Lesson Three: Love is Blind (Alpha Winglets!)

[zeis]

It had been three months since the fall hatching, and winter had set in proper. This particular late morning, the sky was cloudy and the wind cold. It was a snowless day, but the peaks of the mountains around them were frosted with snow. Beautiful. And that was coming from a man who did not often appreciate beauty. K'huna had always liked winter. The crisp mountain air was refreshing, and it kept you alert and focused. Woke you up fast. It was just cold enough to make you want to move, and keep moving. He was going to be counting on that today.

If you were human anyway. Simourv didn't mind the cold at all, as their feathers kept them warm. The only complaints he heard from the great creatures were about the lack of sunlight to nap in. Canph complained about it fairly often during the long winter months. In fact he was complaining about it now. I'm tired of cloudy days. The red rider did his best to ignore him, and focus on actual work. About a week ago, he had rounded up several carpenters of the Eyrie and put them to work on an obstacle course for both Alpha class, and the future Winglet classes of the Eyrie. It had been finished on schedule, tested, and deemed safe. K'huna was just giving it a quick once over, making sure it was sturdy even though he already knew it was. Once we're done for today, we should fly down to Itnala. The sand should still be warm there, and- Hey, aren't you listening?

"Mhmm..." K'huna murmured non-comittally as he sized the course up. It was simple enough, he thought. Painted on the ground were bold white lines that made the borders of a twisting path across the canyon bed, more than spacious enough for two to walk abreast. K'huna! Throughout the course there were a series of obstacles, such as wooden poles driven into the pathway that had to be avoided, bars crossing the path to duck or hop over, small sets of two to three stairs that had to be climbed and descended. K'huna! The course started off relatively easy, and increased in difficulty as it went along. The final obstacle at the end of the course was a shallow ditch lined with padded mats and pillows. K'huna! Over this ditch was a narrow twisting and rail-less wooden beam about a foot or two over it. Balance and accuracy were key and one misstep would send a person tumbling, but not far enough to hurt. K'huna! He had gone through the course with the help of Canph yesterday, and today... K'huna! it would be the Alpha's turn. Hey, K'huna!

"What?!" He groaned, and reluctantly turned to face the large red simourv, only to nearly crack his head against his bonded's pink and black beak. While his back was turned, Canph had crept up silently behind him and gotten as close as possible without disturbing him, hovering there with intent to startle him. It worked. Scared you. Want me to get them now? "If it will give me a break from you." K'huna growled in response, and reached out to shove his friend's beak away ineffectually, but not without fondness. "They should have had time to wake up and get something to eat by now. They're gonna need all the energy they can get."

