Tangling the Past

[Quill]

"Don't worry. I'll be fine," Ryllis said with a smile to her mentor and young friend. "The Eyrie isn't far. Koxi cannot be close with the Simourv flying around." The lithe girl watched Amonica's face, reading her worries. "I'll be back before the caravan leaves again." The older woman nodded and smiled as she handed Ryllis a knapsack. "Return soon."

The young dancer smiled as noticing the sand and hills turning into rocks and rocks towering over as canyons. It did not take long until she saw paths leading to caverns. It was certainly different from the other towns. Many different eyes stared at her. Young men giving her familiar looks. Curious younger eyes staring with interest while parents hovered over their precious children, destined for greater things.

She thought the men would be the easiest to talk to, but those conversations were a waste of time with gawking and questions about herself, no answers to her questions. The parents were a bit more helpful, telling her about candidates, but they knew nothing about specific candidates. Of course, they had plenty to say about their own children. The workers were most helpful, describing many candidates and describing that some candidates have become winglets. It wasn't until she talked to a blacksmith that she heard his name. "Yeah, I've heard of him. My old apprentice mentioned him when she visits. All I know is he is a candidate." After that, things went faster, especially when a cook described the man, called him Ri'ley and a winglet.

From there, it was simple. Another cooker, preparing lunch in the kitchen, directed her to the winglet barracks, with a giggle. A winglet pointed her into Ri'ley's room. For the first time, she stopped and noticed the heavy beating in her chest. It made her pause in front of the door, but then a burst of adrenaline pushed her forward and the door slung out. Her eyes danced around as she stepped forward, looking for the object of her long journey.

[Kat]

Ri’ley’s bed was straight and clean. The sheets had no wrinkles. The blanket was folded perfectly on the end of the bed, and even the pillow was centered in the middle of the headboard. When Ri’ley was little, his father had ensured that he knew how to make a bed. The boy was ridiculed and punished for any flaws in the bedspread by a father who held cleanliness above all other personal attributes. Ri’ley, though, slept in a location that would not disrupt his sheets. The change of area was not entirely intentional. Ri’ley had not planned on sleeping, when he curled himself, fully dressed, against Dionyph’s feathery flank. The breathing of the hatchling, though, was soothing, and before Ri’ley contemplated what occurred, he was fast asleep, pressed against Dionyph. The black hatchling himself was becoming antsy with the current situation. He did not want to disturb his, who needed the rest, but the surgeon had been asleep for over an hour, and the hatchling’s body was beginning to feel sore and uncomfortable. He wanted to move. He wanted to do something, anything, even if it was just to pace the empty space left in the vast room while his napped on the bed. If Ri’ley slept in the bed, then he could venture out in the Eyrie. He could visit Laraph, Eoreph, or Dareph. The possibilities were far more appealing than laying here with Ri’ley on top of him. However, the black hatchling did not move. He was loyal. He would remain by Ri’ley’s side as long as the man needed to sleep. He would suffer in order to allow his winglet to slumber. A true companion would suffer for the betterment of his partner, and Dionyph would be loyal to Ri’ley until the end.

Regardless of his feelings of loyalty and duty, Dionyph was thrilled when he realized that someone approaching Ri’ley’s room. The hatchling lifted his head carefully, moving his head in a slow and calculated arch as he stretched towards the door, his ears perked with interest. Ri’ley stirred, his body contracting as he tightened his legs in a bend against his chest. The person in the hall was definitely approaching Ri’ley’s room. Someone was coming! The person did not have a simourv. Dionyph would have been aware if one of his siblings approached him, and one of the older simourvs would have caused some sort of stir. Maybe it was Amira! The girl who Ri’ley helped who had not bonded. Dionyph had decided that he liked Amira, if only because Ri’ley liked the girl. She reminded the winglet of his sister. Dionyph thought that Ri’ley needed to be reminded of his sister.
Mine, you need to wake up. Someone is at the door for us. You need to be awake before the person arrives.
Dionyph purred, speaking in a gentle and kind manner, which was commanding but soft. At his hatchling’s mental nudging, Ri’ley’s eyes peeled open, and he sluggishly wiggled his body into a standing position. Ri’ley’s first action was to brush his hand over his pants in an attempt to remove the wrinkles which his sleeping had caused. The wrinkled remained, his hand hardly making a difference, and after he moved his hand, he lifted his head to look towards the door waiting for the person to enter.

His gaze lifted just in time to see Amaryllis enter, and Ri’ley openly stared at her, his eyes wide enough so that a small stripe of white eye could be see under his large, brown irises. His pupils also expanded, as Ri’ley’s mind struggled to process the image before her. Amaryllis. He would know her anywhere, after any time span, in any location, but seeing her in the Eyrie was a merging of two lives which Ri’ley thought would never intersect. She was a part of his old life which he thought had died, and here she was standing in his room, confronting his new life with his old life, in a way which was both ideal and terrifying. Dionyph felt the emotional arousal of his rider. The emotions which boggled Ri’ley’s mind were new and different. Dionyph had never felt them before, and they made Ri’ley feel weird. Dionyph prodded into Ri’ley’s mind, scanning through Ri’ley’s thoughts, in order to glean the identity of the female who had warranted Ri’ley’s response. When Dionyph realized that Ri’ley stood before his sister, the girl for which he searched for so long, the hatchling became, not panicked like Ri’ley, but excited. He stood up, shaking his body off, and puffed up his chest. He trilled towards the girl, scanning her over with bouncing silver eyes.

