"Heron Heritages"

Cast: Himaya (Sky) & Cabaletto (Iron)

TLDR: They discuss sharing heron's heritages and make a promise to collaborate sometime in the future.

Support Points Earned: 2

[10:58 AM] Best (Angery) Birb | Sky: Himaya was out on deck of the boat again, yet this time on the starboard side, rather than the bow. It was the first night after they had left the Arbor and something on his mind was troubling him. He was leaning on the side as the sun was setting. The dusk would soon be evening, but for now he'd watch the colors on the horizon. He didn't know how to feel. Embarrassed? Pride? ...both? He wasn't sure. But he did know the Pack must be thinking wary of him. Was he Beorc or Laguz? He showed signs of both, yet wasn't the kind of Branded typically known. He had two sets of marks on him. For whatever reason, he was like a Laguz stuck in human form. Yet, even more Beorc than that. Surely, it was confusing for everyone else. It confused even him. His tail and ears were drooped, his tail swaying back and forth only slightly. He didn't want the Pack to think ill of him. If his mind was more clear, he'd sing the song to reverse his appearance to how it was before he left his anger get the best of him. But for now he could only remember a handful of its words and the melody. "(...hiding...changing...painting...)" he hummed the melody quietly, saying the words he remembered in Pallo when it was time to say them. The tone seemed half as good as it should be, but it was his best he could muster for now.(edited)

[7:38 PM] IronPegasus | Dating Gravity: Another figure was topside that evening, but for entirely different reasons. Cabaletto hung from the ship's rigging by a single hand and foot near the top of the main-mast. His familiar hat was missing from his brow, stored safely below deck with his other belongings, leaving his feathery black hair free to blow in the wind. His red sash snapped like a whip behind him as gusts caught it. The thrill of the battle had left the Heron restless in his bunk that evening. He'd survived with barely a scratch on him - a feat he hadn't expected to accomplish - and that surprising realization made his stomach churn with both excitement and fear. So, he'd gone up to the deck to clear his head in the salty sea air. Between the creaking of the rigging, the splash of waves on the hull, and the whistle of the wind in his ears, he had not yet noticed the rather silent presence of Himaya on the deck below him. That couldn't have been a fluke, could it? Could my boastfulness actually have a hint of truth in it? His thoughts spun over the possibility and eventually came to the conclusion that he should just take his victory for what it was. "Dost thou hear that, Sun," he yelled into the dusky sky at the top of his lungs. "Enjoy thy time whilst thee can! For soon, Cabaletto the Courageous shalt eclipse you in the glory of his heroism! Young and old, all shalt hear my name and praise it!"

[7:49 PM] Best (Angery) Birb | Sky: Himaya was a bit startled by the shouting and turned towards the sounds, unsheathing his fang. But before he could shout or strike, he notices it's the residential Heron of the Pack. He eases up and smiles. "Y'know, yellin' like that when I don't know you're there is a good way at gettin' shanked." he says, twirling his knife in his hand, obviously joking now.

[9:54 PM] IronPegasus | Dating Gravity: The wind snatched away the meaning behind Himaya's words, but their presence was still noticed by Cab's sensitive ears. He looked around to see who had spoken and quickly noticed the diminutive figure staring up at him from the deck, knife in hand. Is he challenging me? he thought in confusion. From way down there? I suppose I could oblige to at least hear him out. "One moment! I'll be right down!" He followed his words with a friendly wave to let the other man know he'd been seen. With that, the Heron let go of the rigging. He fell quickly, closing distance between his prone form and the waves below. Before hitting the water, eggshell white wings snapped out to catch the sea winds. Cabaletto pulled up just about the surface, his face glistening with spray, and soared in a wide arc around the bow of the ship. He vanished from view, only to appear again on the opposite side of the ship as he alit on the deck railing across from Himaya. A suitably dramatic landing for a duel, I'd think. Still, he was a bit miffed that his foot had slipped momentarily while gaining his balance on the railing. He jabbed a finger in Himaya's direction and spread his white wings wide behind him. "If it is a duel thee wants, I shalt hear thine quarrels before choosing to draw mine sword!" he declared loudly.

