Fantasy Skyheart (1 slot open)

[SilverFlight]

Kari

It was miraculous. Kari's head bore no sign of the injury she had sustained, and the others were healed too, all but the Northarian boy. Ferro waited until middday before he was satisfied that all injuries had been healed to the point where the group could fly back. Kari was certain then that it had something to do with their connection. The creatures had been hell bent on attacking them, and the purple sand that spilled from the dying wyvern was the same sand that she had found dusting her clothes when she awoke in the tent, she was sure of it.
But there would be ample time for riddling out the mysteries later. For now, she had packed her bag and slipped onto Zephyr's back, waiting for the others so they could fly down together. This was part of the ceremony, they would be received by all the clans, then be welcomed by their own.

A cloud had settled upon the mountain top, shrouding them in mist. The Northarian boy say behind Ferro's saddle, looking a little disappointed, but happier to be away from the large chasm from which the giant creature had come.
On his signal, Kari sent a thought to Zephyr who started forward and launched them into the air.
Emerald flew point, and Kari had Zephyr slide into begin the V behind her. They coasted for most of the way, letting gravity and momentum do the work for them.
They had taken three days to come up, it took only hours to fly down.

The sun was setting again when the camp came into view. Torches had been lit in two neat rows, providing ample space to land.
A great cheer rose up when the lookouts spotted them. Kari had never been cheered before, but all of the gathered people were shouting and chanting, waving fresh cut flowers and torches.
When earth finally found their feet the crowd doubled its efforts, and as they walked between the rows of torches people showered them with petals.
There were four circles, one each for every clan, decorated with the clan's symbol.
Ferro returned the boy to his parents, waiting on the side. He would not be joining the proven this year. His parents hugged him tightly, and his mother fussed over his injured arm.

Aurena was standing on a raised platform, decked in fresh flowers and bright braided cord. The torches on either side cast her in a warm, welcoming glow.
"The gods have sent a special challenge to these proven youths." Her voice stifled the cheering and everyone stopped to listen. "I have been told, that a great creature appeared from the depths below the clouds." People began to whisper. They had seen glimpses of it, seen the purple light, and by now the scouts had told of what they saw.
"This demon attacked, but our warriors, freshly-proven, freshly-bonded, fought the creature, and defeated it! Now you, people of the clans have the privilege of welcoming these noble warriors into your hearts..it is time for the clan choosing!"

The clanless girl had tears in her eyes. She saw her mothers standing to the side, and they nodded. "Be strong", they seemed to say. She was the first to step forward, still sitting on the back of her white wolf. The crowd went silent as she began to move forward, everyone waiting with baited breath to see which one she would choose.

Every proven youth had the right to choose their clan, regardless of where they were born. She stepped into the circle decorated with the symbol of Northaria and the Northarians roared with approval. They kept back, looking at the other youths.
Kari didn't have a doubt in her mind. She thought of her herds, and her family, and everything she loved. Zephyr started forward, and there was silence as he turned, moving into the center of the circle of Estendor. The Estendorans cheered raucously and Kari's cheeks grew warm. When all the youths had chosen, the people would rush in, clap them on the back, offer them gifts, and together they would all go to the bonfire, already blazing brightly just beyond the crowds. The musicians were tuning their instruments and the servers were putting out heaps of fresh food on tables encircling the ring where the dances would begin. Kari could smell it, delicacies from all the clans, and drink too, and it was all she and Zephyr could to to stand still while the others completed their ceremony.
Kari's eyes flicked to Gerel. Just looking at him brought back the torrent of emotions she had felt at the top of the mountain, still, part of her hoped that he'd join her soon, in Estendor's circle.

Lioness075 SleepyCreamy AncientBird kase9187 YumenoTsukishiro Naberius Elenion Aura explosiveKitten Saturn_moon

 

[kase9187]

Aldaf woke up on his mat, Spica curled around him. He moved his arms and patted down his chest. He wasn't hurting anymore. A quick bandage removal process later showed he was completely fine! Just like Gerel was before. He stretched and hopped on Spica, who was also just waking up.
"All good, girl?" He patted the side of her head and received a rattling of scales in approval. "There's my Seregios."

Aldaf and Spica took a position to the right behind Kari. He saw the trail lit up at the camp, a place to land. He landed just behind Kari, both rider and Skybeast basking in the cheering crowd. He moved onto her horn, hanging off of it and waving. Spica shook her head and he stumbled, but caught himself. He playfully glared at Spica, a grin on his face. He hopped off and rubbed the underside of her chin. Aldaf's mother waved from the sidelines, to which Aldaf returned the wave.

"It is time for the clan choosing!" Ferro proclaimed. Aldaf saw the circles, and noticed Kari move to the Estendor's circle. He wanted to choose differently, but he knew he wanted to be in the clan he chose...

Aldaf and Spica moved and stood in the Sudenta circle. The Sudentans cheered loudly, and Aldaf was sure his mother was legitimately screaming louder than anyone. He took out the Spica carving and looked it over, showing it to Spica. "It's you, see?" She sniffed at the carving curiously before rattling her scales excitedly. He felt a sense of joy. "I'm glad you like it." He grinned and scratched below her chin again.

Aldaf could practically smell the food, the exotic aromas drifting and catching the attention of both Spica and Aldaf. It took way too much effort on the behalf of Aldaf to hold Spica in place. She was ready to go eat some delicious food.
I wonder... can I mess with Zeke? Aldaf thought to himself. There'd most likely be alcohol at the party. A perfect catalyst for messing with Gryphon-Head. He'd never tried drinking alcohol before, but had used cooking alcohol somewhat in the kitchen with his mother.

SleepyCreamy SilverFlight Saturn_moon YumenoTsukishiro Elenion Aura Naberius Lioness075 explosiveKitten AncientBird

 

[AncientBird]

Serik was eventually fully healed. His leg bore no sight of injury anymore. He could get up, walk, run and even kick with it.

The band would leave for the camp at the base soon. Serik started to pack up his belonging that still remained. He signed at his item, many were dirty and broken, some were lost. He had lost his entire bow set and his bolas that he made himself... However, he shrugged them off, it’s small sacrifice that he could trade for still being alive and receiving his own skybeast.

It’s time to fly back. Valkyrie looked unsure as Serik placed everything on her back. She looked eager to get out of there but to be flying along side other skybeasts back to the human world... She was reluctant.

“Come on... I got your back. It will be fine down there as long as you and I stick together.” Serik said to soothed his beast and tapped on her shoulder.

Valkyrie looked back at him and eventually launched herself into the air, following the others down Mt. Arebos.

It was a long flight, so still much faster than having to climb up on feet. They eventually descended to the base.

Serik and Valkyrie landed in that was supposed to be a crowd waiting for their return. The people of all different tribes cheered and throwing petals at the ban. Among the people, Serik wished to see his family, but he recognized none in there.

Valkyrie seemed uneasy to be around this much people. She looked around, making grunting noise.

“Calm down and behave...” Serik whispered to her. “Everything will be fine...” Valkyrie made a little shriek. She eventually accepted her place and walked along quietly.

Time to choose their clan... No doubt what Serik would choose. His life was born an Estendorian and he will die an Estendorian... Stepping in the circle he was greeted with fellow tribesmen who welcomed him. However, Serik could see some of them looking strangely at Valkyrie, some others gossiped at her presence. He totally understood why...

Featuring: SleepyCreamy SilverFlight Saturn_moon YumenoTsukishiro Elenion Aura Naberius Lioness075 explosiveKitten kase9187

 

[Naberius]

Caliban Lupei

From the moment Kari touched the orb, everything was a blur. Cal spent the majority of the time they remained atop the mountain in silent contemplation. It was quite unusual for him to go so long without at least flashing a smile at one of the others. They all had their turn to speak on the matter, but still he said not a word. He listened politely, nodded when necessary. But made not a sound. It seemed as though fate was placing itself between Lea, himself, and going to see their parents. They were being pulled in two different directions, towards home and towards the answers they so desperately needed. Thoughts of the proving and the danger they had only just been in were long gone, and the only thing on the young mans mind now was how to make the right decision, or if there even was a 'right' in this particular situation. There were too many coincidences lined up in a row for them to be truly coincidental. Someone had done this to them, whether or not he believed it was the Gods or some other force at play didn't matter. The memory fragment, it seemed, was something they all saw and had to come to terms with. His suspicions were confirmed, however. They did in fact all know each other from before. Or at the very least, they had all met before in that one place. There was no turning back now. Only one thing was certain: Whatever happened next, it would involved everyone there.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

The journey back down the mountain was quick, and Cal only just begun to gain a big of his shine back. There was still so much he needed to know, things he had to see for himself. He was still searching his own mind for answers, he had no idea what the right path was. But that was no reason to keep from smiling. They, as a group, had already overcome quite a lot of different hurdles. The fought a giant skeleton monster that seemed to breath death onto the world around it. Few, if any at all, could make such a claim, especially so soon after bonding with their beasts. Still though, he was unsure if it was truly skill or if they had all gotten extremely lucky.

