PM to join [The Nesting Area] Over Easy (Kitchi)

[Lavira]

Timestamp: Spring 58, 513

It was a beautiful afternoon, the sun just beginning to set behind the mountain opposite the nesting aeries. The sky was an almost elecrtic blue with high streaks of cirrus clouds. These were beginning to turn brilliant shades of red, gold, and orange and the sunlight began its descent and painted the heavenly canvas thereupon. Activity in the nesting area was no more than usual, except in one particular site where two eggs were nestled amidst fluffy white down and animal fluff.

These two eggs were much more than simple eggs. Unlike neighboring nests in the aeries, these two were naturally sized and mottled, their rough surface giving the illusion of a very large rock, tapering tip ending on a round bottom. One of the eggs lay on its side and the other against the edge of the nest. But what made these two eggs truly special was the wiggling going on at that very moment. It had been happening since the 56th, though it had been subtle then. The wiggling of the eggs was kin to a quake on a world for how unstill they were! It was a promising sign. One for which Lavira had been most excited to see.

The eagle dame was a beautiful gray and white bird with splashes of crimson clay and earthen tones across its body. Her beak had an ebony streak at the top that defined her from some of the other females. Her name was Heshvala and she seemed on good terms with the young Chiet who attended her. The pair were often chatting when the eagle’s mate was not around, the Nari language resonating through the hollowed stone of the nest site. The excitement shared between helper and avian was quite distinguishable and one might almost confuse the enthusiasm for what an Endal shared with its own eagle. But of course, Lavira was not an Endal; she was just well recognized as one skilled with birds, intuitive to their nature and needs.

Vira was not at the nest right that moment, however. She had left Heshvala to fetch some fresh meat from one of the hunters in the stock chambers. She had gathered her cloak and headed down the path past the Endal residences, her steps light and spirited. Even the ache that came and went when outside over her blinded eye did not dampen her spirits. How could they? This HAD to be the day! It had to be! All the signs were there, and Vira wanted to make certain that everything was ready for the hatchlings that were soon to emerge.

The young woman rounded the bend at the bottom of the path and entered the storage cave, calling out as she did so, “Hello? Anybody home? I’m picking up some meat for Heshvala, and a little extra. I think the eggs may hatch today!”

[Kitchi]

The storage room was unusually quiet as Kitchi entered; she had expected at least some people to be wondering around but had so far been met with a layer of silence. The walls were lined with stone shelves littered with different objects. Part of the joy of walking into the storage room was the array of colors and objects displayed in front of her. Some barrels had been stored on the floor, the iron rings starting to turn copper with age and rust. Her footsteps echoed around the large empty cave as she moved through, a furred carcass was slung over her shoulder. Its long ears stretching down her back towards the ground and black eyes staring out dully as it jumped with each step. She paused in front of more, similar carcasses and lined her own besides them. They were all still, the remains of someone’s hunting trip. One of its ears flapped forwards as it settled, resting over its head.

“Hello? Anybody home? I’m picking up some meat for Heshvala, and a little extra. I think the eggs may hatch today!” The voice made Kitchi jump and she spun around on her heels casting her eyes towards the door. In the doorway stood a slender girl with amber hair tied into a braid. As she moved her hair seemed to glint blue and Kitchi puzzled over this for a moment.

"Oh hey, The Chef is around here....somewhere. What does this Hes.....heshvale? What do they eat?" She started to walk towards the red headed visitor with a smile and curios blue eyes. Part of her wondered why this girl had been sent to fetch food for someone, was she a chiet? She looked to well kept to be a dek. Her mind flickered towards the end of the sentence, eggs? Her face fell as she realised, how could she have forgotten? Today the eagle eggs would hatch. Did that mean she was an endal? Kitchi hesitated as she studied the girl once more. Upon closer inspection she noticed that a blue ribbon ran through her hair, producing the glint, and a faint scar could be spotted on her face. Her clothes were simple and not that typical of the elegant endals. Perhaps she was just modest? Kitchi pushed the thoughts away and brought her attention back to the girl in front of her.

[Lavira]

Vira looked through the carcasses as she made her way deeper into the storage chamber, folding her arms lackadaisically over her abdomen while she walked. The smell of the meat was strong, cured for long storage while still being appealing to the great eagles the Inartans were aligned with. Cuts both big and small lined the walls and cast obscure shadows that made seeing through it difficult for the one eyed woman. [color=#00FFFF]"Hello? If nobody's in I'll-"And then she heard a voice.

The Chiet stepped around a rack and spotted Kitchi ahead, a friendly smile rising upon her face as she greeted the other. "Hi there; I'm just picking some meat up for Heshvala, yes. One of the nesting females?She has some hatchlings due any time now and I wanted to have food ready for their arrival. She's very excited and so am I." The dame approached, holding out her hand politely. "I'm Lavira, one of the nesting attendants? I've been keeping a close eye on her and her nest. They're much healthier looking than some of the others so we're anticipating good things!"