Ri’ley was sure he was dreaming. He had been asleep, so now he dreamed. Amaryllis did not look like Amaryllis. He must be projecting his own imagination onto her, as dream Amaryllis looked older, more mature than his sister. But as Ri’ley openly gaped at the girl, her outfit struck him as odd. It was so sexual. It was so reveling. He never would imagine his sister looking so provocative. She was his sister. He chewed his bottom lip, pumping his jaw as he decided that this must be the real, living Amaryllis. Even though she had been missing for so long, even though he had already decided that she had died, Amaryllis stood in front of Ri’ley. He did not know what to say. Should he begin by apologizing? She had to hate him. Should he address the fact that she was not dead before he apologized? Should he just break down into tears of confusion and joy? He was close to the last action, his eyes becoming liquid and fluid, while he managed to open his mouth.
”Amaryllis.”
He said simply, but Dionyph reacted in a much more aggressive and forward manner. The little hatchling stood up and walked over to the girl. He brought his face very close to her body while his white eyes took in her appearance.
You are mine’s sister. I am so excited to meet you. He thought you were dead, but I always knew that you had to be alive. Mine will never leave you again like he did last time. He feels really bad about it, as he should, because it was his duty to protect you, and he did not do a very good job. Together, Ri’ley and I are going to be great protectors and knights. We will always do what needs to be done. Ri’ley will eventually be a great man, but he needs to grow into it.
Dionyph announced. He spoke quickly, as he surveyed the girl. She did not appear how Ri’ley remembered her. She looked similar, but she did not look the same. The hatchling found the phenomenon interesting and confusing. Ri’ley could not collect himself to say anything, so he let Dionyph speak. He was not sure he liked the way Dionyph expressed the situation, but Ri’ley could not think of any other way of expressing the situation. Ri’ley could not remember how to use words. He was looking, after all, at the body of his dead sister, for whom he had yearned for two years. And here she was. In his room.

[Quill]

She felt a chill when she opened the door. The creature, a baby simourv or the strangest mutated bird, looked at her, the chills grew, making her bare legs quiver, but she regained her strength as she saw her older brother rise from his bed. At first, she smiled as the name "Ripley," escaped, quiet yet audible. The sight of her brother, older and taller, seemed like a dream. Not one she dreamed of day and night. The appearance of Ripley was more like a wish she whispered the day she left home.

Her soft gaze hardened as she thought about home. The stinging memories made her fingers curl in a fist, metal bangles around her wrists clinging through its tiny ridges. Then she relaxed. Ryllis did not have much time before she had to leave so. She inhaled again, her bare stomach containing the breath as she took a step forward. The foreign creature, black and feathered, stopped her. Instantly, her brown eyes scanned the creature, pinning it as a young simourv. Focusing, the creature made her nervous, frightened to speak her mind. That did not stop her from noticing Ripley's uncomfortable expression as he gazed at her. It made mouth dip into a frown as she crossed her arms and stood taller, cloths hanging from her hips wrapping around her bare legs.

A single word diverted her attention from the creature to her brother. Amaryllis was a set of syllables she did not hear for years. Confusion danced in her eyes until she pinned the word as her own name. Her blank face turned into a frown."Been a while since I heard that," she said, eyes diverting. A voice, penetrating her mind, stopped her from continuing. Her eyes darted around until she focused on the young simourv. As soon as it started communicating with her, she took a step back, but processing each sentence. It apologized for him, made promises, and otherwise talked. Her teeth tightened around each other as she took a step forward. "I thought you many things. Brave was never one of them, but I never thought you were a coward. Getting this," she looked at the simourv, "to explain and apologize when it doesn't know. Have some more guts." Her head jerked to the side, bells around her neck jingling. Exhaling a breath, she let her anger out as she frowned at her older brother. "Tell me, was it worth it? Leaving me with father. You a doctor yet, saving lives?" Her words were not gentle but filled with spite as a disappointed shake of her head knocked some of her loose black hair behind her shoulders.

[Kat]

Ri’ley could not bring himself to acknowledge the way his sister was dressed. His eyes remained fixed on her face, and he did not dare to allow them to drift downwards to her exposed chest or stomach. Eventually, he would inquire why she dressed so, why she appeared so unprotected and sexual, but now he struggled to deal with the guilt which washed over his body and his heart. The guilt gripped him, wrapping around his body and preventing him from thinking correctly. He wished Dionyph had not already spoken to Amaryllis; Ri’ley felt that the hatchling’s attitude, for once, was not somber enough. Dionyph did not understand that there was any tension between the two siblings, and Ri’ley found his behavior inappropriate.
Dionyph, mine, let me talk to my sister before you introduce yourself. She is mad at me, and I need some time to apologize properly.

[/b]
Ri’ley instructed slowly and carefully. He did not want to upset Dionyph, but he also wished that the hatchling would step back and trust Ri’ley to handle the situation. Dionyph’s face scrunched into a confused expression. His eyes narrowed into disappointed slits. He wanted to meet his bonded’s sister. Ri’ley had met many of his siblings. Dionyph was about to protest, when the girl spoke. She did not understand why he was talking to her. He was not making excuses for his! Ri’ley needed to step up and accept responsibility, and Dionyph knew that his was capable of accepting responsibility. The more Dionyph thought about his error and the girl’s misunderstanding, the more upset he became. He had ruined his bonded’s chance at reconciling with his sister! Why, he had ruined Ri’ley’s life. His would never forgive him for the mistake! As the thoughts ran through his mind, Dionyph’s body began to droop. His tail fell first, and it sagged until it slipped between his back legs. Then, Dionyph’s shoulders dropped, until the hatchling looked positively crushed. The change was gradual, a slow, progression of misery.

Ri’ley noticed the change immediately, and he hesitated, as he felt the need to address Amaryllis’s words and accusation, but also the need to comfort Dionyph. He hated seeing the hatchling upset, but unfortunately, he did not want to neglect Amaryllis. It was, after all, neglect which had led them to this confrontation. Ri’ley moved so that he was standing right behind Dionyph, so that he could touch the hatchling in the most reassuring manner possible. He projected reassuring feelings, even though he did not provide any verbal encouragement. The emotions Ri’ley conveyed to Dionyph were potent. He would never hate or hurt Dionyph. He would always support the black. Amaryllis’s words were unfairly harsh, especially towards Dionyph, who had no idea the situation which he entered. Dionyph was a ‘he,’ not a ‘this,’ or an ‘it.’ Insults directed at Ri’ley were acceptable, but Amaryllis should not harm, even verbally, the hatchling in any way.
”Dionyph is a he.”
Ri’ley growled, his voice protective, brooding, and insulted. As soon as he had corrected his sister, his manner altered, relaxing a bit, so that he looked less angry and more deeply apologetic.
”And he is not speaking for me. He spoke before I had a chance to explain myself. I’m sorry; he’s just excited about the prospect of meeting my family. I would never have him make excuses for me.”
Dionyph nodded in agreement with his bonded’s words, and his face lifted a small fraction so that he looked a bit more perky and content.
I did speak out of place. I did not mean to apologize for Ri’ley. He needs to take responsibility for his own actions, and I know that he is ready and willing to do so.
Dionyph announced as he slinked back behind Ri’ley. The man had moved to a position quite close to his sister’s position, because he had moved to be near Dionyph. The hatchling did not hide behind Ri’ley, but he was standing so close that he pressed against the man’s body in such a way to make Ri’ley’s stance off kilter.

