Safety in Numbers, Right?

[sera]

The Orchard's still woods have seen numerous creatures from many Realms and Portals, and today that number shall be added to.

The swirling blue portal slips open, allowing two females into the lush area of a wide meadow. The two are obviously the same species, but that's where all semblance ends. The first is a shock of white and black, tinged with the colours of fire. Fanned ears immediately tilt up and bright blue eyes swiftly ascertain the safety of the area. Her companion is a little larger size way, but she's muted in colouration. Five feathers spring from her body, the most noticeable the large one that makes up half of her tail.

Reddish brown eyes also skim the area, but she's obviously less exciteable than her friend. "Mahu," she speaks presently. "Are you certain Mozer is here?"

"Positive," Mahu-ike responds strongly. "So said Sera and we have no cause to doubt her word. Relax, Natalya. The worse that will happen is that your skills are needed."

"That's wot I'm afraid of," Natalya answers quietly, but she follows docilely enough as the Fire steps surely off towards the woods nearby.

[sera]

The females are not alone, though they don't yet realize it. . . and neither does he, for that matter. The large red male has managed to find a portal to the Orchard, but he doesn't know where he is. Actually, he doesn't really know how he got here either, but there's that tugging, deep in his soul, that will lead him to Her, so they will never be parted again. Bloodred eyes shift across the deep, verdancy of the forests surrounding him, but until he finds that star-fleck blue, until he finds Her again, he can never be happy, and never be content. And that bodes ill for those around him.

His body trembles as he fights to remain still for the moment, then a pale clawed paw latches onto a nearby tree and he tears a sizeable chunk from the plant. He stares down at the bark and wood in his paw then tightens his claws slowly, cracking the wood before letting it crumble to the ground. He leaves streaks of blood in the tree, shoving upward in a rush of movement that's strangely silent. He'll fly just within the canopy, looking for his quarry whilst keeping himself hidden. He'll find Her. He always does.

[Xenon]

She was trembling slightly. She always was, because she knew that no matter where she was, he would always manage to track her down. Her dark eyes were shining with worry. She had felt as though this place would prove to be a safe haven when she arrived, but all of a sudden, she no longer felt that way. There was that familiar nagging feeling gripping her stomach, the feeling that he was somewhere, still alive, and still seeking her out.

Noticing the peculiar way her ears were flattening against her skull, her companion, a wing-marked male chewed softly at his lip. Havrani had requested him to act as her guide and aid for the time, at least someone to help protect her should he appear. She was terrified of the results of such a meeting.

"Havrani."

Aniol's voice cut through Havrani's almost paranoid thoughts, startling her. She looked up at him, and he gave her a cool glance. "He is not here, now. Not now. I have been told that this is a place full of life. He would not dare attack you here."

She drooped visably, a soft sigh escaping her. "I-I know." she whispered. Though Aniol was kind, he would not understand that deep down in her heart, she wished that she could see her mate again, though she knew it would not be the one who she had fallen in love with.

They were not aware of it, but the two were currently on a collision course with the females.

[sera]

The pair of mismatched females continued slowly across the meadow when Mahu-ike abruptly stopped, fanned ears flicking upright as she listened. "Well," she stated firmly. "Someone's here, at least."

"Someone or someone specific?" Natalya replied quietly.

"Well, I'm sure they're someone specific to themselves," Mahu retorted with a slight snort. "But until we get closer or come across them ourselves, we won't know any specifics. Come on."

Natalya gave a low sigh, shaking her elaborately marked head slightly before moving after the Fire. This was exactly why Mahu-ike was an Explorer and she was a Healer. "Well, which way?"

The Fire flicked her tail in the appropriate direction, even as she altered her path to coincide with it. She apparently had no qualms meeting potentially strange creatures in unfamiliar terrirtory. Natalya continued to fall, more than ready to let Mahu meet whoever it was first.

[Xenon]

Of the other two Gryvern, only Aniol had noted the presence of others nearby. Havrani was too deeply imbedded in her fearful thoughts to take much notice of anything, but when the Air male lightly brushed her back with his oversized tail, she shivered and raised her head to look at him quizzically.

"We have company, Havrani." He said in his cool, quiet voice, continuing to walk. The female stood where she was, then quickly sped her motions to keep closer to her companion again. Her wings and ears were pressed down flat. She only hoped that whoever it was was friendly and was in no way connected to Mikhael.

As the paths grew closer, the only thing that separated the groups from meeting was a thick patch of foliage. Much as Natalya had let Mahu go first, Havrani hung back as Aniol pushed a thick group of bushes aside with his snout. A sudden and surprised grin crossed his muzzle as he caught sight of the two females, calling out cheerfully. "Greetings!"

He bowed low to the two, his wild hair tumbling playfully over his eyes for a moment A quick flick of the tail mentioned to Havrani that all was safe, and she rather intelligently stepped around the bush, rather than stepping through it as her companion had done. Rather than issue a verbal greeting, she offered a smile which did not quite reach her eyes and nodded her head.

[sera]

"Hallo," Mahu-ike responded amiably, surprised to see more gryvern in the woods. Well, more gryvern that weren't Mozer. They had left the Home Reality in phases, so most gryvern didn't know who else had crossed. She didn't recognize either of these, but she had only recently migrated to Hawkings Crest and she'd heard that a few gryvern had already moved on to other Realities. Or perhaps it was other Realms. The distinction between the two was a but unclear just yet. Well, they'd figure it out.

"I'm Mahu-ike," the Fire announced with a slight incline of her head. She turned pointedly to her companion and the Earth gave a low sigh before bobbing her head as well. "Natalya. It's a pleasure, I'm sure."

