Saul Chibi is by Requiem!

Their move to the Moonstone Lakes had taken its toll on Eirias. The Gyrfalcon was still young, and having already moved from Ichika to Hilsburn, the bird had been very confused when they'd upped and left the guest house and come out to the middle of nowhere. Saul was relieved to see the bird maybe once a day- he'd been checking back in every day but Saul hadn't seen him properly since they'd arrived. Yesterday, he'd roped Niernan into helping him start a treehouse, and after the two had retired for the day, Eirias had hopped into Saul's hut and demanded some meat. The male had been more than happy to feed the bird, who had settled on the roof. When Saul had woken that morning, he'd been greeted with a sharp call from the bird, who had apparently decided that he didn't want to stay away any longer. It had lifted his spirits somewhat, and given him something other than Lilin and her avoidance techniques. He'd decided to take the bird out into the forest and see how good he was at hunting.


After waking Temeraire up and feeding him some breakfast, Saul had asked his son if he wanted to accompany him out to the forest. His son had declined, telling him in no uncertain terms that he had important plans with Elias this morning and that he wasn't going to miss that for anything. Saul had chuckled good naturedly, and told him to keep it quiet so that he didn't disturb anyone, before he'd called Eirias to his arm. The falcon gripped him hard, puncturing his arm in a way that Saul hadn't felt for weeks. Still, it was an important part of the bonding process, for Saul to carry the bird into the forest. They were quiet- Saul hadn't learnt adequate low speech to understand much of the birds mutterings, and Eirias really only understood commands in High Speech. So they remained silent, a companionable understanding that this was a bonding exercise.


A large clearing would be suitable enough for Eirias to stretch his wings and hunt sufficiently. Saul came to a stop, a finger stroking the birds breast soothingly before he gave a softy Away. Eirias cocked his head once, before doing as he was told and flying up to a tree branch. He knew he was going to have to work on his commands with the bird, but he was doing well enough for now. Taking a deep breath, Saul allowed himself to settle into a training mode, deep in the forest where they shouldnt be interupted.

Saul Chibi is by Requiem!

As Eirias settled on the tree branch, a soft call and a shuffle of his wings his only movement for the moment, Saul considered what he actually wanted to do with him today. Hunting would perhaps be a nice outcome, but he knew it wasn't a good idea to focus all of his attention on that aspect. Getting to know the bird again, even if they had only been a part just over a week, would be a nice place to start. Eirias needed to learn a few more words in High Speech, and Saul could do with familiarising himself with the piercing calls that Eirias used to communicate. They would never be translated into actual words, but the general gist of what Eirias was trying to say would be better than nothing.


Like now, the sharp and piercing shriek was automatically recognised as a call of danger, or prey. Solid green eyes washed across the brush, trying to spot whatever it was that his bird had spotted. Unfortunately the wind was not in his favour, so he couldn't smell whatever it was. Sensitive ears however, picked up on the most delicate of whines, eyes instantly narrowing until they found the larger body of a pup near the outskirts of their little clearing. There was something very familiar about the pup, though he couldn't quite place it. He smiled, an automatic reaction to anyone coming into his presence.


Don't worry little one, he won't hurt you! He's just letting me know someone was there. I'm Saul Stormbringer, and this is Eirias.


He said, his hand pointing up to the bird. His face was open and reassuring, but he still couldn't grasp where he knew her from. Hoping she would be friendly enough to stick around, he waited to see if he could recognise her when her name was given.

Saul Chibi is by Requiem!

The keen green eyes of the man could see the unease to which the pup held its body, tension rolling off of the shoulders and an unsure look on its face. Saul tried to tell himself it was a good thing- the pup's parents had done a good job in instilling a fear of strangers in the pup, which would certainly help minimise the risk of runs ins with those who weren't so friendly. Of course, a smaller part of him was a little hurt that someone would take such an instant wariness to him, but he allowed this smaller side to be brushed aside. He shouldn't have been getting sentimental at all. Still, he allowed his face to remain friendly and open, ears erect and tail wagging softly behind him in the pinical of a relaxed greeting.


Cinnamon backed ears twitched softly as the bushes around the pup shifted, the black body moving out slowly and cautiously. Saul allowed his posture to remain as it was, although he subtly shifted his weight back so that it did not look as though he was leaning forward or looming over the pup. The black pup opened their mouth to speak, and he was rewarded with a high, feminine voice, introducing herself as Dalgina. Shock rushed through him, eyebrows furrowing softly. He was certain that Dalgina wasn't a common name, and the only Dalgina he'd met was Jace's daughter. Dalgina? Jace's daughter? Do you remember me? I'm Saul. He asked, peering softly at her to see if she would remember anything about him. They'd only met once, but he'd given her the tree carving she'd asked for- perhaps she would remember him.

