Closed Amber Sunsets and a Handful of Clams (Sira, Kovac, Aidara)

[Iosha]

Listening to the other woman speak about the hardships of her childhood, Iosha starts to remember the other Konti children quietly judging for her personality. It wasn't her fault the spell went bad and changed everything for the young konti. For ten years, she grew up a normal quiet konti child always hanging on every words of her mother and grandmother, but the effects of the over-giving left Iosha Iosha in a catatonic state for two weeks. When she awoke she found out her mother was dead and the two men trying to capture her were both dead drowned in a foot of water. The changes to her personality not of a Konti at all. Before the spell she went from a quiet girl in full control of her emotions, to a child of passion, her grandmother had a theory that the spell made her more like her Inarta father and less like her Konti mother. Nothing was the same for Iosha since that horrible day by the ocean. Iosha gives Sira a look of sympathy and reaches out and squeezes her hand. She hopes the human woman isn't offended by taking her hand for a moment. Still holding her hand, she says softly, “Well if I lived in Wind Reach when you were growing up, I would have been your friend. I would have just been your book worm friend with the shiny scales.” Iosha say to Sira with a small giggle, “And I would have just been another target for them being a crazy fish girl.” She takes her hand back and says with smirk, “I hope you made those bullies pay for their transgressions towards you once you became a Endal. Personally if I was a wind eagle like yourself, I would have swooped down, picked them up, and dropped them in the deep end of the lake.” When Sira asks about her childhood, Iosha realizes that if she wanted Sira to understand her childhood, she would have to tell her about her magic. Iosha never enjoyed telling outsiders about her being a professional wizard because she could never tell how they will react. She lost many friendships over the years after telling them her secret. She takes Sira's hand again and says with a wide grin, “Before I tell you about my looonnggg childhood. I have to say when you said you were a Endal. I had no clue how to react. My mother told me my father was a Endal, but she basically told me that your caste is the nobility of Wind Reach, and your word is law, so I instinctively thought you would be...well...” Iosha contemplates what to say next, and she just says hell with it, “stuck up and out of touch with reality..., but I have to say Sira. You are definitely a good person and really down to earth. Your also easy to talk too, and since I knew only a handful of people in Wind Reach. I can definitely see my hanging out with you in the future.” Feeling a cold breeze on her shoulder, Iosha shivers and asks her a question, “You know Sira. When I was traveling across Taldera, I traveled with a group of twenty to thirty hunters as the bands healer. After a long day of hunting, everyone would gather around the campfire and partake in a tradition of emptying a cage of cheap ale. I found out that it was a good way to make new friends and strengthen the bonds of old friendships, so what I am trying to ask, would you like to join me in emptying a pitcher or two of ale.” She gives her a wink, and continues, “and than I will tell you all about the childhood of this pale blond fish girl. Also since I am new to Wind Reach. Do you know of a place to go to unwind or maybe dance?”

[Sira]

"There is a place," Sira responded, her voice taking on a somber tone, "The Inclement Weather. It is a night club and bar.. but I am not allowed to go there anymore."

Sira's mind drifted back to the last time she had visited the Weather, and the unfortunate series of events that took place that night. Things had started off perfectly, and Sira met a handsome man and retreated to a private alcove with him. But the man wanted her to do some sort of drug, and Sira refused. Alcohol was usually as far as she would go, and she had never tried any of the hallucinogenic drugs like he was offering her that night. The man appeared to accept her refusal, but in truth, slipped the drugs into her drink. The hallucinations she had were terrifying, and she ended up slaughtering a dozen Inarta before the night was over. As an Endal, she was allowed to keep her life.. and in truth her punishment was not all that harsh, but she had been banned from the Inclement Weather, and was forced to wear a collar when she was in the city to prevent her from shifting and harming anyone else.

"I would tell you why," she responded if and when Iosha asked, or even if she didn't, "But then you might not want to be my friend anymore.."

Sira was willing to talk about almost anything, but that night was one thing she wanted to forget. She wanted to forget everything that was leading up to it. The hallucinations, the nightly nightmares, the actual event that started it all, but she could not. Sira had to remember, even if she wanted to forget, to protect her daughter. Or at least she thought she did. Deciding she wanted to move on, Sira instead responded to one of the other comments Iosha made.

