Post by Taki on Aug 11, 2014 22:48:44 GMT -8
Taki laughed as she played a chase game with Dusk and Mysteri, letting them run after and jump at her sash. She was inside her little house, enjoying a calm day with her bondeds and pets. Tam’kar curled up dozing on the couch, his tails flickering absently around the two crimson red orbs there, Honor was currently at the oasis grazing, though he’d sent Taki a word of thanks for a tale she’d told. Said it helped with a situation he found. Taki was curious, though for all her playful cajoling he’d just laughed and said he would tell her when he got back. Beleth was practicing flying, sending her bonded thoughts of how lovely it was, and how good the sunlight felt on her scales. Springbuck was finally up and mobile again, enjoying the greens that grew wild in the back yard (proper gardening was on Taki’s to-do list). By the Myrgwae’s reckoning, it was a perfect day. There was nothing going to be spoiling her mood!
Just as Honor sent a message to her through their Bond that he saw home, he also gave her a flash of warning: someone was beside the house, messing around with something and he couldn’t make any assessment on what exactly they were doing. In an instant, Tam’kar was off the couch, wide awake and fur bristling in defense. Beleth turned and a split second later said she was above town; she’d clearly gone between to get back. After rounding up the more defenseless of her creatures and herding them into her bedroom for safety, with Springbuck reporting in his scattered manner of speaking that whoever had been there, and whatever their scheme, they were gone now. With both Beleth and Honor sounding the all clear, something that had Taki smiling with affectionate amusement – they sometimes forgot how potent a defense her Empathy could be at times – Tam’kar 'allowed' her to step outside (only after he sniffed the air to confirm no one was about, and went first to make triply sure it was alright), and investigate.
The side of the house where she met with Honor was where she had put some supplies for the rabbits’ hutch she was going to try and make, with Springbuck’s guidance. There was just some wood and a small box of nails and a hammer. Tucked into the box was a rolled up piece of paper.
*What do you suppose this is?*
What did you find? asked Beleth. From her high vantage point, she couldn’t see their discovery.
*Some sort of paper.” Picking it up, careful not to accidentally scatter the nails, she uncurled it. Something small and metal fell to the ground; picking it up she found a key. Then she read the words written in a simple script.
A great reward awaits for one who completes my challenge! Follow my clues, unlock each box you find, and when you are done, you will find that you will never regret the choice.
Your first clue:
Quiet as a mouse, yet you pipe so well. Travel to the place where a hunter’s story you heard tell.
What do you make of that? Honor mused. Taki grinned.
*It’s a treasure hunt! We follow the clues, and at the end there will be a treasure! And I think I know where the first clue means. C’mon!* Laughing cheerfully, she let the others out of the bedroom, put Springbuck in charge (surprisingly, the hare had proven to be quite skilled at keeping the echee in line, and the rabbits automatically listened to him), and led the others to the oasis, to where she had played for Cain.
Ah! Now I understand! Beleth gasped as she landed (practicing, as always, her forelegs up landing). You talked with Cain here, and he did tell you about how he used to be a hunter of witches.
*Which means the next clue should be around here somewhere.* They began to hunt for it. *What did the person look like, Honor?*
Honestly, I can’t be certain. He certainly didn’t have the look of poverty around him, though neither would I say he had riches, as much as that exists here. Honestly, from descriptions from your stories, I would call him an animal trainer or handler of some sort. But he was there and gone so fast!
*It’s alright. I’m just glad you came back when you did! Otherwise we might never had known he was here!*
I found something! Tam’kar suddenly called, unburying something from a small hold in the ground, straightening up and shaking dirt from his head, sending it raining down around him. At his feet was a small box.
Open it! encouraged the dragon, even waving her wings in her eagerness. Taki giggled and, taking the key from her skirt pocket, opened the box.
Much to all of their surprise, there wasn’t anything like a treasure inside it. Instead was another, this time folded, piece of paper.
