could have had any one of those women as her rider, had she not already found Aidara, and she knew it. And poor, anti-social Tiaue'a who didn't want to share her hunt with the kelvic Sira had no rider and was all alone. Sira watched Tiaue'a up in the sky, hoping she would take the bait. A game of aerial acrobatics was just the thing Sira needed to wake herself up after being grounded for so long. The corkscrew, though impressive, was something Sira did on a regular basis and wasn't even a challenge to her. If the wind eagle took up the game, Sira would have to come up with some more impressive and difficult tricks. ..really it was a game for younger eagles, those trying to impress their peers or potential mates, but Sira was willing to play. And wasn't Tiaue'a the one who had taunted her? Sira was only returning the favor.

[Tiaue'a]

I want an Endal, not a begger. Ti`ue held nothing but contempt for Sira. That half-bred monstrosity could only try to be a true reflection of a wind eagle’s full grace. Ti`ue denied her jealousy for that was a human emotion, and eagles are above such feelings, or should be. Still she felt the envy of the crowd drag her down and she too drifted in toward the edge. While Sira could walk the caverns and courtyards of Wind Reach, Ti`ue found her spare time spent in the skies more often than not. It didn’t do much for either’s skill, to be or not to be grounded, but Ti`ue felt she was the more focused and prepared for such feats, especially after Sira’s birthing. So she pitched her front wings upward a bit, and let the wing get caught in her wings. She hovered against the breeze like a kite and took her breaths. She looked away and began to fly off into the clouds and farther out into the valley. She crowd behind her expressed their disappointment in Ti`ue and praise of Sira. The mixed cries and cheers were still a faint echo on the open valley over which Ti`ue flew. She looked forward and saw the darkening gray fluff she was so close to. She flew up into them and disappeared overhead. The energy died down a bit, and Sira still had her fans looking up to her. Ti`ue lowered herself and peeked through the clouds as briefly as she could and cut her dip in the clouds. She was unaware how many might have noticed her looking. Above the clouds she flew higher up over her starting position. She usually did this lower to the ground, but if she wanted to really entertain, it’d have to be surprising. Her wings stopped beating as she looked over the clouds now, and the sun showed brightly above them. The ground became that fluffy carpet of white and gray. She stopped to look at the burning star of Syna’s, she stopped completely and began to fall. With a shifting of her wings she turned her fall into a dive, beak first, and brought her wings together for speed and control. She fell through the clouds, catching water on her wings as the dense fog gathered. She tilted her wings again and her downward dive began to curve and level out. She fell straight through first and the cloud trailed behind her. An Inarta pointed and asked what it was, and soon their attention turned to her as well. As she came to the right angle, still downward, but prepared to fly over them all, she began to spread her wings careful not to pull anything. She felt the drag of the wind slowing her down and began to really fly and speed up. Keeping her sloping dive she beat her wings to get as fast as she could. Her eyes were locked on the edge, she needed to keep focus. Then came her act timed as precisely as she could. A corkscrew was nice, but there’s more that can be done with it. She twisted her wings like the screw top of a bottle and shifted her weight to the side and started her corkscrew. On the pivot of her beak she turned over and over again, focused on the cliff. She needed to make sure she didn’t come too close. Her wings flared out in her dive making a stunning illusion of a colorful, blurred circle. She was just as far from the cliff as Sira had been when she broke off. She felt herself come upright and let her wings open and she screeched to the crowd, talons forward, back arched. When she felt herself slow enough she brought herself forward and dived again. She controlled her speed and flew back up towards Sira. The crowd at the edge cheered again, impressed with Ti`ue accepting the challenge and adding something more to the air show. Two yasi fled for the city, possibly to collect their friends. It was on… Little feather mutt thinks she’s worth something because she can do little tricks on the wind. Funny. I hope you have something better in mind than just that. Ti`ue’s laughed echoed on the link. She glided on the wind around Sira. Beating her wings right, she staffed to the left and did a twist, and back the other way. She lost a bit of height, but it was still interesting to see the wild feather flare and spin. That was entertaining, right? Silly little girls like to see things twist like dresses they’ll never wear. Where are the Endal when you need them…? I’m waiting. Come now, you’re not going to chicken out, are you? Give your little ‘bay-bee’ something to be proud of. Oh, and try not to crash; it’d be just terrible if she didn’t have her half-eagle mother around. I can’t imagine the child having to live without mommy, or worse with her. Tiaue`a’s temper went from bitter to inappropriately mean. Hopefully that’s what Sira wanted because Ti`ue felt no pain in rebuking one who was once a dek. She knew the little things, all of the eagles did, and some didn’t let it go.

