Closed Bendi Exercise: Cleaning up Bird Poop [Phoenix]

[Aose]

91st of Spring 513AV The Eagle Aeries What luck! She grumbled, having gotten caught earlier in the season trying to feed the newest pair of hatchlings, the poor yasi got stuck doing the one thing she hated most… Cleaning up their droppings! Why couldn’t they just have a dek come and clean up their droppings? This isn’t fair. The young girl frowned as she grimaced at the white sticky goo on the floor. Granted, the instructor that assigned her this task didn’t call it punishment… He called it a bendi exercise in character building and to gain a sense of respect to the young hatchlings. I’ll show you respect. “Disgusting…” Aose grunted as she took her small shovel and bucket and proceeded to scrap away at the droppings. Several feet away, leaning against the wall beside the door was Aose’s quiver with bow and arrows. Just outside the door was a set of Deks hauling away the first two buckets of bird poop the young Yasi girl had already scooped up. Smelling heavily of sulfuric remains, as that is indeed what bird droppings smell of, the young Yasi knew she was going to be in need of a bath afterwards… Maybe I can get the Deks to draw me a bath once I am completed with this… Torture. She huffed and using the small shovel’s blade edge the yasi wedged it underneath one of the crusty hard edges of a dropping and proceeded to rock the shovel back and forth and side to side in an attempt to slide the shovel’s whole blade underneath the dropping so she could pick it up in one swoop. Aose hated having to go another round or two with a dropping if she could help it.

[Phoenix]

It was hard to find any kind of beauty or enjoyment in the menial task of cleaning up after another, even if that ‘other’ was highly superior, providing for the city and kept ones people alive and safe. Of course it wasn’t exactly shocking that a Yasi would miss the bigger picture, but the grumbling was a little much. From the next Aerie over, a fledgling craned it’s neck around the opening until he could see the little redhead that was making all the noise.

Buck up. Being spoken too but a Wind Eagle was the highest of privileges, especially for those who hadn’t reached Endal status. This time, however, the young Wind Eagle’s mental tone carried more scorn than was necessary, especially considering what he intended to do next.

With a big, bright amber eye focused on the young Aose, the bird hopped towards the section of stone that she had just finished cleaning, turned his tail pointedly in her direction and relieved himself with a loud, squelching splat. Clean up! His laughter echoed in her mind as he casually hopped back around the corner, disappearing into his own Aerie once more.

Left to deal with not only her shame, but a new, fresh mess, it was safe to say that Aose was not having the best of days. And it would continue to spiral downwards, followed by the chortles of the Wind Eagles she passed on her way to empty the bucket and retrieve more cleaning materials. It seemed destined that her day was going to suck… until she saw it.

Passing an empty Aerie, a bright flash of color caught her eye. A glance to the side showed her the opening that the Eagles used to launch themselves into the sky, and, just outside the field of vision allowed by the stone, was what seemed to be a living and moving rainbow.

Should she risk a closer view, passing through an Aerie that wasn’t hers to do so, Aose would be rewarded with a glimpse of the most beautiful bird she had ever seen. Only slightly larger than her fist, the bird was as a quick as a humming bird, as nimble as a bee. It seemed to glitter in the sunlight like a collection of the most beautiful gems, a sparkling sort of glitter lingering in the air of its wake. Overall, it was an utterly impossible creature.

Since the Yasi were told tales of the Glinting Swiftmist since they were barely able to walk or talk, it wouldn’t be surprisingly if Aose recognized the mythical creature immediately upon being blinded by it’s glittering wings. Though supposedly impossible to even catch a glimpse of, there it was, staring straight back at her. Unbidden, the short little song
fluttered through her mind.

Dancing in the night
What do my eyes see?
But a little Glinting Swiftmist
Sitting in an oak tree

It’s warble fills my ears
Sweeter than the sun
It flies down and out of sight
So after it I run

Where it goes
I do not know
But what is plain to me
I’ll never forget the Glinting Swiftmist
Sitting in an oak tree

There was nary a Yasi that didn’t know the rhyme by heart, but, like any myth, the Swiftmist had grown far beyond it’s song. Dozens of stories had cropped up over the years, all of them detailing the luck and fortune that would fall upon the Inarta who happened to catch a glimpse of this magical bird. If any of them were to be believed, Aose was an extremely blessed individual.