"Most of us are stuck up. I can be too at times.. but we are also hunters, and warriors. We see more of the world than most people.. and Endal are the only ones who actually travel, though I'm not one of those. I mostly stay here, around Wind Reach."

Sira considered things for a moment. There were other places they could go to get a drink, though the dancing part she wasn't sure about. But she did know of one place where they could pretty much do anything they desired.

"I can't go to the Inclement Weather.. but, if you don't mind hanging out with this stuck up endal some more, you could come with me to my aerie and I could have drinks brought up, and even a musician if you want music."

[Iosha]

Iosha watches Sira eyes sadden as she starts telling Iosha about a club the Inclement Weather. Sira keeps it brief just telling her it is nightclub and a bar than quickly as she told her about it. Sira says she can't go there anymore. Iosha raises her eyebrow questioningly and is about to ask why, but she decides to hold her tongue. Iosha puts a comforting hand on the woman shoulder. By the sound of her voice, Iosha can tell the proud woman is sadden by what happened at the club. Moments pass in silence the only sound, Iosha can hear is the sound of a fish breaking the surface of the water. Suddenly, Sira seems to answer the unspoken question that has made Iosha tongue tied for the last minute. Iosha eyes shift uncomfortably when she say she might not want to be her friend if she knew the whole story at the Inclement Weather. Iosha bits her lip trying to figure out something say to the sad woman. Iosha looks up at the woman and is about to say something to her, but Sira responds to her thoughts on the stereotypes of her caste. Iosha wasn't expecting Sira to agree with her, but to make matters worse for Iosha, Sira admits that she can be stuck up at times too. She can hear the sadness grow in her voice voice and Iosha resist the urge to hug the naked woman. The awkwardness starts to grow in Iosha than Sira asks if she would like to join her in her aeries. Iosha lifts her head in excitement and gives the red haired beauty a big smile. She always wanted to see a aerie ever since her mother told her about her fathers home. Iosha's mother told her. She spent days staring out in the land around Skyinarta. She would often get inspired to write her music while waiting for her farther to return from a hunt. Feeling guilty and ashamed, Iosha looks at Sira and says softly trying to hide the excitement in her voice, “Sira, I have to warn you that sometimes. I have a bad habit of saying things without thinking it over first. I don't think your stuck up and out of touch with reality. Honestly, I think you are quite the opposite of my mother's descriptions of most Endal she knew...” Iosha pauses a moment and a carefully, “I guess for now on. I should make my own opinion and biases rather than hanging on the words of my mother. Sorry I am kind of a momma's girl.” She quickly remembers the point she was trying to make, “From what you told me, you had a hard life growing up and if my conclusion is true, you didn't make too many friends because of your Kelvic nature.” Iosha frowns at herself when she realizes she is going into scientific mode of thinking, and she switches back to the carefree Iosha, “Listen, I treat everyone the same. Regardless of race or social standing accept for the Zith. I don't really care for them much, but anyways, It is hard for me to treat anyone differently because I spent three years as a slave. I know what it is like to be treated differently for not being human and to be sold like cattle to the highest bidder...” Iosha takes both of her hands in hers and says to her softy, “In my eyes, you will always be Sira. I will respect the title given to you and the authority that goes with it. Even if I am a Avora, I will listen to the commands you give me with in reason of course.” She gives the sad woman a wink and continues with a giggle, “However as your new friend, Sira. I reserve the right to tease and annoy you on a regular bases.” She lets go of her hands, points a finger and smirks impishly in her direction, “If you ever decide to chase me in Wind Eagle form out of sheer annoyance, just remember, Sira, I can run pretty fast, and I can dive in the nearest body of water and not come up for hours if the need ever arises.” Iosha looks at her and says with a grin, “I think it is a great idea that we move this two person party to some place warm. As long as we can abuse your power and order some food to the your aerie and a musician could be fun too.” Iosha waits for her response. She just hopes her words help the woman mood to approve. Iosha turns to Sira and says softly, “Sira whenever you feel ready to talk to me about the incident at the Inclement Weather, I will always make time for you, and if you just want to rant about anything. I will listen too.” Iosha doesn't know about friendships to well, and she might be trying to hard to start one with Sira. It is hard being a outsider in a new city, and if she is going to survive in this city. She will need some strong friendships to support her. She looks at her fire and notices it is starting to smolder. She stands up from the blanket, looks down at her new friend. and gives her a warm smile, “Let me get dressed and we'll break camp. It will be definitely a experience for me seeing where Aidara lives.”