Canph lingered a moment longer on a whim, and nosed K'huna with near smothering affection, before retreating a safe distance and leaping into the air. He could feel his rider's excitement for today, and couldn't help be excited in some way himself. At the very least, watching the Winglets fail repeatedly in an obstacle course was going to be amusing, though K'huna had forbidden him from making fun of anyone or laughing too hard. He supposed he remembered when things like that were difficult, when he was young. He winged high throughout the length of the Eyrie, calling out to the minds of the Winglets wherever they may be this late winter morning. How you doing, Alpha class? You all need to report to K'huna right now out in the canyon bed. You know that obstacle course we've been making? Its done now, and you get to run it. Aren't you lucky?

~~~~~~~~

K'huna was thankful at least, that Canph kept his snide commentary to a minimum. When all his students finally assembled they would find their Wingletmaster idly walking across the last part of the course, balancing leisurely on the beam with a playful grin. The red-rider looked up as the last of the students trailed in, and jumped down into the padded ditch with a small cloud of dust. He dusted himself off, and nodded a greeting, sweeping his eyes across the assembled crowd and trying to make eye contact with every rider and chick. "Good morning, Alpha's. Today is going to be tough, but hopefully we'll have some fun. Now, you've all spent a lot of time with your bonded. Sending feelings and talking without talking at all. Seems pretty normal now, doesn't it?"

"Well, heres where it gets weird again." He smirked, and crossed his arms over his chest. "Thats not the limit of your bond. With practice you can send pictures and images to each other. Memories. You can even see through each other's eyes. In battle, if you focus hard enough, and trust each other strongly enough... Its like you become one being." He glanced absently over his shoulder to Canph as he spoke, smiling faintly at the incorrigible red. The man coughed, and glanced back to his class, not wanting to appear overly sentimental. "When this happens, it's like you're one mind. You think faster, react quicker, and strike with far more accuracy. You have no doubt, and no fear."

"But, for now... Let's stick with learning to see." He dragged forward a wooden chest, but didn't open it just yet. Instead, he propped on booted foot on it, and continued speaking. "The key to seeing is trust. I'm sure you all trust your partners already, but I mean real trust. No reservations, no hiding thoughts or feelings. Opening your minds to each other completely..." His brow furrowed a little, as if having a bit of difficulty describing the concept. "It's hard to explain... But its a skill that takes practice."

He moved his foot off the chest, and pulled the container open. Inside were a number of thick black bandannas. "Your goal is to make it through this obstacle course blindfolded. One of you will put this on, and the other will lead you through the course. Either chick or rider can go first, but its important that both of you learn to see through each other's eyes." Once he had passed them all out, he set the box down and turned his eyes thoughtfully up the sky.

"Rules... Let's see." He counted them out on each finger. "One, one pair at a time. Two, no peeking. Three, you can give each other directions, but try and make them kinda visual. Don't just say, 'turn left, turn right'. You have to project the image or you wont get anywhere. Four, step out of bounds, or fall off the beam, and you're 'out' and have to let someone else have their turn." He smirked at this, not entirely able to ignore the malicious glee that Canph sent to him privately. His look turned stern as he announced the last rule, speaking in a no-nonsense tone. "And five, be civil. I shouldn't need to say this, but if someone else is taking their turn don't do anything to distract them. Go ahead and chat with each other, but I don't want to hear anyone yelling insults or anything like that, understand? Good."

"Everyone should get at least a couple turns in today. Don't get discouraged if you can't complete it just yet. Its going to take time and practice, so get started." K'huna stepped aside, gestured for the first pair to make their way across, and crossed his arms to watch.

[Kat]

Ri’ley slipped into the same black pants he had worn to all the other lessons. By now, their appearance was beyond even attempting to salvage, but in the past three months, Ri’ley had almost worked his way through all the clothing he had bought, and unlike most of the other winglets who could purchase more replacement garments, Ri’ley himself had no such luck. So, the man had to wear his old pants, especially since he was informed that they would be running an obstacle course, which sounded downright destructive and dirty to the surgeon. He slipped on a dark color shirt, and then he pulled on a rather rough looking wool sweater, which ended at the top of his pants with a ribbed band. The weather, though, was too cold for the light sweater, which was the only cold weather garment Ri’ley owned. He knew that the air would slip through the gaps in the knit, and that he would be cold. Dionyph, who had grown to be a new inches taller than Ri’ley, stretched into the empty space at the top of his head, extending his front legs against the floor, and elevating his backside. Ri’ley did not even turn towards the simourv, who he sent warm and affectionate feelings to, regardless of the fact that Ri’ley did not see the creature. The air was cold, even in the shelter of his room, and the black hatchling felt the cold and immediately moved closer to the man, so that some of the warmth from the creature radiated towards Ri’ley.

The man, though, hesitated, before he slipped out of the door. Because Ri’ley stopped short, Dionyph butted his head lightly into the small of Ri’ley’s back. Ri’ley grunted, his hand automatically floating backwards to stroke the hatchling’s beak, before it crept towards the edge of his bed, where he yanked the blanket off the mattress and slipped it in the small gap between Dionyph’s beak and the wall. Once the blanket was pulled from the bed, Ri’ley wrapped his torso in the fabric. Dionyph eyed Ri’ley in a confused manner, before the hatchling moved to stand next to Ri’ley as the pair left the room. The simourv leaned against Ri’ley, and the pair moved with a sluggishness caused by Ri’ley’s fatigue, the cold air, and their extreme, hindering proximity. But they made it all the way to obstacle course, and with Dionyph and the blanket, Ri’ley remained warm enough. The cold air was beginning to infiltrate his in tired mind, which, under the circumstances, was not a negative result. As K’huna explained the way the lesson would work, Dionyph stepped forwards, as the pair did not even need to discuss which one of them would run the course. It was an obvious choice, and the pair knew each other so intimately, that they did not even need to communicate with each other to make it. Ri’ley had the better sight of the two; not that his vision was actually better, but the man was so obsessively meticulous and his mind was so honed to working with detail that he could take in a scene with incredible accuracy, recreate it and remember it. Dionyph, though, was more graceful and better on his feet than the awkwardly large man, and thus Ri’ley would watch the course and Dionyph would run the course.

