Unexpected songbirds

Silvano Sadira · 08-06-2012, 09:01 PM

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because i am clever, have a clever title

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Giselle's time was coming close, they all felt it. The children in her womb kicked and nudged, eager to emerge to the world. Silvano was risking her going into labor while he was gone but he wanted to surprise her with something when she was through and their children were in their arms at last. A gift, for her trouble and misery, as well as something to make her smile all the more. But he did not know what to bring, nor what to find her. She loved books, and she loved small animals, but they had far more than enough books for all of them. He had to find something that would not replace the stoat in her affections, that could be useful or pretty. A songbird. Giselle loved to sing, and Silvano wanted to find her something that would make her heart sing with it. But he was in a rut. Who had a songbird to trade? Silvano had to think, and remembered the trade caravan from Cercatori d'Arte. Perhaps they had a bird or something to trade.

He did not tell her where he went, but said he would be back home as fast as he could. Giselle was clearly getting more and more uncomfortable and he rushed himself so as not to miss their children's arrival. Silvano ran hard in his secui form with the books tied tightly to his back to keep them from slipping, a pair of pants wedged in with them. By the time he arrived at the borders, he found himself a bit winded as he shifted forms, slipping the books from his back and pulling on his worn jeans. The books were simple, a book of plays by a Shakespeare. He had seen references to the man often in other books and thumbed through a few. They were interesting but not enough for him to keep. To boot, he added a book on jewelry making and furniture making, just in case they had the first.

Rubbing at sore legs, the tall hulking Knight howled for assistance, happy to finally have arrived. He sat himself on a stump and sighed heavily, hoping to get through quickly for his mate was sure to be waiting.

Photo taken by Luana. Table style inspired by Kitty.

Skye Collins · 08-07-2012, 12:47 PM

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Smile

The pregnant woman no longer dealt with hard labor for a little while - she did not want to upset the little ones growing on her womb. However, she was free to feed and care for the livestock, and that included the chickens. So many chickens! She wondered how the stables didn't stink, but then attributed it to her shepherds' wonderful work - somehow they prevented the stink of the chickens from reaching the rest of the stables, the rest of Thornbury, and the rest of the pack.

She stood straight and stretched back her backside as she heard a low, loud howl from the borders. She didn't recognize it - it didn't seem like Jazper, or anyone from Cercatori d'Arte returning from a trade trip. Perhaps it was a loner wishing to join? Or someone wishing to trade? Without wasting any time, she ambled down the streets of Thornbury, towards the borders from whence the howl came.

Walking on two legs, she quickly saw who it was that had called. A rather large man, in his his Optime form, mottled brown and cream with a few hues of blueish gray covering his body. He had several books with him, side by side his faded jeans.

She wasn't dressed in her attire, but still had the necklaces around her neck, and the bangles around her wrist that gave her a vaguely exotic trader's appearance. She put on her best smile to the man, who seemed from the scent to be from the neighboring pack Cour des Miracles. She hadn't had many interactions with the pack, but knew that several past members of the pack had resided once in Cercatori d'Arte.

"Hello," she said, "What brings you to the borders of Cercatori d'Arte?" she asked, peering at the books with interest.

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Silvano Sadira · 08-11-2012, 01:52 AM

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because i am clever, have a clever title

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Silvano absently played with the grass, pulling it up by the stump and letting it rain down. He looked like a bored six month old new to his long legs and fingers. But as soon as his ears twitched in the direction of a member of the Artists heading his way, he perked up and rose from the stump. Hands roughly brushed away the bits of loose wood chips and dried grass to present himself as far more upstanding than he felt. It was hard to believe that this tall man was going to be a father in a matter of days to his own set of offspring. How could that possibly be? Silvano was far from mature and far from ready, or perhaps he liked to think so. He was never quite so immature as he thought and he was far more grim and serious than he wanted to think.

Clearing his throat and readying his nerves to meet a stranger, and lord knew who they were, Silvano straightened his things quickly as the woman approached. She wore beads that draped around her neck in graceful rings, in a beautiful blue color. Maybe he ought to find Giselle some jewelry. Blue would suit her too, he thought absently, staring at the woman's large beaded necklaces. Yes, Giselle would look lovely in jewelry, which he realized she had precious little of.

"I'm Silvano Sadira, and I'm looking to trade some things for a bird maybe?" he asked bluntly, knowing it was better than to beat around the bush, especially with Giselle's time approaching as fast as it was. He held up the books for the woman, a set of three though completely unrelated in topic. "I was hoping to make a deal so I can surprise my mate."

Photo taken by Luana. Table style inspired by Kitty.

Skye Collins · 08-12-2012, 09:55 PM

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Her eyes lit up visibly as he mentioned that he'd like to trade for something. And trade he would! The d'Artisan pack almost never turned down a trade, and Skye, as the leader of said pack, was true to its nature. In fact, she reveled in trade, enjoying it as a sign of goodwill between two canines, and as a way to get new items as well.