[10:19 PM] Best (Angery) Birb | Sky: "Heh, 'sides those wings o' yours, you ain't like any of the herons Dad told me stories about... I like it! I never dreamed I could duel a heron! If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get!" Himaya exclaimed dramatically, going back to his battle stance. Though this time, he had ears pointed upward and his tail wagging more widely, in excitement. "Come at me!" he yelled, hunkering down with his prefered 'fang' in hand.(edited)

[10:44 PM] IronPegasus | Dating Gravity: Cabaletto looked flustered at the Branded's response. "I only agreed to hear thine quarrels," he said with a tinge of nervousness. "Of which it seems thee hast none. I shalt not spare mine energy on foundless arguments. Moreover, I wouldst have to fetch mine sword from below decks. It rests not at mine side this evening." The Laguz stepped down from the railing with a russling of feathers. "Bid me, if thee were not looking for a fight, why didst I spy thee brandishing thine weapon at me yond? I thought thee were some villian come to challenge mine sword."(edited)

October 20, 2017

[10:01 AM] Best (Angery) Birb | Sky: Himaya notices the heron without a weapon. And once he realized he was talking rather than fighting, he assumed it was safe to say they wouldn't be dueling. He eased up yet again and began walking closer to him. "Ta be honest, I'm only getting bits and pieces o' what you're sayin', but if ya weren't gonna fight, ya shoulda just said so, silly." He pointed his fang at him whenever he referred to the fancy-versed bird, to help emphasize his words. He liked talking with his hands, but that one just had a knife in it. After the second time of doing so, he sheathes away his knife and continues. He didn't wanna accidentally hurt him. "Ya scared me back there. Sorry, it's just instinct. Living with wolves'll do that t' ya." He said as he rubbed the back of his head nervously, a bit embarrassed about it all. He offers a hand to shake now. "Sorry, let's just put this behind us and start over, 'kay? The name's Himaya, I'm sure ya know, but I'm afraid I don't know yours. I know it starts with a 'C' or a 'K' and that you're a heron, but not much more than that."(edited)

[10:51 PM] IronPegasus | Dating Gravity: "I hast no desire to cross weapons with thee. I wast merely responding to perceived aggression in kind. Only a coward wouldst ignore a challenge!" Still, despite his claims of peace, Cabaletto's hand instinctively shifted towards the empty place where the pommel of his sword should have been. I don't like how he was flicking that knife at me. "I suppose I can forgive thine act of impulse. Any man's nerves wouldst be on edge after fighting on the field of battle not but a few hours past." The man accepted Himaya's handshake firmly. He seemed amused at the Branded's introduction. "Oh, I know who thou art, Himaya. Didst I not aid thee with mine songs of triumph many a time? But, I shalt withhold mine indignation and introduce myself once more. I am Cabaletto the Courageous, warrior of the Isle of White, at thy service, sir." The Heron followed his words by bowing deeply, sweeping one leg behind him as he placed a hand over his heart in respect. His white wings opened grandly over his back, soaking up the last colors of the setting sun.(edited)

October 21, 2017

[12:55 AM] Best (Angery) Birb | Sky: "Yes, yes, I do remember your beautiful singing voice. If I'm being honest, I didn't know what kinda Laguz you were until that moment. It's like everything Dad had told me about had finally happened in real life! A heron's singing is just as nice as he told me, if not even better! Sorry we couldn't talk so much then, but...n-now's a better time, right?" Himaya tried to be optimistic about the whole thing. His tail still wouldn't cease at wagging behind him. Though his face didn't do much a good job holding in much of his excitement. He's been waiting for the opportunity to meet a heron for the longest time. Ever since he was just a wee child!

[1:10 AM] IronPegasus | Dating Gravity: What? He seemed ready to gut me with a knife for sport, but now he's fawning like one of Jetsetter's fans? "Thine complements doth not fall on deaf ears. Thee flatter me." Cab looked positively tickled pink by the praise as he resumed a standing position. "I hast nay pressing matters to attend to this evening; I suppose I couldst entertain a few questions from thee, shouldst thee hast some to present."

[1:24 AM] Best (Angery) Birb | Sky: Himaya sat down, with criss-crossed legs, with that smile still on his face. He placed his little sack on his lack and began looking through it. He pulled out a really pretty long, solid-white feater. "This is a heron feather, right? My Dad passed it down to me. Since he's not a heron, I'd imagine it's at least form his Dad. Or maybe his Dad's Dad? Or his Dad's Dad's Dad? Not sure. But! Point is: it came from someone somewhere down the line. I've never met a heron like yourself before, so I've never had someone to say it right or wrong. So tell me: this is a heron feather, right?" He knew that this had to be the first question. It's not he didn't trust his Dad, but he just wanted to double check, from the horse's mouth so to speak. Or... bird's beak in this case.