Amaryllis’s next statement made Ri’ley cringe, and the guilt which her rudeness had somewhat abated returned twofold. His brows pulled together in a sad grimace, and he sighed in a defeated manner. He had never thought that his surgical practice would directly affect his sister, and yet, he had abandoned her with neglectful parents in order to pursue that dream, a dream he failed to reach. For the first time since the hatching, Ri’ley for a brief and quick second, wondered if he had made the right choice in abandoning his apprenticeship. The doubt was quickly quelled by a hurt look from Dionyph, who’s silver eyes expanded at Ri’ley’s insecurity. Dionyph was worth every sacrifice. Dionyph was worth everything.
”I never finished; I was searched, and I had to leave to come here and be a candidate. And Amaryllis, I am sorry that I left you alone. I should have done something to ensure that you were free of our house.”
Ri’ley paused, the ‘but’ he was about to speak hanging in the air as if it were its own separate entity. He took a deep breath before he continued.
”I don’t regret abandoning my apprenticeship, because Dionyph is worth anything and more. I don’t deserve him.”
Dionyph cooed affectionately, as he rubbed his head against Ri’ley’s chest. Ri’ley, in response, stroked the top of the black’s head, his fingers musing with the black feathers. Dionyph insisted that Ri’ley did deserve him, a feeling Ri’ley ignored, as he attempted to answer her question. It was a difficult question, because ever since Amaryllis ran away, Ri’ley had wondered if he should have stayed with her. He felt responsible for her departure because he had neglected her.
”I don’t know if leaving you with father was worth it. I’ve regretted that choice in the two years I spent searching for you, and I was terribly selfish for leaving as I did, but I was young, and I did not know how to stand up to our parents or my own dreams. If you care to accept it, I am deeply sorry for the way I hurt you, but I’m not sure I would act any differently now. I loved being an apprentice, Ama.”
His time spent with Dionyph was the only time in his life in which Ri’ley was happier than when he was working with Master Donovan and studying.
”Before you ran away, you should have come to me. I would have found a way to get you out of our house.”
Ri’ley added, as he gazed sadly at Amaryllis. He would have, too, ensured that she was safe and content. He could have tried to get her an apprenticeship somewhere or a job with the guards, which would have been hard work, but at least provided her with a way out of their house.

Dionyph, at this statement, puffed up his chest and shuffled closer to Amarylis again. Ri’ley’s hand drifted down the simourv’s back as the creature moved. Dionyph watched Amaryllis with eyes once again animated.
You can stay here with us! There are many jobs around the Eyrie that always need people. I imagine that you could work in the stores or the kitchens. And you can sleep here, at least until I am too big to fit two people and myself. It is Ri’ley’s duty to protect and care for you, and he has failed at that task so far. I will make sure he does what he needs to do. Besides, I would love to have someone mine holds to such a high accord become a part of my life.
At his announcement, Dionyph stepped back, still pleased with himself, and Ri’ley returned his hand to the hatchling’s head. Although he did not express the sentiment directly to Dionyph, Ri’ley disliked the thought of Amaryllis working in the Eyrie. He did not mind her being in the Eyrie, but his sister was better than just a kitchen worker, he thought, as he pondered upon the girls who served him in the kitchens. Amaryllis would stay as his guest for as long as she needed, and if hse wanted to find work in the Eyrie, Ri’ley would try to convince the medical staff that Amaryllis might be useful as an aid. At least that was more suitable work. It was too bad she could not be searched as a candidate. He would love to see his sister experience and have the completion that Dionyph provided him. It was the greatest gift; the most powerful experience Ri’ley could imagine, and he wished his sister could have what he did. But if she was not suited to stand, then he could do nothing about it. Perhaps, he would urge her to stay long enough to watch Altaph’s hatching. After all, two cavern workers impressed at Eceph’s hatching, even though they had not been searched. Perhaps Amaryllis had a chance.
”You won’t have to work. You can stay with us as long as you wish, and I will ensure that you are treated fairly and as a guest of the Eyrie.”
Ri’ley announced, and although he was not sure he could ensure such treatment, he would do everything in his power to provide proper treatment for his sister. Dionyph called with agreement and pleasure, a bright chirp of support and approval for Ri’ley’s actions. Ri'ley needed to provide Amaryllis with a life, now that she appeared, and he needed to show her that he would never leave her helpless and neglected again.
[/blockquote][/size]

[Quill]

Sick was the easiest way to describe Ryllis. The adrenaline from encounter could have lengthened her life by a few seconds in a foot race against a single koxi. She needed the hormones to keep her firm or she would break down. Misery from their father, suffering her new freedom, uncertainty if Ripley missed her, and fear from this meeting swirled in her mind, but a single sentence stopped her from worrying. Seeing him so defensive about what she thought as a little mistake made her think. Should she jealous of the feathered companion or pleased that Ripley had a bit of gusto in him? “Fine.” She flashed a wily smile. “Dionyph, then.” She placed her hands on her hip, keeping her confidence high and strong. Ryllis felt hurt by his harsh tone, but right now, his opinion did not mean much right now. She listened to his explanation, nodding and understanding as well as she could. She did not understand why meeting her so was important for the Simourv. Dionyph’s announcement confused her even more, but it calmed her down and caused a real smile that disappeared as quick as it appeared.