However, that the Glinting Swiftmist hung in the air before her for so long was concerning. It was as if it wanted to be seen. And if the stories were true, it only came out at night… so what was it doing in broad daylight?

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[Aose]

Aose was exhausted it has been a long grueling hour of torture for the poor yasi, she had managed to clear a large portion of the Aerie she was designated to clean. That was, she had a large portion cleaned until the young smart-ass fletching of a Wind Eagle thought it’d be funny to tell her to ‘buck up’ and then proceeded to leave her a carefully crafted present for her. “Why you little…” She growled and started to lunge after the little bugger, unfortunately for her Aose managed to trip over the half-filled bucket of droppings she had filled. Indeed the Fates have conspired against her as she landed front first into the freshly deposited gift. The bucket also decided to empty its contents on the way down, coating Aose’s lower legs and feet. Sitting up the fiery redhead groaned and threw her hands up in aggravation. “Great!” It was indeed a great honor to speak with the fletching… It wasn’t a great honor to land frontally into a fresh pile of its excrements. With a huff she tried to scrap as much of the feces from her body as she could with a small shovel, dropping each carefully removed glop into the bucket she had reseated on the floor. It was several more bells before Aose had finished with her gross and unforgiving task. The task’s humiliation didn’t end there, oh no. As she took the buckets of bird poop and the associated tools with mucking an Aerie out to their designated location she was harassed by the occupants of the Aeries -- Both Inartas and Wind Eagles alike. Yes, laugh, all of you can laugh, but I will have the last laugh. I will be one of you. I will show you all. She steamed, managing only barely to keep her innermost thoughts to herself. It was during this final haul of crap and tools that Aose noticed the glint from the outside. Pausing with bucket in hand the young redhead turned towards the light. It was far brighter out there then inside and it forced her to close her eyes to slits, raising a rather grimy hand up to further shade her face from the harshness. It was then that Aose noticed the glinting wasn’t coming from Syna’s brightness, but from something else far brighter. Something no bigger than the palm of her hand the source of the brightness was… It can not be! Looking in one direction to another, Aose saw no one that could stop her from taking a closer look. Abandoning the bucket and tools the yasi gingerly stepped into the Aerie, this one was empty. At least the gods favored her at this current point, and she stepped towards the glinting silvery object. It flits around like a hummingbird or a bee… What does that remind me of? The yasi paused in thought, carefully mindful of her current situation of being entirely out of bounds. That is when the song spilled from the deeply stored memories of seasons pasted… It is the Glinting Swiftmist! But, It is only supposed to be out at night… What is it doing out in the middle of the day… Nor by an oak tree? The yasi knew that there were no oak trees this far up Mount Skyinarta which means that the Glinting Swiftmist must surely come from the forests that make up The Unforgiving… Without another thought she pushed on, already having stepped the bounds she was put into to get this far Aose figured she might as well finish the task and go all the way… Stepping out onto the ledge that the Wind Eagles and their Riders use to take off into the heavens above Aose was amazed at the view she had the uninvited privilege to see. Wow, just to think… Endal Sira takes this ledge out to the open skies. I have not forgotten you Endal Sira. Yet, her eyes took in something extra beyond the beautiful sight of the world spread out before her. It was the fist-sized shimmering Swiftmist before her. Hesitating to get any closer she stared at it in awe and then frowned, “What brings you to this ledge Swiftmist, surely you would feel more at home out there?” Aose casted her hand in the direction of the Unforgiving.

[Phoenix]

The beautiful, impossible little bird didn’t dart away or try and flee when the Yasi girl approached. Rather, it seemed to turn and look at her as it hovered in place, weaving slightly back and forth to maintain the momentum of its wings that kept it afloat. In fact, it seemed to be swaying a bit closer, the humming of its flight increasing in pitch when Aose spoke softly to it. Closer and closer still, seemingly taken with the small Inarta until...