As they finally drew close to the camp once more, he could hear the cheering and see the decorations and the people awaiting their return. He had almost forgotten about this part, though to him it was all just ceremony. Since birth, he had been and always would be Sudenta at heart. Those jungles were where he belonged, and he would accept no other. Regardless of the beauty to be found across the islands, that was the only place he could ever call home. He didn't even register it as a conscious decision, he simply walked beside Lea every step of the way, both of them taking their place in the circle. Nerene nuzzled against his side, clearly sensing his chaotic emotional state. He realized he hadn't spoken a word since they descended the mountain, or indeed since they broke camp at the top. Still, he tried his best to wrestle his usual smile into place, but he met with limited success. It was rather clear to anyone who had spent any reasonable amount of time with the young man that something was amiss. Try as he might, hiding his emotions was never something he was truly good at unless he masked them with humor and good cheer. This time, he couldn't even fully summon that thin facade. Amongst the roaring of the crowd, the cheering of the assembled masses for the newly minted adults and their partners, Caliban stood silently and reflected on the hard choices life was already thrusting upon them.

Lioness075 SleepyCreamy AncientBird kase9187 YumenoTsukishiro SilverFlight Elenion Aura explosiveKitten Saturn_moon

 

[Elenion Aura]

Matthias ​

Matthias found that he looked at the clanless girl differently now. Formerly clanless, he corrected himself. She was a Northarian now. And, he realized with some shock, this was the first time in three days that he’d looked at or noticed her at all. She mattered now, Matthias thought, and regretted it. Though he could not help the feeling that it was true. Some of the Northarians had begun to notice him, now, among the ranks of the freshly Proven. No doubt his size drew their eye, not to mention his Skybeast Volos, or the furs he wore. Matthias was Northarian though and through.

He recognized a fair few of them. Boys and girls he’d grown up with, now proud men and women of his clan, arrayed behind the proving circle, ready to receive the newest full members of their clan. They recognized him, too, seated squarely between Volos’ broad shoulders. He watched the expressions on their faces vacillate wildly between shock, confusion, and giddy elation. His people.

Among them he counted Rasmus and Ingrid. They were his peers, his own age. They’d completed their proving years ago, the same year Matthias had chosen to forgo the ceremony for himself. Seeing them there, now, standing on the opposite side of the circle from him, dumbfounded at his miraculous appearance, dredged up old, bitter regrets. Matthias heard his own voice inside his head, chastising him for his choices, this one in particular. If he’d completed his Proving and pledged himself to Northaria all those years ago then he’d be there with them now, ready and eager to take on a new flock of Proven. Not here with this motley cohort so many years his junior. Not here with one whole year of his life erased. Not here burdened with the fragmented memories of time spent on foreign soil, and the anxiety that came with not knowing where else he’d gone during that lost year, the possibility that he could’ve been anywhere, done anything. A stranger wearing his face. Matthias’ stomach turned and twisted, tightening into a knot.

Then Kari chose her clan. Then Aldaf, and Serik. Before he realized it, time had begun to move again. At once it was his turn. Matthias and Volos crossed the threshold of the Northarian circle. The cheers erupted once more. Fresh vigor. Matthias’ was a double welcome. One welcomed him to the clan. The other welcomed him back from the dead. Matthias’ chest heaved as the crowd cheered, but his face was stony and implacable. He stared ahead at nothing and waited for the cheers to subside, for the next Proven to take their place among the clans. He had waited so long for this, longer than most. This was the moment, his moment. Why, then, did it feel so hollow?

Tags: SilverFlight Naberius Saturn_moon YumenoTsukishiro explosiveKitten kase9187 SleepyCreamy AncientBird
Lioness075
​

 

[Saturn_moon]

Marylka’s heart pounded in her chest as, one by one, each of the proven stepped forward to choose their clan. When it came to her turn, she instinctively turned to look at Estendor’s circle where Kari and Serik stood with their skybeasts, proud and beaming with joy. The other Estendorians present looked at her with an eargerness that came from recognising one of their own.

She thought of the magnificent Estendorian plains she would once again get to see. Green and lush, they stretched further than the eyes could see under an equally endless blue sky.
She thought of the yurt she would return to. Humble, cozy, warm and constantly filled with the smells of her mother’s cooking.
She thought of her loved ones, her parents, her siblings, perhaps even her grandfather, who would be there with their arms wide open, ready to welcome her back with a loving embrace.

While her heart ached for all these things, it did nothing to soothe the storms of curiosity and yearning which had been raging within. Estendor was home and it always would be, but, as much as she hated to admit it, she knew that the path laid out for her in Estendor could never be enough and would only serve to sow the seeds of regret. As she reflected on the past three days, she came to the realization that she had never felt more liberated and empowered than when she was using her magic, whether it was to protect herself or to help others. There was so much more she wanted to learn, so much more she knew she could achieve if given the chance. She looked to the other clans and immediately knew where she wanted to be.

“Celesta, if there was ever a time that I needed you to be on my side, it would be now.” She said in a whispered prayer. With a deep breath, she urged Archimedes gently forward… into Westeros’ circle.

SilverFlight Naberius Elenion Aura YumenoTsukishiro explosiveKitten kase9187 SleepyCreamy AncientBird
Lioness075

 

[YumenoTsukishiro]

With conflicting thoughts and opinions on the vision, the party flew back down to the proving camp with the other helpers. The descent took less time than the ascent, but Gerel still found time to consider about a thousand things all at once. Most of all, he felt guilty. He was so adamant on uncovering all the mysteries that he forgot about the family he wrote a letter to just three days ago. He promised to go back home to day as soon as he could, which used to mean 'getting his skybeast.' Now, with the death wyvern, the vision, and these sudden emotions memories flashing whenever he saw her, Gerel didn't know what to do. He actually envied Caliban, who could still smile despite everything that just happened. Even if his smile seemed... dimmer than usual, it was still amazing after everything they've been through.

In no time at all they were at the Proving Camp, where they were met with cheers and applause. Word had gotten out that these newly Proven children had managed to defeat a great monster, yet in the midst of the din Gerel felt lost. He landed on the camp, dismounting from Jeff like his body was moving on its own. The Kirin clopped with dignity, much to the delight of the crowd, especially those from Estendor. Out of the four tribes, they were the ones most familiar with the legends of the Kirin. Adoration shone clear on their faces as he walked past. Jeff took it all in with a prideful strut. Gerel didn't even notice. He scanned the crowd, hoping against all hope that his parents were there. They weren't. Instead, he saw the last person he wanted to meet.

Qadan's face was flush with the red of envy. His peers stood by him, expressions ranging from awe to disbelief to... regret? That was something Gerel didn't expect. No time to think on it. They were called to choose, and for the first time in a long while Gerel didn't know where to go. Ventra was silent. He was surprised at how much he'd depended on her whispers in such a short time to get him out of harrowing situations.

Gerel watched the others get called to choose, trying to keep his heart beat down. Serik stepped to the circle with Valkyrie in tow, drawing the same mixed stares of awe and question. Marylka, to the surprise of many, went to Westeros. Since she was a mage, Gerel could understand why he did so. He was concerned though about what Serik would think. The rest chose as much as he expected, including her. With those tattoos glinting golden in the firelight, Kari stood tall and radiant amidst the cheers of their fellow tribesmen.

Those same people were now looking at him. Gerel felt the eyes on the bow slung on his back. There were still some who didn't agree with a son of Estendor taking the arts of another tribe. Seeing that, guilt was replaced with determination. He remembered why he wanted to take the Proving as soon as he could. Maybe he wouldn't be able to meet his parents any time soon, carried on the winds of fate with strangers in the same boat. But by the end of it all, he would've become someone his parents -- and his tribe -- would be proud of.

Maybe someone she'd be proud of.

It was his turn. He stepped forward, face resolute, eyes on the Estendorian Circle. On Serik and his Valkyrie. On Kari and her eyes glowing above those golden lines. He stepped into the Estendorian circle and raised his fist towards the sky. The resounding cheers of his tribesmen now echoed with his own, with Talon's echoing screech as she flew above in celebration, with Jeff's neighing as he reared up, wings unfurled in all their majesty.

SilverFlight Naberius Elenion Aura Saturn_moon explosiveKitten kase9187 SleepyCreamy AncientBird
Lioness075

 

[explosiveKitten]

Flying down from the caldera, the crater, felt like some kind of weight was being lifted off her shoulders. Admittedly she was all too eager to set off on her journey home, but... what could she say? She missed her father.

The large owl landed in the fairgrounds with a soft thud, before crouching down to let Katja get off her back, before standing back up to full height and fluffing her feathers.

Katja’s mind started to wander when the clan choosing began. She paid no mind to all the cheering, or the prying eyes of the people watching.

She was staring at the Westeros circle. Thinking about all the things she had waiting for her in Westeros. A mystery to be solved, dark magic to be found and understood, and... family. Family she had never known, whom had never known her. Whom had never seen her face. She wanted to find them and talk to them and see if... if they even liked her, or recognized her as family.