[Sira]

A lot was shared between the two women in those few moments by the campfire, and it was strange, because while Sira was rather open about her life in most areas she didn't really share with anyone but Aidara. Maybe it was just a konti thing, she thought to herself. Either way, Iosha seemed a nice enough person, and Sira was happy to have met her. She wasn't going to talk about what happened at the Inclement Weather though, but everything else about her was an open book.. well.. except for those secrets kept by the wind eagles which she was not allowed to share. But she never mentioned those to begin with, so Iosha probably wouldn't ask.

"You might even get to see Aidara, if she's home. And maybe Natalie, but she should be in bed by now. And I think I can probably get us a musician. Definitely food."

Sira stood, helping Iosha gather her things and put out the fire. She took the blanket they had been sitting on and wrapped it around her like a cloak to ward off the cold, considering she did not have any clothing with her, and the blanket could cover her entire body. It took them almost a full bell to return to the city and reach the aeries, and when they reached the mountain Sira sent people to prepare them some meals and send them up to her aerie.

"Have some food and drinks, good ones, sent up to my aerie. Oh, and see if you can find a musician who isn't busy and send them up as well."

When they reached the aerie it was empty, save for the sleeping Natalie in her room, and Sira didn't bother to wake her. Aidara was probably still at the infirmary, or possibly out training her owl, but there was a chance she would be home later as well. Sira quickly lit a few candles, revealing the large open living space, filled with comfy couches and random decorations scattered throughout the room. Most of it was Addy's doing, as Sira didn't really have an eye for home decor, but the place was rather luxurious and the couches and chairs were all of the highest quality.

An Endal's aerie was in fact a large suite of rooms, only one of which was the actual eagle aerie. Sira's aerie was far larger than most, having been a grand aerie originally which was designed to house a mated pair of eagles and their endal. But hers was even bigger. It was actually two suits, one the original grand aerie, and the rest of the rooms added on. It was commissioned by Aidara's sister, Sairque, who unfortunately disappeared after the djed storm in Spring. The suite was large enough to accommate three grown women, two wind eagles with separate aeries, and a large room for their daughter, as well as guest rooms, wash rooms, and storage rooms on both sides. There was also a final room, which had a small hotspring inside it.

"Through there is the bathroom, if you need it," Sira said, pointing to one of the doors. "That door leads to Aidara and my bedroom, that one leads to Natalie's room, and that one leads to my aerie. It has a great view of the valley, if you want to check it out."

Sira did not mention what was behind the other doors, the ones that led into Sairque's suite, though she would teller her that they belong to Aidara's sister if asked. She wouldn't go into any further explanation unless Iosha wanted to press the point, but for now she was content to show the konti around the rest of the aerie.
OOCI left the description kind of vague, mostly because we haven’t finished deciding what it will look like. Also, I hope you don’t mind, but I invited a PC musician, and of course Addy is liable to pop in at any moment since she lives there.

[Iosha]