Both things happened at once; the little myth of a bird chirruped loudly and arrowed away into the bright sunlight at the same time that a loud and angry voice echoed through the vaults of Aose’s mind. What the petch do you think you are doing!

A rather large Wind Eagle blocked the opening of the aerie, her feathers bristled and puffed out to their full extent as one plate-sized eye bore down on the little Yasi. Who gave you permission to enter my aerie? The mother Eagles voice was sharp and harsh, striking out at the little girls mind with every word. Her anger was more than apparent, but she made no move to strike out or hurt Aose.

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[Aose]

Aose went to reach out and touch the seemingly calm bird, it didn’t appear to want to take off away from her… That is until it shot off and Aose’s brain exploded with a loud roar of angry words. The yasi knew without turning what she was going to be looking upon. A large bird… Probably a momma-eagle with some lovely sharp talons and beaks and eyes the size of my head…With an anger and temptation to eat my face… Accepting fate as only the Inarta yasi knew how she turned and bowed her head before the Eagle. “Sorry… Sorry, I was cleaning out the aeries down the hall and was feel faint while taking the sludge buckets away to empty them. I saw this opening and saw no one around and figured I could step out and catch a bit of fresh air and the amazing view you have here. I didn’t intend to stay long, just…” Aose looked up into the eye and gulped, “I… I saw a Glittering Swiftmist. It’s small body was distractingly gorgeous. I just couldn’t look away. It seemed to be so far up the mountain that I didn’t think it belonged this far. I was going to return it to the lower levels, where I could set it free to the more natural level it belonged it…” The look of fright and the obvious gush of words coming from the little girl’s mouth was evidence enough that she was scared to her wit’s end about the large bird. “I assume you know the song… All the Yasi know it, so I would assume that your Rider knows it and therefore you probably know it…” She took a deep breathe before allowing the song to escape her lips in a wavering and quivering voice. Her voice was not a singer’s voice, it was instead, the pure voice of a child… A scare child. “Dancing in the night What do my eyes see? But a little Glinting Swiftmist Sitting in an oak tree It’s warble fills my ears Sweeter than the sun It flies down and out of sight So after it I run” Aose paused after that, “Sorry the rest of the song escapes my thoughts as of now… But I swear to the Gods I saw one, I swear I did!” She started to stand a bit taller, her words were indeed the truth, even if it was the words of a child’s imagination and bird poop clouding her better judgment. OOCSorry for such a long wait. >.<

[Phoenix]

The silence that followed the little girls song was so complete that it blotted out her own thoughts; those giant amber eyes piercing right through Aose with their unblinking stare. As if the uncomfortable silence wasn’t enough, the Wind Eagles voice was but a whisper when it finally shattered the reticence that had thickened between them.

You breached my aerie to chase a fairytale? Her tone was low and dangerous, the disbelief unmistakable. I should have you reported. Anyone with such wild delusions is clearly fit for a Drudge. It would just be cruel to have you try and finish your Bendi… Shuffling into the Aerie, wings slightly unfurled as the massive bird attempted to make its waddling walk look dignified, Aose found no other option but to rotate along with the Eagle, staying on the other side of the Aerie and shifting towards the door as the bird edged towards the opening that the Yasi had formally occupied.

Loathe to take her gaze from the Yasi, the Wind Eagle glanced quickly out at the sky, her head swiveling rapidly as she sought for the mythical bird. Like I thought. Completely delusional.[/i] Aose would feel the weight of the eagles eyes when she turned back to the young girl and snapped her beak in irritation. [i]Go. Get out before I change my mind, find your name, and turn it in to the Valintar.

There was no question that Aose was no longer welcome within the aerie. Where she went after was her choice, but it wasn’t long until she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, prickling as if unseen eyes were upon her. Flashes of rainbow glinted in the corner of her eye, but were gone whenever she tried to look directly at its source. It seemed as if this myth was following the young girl as she went about her tasks.