The cheering crowds suddenly snapped her back to attention when Matthias, unsurprisingly, rode his winged beat into the Northaria circle, being received well by the crowd as they cheered. She looked at the gathered Northarian people, shrinking back a little as she kept glancing back and forth. Why was she even considering this? Northaria was where her father was. She wouldn’t, couldn’t just leave him alone. And yet...

She shook her head sternly and glanced down at her feet, willing them to move. It took a little effort, but eventually, she started to walk forward, Barran padding along close behind, her black talons making soft scraping and clinking sounds as she walked across the hard-packed earth.

When Katja crossed the line into the Northaria circle, a cheer went up, Katja receiving hard slaps to the back, and being shaken around. Typical Northarian celebration. Most of them there didn’t recognize her. But the few who did only stared at her in a mix of shock and disdain.

They had probably been hoping this weird little half-Westeros girl with the mask had been gone forever.

SilverFlight Naberius Elenion Aura Saturn_moon YumenoTsukishiro kase9187 SleepyCreamy AncientBird
Lioness075

 

[AncientBird]

After stepping into the circle. Serik was greeted with a lot of Estendorians from all over the region. He didn't personally know any of them, but many he thought he had seen before during the trip to Ocris or during the festival and sport gathering. Many young men and women around the same age as his came surrounding him, congratulated him. Many of the tribesmen and women also came inspecting Valkyrie, most likely those from the north that weren't familiar with a stork drake before. The others chose to stay out of her way, looking confused and unexpected, a few even turned away in disgust. Valkyrie looked around, getting more and more uneasy for being surrounded for so long. She looked at Serik for support but since the young man himself was also surrounded and distracted, she eventually lost her patient and walked right through the crowd on her own toward an open space near by where she settled down and waited. Serik looked up just as his skybeast was leaving. He wanted to call her back, but decided not to... Valkyrie's stress could be felt from the bond they share and Serik didn't want her to lose temper in the middle of the crowd.

Serik joined Kari who had chosen before him and stood with her waiting to see the other team mates picking their destiny. After him came Caliban and Leandra, brother and sister by heart. Along with their skybeast, they took their pick on Sudenta circle. Serik noticed that Caliban who had always been cheerful, seemed troubling and quiet lately as if something was in his mind. Next was Matthias, the towering Northarian and his unique winged ursine. They headed to Northaria circle, just as expected.

Then came Marylka, the one Serik was waiting for the most. In the flash of his unthinking expectation, Serik thought she was going to choose Estendor, her own homeland just as he and Kari did. Then, he saw her... Standing there with a stressed expression. From her eyes, Serik could feel her conflict... Then he was reminded, by his memory about the night they went stargazing together.

"You're going to think I'm a horrible person, but I joined so I could get away from my family..." Her word echoed.

"...I want more... I have to be more because life can't just be about finding a good husband and raising kids..."

"...That barely counts as a life..."

Marylka and her beast then stepped out and into a circle... Westeros circle...

She had finally made her mind... She had chosen her own destiny. Serik was surprised. He was supposed to expect this to happen all along and yet it still got him unguarded. By his outer shell, he clapped along the others and smiled to her decision. Inside however, he felt concerned...

Featuring: SleepyCreamy SilverFlight Saturn_moon YumenoTsukishiro Elenion Aura Naberius Lioness075 explosiveKitten kase9187

 

[Lioness075]

Name: Leandra LaFrae	Nicknames: Lea, Firefly
Clan: Sudenta	Clan Job: Huntress
Equipment: Knapsack, Medicinal Pouch, Bow, Quiver (5/10), Twin Daggers

Spoiler: Momo's Appearance

Spoiler: Falarion's Appearance

As they all gathered to leave the mountaintop campsite, Leandra approached Falarion with a wide grin on her face. Despite everything, her head was clear again and her right arm no longer sported its blood-spotted bandages. She had a number of small scars running along the outside of it and her skin was faintly pink still, but the worst of the recovery was over now. She experimentally stretched and bent her arm, more than pleased with the range of motion that had returned to it.
Falarion sniffed at her arm curiously and then pushed his head against her shoulder, making Leandra laugh as she scratched him behind the ears. His gentle headbutt still pushed her back a step, but she was all smiles now. She looked at his blood-soaked bandage and then back at Falarion's face with curiosity etched over her own.
Falarion felt her emotions and purred.
Eyes wide, Leandra carefully peeled back the bandages and then saw that his own wound had healed over, a pink scar in its place. Delighted, she removed the rest of the bandages around his chest and shoulder.
The moment he was free of the bandages, Falarion pranced back and forth in front of Leandra, showing off the lack of pain he now felt.
Leandra laughed again, holding her hands tightly against her chest as she felt overwhelming excitement. She had not expected the unexplainable healing to carry over to her Skybeast, but it was the second most comforting thing she had witnessed all day.

Mounting Falarion, Leandra's heart began to pound with excitement. Her first flight earlier with Katja had been exhilarating and she was more than happy to not be flying into danger this time around.
Falarion seemed to share her sentiment, as he let out an echoing roar and stretched his wings out.
It was only uphill from here, excluding where they had to fly down to the celebration.
Falarion leaped off the side of the mountain, gliding down to fly near Caliban and Nerene. Leandra glanced sideways at him to share this amazing moment with him, but was disheartened to not see his usual smile. She knew her revelation earlier was not to be taken lightly, but she was focusing on what they had accomplished thus far. Now was the time for celebration, not for fretting over what they did not know. Just because she saw her younger brother injured in a memory did not mean that anything worse had occurred.

As they landed with the group down below, Leandra remained on Falarion's back with her lemur's head poking out of her knapsack and peering over her shoulder. She was in awe of what had been set up for them and was in even more awe of how beautiful it all was. So many people had gathered for the celebration and Leandra briefly hoped to see her parents near the Sudenta clan area, but she saw no sign of them and the hope was dashed. She felt disappointment wash over her in a wave, her smile faltering. She definitely could recall discussing her parents and younger brother being at her Proving celebration. Something was wrong.

Aurena stood before the Proven group and Leandra remained quiet as she spoke to them. Just like Caliban, she knew in her heart she would always belong to Sudenta. She dismounted Falarion and with one hand in Caliban's and the other on Falarion's shoulder, they walked to the Sudenta area together. Cheers erupted and Leandra hesitantly smiled at those around her while her grip tightened in Caliban's hand. She glanced sideways at him again and saw he was undoubtedly feeling the same way as her. She resisted the urge to share her revelation of their parents and younger brother not being present. She had a feeling he was aware of this as well.

Others from their group headed confidently and not-so-confidently to their clans of choice.
Aldalf was already with Spica in the Sudenta circle when Leandra and Caliban joined him. Leandra hesitantly gave him a wave and a smile, unsure if he even noticed her amidst the chaos.
The others went to different circles and the cheers rose and fell as life-changing decisions were potentially made. The noise soon became a white noise for Leandra and she stared into the Sudenta mass around her, her eyes continually searching for what they would never find.

SilverFlight kase9187 SleepyCreamy explosiveKitten YumenoTsukishiro Elenion Aura Naberius Saturn_moon

 

[SleepyCreamy]

“Oh, gods…” Zeke clumsily gathered Azurine’s blue-hued feathers as the beast readied himself to take flight. They haven’t left the ground yet, but Zeke was already feeling unwell. He simply felt unsafe without a saddle or something to grab onto, however, he was glad that soon, he will be able to properly ride his Skybeast with the proper equipment. After all, that’s how it has always been with Zeke and his thinking, the moment he goes back to Westeros, he will make sure to issue every riding book on the Academy’s library shelf for his own benefit. He legitimately thought that he still had time to learn how to ride his Skybeast before he woke up in that very tent with the others.

Azurine leaped off and they swiftly descended down the mountain they worked so hard to climb. Images of the Stonewargs, a broken pinky, and the powdered snow flashed through his eyes, it's as if his mind is telling him to remember this very moment. To remember all of the hardships he went through and to expect more to come in the near future. He had this unnerving feeling that this will not be the last time he’ll see these people.

As they approached the land below, cheers soon erupted from the crowd. The decorations and everything the people did was solely for them. Zeke leaned sideways to see the people below and he spotted people from different Clans and he wondered if his mother knew of his location and would hopefully be there to congratulate him. That thought alone made Zeke’s lips slightly turn upwards. His chestnut complexion says it all, his skin told stories of his days underneath the scorching hot son of Westeros. He is a true Westorosian and he would rather die as one. After all, the Marcellius Family is known for their pure-blooded Westerosian blood, not a single drop of any other clans has managed to make it through their family due to their very strict rules. Maybe that’s how they managed to have a few Fire Mages in their family tree… including his father.

Once Azurine landed along with the others, Zeke quickly spotted the circle where the Westerosians are being gathered. He noticed the lady from their very first day. She stepped forward to say her piece, "...This demon attacked, but our warriors, freshly-proven, freshly-bonded, fought the creature, and defeated it…” Zeke stopped listening to that point and remembered his panicked state and the moment he fled.