[Sira]

Tiaue'a's words were mean, but oh if Sira knew the things the wind eagle thought but did not share she might have been even more angry. For one, Sira had never been a dek. She went straight from Yasi to Avora, and fought her way to endal by earning the respect of her fellow wind eagles. Even if she had been a dek, Sira would have considered her ascension greater than any other endal. They were risen on wings of a sympathetic eagle, but Sira battled her way to the top. She was quite proud of her accomplishments. Even without knowing that bit, Ti'ue's words were still bitter and meant to hurt. She brought the child into it, and that was unacceptable. If Tiaue'a wanted to play dirty, then so would Sira? Pheh, at least somebody was willing to fuck me to give me a child. How old are you now? And still no rider or mate to show for yourself? The boys tell me nobody will even touch you, I have to turn them from my aerie all the time. Sira chuckled to herself, though she made sure Tiaue'a could hear it. It was true, she had been propositioned by more then one horny young male, but she had always turned the eagles away. Sira didn't know if what she said about Ti'ue's love life was true or not, but that wasn't really the point. Sira was just hurling insults. Maybe if you weren't such a bitch all the time you might have a rider, or at least a friend. Sira finished her insult with a sudden twist of her body. Belly facing the sky she noted for an instant how odd the world looked while upside down before she dove head first toward the ground. Sira had purposely positioned herself just over and in front of Tiaue'a while they had been talking, and her dive brought her right in the line of the eagles path. Sira let out a shriek of insult as she dived in front of the eagle, forcing her to pull up short and fall, or crash right into Sira.. and then they would both wall. Either way, it would be embarrassing for one or both of them. OOCSorry for taking so long. I know its kinda short, but I felt Sira's action needed a response since it could potentially result in a crash.

[Na'Leigh]

Gazing up the Edge of the World grinning, Na'Leigh scouted her way up the cliff. A puzzle stretching out before her Na'Leigh reveled in a difficult climb. Distractions vanished under the physical strain and mental prowess needed. Reaching out Na'Leigh embraced the cliff feeling for the first deep well worn hold, remembering fondly these same holds from her childhood. Quickly covering the first couple meters she paused leaning out on her arms to search for new holds. Struggling up the cliff she reached her last mental checkpoint. A cleft formed a little higher above her head, aiming for there she moved her legs to crouch against the wall. Gritting her teeth she left towards the cleft catching the edge with the tips of her fingers. Hanging for a moment, she shook her head to clear the dust and rubble clinging to her sweaty shirt. Grunting with the effort she pulled herself up into the scar. Wedging herself in the cleft she pressed her back against one wall and her feet against the other. Wiggling up the scar she was soon panting. Wedging herself carefully in that position to catch her breath , it was instead almost torn out of her. Eyes widening with panic she clutched frantically at the wall. "Damn!" Gazing out at the great eagle plummeting past her before leveling out. Her spinning body had created a funnel of wind that had almost torn her off the wall. "Hey! Watch out!" Shouting a warning she shook with the residue of the panic that had clutched her small frame. Although she treated the great eagles with the same respect any Inantra would, she had grown up around them and thus did not hesitate to speak up near them. Focusing back on the cliff she wedged her feet into the niches pressing hard, she fumbled with one hand latching herself to an anchor. Biting her lip she recalled the practice sessions for this moment. Carefully she wedged her foot into a niche the other leaning on a node. Locking her hands into the rock she climbed upside down grasping quickly at the edge of the overhang panic making her hands shake. Suddenly, her feet lost their grip and she plummeted, the rope catching her a meter down. Groaning at the pain of the jar she slammed her bloody fists into the wall frustrated. "If only I could climb this." She begged beating her hands against the rock. She had been so confidently happy that she would succeed. Gunesh would never speak to her if she couldn't climb this cliff. When she reached the top no one could deny that she was as good as any Inantra, not even Gunesh. Years later he was still mourning the betrayal of his rider and family. The scars on Na'Leigh's face proof of her cowardice. Making it to the top of the cliff would prove her courage, and dedication to him. "He's family and one never gives up on family," She murmured by heart, remembering her fathers soft voice speaking these words throughout her childhood. Mountains stood strong next to their fastidious neighbours supporting both the Inantra and the Great Kelrik. Gazing up at the mountain an idea dripped slowly into her head. Grinning she fumbled for her sketchbook slowly drawing the beautiful arches of the mountains, their massive forms like the supportive arms of a great mother cradling her children. The snow little kisses atop the Kelriks regal heads, the Inantra's freckles little stains left by gods lips. (picture to come) Glancing into the sky she saw a competing Kelrik soar through the sky her acrobatics causing an eruption of applause from above Na'Leigh. Joining in the applause she felt a warm affection sleepily curl purring in her chest at the sight of the squabbling pair. She watched one dive abruptly in front of the other, the Inantra's above her loudly holding their breath. Smiling Na'Leigh didn't fret, if their previous antics were any indication stopping in time wouldn't be a trouble.