She watched his eyes as he prepared to speak. Ryllis expected a vague explanation and she would have to pry more, but what he gave her sufficed. Boring details was enough. She felt better with the knowledge he poured, but there was a pain in her chest. Confused, she brushed it off, but it returned when he mentioned Dionyph and again when he assured he would have helped. In thought, Ryllis began to pace, not quick or sudden, but slow and focused. She had gathered what had happened her his old master told her Ripley had been searched, but hearing it was hard. The girl wanted to hear regret if leaving father. Ripley did not deliver with his “I don’t know,” but she believed the regret following. It was apparent Ripley had struggled with his decision.

There was no way she would forgive him, not right now. What did that teach? It was not her intention to make him suffer. She forgave him, but only a little. The dancer wanted to spat any words that jumped in her mind, but she knew they would have made little sense. Suddenly, Dionyph interrupted her self-editing with his voice again. With a headache and frustration, Ryllis listened. She hated that her brother’s companion’s voice ached so, but communication was strange in this form. What the creature offered appalled her. It felt as her eyes swam with her brain, but she managed to rearrange her thoughts. Damn, her response to his apology. Ryllis had to defend this.

“I already have a job, a career. It would have been nice for you to visit more often. Father bogged me down where I could not reach you as often as I wished, so I just left. It was tough, starving and working any way to get my next meal, but I made something of that. A caravan approached me, said I was perfect for them. I met Amonica and then I danced. I danced in front of everyone. Now, they know me. Men hoot and children cheer. You expect me to leave such a life to mooch on my brother. I did not seek you out because I did not want your help. Now that I’m somebody, have a career, why would I be a leech now?”

After her speech, Ryllis was out of breath, but she still had more to say. Her eyes fixed on her brother and then they crawled to his faithful beast. “The Caravan is a family and they need me and the world needs us. You two should understand. We entertain for the people, to celebrate the Simourvs conquering the Koxi. You’re daft if you expect me to leave. And I don’t go by that name anymore. I abandoned it when I abandoned father and you. I simply go by Ryllis.” The dancer did not expect her brother to change what he called her, but he needed to know that every time he uttered her name, it hurt. It reminded her of the tireless work she did to please father’s dream of her to be the best wife. “I should forgive you, and I do, but not enough. You betrayed me when you stopped visiting, when you stopping caring if I visited. And you betrayed me when you left your apprenticeship cause then what was the point of leaving. You could have stayed home until you were searched.” Ryllis looked at him, but she tore her sight away. Fear of tears. “I did not come to the Eyrie in search of your apologies. Only that you deserve to know the truth.”

[Kat]

At the sound of his name, Dionyph nodded his head with approval. He then returned himself to his seated position and turned towards Ri’ley. The man was glad to see his sister smile, even if it was an expression which lasted only a minute. He was glad to see that she did not hate him so much that the distaste of being around him made her unable to express pleasure. Perhaps there was hope for them, after all, and maybe their relationship was not completely doomed. Still, she was angry and bitter, and she had full right to be so upset by him. He had wronged her. He could tell that Dionyph’s communication bothered Amaryllis, but if she was going to be in the Eyrie for any extended period of time, or if she was going to allow Ri’ley to spend time with her in the future, she would have to get used to the mental communication of the black simourv and all simourvs. Ri’ley remembered that when he first arrived at the Eyrie, he had experienced a similar problem, and even at the hatchling, when he first bonded to Dionyph, he had not understand the way that the communication had worked. He had spoken out loud to Dionyph at first, an intimate statement, no less, and now his difficulty seemed so strange and foreign. Even though it had only been a few weeks, Ri’ley was so used to Dionyph that he could barely imagine a life without the hatchling’s constant presence in his mind. Dionyph was his life now, and he was beyond the point where living without the black simourv was possible.

When Amaryllis began to speak again, though, Ri’ley’s eyes widened with shock. The idea of his sister performing in front of men, as an object of sexual desire, made the hair on the back of his neck raise. In fact, his body tickled as goose bumps appeared across his arms, legs, and chest. His sister was not to be desired sexually. She was a child, his child, a full seven years younger than him, and in Ri’ley’s mind, still as innocent, naïve, and perfect as she had been as a toddler. In order to prevent himself from yelling in response, from expressing his displeasure loudly and vocally, RI’ley bit his lip, and as he tried to focus his now whirring mind, he applied more and more pressure until he felt blood in his mouth. The metallic taste reminded him to relax his facial muscles, which he did, as he sighed tensely, the air slipping from his mouth in a thick, unsteady stream.
”You do not have to be a leech, but you could make a world for yourself when you were not being objectified by strangers. I do not like the thought of you performing like that. You are better than that.”
Ri’ley spoke coldly, as he was worried that if he allowed the hurt enter his words, if he allowed himself to feel the flurry of emotions which overwhelmed him, he would yell. Ri’ley’s temper was dangerous. It was set up by feathers, and once he released it, Ri’ley’s temper could consume him. Dionyph helped him control himself. As soon as the hatchling felt Ri’ley’s aggrivation and pain, he shot up, and streaked to Ri’ley’s side, so that he could lean into Ri’ley for support. The hatchling broadcasted calming emotions towards the man, but did not say a word. Dionyph, for once, did not know what the correct response to this situation would be. His rider needed quiet comfort.
”Celebrate the simourvs here, Ama. Let me take care of you.”
Ri’ley begged, the desire to remove his sister from her life apparent in his large, watery eyes. He rubbed his lips together to hide the blood which had begun to seep from his lower lip, as the need to help Amaryllis mixed with the guilt on his face, to present a pathetic and meek appearance to a face which usually showed a strong, determined man. She would not be a leech. She would be using the chance to pull herself out of a bad life. A dancer’s life was one of exploitation, pain, suffering, and sex. Amaryllis was not suited for any of those situations.

