.:Business As Usual:.
~Self RP~
~Self RP~
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Tayen's chest was tight and heavy, her eyes shimmering with tears that the child struggled to fight back... I will not cry over some stupid piece of cloth! Her throat worked as she thumbed the white sun marking one last time, then tossed the old cloth aside and poked at her tiny fire. The wonderful smell of trout cooking on the open flame was almost enough to make her forget, to make her stop wondering what that cloth was and why it meant so much to her... Sniffling, she impaled the smoldering fish with the sharpened end of her stick and turned it over, making sure it was nice and done. The growing flames danced and hissed, their golden light a contrast to the darkness of night surrounding her. Tayen shivered and drew her knees up under her chin, making her look very much like the child she was. Her stomach growled obnoxiously.
Come on, cook you stupid fish...
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Pale beams of moonlight danced across the surface of the river as the almost musical sound of trotting hooves echoed through the night. Moonbane paused and gracefully tossed her head, letting the gentle breeze flow through her silky silver-white mane and tail. Her ears flicked forward as she listened intently for the quiet crackle and hiss of a cooking fire, telltale signs of Tayen's presence. The young child loved to fish, and most of the time she chose to cook and eat at her fishing site rather than returning to her teepee. Moonbane sighed inwardly at how often she found herself searching for the girl.Not that I mind much... She admitted, her heart warming at the thought of the young Indian sitting quietly next to the flame, waiting for her. The truth was, caring for little Tayen gave her some sense of purpose, gave her something to look forward to. The tiny mare trotted forward, eyes searching for the orange-ish glow of the fire.
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"She's up ahead, Moony!"Crimson Hood made careful adjustments to the tilt of her wings and glided easily over the top of the mare's head, riding the cool breeze like a graceful arrow. "I can see the fire from here," she called out, soaring forward. Her night vision wasn't much better than that of a human, but Crim could still make out Tayen's slender form curled up next to the fire. The hawk eyed the dead fish as she flared her wings to come in for a landing.
Hmmm... trout isn't really my food of choice... certainly not cooked trout. But... meat is meat, right? Annoyance welled up inside her at the thought of her missed prey this morning. How dare that little mouse get away from her! Now she was hungry. Tayen will share. Surely.
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A quiet call issued from the night, and Tayen looked up from her cooking to see the hawk as she settled on an old oaken branch. Tayen smiled, her earlier melancholy forgotten. Crim! She stabbed her stick into the sandy ground and jogged over to stand under the bird, who flared her wings and eyed the human with her intense golden eyes. "Hi Crim!" Tayen chirped happily, holding out her arm. The hawk quickly let loose of the branch and swooped, landing as gently as possible on the leather strap that Tayen always wore to protect herself Crimson's curved talons. The hawk cooed as Tayen stroked the feathers on her chest affectionately.
"Is Moony with you?" Tayen asked her friend, squinting her eyes to peer out into the night. She's probably out looking for me by now. Tayen almost squealed. Moonbane would soon be with her!
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The gentle rushing of the river faded quietly into the background as Moonbane trotted nearer to Tayen's cooking site. The young mare flared her nostrils at the smell of cooking meat. Seems Tayen will be eating well tonight.The mare hurried her steps, eager to see the Indian child who had become her closest friend, and the only human she had ever cared for. The people of the Kawani tribe where kind enough, for sure, but something about Tayen was special. Even among that mystic tribe, Tayen possessed a spirit that was unique, and a maturity that far surpassed anything that could be expected of a child so young. Tayen had earned Moonbane's respect, and love, and it was obvious the feelings were mutual.
Moonbane tossed her head and nickered happily as she caught sight of Tayen's silhouette, outlined by the soft orange glow of the fire. Happiness and relief flooded through the mare as she continued forward. About time I found you!
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Crimson cawed in protest as Tayen whirled around to greet the coming mare, spreading her arms and throwing the hawk wildly off-balance. Heey! She puffed out her massive wings and clicked her sharp peak in a show of annoyance, but inside the great bird was smiling. She enjoyed seeing the mare and the child together. Both were loners, but when together, they seemed to complete each other. Crimson didn't resent the bond between them; rather, she was grateful to be a part of it.The hawk gently released her hold on Tayen's arm and hopped to the ground, allowing the mare to nuzzle her Indian child, while Tayen patted Moonbane's slender neck affectionately. The hawk was focused on other, more essential, matters anyhow.
Taking a deep breath, she spread her wings began to hawk-walk towards Tayen's open flame... and the cooking fish.
It was hard work, but soon Crimson was standing next to the fire, savoring the wonderful sight of a soon-to-be tasty meal. Her stomach rumbled. She clicked her beak.
"Moony, the fish is gonna burn! Get Tayen over here. I'm hungry!"
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Moonbane rolled her eyes. "Silly bird,' she nickered quietly, but she touched Tayen's shoulder with her nose, nudging her towards the fire. Tayen yelped at the obviously over-done fish, and Moonbane chuckled inwardly as the child dashed off in a puff of dust to save her supper from its charbroiled fate. "If you were any kind of hunter, Crim, you wouldn't have to steal Tayen's fish," she mocked. The mare usually didn't care to have relationships, friendship or otherwise, with any creature, save for Tayen. But Crimson cared for Tayen almost as much as she did, and had for most of her life. It was Crimson who had bonded to Tayen first, and though Moonbane had resented her in the beginning, after years of them both loving the same child, she had become comfortable with the hawk. Even comfortable enough to enjoy teasing her!
"Why, I don't think you're a hawk at all! More like an over-sized pidgeon." She neighed her amusement.
.:Still in Progress:.
