RP:Admission to The Eyrie

Upon approaching the frozen spire it becomes clear this is certainly no coincidental creation of nature. What had seemed like a glacial needle now displays itself as a true behemoth, even by the indigenous Frost Giant standards. Although from a distance it's obvious the pillar is rounded, when standing before it one can't help but see the sides as running perfectly straight in either direction; an optical illusion played by a truly enormous object. The sides of the structure are as smooth as glass and as nearly translucent, without a visible flaw up its entire length--or at least, what length is visible, as an unknown portion of the spire is obscured by the clouds above. Only gaping half-circles, arranged in perfect ring upon ring skyward, break into the pattern of clear blue, and those that peer long enough might catch a glimpse of movement within the inky depths of the circles before their relevance is revealed in a burst of wings and talons. Dragons, gryphons, angha, and other beasts of the sky dart in and out of these strange holes in frequent, calculated intervals, none appearing bothered by the presence of creatures they'd normally view as predator or prey. The pathways the creatures are using seem to be the only form of entry, no doors at ground-level visible. Although, an elven man patiently waits at the base of the spire, dressed in fur-trimmed armor and accompanied by a pale blue dragon, and they seems prepared to carry a message--or possibly you--within, to the person in charge of The Eyrie's northern Outpost.

Alvina approaches the spire in sheer awe. When she had begun her journey to Frostmaw, this was a visible speck, but a speck nonetheless, visible from the farthest reaches where no snow dared to tread. Here, standing before it, she felt humbled and a smidge frightened by the dangers that might and then quite obviously did dwell within. With a trembling heart and a steady stride, the bard continued forward until she reached the first visible person; the elven man dress in furs. “Excuse me,” she started, waving her hand amid the small flakes that showered down from the sky. “I am here to seek entrance within the Eryie.” Beside her hummed a small mechanical bird-like structure, darting back and forth with boundless energy. Her only other companion would be a young cat, snuggled warm beneath her master’s cloak to warm them both in the frigid air. The cat’s positioning would make the young bard appear to be with child. Patiently, the woman’s gaze fell on her surroundings and she inhaled a small drift of snowflakes, shuddering with their temperature on her tongue. This was indeed quite different from the last clan she had been a member of.

Hildegarde 's timing seemed to be just about excellent, as she is on hand to interrupt the elven man before he might direct Alvina to anywhere in particular. The knight steps forth into view, halberd in hand, armour clanking and clinking with each heavy step she took: "Silver Bard?" she inquired towards Alvina, as this was the only person who seemed to be actively seeking the Eyrie for the moment. All other members were on active duty in their various locations, so few were here in the spire! Even the elf was busy, shrugging in the direction of Hilde and Alvina as he turned to return to duties with his companion. "The one who was asking about the Eyrie, right?"

Alvina appears shocked for just a moment, eyes widening before falling back into normal pupil-to-iris ratio. The bard smiled at the Knight, reasoning that this must be the Silver Knight who answered her missive. Carefully, she moved towards her greeter in the snow. “Aye! I am indeed the owner of that title.” Her smile grew a short length as she spoke. “And I presume you are to be the Silver Knight who answered so quickly. I’m overjoyed that fate saw fit that you should be here when I arrived!” After a few quick claps of her gloved hands together, she extends her right hand to shake the Knight’s. Though it would be impossible to tell with the amount of clothing, her left limb was less flesh and more entirely made of silver and would not be an appropriate greeting. Alvina had found it made most creatures uncomfortable, so she kept it tucked away most of the time. “I traveled the distance to meet with someone from the clan…to further inquire about admission.”

Hildegarde offered the bard a polite smile and nod of her head, "Ah, I am relieved to know I have the right person!" she said honestly. Rather than allowing Alvina to close the distance entirely between them, the knight took a few steps forward herself; switching her halberd into her left hand so she might offer her right for a polite shake of hands. "A distance made much easier if you are part of our Eyrie!" she laughed, obviously making light about having a flying companion. "But yes, onto admission. You have questions, I imagine?"

Alvina nods quickly, allowing the hand shake between them to melt away naturally. “I was a member of the Fold while it existed for quite a few years…but it seems a few things have changed. I am looking to help the cause of keeping creatures alive, and from what I gather your clan seems to be on the same track. At least, from what the word about Kelay is anyway.” She chuckles, thinking now that a mount would be necessary. Perhaps she could construct one… “ I am curious about the mounts you must use. Do they have to be wholly- organic? Or do constructs also apply? I suppose the most important question I have is…what you are looking for or asking of your members in these times.”