OOCI want you to depict a bit of her going throughout her day and seeing the Glinting Swiftmist where ever she goes. You can have her interact with anyone you choose, tell anyone you choose. The more you give me to work off of, the more you'll get in return So have fun with it.

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[Aose]

The poor yasi took off from the aerie she was caught in like a bat out of hell, tripping once over her feet for good measure on her way out. This caused her to skid out on her stomach; scraping limbs on the ground were it still happened to be slightly rough. That just added injury to insult. Trying to remain her dignity in this whole ordeal Aose yanked her being off the ground and once more took to bolting out of sight of the momma eagle. It wasn’t until after she was away the eagle and her home did Aose see the shimmering bird’s existence in her peripheral, yet every time Aose flicked her head to the side to catch it fully in her gaze the bird had vanished or moved.

Trying her best to ignore the speedy bird’s existence Aose returned to the buckets and finished dumping them before returning back to her dreadful duty, as she passed Dek, Chiets, Yasi, and Avoras alike she tried to get them to acknowledge that she wasn’t seeing things and the silvery bird known as a GIinting Swiftmist… Unfortunately the yasi girl was given crazy looks by several members of the varying castes, the deks she said just shook their heads and reverted their gaze from her as they hurried along the tasks for the day.

Back to work drudging up piles of bird poop Aose could see the flittering shimmers in the reflection of her shovel blades, scrapper blades, even in the oddly shaped pools of water the formed from condensation within the caves. It was unnerving the young yasi girl and it was distracting, looking about for it. Finally she had finished her task of cleaning up the fecal matter and had deposited the last of her stinky mess to be handled by the deks and returned her tools to their right places to be washed. Before leaving the aeries though the young girl grabbed her bow and quiver, originally planning on heading to the archery range when she was finished but instead decided on heading to the baths to get washed up.

To a hot bath and hopefully someone will see the Swiftmist besides me. On her way to get washed up, the smell of sulfuric poo had scented her clothes, hair, even her skin. With each subsequent person she passed they first crinkled their nose and stated that the Swiftmist was just a figment of her imagination and she needed to let tales of childhood to dissipate into the winds and grow up. Most though just crinkled their nose up tightly as if to block the smell rolling off of her small body and hurried along giving her weird looks over their shoulders as they went.

“I swear to you all the Glinting Swiftmist is real, I saw it and you all are looking at me like I am crazy!” She finally muttered, realizing just then that she really did stink horridly, “Ick, maybe I am imagining it all and I have inhaled too much bird dung. How do the deks handle this?” The grimace that came to her lips showed her distaste to the scent she was wearing, just as she entered the Tisuma Baths for bathing, it wasn’t the greatest of privacy but she was sure that she could slip into the waters and soak away the scent. It was on the steamy surface of the water that Aose saw the shimmering bird once again. Whipping herself around to confront it she realized she was indeed alone still.

With this sudden tiwst of her body Aose had unbalanced herself and dumped her body, clothing and all right into the water… The warm waters were an initial shock but she quickly overcame that and shot back out of the water, quickly dumping her quiver out to drain the water and keep the arrows as dry as possible she cursed herself for having them on her as she entered the baths, she knew better! “Crap!” Once they were out in the air drying out Aose hoped she didn’t damage her weaponry, it would be a cruel way to end her crappy day indeed.

A sigh escaped her mouth as she realized she was also wearing her clothes, “Well, I did need to wash them anyway.” With a shrug she stripped out of her soaked clothes and pushed them under the water’s surface so she could hold on to them via her arms or legs, using what she had available as she needed.

“Show yourself little Glinting Silvermist, no one is here. I swear it.” Aose murmured.

Template Credit: Euthisa

[Harrier]

The bath was silent, not even the soft splash of water rubbing against the edges of the pool she had fallen into heard and the steam that wafted through the room distorted everything. It seemed to grow thicker for a moment, or perhaps it was just an illusion. Even as Aose called, nothing answered, the steam too thick to let her be heard it would seem.

And then, speaking from behind her into her left ear, someone spoke. "Tsk, such pretty plumes and now you've gone and made them sodden." Should Aose spin to see the owner of the voice, however, there would be not but steam again, though the simpering laughter of a merry soul would resound. It was definitely masculine, but to say it was male or female would be too much at that moment.