Zeke clenched his fingers, Azurine seemed to have noticed as he turned his head to Zeke and gave him a slobbery kiss on the cheek, just like what he saw Stitt was doing earlier. Stitt was simply taking her afternoon nap on his satchel. Zeke then rolled his eyes in a playful manner and pushed his feathered head to wipe his slobber off of his cheeks.

Zeke watched as others chose their clans. Kari was first to make up her mind as she went over to the Estendor circle, she was soon followed by Serik and Gerel. Aldaf chose the Sudenta circle and cheers were hollered as each person of the group had their moment in the spotlight. Leandra and Caliban walked side by side towards the Sudenta circle and Zeke wondered what it would be like to have a little sister by his side, he wondered if he’d be a protective type of brother or the sweet, caring type? Definitely the protective type. He nodded to himself in agreement. Zeke was so invested in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the huge man stepping into the Northarian circle where he truly belongs. What he did notice, was Katja and her large owl making their way to the Northaria circle.

Zeke reached down to one of the pockets in his satchel to wake up Stitt, as it is the time for his turn. Once Stitt woke up with a loud yawn (that would sound more like a tiny mewl), Zeke ushered Azurine to walk over to the Westerosian circle, but before Azurine could take another step, Zeke saw a glimpse of Marylka and her regal-looking Hippogriff making their way towards the circle where Zeke was about to go.

The reveal of Marylka's choice obviously shocked Zeke, as he certainly didn’t expect this bold move from a girl who presented herself as a reserved person. After his clan cheered for the petite girl, Zeke then proceeded to usher Azurine towards the Westerosian circle. Azurine strutted proudly towards the circle with his wings slightly open, as if he’s slightly showing off his hybrid-looking wings (that were a mix of a bird and a bat’s). But if you’d take a closer look, you could see the underlying nervousness and anxiety in his eyes. Zeke comforted the beast by ruffling the feathers on the side of his strong neck, this seems to have worked as he began to relax. Stitt placed herself between Azurine’s horns and scanned the people for herself.

Once Zeke made it to the circle, the people cheered and the moment he jumped off of Azurine’s back and his boots touched the ground, he was soon greeted with looks of admiration he thought he’d never receive. Even the familiar people from his home gave him the exact proud looks, the exact people who knew of his background was now staring at him with contentment. Would it be because they finally understood that he is nothing like his father? Zeke never knew the answer to that.

He never thought he’d receive such looks and it bothered him deeply. He thought he’d be happy, but for some reason, he felt sad. Would it be because his mother’s nowhere to be found? Or, was it because of the lone fact that they didn’t know about his thieving abilities or his tendencies to run away from unknown objects?

To put it simply, Zeke felt like he didn’t deserve all this praise. One thought did linger in his head.

I could’ve done better.

SilverFlight kase9187 Lioness075 explosiveKitten YumenoTsukishiro Elenion Aura Naberius Saturn_moon

 

[SilverFlight]

Kari

There was an audible noise from the crowd as Marylka chose to change clans. It was rare, and some of the Westeros spectators puffed their chests. It was an honour to have the warriors that fought the creature from the undersky.

Kari couldn't keep the smile from her face when Gerel came to stand with Estendor..and beside her. He put his fist up and Kari followed suit with her best herding whoop, several in the crowd followed her lead and she laughed out loud, caught up in the joy that the crowd was building.

At length every youth chose their clan and now they all stood, welcomed by them, old and new.
Aurena's voice rose above the crowing buzz: "The warriors have chosen! Clans! Welcome your new hearts!"
A cheer rose up and the people rushed the circles. Kari slipped off Zephyr's back and was patted and congratulated and hugged, all by people she did not know, but they were Estendoran, they were her heart. Kari had never in her life felt more loved and accepted as she had in that moment.
Zephyr took the crowds well, though the people were savvy enough about newly-bound beasts to give the creatures their space for now.
Someone came with crowns of flowers and placed one over Kari's head, she giggled as the petals caught in her hair, and fell all over her clothes.
"Let the festivities commence!"
A great cheer rose and suddenly the newly-proven warriors were swept along in a tide of bodies to the feast. Tables and tables piled high with delicacies from each clan. There was stuffed turkey and smoked hams, honey-glazed root vegetables and fresh greens. The Sudenta tables has the most stunning dishes made with fresh fruit and the Northaria cooks had set up an entire roasting pit with spitted meet sizzling over open flames.

The area was a wide circle, and in the center of it the bonfire blazed, higher than Zephyr could stretch his wings. The heat from it drove out any chill from the entire area. There were a group of musicians sitting not far off and they struck up as soon as the revelers flooded in.

Kari had never tasted such amazing food, people were pressing this or that into her hand and she could hardly decide what to try next.
A Northarian boy came to them with the tiniest cups of something sweet-smelling and golden.
"The finest mead in Northaria! From my father's brewery."
Kari accepted the gift and sipped it gingerly. She never thought much of the alcohol from Estendor, thick beers and malts, made from the grain farmed there, but this was sweet as honey, and burned her throat as she drank it. She could feel the warmth of it almost immediately and politely refused a second helping.

After food and drink Kari's spirits were high, the creature on the mountain was a distant memory and everywhere around her there was warmth and laughter.
She spotted Ferro and his husband sitting together, sharing food and loving glances. The unproven boy, despite not finishing, was still having a grand time, he and the new Northarian had become friends it seemed, and they sat and talked together.

Kari was drawn out of her people watching by the first few notes of a song she knew. It was an Estendoran dance song and she sprang up with a cheer like several others.
"Come on! This one's so much fun!" Kari reached out for the first person she knew (which happened to be Marylka Saturn_moon ) and tried to pull her into the forming circle, scores strong. Then she made a grab for Leandra ( Lioness075 ) too.
"Come on!" She called to the others, gesturing with excitement. It was a dance everyone could join, mostly skipping, jumping and side-stepping, in whatever order you saw fit. It was a dance to bring people together, communities, friends, and it started like this...




Lioness075 SleepyCreamy AncientBird kase9187 YumenoTsukishiro Naberius Elenion Aura explosiveKitten Saturn_moon

 

[kase9187]

Aldaf broke off from his plan, leaving a bottle of alcohol where it lay. He joined Kari and the others, his feet moving excitedly to the beat. His feet never seemed to both touch the ground as he jumped and twirled around.

SilverFlight SleepyCreamy AncientBird Saturn_moon explosiveKitten Lioness075 Elenion Aura YumenoTsukishiro Naberius

 

[Saturn_moon]

Even with the resounding cheers surrounding her, all Marylka could hear was the stony silence that came from the Estendorians. Her heart sank and she questioned if the choice she’d made had been a terrible one. She was tempted to look back, to observe the looks of disappointment on their faces, but instead forced her eyes to the floor. Once all the proven had chosen, the clans rushed into their respective circles to congratulate the youths. Marylka felt out of place among these strangers with her Estendorian armor and furs. The attention she was receiving from all of them didn’t help and only emphasised the weight of her decision. She glanced over at Ezekiel. Strangely, for someone who had chosen to return to his own clan, he looked almost as troubled as she did. Although, she hadn’t interacted with the boy much and even avoided him to a certain extent, she decided that whatever issues she had with him, that could be resolved later. She reached out and gave his arm a light squeeze, just to let him know that he wasn’t alone in his discomfort.

When they arrived at the feast, Marylka’s jaw dropped. Dishes piled with every kind of food filled the long tables, end to end, nary a gap in sight. Never in her life had she seen so many things she’d liked to eat all at one time and her stomach growled in agreement. She had barely taken a seat when people started to offer her food left and right. She politely tried to decline, citing that she could help herself but it all seemed to fall on deaf ears. Perhaps it was the fact that all they’d eaten the last three days were dried meats and fruits, but everything Marylka put in her mouth tasted absolutely exquisite.

Marylka’s ears perked up when the musicians started up a familiar Estendorian tune, one that she had heard countless of times growing up. Before she could even react, Kari had grabbed her hand and was pulling her and Leandra to the centre. “Kari!” She yelped in protest, but that only fortified the other girl’s determination and strength. Kari danced without a care in the world all while on holding on to her hand. From the distance, Marylka probably looked like a life-sized rag doll being dragged around. Despite her hesitations and self-consciousness, Kari’s enthusiasm was infectious and it didn’t take long for her to let down her walls and join in the fun. By the middle of the song she was jumping and twirling and laughing along with the others as if nobody was watching, her concerns and worries momentarily forgotten.

SilverFlight Naberius Elenion Aura YumenoTsukishiro explosiveKitten kase9187 SleepyCreamy AncientBird
Lioness075

 

[AncientBird]

Serik was brought to the table along with the others. The feast was grand and astonishing. Serik’s eyes widened at the pile and pile of food, many was his usual meal back home, but in bigger and more decorative plate, others he had no idea of their existence. Many hands offered him food that he didn’t know what to do and before he could gain back his wits, the plate before him was already filled with food.

