TEST DRIVE MEME #4

[fairyfoes]

TEST DRIVE MEME

Considering apping to EACHDRAIDH? Why not give the setting a test run here! OPTIONAL SCENARIOS 01. ARRIVING IN THE DRABWURLD. The Seelie and Unseelie courts welcome you with mirthful revelry and hearty food. After you have been briefed on your purpose here, you will find an endless feast and a night filled with entertainment to placate your concerns. Mingle with new arrivals, sneak down the castle halls and make sure your eyes are always on your glass; fairies and imps have no bias when it comes to tricks! 02. THE STATION. Looking for a little slice of home? The Station gives you all that and more. Take advantage of the wifi, have a cup of fairy-brewed coffee (the one they didn't spit in) or sit back and relax on the patio. You can even move your things into one of the available rooms! 03. WILDCARD. Your own scenario! Explore the Drabwurld or simply take advantage of your Locket!

Comments

[bird_brain]

[It takes everything in him not to turn his head self-consciously when she asks after the brand. For all that he cannot hide it, there are days he certainly wishes that he could. It's a reminder -- not just to himself, but to everyone who looks at him -- of his failure and humiliation. His ear tufts press flat against his head.]

That came because of the war. [But not because he was fighting it. In fact:] I have tried to stay clear of it.

[bondedgryphon]

[Zhaneel might have any number of issues, but amongst them is not the inability to acknowledge social cues. She sees his ears pin and a tightening around his eyes and neck and she sucks her head, nares flushing in response. She had not meant to upset him and her wings flutter as her own tiny ear tufts flick back.]

I am ssssorrrrry... [Her words are breathy beneath the apologetic hiss. All of the Wings knew what happened to the gryphons caught by Ma'ar's armies and it seemed it was no better here. She lifts her gaze to meet his once more, her next words intense.]

But you rrreturned alive and for that I am grateful... [She lifts her beak and nibbles under his chin, a bold move, but one she thinks is needed. Perhaps, she wasn't the only one in need of familiar comforts.]

[bird_brain]

[He lifts his head, letting her provide what comfort she will for a moment. He has good friends here but there is a decided lack of other gryphons around and it's nice to have someone familiar nearby. He pulls away after just a moment, though -- he doesn't want to linger on it.

He doesn't correct her: he did not return so much as he was let go and then limped to safety, bloody and beaten. Thought he won't pursue this particular conversation, it's good to see her looking, if not confident, then a little bolder, a little more intense.] So I did.

[It's all he says before delving into the next subject.] What questions do you have, Zhaneel? I have some answers.

[bondedgryphon]

[Well, she done it... she'd overextended herself and she knew better, but hasn't been able to help herself. She wasn't exceedingly close to Aubri, but she was far closer to him then she was anyone else with the exception of Amberdrake and Gesten (possibly Vikteren). It seemed, however, that she had overstepped herself and she silently pulls back into her shell that little but she'd been out.

She shouldn't have made any sort of assumption just because her been supportive of her obstacle course and was of her Wing.

It's okay, she was used to it.

Then he shifts and asks if she has any questions, to which she nods. Lack of confidence aside, she was so curious about this place.]

Where are we? Is this place anywhere near our home? [She doubted this, but there was still a degree of hope that they were just some distance from their home but not wholly removed.]

[bird_brain]

[And that gives him just the opening he needs to figure out this time difference - she is a timid thing and has not asked after Skan or the twins at all, so his suspicions are almost confirmed. Even so, he'd like to know for certain just what exactly she remembers.]

They call this the Drabwurld and it is nowhere near either Urtho's tower or White Gryphon. [He gives her a considering look, seeking recognition in White Gryphon.]

[bondedgryphon]

Drabwurld... [She tries out the word, rolling it over her tongue. Then she blinks, looking at Aubri as she sits up a bit.]

White Gryphon?

[Yep, no recognition from the smaller gryphon. Sorry, Aubri... :( ]

[bird_brain]

[Aubri nods once. He had been expecting that.]

What is the last that you remember?

Sorry Aubri :(

[bondedgryphon]

[If she knew that her reply had been disheartening, she'd feel even worse than she does. However, his question proves an ample distraction and she sits properly, tail curling over her feet as her wings partially can and retold along her back. If you were to tell her that she was mated to Skan and had kits by him in your timeline, she wouldn't know what to make of it; she couldn't make anything out of a crush when it would clearly just be blowing things way out of proportion. Skandranon, the Black Gryphon and she?!

She takes the question at face value, however, and thinks to the precise moment everything went upside down.]

I was practicing my obstacle course... I was partially through when everything seemed to tilt...

it's okay. he understands.

[bird_brain]

Your obstacle course... [Over ten years ago now. That much time stood between he and she? She hadn't even started to really take up for herself.

This is a young Zhaneel.] I remember that course quite well.

[Seeing as how he'd been right in the middle of it and everything, the old bird who couldn't even fly at the time.] I was the useless lump right in the middle of it.

She would feel like an even bigger failure if she knew :(

[bondedgryphon]

Yesss. [She gives her head a half bob, turning her head to study the soldier. Her wings give a half flutter as he mentions his part in the course.]

I was nearly at you when... [Shed been yanked here. She hadn't even been able to prove the effectiveness of her course... she hadn't been able to finish it... who knew if she'd really have been able to.] I was pulled here... [Softer.] It was a foolish idea.

[The she glances back at Aubri, pulled out of her thoughts.] Sketi! You were willing to help which was more than nearly anyone else offered. I'm only sorry I wasn't able to pull you out as planned. [Wait... That was another thing...] Aubri... How long have you been here? [Because she'd only just been in the course, set on his 'rescue'.]

Re: She would feel like an even bigger failure if she knew :(

[bird_brain]

[Aubri clacks his beak once, in mild frustration.] It wasn't foolish. It was a good idea.

[Which brings him to answering the next few questions. He's heard of such issues, among other people before, but he never thought he'd be one dealing with it. It's... difficult to find the words he needs to explain this.] Zhaneel, it has been some ten years since you 'rescued' me in that course, but I haven't spent those years here.