The black hatchling grabbed one of the blindfolds from out of the box with his beak. He trotted back to Ri’ley, and dropped the blindfold in Ri’ley’s open hands. Riley then stood, and he had to draw himself to his full height to do so, to tie the blindfold around the hatchling’s eyes. Then, Dionyph stepped forwards, as Ri’ley stared intensely at the obstacle course, surveying the entire scene and relaying ever detail of it with meticulous accuracy to the black. Dionyph bounded towards the obstacles, but when he reached the course, he slowed down, and he crept across the balance beams and weaved slowly through the course. The black understood that because he could not see, he had to move quietly, especially since although Ri’ley’s mental image was clear and precise, it lacked the same dimension and depth that Dionyph needed to move.

And Dionyph preformed extremely well, using Ri’ley’s image to work his way to the end of the course. He finished without failing, even though he did so in a painfully slow and methodical manner. His steadiness paid off, and as the first pair to attempt the course, Dionyph and Ri’ley finished. Ri’ley, of course, was as much responsible for the success as much as the simourv, as Ri’ley’s obsessively observant manner allowed them to complete the task. The simourv began to bound towards his rider excitedly, completely unaware that he was still blindfolded. He stumbled, tripped, and only caught himself before he fell directly onto his face. Ri’ley realized what was happening, as the simourv had forgotten that he was blindfolded, and so the large man raced towards Dionyph so that he could pull the fabric from Dionyph’s eyes. The hatchling bent down so that Ri’ley could remove the blindfold easily, and Ri’ley took the opportunity to rub Dionyph’s beak. The black rose to his full height, and he pranced next to Ri’ley’s slow steps. The black was completely unaware of the fact that while he had done a fine job, he had moved quite slowly through the course. Or perhaps, Dionyph was proud of himself regardless. He had done it, after all, and Ri’ley and him had worked smart. The pair moved to the side, so that another pair could attempt, and Ri’ley draped one of his arms lovingly around the black’s thick neck.

((God, I know it’s really iffy for me to assume Dionyph made it through the first time, but I just could not bring myself to write out more than one attempt. I feel too badly, but I promise Ri’ley will be much less successful. Pinky promise.))

[Kilnarak]

T'gan was was finishing up a late breakfast when Canph called for the winglets' attention. The girl and her simourv had woken up early, nearly with the dawn, and had gone for a brisk jog - not so far or so long, only to the feeding pens for Othokenph, and then when he was done back toward the main halls of the kitchens. Still, the exercise had felt both good and necessary - it was too cold to swim, this far north the water of the lake was even frosted over some mornings. T'gan hurriedly finished her breakfast - all that was left was a few bites of a honey-dipped roll, anyway - and made her way out of the kitchens.

Othokenph had been dozing off his own breakfast just outside, a large blue lump in the hallway - Canph's call had awakened him, however, and the hatchling was bright-eyed and alert when T'gan reached him. He chirped brightly at His, butting his head against her legs, and then skipped ahead as they made their way toward today's training-ground. We get to play in that course they made, Mine! he chirped again as he voiced this, excited. Of course they both had seen the course being constructed - curious exactly what was being built. Othokenph thought it looked like great fun, and T'gan was inclined to agree with him - in the young simourv's eyes the sprawling mess of mazelike wooden structures looked like a playground.

The blue-pair were among the first winglets to arrive, and they sat back to listen as K'huna began his lesson. Othokenph was a bright and pleasant presence at T'gan's side, radiating a sense of muted confidence and joy. He knew how to do this, to show His what he saw! He had done it before! Of course, he hadn't ever tried looking through her eyes - the thought hadn't even occurred to him before now. The young blue cocked his head to one side, his ears quirking into a curious set, and he glanced up at His with wide olive-eyes. I want to try it, too! Can I, Mine? And then, I can see and you can walk! He butted his head against the girl's shoulder, rubbing up against it like a friendly cat. T'gan smiled softly at his enthusiasm and nodded her agreement. "Allright, Oth. After Dionyph, you can try ta navigate it."

While they waited for Dionyph to navigate the course, T'gan got up to pick out one of the blindfolds. She brought it back to Othokenph, and then with a brief moments hesitation went about tying the blinder over his eyes. "That isn't uncomfortable or anythin', is it? I don't want ta damage any of your feathers." T'gan needn't have worried, however, Othokenph warbled and lifted a scaled paw to rub at the edge of the cloth that touched his beak. No, not at all! I'll try now! I can see me, through your eyes, Mine, he chirped happily as he mentally reached out toward His, settling easily into the space behind her eyes.

It was strange, however - he had never seen himself, aside from in the distorted reflections of the lake; T'gan didn't own anything save the smallest sliver of silvered glass for a mirror. He made a soft, questioning sort of noise and nosed curiously at T'gan's outstretched hand. I am not very blue, am I? Not like the others, there was a hint of uncertainty in his mental tones. T'gan frowned and leaned against the hatchling, wrapping her arms loosely about the simourv's neck in a hug. You're perfect, Oth. And with that his might bubbled back into its usual good cheer.

While Othokenph tested the bounds of seeing through His' eyes, Dionyph finished the course. Neither the blur or his bound had been paying all too much attention, however, and it was only when they heard someone call for the next pair to start did they realize it was their turn. The blue-pair picked their way over to the course - Othokenph stumbling slightly on the way there. It was difficult not to get caught up in the rest of His' mind - he couldn't watch his feet, and he forgot that he might need to. But as they moved into the course itself, the two progressed more smoothly - T'gan looked where Othokenph wanted for her to look, she watched the ground for him and half-murmured warnings when they neared stairs or obstacles to be leapt over.

Their progress through the course was fairly uneventful - about half-way through, gaining confidence, they picked up their pace. However they were forced to slow again as they reached the elevated beam. Othokenph wobbled and wavered his way across it - walking behind his, watching where she placed her feet and trying to feel where to place his own through that. He missed one of his steps, stumbling and nearly falling, but he managed to regain his balance - his little wings spread and his tail raised and waving behind him for balance.

The two finished their trek across the platform, and Othokenph hopped down with a small flutter of his undersized wings. T'gan carefully untied and removed the blindfold from Othokenph's eyes as they made their way back toward the group to sit and wait for their next turn. "You did great, Oth!" T'gan smiled at her blue, giving his neck another hug - the little simourv fairly hummed with happiness. It had been fun, but a little scary at the end when he slipped. Still, he could see through His' eyes, now! He knew how to! Although... it was a bit disorienting when they were both looking at things at the same time. He shook his head, pulling back enough that he wasn't sharing T'gan's vision anymore, although his mind was still a warm and comforting presence resting against her own.