[Xenon]

Indeed, Aniol was also pleasantly surprised. He shook his head to clear the hair from his eyes, taking note of the appearance of the females almost as much as he was observing his surroundings. "Aniol," he spoke, his voice a soft purr. "A pleasure indeed, and I must say, it is a relief to find others have made it here safely."

Havrani had sidled up to him again, wearing the perpetually hunted look of one in her situation, but clearly trying to put on a brave face. "Ah.." She raised her head to look at the two, the small wings on her head fluttering softly. "Havrani."

"I trust the day finds you well?" the sleek Air asks, seeing Havrani's awkwardness and knowing well her preference toward watching rather than speaking.

[sera]

"Well, I wouldn't say they're leaving the Home Reality in droves," Mahu stated. "But there has been a pretty big following to Crest now that Mozer's sent an all clear. And most of the Elders like the fact that we're spreading out so much. They don't want a repeat of home." Which, of course, nobody really wanted. Poor water, certainly not enough to adequately foster the gryvern, not with the Poisontails hoarding the one good water source as well as the one truly large water source. And then there was the lack of good prey as their world slowly died. The Fire shook her head, refusing to dwell on the thought. "I've heard that a lot of Quads with young have moved into Crest to give their hatchlings a real chance to grow."

Natalya nodded in agreement. "But perhaps your move has been recent enough you know all these things." The Earth answered the Air softly, "We are doing quite well, thank you. Though we would like any help in locating Mozer; he's wanted back at Crest."

"Not for anything urgent, though," Mahu-ike put in. "Since he was one of the ringleaders, they want to talk to him about standarizing some exploration rules. Rather frightened we'll run into the same problems here as back home, I think."

"Even with all the water," Natalya agreed softly. "But, we digress from the polite modes of conversation. How are the two of you?"

-----

A breeze? Floating through the trees as he rushed through in a heavy flight. He slammed into a tree, latching onto the branch and nearly taking it off right then and there. He balanced precariously for a moment, nostrils flaring. Was that--? The scent could almost be familiar but it was so leavened with the healthy, growing smell of the forest, he wasn't sure. He started off again, body weaving through the canopy with careless ease, not caring when he was whipped or cut by a swift moving branch. He was certain She was here.

[Dawby]

Smoothly, swiftly, but so gracefully as to seem that he was actually moving at a much slower clip, a tall antlered gryvern stepped from the trees and approached the little group.

"Greetings," he called out, not seeming at all surprised to find more of his own kind in this strange world. "Have you lost someone?"

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[Xenon]

At the mention of Mozer's name, Aniol perks slightly. "I have not yet heard of his whereabouts, but I would be honored to assist in finding him." His overly long tail swished eagerly, it was clear he wanted to see his friend. There were observations he thought the other would be interested in..

By this point, Havrani was staring into the sky, shivering at the gust of wind. Some scent in the air had reached her nose, and it brought an unwelcome feeling in her gut. She shivered softly. It was not her intent to be rude, by any means, but there was so much on her mind at this point. Too much, as far as she was concerned. So she sunk into herself, seeming to the others to be a bit of an introvert.

Aniol glanced over at her, wrinkling his muzzle slightly before turning to look at the females once more. "I am well. You'll have to excuse Havrani, she is.. not as well as we might have hoped. But this is a safe place, as far as I have seen. She will be fine, in time."

He nods a greeting to the newcomer, but does not attempt to get Havrani's attention. "It appears so."

[sera]

Natalya tilted her head curiously at Havrani, "I am a Healer; may I be of assistance to you somehow?" The way Aniol described it, Havrani didn't seem to be suffering from something physical, but the Earth female knew she'd feel better asking just in case she could help. Her dark red-brown eyes flicked briefly to the new male with interest in the handsome gryvern. Her tail flicked slightly and she quickly dropped her eyes to the Trance's feet instead of looking at the Earth male. Oh, my, but he was very good-looking indeed.

Mahu-ike inclined her head abruptly at the new gryvern. "Hallo," she stated easily. "We're looking for Mozer. Have you seen him?"

[Dawby]

"Mozer," returned the newcomer, thoughtfully, carefully. "I know not this name, but I caught the scent of a lone male gryvern just back that way. Perhaps he is the one you seek?"

He bowed his head, dipping his antlers slightly. "Forgive me, lady. My name is Rastko."

[Xenon]

When Havrani is spoken to, she quickly turns her attention back to the group. Her voice is soft, but she hides her fear well when she speaks. "The offer is very much appreciated, but there is little to be done now. All I can ask for is companionship of some kind." She bows her head slightly in what is clearly gratitude before looking to the new male.

The feather-marked Aniol shakes his curled hair from his eyes again, offering another nod. "Well met, Rastko. I am Aniol, and this is Havrani."

As the Earth speaks, Havrani catches a scent on the wind once more. The scent too strong to be ignored now, she cries out softly, a turbulent mix of emotions caught in the quiet sound. "No..! Aniol, he's.. he's close..!" Suddenly she is urgent, her eyes and movements pleading.

[sera]

Natalya and Mahu-ike stare at the Trance with some amazement; she seemed so calm and now. . . ? It didn't occur to them to interrupt Havrani's panic with introductions just then; it suddenly seemed a lot less important?

"Who?" the Fire demands, gaze flicking from the Trance to the Air beside her, obviously expecting more sense from the male than the female. "Who's close and why is she panicking like that?"

[Xenon]

"Her mate." Aniol speaks quickly, his eyes flashing in the branches of the tree. "...the one who ripped off her wing. He was injured, and.. something bad happened to him."

Havrani is shivering almost uncontrollably, looking around the area for anywhere to hide. Her remaining wing is plastered flat against her back. "He's a Warriour.. Very strong." she whispers in a moment of clarity.