Vira looked past Kitchi then to the carcass that had just been dropped and gestured to it with the same hand that had been offered to shake. "I'm certain she'd appreciate a fresher kill for her and her hatchlings. Would you mind helping me carry it up? We can butcher it there so the little ones can chew on the skin when they hatch, what do you think?"

[Kitchi]

The girl stepped to meet her, words starting to tumble from her lips like a waterfalls as she talked about the hatching. She seemed passionate about the eggs and the eagle she seemed to care for. Kitchi listened for a moment before staring blankly at an outstretched hand. After a moment she took the exposed palm, not quite sure what else she would be expected to do.
"I'm Lavira, one of the nesting attendants? I've been keeping a close eye on her and her nest. They're much healthier looking than some of the others so we're anticipating good things!" Kitchi smiled, the girl’s enthusiasm was refreshing and her good nature seemed to rub off.
“Kitchi” Kitchi offered in a brief pause as Lavira looked over her shoulder, fixing her eyes on the fresh kill.
"I'm certain she'd appreciate a fresher kill for her and her hatchlings. Would you mind helping me carry it up? We can butcher it there so the little ones can chew on the skin when they hatch, what do you think?" Kitchi glanced at the carcass she was indicating.
“Sure” Kitchi’s footsteps echoed briefly as she doubled back, grabbing the carcass and returning it to its position on her shoulder, the long ears once again coming to rest along her back. ”Do you need anything else? While we are here” Kitchi glanced around the room herself, having half contemplated grabbing something small before turning to head towards the still open door.

[Lavira]

Vira shook her head, though she did follow Kitchi to look over the meats, eventually settling her eye on a large haunch hanging from a rack. "I'll come back for some more as needed, but this should suit the mom well for now." She said chipperly, settling the leg on her shoulder for balance and turning to lead the way back up to the nesting area.

"Thanks for your help, Kitchi."

The woman led the way up the rugged trail, nodding to a few of the other attendants she knew (dek, mostly, dirty and disabled for the most part, allowed to scrub the stone floors or wash walls for the most part). Her steps were light and jovial, far more excited than most tended to be. The new hatchlings were a marvelous opportunity for the city, especially after the loss of a generation the previous year. These new ones were the first successful young to be born since the storm, many of the ones Vira had overseen having been born dwarfed, dumb, or dead. It was a heartbreaking loss, to be sure.

But these two eggs were prime. The woman had taken care of them since Heshvala had begun building her nest, making sure the mother-to-be was as happy as she could be, well provided for at all times. And when the eggs were lain, Lavira had spent the first week sleeping in the eagle's aerie, looking after her every need and wish. Now, her hard work was paying off. Today had to be the day!

The Chiet bounced the haunch into a more settled spot once they reached the top of the path and arrived in the nesting area. "This way. Hers is just up ahead." She directed, leading past a few small entrances. Two of the four they passed had other eagles in them, but no eggs. These mothers-to-be were still working on their nests. Vira chatted as they passed these. "That one's a first timer. I hear her mating flight was a little awkward, but she's young, too. She and her mate will figure it out before long. And this one-"

She paused briefly at the Inartan-sized entry to another aerie where a speckled eagle was nesting. The mate of this one was out hunting. The big bird lifted her head and peered towards the two women. "-I've been working closely with her. She was one who lost broodlings last year. She's been very discouraged; won't even talk to me yet." Vira called to the eagle in Nari, soft and sweet, the almost musical trills of the bird-like language natural on the attendant's tongue. But the eagle dame just turned away. It was nothing more than a greeting, as Lavira always tried, but never received from the saddened mother within. "I wish I knew how I could help her. She's so sad..."

The Chiet moved on then to the entrance of the matron Heshvala where a very exciting sound was now coming from. The eagle-dame herself was churring emphatically and even poked her great head out the Inartan entrance to hiss at the two women, her feathers all ruffled. "Oh! It must be happening, come on!" She reached for Kitchi's elbow to pull her forward.