Hildegarde hadn't heard much of the Fold, only whispers and faded rumours of a time gone by. So she allowed that to drop for now, given that she'd only have more questions than contributions for that topic! "This clan is a ragtag group of people," she smiled, "each from very different walks of life. I myself choose a path of honour and peacekeeping, whilst some in our ranks are... well, criminals. But what matters to us is loyalty," she said quickly. "Loyalty and compassion to one's mount or companion. If you cannot respect them or treat them equally, you have no place here," she said carefully. "Organic doesn't really matter, I suppose, so long as you treat your mount well and do not abuse it or the new found responsibility." The knight glanced at the woman, "You construct such things?" she asked, somewhat confused. She thought the woman to be a bard. "Currently, Frostmaw is at war, so that is something to bear in mind. While we cannot ask all to become involved, we ask Eyrie members to scout the skies for us if they can. To keep an eye open and ear listening for rumours that can help us. To be vigilant, I suppose."

Alvina smiled. While she wasn’t much with combat, a skilled healer and a tinker of metals she certainly was. “Lady Cerinii, a master in the art of construction, taught me for a couple years. I have picked up a few tricks of her trade. This is an example of her wonderful work.” The bard then removed the glove from her prosthetic arm and held it out to be examined, never growing tired of the wonder that the mechanical yet life like in so many ways. “It might be beyond my skill, but how should I go about finding a mount otherwise?” The question exits the woman’s lips and she looks skyward, chewing over the word loyal before speaking again. “I am nothing if not Loyal.” She finally decides to say, thinking it would be best to keep the conversation simple and without past shadows. With a smile, she adds, “and vigilant.”

Hildegarde hadn't heard the name before, but there were many things she hadn't heard or been told before. As the prosthetic arm was revealed, the knight kept quiet, sole eye peering at it with restrained interest. It wouldn't be appropriate to poke and prod it, asking if she could feel or asking how it works, how it was made, how this and how that. "Mounts can be found in numerous ways, m'lady," she smiled, "abandoned dragon eggs; animal markets; wounded creatures in need of care. Mounts are lifelong friends and comrades," she said gently.

Alvina nodded, understanding how important companions were to her day to day life already. Her free hand pats Aria, asleep against her stomach inside her cloak. Upon realizing what she must look like, the woman blushes and laughs lightly. “I have a cat inside my cloak…” she quietly explained, before shaking her head. “I couldn’t have made it this far without her...and it would do my heart good to have more friends in my life.” Beaming to shatter the small shadow that tried to fall over her eyes, the bard looked towards Hildegarde before returning her arm beneath the cloak. “Sometime, perhaps, I can show you how it works.” Though in truth the bard knew little of it’s composition. It would be Ranok who could tell her more about its ability. More appropriate would have been Lady Cerinii if she had not already passed on. “From what I can gather…I should be more than at home here…if you would have me.”

Hildegarde only offered Alvina a smile, no odd looks or questioning express, just a smile. "I could smell it," she said, as if to explain why she hadn't given an odd look or wondered why the woman would be smuggling a cat around in her cloak. "It looks like an ordinary arm, but of metal," she confessed, "I'm more impressed that someone could make such a thing, really. But alas, constructs aren't my talent!" the knight smiled again, shaking her head as if to dismiss that topic. "You seem a friendly and kind soul, m'lady. A good fit for the right companion," she said honestly, "but that's the thing. Finding the right companion. I imagine a black dragon would not suit you, nor an ill-tempered beast. You must find the mount that suits you," she advised. "But other than that, you are a good fit for our brood. Welcome to the Eyrie," the wing-leader said, offering her hand again for another shake.

Alvina practically beamed and took the Knight’s hand eagerly. “I’m sure all things will work out in time. Until I find a mount, I will likely just hover around the base here or perhaps…the one closer to Enchantment.” It was very clear the bard was overjoyed with being accepted, and she was quite ready to do her part, whatever that would be. “Perhaps we could team up and time or two. The Silver Bard and The Silver Knight.” Her laughter rang against the metal in her arm, chimed like a bell of the armour of her conversational companion. “Thank you truly. I will not let you down.” The bard bowed deeply, careful to keep the cat in position all the while.