Putting on her blouse, Iosha listens to Sira tell her that her Aidara and her daughter might be home. Iosha starts buttoning the shirt and says softly to her, “Great this sound like a lot of fun, it will be like a party. Well...a quiet party since your daughters asleep.” When all of Iosha's cloths are on, she picks up the clams, walks them back to the lake, and sets them all back in the water. She turns around with a smile and walks back to the fire that Sira is already covering with sand. When the camp is completely clear, Iosha slings the backpack over her shoulder, and says to the other woman, “Well I am ready. Shall we go?” Iosha follows Sira through the dark wilderness. Iosha stays close to Sira not letting her out of her sight. The terrain getting to the lakes were difficult during the day, but if Sira was not with her the whole time, Iosha wouldn't of gotten out of the valley at night. When they make it to the city, Iosha notices the city stays lively during the evening hours, so Iosha starts people watching as Sira tells a pair of Deks to bring some food and drinks up to her aerie. Iosha smirks at her when she tells them to find a musician too. Small talk wasn't her strong point, but Iosha breaks the silence and says to Sira with a giggle, “It is good to be a Endal isn't it?” As Iosha follows Sira to her to her home, Iosha can't help, but notice how the people start behaving differently around Sira as she approaches them. When Sira started talking to the Deks, they seem cower at the vary sound of her voice. It was unnerving for her to see. How much influence one woman has over two grown men. In the outside world, Sira would just be another human with little to no influence over anything, but in Wind Reach, she holds all the power to do just about anything. Avora seemed to give her a respectful nod and polite greeting, but they don't seem to cower at her words. They were just as important in Wind Reach as Endals since they keep the society running while the Endals gather food for the city. When they walked by a pair Chiet, they seemed to go out of their way to accommodate her needs. This particular pair was standing in the hallway talking, and when they saw her approach them, they quickly moved out of the way and started to talk much quieter to themselves until they passed. Mother was right about Endals. In Wind Reach, they hold all the power, and not even the biggest strongest Dek could come close to the amount of influence Endal posses. She decides to keep this in mind before she ever tries to cross one in Wind Reach. When Sira opens the door and invites her into her home, Iosha is amazed at how much space her home has compared to her apartment. The aeries was beautiful the furniture and the artwork was comparable to her Master's condo in Ravok. Since she doesn't want to break anything, Iosha decides to hold her hands in front of her while they take the tour through her house. Iosha eyes keep drifting to art scattered throughout her home. Her mother loved art of all kinds, and she took every opportunity to explain the works of art to her young daughter. Sira walks past a couple other door and says nothing about them. Iosha figures they lead to a random closet or broom closet. The doors don't peek her interest, so she continues following her new friend. When they come to the door that leads to the aeries. Iosha interest start to perk up when she mentions it has a great view of the valley. She stops at the door and resists the urge to open the door. She turns to Sira and smiles warmly, “Lets check out your aeries, Sira. I heard about my father's aerie them from my mother, so I kind of curious to see what yours look like. Also I want to check out the view. Hopefully the moon is out, so we can see something.” OOCSounds like fun Sira. I was going to suggest inviting Addy anyways, but you beat me too it. It will be fun to see who is the musician too.

[Kovac]

OOCJoining grandfathered thread with permission
Kovac had started to bring his lute to the Weather when he returned to Wind Reach, having gained some confidence in his playing while away at Thunder Bay. He was not willing to play the main room, though during the day he had on occasion for the few upper caste patrons that stopped in. He preferred the numerous alcoves carved out along the perimeter, where he could play for a smaller, more intimate audience. It was a way to express himself without having to actually talk to people, and it was a good way to garner the attention of Inartan women.

This particular evening, the archer musician was reclining in a small, curtained alcove with an Avoran couple. They had bought him a bottle of wine in return for some serenades, which was a fine start for the night, though he planned on finding friends, or making new ones, to play for later. So he plucked away at his lute, trying out new compositions as the redheaded man and woman chatted in giddy whispers and overdone laughter. Soon the tittering subsided to liplocking and a particularly disgusting display of smearing Blue Mold Paste on each other's mouth. Kovac rolled his eyes, then closed them to block out the amorous Inartans and focus on his music.

Kovac was startled as a hand ligthly touched his shoulder. Eyes flying open, Kovac could see the couple still making out, and turned to see a familiar Chiet's head poking through the crutain. "An Endal has requested a musician. Are you interested?"

The half-breed made a disrespectful sound though vibrating lips. "No thanks." He replied. He was not a musician by trade, and had no interest in catering to the snobbish Endals.

"Its Sira." The Chiet added.

"Oh, thats different." Kovac had spent very little time with Sira, knowing her mostly through interactions with her bondmate and his friend, Aidara. She was a most interesting woman on her own, A Kelvic Endal that served as her own Wind Eagle, Sira was as attractive and sultry as Addy. The Avora had not seen much of her after the tragic incident in the Inclement Weather, however, which he did not witness but was well reported in the warren city.