He could barely fit more food in his stomach when the song came... The song of Estendor! Just like home during festival. A giant bonfire blazed in the middle, lightened up the darkness around the place. People started to exchanged converstions, some drank alcohol and many started to dance around the fire.

Serik sat down with the circle of people gathering around the fire. The dancers took off into the blank space between them and the fire and dance like never before. Serik saw Kari, possibly already fueled by alcohol began to drag people into the dancing line. One of them was Marylka who seemed reluctant at first but before she could do anything, she was swept into the rank of the dancers.

Serik clapped along the rhythm of the song and the dance. He wasn’t much of the dancer himself, also right there he could see Marylka better. The truth about her choosing to be a Westerosian still lingered in his mind, but Serik brushed it off, feeling that he should enjoyed what he still had.

“Serik, was it?”

Serik looked up, still absent-minded looking at Marylka dancing. It was two Estendorian girls around the same age as him. Their clothing was more complex and grand than he normally see, pointing that they were likely city girls from Ocris rather than herders. “Sorry, how do you know my name?” He asked, confused.

“They literally announced it, silly!” One of the girl said and laughed. “Oh yeah...” Serik spoke smilingly, feeling stupid. “Come dance with us!” The other said. “Thank you, but I would prefer to-“ He didn’t get to finish his word when both of the girls dragged him out and into the dancing line.

Serik was eventually swept along the dancing people. He got the hang of it quick and was dancing like he had never done before. The two girls earlier had left him a while ago, either looking for other partners or they got separated from the cheer number of dancers that started to increase.

Serik gained sight of Marylka again. Comparing to the girls earlier or any girl he danced with a while ago, she radiated through the crowd with no comparison. Serik made his mind and started to work his way toward her.

Almost reaching her, Serik suddenly got dragged away to dance with a large Northarian man who obviously was enjoying his time so much he didn’t stop to see who he was dancing with. Serik sighed, this’s gonna take a while...

Finally, Serik managed to flee himself. This time he made it straight through to Marylka, ignoring everything and everyone in his path.

“Marylka!” He called to the girl. “Hey... Would the new Westerosian girl have dance with me, it would be a great honor.” He spoke smilingly, trying to sound it a bit like tease but it would probably came out awkwardly instead.

Featuring: Saturn_moon SilverFlight

 

[YumenoTsukishiro]

Gerel never imagined a literal flood of people could happen. The most number of people he'd seen at once was back in Ocris during trade and harvest seasons, and even those crowds paled in the rush of bodies pulling him and the rest along towards the festivities radiating around a large bonfire. He felt warm, almost hot from all the frantic energy of celebration. He wasn't used to it. Sheep and goats crowded around him whenever he had food for them, but they never felt as oppressive as this. People he never knew patted him on the back and hugged him, one Estendorian to another. Some of them he recognized from the other herds around their grazing plains, but he didn't feel close enough to them to warrant unsolicited chest bumps. Delicious smells wafted from the food piled atop the tables; some of the dishes smelled like his own mother made them, washing him over with nostalgia and homesickness.

Tired of all the overwhelming action, Gerel pushed his way towards the tables and away from the dancing (not even Kari's alluring form while hopping and skipping was enough for him to stay). He picked up a few plates of food, in particular some pork dumplings and lamb fried rice. As he looked for a place to seat, he saw a curious owlet mask flashing within the crowds. Remembering what he wanted to properly say for a while now, he made his way over to her. Concern flooded his heart when he saw that Katja looked troubled, like the festivities was breaking around her lonesome bastion.

"Is this seat taken?" Gerel asked, smiling at the owlet girl.

Interaction: explosiveKitten
Mentioned: SilverFlight

 

[Naberius]

Caliban Lupei

Caliban watched from the sidelines, having seated himself at a nearby table. He was picking idly at a plate of dried fruits and assorted meats, his mind still lost in thought. He kept glancing around the room, a sad smile playing across his face. They deserved this, that much was true. But he had too much on his mind to take it in right now. There were too many things that had happened in too short of a time for him to fully process. He sipped on some kind of honeyed wine, feeling the warmth spread through his body. It was nice. The roaring fire, the music, the cheering, the smiling faces and laughter. Kari had even managed to pull a few of the others onto the dance floor and his smile started to turn a little less sad. Little by little, the festivities were bringing him back to his usual good cheer. This was how it should be, there would be time to dwell on the 'what-if's' and 'maybes' and mysteries another time. Tonight, they should relax and enjoy themselves. After all, it was likely that they all could have died on that mountain had they not managed to work together and pull through their proving and deal with those horrific skeleton monsters as a team. This, he felt, was the start of something incredible. With a brand new adventure set out before them, mysteries to unravel and questions by the hundreds burning in their minds, it was wise to take the time to enjoy what victories they were able to grasp.

Cal didn't rise to join the dancing, but his bright smile was clear for all to see. He would enjoy the festivities just like the rest of them, in his own way. He tapped a boot to the beat of the music, leaning back against the table on his elbows, a drink in one hand and a fried apple skewer in another. They were alive. They had survived, had triumphed over insane obstacles against unbelievable odds. That was worth celebrating. For tonight, at least, all of that should be forgotten. He watched the others for a while, saw how much they enjoyed themselves, until his eyes settled on another scene entirely. He was a very familiar owl visage, and Gerel approaching. They were off to one side, away from the others much like himself. Why he had settled on watching this, rather than observing the party itself, he couldn't quite understand. Something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

Lioness075 SleepyCreamy AncientBird kase9187 YumenoTsukishiro SilverFlight Elenion Aura explosiveKitten Saturn_moon

 

[explosiveKitten]

Katja wasn’t used to all this positive attention. People were clapping her on the back, shoving food and drinks into her face- she had to keep refusing the mead her fellow Northarians continued to try to shove down her gullet- and she had found a secluded table to sit at, rubbing her temples and thinking hard about her next course of action.

She wanted to go to Westeros with everyone, yes, but... she was so worried about her father. Did he get her message? What was he doing? Was he okay? He was probably worried sick as well.

She sat there for what felt like forever, agonizing over this very subject, before she made up her mind, and sent a thought over to Barran, whom clacked her beak and started to wander off on her fluffy legs.

Katja sat there for a few moments longer, before she sighed and stood up, turning just in time to come face to face with-

“GEREL!” She squealed, flinching back in fear when she saw him, then sighing when she realized it was just Gerel.
“Gerel, sweet gods, you scared me.” She held a hand to her heart, breathing hard for a few moment before she calmed down. “I mean, I was just- I have- I... Yeah... sure, okay.”

Katja sat there for a few minutes, nervously replying to any questions Gerel asked before she abruptly excused herself and made her escape into the crowds.
(This actual conversation will play out in Feathers.)

Quickly, the masked young woman made her way through the fairgrounds, passed stalls that had been left behind in favor of participating in the festivities. Katja had hoped that would be the case. Nobody around to watch her-

“Hey! Owl-turd!”
Ohhhh, fuuuuck.
Katja turned and found a young man running towards her, dressed in Northarian garb and with a gryphon following close behind him, the mighty talons of red-tailed hawk head and cougar body clacking on the ground as it kept in pace with its bond.

“Hey, Owl-turd, where you been, huh?” The scruffy, red-haired menace asked, his sneer wide as his face.
“Ohhh... Ralooooof... hiii.” Katja said, turning slowly on her heel to look at the young man whom had bullied her for most of her life. “How long has it been since I last saw you?”
“Huh, I don’t know. Seven months maybe? I’ve been wondering where my favorite dart board went. What have you been up to, I hope you haven’t found someone else to get beaten by.”
“Ha! Right. Well whatever I was doing, it was probably the most blissful seven months of my life, not having to see your face. Now, if you don’t mind-“
“Did you take your dad with you?”
This gave her pause. “What?”
“Nobody has seen the man since you disappeared. You know, personally I was hoping he went and jumped off a cliff, buuuut...”

Katja’s heading faded to nothing but white noise as Ralof kept talking. Her dad hadn’t been seen in months? What?! He had a job at the docks, he never missed a day of work. WHat happened to him? Was this because of her? Had he died? Oh, gods, ohgods, ohgodsohgodsohgods.

She snapped back to attention when from behind her, she felt Ralof’s hands settle on her shoulders. SHe could smell his breath as he muttered teasingly in her ear.
“By the way, you still smell like fish.”

Something snapped. Next thing Katja knew, he elbow flew backwards and beaned Ralof right in the nose. Blood spurted from the orifice as the scrappy young man fell backwards, his gryphon looking shocked at the action.
“Agh, son of- you BITCH!”
Katja was so shocked with herself, that all she could say was, “... I gotta go.” Before she turned and walked passed Ralof, looking at the small blood spatter on the elbow of her sleeve. But she didn’t get too far.

“Like hell you’re going anywhere you bitch!” The bully, having recovered quickly, grabbed her by the hair and threw her between two stalls, away from where anyone would see them.