[jaker]

K'to looked at Deeph and scratched his chin, "I think you should be the one with the blindfold, seeing as you waste your eyes on looking at yourself all day Deeph!" he bursted, quite proud of his idea. Deeph gave a hurtful snort and turned his nose at his rider, "just because you do not look perfect enough to look at your own beauty unlike me, mine!" he plopped his rear end on the ground and carried on looking the other way, but he didn't see K'to already preparing the blind fold and creeping up behind his companion. "Erm yeh, interesting but.... ahaaah," he dove onto the Simourv like an insane tiger brandishing a piece of clothe, yes, a strange sight indeed.

Deeph stumbled about with the sudden shock followed by blindless, he rebounded off rock and knocked over his rider which caused both to lay in a small pile on the cold dusty floor. "I.. I won that with grace," K'to coughed gruffly, rubbing his victimized skull. "Ha! I am on top right now, so I win!" and the both began to bicker under their breathes.

Once they despute was resolved by one of the red winglets giving them a deathstare. "Anyway! Deeph get your but in the obstacle coarse!" he pushed the sightless winglet into the coarse and clapped his hands. I don't like this K'to! Where am I going? Deeph whined, stumbling blindly forward.
"Erm carry on, watch out for the thing infront of you!" What's a thing?
"Oh y'know... a kind of ... thing made of wood?"
Ow! You could've told me it was a trough!
"Oh, I thought I saw one of those when I worked at a farm"
You worked at a farm but didn't know what a trough is?!
"... Well I did! I just forgot 'cause I got a whiney midget of a beastie nagging me 'cause he can't see himself!"
well... well... well.. we should focus on what we doing! Send me an image of the coarse through our bond!
"Erm ok.... what about now?"
A bowl of noodles?
"Oh, sorry, bit hungry to focus, it's something like... rooks, in an' out."
What's a rook?
"The thing on buildings, square like, but zig zaggy."
Can't you send an image?..... That's a rook?
"Should be, just walk with that image in ya head.. no! Don't go that way, other way!"
Ooph, I walked into a rock
"Nah, you just walked out of the coarse and into the trainer's Simourv..." K'to said nervously, running over to his companion and pulling him away as quick as he could.

[Vanman]

H’kan loved construction. The concept of building things just made him feel great. He had paid special attention the obstacle course that was being built in the canyon bed. It looks like they’ll be done soon and then we'll get to practice on it. I think it’s unfair I know so much about it already. it was true, he knew about all the obstacles on the course. it does not matter if you know the entire course, it only matters that you’re able to complete it. He looked at his Gaoph, almost glaring. He was not happy about the lack of confidence in his bonded. Deep down though, he knew his bonded was just joking. Then the call came. It was the same call they had heard before, just with different words. They all meant the same thing; it was time for a lesson.

The two made their way down the area that was designated for the obstacle course, showing up right on time. K’huna went into some long winded speech about being bonded and the fact that they could hear each others thoughts. The thing that K’huna said next surprised him. Apparently he could see through his bonded’s eyes and vice versa. Upon hearing this he wanted to try. Gaoph, I want you to concentrate very hard at K’huna. Try to send his face to me. At which point he closed his eyes and attempted to link with his bonded. Very soon he could see exactly what Gaoph could see perfectly clear.

He had decided that it was his turn to take on the obstacle course. H’kan reached in the box and grabbed a blindfold. Don’t send me any false images and keep an eye on the course. I don’t want to fall off just because you got distracted. He put on the blind fold and hear Gaoph say I’ll play all the attention to the course. I shall make sure that you see everything you need to. I will support you as your loyal bonded. Hearing this was reassuring enough to make him want to start the course. He started walking And no less than three feet in front of him, he tripped over a low wall that he was supposed to walk over. whoops. said Gaoph, he could feel the regret in his voice. It is OK mine, this was only the first of many challenges to come and we know now what we need to do.

The rest of the course was moderately easy. There were a few words where He almost had to start over, but Gaoph corrected him and helped him through the course. Around the walls seemed to give him the most trouble. When he finally made his way up to the balance beam, he heard some reassuring words from Gaoph. this is the easy part, we’ve practiced seeing through each other’s eyes, and now it all pays off. Good Luck, even though you do not need it. These words made him very happy, adding to the list of reasons he was glad to be bonded. He crossed the balance beam with ease. He stepped off, removed his blindfold and handed it to his bonded. You’re next!

[zeis]

K'ii, who had for once managed to get Akaturiaph here without much complaint, eyed the course dubiously. He was lost somewhere between confidence and dread. For one, his brother had taught him everything he knew, and he was, after all, a master of stealth. He was sure this course wasn't beyond his own abilities. However... Fate was often cruel to the young green Winglet, and he knew for certain that once he got out there, probably near the end, something would happen. A gust of wind would push him off, or maybe a moth would bite him. Something would happen to ruin it. Then we'll get back up and try again.

Before her rider could reply, H'kan was handing him a blindfold and wishing him luck. He offered the taller, older boy a little smile, and took it hesitantly. Everyone is watching... He looked between the blindfold in his hands, and the green and yellow simourv at his side, trying to decide which one of them would be blinded first. So? Akaturiaph made the decision for him, and pawed at his leg impatiently for him to get going. You'll get to see me scratch them up, if they laugh at you. That made him smile, even though he definitely didn't want that. He'd had enough mauling the day of the hatching.

He and Akaturiaph ventured toward the course, stopping at the start of it. He pulled the blindfold tight around his eyes, and groped out blindly to put a steadying hand on his simourvs side. Don't go too fast. Hmph, fine, I'll slow down for you. The green snorted indulgently, and started them off. She moved slowly, though not quite as much as Dionyph and Ri'ley had. Making it a point to stop and observe each of the obstacles in her way, and wait with gradually fraying patience as her rider bumbled through it. He may be seeing some of the things that she sent him, but he was not seeing well enough.

This was proven by a low slung bar that caught K'ii's foot, tripping him and sending him sprawling with a startled scream onto his face in the dirt. He spat out dust, and pushed himself up to sit dejectedly on his knees in the middle of the course. He reached up and pulled the blindfold from his face with disappointment, and mild irritation. How did I do? Terribly.

