thehometree | [Amber]

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[Amber]

[The amber glows upon the face of a frustrated young man. It's turned a few degrees, then a hand slips up and messes with with tangled strands of hair. His face shifts from side to side, eyes following the outline of his face. He's fascinated with the odd little mirror. Comfortable with the outcome of his quick-fix effort, he looks up towards the hole in the ceiling.]

Now, I will surely get up there this time!

[Alla spreads his midnight-blue wings and wobbles into the air. The room around him tilts, then shrinks as he ascends. The scrunched-up lines in his face soften into a smile. He's done it!

Then, without warning, he slips from view, crashing back down onto the floor with a yelp of surprise followed by a moan.]

Oh dear... this was my best garment. Oh no...

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I never realized it was so difficult to fly.

[Alla's brows draw together, sheepish, as he hovers. He extends a hand, bobbing drunkenly in mid-air.]

Perhaps we should try to do that now...descend?

[Hesitantly, Alla takes the woman's hand and slows his wing beats, then steadies himself for (he hopes) a good angle to descend at.]

[Watching him to ensure that he has it right, Ivaera then gives a nod of approval.]

Yes, let's. And it won't seem difficult with time. Before long, you won't even need to think about it. Trust me, I had never had wings or flown before this.

[She waits for him to begin, not wanting to do it all for him but fine with being the buffer he needs in order to get this right.]

[The young Alla nods before drawing a breath and slowly releasing it. His hand slips away from Ivaeran's as he swoops downward, legs slightly bent in anticipation of the approaching floor.

His boots scuff along the grain of the wood, stumbling from the speed of his landing. Nothing a bit of flailing doesn't fix. Alla stands still a moment, glancing at his feet and then around the room. A laugh leaves him, relieved he made it down safely without crashing again.]

Did you see? I was able to land without falling!

[His wings begin to flutter once more and this time the little gentleman lifts up slowly from where he stood. He still wobbles a little, but it's an improvement from a few moments ago.]

You are correct. I am already feeling more used to these wings!

[His gaze lifts to the hole in the ceiling, but he says nothing as he ponders about trying that venture once more.]

[Watching intently, Ivaera then smiles as he completes the landing.]

I did see. Well done.

[She notes the glance to the hole in the ceiling, of course.]

The rest of the Tree is certainly worth exploring, and I can at least show you were we get our food. But only when you're ready, of course. If you want to try again, it can't hurt.

Thank you.

[Alla sweeps an unsteady bow. It's a bit difficult to get his 'ground legs' again after fluttering about in the air. He glances to his tutor, then, again, looks up to the hole, before giving a nod.]

I would be most pleased to see that.

[It was best to be polite in any case. Even though he doesn't really need that sort of food. He might as well know, and express interest, to keep up his facade.]

Euh...how may I repay you for your kindness, Healer Ivaeran?

[The elven woman just shakes her head.]

Just call me Ivaera, and I need no payment. We all needed help when we first arrived, so if I can make another's arrival less confusing, I'm willing to do so. Though if you're a dog person, I have someone upstairs who's eager for a playmate.

[Poor Garahel has been sadly neglected in that area lately, since Ivaera's lacked the energy to do more than play 'fetch the invisible ball' with him.]

[He gives a small nod of acknowledgement. The young man's eyes light up at the mention of a dog, though.]

Oh, yes! I am quite fond of dogs. I once asked Duke Airan to consider keeping one, but it was not to be, I am afraid.

If I may ask, what is your canine's name?

[Ah, good. Ivaera's always pleased to meet someone who enjoys the company of dogs. It makes introducing her own much easier. She takes off from the ground, ready to lead the way and hoping that conversation will distract Alla from any lingering worry about flight.]

His name is Garahel. He's named after an elven hero of my order, the Grey Wardens. I've had him with me for some time, and he's a loyal companion. Also a bottomless pit who will beg shamelessly.

[Alla flutters after her, wobbling still but the conversation is distracting him enough that he hardly notices.]

Garahel... [He repeats, trying to add the name to memory. Shortly after, the young fellow chuckles.] You must spoil him endlessly.

Not that there is anything wrong with spoiling him. It simply means you care for him a great deal, I assume.

How does he get around? Does he have a pair of wings, too?

No, but there's a fountain on the seventh floor which produces enchanted dust; it can cause him to fly for up to an hour with each use. People use it to fly without wings or bring supplies up to various floors, but he tends to use most of my portion. Until that part of the tree was revealed, I had to ensure that I had a house close to the ground and rely on another to help me carry him.

[She lands lightly upon the second floor, glancing around at the houses before nodding in the direction of hers.]

I still live there, partly for his sake.

[Magic truly was real and amazing. The young Alla's eyes dart about the second floor curiously.]

Your portion? Why can you not simply get more? Is the amount produced very small?

[His eyes fall on the house she nods towards and attempts to land. It's less than graceful but his feet shuffle for a few seconds as he catches his footing.]

If he likes me, I would not mind assisting in carrying him, if you should ever need to do so again in the future.

A certain amount is made available to us each day. The servant of the Tree who lives on that floor frowns upon taking any more than that. And it's more than what we had before, so I'm not about to antagonize by being greedy.

[Garahel can whine all he likes, but Ivaera spoils him enough as it is. She smiles warmly at the offer, reluctant to ask for assistance but grateful when it's available.]

Thank you, Alla. It's a kind offer, though I must warn you that he's not a small dog, or light. Mabari are bred for war, and though outside it he's very friendly, he's also quite muscular.