And yet, while Ri’ley knew that Amaryllis’s situation was his fault to some extent, he also believed that it was not entirely his fault. He had stopped visiting her, true, but she had also stopped visiting him. He was busy learning, growing, and he could not always get away. Of course, the man also did not want to be near his parents, who he hated and despised. And then, for her to say that he betrayed her for leaving his apprenticeship—it took nerve, and it was very incorrect. Ri’ley’s apprenticeship defined him. He was a surgeon, no matter what his new title was. He was a man defined by the medical code and profession. Scolding him for pursuing his dream was unfair. While he may have left his apprenticeship before finishing, Ri’ley never regretted taking the apprenticeship, as he would not be who he was today had he not been apprenticed to Donovan.
”So, you are telling me that your career defines you, and that you would not leave, and yet you scold me for pursuing my dream. My apprenticeship, Ama, defines my very being. While I may not be a surgeon, still, I would not be who I am without that position, and then I may have not been suited for candidacy. You can guilt me for neglecting you, but you cannot guilt me for becoming who I am and pursuing my self betterment. I won’t let you. I love you, Amaryllis, and I want you to be happy. I want you to forgive me, but I will not allow you to guilt me for becoming who I am. I am deeply sorry for the way I have harmed you, but I cannot allow you to make me feel guilty about choices I do no regret.”
Amaryllis was not being fair. Ri’ley was in the wrong, but she could not except him to succumb to his guilt enough to admit to wrongs he did not commit.
”Being a doctor, Amaryllis, it is who I am. I am also a blackrider, now, but I will always, to some extent, be a surgeon, even if I abandon the profession now that I have greater responsibilities.”
Ri’ley added with a small and curt nod of his head. Dionyph warbled in agreement, pressing himself even harder against Ri’ley and drawing his vast head across Ri’ley’s body in the form of an affectionate nuzzle. The man responded by grabbing the hatchling in a large, desperate embrace. He just wanted to hold Dionyph until the pain of Amaryllis’s accusations went away. Dionyph was his heart, now, his soul, and he wanted to be with the hatchling as intimately as possible. There was never enough contact, especially when Ri’ley was upset.

[Quill]

Crossing her arms, she rolled her eyes. Of course he did not understand. It was more than the eyes of men, she was not naive enough to ignore them. Dancing was something she could not explain, even to herself. No way, in her right mind, would she begin to explain to Ripley what she felt. Helping people was normal and simple. Dancing was not.

Ryllis took a deep breath as her brother spoke. "There is nothing to keep me here. On the caravan, I have people who are depending on me. No one seems to need help here. I won't be another woman washing dishes or another woman sewing clothes for riders." Her head stayed fixed on his face, prepared for a rare burst of anger. It was a distant memory but strong. Amaryllis tried to stay calm herself. If she spoke too angrily, said something too far, then this would become a fight not worth the results. "Working for them is not celebrating them," she replied in monotone. "The people need to know the good Simourv are doing, not the Eyrie. Her voice raised with passion and enthusiasm. "Back then, I did not need anyone to take care of me." Her voice matched the smile she had when looking at the hatchling.

But the expression broke as Amar listened to his words and after tossing it around in her brain, matching it with a side of her brother she did not realize as a small girl, she applied it to her own life. Dancing with fluid movement with purpose, to her. She did not need to travel with a caravan to dance, but she wanted it. Though she went back to the whip she saw on Amonica's back when she failed to train the dancer and she went back to the crack she heard the younger apprentice failed. Angry or not, disappointed or pleased with his current life, Amaryllis always dreamed of living in harmony with her brother one day until she found a purpose. There were times when she wished for it, but there was no reason for her to stay. She found no reason other than to inform her brother that she was not dead.

When Ripley embraced Dionyph, Amar looked away, ashamed at the pain her words had caused. She did not want to show it, but it slipped and she prayed that he was too distressed to notice her horrified frown. Looking away, she said, "It was not my intention to insult your choices. I only spoke thoughts that burned inside me. Part of me wants to stay, a little girl wondering about her borhter, but I am not a little girl. I'm a young woman and what purpose do I have other than my presence making you happy?"

[Kat]

What Amaryllis did not understand was that Ri’ley had some sway with the Eyrie. He was only beginning to notice his influence over the other people in the establishment, less amongst the other winglets and riders and more among the populace of the workers in the Eyrie. He was a black rider, and the larger Dionyph grew, the more Ri’ley realized people treated him as some sort of important person. Dionyph seemed to, most of the time, expect such treatment. He expected to be honored and revered because it was his right as a black simourv. No, he would make her important. He did not know how, but he would find her a place. He scowled at her, and he sighed.
”If only you could be a candidate.”
But that was not the way it worked. Ri’ley could not walk over to the Phoenix and demand his sister was made a candidate. She had to be chosen. She had to be right for it. But he loved Amaryllis more than anything except for Dionyph, and Ri’ley wanted her to have what he had. To have the completeness that he had with Dionyph. To have the love he had from Dionyph. Ri’ley could not provide Amaryllis that, and it saddened him. Ri’ley released Dionyph’s neck, but he kept one of his hands buried in the hoary black feathers.

But then, Amaryllis continued to speak. Thinking of her dancing for men made Ri’ley feel cold and uncomfortable. He bit his lip, as he had hurt her so badly, but he disapproved so strongly. Dionyph did not know what to do with his rider’s pain. The man was so conflicted, and it overwhelmed Dionyph. Instead of saying anything, Dionyph nudged Ri’ley. Then Dionyph moved, slinking away from Ri’ley who tried to keep his fingers in the hatchling’s feathers. The black hatchling moved to Amaryllis and he nudged her against her chest, where his head hit. His touch was gentle, not until the way he had nudged Ri’ley when he picked his. This person felt kind of like his, familiar and warm, even if she was acting hostile. She still cared for his. And they felt like family. Family. Dionyph liked family, and he loved Ri’ley, so he liked Ri’ley’s family. After his nudge, Dionyph turned his gaze upwards towards the girl, his eyes wide, expectant, and completely white.