~~~~~~~~~

K'huna watched the Winglets go through the course one after another, looking immediately pleased with the progress. The first pair had already done so well, and he favored Dionyph and Ri'ley with an approving nod, and a pat and on the tall mans shoulder as they passed to let someone else have a turn. T'gan and Oth, K'to and Deeph, and H'kan and Gaoph also did well, and he offered a word of encouragement to each of them as the retreated from the course. Then it was K'ii's turn, and he watched with a passive face, with-holding judgment. Ever since being late to a lesson, and the talking to he received afterward, the young green Winglet had been a good student. Hadn't caused any trouble.

"You're out." He informed the boy as he pulled the blindfold off, and jerked a thumb over his shoulder to tell him to move his bones off the course. He hesitated a bit, not wanting to discourage the boy, and called at as he dejectedly walked off the course with his irritated looking green. "But good try. Keep practicing." He turned his gaze back to the assorted Winglets, expecting the green pair to seek out N'raan and Teimoph directly, as the two seemed to stick together in lessons. K'huna's attention was immediately caught by the fact that he couldn't seem to find N'raan anywhere in the crowd, which should have been an easy feat considering Teimoph's orangey bright feathers. But no, N'raan wasn't here.

Oh, hell no. People were not going to play hooky with his class.

All the inspiration and kind words left K'huna's face immediately, leaving behind that familiar scowl of a man who has spent his whole life kicking ass in one way or another. This would not stand. Ever. Especially not with this lesson. He glanced out the side of his eye to Canph, who was observing him with amusement. The red appeared to have known all along that the young red-pair wasn't here, and the fact that he had not told him was a further annoyance, but one that could be dealt with at a later time. Canph, hold the fort here. I'll be back. He commanded dourly, and excused himself from the lesson in clipped tones. "I'll be back. Keep working."

The red-rider stalked toward the Winglet Barracks, intending to check his errant student's room first. He could not recall seeing Teimoph out and about today, and figured there was a good chance the red chick was still inside the barrack somewhere. It was possible that the Winglet was still sleeping in that mess of a room he kept. If that was the case he was in for a rude awakening. As patient as he was with the slings and arrows of life, there was one thing he would not tolerate, and that was being disrespected when he was doing his job. He went on his warpath though the barracks, stopping at the red-pairs room to peer searchingly inside for either of the pair. "Hello?"

[Quill]

Sleeping was turning into a terrible habit, but he did not realize it until he heard the steps. Waking up, he heard knocking, but as he crawled from his bed, he noticed it was his neighbor being disturbed. He wondered what time it was. After he looked outside, he turned frantic, realizing that he had missed a lesson. Could K’huna be searching for those that skipped on his lesson.

”Finally, you are awake. I was afraid Mine would sleep forever.
“Why didn’t you wake me!” he exclaimed, surprised at his abrupt statement. Je’ce was not the type to speak brashly or have his heart beating so fast.
”Does Mine realize how heavy he sleeps. You snore constantly. I assumed you were sleeping with grand dreams of flying, so I let you sleep.
Je’ce’s eyes narrowed at the small simourv. “Right, Mr. Kindness. I presume you were not too lazy to wake me up.”
Now, now, don’t blame your Nasyeph for your faults. He chirped in amusement before rising to his black claws. ”Now are you going to argue with your Nasyeph or sneak while K’huna is distracted?

Je’ce nodded as he sprang from bed, hurrying to grab clothes and changing before he reached the door. A new record, the two agreed as the winglet inched the door open. Hoping the Wingletmaster was distracted by his current target, the winglet darted for the door with Nasyeph following and even defeating his strides. Despite being smaller than the rest of the blues and even some of the greens, his fledling’s speed surprised Je’ce every day.

Lateness had its downfalls. One of them was not knowing what the hell is going on when you arrive at your destination. All he could tell from first glances was blindfolds were involved. “Blindfolds are never fun.” ”Stop being so dark, Mine. Blindfolds are most fun anyone could have. Just look at the blindfolded expressions. Such joy.”. ‘That’s hardly joy.’ he thought, which Nasyeph heard loud and clear. The fledging had a keen eye though. Je’ce felt nervous as he observed the obstacle course and the blindfolded participants. Nasyeph’s tail swished in amusement, especially that he had noticed Canph. Surely, they could just ask them what they were supposed to do.