[Kitchi]

Kitchi followed the girl through the well worn path and noted the combination of people she extended her words to. It was strange for the... Chiet? To even seem to be noticing the Dek after all it was more common to ignore them unless it aided you somehow. Lavira seemed enthusiastic with almost a bounce to her step as she moved.
The nesting area was one Kitchi was certain she had never been and she found herself glancing around curiously at the arches towering over her. She had read somewhere that they had been reinforced, offering a larger level of protection to the eggs and mothers then the previous one had. The area was cold, large chimneys drawing the head upwards. Did the eagles really prefer the older temperatures?
"That one's a first timer. I hear her mating flight was a little awkward, but she's young, too. She and her mate will figure it out before long. And this one-" Kitchi nodded politely as she followed the girl past large alcoves displaying beautiful eagles settling into nests. Lavira seemed to stop, hesitant, as she approached another nest. Is this the one Kitchi wondered, half preparing herself to step inside but Lavira remained outside. The eagle was alone in the aerie and seemed to almost carry a sadness to it that Kitchi could not quite shake off. Its feathers were speckled and it turned away from Lavira's attempt to communicate. Ignoring the sets of eyes fixed onto hher and her nest. "I wish I knew how I could help her. She's so sad..." Lavira finished and Kitchi studied the bird once more, not noticing the footsteps that Lavira started trailing towards the intended nest. Kitchi's blue eyes waiting for a response from the bird, something, but it remained facing away with its body stilled slightly. Occasionally its feathers would ruffle but it seemed to make no attempt at life. After a moment Kitchi turned away and hurried to meet her new companion.
"Oh! It must be happening, come on!" Lavira explained with glee as she grabbed Kitchi's elbow. Kitchi was happy to let herself be dragged into the flurry of noise, although Kitchi did not understand if it was happy or sad, she assumed the former. This area was far different from that of the others, most prominantly was the eggs which sat within the nest and the expecting mothers nervous twitching. It seemed even she understood the importance of the moment.

[Lavira]

Vira'd always been a little strange. Inartans loved their birds, of course, but the gregarious nature of the gingers meant they loved each other nearly as much, and spent equal amounts of time with one another. But this young woman found a strong preference for the winged brethren that looked after them as much as they looked after the eagles. Her hopes of being bonded were low, though, but that did not deter the woman from making friendships with the birds. As for the Dek? Well, it was obvious! Vira had her own limitations; she felt no reason to torment these low members of their society, especially since many in this part of the city were quite mentally able. Working hand in hand with the birds meant needing a strong body and stronger mind. The Valintor only put them into their positions if he knew said strengths, and would never put someone who didn't deserve it there.

The teen hurried to the entrance of Vala's aerie, slipping into the warmed chamber and giving the great eagle that was turning carefully back to the nest (trying not to knock the two women over in passing in her angst) a pat to the lowered neck. "Hey, Vala! Exciting isn't it?" She said. The echo of the birds thoughts shared between the two now as the eagle stepped to the edge of the nest and gently nosed the big pair of eggs.

[color=#0080FF]Lavira, they're hatching! They're hatching! Look, do you see?

To this, the chiet nodded, grinning. She dropped the flank into the trough and went to the storage unit just on the inside of the aerie near the human entrance. There was a large crate next to this unit where fresh straw was kept and replenished each week. It was in this box that Vira worked, gathering an armful or so and moving to the aerie. "Grab an armful, Kitchi, you can help me." The hay was dropped into the nest then and the girl explained, "I did this for them back before the storm too. This is Heshvala's second set; her first pair of hatchlings fledged back before the big storm last year so she'd already left the nesting aeries when it happened. Each bird's a little different, of course, but Vala liked that I used the hay to absorb the mess from the eggs. There's not much of one, of course, but it helps in keeping the area clean, you know?"

The armful that she'd brought was carefully layed out on the side opposite the wall before Vira climbed in, a hand carefully touching the first of the eggs. Inside, the hatchling was shifting and tapping, the little eggtooth on its beak chipping away and wearing out the point that it would peck through. "How long have they been tapping, Vala? You didn't tell me when I came in this morning." Vira asked of the eagle-mother.

Oh, I'm sorry, I was just too excited! They began a few bells before dawn. Look!

Just as Vira finished with the first armful of hay the first of the eggs cracked and a grey-yellow beak-tip poked out, open and breathing, and then withdrew into the shell again, as was common. The babes were sensitive and delicate at this stage. Once they broke through the shell, it could take hours for them to finish hatching; it was a natural process that shouldn't be interrupted or interceded. Even in Vala's anxious anticipation, she did not try to pick the shell open, her own instincts keeping her at bay as Vira moved away from the first of the eggs to sit on the edge of the nest.

"Isn't it amazing, Kitchi?" Vira grinned, looking over at the other woman. "First of the season to hatch! Even Irriama's haven't hatched yet, though I'm afraid that hers likely won't make it, no matter the care I and she can give them. She's an old timer, but the eggs are...well, I think Irriama may have been unpleasantly affected by the storm and it mutated the eggs. She's a tough ol' girl, though; she understands."