More paper? Tam’kar’s ears twitched. That’s not much of a treasure!
It’s probably another clue, replied Honor, as Taki opened it and read aloud.
An incarnation of dragon might, rising into the sky to a great height. A place where a trip and stumble in the end, gave to you a bonded friend.
The Nexus! Beleth cried. Quickly they rushed towards the nesting and living grounds of the dragons.
Upon arrival, they saw everything pretty much as it should be. Dragons were relaxing of flying around, they say Dorth at a distance keeping watch over her eggs, and there was nothing to indicate anything amiss or changed.
Where is it?
*The note said ‘where a trip and stumble in the end, gave to you a bonded friend.’*
Taki, we met here, remember! Tam’kar nuzzled her arm.
*That’s right! And I –did- stumble upon the egg you were in!* Quickly returning to the place where she’d found Tam’kar’s egg, along the edge of the Nexus, they found another small box tied to a jut of rock, nearly hidden from sight. Opening this one with a key, they found another note.
Blazing heat and ebon sand, pain and love were found in this land. Return to where tears and hope strong stood, quickly now! Lest your clue be lost for good!
I think I know where that is. Honor’s eyes were dark with remembered pain. We need to go to the Ebon Drifts, and we should hurry. The winds may bury our next box!
Thus it was that the group returned to the place where Honor was born, along with the other fawns of the kurbok. The lucky ones had Bonded and survived. The rest had been granted a quick mercy though by now there were no signs of the event. The closer they got, the stiffer Honor became.
*We don’t have to do this,* Taki murmured privately to him.
I’m fine, Taki. It happened, and it’s done with. I was one of the lucky ones, even more than lucky because it brought me to you. Come on, lets find this one quickly. The sand made searching this one difficult, as if shifted with each dig and step. It was Beleth who finally found this one, using her wings to help blow the sand away. It was right where Taki had huddled with Honor and Tam’kar as they had been leaving.
Laughter, riddles, sun, and fun! A party was held here, where sea and sand play, their contest never won.
Redfish Reef! all of Taki’s bonded cried at once, making her laugh as their voices mingled in her mind.
*Right! Lets go!*
The reef no longer showed signs of the party that had been held there, though Taki thought she heard faint laughter on the wind, as if an echo of the fun held there (or a colony of Nynt was somewhere nearby). Instantly they took to scouring the sand and any nearby rocks, and even the tide pools and shallows.
Ah! Here! Honor called. In the pool here. There’s something under a ledge.
Oh, I hope it’s not too wet to read, Beleth worried, as Taki reached into the pool she was beside when she learned that there were creatures in the sea that could laugh; a rather fitting hiding place. Instead of a box this time, however, it was a tiny bottle with the note safely corked within. That got a laugh as she pulled the cork (with Beleth’s help), pocketed the bottle as a gift for the echee, and read the note:
A call in the night, restless and deep. A stirring in the soul, denying any sleep. A journey unpredicted, three traveled together. A new friendship made, to endure any weather. Beleth and Taki looked at each other and nodded. This one was clear. With swift steps they headed to Everleaf Grove, where Taki had found Beleth’s egg.
Arriving at the clearing in the trees, the box was quite visibly hanging from a string attached to a tree branch, rather high up. It was fortunate that Beleth had learned to fly, as she was able to get up there and get it.
Open it! cheered Tam’kar. We’re getting close, I can feel it! Her Bondeds crowding around, Taki unlocked the box and unrolled the note:
After this, your journey ends, right back where it began.
That – that’s it? puzzled Beleth. Where do we go next?
*I’m not sure.* Taki was sincerely confused. For a few minutes they puzzled about it, then Honor nudged Taki’s back.
I think I understand. Follow me! With no other ideas, they obeyed him, and he led them… right back home!
*Oh! This whole journey began at home, so if it ends where it began, then it ends at home too.*
But we would know if there was a treasure at home, Tam’kar huffed.
Unless it was placed there after we’d left, you silly kitsune, reasoned Honor.
