Dreaming of You [Viskyia]

[M'caiyha Vosmaeri]

TS: 30th Pontius, Winter, XV (pf). Mid-brightening.

M'caiyha made her way north from the docks, tucking her Visa in one of the deep pockets of her pants. She would doubtless see the town later. But for now, she knew where she was going. Or, at least, she had a rough idea, but Kaimelea had not led her wrong before. The elf was certain that she wouldn't now.

From under her silvery hood, a brightly-hued bird peeked out, perching on the leather strap in her hair as it spiraled around her abnormally thick, forest-green locks. Brightly colored feathers in a myriad of hues were secured amongst her tresses, attached to her hair and to the leather strap itself. Her hair ended at her calves, nearly reaching her ankles. It was a sight to behold, for the elf was tall - there was six feet, six inches of her, after all, and not too many elves reached that height.

Her clothes were simple, but M'caiyha had little need of elaborate finery, a simple silver hooded tunic over a white turtle-neck, with matching pants and dark leather boots. A wide leather belt rested snugly around her hips, a number of hooks and clips hanging from it. From her left hip, a pair of elbow-length leather gauntlets dangled. The elf favored utility.

"Hang on, Aira," she murmured to the small parrot, and lowered her hood. She moved her heavy ponytail back over her shoulder to rest over the hood, and the little bird whistled a tune she'd picked up on the ferry. Parrots were incredibly smart, after all, and Aira was an excellent whistler. Ethgri, not so much, but he made up for it in... well, personality. The massive bird was something else, and even he seemed faintly impressed with Demios, despite his regal bearing.

Aira flapped her wings, a bright, sleek form of every color of the rainbow, and went airborn, briefly, before landing on the lowest of the reinforced loops of fabric on M'caiyha's sleeves. She began to 'run' up and down them. The bird scrambled neatly from wrist to shoulder, pressing a kiss with a smooching sound to the long, pierced ear, and going right back down to repeat the ritual at her fingers before hopping into the wide sleeve, making herself comfortable in there and in her mistress's cupped hand.

In her left hand, M'caiyha bore the large wooden staff she'd been working on for eras, carving a bit here and a bit there in the sturdy, dark wood as she went along. Things that she had been Shown, or Seen or remembered. It wasn't done yet, not by a long shot. She looked up at the majestic bird running the smooth side of his beak against her pointed ear from his position on her shoulder. As she walked in her easy, flowing gait, covering an impressive amount of ground, she watched, looking about and around her, watching the ground and the waves.

Her violet eyes scanned the sand, and occasionally she stopped, picking up shells and stones that caught her fancy. Sometimes she merely squatted down to look at them, sometimes she carried them along, rinsing them in the water's waves as it came close enough, and shaking them to dry them. By now Aira had left her spot in the elf's sleeve and was perched on the leather band atop M'caiyha's head. "Serale, serale, sera-l-e," the hen sang and burst into a little bunch of giggles.

"Serale to you, Aira. I think this will suit our purposes, here..." the elf stopped, and held the carved top out to Ethgri. The macaw stepped up onto it, perching and spreading his wings. M'caiyha lifted the staff up and held it aloft into the sky. "Now, please, Ethgri. Call for me," she murmured in her lilting voice, and the bird flapped his enormous wings and let out a sustained, deep-toned squawk that sounded more like a roar. It could be heard quite easily in all directions for quite a distance. Aira joined in with her own shriller tones.

"Glorious, thank you," she lowered the staff so that the bird was eye-level with her, and raised her hand to cup his head and massage his feathers gently, pressing her nose against the smooth beak before touching his black feet. "Up," and once she stepped up, she put Ethgri back on her shoulder, her hand going up to touch the bird on her head. She felt the feathered form rub against her fingers, and scritched gently along the bird's head.

"Good birds. And now we wait."