[Kitchi]

Kitchi twisted back towards the eggs, hay in her arms. The faint tapping noise continued determined. Lavira seemed focused on the excited mother for a moment and Kitchi watched them curiously for a moment before all their attentions returned to the eggs. Small cracks had begun to form in the shells and the occasional flash of beak could be seen to poke through momentarily before withdrawing into the warmth and familiarity of the egg. Kitchi wondered what the soon to be hatchlings there thinking. Did they want to escape the confines of the egg? Were it a burning curiosity that drove them? The sound of the others movement guiding there escape? It was unfortunately a questions he knew would never be answered. The scratchy hay that Kitchi still held prevented her from moving forwards to help the tiny birds but Lavira's lack of action suggested perhaps that was better, did they have to do it themselves? Kitchi cursed herself for having such poor knowledge in the area, she had never imagined she would be near the hatching eggs to need to know much more then that it happened. Kitchi listened to Lavira relaying more information about the birds and the effect the storm had had on them. It must have been terrifying for the birds, it certainly was for the Inarta and other residents. Wind Reach still bore the scars of the disaster despite efforts to restore it to its former glory and the lack of hatchlings served as a brutal reminder to that fact still.
Kitchi's turned her eyes back towards the two eggs. The cracks seemed to be expanding slightly and a tiny fraction of the delicate translucent membrane could be spotted behind one of the cracks.
“Where should I put the rabbit?” Kitchi gestured towards the discarded carcass which lay abandoned on the floor from when Kitchi had retrieved the hay. “So Heshvale... heshvala?” Kitchi paused over the name, still not use to it pronunciation. “can reach it easily. Or does she need to be encouraged to move? You know, stretch her wings a bit” Kitchi glanced at the bird once more. It seemed to have sat in the same location throughout and Kitchi wondered if she had to be prompted to stretch the feathered wings a bit.

[Lavira]

Laughing, Vira shook her head. "We don't need to encourage her. She's actually done this before." The teen nodded to the trough for the carcass. Vala would likely devour it quickly anyways to have it ready for the hatchling's once they fully emerged. "Just put the carcass there. I'll come back for anything left over at the end of the day as well as refresh the hay."

Vira reached for the big bird next, her hand stretching up to the beautiful head in a way few could. "Vala's a good mother. She doesn't need the encouragement the way Sinorrah might. I started in here when her first set fledged." Whether the bird was offended by Kitchi's words or not, Vala did not show it as she leaned down to accept the attention Vira offered, ruffling her feathers to let those fingers work beneath them and scratch comfortingly.

"I spoil them all a little, though. But they're mama birds! They deserve to be spoiled more than the others; at least, that's what I think." The tapping of the eggs intensified suddenly and Vira shifted back when Vala rose back and turned to the eggs, churring deeply. The beak that had peaked through previously was going at it aggressively now, pushing its body against the shell that kept it at bay hard enough to make the cracks spider-web. Then, with a final riiiipppp it burst free, far more quickly than normal.

And thus, the first of the hatchlings arrived! His dark down was matted against him and his long neck flopped on the ground as he panted, unsteady legs folded awkwardly along with the off placement of the wings. It was all normal as the little chicks body got used to the freedom. Within the next hour, it would begin working the muscles and learning how to hold his body, steady himself on his wobbly and silly feet and then feed for the first time. That he was healthy was obvious by the low cheep-cheeps it gave, to which the mother bird responded with similar churrs and a gentle, but affectionate carress of her beak along the hatchlings back.

"Eee! He's free! I wonder what she'll name him...or her even! Isn't it amazing? First healthy chicks since the storm, Kitchi, how cool is that?!"

[Kitchi]

Kitchi's turned back from dropping the carcass into the troth to spot the final cracking of the egg which released the tiny bird, panting from its escape and twitching the tiny wings uncertainly. To the bird everything was new, unusual and its clumsy existence was in a way a miracle. Purely for surviving the bird was special, the first hatching since the storm.
“A name?” Kitchi looked down at the infant bird once more. She attempted to work through possible names in her mind, discarding them as they appeared. “I'm useless at names, I'm glad I don't have to pick something as important as a name.” Kitchi laughed turning her attention back to the proud mother who seemed to flicker between watching the two inartan's and the infant attempting to get used to its body and the world around it. Kitchi wondered if the infant felt overwhelmed, the sights and sounds surrounding it must have been startlingly loud after having escaped from the muffling egg shells. “How do you gender them?” She asked, looking back towards the tiny bird as it attempted to flutter its wings once more. Her blue eyes turned towards the still unhatched egg, the tiny taps still consistent as the bird tried to join its sibling in the outside world. “It's normal for them to take longer? Isn't it?” She did not want to worry about the still unopened egg but it felt strange that one should be so much quicker at escaping then the other, but maybe it was normal? The spider thin cracks didn't seem to be expanding much, perhaps this one would just take longer? Kitchi attempted to push the uncertain thoughts away once more.