[As he might see in a minute, because the moment she takes a step away from the edge, there's the sound of barking and pawing at her door. Someone's bored.]

I see. I did not mean to be rude.

[Alla's eyes brighten at the pawing and barking on the other side of the door. He hardly registers the warning being given to him. (It may not matter, considering he's about twice as heavy as he looks. Alla's not the easiest to push over, physically, anyway.) He hurries over, beaming back at Ivaera from outside her door in anticipation.]

Oh, you weren't rude--

[Ivaera opens the door, and there's a blur as Garahel bursts forth, demanding petting from his mistress immediately. Of course he gets it, because Ivaera knows he won't calm down otherwise, though she doesn't have the energy to deal with him jumping on her. Fortunately, he holds back from that, curious about this new person. Sniffing at him, Garahel circles Alla, making an inquiring noise as he wags his tail hopefully. Friends?]

Be nice, Garahel. No jumping, understood? [She glances to Alla.] And trust me, he does understand. Mabari are able to interpret complex commands, even as they don't speak as we do.

[The young man wasn't expecting what he was seeing. Garahel takes the cup for muscles on a canine. The familiar dog-like behaviour brings the lad back to his senses as he offers an open hand to be sniffed.

As the tail begins to go, Alla takes that moment to pet Garahel's head and rub behind those pointed ears. ~~Yes, he knows exactly how awesome that feels.~~]

Are you a smart dog, Garahel? Are you smart?

Yes you are~!

[Alla's voice rises an octave as he speaks to Garahel like one big puppy. He forgets about his fine clothing and kneels down to reach the dog's neck for more pets.]

[Garahel leans into that ear-rubbing, barking happily at all the compliments. Ivaera can't help but laugh softly, watching them.]

Now you've done it. He'll expect that every time he sees you. And Maker forbid if you have food on you and don't share....

[Alla continues petting with the biggest smile on his face.]

Oh, is that how it works?

[He turns back to Garahel and gives a last few pets behind the ears before pushing himself back up to stand.]

I suppose I will have to keep my word on that, hm?

[The pink haired one's eyes take focus off the canine and begin to roam about the house, filling with awe.]

This... We truly are very small...

[He pauses a moment, having finally remembered his manners, as well as comfort. Alla wants to remove his jacket, but something is puzzling him.]

Winters in Racitoire, the country where I am from, have always been icey and cold. Yet, it is so warm here. I suppose it would make sense that faeries live in warmer places...

Edited 2015-09-10 02:31 (UTC)

[Garahel huffs happily before turning his attention back to Ivaera. She tries to keep him appeased with stroking even as her attention is divided with the new arrival.]

Ferelden is hardly known for its warmth, so I understand. But I'm not certain how much longer we can count on it to remain here. Even now, the seasons are changing. I'm working to store as much as possible, but there's no way of knowing what the next months hold for us. The Tree must provide some protection, but I'm loathe to take that for granted.

[Alla's smile fades. Concern and guilt poke at him as Ivaera speaks of the seasons changing.]

What sorts of plants have you been gathering? Perhaps I can be of assistance. After all, I agree with you about not taking advantage of what is provided.

[His attention splits between the two as well, his concern now growing as he tries to imagine what Garahel must eat.]

We have various herbs and roots, such as sage, ginger, mint, wild onions...oh, and mushrooms. Your assistance would be welcome, of course. I'm certain we will find use for all that's gathered.

[Glancing to Garahel when he does, Ivaera notes the concern and nods.]

We do have a storage area for meat gathered, though supplies aren't nearly as abundant as flora. I hope I'll continue to have success hunting with him, or he might have to subsist on treats for the leaner months.

[The mabari whines softly, as there's never enough food for his tastes anyway.]

The gardener at the estate did allow me to assist him from time to time. [He usually makes a mess of things, but he remembers some of the things he learned... perhaps.] However, I suppose it will be quite different at this height.

[Pausing in thought, Alla tries to imagine what kind of animals could be small enough to hunt... and fails to think of anything. Except maybe slugs?]

I cannot imagine what you can hunt, with us being so very small. I regret my poor sword skills, or I could possibly assist with hunting as well.

[Despite swords aren't the best for hunting, but he feels useless all the same.]

[Ivaera shakes her head, not wanting to seem as though she's throwing all these expectations on him.]

It's alright, we have hunters enough around here. Our size can be a hindrance at times, true, but it can also afford us better stealth than otherwise. And inventiveness can help far more than brute force.

[It's a relief that he doesn't have to learn hunting. After all, his lord disapproves of the practice, although that was hunting as sport, rather than for essential foods. That thought, as it floats about in his mind, leads to another as Ivaera speaks again.]

Inventiveness? Euh, well, Duke Airen, if he is here, may be of great help in that regard! My lord often finds curious ways of solving mysteries. He is the foremost inventor in Racitoire.

[Or so Alla believes. Truly, there may well be others better or more renowned, but he very much admires Airen's talents, and comparing him to other nobles he's met, well, Airen might as well be a parallel world DaVinci in comparison.]

I don't believe he is here, at present, but that could change. Perhaps your knowledge of his cleverness will come in use regardless? We can still attempt to draw on the strengths of those dear to us, even if their actual presence is lacking.

[What would Wynne do is a question she's asked herself often here, and probably will continue to do so.]

Oh...

[The smile fades from the young lad's face at the thought of Airen not being around. However, her idea that his lord was somehow a part of him, even if only in memory, brings a softer smile back to his lips.]

Perhaps you are correct. I will do my best to make this winter a good one.

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[Amber]

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