She put her hand on her chin, narrowing her eyes at the books as she read what their titles held - they were all various books, none really related to each other but none very familiar with Skye, meaning that they probably did not have these kinds of books yet. She knew that many in her pack, including especially her son Robert, would appreciate them in the bookstore they now called the local library.

"Why, you have come to the right place," she said, her charisma coming out in her face, a lovely smile now fixated in place. "Just follow me - I am Skye Collins, leader of these lands, and do I know the perfect bird for you!" She waved her hand into the territory, encouraging the man to enter. She knew that he was there for trade, but a small suspicion inside of her - one that she had with everyone - caused her to be cautious, muscles tensed to protect her pack even if she appeared relaxed and calm on the outside.

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Silvano Sadira · 09-07-2012, 05:16 PM

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I AM A BAD BAD PERSN SUNNY. I DO NOT DESERVE ANYTHING DX

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Easily won by the charismatic woman, Silvano smiled back at her with ease. It was a fault of his to trust a woman more easily than men, for he knew what depravities a man was perfectly capable of committing. Women were more delicate in his eyes, even if his mother had proven otherwise. But she was a trustworthy woman and his model for many. Giselle was a delicate flower that he loved and cared for. Somewhere in the back of his mind he remembered Nuki, the woman who had killed his adoptive brother Denali, but the memory was stale, and he could hardly recall the time.

"It's so strange trading with others. So much was provided for in Crimson Dreams, and we shared so much." He was musing about his past, knowing that Cercatori d'Arte existed for this purpose. They were artists and traders, which made him happy to deal with them; they did not cause problems and were a good, trustworthy group. Well, from what he had gathered from gossip and talk. "You keep a flock?" he asked, curious if the pack traded in exotics too. It was unlikely, but a pretty tropical bird sounded wonderful, if absolutely impractical.

Photo taken by Luana. Table style inspired by Kitty.

Skye Collins · 09-08-2012, 12:53 PM

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<33

She was glad when the man smiled at her, seemingly drawn in by her enthusiastic and charismatic demeanor; it was almost always the same - she was a woman, and she did not have any qualms of using that to her advantage when it would help her pack. Besides, she would be all too glad to trade away a chicken - they were beginning to have too many, and it was getting slightly stinky despite all the hard work that Honrin put into cleaning the stables.

"Oh, yes," Skye said in reply to the man's question of whether they had a flock. "We have the most wonderful birds, very useful," she said, a hint of a laugh in her voice. They approached the edge of Thornbury soon, and she disappeared quickly into the stables, only to bring out a chicken. It was a hen, and one of the more beautiful ones - at least, as beautiful as a chicken could be.

"Once you have a chicken," she said briskly, with the air of a merchant selling her wares, "you never go hungry again! They lay eggs, and you can eat them, or trade them; they give feathers, for writing or for decoration - some of the most useful birds I have ever had!"

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Silvano Sadira · 09-09-2012, 06:51 PM

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chickuun

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Silvano smiled broadly as he was promised a wonderful bird. Ah, so they were exotic birds! What a lucky time for him to come asking for some then! And they must have a lot of them to offer him one for a few measly books. He was so excited that he let his imagination run away with him. Was it a blue bird with long purple and red feathers? That flew in graceful circles and sang like a fairy tale? Yes, that sounded about right and absolutely perfect for the queen of his heart. Giselle would lose her mind when she saw such a creature.

They came to a stables and the man waited outside of it as Skye went in to fetch the bird. They must have a roost in there with the other animals, to make it easier to feed them. But as soon as she emerged holding a white fluffy bird, Silvano froze, a look of horror plain on his face. A-a chicken?! A chicken?!! Silvano stared at the bird, swallowing hard and looking entirely dumbfounded. He took it from her hands in the careful way of holding the wings to the sides and kept on staring at it like it would change into a roast in his hands. "This.. this is a chicken," he said simply, looking very confused as he peered up at Skye from the bird.

Photo taken by Luana. Table style inspired by Kitty.

Skye Collins · 09-10-2012, 08:29 PM

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Skye could tell by the look on Silvano's face that he was expecting a fabulous bird, a colorful bird, a marvelous bird with shades and hues of the rainbow, rather than the chicken that he took from her now. Her assumption was punctuated as he stated, seemingly in shock, that it was a chicken. The creamy white female knew, however, that a chicken was far more useful than any elegant songbird who did nothing but look pretty all day, and she would ensure that the man did as well.

"Not just any chicken," she said, the smile never leaving her face. "A d'Arte chicken! Here, let me take those off your hands.." Deftly, she attempted to take the books the man was holding and smartly tuck them under her arm. "Now, our chickens are far more valuable than an ordinary chicken. These chickens lay twice the eggs - twice the amount of food! - and hardly squawk at all." As if on cue, one of the hens from the stable let out a squawk, but other than that, they were silent.

"Plus," she said, "chickens are great for natural fertilizers for your garden or other plants." She wasn't lying on that part, at least - chicken poop, she had recently found, made her plants bloom and flower even in dry, brittle seasons.