[Tiaue'a]

Rumors, just rumors, that’s what she knew and that’s the silly mistake she made for going off of such things. Jealousy burned her in such a way that the pain blotted out all other sense and care or means of morality sometimes. It was her own disappointment really, but who would ever admit to that? Who would even want to? “Listen you abominable excuse of an eagle, you’re as hot as the homely dek the Endal take to bed. I’ve had plenty of lookers, all too afraid of something out of their league. Be aware of that! – - Bitch?! You disresp- Hey!!!” Sira made her dive and Ti`ue jerked up. She felt it in her lower back, the tension, the sudden adrenaline rushing. Her claws sprung forward and she beat against the air and Sira, her tail fanned out. She had to recover this or be made a fool of. It pained her little as she continued to lay and eventually fall back into the sky. She fell into a dive of her own and soon found herself trailing Sira. They had a while before they’d near the tree line in the slightest. “The girls are too weak! And as for the men, the same is true! So please, excuse me for not being such a loose woman like you who sluts herself off to the first man her rider approves of. Surely that’s what you did with that oddball of yours? You’re a slave to your rider, and I laugh. Put where you belong, certainly, under the weight of others. A weak rider is what you have, who tends to the weak none the less. They keep to their own kind I suppose, and then you wonder why we suffer in these harsh times of the end year. Catabasis has a head; there’s a reason he chose her. She’s the kind we need, not some tender to the unfit or slutty half-bred eaglet who whores herself off for some feel good times.” Ti`ue hardly knew where that had all come from. She spread her wings as they came closer to the bottom. It made some space between them both, previously back to back in all relevant matters. She opened a gap to pull up more and swoop back into the air. Some were disappointed on the cliff that the chicken game had ended to soon. Ti`ue doubled back around. Surely she was not finished with Sira, and vice versa. She was ready though. If it came to a fight, the worst outcome, she knew she was ready to take Sira. She was strong and Sira was recovering. That only confirmed the victory more. She wouldn’t have been a match in her prime even, but that was long past and to question the outcome was fruitless.

[Sira]

Sira was growing tired of their petty argument. She only enjoyed it when her opponent was witty, but Tiaue'a was just plain bitter. Sira had no idea what she had done to warrant the eagle's ire, none of the other Wind Eagles treated her that way, but Ti'ue was finally starting to get to her. You know nothing of what you speak, Sira claimed as she pulled out of her dive and began to follow the eagle back up into the sky, keeping her distance for the moment. Aidara has proven her strength time and time again. Sira could care less about the cracks about her love life. She slept around, and people would believe what they wanted, but Tiaue'a had finally touched on a sour subject. Aidara has done far more than any other endal, or wind eagle for that matter, to fulfill her duty. Were it not for her, many Inarta and eagles would be dead. When the unknown disease threatened to kill all us eagles, Aidara cured it. When an Avora was lying, nearly mauled to death by a bear, Aidara saved him. She has saved me more than once when I was out doing my job, protecting Wind Reach from that which threatens it and nearly getting myself killed in the process. And where were you when the Watchtowers wept and threw their lightning across the world? Where were you. I'll tell you where Aidara was. She was at my side, up above the world, fighting to save all of Mizahar from the Ravarisk! What have you done to fulfill your own duty!? Don't call my Aidara weak, when you yourself have done nothing! Sira was done with the eagle. She didn't need this. Tiaue'a was a fool, and Sira wouldn't waste her time anymore. Turning in the sky Sira began to fly toward the mountain. Toward her aerie in the upper most sections of Mount Skyinarta. I don't know what I ever did to you, but I won't waste my time with you any more. It was unusual for Sira to get so defensive. At least not in front of other people. With Aidara she allowed herself to experience the full range of emotions, but around others she usually put on a calm, or bossy, face. OOCSo you can either pursue Sira, say or do something to make her stick around, or we can end the thread if you like.