"Thanks for the wine." Kovac quipped at the preoccupied couple as he seized the bottle and slipped out of the alcove with his lute. He knew where Sira's aerie was, having passed its door many times when he lived with Shayth in the Aeries. He considered only a moment whether he should change his clothes, but found no reason. He wore a black bryda with a sontav on his left wrist and was bare chested, perfectly acceptable for about anywhere in Wind Reach.

Winding his way up to the realm of the Endals, Kovac drew up at the entrance to the aerie and knocked. "Someone want to hear some music?" He called through the stout wooden portal.

[Sira]

Sira would have thrown open the door to show off her aerie right away, though it was not nearly as impressive as many of the other eagle aeries out there. Sira did not have much of an eye for decoration, and while there were a few chimes and bells, and of course her glorious saddle, there wasn't much else to look at. But still, the view was awesome, and Sira was a show off. The only reason she didn't open that door was because there was a knock from the main door, followed by a vaguely familiar voice though Sira couldn't place a face with it muffled as it was through the door.

"You can go on through if you want to. I'm gonna get the door first."

Sira wrapped the blanket around her, having forgot that it was her only form of clothing at that moment, but not really caring either. She was home and she could wear whatever she wanted, and she only had it around her because it was a bit chilly. Sira walked over to the door and opened it, peering out. She was more than a little surprised at the face she saw on the other side, though she tried her best not to show it. It had been some time since the kelvic had seen the avora, and truthfully Sira had rarely had the opportunity to do much of anything with him. She well aware that Addy had done plenty with him fairly recently. Even if the healer wanted to, she wouldn't have been able to conceal the flow of intense emotion across their bond that occurred that particular night when she found herself alone with Kovac. Addy had of course told Sira all about it when she finally came home.

Her surprise only lasted a moment, and a grin quickly crept across Sira's lips as she eyed the avora, letting her gaze roam up and down, and across his bare chest, over to the instrument, before finally making eye contact once more. Sira was often told that meeting her gaze could be intense, and more often than not a little intimidating. Sira couldn't really help it, she had a wind eagles gaze, and they always looked intense. Luckily the grin on her lips softened that a bit.

"Well, well, look who it is. Of course they would send you."

Sira stepped out of the way and motioned for Kovac to enter, making sure to get a good look at him from behind as well before closing the door.

"Come on in, Kovac. This is my friend, Iosha. Iosha, this is Kovac. He'll be playing with.. for us tonight."

[Iosha]

Amused by Sira reaction to Kovac as he entered the aeries was priceless. Sira acted like she was a child with a new toy. Iosha leaned up against the wall with her white arms crossed as she watched Sira mentally undress her friend as he walked by her. Iosha gave Sira a knowing gaze and wink signaling to the kelvic woman that she understood her attraction for musician. Two days earlier, Iosha met Kovac for the first time and during the course of the night, she found herself admiring the man in secret. She would never admit to him, but she was sure he noticed by the end of the night. Iosha looked over at Sira once again and realized if she dropped the blanket right there. Kovac will definitely be in for a show. Honestly, Iosha hoped Sira dropped the blanket just to see the reaction of on his face would be priceless, and also seeing Sira naked again wouldn't be a bad thing for her too. Iosha smiles to herself and wondered to herself if there was something in the water that made the Inarta, so attractive. Looking at the floor, Iosha covered her laugh with her hand when Sira said playing with us by mistake. She figured she should mess with Kovi for pinching her butt the other day, and she said to Sira in a sultry tone of voice with a pout forming on her lips, “Ahhh.. I was hoping. He would play with us... too bad.” She gave Kovac a half grin and said playfully, “We meet again, Kovi...” While she looked at him. She said with a confident voice, “By the end of night, Kovi. I will have you singing for us regardless of your protests.” Honestly, she was happy to see him again because the other night ended in a bad note. In a trance, Iosha revealed she was reimancer to Kovac while they were swimming. Kovac immediately left the water when she came too. She found out later from him that she killed a koi by accident when she cast her spell. She spent the night asking for forgiveness from Rak'Keli and crying over a fish. Iosha ran a hand through her blond hair, looked at Sira, and said with a grin, “I think this will definitely be a fun night.”