Ri’ley was uncomfortable that Dionyph had acted so affectionately to another person. He had been affectionate to the other simourvs, but never so openly affectionate to another person. It was Amaryllis, yes, but it still found it, intrusive. He flinched, but Dionyph swatted him lightly with his tail, which calmed the man down immediately. Dionyph’s touch calmed him down. And then, Amaryllis’s words made Ri’ley instantly upset, because Amaryllis was right. He felt guilty, and he was being selfish. He sighed, his body deflating, before he dropped to his bed. Dionyph moved back from Amaryllis to press his body next to Ri’ley’s legs. He was warm; Ri’ley needed the warmth and the comfort. He wanted to hug Amaryllis, but he thought she would dislike the action.
”You’re right. I just feel so helpless. So, so helpless when you are away and in danger, and I had no idea where you were. God, Ama, I thought you were dead. I knew you were dead, and now I have a chance to protect you again where I failed before. And I don’t want to feel so helpless again. You are my responsibility whether or not you think that is true, if only because I am your older brother.”
Ri’ley gasped the words, his mouth hanging open after he spoke. And his eyes became sad and fluid. Dionyph looked up sadly at Ri’ley. He hated seeing his rider so defeated—so in pain.
Mine is a good protector. That is his duty.
Dionyph proclaimed, but his voice was as somber and morose as ever. How could he be happy when his bonded was not? Dionyph could not live if his rider remained so sad. He wanted to crawl into Ri’ley’s body, get close to Ri’ley, closer than he already way. Ri’ley was his everything. The thing that sustained him. The reason Dionyph felt complete.

[Fox]

The very same morning that K’ean had met Ri’ley again for the first time in three years, letters had gone out via any messenger out of Eyrie, aimed for all three of the human settlements. The redrider had written to his sisters in Sayaie, to an uncle in Chydyn, and to a friend in Itnala, all bearing roughly the same missive inquiring about a girl, tall, dark-haired, dark eyes, around sixteen years of age and possibly going by the name of Amaryllis or a variant thereof. On his next shift out to Itnala, K’ean had followed up on the leads after he’d been relieved, but had come up with nothing of note. It was frustrating, and yet the young man knew that searching for Ri’ley’s missing sister would take time. And now that two years had passed, the one thing they had was time. Had anything befallen Amaryllis, it would have done so by now, and despite his decision to be optimistic, his ingrained pragmatism had made it so that K’ean had not truly expected much.

It was a pleasant surprise, therefore, to receive a letter from his uncle in Chydyn with the results of a little surreptitious digging here and there. K’ean had read about the dancer who matched the description (which had been a long-shot, three years would definitely have changed Amaryllis; she had only been fourteen the last time anyone had seen her) and, best of all, used the name Ryllis. Reading the letter through again as if to be sure, K’ean felt a grin spread across his face as he stood at his desk, fingers tightening to crease the paper. On his ledge, Seronaph huffed heavily, sensing his bonded’s excitement. Oh, go tell him already. The euphoria makes me want to retch[/color] The red griped, beak stretching open in a wide yawn. Truly, despite his words, he was just as glad as His that they had managed to find the sister of Dionyph’s, though Seronaph would say that he had never doubted they would in the first place. Whatever His set his mind to, generally he accomplished, or worked himself to exhaustion trying to accomplish. I think we’ve found her, Seph. She’s alive![/b]

As he walked briskly out of his eyling, leaving behind a disgruntled and vaguely amused simourv, K’ean had to suppress the urge to break into a trot. He would get there, eventually, and not a moment before. But the piece of paper in his hand was treated as if it was made of gold. Soon, the redrider was letting himself into the Winglets Barracks where, he figured, Ri’ley would be. And if he wasn’t there then it would be just as good a place as any to wait for him. As he turned to face the door that led to Ri’ley’s room, one of many in a long hallway, K’ean’s first realisation was that the door was open. The next was that there were voices coming from within; that of the room’s occupant and one belonging to an unfamiliar woman. Good manners arrested him at the doorway just short of pushing into the room, but it was only for a moment’s hesitation (this was an important errand fater all!) before the man lifted his hand to rap on the wood before pushing it open.

”Ri’ley? I’m sorry to intrude, but…“ He began, bright, excited blue eyes skimming over the other occupant of the room to rest on the blackrider and his simourv for only the briefest instance before they shot back to the girl, almost as if he had been physically struck. And he might as well have been. That face, that he had last seen when it still held the vestiges of childhood, was so out of place here that K’ean was actually speechless. In the back of his mind, the redrider could feel Seronaph’s attention perk as he saw through his rider’s eyes the girl that they had been searching for and yet had contrived inexplicably to show up right underneath their noses. ”Amaryllis.” It was half-greeting and half-confirmation, as K’ean’s blue eyes searched the face of the sixteen-year-old for the child he had known. Well, it kind of figured. This was just his luck, really. [/size]

[Kat]

Ri’ley’s body jerked forwards when he heard the knock. It started him. He opened his mouth to proclaim that the person should not come in, that he needed some time to himself, and that he would deal with matters later, however K’ean was already through the doorway when Ri’ley managed to gasp his warning.
“It would be best if you did not—oh, K’ean, hello.”
He quickly realized that his protest occurred too late in the discussion, and he did not have a choice but to great K’ean. But what could Ri’ley say. Here was his sister, the one that was supposed to be dead, and Ri’ley barely comprehended how she had gotten there and where she had been. And Ri’ley could not tell K’ean yet, that the girl had been dancing for men. Ri’ley looked at K’ean, then Amaryllis, and then K’ean again. His gaze was slow and sad, even though he knew that he should be happy. It was all just overwhelming. Dionyph turned towards K’ean and chirped a small hello. His rider was so confused and overwhelmed, but Dionyph figured he could at least greet the redrider properly. Dionyph knew how to be a gentleman. Ri’ley did not know how to yet.

Ri’ley then sighed. His shoulders fell, and he turned to Amaryllis. He was not sure how well the girl had known K’ean in Sayaie, as the man had been a friend of Ri’ley’s when Ri’ley was an apprentice. He knew that the two had met, but a lot of time had passed, and the context was so startlingly different from their home.
”Amaryllis, this is Kalean, from home. He’s K’ean now.”
Ri’ley was not sure exactly what else to say, so he stopped speaking. He shut his mouth, tightening his lips and jaw into a forced line. Ri’ley was not sure if he could say anything else. He was not sure if he should explain how K’ean had become K’ean and gotten to the Eyrie, but Ri’ley decided the explanation could come later. He hoped that he would have time. He hoped that she would stay at least long enough for him to show her around, to show her the Eyrie. He wanted to share his new life with her. Perhaps he could at least make her stay long enough to see the place, to be lead around the area, but he could not tell if that would occur. She seemed so adamant about leaving him again.