[Kilnarak]

At a glance, one might actually believe the young redpair were both present. Teimoph lay curled amidst the nest of blankets and bedding, much as he did when he slept with His - one might even imagine that the boy was still curled beside the simourv, hidden behind Teimophs fluffy curled tail, or beneath a half-extended wing. But no, N'raan was not present, and this fact annoyed Teimoph to no end - although, to tell the truth, it was something that the young simourv was growing accustomed to. He even supposed, on one level, he could understand it - where he longed to stretch his growing wings, to fly, His did not like being confined to their room either. He could understand it, but still he did not like it. And he certainly did not like the fact that His had not returned the night previous, or the jealousy and discomfort His' thoughts bred when Teimoph tried to reach out to him.

The young red growled softly as he heard a voice at the door - the sound increasing in volume as he realized whose voice it was. Teimoph lifted his head from where it had been nestled upon a pillow, his ears pinning back against his skull and his beak clacking together angrily. Why was Canphs here? He felt no love for the Wingletmaster, for all that he had a grudging respect for Canph. K'huna was simply another human that was not worthy of his attention, that was not worthy of His, and it angered the small red that he was also another human who caused him flares of jealousy.

Go away Canph's, Teimoph hissed, slowly clambering to his feet. His feathers had fluffed out, standing on end in the beginnings of a threat-display, and his broad stance held more than a hint of belligerence. He did not want this man here now, besides His wasn't here - K'huna wasn't his teacher, Canph was. And if Canph wanted him present without His, the elder red would have to damn well come and get him himself, instead of sending his stupid human. Mine isn't here and Mine isn't coming, so go away, he growled, lowering his head as if he might charge the human with his small, budding horns.

[Bre]

When my love for you was blind . . .

Romaph's first attempt at the course blindfolded when it was her turn wasn't very successful. Within two seconds, she ran off the course, M'rion dogging after her but far too late. She could see it, the pictures in her rider's head. They were tight like that. They both just didn't have the focus for it. Actually, M'rion did, but Romaph couldn't pick up on her rider's own determination to succeed at this. Or her doubts about this closeness, doubts she masked with thoughts about how maybe G'rael would be able to see now. Sharing seemed unnecessary to her. She didn't want to share a bunch of pictures. However, they were supposed to learn how to do this, so she kept feeding pictures of the course to Romaph. However, the green just wanted to run, stomping on the ground in front of her. She was out quick and M'rion had to rein her back in.

"Rom, you're off the course. Come back here!" M'rion's voice held laughter, but it was firm. Skittering to a stop, the growing Romaph lumbered back, picking her way quite easily to her rider with the blindfold still firmly attached to her face. With loving fingers, M'rion removed the bandanna and gave her young simourv a pat on the side of her neck. Failure did not sting her, but it did force her to think, a process that she found rather loathsome. She preferred to work off instinct, but she had never been bred or raised to know how to work with a simourv. Of course, she had overcome her upbringing numerous times before. Her hand still resting on Romaph's neck, she led the way back to where most of the others waited, but she did not immerse herself into any of their conversations as she might have. This was a personal time for all.

"We'll give it another try in a bit." M'rion's voice held multiple meanings, ones reserved for the understanding of Romaph. They would try again later and they would succeed. They would focus and do their best. It was not typical of her nature, but bonding does change everything. The dedication she had for running had to be put somewhere else. Silently, with a surge of energy and a click of her beak, Romaph agreed. She could do this. The things inside M'rion's head didn't make sense, but she could see them. Smiling, the youthful greenrider leaned against her simourv's shoulder, feeling the mix of new feathers and soft down against her smooth, cool skin. Her eyes scanned the scene in front of them as Romaph amused herself with the sight of a fluttering native insect. To her amusement, few seemed to be doing too much better than them.

. . . but I couldn't make you see it.

[zeis]

Red simourv were volatile. Against xymokoxi they were a sight to see, unleashing astounding amounts of violence and cruelty that was only otherwise hinted at in their usually aggressive demeanors. But, other than the confused and often hunger driven maulings at hatchings, the aggression that K'huna witnessed his red and others exhibit toward people stopped short of actual physical violence. So when his gaze locked with the young chick Teimoph, who was making a show of his size, he did not really feel afraid. He had dealt with Canph after all, and his own red was far larger. But common sense also told him that this was not Canph, this was not his simourv, and that there was always a first time for everything. After all, what did he really know about them?

He raised an eyebrow at the threat display, and tilted his head slightly to the side at the audacity of the young creature. He didn't advance or retreat, simply stood his ground. "I wouldn't have to be here bothering you if you and your ride actually showed up for your lessons. Instead of avoiding your responsibilities." The man leaned away from the doorway slightly and peered down the hallway, hoping to spot N'raan, and just narrowly missing seeing Je'ce and Nasyeph as they fled the barracks late. "But N'raan chose to do just that, and here I am." He turned his gaze levelly back on the young red, looking him up and down. "To remind him of his duty to the Eyrie, and, apparently, of his duty toward you to learn what I have to teach you both."