[Viskyia Crow]

There'd be another blow tonight. Viskyia was getting sensitive to them now that she'd been on Demios a few months. And since most of the children were still in their schola classes, the jeweler had buttoned down the shop and decided to take a run on the beach. Restless energy was her enemy these days, and she did her best to keep it in check by burning it off on long runs up the beach designed to minimize the whole process of pacing through the night or being unable to fully sleep. When Viskyia slept, she often Dreamed, and she loved the night life she lived in her mind. But in order to quiet her body enough to reach that realm, she had to run off energy.

Today, though, she left earlier than usual, quietly setting off down the neatly cobbled streets of the merchant district, weaving her way to a small beach access near the ferry. She'd run west down to the broken teeth then loop back around and head for home, stopping back by the shop to pick up Mirrow and give her a good run before they got home for the night. The mare never seemed to mind when she saw her mistress bolt off on foot, because she knew their ride home would be short rather than a lengthy sometimes exhausting gallop up the beach the long way. Mirrow loved to run, but thats how she'd brought the jeweler to work that morning, and after lazing about the small paddock behind the jewelry store the best thing to do would be to get home to her herd and enjoy their company. Tomorrow was a day of rest and the jeweler wouldn't open her shop.

So it was Viskyia had been running for a while. She had visited the broken teeth, doubled back and was coming back up the beach by the ferry piers. A woman was standing there with the most astonishing sight... parrots... climbing upon a staff and upon her head. Parrots! Viskyia pulled up short, dropped her hands to her knees, and started blowing to get her wind back. She gave the woman a smile, though for certain she must look a mess after her lengthy run, and smiled gently.

"I... couldn't help but... notice your birds." Viskyia said, eyes wide and filled with a child-like delight. "Are they really as tame as they look?" She asked, moving closer though not offering to touch them. The half-esh had no fear, but she also had no knowledge either. "Oh... I'm sorry for the rudeness. I'm Viskyia Crow... a resident here, jeweler... runner... " She waved dismissively. "I was just startled to see someone standing here with such lovely birds. I have some on order from a place in Zinn'Sunn for a new project, but I had no idea that anyone lived here that already owned some." The half-esh said, citrine eyes shining at appreciation for the woman and her calmness with the colorful parrots.

[M'caiyha Vosmaeri]

Ethgri let out another earsplitting squawk as Viskyia approached, and the Esh looked in the direction that the macaw indicated as he spread his wings slightly on her shoulder. Up close, the massive bird was deafening, but M'caiyha's ear twitched, and she had no problems with the sheer volume anymore. She was used to him now. As the half-Esh came closer, M'caiyha got a good look at her.

The hair, the eyes. The citrine eyes. She met the yellow gaze with her own violet orbs, and smiled back.

The big blue parrot left M'caiyha's shoulder, walking down her arm to climb back up onto the top of the staff, leaning in and bobbing his head, eyes twinkling. He tilted his head almost upside down, peering at Viskiya. "Serale, gorgeous," he said sweetly.

"Serale," the elf echoed her companion. "They are tame, yes. But Ethgri is a shameless flirt and cannot be trusted," M'caiyah eyed the macaw. "Aira is nicer--"

"Serale, serale, sera-l-e," the hen sang, as if on cue, leaning forward on the leather strap that she was perched on, peering at other with interest.

"--but she can be quite rude in her attempts to be friendly. My name is M'caiyha Vosmaeri. I'm new here, truly told - I came on the ferry earlier. I am not a resident yet, but I understand I may be, soon. I had a dream, you see," her eyes searched Viskyia's face. "I was to come here, to Demios, and seek out Viskyia Crow," the wind coming off the water ruffled her sleeves, and the tattoo, almost a mirror image of Viskyia's, was visible. Aira left her post on the leather hair band, scrambling down M'caiyha's hair to tuck herself under the green tresses. The brightly-colored bird, however, decided to do it with a flare. She hung upside down and peeked out at Viskyia with the most charming look she could muster. Ethgri had not left his post on the tall staff, and was determined to see if he could sucker Viskyia in.