She squealed as she tumbled head over heels and skid in the dirt, head spinning. She blinked and looked up just in time for Ralof to grab her mask and rip it off her face.
“H-Hey!”
“Oh shut up, I’ve seen what’s on your fucking face!”

He grabbed her by the hair again and dragged her over to a barrel full of water nearby, where he held her face over the shiny surface and forced her to look at it.

“That looks like it burns though. So let’s cool it off!”

He shoved her head into the water. Despite how Katja struggled, trying to smack Ralof, to grab the sides of the barrel and push up, nothing was freeing her from this.
Holy shit! Is he gonna drown me?! AHHHH!

YumenoTsukishiro Naberius (since I know Caliban is watching while she’s talking to Gerel.) Elenion Aura

 

[AncientBird]

Many skybeasts could be seen gathering in the area around where the ceremony took place. While their human companions attended the feast and dance, their beast companions were also doing the activities of their own. Some interacted with each other, preening, chatting or playing around like they were excited little puppies. Others sat stoically, waiting for their riders or feasting upon the food brought for them. Many rested after the long trip to the central island. Most of the beasts were having a good time no different than their riders... One however, chose to sit under the tree, away from all the activities.

Valkyrie had distanced herself from all other beasts and humans. Standing under a large tree, she gazed blankly toward the large bonfire that blazed in the middle of the human's ceremony. The dancing flame rose up and down, wriggled like many big red snakes trying to get out of the burrow. Valkyrie kept staring and staring... Flame reflected through her eyes...

------------------------------------------------------

On a small floating islet off the coast of Estendor main land. This island floats at higher altitude than the mainland, it has no local water source and is filled with nothing but open plain that stretches across the entire islet. The only plants manage to grow here are grasses and small shrubs that manages to live off vapor and humidity in the air, and even that they are always dry and lifeless until late spring where rainfall would bring them back to life for a short period of time.

There is no creatures aside from some kind of insects that manage to live here all year... However during late winter, unexpected visitors come. Every year, thousands of Stork Drake come to this islet. Their arrival makes the otherwise lifeless island shaken with their foot steps and the air filled by their shrill. It is their breeding season and this is one of several small islets around Estendor that they have chosen as their breeding ground for generations. During late winter, the island is surrounded by magical air vortex that swirled around the island like a mild typhoon. Only large and strong fliers like these stork drakes can pass through these natural barrier of the island, thus eliminating the problem of small flying vermin that could try to sneak in and steal their eggs like crows and birds of prey. The islet itself is floating away from mainland for almost a kilometre and also much higher in altitude than mainland, so ground dwelling predators are out of question as well. Anything that is flying and large enough to break through wind barrier, a swarm of sharp beak and bad temper of brooding stork drakes is enough to repel... This place is indeed the ideal land for the drakes to introduce new generation into the world.

Gathering in huge colony, Each pair of breeder claim small spot for themselves. Nest is easily made by creating a shallow disk of soil and dry grasses. Female lay about 2-3 eggs in the nest and it's the male's job to stand tall above the nest, guarding and brooding it. The strong sun light that this islet is exposed to makes the overall temperature quite high, despite the mainland being filled in snow at the same time. Male's body provides shade that blocks the sunlight that would otherwise cook the eggs. The hot air does its job incubating the eggs, thus the male needs not to sit on them, only at night when the temperature goes upside down that the female would slide her body under the male to warm the eggs with her body. Extreme wind speed that covers the island could sometimes be so heavy that it exhausts the males that stand still on the ground, thus evolution has made a weird solution for them. The female would gather mud from the mainland and mired all the male's limbs with it, creating thick mud wall that anchored the male's legs and wings in place once it was dry and set. The male is locked up standing there, unable to walk or fly. It's the female's sole job to forage and feed him food and water and clean out the mess. Only when the chicks hatch and grow to fletchling age that the male could break himself from his mud anchors...

One winter, the stork drakes gathered at this islet as usual. Most males had already been locked up in place and eggs were laid. Females were busy foraging and placing more mud on the males' limbs to secure them further. However, they were not alone this time...

Descended through the wind barrier came several Estendorian riders along with their powerful skybeasts... All of them hold weapons and flaming touches that were kept from being blown off by wind with magic.

"Are you sure we are going to do this? Isn't this a bit too far?" One of the rider said. "No..." The one on the lead said with a stoic and grumpy expression.

"If the herdmaster knows about this, we are gonna be in big trouble for sure." Another man said feeling reluctant. "We are Estendorian! We must live in unison with nature... We can protect our herd, but this..." He added but got glared at furiously by the leader.

"Oh, to hell with nature! And to hell with the herdmaster! I am so sick of having to lose my prized animals to these vermin! What did the herdmaster did when we lost half our herd to these monsters? Nothing! I am going to cleanse this world of them! You all and the others will thank me later when we can finally sleep knowing that our sheep and cattle will be safe from them eternally!" The lead rider growled and with his speech end, he rode his beast right into the ground. The other riders looked at each other before and then followed suit.

The stork drakes sensed their intrusion and alarm call echoed through the islet. All females returned to thier mate and prepare to defend the nest. However, the riders didn't run through the colony, that would be a suicide... They ran the outer edge and with their torches, setting their flame on the dry grasses.

The riders left the islet on their beasts just the flame began to spread... And in the blink of eyes, it went everywhere, surrounding the entire colony. Females flew up, escaping for their life as the flame burnt closer. Some males that just recently be mired with mud could break through their still soft anchors and escaped, but most which were further into their brooding dedication were trapped by their own anchors, without any help. Their scared screech echoed through the air as flame engulfed them all along with their nests... The islet soon turned into ball of flame that burned in the sky.

Several hours later... The flame went out completely. The entire islet that once full with lively colony went silent. The vast rows of male stork drakes standing over their nest, remained nothing but pyre and ashes. Many females returned to the islet to check on their mates and nests but found nothing...

One female landed on a single rock formation in the middle of the islet and called out loudly for her mate's position... Her voice was lost with no answer...

------------------------------------------------------

The echo of the screech... The flame that reflected in her eyes. Valkyrie slowly sat down on her spot. She stared at the people that were having fun around the bonfire for a while and then looked away, closing her eyes. Her head dipped low until her beak touched the ground.

Serik was with Marylka when he sensed something. A feeling of pain and sorrow. It had been building up for a while but he thought it was his own trouble that lingered in his mind... However this... This had become too severe to be his own at this stage. Serik looked up at Marylka. "Marylka... I think I have to go now... I feel pain... I think something is wrong with Valkyrie." He said with a worried face and then ran off, looking for his beast.

Serik called and called... He finally found Valkyrie in her spot, moping. "Valkyrie!" Serik called and ran up to the stork drake. The stork drake suddenly got up and screeched loudly in Serik's face, her beak almost impale him. "It's me, you stupid drake!" Serik shouted at her face. Valkyrie adjusted her eyes for a bit and when realized it was just her rider, she turned away and sat down once more. "You aren't even going to apologise??? Wow..." Serik said, feeling annoyed. But then he realized why he was there. He walked up to the beast's face. "What's wrong with you this time?" He said.

Valkyrie ignored him and laid her head on the ground. Her eyes caught with Serik's and in that moment, the young man could feel a stream of sorrow gushing at him. Serik signed and sat down next to her. "You poor beast... I don't know what could possibly make you feel like that... But I guess it's a big trauma for you to bear." He said and stroked her shoulder. "You want me to sit here with you?" He asked.

There was no reaction from Valkyrie aside of a low grunting noise... Then the stork drake closed her eyes and went to sleep. Serik shook his head slowly and smiled at the sight. "You big baby..." He said and kept stroking the beast to her slumber. He would sit with her like this for a while before returning to join the ceremony again.

Featuring: Saturn_moon

 

[Elenion Aura]

Matthias ​

Matthias sat with Ingrid and Rasmus, several pints of sweet and honeyed mulled Northarian wine between them. Most of them were empty. They were talking loudly. Well, not Matthias. His cheeks may have pinked, but the big man did not let drink alter is mannerisms, as much as he could help, anyway. Matthias was at ease. His family, father, mother, the twins, the little ones, were all alright. Ingrid had spoken to his father not one week prior. Soon they would know he was alive. They may even know already, if the messenger his aunt has sent was swift enough.

Then Volos was padding up to him, laying his heavy head on Matthias’ shoulder. Matthias was at once grateful for the beast. He counted himself truly fortunate that the great bear had accepted him as his partner. He... Matthias’ hazy thoughts cut off abruptly. Then he felt it, like a wave of unease. They rolled off of the bear, and found their way into his mind. Images of the periphery of the group, a path leading away from the festivities. Stalls. Katja. Danger.

In an instant he was on his feet, stomping across the field of partygoers, shouldering his way past drunken dancers and minstrels. Ingrid and Rasmus stayed behind. They were used to his presence again, used to his penchant for suddenly extricating himself from conversations. Typical Matthias. Volos plodded along beside him. Soon the crowds began to thin, the sounds of the party growing fainter as the sounds of the night crept in to replace them.