Saul Chibi is by Requiem!

The pup seemed captivated by Eir, who had remained in his tree-top perch since she had emerged. He supposed this was a good thing- he hadn't tried to kill her as he had done with Wilson and he seemed content to listen to what SAul said. Following his orders was a good thing and Saul sent his bird a soft clicking sound, which he had learnt from Eirias himself to mean something good. Praise in his own language made the bird puff his chest out, ruffling his feathers proudly before piercing amber eyes fixed on the pup once more. He was large enough to kill the pup if it were a surprise attack, but his intelligent mind told him that his master was conversing with it, and therefore Eir would leave it alone. The pup, having heard the words from Saul, span around, confusion lighting her face. Saul noted the confused crunch of her nose, the reluctance to speak but the curiosity raging none the less. Saul himself was a little shocked- he was sure that this was Dalgina from Ichika.


The soft shake of her head was enough to confirm that she was perhaps too young to have remembered him when they'd met. Her verbalisation revealed her insecurity and Saul allowed a smile to once again adorn his face. He allowed his tail to resume its swinging gait. "I don't suppose you would remember me, you were such a little thing when we met." He conceded, rubbing the back of his neck once before continuing. "I'm a friend of your mothers- we helped to create Ichika when our leaders joined our packs. Do you have a wooden carving of a tree? I made that for you." He said, hoping that what he said wasn't too confusing. The merging of Dahlia and Phoenix had been a shock for everyone, especially since there weren't many strong bonds between the members of the pack. Jace had been resistant, but Saul had managed to befriend her before she left. It seemed she had walked in his shoes. "Where do you live now?" He asked, wondering if Jace had settled anywhere close.

Saul Chibi is by Requiem!

The black teen in front of him now resembled the dark bundle of fur that had been so curious about everything, not so many months ago. Physically, they were identical despite the growth spurt of course. On the other hand, she looked like she'd aged so much since those overcast days in Ichika, she was very quiet now, she held herself differently, reserved from sticking her nose in to things. He wondered what had happened to her to make her this reserved from the world around her, especially when she'd been so exuberant and playful when he'd first met her. Still, it wasn't like she was in his life and he had no right to know about her business- he'd left Ichika, including her family, behind a while ago now.


Of course, there may have been a glimmer of hope for her when he mentioned the tree carving. Her head bobbed vigorously in time to her tail wagging behind her and Saul allowed a wide grin to cover his face. She was a sweet kid and he hoped that something bad hadnt happened to her. The smile faded and Saul allowed his to drop to as she spoke once more, giving the name of the pack Skye and Shawchert belonged to. Saul hadn't met anyone from Cercatori in a long time, but he remembered his reading lessons with Skye, the carving lessons with Shawchert. He nodded to indicate that he knew where she meant, before concentrating on the sadness in her voice and posture.


And you don't like Cercatori? He questioned, trying to figure out what it was about Cercatori that made her sad. Shifting softly, he crouched down, resting his knees on the ground and hoping that she wouldn't back away. Jace was a good mother- he knew she would have left Ichika for a good reason. It intrigued him, but he doubted Dalgina would understand her parents motives.

Saul Chibi is by Requiem!

Dalgina's non-verbal agreement caused a soft purse to Saul's lips and he remained silent. It was clear that she didn't want to talk, although he could see her fixation with Eirias. He didn't think it would be a particularly good idea to call his bird down- the bird had a taste for small animals and the female sort of remained in this bracket. Unfortunately, the Stormbringer male understood the birds restless shifting, his gaze shifting back to the small form of the pup beside Saul. It was important to push Eirias, and make him understand that the smaller of the species (and the cats that followed a few Luperci) were not food, but it was important for Saul to understand the birds limits. And he could see that the bird was reaching them.


I'm terribly sorry Dalgina, but Eirias is getting restless- we've got to go. I hope you get back to Cercatori safely, and say hello to your mother for me.


He said, offering the female a smile before he moved towards Eirias, raising his arm and commanding the bird to 'Come'. It was a lot easier to remain single-worded with the bird until they began to understand each other more- they would both get confused about what the other wanted when more words were thrown in. Of course, the frustrated cry from the white falcon was received with a soft smile- he understood that his bird was hungry and the small figure was not helping anything. He landed with a thud on Saul's arm, deliberately digging his talons into his masters arms. Saul gave a hiss, but stroked the birds breast once before turning around.



Goodbye Dalgina, I'm sure we'll see each other again. And maybe by then, Eirias will have learnt that you aren't food. He chuckled, giving a wave before moving back towards the Lakes. It took them perhaps ten minutes to move far enough away for Saul to feel safe releasing Eir, shifting down into his Lupus form to begin hunting with the bird.