RP:Talk of Birds

From HollowWiki

Part of the Arctic Construction Arc



Characters



Baalhu crept along the outside of the broken Frostmaw land with a tray full of goodies she had picked up from the tavern that morning. A man had instructed her to take out rum and cookies to the other workers and not knowing what else to do, Baalhu agreed. Ihkahrii chirped eagerly on her shoulder with the small handkerchief given by the larger Avian Cerinii puffing and falling with his movements. “Like I feed you we can feed them little bluebird.” Using her smallest finger to caress the head of Ihkahrii before moving past the frost guards to where a few builders stood bundles in thick furs, shovels trained to their sides. “Would you like some rum?” A question posed to one of the rougher looking workers. Ihkahrii gave a soft whistle at the sight of the brawny male and ducked back against her warm flesh. He wanted no part of this game. With a delicate lifting of his hat the man accepted a rum, “Do me well, miss.”


Cerinii had left, for other business obviously. She felt that it was her duty to come visit the worksite, check if there were any casualties or anything needing her attention. She banked hard to the left, landing in the snow a short distance away from Baalhu. Her wings remained slightly flared, unwilling to totally relax after such a flight. She dusted off her waistcoat and patted the snow out of her hair, which was a pointless task really. Just something automatically done. She smiled warmly to Baalhu, upon noticing her, "Ah! Frau Baalhu, how wonderful to see you still working here.." She smiled, glancing around, "Have you been using the Tavern for ein rest or have you been working all this time?"


Baalhu continued circling the area where workers dug into the frozen soil with picks, shovels, and other barbaric looking devices intended to rip and tear at the earth below. “You built things once didn’t you Ihkahrii?” The Bluebird gave a soothing chatter and gingerly ran its beak along her cheek in comfort. Its small wings fluttered against the back of her neck. Turning her head at the sound of another crunching over the snowy tundra she cocked her head to the side in time to see Cerinii floating down just a short hop from her. Ihkahrii hopped excitedly to the end of her shoulder and swiveled around to show the handkerchief was still intact. “I slept in the caves for the last few days. I do not want to interfere in the tavern business and Ihkahrii likes to sing in the evening. We are better being outside I think.” Again she fingered the small birds head and adjusted the coils around her neck, “You have come to work more today?”


Cerinii frowned slightly, a level of concern. "I do not think it wise to sleep in the caves, Frau Baalhu." She paused, "Frostmaw has ein curfew in place, it is unwise for you to break said curfew. It's dangerous." She smiled warmly, "It is why I am here. Ein safety check, more than anything else." She did glance around, before wandering over to the guards. "I expect you to escort all workers back to the Tavern or at least to the exit of Frostmaw." She turned back to Baalhu, "How have you been, Frau Baalhu?"


Baalhu tilted her head to the side as the larger bird spoke in foreign phrases and tones. “If they come to me in harm I will do so to them. They will not harm Ihkahrii today.” Plucking a feather from her hair she allowed it to flutter to the ground slowly. Cerinii or her bluebird had misplaced on of their feathers it would appear. Setting the tray of drinks down on a nearby excavated boulder she turned again to Cerinii with a broader smile, “It is very exciting here. Several workers have known me by name and I have aided in the rock removal. The ice queen did not ask me to pick the rocks from the soil but machines of man do not work proper if there are too many.”


Cerinii smiled softly, "I'm sure she will be grateful that you're helping in any way possible." She paused, raising her finger, "Ah! I said that you could stroke mein wing, if you worked hard." She grinned, "You've worked very well, I think." She smiled, "You're free to stroke mein wing if you wish."


Baalhu gasped suddenly at Cerinii. She had set aside the desire to touch the walking bird’s wing since coming to the frosty land. Ihkahrii had fulfilled her need of a bird companion for the time being, but the species of Cerinii was something much more desirable. Curiosity led the way as she took a step in Cerinii’s direction with a final look to see if it wasn’t some sort of cruel trick. Reaching out her hand slowly she let fingertips stroke the soft feathers affectionately. Even her bluebird got in on the action. Small, sharp talons waded down a frail arm to where her fingertips met feathers. With a foot he pressed against the feathers in wonder before struggling back up the limb with cloak fluttering behind. “It is a prize worth working for.”


Cerinii shrugged her shoulder, as her wing shakily extended towards Baalhu, "If you believe it worth the prize, then that is your opinion." She chuckled, "To me it is simply mein wings, nothing too special or great. Although, some people find them fascinating. I suppose being the owner of these wings blinds me to their fascination." She paused, eyeing the bird quietly, "You know, that bird is strange. Seems more.. intelligent, than the average bird."


Baalhu lingered her hand against the wing for a few more silent minutes. Studying the texture and layering of the feathers more than the actual fact that it was a wing to begin with. Retracting her hand gradually she folded it against her chest and kept it there with the other. “My kind like birds as you can tell. The Ancients built us as a compliment to the nature of our winged allies. We are in debt to them not the other way,” drifted the graceful lilt. With the mention of her own companion her grin became far broader as she introduced the two, “This is Ihkahrii the bluebird. He has kept your cloak very happily. We have been together for many years.” Lifting the small bird onto her finger she reached it toward Cerinii, “You can shake his wing if it pleases you.”


Cerinii nodded with interest, a genuine enthusiasm. "It sounds very interesting, your culture. Why do you respect birds so much?" She smiled, "Mein kind has changed over the many years... We have made many mistakes, unfortunately, in our past." She grinned, chuckling gently, "Ja, I noticed.. He seems content." She extended her pinky finger in order to shake the wing of the bluebird.


Baalhu made certain the bluebird was safe on her shoulder before returning to the conversation. “It is a long story. Birds have kept out tribe alive and the Ancients continuing for longer than I could even fathom. I have written letters home to my father and mother about you larger kind of birds. They were very interested in your species.” Giving Ihkahrii the gentle smile she nodded to Cerinii, “I must leave now. I have work to be done and people to speak to. I bid you a happy day, Avian.” Stepping aside the woman and bird descended back down the mountain. {{Region:Frostmaw|RPs}