((This is officially the worst post that I have written yet, so in my head, it's an addition to my last post. I just thought that Ri'ley needed to address K'ean before Amaryllis had to reply.))

[Quill]

Candiancy, she thought with a frown. She discussed the subject frequently with her mentor. She always dreamed of becoming one when Pohono had its riders, but as she was thirty-two, she was too old. Ryllis had a hard time dealing with her mentor when she daydreamed about the feathered birds, so the two created a dance dedicated to the Simourvs, no sexual motions included. The memory brought a smile, but it sunk away as Amaryllis said, “I travel all around. If I were able to be a candidate, wouldn’t a simourv already searched me?” Each week she saw the Simourv fly and she desired to see from their point-of-view, but a rider, watching like a protective silhouette, never approached the caravan. Her eyes caught sight of Dionyph as he touched her brother. Then, surprised by advance and then his touch, Amaryllis did not know how to react. At first, she froze her muscles, as if suspending herself with a single big toe, but she relaxed, leaning over the creature before touching the back of his neck for a few seconds. His feathers tickled her fingertips and she stifled a giggle, but the giggle slipped out when Dionyph craned his head to look at her.

Then the uncomfortable topic of her disappearance emerged once again. She crossed her arms. “Amaryllis did die. She passed away when I took the stage name Ryllis. A performer and trained housekeeper could not coexist in the same body.” She paused for a moment. How she wished her brother didn’t view her as an object to protect, but there could be a compromise. “The Caravan does not leave until tomorrow afternoon. I could afford to stay until then.” Staying at the Eyrie was really an uncomfortable feeling, but she would go through it. Though escaping in the middle of the night was tempting, she promised herself she would not do such a thing.

Spinning, her hair followed in a wave as moved to see who had entered. The dancer eyed the stranger for a few moments. She instantly knew she had seen the face before (because she was the best at identifying people by faces), but she could not place it. Angry, she ignored Ri’ley statement to keep the stranger away, but she paid attention when Ripley explained. Then conversations with the stranger’s face arrived. When she visited, she remembered the older man talking to her brother about matters her younger mind did not care for. Amaryllis could not hide a grimace at the sound of her full name coming from Kalean. It seemed as long as she stayed in the Eyrie, there was no Ryllis. “I remember vaguely a Kalean, but K’ean?” she asked. “Ri’ley? Why such strange names?” These were strange names. Out of all of the questions she had, this one seemed the most important.

[Fox]

Truthfully, K’ean had really only known Amaryllis in the distant context of ‘friend’s little sister’, and he had never really had anything to do with her on a one-to-one basis. But he had a good memory for faces, and three years might change a body, but not a face. And… Had they changed her… Unwittingly, blue eyes flashed from the girl’s face down, taking in the clothes, the stance, the sheer confidence, before flickering rather guiltily back to Ri’ley. The other man introduced him, and K’ean nodded his head stiffly, still somewhat taken aback. But if he considered it, from what information he had received, it wasn’t all that surprising at all. If she was a dancer in a troupe, then there was hardly a chance that she had remained the twiggy little girl that he remembered, but to this extent… Moving off topic, K’ean, this will get you nowhere good.

Hearing the girl’s query, the redrider cleared his throat (a mite self-consciously) before providing the explanation. ”Our names have both changed. It’s what happens when you bond to a simourv.” The sentences were rather stilted, but imparted the correct information so K’ean wasn’t going to be fussy. After a moment, a rueful smile tugged at a corner of his mouth as he turned his head to catch Ri’ley’s eye. One hand rose to show the letter he held. ”I guess my information’s a little out of date.” He said with a sigh, shaking his head. ”You weren’t all that hard to find, you know, Ryllis, if a fellow knew where to look.” A shrug was all that accompanied this somewhat cryptic statement, even as K’ean unfocused somewhat. He could feel Seronaph scrutinising this girl through His eyes, and it was somewhat disconcerting, even if the redrider should be used to it by now.

”Do you plan on staying?” He asked, sensing the interest that his red was showing in the girl. Vaguely, he sent Seronaph a questioning tendril of thought, but the simourv did not respond, still preoccupied by Ri’ley’s little sister. After another moment, the red answered his rider’s unasked question. Dionyph’s will be overjoyed.[/color] The tone implied that Seronaph was displeased that Ri’ley would be so happy (because frankly, the red rather disliked seeing anyone so over the moon) but K’ean understood. But he wouldn’t say anything. Not yet. [/size]

[Kat]

Dionyph lifted himself a bit so that his feathers brushed against Amaryllis’s hand. Even he found it strange to be touched by another person, especially another person when his was not touching him as well. But Dionyph found the girl’s hesitant fingers oddly comforting, because they were novel and soft. He did not even mind when she laughed, and instead, his face lit up with excitement and thrill. He liked his’s sister already. She was nice, even if his refused to admit it. He did not understand Ri’ley’s anxiety around Amaryllis. She was nothing like Teimoph, who deserved to be disliked. The nuances of Ri’ley’s emotions towards his sister, of the guilt, the affection, the fear, and the anger, which twisted in Ri’ley’s soul. To the hatchling, barely two months old, Ri’ley was upset, and that was a negative emotion. The chick only comprehended the negativity and not the subtly, but he would grow into emotionally intelligent individual with the ability to comprehend and act according to not only his own emotions or Ri’ley’s emotions, but also the emotions of other people. He would get there, but he was not there yet. He was still so much a baby, even if Dionyph did not want to admit it.

The question about why she had not been searched took Ri’ley by surprise. He did not know how to answer, because he did not understand what exactly made people worthy of standing for candidacy. It was a mystery to Ri’ley, and the amount of different people shown in the Alpha class did not show any sort of clear pattern. Ri’ley assumed that there was some sort of inner emotionality that each searched candidate possessed, or some sort of empathy, but he was not positive. He had not even created a hypothesis about what made the candidates correct. Ri’ley was not even sure that any of the riders knew. They were all new to this, new to being riders, even if the older generation had been working for four years longer than Ri’ley. They were all still learning, on this quest for freedom against the Koxi.
”I don’t know how it works.”
Ri’ley admitted with a small tilt of his head. That was all he could give Amaryllis for an answer. He dropped his head in his hands again, and he sighed. Dionyph padded towards his rider, stepping as lightly as he could, before dropping his large head into Ri’ley’s lap. Ri’ley slipped his hand over the hatchling’s head, stroking the simourv’s head and beak with his forefinger and thumb.