[8:20 PM] IronPegasus | Dating Gravity: Cabaletto followed suit and seated himself upon the wooden deck. He leaned in to inspect the creamy white feather in Himaya's hands with a critical eye. "Tis hard to say. The color matches that of mine own feathers and the size is about right. Without knowing from whence it came, I cannot say for certain, but I believe that thine feather could be that of a Heron." He rocked backwards a little bit. "Didst thee say that it belonged to one of thine ancestors? Thou art not a Heron." The Heron's face looked confused and, perhaps, a bit uncomfortable. "Art thou not some form of canine Laguz?"(edited)

[11:06 PM] Best (Angery) Birb | Sky: "Yup. My Mama is a full-blooded wolf Laguz. The Heron comes my Dad's side of the family. He's a heron branded bishop, y'see... He never went into detail about his family much, and I wasn't really that smart then to ask. But when the time came, he told me about me having both the blood of a wolf and of a heron... and that's when I got that feather y'see here." he explained, holding it up to let the last of the sun's deep rays shine upon it, tinting the pure white with powerful red. "The best I have to show for is livin' longer, some white specs in my hair here and there, and my music..." Himaya said with some disappointment. He tried to think on the bright side, and cracked a little joke. "...heh, y'know when my Dad told me about it, I went along dreaming I'd grow some heron wings or something some day. Ain't that funny?" He said with a slight smile and a chuckle.

October 23, 2017

[12:33 AM] IronPegasus | Dating Gravity: What kind of whelp is he? Not only is he a Branded himself, but he's the son of a Branded as well. Unease settled into the Heron's stomach. He had never personally met a Branded, but he'd heard them frequently discussed in less-than-friendly terms. They were something not quite Laguz, not quite Beorc. A inferior half-breed, people called them. The man sitting before him was the spawn of not two, but three lines: wolf, heron, and Beroc. It was a bit hard to swallow. I can't say anything though. No matter my feelings, he's still my superior. I'd probably get kicked off of the investigation if I questioned it. "Tis a novel idea." Cabaletto gave a small smile to indicate his amusement. "Unfortunately, Heron fledglings art born with a pair of wings. I hast not heard of an instance where they grow later. I wouldst not lose hope though; mayhap thou shalt prove me wrong some day." A pause as he collected his thoughts. "I am most curious about thy music. Bid me, dost thou sing?"(edited)

[10:13 AM] Best (Angery) Birb | Sky: The silence of the heron's thoughts spoke plently to Himaya. He knew he was quite an oddity. Most Branded wouldn't dare bare children with a Laguz, purposefully sullying the generations' lineage even further. He never questioned why his parents got together in the first place, he always just kinda accepted it. No one around him ever questioned it either, so why would he? That's just how the wolves thought. When he grew older, Himaya later found out that in other villages across Ramalia, Branded lived amongst their wolf bretheren just as equally. Wolves wouldn't dare think to leave a pack member behind. He wasn't too sure how they felt of other Branded, but he knew that if someone had wolf blood running through them, they were accepted in Ramalia. "Heh, I doubt t' idea, but it's an entertainin' thought at least. I'd give just about anythin' to fly high like you guys can..." Himaya said, wistfully. He tried to think more optimistically. Instead of thinking of what he lacks, what does he have? "But right now, I can't, so I'll be grateful for what I do have. I've got the fighting spirit of the wolf and the gentle, singing soul of the heron. And I've got friends and family that love me... I can 'preciate those alone, for sure." Himaya realized he was trailing off, a bit away from the question at hand. "Sorry, sorry, I got a bit off track. But yeah, I do sing. I can whistle too. I've only ever got one heron song to work, but my Dad has had me memorize the words of many of them in hopes I'd get 'em to work somehow. But no dice, save for that one. It's the one that let's me look like I did before we fought at Aurelius, like an actual Beorc"

[11:29 PM] IronPegasus | Dating Gravity: "Amen to that. One's family and friends art something to be treasured." Cabaletto thought back to his own mother and father, back on the Isle of White. Were they missing him yet? Surely they were at least a little bit. He listened to Himaya's description of his singing ability. "Verily a shame. A Heron's song is his pride and joy; a way to lay his soul bare to the world. Without it, a piece of his very identity hast been stolen. But!" He raised an index finger to emphasize his point. "Just as a song bares the soul, so it also must be sung from it. Mayhap thou art not singing from thine soul in all matters? The depth of thy emotion is what emparts thy song's magic."(edited)