Volos lifted his nose to the wind, sniffed once, then nudged Matthias toward a clearing of stalls, all but abandoned. He saw the blood, pooled neatly on the ground. Then he heard it, the sounds of a struggle. Before he had time to think, Matthias was moving toward the source of the noise, quickly and surprisingly quietly for a man his size. Volos was less conspicuous, huffing and sniffing, his jowls dripping saliva with each step.

Between two stalls, Matthias came upon a figure hunched over a barrel. For a moment he thought the poor lad had had too much to drink, and was in the process of vacating his bowels. Then he saw the extra pair of legs, kicking, struggling. Another moment, and Matthias realized who it was. Katja. He felt the blood ice in his veins, his chest heaving with cold fire. Vaguely aware of another Skybeast’s presence, Matthias left it to Volos to handle. He was approaching them now, his eyes hooded and his countenance dark.

With frightening speed, Matthias clapped a huge hand against the back of the red haired boy’s neck, and jerked, yanking him away from the barrel so hard that his body nearly doubled back from the force of it. The boy yelped with pain and surprise, and Matthias felt him try to wriggle free of his grasp, but his grip on the boy’s neck was like iron, a vice that tightened every time the boy tried to wrench away. Eventually he stilled beneath Matthias’ hand, evidently having learned a lesson in futility.

He held him there by the back of his neck, turned around so that Matthias could look him in the eye, and positioned such that Matthias was now standing firmly between the boy and the barrel, where he had been drowning Katja only a few moments prior. ”You dishonor yourself. You dishonor Northaria.” Matthias rumbled, his voice so low that it was felt more than heard, like a tremor beneath the earth, like thunder in the clouds.

Matthias let go of the boy’s neck. He stumbled backwards, and looked like he might say something. Matthias could see him trying to formulate some sort of witty retort, or an alibi excusing his actions. Matthias didn’t care to hear it. Instead Matthias paused to consider a moment, appraising his fellow Northarian. Then, in a flurry of movement, Matthias punched the boy squarely across the jaw. He fell in a heap without protest. His gryphon moved to intervene, and Volos matched its stride, rising onto his hind legs and bellowing a roar.

Matthias watched the boy where he lay, ensuring that he would not run off or attack while he turned his back. Then he rushed to the barrel. He tried to help the girl up. She was sopping wet. He offered her his cloak.

”Katja..! Are you alright?”

Tags: SilverFlight Naberius Saturn_moon YumenoTsukishiro explosiveKitten kase9187 SleepyCreamy AncientBird
Lioness075
​

 

[Naberius]

Caliban Lupei

Cal watched Katja and Gerel for a while, wishing he could go over and have a chat too but not wanting to interrupt. He honestly enjoyed the company of both of them, and of the others too. But he didn't want to get out on the main floor and try dancing just yet, he wasn't exactly very good at it. When she excused herself, he followed quickly behind Katja, excusing himself from the table where he sat. He had been watching her, and he didn't know why but he had to talk to her for some reason. Maybe she might have some insight into the memory? Or maybe it was just the fact that he enjoyed her company. Mushu had crawled into her lap like they were already friends, and he had to understand why. Maybe that was the root of his curiosity, how they knew each other and how Mushu had known her.

He exited the pavilion just in time to see her turn a corner and heard shouting just a few moments later. He tried to pick up the pace, but with so much activity going on, it was hard. He finally rounded the corner, but couldn't see her. He had certainly heard a commotion just a moment ago, and he looked around frantically. He had only caught a few words of the exchange, the noise of the night was rather intense and covered up all but the loudest shouting. But, the few remarks he had managed to catch were enough to boil the blood in his veins. Gone was the usually cheery smile, the laughter and joy. In its place was only rage. He had never felt a raw fury so pure before that moment and it burned like a raging wildfire. He had to find her, find whoever it was that had been talking to her. He saw a few drops of blood on the ground, and instantly jumped to several conclusions. He saw the skybeast and knew that its owner could not be far behind, but he didn't know where to look.

If they hurt her, I swear...

In all of his years of life, Caliban learned the one thing above all else that he would not stand for. Nothing in the world had ever made him feel even close to this kind of rage except when something had happened to those closest to him. He wouldn't ever let his friends be hurt, and Gods above help those that tried, and show them mercy. Because he surely would not.

Mattias rushed past him, Cal barely noticed the larger man and his sky beast, lost to his fury as he was. He managed to follow shortly behind, coming upon the scene just scant moments after the perpetrator had been knocked flat. The anger was replaced with sadness as he saw Katja and the man who had attempted to end her life. Cal did the one thing left that could be of some use. He picked the nearly unconscious man up and pinned him against the wall, his arm pulled hard behind his pack, face pressed against the wood of a nearby stall.

"You're lucky she still lives, or even the Gods would not save you from me. You will pay in full for daring to touch one of my friends."


explosiveKitten Elenion Aura

 

[Lioness075]

Name: Leandra LaFrae	Nicknames: Lea, Firefly
Clan: Sudenta	Clan Job: Huntress
Equipment: Knapsack, Medicinal Pouch, Bow, Quiver (5/10), Twin Daggers

Spoiler: Momo's Appearance

Spoiler: Falarion's Appearance

All around her, the crowds erupted in cheers for the newly Proven. Leandra's heart fluttered at the thought of her parents and younger brother missing out on this. This would only happen once in her life, why were they not here?
Soon, the crowds pressed against her and Leandra put her arm around Falarion's neck to keep herself close to him. Her lemur remained in her knapsack, ducking down with his large ears poking out once the crowds got too close.

Falarion remained calm despite the surging crowds and he led Leandra through them and to the large buffet laid out for the group. The fresh fruits of her homeland brought Leandra out of her saddened state, as her stomach growled loudly. At nearly the same time, Falarion's stomach growled. Laughing, Leandra was given numerous dishes she had grown up with, while Falarion feasted on a variety of meats behind her. Her lemur finally poked his head out, his nose twitching this way and that. Abruptly, he hopped out of her knapsack and landed on the table beside her, greedily snatching up any nuts and fruits within reach. Leandra laughed again, her eyes starting to brim with tears, as the antics of her animals changed her mood around.
When alcoholic beverages were offered to the Proven, Leandra politely declined, in no mood for losing control over herself. She was having more than enough fun without any alcohol being involved.

While Leandra did not recognize the music when it started, she still was grinning from ear to ear. If there was one thing Leandra loved above all else, it was dancing to any upbeat music. Seeing Kari and Marylka rushing out to the dance area, Leandra stood up to join and then Kari was dragging her along anyways. Leandra laughed yet again and then was beside Kari and Marylka, swinging her hips and doing a jig of her own invention. She may not know the song, but she knew enough dance moves to get into the rhythm.

This was exactly what Leandra needed after everything that had just befallen her and Caliban, as well as the entire group.

Nearby, Falarion continued to gorge himself on his meats while Leandra's lemur hopped around the table, scavenging fruits despite anyone's efforts to stop him.

SilverFlight Saturn_moon

 

[explosiveKitten]

Ralof pulled Katja’s face from the water, allowing her to breathe, watching her sputter and spit.

“Maybe if you apologize real nicely, I’ll let you go and forget this ever happened. How’s that sound, Owl-turd?”
Katja spat water out of her mouth and coughed, “Ralof, g-go fuck yourself.”
“Beep beep! Wrong answer!” He hissed, shoving her face back down. SHe tried to brace her elbow against the rim of the barrel to keep her face above water, but he just smacked her arm aside, and dunked her face down again for a few more moments, before he pulled her up again.

“How about this? You fix my nose with your stupid ‘healer’ skills, hows about that for an apology? Hmmm?”
Ralof leaned in and cruelly muttered in her ear, “though I suppose you couldn’t even fix your own face, so who knows if those skills are reliable.”

Katja’s eyes snapped over to his face, before suddenly they snapped away, staring down the alley. He didn’t get the hint soon enough, as he found himself being grabbed by the scruff of the neck like a dog and hefted into the air. He squealed like a very masculine little girl and dropped Katja, whom collapsed to the ground, coughing and sputtering, her wet hair falling limply in front of her face.

“AH- Holy shit, who the fuck are you?!” The scrappy redhead exclaimed, before being silenced by a straight punch to the face, delivered by Matthias. He was then unceremoniously thrown down, where he laid dazed for a minute.

Katja spat and coughed for a moment, before Matthias approached, asking her if she was okay and offering her his cloak. She turned to face him, not thinking very clearly, and her hair fell away, revealing what exactly was under the mask...
And then she squealed and began to scrabble around on the ground desperately, with one hand on her face, and the other frantically searching for her mask.

Ralof, meanwhile, having recovered, got to his feet as quietly as possible, so as not to alert the mountain of a man that was Matthias. Only to find himself facefirst against a wall after Caliban appeared and began growling in his direction.

“Whad? Whad dah hell you on aboud? I weren’d gonna kill ‘er!” The guy squawked, his words muffled by the wall, then his eyes slid over to Katja with malice, “dhen dah fun woulda been ober...”