The girl’s words continued, and they only made Ri’ley feel more and more uncomfortable. He hated that Amaryllis felt so dedicated to her life as a dancer. She was so much better than a dancer. She was so much better that being a dancer. She was so much better than what she was now, and Ri’ley knew that he was at fault for what happened to his sister. He would never forgive himself for that, at least not until she was doing something worthy of her.
”But they are, and that body is standing in front of me.”
Ri’ley responded, even though he knew he spoke futile words. Amaryllis would not listen to him. It was an unfortunate truth. K’ean was in the room, then, however, so Ri’ley did not press the issue. Instead, the man kept his eyes on his friend. The redrider’s eyes scoped Amaryllis over, Ri’ley noticed, and his eyes slanted. Otherwise, he would never mention the glance again, unless K’ean decided to pursue Amaryllis, in any manner whatsoever, in which case, Ri’ley would throw a fit and maybe a few punches. Ri’ley tried to force a smile onto his face when he turned towards K’ean, but the smile failed. Instead, Ri’ley flashed the man a look of neutrality, stern and cold-faced.
”At least you were able to find information. I’m afraid I owe you a debt.”
Ri’ley replied, and his voice proved that he meant the word entirely. Dionyph, whose head had been resting in Ri’ley’s lap for the duration of the conversation, turned his head, keeping it touching Ri’ley’s legs, to stare, with his large white eyes, at K’ean. He knew that he should bow to the man, but he did not want to leave Ri’ley’s touch. The black simourv could tell that Ri’ley needed the comfort.

[Quill]

Dionyph walked away and Ama felt like frowning, but there was s content expression plastered to her face that only drifted into concern when she felt her back move. Hidden underneath her hair, there was a tube, punctured with small holes. Shy today?" she thought toward the small creature napping inside. Perhaps her ferret companion had sniffed Dio and his strange scent.

"Ah," Amaryllis said, nodding to herself. She sounded distracted as her attention drifted away from their names and to hers. This somewhat stranger had called her by her stage name. The word made her smile and giggle. Still, she kept a smile as he mentioned that she was both Amaryllis and Ryllis. "And if we are in the same body, do you approve of that body?" Her smile was half sided. Flattered that he did not see her as a dancer or a run-of-the-mill woman, but the sarcasm tested Ri'ley. When she left to go roaming the countryside again, Ama would have loved that her brother would accept all sides of her.

"Information?" she asked. The dancer did not like the sound of this. She did not want to stop and think it could be harmless information like her whereabouts. If any other stranger "researched" her, she would be flattered, but these were uncomfortable situations. "Ri'ley needs no information like such so you can throw that away," she said curtly. "And there is no unnecessary debt to be paid." Debt was not a word Ama liked. She saw it in the troupe, the workers being in debt and then thrown off the caravan to appease the koxi. Her mind rushed away from the touchy subject as she strike a pose and smiled. "Thank you. If I was not easy to find, then I would not be doing my job."

It utterly surprised Ama how her offer of staying for the night drifted through the ears of the two riders. Better for her, she thought as a wily grin swept across her face. With Ri'ley's old friend, perhaps she could slip away. Her eyes traveled around K'ean, Ama moving to look behind him. "If you are a rider, like Ri'ley, then where is your simourv?" It was not a simple question, more like an accusation. Amaryllis never dreamed of being so close to a simourv before. Why if she met two, imagine how impressed the troupe would be with her adventures in the Eyrie.

[Fox]

K’ean was beginning to realise that he did not like this girl very much. Her imperious tone made him raise an eyebrow and for a long moment he was silent, simply watching her with shuttered blue eyes. It was no longer an appreciative look; it was more an appraisal, and one that was not perhaps entirely flattering to the girl. When he spoke, K’ean’s voice was low, flat and came dangerously close to a rumble. ”Ri’ley” He mimicked her emphasis “”may choose for himself what information he chooses to hear, Miss Ryllis. Though you are correct that there is no debt to be owed.” The redrider turned to shoot Ri’ley a vaguely amused look. ”We’ve discussed this, friend. I’ll need to be patched up sooner or later, so you can repay the debt then, hmm?”

Again, the man’s blue eyes returned to Amaryllis as the dancer spoke, face once again going from amused to distinctly… unimpressed. Her query was met with a thoughtful silence again, then K’ean decided to disregard her dramatics. He went straight for the question he thought warranted an actual answer. ”I am a rider.” It was an acknowledgement, a statement of fact. In the back of his mind, K’ean felt a phantom blast of wind against feathers as Seronaph launched himself off of his sunny ledge. He was coming, he assured his rider wordlessly. A small smile curled at K’ean’s lips. ”My simourv is on his way. He wishes to speak to you, actually.” A significant look was shot in Ri’ley’s direction even as the thump of the adult red’s landing shook the canyon floor ever so slightly. ”Here he comes.” It was perhaps unkind to not warn Amaryllis that Seronaph, as a fully-grown simourv, was a great deal larger than young Dionyph and, appropriate to his colour, had a formidable personality to match it. K’ean didn’t particularly care at that moment.

It was a good thing the barracks were built large, Seronaph thought grumpily, as he stalked into the open hallway. He knew which door was Dionyph’s, because his rider was standing just within it. With a huff of discomfort, the red settled himself in the hallway, fully in the way of anyone wishing to enter or exit, and commenced to poke his head around the door. He would not enter; with three people and one young simourv in there, the red was afraid he might accidentally step on someone. Hello.[/color] He said ponderously, fixing the girl with an amber-eyed stare. K’ean, unconsciously, moved to lean against the simourv’s large foot. His rider only came up to his ankle. So you are Amaryllis. You’ve caused people a lot of trouble, little girl. Mine had to call in a favour to search for you.[/color] The red’s voice, gravelly and with a perpetual undercurrent of grumbling disdain, rang in the minds of everyone present, even as K’ean’s sharp ”Seph.” rebuked him for his heedless comment.[/size]