"Kaimelea said you would have need of me, here. So here I am."

[Viskyia Crow]

The half-esh stood there a moment slightly stunned. It was as if time stood still. The wind died and the sand stopped shifting almost at the same moment. Hair stood up on the back of her neck and the fine white wisps that danced around her face fell silent for a moment. Only for a moment though...

Her mind went back. Each night she dreamed. Each dream she walked in other worlds and talked with other creatures. Each step she took carried her into pathways she'd normally not traverse. Her form was not her own, though her eyes always seemed to give her away. So too did M'caiyha's violet orbs. They hadn't been looking back at her when the two had met from the visage of an elven woman with parrots clinging to her hair. No, they'd been looking at her from a form far more deadly. Viskyia shivered a moment, citrine and violet meshing.

Each remembered.

"Ruiasza". Viskyia spoke softly with a sense of wonder about her. It was a sacred thing she spoke and a confirmation of her own identity. Nychi. M'caiyha and Viskyia could be no other than the stalker and the talon. Fierce eyes met fierce eyes and the recognition overwhelmed them. They stood together for a long time on the sand humble and yet at the same time warmed. The councilor had promised the real world and the dream world overlapped too much for anything to be considered 'coincidence'. That much was certain.

And they would have remained there far longer had it not been for the pair of bright parrots reminding them that they were being silly. Finally, Viskyia blinked, glanced up at the hen and smiled. She reached out, gently, and whispered sweetly to the bird offering only to touch its breast with a gentle stroke of the back of two of her fingers.

"They are lovely companions. They almost remind me of my own children." She said, glancing around as if she expected the horde to descend any moment. "They are still in Schola until later... so I have some time before it gets late. Where are you staying? Let's go get your things and get you settled in. I remember you promised to come, but I had no idea you'd be here so soon. Are you curious as to why we are gathering here?" Viskyia asked, her eyes dancing. She had a secret, one she was more than ready to share.

[M'caiyha Vosmaeri]

"Nychi," M'caiyha breathed, a heartbeat after Viskyia identified her by her other name, a smile twitching at her lips. Her tone was nearly reverent. This was the talon. She bowed slightly at the waist, her staff still upright, the big macaw bobbing his head at Viskyia. She straightened after a moment, and moved her shoulder at the parrot.

Ethgri realized he wasn't going to sucker Visykia in, not today, so he left his position on the staff and made his way up the elf's arm, settling on her shoulder and ruffling his feathers in a rather dissatisfied manner. She transferred her staff from her left hand to her right, and stroked the bird's breast and stomach. He preened the royal-blue feathers and pretended to ignore the gently scritching fingers, and went over them with his beak.

Aira whistled at the half-Esh and righted herself to stand on M'caiyha's shoulder. She waddled forward, gripping the cloth, and leaned towards Viskyia's fingers. "Sera-le," the hen cooed, head tilted, her feathers all puffed up to make her look fluffy. Aira let her touch, and hopped up on Viskyia's fingers. M'caiyha grinned.

"They are a bit like children, yes. Always curious, with personalities of their own," Ethgri leaned in, having released the elf's fingers, touching the side of his beak to M'caiyha's cheek. He let out a long, sustained kissing sound. M'caiyha chuckled and reached up to cup his head and ruffle the feathers. "Manipulative, demanding, and often very playful. Always up for a game or a trick." Aira preened herself, shaking her feathers out again and relaxing.

"That's my mo-m," Aira informed Viskyia.

"But I just got here - I haven't seen the town yet. I was going to stay at the inn until I found you, but I Saw the coasts... and decided to check here, first. As for my belongings," she spread her arms slightly, "this is it. I left when I promised to come. I travel lightly... it makes for a far less interesting target," she let her hand fall from Ethgri's head, and he ran his beak over the double points of her ear, tweaking the little piercings.

"But to say I'm curious is an understatement. What plans are you hatching?"