"I'm about as happy about this as you are." K'huna murmured wryly, and eyed the scattered shredded bedding that dominated the floor of the room with a wrinkled nose. What a pig-sty. The red-pair was lucky that he didn't do room inspections. It as also lucky he didn't have a room-mate. He would have felt sorry for the poor soul. He directed his thoughts back to business at hand, and returned his stern gaze toward the young red. It was regrettable that the chick seemed to harbor such a dislike of him, but as far as the Wingletmaster was concerned the Winglets could hate him as much as they wanted as long as they were good students. "So are you going to help me find your rider, and end this foolishness, or aren't you?"

[maiwolf]

[/i] the world at all. Despite the fact that he could now see through Taly, G’rael had grown up with a completely different view of life and the world. He found his own way around things, but to teach Talmaph to see how he saw? It would take much more than a day or, in G’rael’s case, three images from Taly’s eyes, to see. G’rael, it seemed, was a natural at seeing through his blue Simourv’s eyes. The only thing he hadn’t fully seen yet was Talmaph himself.

G’rael decided to go about his present danger slowly. Though, in a way, his ‘slowly’ certainly was not slow at all, at least considering the fact that he was blind. He waited for over half of the rest of the winglest to go before he volunteered. Then he went through the obstacle course himself first, also heading back through the obstacle course, further learning the course on the way back. He arrived back at Talmaph and placed a hand on the blue chick’s head. With a gentle sigh, G’rael asked his bonded telepathically, ‘Are you ready?’

Talmaph, who’d been blindfolded, grunted and shifted uncomfortably. This is what you see every day? ‘Not what I see everyday… it’s what I don’t see.’ G’rael declared mentally, and then to K’huna said, “I am ready, I will go now.”

G’rael stalked forward, easy in his own body down, and called to Taly, telling the Blue to follow his voice. With no awkwardness in his stride, Talmaph strode forward until G’rael, who’d already climbed over the pole, told him to stop, reach his nose-beak forward, and touch the pole. Talmaph touched it, and G’rael heard the solid thunk. “Go over it.” And Talmaph quickly finished climbing it. Then G’rael stepped forward four steps before ducking under another pole. He called Talmaph forward and did the same as before, only this time telling him to go under. It was what an onlooker might have said a force of chemistry. The two almost danced through the course without once seeming to mess up. But it was only because of G’rael and Talmaph’s trust in each other.

Even if Talmaph complained every step of the way, not in words or outward vocal emissions, but with slowness of steps. He couldn’t see where he was going, and G’rael didn’t give him any leeway at all. The usually cheerful Simourv was not so cheerful now. But, as the course ended, with no casualties even though the Blue had been led by a blind man. At the end of the course, G’rael leaned forward and pulled the blindfold off of Talmaph’s face. Sight flooded both eyes, and, at first, the sudden light and sight blinded both of them (blinded a blind man, ha!). G’rael looked at Talmaph but could only see what Talmaph saw. At first it had been hard to get used to this, but this was a new kind of blind, a blind where one could see.

G’rael returned to M’rion’s side… with the help of Taly’s sight. The two, inseperable, stood side by side. By now, Talmaph had become used to M’rion, and was no longer protective. But, after that, Talmaph was closer than usual. Don’t let me do that again. Talmaph declared, shaking himself. It was bad enough to be blindfolded… but blind? Uuuugh.
[/ul]

[Kilnarak]

For all that the room was a mess, Teimoph seemed comfortable enough with it at least. The piles of blankets and bedding that dominated the center of the room, while rather tattered, were still soft enough - and that only enhanced by the vibrant red molt scattered amidst them like drops of freshly fallen blood. The edges of the room were a touch neater, the partially destroyed bed-frame serving a makeshift shelf on which a variety of trinkets had been set, clothing (at least those pieces that had not managed to join the mess of bedding) cast haphazardly inside of and about a chest beside the shelf-bed. Other items had been accumulated as well, cast off crates serving as makeshift chairs and tables, scattered papers, weapons, even a few tattered and dog-eared books set atop these. One really had to wonder where the red winglet had been acquiring these things - especially given that there were few enough reports of theft in the Eyrie thus far. Perhaps they had been refuse?

Teimoph didn't care much about the stuff. Some of it was vaguely interesting, some of the shiny trinkets His hid at the bottom of his clothing chest - but mostly it was just stuff and he wasn't sure why His collected it. All they needed was a place to sleep, the rest was perhaps an added luxury, but in the end unnecessary. Of course, at the moment the young red wasn't thinking about any of this, his molten gaze was fixed unerringly upon K'huna. He slowly began to walk, stiff-legged and expressing threat - he kept the side of his body turned toward K'huna, displaying his size (exaggerated a bit by his ruffled feathers). Teimoph made a rough half-circle around K'huna, growling, only to turn about and repeat the process moving the other way. He didn't like the Wingletmaster, not at all. He didn't need to listen to the man talk about His shirking duties - he knew His should be here with Him, he didn't need this... this human rival telling him as much.