Oh, yeah! Hey, maybe Springbuck saw something! A quick querry revealed he had not, though everyone was well and safe inside.
*I suppose the only thing to do is to right back to where this began, around the side of the house,* mused Taki, and she led the others around the back to the side where they had found the first note, to see what ‘treasure’ awaited!
(word count: 1717/1000, mouse, red, incarnation, spoiling, assessment, rain, reckoning, poverty, scheme, handler)
Just as Honor sent a message to her through their Bond that he saw home, he also gave her a flash of warning: someone was beside the house, messing around with something and he couldn’t make any assessment on what exactly they were doing. In an instant, Tam’kar was off the couch, wide awake and fur bristling in defense. Beleth turned and a split second later said she was above town; she’d clearly gone between to get back. After rounding up the more defenseless of her creatures and herding them into her bedroom for safety, with Springbuck reporting in his scattered manner of speaking that whoever had been there, and whatever their scheme, they were gone now. With both Beleth and Honor sounding the all clear, something that had Taki smiling with affectionate amusement – they sometimes forgot how potent a defense her Empathy could be at times – Tam’kar 'allowed' her to step outside (only after he sniffed the air to confirm no one was about, and went first to make triply sure it was alright), and investigate.
The side of the house where she met with Honor was where she had put some supplies for the rabbits’ hutch she was going to try and make, with Springbuck’s guidance. There was just some wood and a small box of nails and a hammer. Tucked into the box was a rolled up piece of paper.
*What do you suppose this is?*
What did you find? asked Beleth. From her high vantage point, she couldn’t see their discovery.
*Some sort of paper.” Picking it up, careful not to accidentally scatter the nails, she uncurled it. Something small and metal fell to the ground; picking it up she found a key. Then she read the words written in a simple script.
A great reward awaits for one who completes my challenge! Follow my clues, unlock each box you find, and when you are done, you will find that you will never regret the choice.
Your first clue:
Quiet as a mouse, yet you pipe so well. Travel to the place where a hunter’s story you heard tell.
What do you make of that? Honor mused. Taki grinned.
*It’s a treasure hunt! We follow the clues, and at the end there will be a treasure! And I think I know where the first clue means. C’mon!* Laughing cheerfully, she let the others out of the bedroom, put Springbuck in charge (surprisingly, the hare had proven to be quite skilled at keeping the echee in line, and the rabbits automatically listened to him), and led the others to the oasis, to where she had played for Cain.
Ah! Now I understand! Beleth gasped as she landed (practicing, as always, her forelegs up landing). You talked with Cain here, and he did tell you about how he used to be a hunter of witches.
*Which means the next clue should be around here somewhere.* They began to hunt for it. *What did the person look like, Honor?*
Honestly, I can’t be certain. He certainly didn’t have the look of poverty around him, though neither would I say he had riches, as much as that exists here. Honestly, from descriptions from your stories, I would call him an animal trainer or handler of some sort. But he was there and gone so fast!
*It’s alright. I’m just glad you came back when you did! Otherwise we might never had known he was here!*
I found something! Tam’kar suddenly called, unburying something from a small hold in the ground, straightening up and shaking dirt from his head, sending it raining down around him. At his feet was a small box.
Open it! encouraged the dragon, even waving her wings in her eagerness. Taki giggled and, taking the key from her skirt pocket, opened the box.
Much to all of their surprise, there wasn’t anything like a treasure inside it. Instead was another, this time folded, piece of paper.
More paper? Tam’kar’s ears twitched. That’s not much of a treasure!
It’s probably another clue, replied Honor, as Taki opened it and read aloud.
An incarnation of dragon might, rising into the sky to a great height. A place where a trip and stumble in the end, gave to you a bonded friend.
The Nexus! Beleth cried. Quickly they rushed towards the nesting and living grounds of the dragons.
Upon arrival, they saw everything pretty much as it should be. Dragons were relaxing of flying around, they say Dorth at a distance keeping watch over her eggs, and there was nothing to indicate anything amiss or changed.