[Viskyia Crow]

They stood staring at each other in a stolen moment of time. Violet eyes... stunning really... matched the citrine gaze as the two Dreamers faced each other on the Material and not just in the realm of dreams. There they wore far different forms and existed on a far different level. Here, standing before each other, the faced off unashamed of who they were boldly greeting the future.

Viskyia slowly smiled. It wasn't an outburst of joy, but rather a slow acknowledgment of a sister come home finally. Esh, to be certain, though that was a surprise... the elf before her was accompanied by two lovely parrots. Parrots. Viskyia felt like laughing, and suddenly let the joy overrun her spirit for it was few and far between instances that she was taken so unaware. "Sister. I had no idea you'd come so soon, though She did promise that she'd send me help. We're building a Reverie... of course. One to create a bastion here on Demios for Her. But we are going to have to learn to fight, support ourselves, and strengthen our numbers. I've a botanical resort to open... a greenhouse that houses a vast indoor jungle filled with birds and trees and flowers... for people to come and enjoy in all sorts of weather... a spa and pool and cabanas to rent. It's going to be the front to the Reverie and a means to what we decide is going to be the end... a cohort of warriors for Her." Viskyia said softly. She was unafraid in the panther's presence. She knew Ruiasza, who was bold and fearless, a stalker in another place, though here quite who and what she was still eluded the jeweler. "But I'm just a jeweler, who knows nothing of flowers and birds and how to make a botanical resort successful. Kaimelea promised help. She said that if it was started, more and more effort would pour in until we'd have something to be proud of. I imagine your the first of the vangaard. Is that why you've come?" She asked, delicately stroking the hen's breast feathers while keeping a wary eye out on the other far larger bird. He was sweet, but for all that, he had a fierce independent eye.

[M'caiyha Vosmaeri]

M'caiyha wasn't entirely certain just what it was that had made Viskyia laugh, but she was pleased to hear it. She herself smiled, and Ethgri mimicked the movement, tilting his head and fluffing the feathers on his head. If the macaw was anything, he was frighteningly persistent. He still had hope of suckering Viskyia in to give her a good beaking. Assuming, of course, the Esh would let him, which was highly unlikely, all things considered.

She nodded slowly as she listened, her violet eyes bright and fairly sparking with interest. "She said you would have need of me. As you can see from Ethgri and Aira, I work with parrots, looking after them and training them and raising them." The macaw's beak rubbed her cheek vigorously as if in approval. She brought her free hand up to the bird, and he stepped up onto it. A twist of the wrist and he was hanging from her hand, belly up, wings spread. She dropped her arm down to her side, swinging him slowly, gradually gaining speed. Her thumb caressed his scaly black toes, and with a sudden movement, she seemed to toss him into the sky, his wings flapping and releasing another of his deafening cries. She held her arm out to him as he circled high above them before diving back down, landing neatly on her arm, and ruffling his feathers. He preened himself, pleased. Top that!, he seemed to be saying to the lorikeet.

Aira was certainly enjoying the attention as she blew kisses at Viskyia. In fact, the brightly colored love-sponge was just soaking it up. The more the half-Esh stroked her feathers, the louder and more extravagant the kisses got until Aira decided to take matters into her own feet. She hopped off of M'caiyha's shoulder onto Viskyia's hand, ran from her wrist to her elbow, and hopped onto her chest, the toes digging into the fabric there, and she planted her beak against Viskyia's lips. Ethgri, ever a gentleman, let out a lewd whistle. The lorikeet then scrambled from Viskyia's chest to her shoulder, and took wing to land on the leather band atop the tall Esh'lahier's hair. She then proceeded to act shy, running down the leather strap to hide beneath the thick green hair. "Peeeeek. Peeeeeeek-a-bird! Peek? Peeky!"

M'caiyha had been about to say something when Ethgri's whistle cut her off, and she waited for the big parrot to stop whistling before she continued. "I believe I am. And I am greatly looking forward to it," her lips twitched. "We'll make something out of it. A dream like the kind no one on this place has seen before."