[Kovac]

It seemed Kovac was already wearing the snarky grin when Sira opened the aerie door. That grin was dotted with a raised brow when he realized the Kelvic was draped only in a blanket. There was a moment of mutual admiration as they lingered in the doorway before her golden gaze caught his attention, holding him. Kovac had always found Sira distractingly attractive, but as much as he enjoyed looking at her, the Avora had always avoided those piercing eyes. They were the eyes of a Wind Eagle. But there was familiarity in Sira's smile that diluted the intensity of her gaze, and her sardonic remark set the mood to a more playful tone.

The woman stepped aside, and Kovac entered the aerie. Even before Sira introducted them, the musician knew the Endal's guest, though Sira's stumbled words garnered a wry grin and raised eyebrows before Kovac turned again to the Konti. The Avora gave her a broad grin. "Hello again Io."

There was an awkwardness to the end of their first archery lesson, well, after they went skinny dipping. But Kovac was over any weirdness over whatever magick she practiced, impressed more by her rather naive charm and the novelty of her Konti anatomy. His eyes again darted to the blanket clad Sira, tyring to decide what was going on. He knew well enough the nature of Sira's relationship with Addy, he himself benefiting from the openness that they embraced. Looking again at the Konti, Kovac was wondering if sweet little Iosha was as innocent as he had thought. But when she joked flirtatiously, Kovac applauded himself for choosing to take the assignment.

"Well, lets get this party started then. Tell me what you like, I will stay out of your way and play." And watch, he joked to himself.

[Sira]

The slip up was of course intentional. Sira loved playing games like that, and while she had never lusted over the avora the way Aidara had, Sira couldn't help but toy with him. He had always been rather timid around her. His relationship with Shayth, his attraction to Aidara, and his fear that Sira would be jealous made most of their interactions a bit awkward. That, of course, only served to encourage Sira to tease him. When they did speak, Sira could not help but to be extra flirtatious. Plus she couldn't deny that Kovac did have a certain allure to him. She could understand why Aidara was so attracted.

Speaking of Aidara, she should have been coming home soon. One of the many benefits of being a wind eagle bonded to an endal was that she could usually tell the general whereabouts of her rider. Sira could tell that Addy was on the move, getting ready to leave the infirmary. She might have decided not to come home right away and perhaps go train with her owl, but Sira decided to intervene.

Oh Addy. Don't take too long getting home, her voice sounded in the healer's mind, in a tone Addy would easily recognize that was Sira's playful voice, I have a couple surprises for you when you get here.

Hopefully that will make her hurry home, Sira thought to herself, before returning her attentions to the matter at hand.

Sira smirked at Kovac's last words, easily reading what he did not say. "I think we both like the same thing," she said, casting a subtle glance over at the Konti across the room. "I was just about to show Iosha the aerie. Food and drink should be up any minute now. After we have some food, you can play us a song."

Sira walked back over to Iosha and the door that led to the eagle aerie, still clutching at the blanket around her, and threw it open. It was very large, having been designed to fit two full grown eagles in the case that Natalie also was born a wind eagle. The aerie was sparsely decorated. There were a few extravagant wind chimes handing from the cieling, though none of them matched each other at all, and a few other minor decorations, but little else. Then there was Sira's saddle, a beautifully crafted piece of work that was specifically tailored to fit Sira perfectly. There was also a pile of discarded clothes, the very clothes Sira had been wearing before she flew out that morning.

Spotting the clothes, Sira dropped the blanket without even thinking about it (or maybe she did think about it), and walked over to the pile. She wasn't really trying to be seductive or anything at that moment, she was just fighting the chilly air that was blowing in through the open aerie, and quickly slipped on her bryda and vinati. Kovac and Iosha both were offered a great view of the kelvic before she was quickly covered up. There was only one item left on the ground, her collar, and Sira picked it up and held it in her hands, staring at it for a moment. She hated the collar, it prevented her from shifting, and she was technically required to wear it at all times in the city. But she hated it, and so instead she just set it on a shelf and walked back over to the door.

"So anyway, this is my aerie. It's got a great view, doesn't it?"

The aerie did indeed have a great view, looking out over the valley and the bay. Sira often enjoyed watching the sun rise and set over the water, marveling at all the colors. Her keen eyes could make out more details than most, and to her it was exceptionally beautiful