Why would I help you? Teimoph growled finally, letting his mental voice crash upon the Wingletmaster like storm-driven waves, willing as much force into the tone as he was able. He wanted to see the human flinch - he wanted him to back down, and it annoyed him that the man hadn't done so yet. He wasn't sure yet if he would lunge at the man, he wanted to, the growing cloud of frustration in his mind wanted him to, but the rational part of his brain understood that he should not - so instead the large hatchling growled and paced like a caged lion.

Mine doesn't want to be found. Why should I help you? he hissed as he stopped his pacing abruptly, turning to face K'huna and clacking his beak sharply. He had a vague idea of where His was, but the boy had erected a mental barricade to block the simourv out - it wasn't as though Teimoph could not get around it, could not break it down, but he again was not sure that he should do it. It frustrated him to no end, N'raan shouldn't have done that, but then, he had hurt His - it was to be expected that the boy would draw up defenses, however ineffective. Teimoph growled, his tail lashing, and glared at K'huna.

Rather a good way across the Eyrie, in a rather small room in the ground caverns, N'raan lay curled comfortably enough in a rather soft and feminine bed. He was alone - the rather lovely young serving-maid who owned the room, and thus the bed, had left earlier in the morning, and had bid the red winglet whom she had shared her bed with to stay as long as he liked. When he had met her the night prior, N'raan had put on his most charming facade. The girl had been distraught - her former paramour (some roguish green-rider from what he could tell) had betrayed her, she had seen him with another woman. She had wanted company, she had wanted affirmation that she was still desirable, she had wanted to hurt the other man, to make him jealous. She had been vulnerable, and N'raan didn't see any reason not to take advantage when opportunity presented itself - she was pretty enough, and he was bored; he didn't expect this to last more than a night, maybe two - however long he remained entertained and however long before she realized he wasn't what she thought he was. It would be a fleeting thing, but for now he didn't care particularly much - he was warm and he was happy enough, and really that was all that mattered.

N'raan had heard Canph calling them to gather some time ago, and he had tensed and waited until the calls stopped. He really hadn't been sure what would happen, if he did not come like a good dog when called - if the red would continue pestering him, would swoop down and somehow tear him out of this small sanctuary. But for all that he waited, nothing had happened, and after a time he relaxed and sprawled on his borrowed bed, sighing. Perhaps he would nap again for a while - he didn't want to get up, go out; he was comfortable. And besides, he really wasn't sure where his clothes had gotten off to...

[Fox]

Canph’s wake up call again saw L’nan unwilling to leave her bed. She was sleepy, and right at that moment another Winglet lesson seemed very much like an unwelcome prospect. But it was her duty; one that had come about as a result of having Eoreph in her life, and if the simourv’s companionship and unconditional devotion (which was mutual in any case) meant that the woman had to deal with getting up early for lessons… Well. Lea could deal with that. Minutes later found the tawnypair standing listening to K’huna’s instruction, L’nan with a customary hand across Eoreph’s shoulder. The tawny was growing, and growing fast. Soon, the tawnyrider would not be able to have such little intimacies, and already Lea could feel herself beginning to miss it. The closeness of those first few weeks, when Eoreph had been small enough to sleep in her bed and Lea had spent warm nights with her face buried in downy feathers (and subsequently being woken up by sneezing fits) would become a thing of the past. Soon enough. She would enjoy it while she still could.

The lesson today seemed interesting. Both simourv and girl scrutinised the obstacle course with interest, and as soon as K’huna set them loose, L’nan went for a blindfold with a barely suppressed sense of excitement. On the other end of the bond, Eoreph radiated the same excitement, though it was muted beneath a shy uncertainty. With a glance and a probing thought, it was settled that L’nan would go blindfolded first. Nary a word was spoken, but then again they didn’t need that. With no small amount of trepidation, the tawnypair approached the start of the course as G’rael and Blue Talmaph moved off it, and Lea reached up to tie the cloth firmly around her eyes. Let’s do this, Eo.

With a hand on her simourv’s back, it was disorientating to feel cloth chafing lightly against the skin of her eyelids and yet be able to see the world through Eo’s perspective. Colours danced and warped for a moment before settling, and Lea realised suddenly that she was looking at her own blindfolded face, from the slightly lower point of view of Eoreph. Strange. A smile curved her lips as feeling rolled down their connection. And then they were off, weaving their way slowly along the course, Eoreph moving slowly, perhaps more slowly than some of the other winglet pairs, but her gaze darted over everything, intending for Hers to have every iota of visual information that she could get. It was helpful, but not overly so as Lea found the dancing images slightly nauseating. But it went well enough, and Eoreph led her to the balance beam without issue. Then, as the tawnyrider clambered slowly onto the beam, she lost her balance.

It was no fault of Eoreph’s, but as Lea yelped and toppled off the beam to land on her backside in the dirt, at once the tawny was at her side, coiling around her time and again, probing her gently with beak and mind. Mine, are you alright? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have moved so quickly--[/color] ”It’s not your fault, dearest. It’s fine.” With a laugh, Lea reached blindly to run one hand through pale brown feathers in a gentle preening motion, as her other reached up to remove the blindfold. Brown eyes twinkled into worried brown as the woman reached to hug her simourv. I just have a horrible sense of balance! We’ll try again later/ And then, getting up, the tawnypair moved off the course, Eoreph still hovering worriedly by L’nan’s side. [/size]