The voice called again from the other direction, this time where the Yasi's gear was, a low kr-ruk-ruk call that sounded quite a bit like a crow or ravens call. There would be the flutter of wings and the swirl of mist over the quiver and arrows and then stillness again. Whatever danced in the mist was toying with the Yasi now and the delighted laughter seemed to taunt from all angles yet never be locatable. When all fell quiet once more, the voice again snuck upon the girl to whisper in her ear, the joy in the clearly male voice now apparent.

"I know it is just you, Aose."

This time, the owner of the voice would not withdraw and as the girl spunto look for the owner once again, she would find a most surprising sight:

A young man sat cross-legged on the floor, his hands folded politely in his lap and his features brightened immeasurably by the smile upon it. Glossy black hair hung in waves about his head and a long nose gave him the appearance of having a beak. His clothing was very alien to any who had grown up in Wind Reach. Instead of the billowy bryda and vinati, the man wore flexible animal hide and his green eyes sparkled with joy. Feathers hung from the hides he wore, most lining his neck, shoulders, and hems and a few had likewise been woven into the wavy hair that hung from his face.

"Glinting swiftmist indeed! I thought for sure that eagle would throw you off the edge, hah!" He laughed, that curious kr-ruk-ruk like noise emanating once more.

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[Aose]

Aose did indeed spin and with nothing there the Aose growled, “Why not show yerself? And the plumes on my arrows was a mistake in damagin' 'em.” Whirling around to take her arrows into view, seeing the swirl of mist she leaned over them, examining them for anymore damage that may have been rout upon them.

When the voice respond in kind with her name, something she never gave out, the yasi turned quickly, determined to confront the being taunting her. The surprise first shocked the girl and even though she was far from a grown woman the resulting instinct kicked in to cover her chest. “How dare ya sneak up on a woman!” Her voice trembled in anger as Aose sunk her body into the murky warmth of the water. “Ya are no Inarta, how would ya know anything about what I saw in the aeries let alone about the eagle!?” The only possible answer came to mind and the yasi's eyes grew large.

Those deks. Petch! She took a deep breathe and then looked again at the man. His hair being the color of the night sky, his clothes those a foreigner, Probably a hunter? His bright green eyes spoke of tales and a wild streak Aose probably could only dream about.

“That mama bird woulda chewed my face off.” She huffed, “I wasn't seeing things... I swear I saw the bird of story.”

Aose's eyes appeared to dulled in their anger just then, tinting them with cloudy ache of not being trusted.

OOCMeh, short =(

Template Credit: Euthisa

[Harrier]

There was a merry glint in the figures liquid eyes as he grinned and laughed at Aose's girlish reaction. Her response was unwarranted, of course, she far too young for his tastes, her eyes too blue, her hair too red. No, it was not the Inartan's appearance which bore him to her as he sat in study of the Aose.

"Oh, I am certain she would have as well!" The man replied, leaning forward now, his head very close to the water. "She was very unhappy with your presence from what I saw." He wiggled his eyebrows and leaned back just as the mist swirled around him again, bathing him in its velvet cover. When it thinned enough to reveal him again, Aose would find he was not there! But the cheerful kr-ruk-ruk laughter still emanated about the room and wherever Aose searched, she would not see him.

All around the chamber, fleeting glimpses of sparking wings and the merry trill of music would be heard, flicks of color dancing in the mist. When the glinting ceased, a new form appeared, perched upon Aose's clothes. It was that of a shiny black crow, long of beak with bright black eyes. His wings were tucked close and that pretty bill pecked lightly at the girls garb before grabbing it up with caw and tossing it back into the water with a delighted ruffle of his head. The crow flapped his wings and took to the air, mist swirling around him and then landing on the opposite side with low clucks as he clicked his beak together. By the time Aose would be able to catch up to him on this side, the man was back, grinning at the girl still in the water.

"It is a pity no body believed your story, Aose. But I did. I love the story of the Glinting Swiftmist, don't you?"

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