Ralof then took at card from Katja’s book and threw his elbow at Caliban’s face, smacking him right in the chin, allowing him to wriggle away, soon running and mounting his gryphon, the two flying off into the sky.

Katja, mask firmly back in place, finally looked up at the two and, honestly her face had maybe five different emotions on it at once. No idea what was going on in her head.

“WH... well, f-first, I should say thank you, I guess, but more importantly, what are you two doing here??”

Elenion Aura Naberius

 

[Naberius]

Cal let the man run off. The strike was lacking in leverage and didn't do much more than throw him off balance, and besides there were more important things to worry about. Turning away from the fleeing man, he looked to Katja, normally cheery crystal blue eyes filled with worry and a gentle care. Genuine concern for her.

"More important than that, are you okay? Did he hurt you badly? Bastard is lucky I didn't come armed.."

He stepped a little closer, next to the larger Matthias, and did his best to give her the usual smile that he always wore, but it didn't work well. He was still too worried about her.

"I happened to notice you leaving after talking to Gerel, wanted to see if you were okay. Good thing too, and glad I wasn't the only one that followed. I'm... Really glad you're okay..

explosiveKitten Elenion Aura

 

[SleepyCreamy]

Ezekiel felt petite hands squeeze his arms in comfort. The warmth it gave out simply reminded him of his mother and it managed to calm his nerves, but just for a moment. When he looked over his shoulders, he was greeted at the chocolate-eyed girl who decided to join his clan.

Marylka?

The two, however, soon departed from each other as they went their separate ways, Marylka went over to dance with Kari to their nostalgic Estendorian rune, while Ezekiel was following the pull of a certain savory smell towards the tables of food that laid before him. He hasn't even taken a bite yet, but he was already ravishing at the sight of what has been laid in front of him. He slowly wiped the drool that was slowly forming in his mouth and gladly accepted the exotic fruits that were in front of him. First were fruits, and then he went over to feast on the Northarian dishes, which he found to be actually quite delectable. Westerosians has always been prejudice against the Northarians due to their constant land disputes. Zeke's opinion on this matter was quite surprising. He simply doesn't care about how his people think and he doesn't let others affect his opinion on a group or an individual. That may be one of Zeke's most admirable, yet deplorable trait, Zeke simply doesn't care whether you're a Northaria or not, he will treat you just the same as he treats others... Which consisted of sharp comments and cold glares.

When Zeke looked up at the darkened sky, as he heard a cry from above, he saw a Gryphon with a weeping rider. Through Zeke's sharp eyes, he managed to catch a glimpse of his pathetic-looking face. Zeke didn't know what caused his sudden hatred for the boy, but he certainly felt annoyed by his face. Through closer inspection, he saw a bruise slowly forming on his jaw and Zeke mentally flinched at the sight. Zeke turned his head to the side and said to himself. What a weakling. Whoever did that to him must be pretty strong, and I certainly wouldn't want to be on his bad side. It was a shame this kid did though.

Azurine seemed to have filled his belly as Zeke witnessed the feathered beast on his back with his stomach wide open and full. Stitt seemed to have done the same as she did the same thing as Azurine on the table next to him. The sight was truly intriguing in Zeke's eyes. It was peaceful for a moment until that silence was disrupted by a couple of Westerosian children sneakily making their way to Azurine, who was peacefully minding his own business and was laying down on the ground.

"He's huge!" One boy said with pure adoration as he flailed his arms around as if it was making a huge explosion. Azurine pricked his ears up at this and quickly sat up, hiding his fattened belly with his odd wings.

"He's pretty!" A girl soon stood by his side, lapis gemstones were adorning her and the boy's clothing. A sign of wealth in Westeros. Zeke fidgetted with his golden rings and he found himself looking at the golden armband around his arms, his family is not poor, but nor are they rich, but Zeke still couldn't help but to feel utterly ashamed of his family.

"He's odd." A less enthusiastic boy came into view, this child held no gemstone around his clothing and it made Zeke's heart clench as he remembered his child self wearing the exact loose and torn outfit.

What is a child-like him doing in here? Where are his parents? Instead of asking the three children directly, he decided to butt in with a chuckle, showing a genuine smile to the kids. After all, he's always had a soft spot for adorable things, children are no exception. "He's an odd Manticore. That I can agree on."

Once Zeke spoke up, the children's eyes shone brightly as if they have recognized him. "Y-You're--" Before the boy could continue with his stuttering, his sister butted in and gave out a squeal of excitement.

"You're Ezekiel Marcellius! The Fire Dancer!" The girl enthusiastically said, almost screaming at each sentence she said. His family may conjure and control flames using magic, but Zeke controls his flames using science and martial arts. When Zeke returned to To'Bai as a 'renewed' person, Zeke made it his goal to make amends with his people and to also renew his family's reputation (that his father ruined), so he treated them with his fire dancing skills and that was all it took for them to be at ease with his presence. Words got around of a magicless Marcellius bending fire at their will, and that was all it took for Zeke to garner the attention of the majority of Westeros. Zeke absolutely loved the attention, but that was until he went missing during that one whole year.

"You mean the one that suddenly disappeared a year ago? That's impossible!" The boy with tattered clothing said. "And besides, he looks nothing like anyone from the Marcellius Family!" It was at this point that Zeke clearly saw himself at the boy. How can the boy not see the handsome facial features that he clearly received from his father and his grandfather? He may have been ashamed of his family, but it's no doubt that Zeke is a Marcellius due to his chiseled face that most of the men in his family would have. "I bet you he can't even dance!"

At this, Zeke simply smirked and nodded. "Alright, shrimp. How about we make a deal." Ezekiel kneeled down to his knees to meet the young boy eye to eye. He felt as if he's staring at a younger version of himself. "If I go out there, give the lot of you a show and prove you wrong, would you consider taking your words back?"

"And if you don't..." The boy looked away from a moment and stroke his imaginary beard as if he was thinking too hard. Cute, Zeke thought as the action reminded Zeke of himself once more. He wanted to know what's his name, but he refrained from doing so as he was currently focused on proving the child wrong. After a long silence, he finally spoke. "..We get to keep your Skybeast!" He nodded along with the two children behind him.

Zeke nodded in agreement and Azurine perked his head up with a betrayed look. Don't worry, you big doofus, he thought to himself, but he knew full well that the feathered Manticore knows what he's thinking. "I won't lose. After all, I. AM. THE. Ezekiel Marcellius... The Fire Dancer." He smirked as he timed it perfectly when he noticed that the Estendorian music slowly stops. He grabbed his signature weapon and drenched his hands with water. He unscrewed his sickle and all that was left was his fire-resistant chains. And if you also crack the ball at the end of his chains, it will reveal a kevlar fabric. Zeke has made his weapon custom made for moments like these. "Just watch me." He told the three kids, but he knows full well who this dance is truly for. All this time he's been doubting himself and has been talking badly about his own abilities as a capable person. This will be his chance to let his feelings out non-verbally.

Tonight, he will dance his sorrows away.

Tonight, he will dance for himself.

Tonight, he will dance freely.

Once the musicians played their music once more, starting a new music sheet, that was the moment Zeke strutted over to the middle of the dance floor with his chains in hand. At that moment, Westerosians erupted in cheers as they were about to witness THE Ezekiel Marcellius perform for the first time after disappearing for a year. All it did, however, was boost Zeke's ego as he smirked in a smug manner. Ezekiel stood still and waited for the right moment to start. Once the music started getting intense, Zeke moved swiftly, launching the ball towards a torch. Once the kevlar was lit, it was the time for Zeke to begin his dance.

Zeke's movements were swift and precise, one could even say that his form is in perfect condition. Zeke's wrists moved as if they were liquid. The chains moved as if they were snakes and Zeke himself is the piper. The fire moved constantly to no stop as it magically followed the momentum of Zeke's body and the way his body would move. Zeke tossed the chain away from him and after giving it a slight tug, it swiftly moved back towards him, only to have the chains comfortably wrap themselves around Zeke's neck. Zeke moved along with the momentum of the ball soon, it was released in a graceful manner. One could say he would look like a seducer by the way his suggestive body would move and the dazed look in his glazed eyes once he glances over with a breathless look.

But the truth is, Zeke was feeling free for the first time he ever danced. Back then, he would dance to show his carefree side to the people of To'Bai, but frankly enough, each of the movement he would make back then were all because of his mind and the constant need to perfect his every move. However, at this very moment, his body simply has a mind of his own and his own mind was suddenly shut off as his heart spoke for the first time, guiding his body through each graceful movement. With the help of muscle memory, he managed to give a performance that would differ from his silent and cold personality, the dance he is performing simply showed fondness and warmth.

I am free. At least I know I am. And, no one can tell me that I'm not good enough, especially myself. Zeke smiled a genuine smile for the first time since he woke up here in this place, as his heart finally blossomed with admiration to himself.

(Music)

(Zeke's Fire Dance)


SilverFlight Naberius Saturn_moon YumenoTsukishiro explosiveKitten kase9187 Elenion Aura AncientBird Lioness075