Where is it?
*The note said ‘where a trip and stumble in the end, gave to you a bonded friend.’*
Taki, we met here, remember! Tam’kar nuzzled her arm.
*That’s right! And I –did- stumble upon the egg you were in!* Quickly returning to the place where she’d found Tam’kar’s egg, along the edge of the Nexus, they found another small box tied to a jut of rock, nearly hidden from sight. Opening this one with a key, they found another note.
Blazing heat and ebon sand, pain and love were found in this land. Return to where tears and hope strong stood, quickly now! Lest your clue be lost for good!
I think I know where that is. Honor’s eyes were dark with remembered pain. We need to go to the Ebon Drifts, and we should hurry. The winds may bury our next box!
Thus it was that the group returned to the place where Honor was born, along with the other fawns of the kurbok. The lucky ones had Bonded and survived. The rest had been granted a quick mercy though by now there were no signs of the event. The closer they got, the stiffer Honor became.
*We don’t have to do this,* Taki murmured privately to him.
I’m fine, Taki. It happened, and it’s done with. I was one of the lucky ones, even more than lucky because it brought me to you. Come on, lets find this one quickly. The sand made searching this one difficult, as if shifted with each dig and step. It was Beleth who finally found this one, using her wings to help blow the sand away. It was right where Taki had huddled with Honor and Tam’kar as they had been leaving.
Laughter, riddles, sun, and fun! A party was held here, where sea and sand play, their contest never won.
Redfish Reef! all of Taki’s bonded cried at once, making her laugh as their voices mingled in her mind.
*Right! Lets go!*
The reef no longer showed signs of the party that had been held there, though Taki thought she heard faint laughter on the wind, as if an echo of the fun held there (or a colony of Nynt was somewhere nearby). Instantly they took to scouring the sand and any nearby rocks, and even the tide pools and shallows.
Ah! Here! Honor called. In the pool here. There’s something under a ledge.
Oh, I hope it’s not too wet to read, Beleth worried, as Taki reached into the pool she was beside when she learned that there were creatures in the sea that could laugh; a rather fitting hiding place. Instead of a box this time, however, it was a tiny bottle with the note safely corked within. That got a laugh as she pulled the cork (with Beleth’s help), pocketed the bottle as a gift for the echee, and read the note:
A call in the night, restless and deep. A stirring in the soul, denying any sleep. A journey unpredicted, three traveled together. A new friendship made, to endure any weather. Beleth and Taki looked at each other and nodded. This one was clear. With swift steps they headed to Everleaf Grove, where Taki had found Beleth’s egg.
Arriving at the clearing in the trees, the box was quite visibly hanging from a string attached to a tree branch, rather high up. It was fortunate that Beleth had learned to fly, as she was able to get up there and get it.
Open it! cheered Tam’kar. We’re getting close, I can feel it! Her Bondeds crowding around, Taki unlocked the box and unrolled the note:
After this, your journey ends, right back where it began.
That – that’s it? puzzled Beleth. Where do we go next?
*I’m not sure.* Taki was sincerely confused. For a few minutes they puzzled about it, then Honor nudged Taki’s back.
I think I understand. Follow me! With no other ideas, they obeyed him, and he led them… right back home!
*Oh! This whole journey began at home, so if it ends where it began, then it ends at home too.*
But we would know if there was a treasure at home, Tam’kar huffed.
Unless it was placed there after we’d left, you silly kitsune, reasoned Honor.
Oh, yeah! Hey, maybe Springbuck saw something! A quick querry revealed he had not, though everyone was well and safe inside.
*I suppose the only thing to do is to right back to where this began, around the side of the house,* mused Taki, and she led the others around the back to the side where they had found the first note, to see what ‘treasure’ awaited!
(word count: 1717/1000, mouse, red, incarnation, spoiling, assessment, rain, reckoning, poverty, scheme, handler)