October 24, 2017

[11:17 AM] Best (Angery) Birb | Sky: He listened to the heron's words in awe. Sure, he wanted to believe in what he was saying. He had for a large amount his life. But he'd given up on it after thinking logically. After a while of calculating, he had realized that at the absolute best, he was only 25% heron. Even those like his father, who had twice the amount of heron blood -- whatever the amount it may be -- could only muster one song. He felt grateful that despite half the blood of his father, he could have the same amount of songs. So, he had given up on hope of learning more. However! The heron's last phrase instilled that hope within him again. It relit a fire of determination of the candle deepth within his soul, which he thought had burnt the last of its wick. "...yeah! YEAH! I just need to try harder, that's surely th' key! Tell me, will you practice with me? From one heron blood to another... will you help me?" He held out his hand with a genuine smile. When all hope was seemingly lost, and just when he thought people may be thinking ill of him, the words of the full-blood Laguz sparked pride and hope within the mixed-blood. Maybe they didn't mind as much as they thought he would... Maybe what happened at the Arbor was a blessing in disguise...(edited)

October 26, 2017

[12:57 AM] IronPegasus | Dating Gravity: Me? Teach a Branded to sing? ...I probably should have seen this coming. Cabaletto chided himself quietly for being too friendly with his advice. If word gets out that Himaya's a Branded and that I'm teaching him, I'll no doubt be the object of scrutiny. Still, he took the half-breed's hand without hesitation and shook it with an equally dazzling, but perhaps not equally genuine, smile. "I cannot guarantee success, but I shalt do mine best to demonstrate the ways of the proud Heron to thee. Mayhap some training will jog thine instincts and allow a song to swell from thy breast." Oh, what have I gotten myself into?

[11:34 AM] Best (Angery) Birb | Sky: "Yeah! I already have memorized quite a bit of heron songs, but maybe it's just th' technique. I gotta channel ma inner heron!" Himaya was excited and begin to do some vocal warm ups his father had taught him. "Hmmmm mi mi miiii ahem ma ma maaaa" Here, let's see if I can remember th' song I know..." Himaya was ready to begin some minor lessons right then and there. His hope was that practicing would jog his memory of the one song that works... He had a wonderful idea for once he had mastered this a little and ironed out the kinks. An idea he'd put in place once the ship made it to the port. A chance to show his talent and to see what the others have in store. But for the moment, he was excited and happy. Before about a week ago he had never even met a heron! And now he's done just that! Plus, he gets to actually practice with one? Score! His tail probably wouldn't stop wagging if he wanted it to.(edited)

October 27, 2017

[1:13 AM] IronPegasus | Dating Gravity: “Mayhap not this evening, Himaya.” Cabaletto shook his head quickly in empasis, causing the plumed feather in his hat to sway back and forth. There’s way too many people on this boat! What if someone came topside to find out what was going on? “Tis been a long day for all of us. I wouldst prefer to get some rest in mine bunk before the morrow.” He yawned exaggeratively to prove his point. “We Herons art not creatures of the night.” The lanky man got to his feet and tipped his hat downwards at the seated Branded. “This hast been a most illuminating meeting, kind sir. I trust I shalt see thee in the morn?”

[9:01 AM] Best (Angery) Birb | Sky: "Hmm, yeah! Best to get some rest for now. I'll practice a bit before I decide to go sleep though. I'm used to being up pretty late. But yeah, I'll see to ya in the the morning for sure!" He said with a smile. He was slightly disappointed in the delay, but he tried to think happy thoughts. He'd try in the morning! At least he agreed at all. His tail slowed in momentum, but still was wagging. "It was a nice chat with ya, Sir Caba" Himaya said, mimicking the tip of a hat he didn't have. The moon has always been his most frequent audience anyhow. He was happy.

October 28, 2017

[1:30 PM] IronPegasus | Dating Gravity: "I pray that thine moonlit practice is most beneficial. But please, keep thine voice to a most agreeable level for those of us who art sleeping." For both our sakes. "I bid thee good night!" The Heron's pale form waved a goodbye as he disappeared below decks, leaving Himaya alone with only the sea breeze and the stars for company.(edited)

[3:08 PM] Best (Angery) Birb | Sky: "you betcha" Himaya said with a wave. Ahem "Now where'd I leave off?" He asked himself as he began to practice.

[3:08 PM] Best (Angery) Birb | Sky: ===End RP===