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Silvano Sadira · 09-12-2012, 12:39 AM

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chickuun

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Silvano did not know what he was going to do. The court did not seem to have any chickens but they could certainly use them. And Giselle could use something to do, and her love of animals was a strong reminder at this moment. But it was just a chicken! He had been expecting a fabulous creature of cerise or beryl feathers. This thing had off-white plumes that he had better be thankful were of the silken variety rather than the rough version.

"This is a chicken," he repeated, much more firmly as though trying to reassure himself that this really was just a chicken and not a mirage in his hands. Or he was going crazy. But Skye had a valid point. How could he dismiss such useful facts? The way the woman described them, he half expected their tears to heal his wounds like a phoenix aflame. It would be nice to bring something useful to the court to show that he and Giselle were not moochers coming to steal their food and belongings. "These are the only birds you have, correct?" he asked again, eyes bearing into her as though willing it to be a lie. "They're wonderful and Giselle will love any animal handed to her, though it's hardly a pet."

The hen squawked at him and struggled a bit in his grip. He eased his hands on it and the bird relaxed instantly, and Silvano dared it to crap on his feet. He would gladly eat it on the way home and bring back his mate a pair of drumsticks. "What do you feed these things?"

Photo taken by Luana. Table style inspired by Kitty.

Skye Collins · 09-17-2012, 01:23 PM

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Skye nodded at his question of whether these were the only birds they had - technically it was a lie, she supposed. Hotaru did have her falcons and birds of prey, but those were Hotaru's, and Skye would not ask her to give them away for some books and things like that. The man still seemed shocked that these were the birds she was speaking of - she knew what he expected, but really, what could you do with a fabulous bird of paradise that you couldn't do with a chicken?

She grinned as he said that they were wonderful - they were indeed! He then asked what they were fed, and she smiled once more - that was one of the best parts of these birds. "They will eat just about anything - seeds you do not need, berries, scrap meat, peppers, worms..." she trailed off, leaving the rest to the imagination; all these items were not hard to come by, after all. Particularly the worms. "These are some of the most useful livestock we own. Very prolific!" She cocked her head at him, and the chicken bobbed its own head back and forth, clucking softly. "Do you like her?"

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Silvano Sadira · 09-18-2012, 06:30 PM

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chickuun

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He would have to be tactful, but he could hardly tell her that he disliked the offer. But it was still a chicken. The thoughts and words swirled in his head like a mist as he fought to figure out what to say. It was like he was stunned stupid at the thought of accepting a chicken. It was a useful creature, for sure, but he did not think that his meager books had been enough for something quite as versatile as this bird. It would provide eggs all year, was easy to feed, and nothing was going to prey on a chicken if there were wolves about. Hell, it would be nice to get more chickens if they got a rooster; maybe his children could do with a lesson in raising something with chicks later.

"Yes," he said slowly, keeping the chicken carefully close to his body so she did not fidget. "I do, but I feel like I'll be cheating you, even if you do have a great big slew of the birds just flocking around." A chicken was valuable. It was not remotely as valuable as a horse, but it was still something! Chickens made more chickens easily, they had many eggs, and they were tasty when cooked right over a fire. They had feathers and the eggshells could even be used in art if someone was clever enough to figure out a way. "Are you sure this is worth the books I gave you?"

Photo taken by Luana. Table style inspired by Kitty.

Skye Collins · 09-20-2012, 08:49 PM

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short, sorry ;^;

The creamy female leader of the Arte pack listened as the man said that he was not sure that his books were worth the chicken she gave. She considered this, a gleam of opportunity in her eyes. If he was not satisfied with the trade, why, she would not send him away until he was absolutely happy with the merchant pack..

"Well," she said slyly, "if you have anything else you are willing to trade, I am sure we can make arrangements." Perhaps he was correct, and the chicken was more valuable than what he gave - in that case, she would not argue with the man who wished to give her pack more.

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Silvano Sadira · 09-21-2012, 02:14 PM

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chickuun

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Silvano had not brought anything with him, so he paused and stared at the chicken a while longer, like he had been doing the entire time. The hen cocked her head, looking at him with her little black bead of an eye with it's strangely stupid and blank expression. It was like there was nothing behind the eyes to denote intelligence. Then again, it was just a goddamn chicken that lived it's life pooping out eggs or being eaten by hungry caretakers.

"I have nothing with me, but I can always bring around something the next time I do and we can call it a gift," he suggested, shrugging his shoulders as best as he could with his arms busy. Perhaps if he found more books or something that an artisan pack would like best. He'd have to take the time to find it, and with the children coming up, he was going to be so terribly hard pressed to do so. "But I should probably begin to head back; my mate is pregnant and due any day now, and I don't want to miss my children coming into the world," he added sheepishly, grinning like an idiot. It was almost apologetic too, since he did not have an equal trade and that he had to rush off. But he had already given something, so he was sure to be true to his word!

Photo taken by Luana. Table style inspired by Kitty.

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