Of Bugs And Birds, And Everything In Between

Though it might've been the buzzing sound that got the initial attention, it wouldn't be the source that would be revealed first.

As if she'd have if any other way.

A light would suddenly brighten and there would be revealed a hippogryph, standing talk and proud, dark as night save for the blood red streaks in her mane and adorning her wings. She gave said mane a shake before looking Dominic up and down, clearly critiquing him.

How interesting, she finally Mindspoke, lifting her head with a haughty sparkle in her eye, but an intrigued one as well. Well, of all I have seen I can't say I've seen anyone like you before. Yes, I think I will follow you for a while, see what fun that leads me to. Yeah, didn't sound like she was giving him much choice in the matter, though she did seem to like the zombie in her own odd way, perhaps?

The following presence was much more gentle, thankfully, a small otter-like creature that would clearly not be an otter that would approach almost beneath the Hippygryph's hooves. Said Hippogryph glanced down and snorted, rolling her eyes.

Please, if I may? the Familiar asked, but as if sensing assent she glided through him and came back around as a delicate, soft deer-like creature.

Somehow I think I should've known you'd take to him too, the Hippogryph commented. Well, that will make things interesting. Though she wasn't afraid of the larger equine, per say, the deer just nuzzled up against Dominic affectionately.

In the darkness the buzzing sound would come again, and this time a sconce on the wall would be lit by a phoenix, who was in turn coaxing a large bumblebee beside her. The bumblebee seemed to be balking, taking a step forward with one leg then retreating again beside the horse-sized avian. The phoenix in turn smiled at Dominic, then turned to nudge the bee gently.

I believe you will like him, she coaxed softly. He has a gentle look to him. After another pause, the bee nodded and slowly, fearfully, came within a foot of the zombie.

Is - is she right? he asked. I want to trust – I want to trust you, but I'm – afraid. Can you help me not to be afraid? The Phoenix simply met Dominic's eyes and gave a small, kindly nod. She knew and she was content.

Bond! Can I Hope to Try Again Male Solar Athid, They Call me the Demon of the Skies Female Night Hippogryph, I Just Want to Travel with You Female Angel Familiar, and My Words for Those in Need Female Hope Giver Day Roc to Dominic!



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Can I Hope to Try Again Male Solar Athid

Mindspeech: Color #a73393

Solar Athid are known to be altruistic peacekeepers and often poor judges of character, easily overwhelmed by their desire to help, and easy to take advantage of. Try Again knows that latter facet only too well. When he was a young, newly-formed Athling he fell into the company of an individual who extorted his willingness to assist and the belief that his friend was never guilty of the incidents lain against him. This friend was also quite two-faced, kind one minute, manipulative when something was wanted, then cruelly criticizing when Try Again was the one who was in need. In short, it was a very toxic friendship. It was only by the grace of Aeon that Try Again didn't form a Bond with them or things might've gone far worse. As it stands it look a lot of effort and true kindness from (the Day Roc) and overhearing his so-called friend speaking to another, revealing his true colors, for Try Again to finally see the truth and break away though that final encounter was traumatic enough.

Now grown and having the support and companionship of Words the Hope Giver Day Roc, Try Again has been convinced that he might give another shot at finding a non-creature friend. He's incredibly nervous about it as is understandable but deep in his heart he wants such a positive relationship. If ever there was an Athid who needs a Bonded it's him. He thrives on companionship and affection as much as sunlight. He likes to be helpful, wants to be needed. But dare he trust again, put himself at risk for another, tragic betrayal?

He's got one more chance to try again.

Try Again is of the larger sized Athid at around two feet in total length. In form he looks like a bumblebee complete with soft 'fur' over his body (great for hugging!), delicate wings of metal filigree framing clear, sturdy plastic, and eyes of ebony glass. About the only difference is that instead of yellow and black he is purple and black.



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They Call me the Demon of the Skies Female Night Hippogryph

Mindspeech: Italics #550363

Demon of the Skies once had built up a reputation for herself. Many knew her moniker, the mighty Hippogryph warrior-arcanist who fought without mercy, without giving or seeking quarter, who could bring terrible and great power to bear against her foes. One who faced all who challenged her with a bold, arrogant, confident gleam in her eyes and a careless laugh before she crushed them. In the last major campaign she participated in her allies gave her fearful respect and her enemies just plain fear when she alighted onto the battlefield. Even around companions she was known for being blunt and forward. The term 'sugar coat' was as foreign to her as swimming in the ocean. For example if she had a rival for a mate she would likely tell said rival that they'd better be prepared for a fight or to simply give up while they could, or if someone was being an idiot she'd be certain to let them know. Saying anything else was pointless and a waste of time. She never really called anyone a friend, and was content with that.

And in the end of said campaign, a stalemate was forced as she, along with many participants, were sealed away in deep, some thought eternal, sleep.

But now Demon of the Skies has awoken in a world that does not remember her or the battles she waged, save for an odd half-familiarity displayed by Travel with You, the Angel Familiar which for her part Demon of the Skies hardly cares about aside from some smirking amusement at the other's expense. Cities have vanished and a new world order has taken power, one with dragonriders and weyrs. She has something not a lot of people get: a chance to start anew. While this won't change her personality a bit it does pose some interesting possibilities. The question is which shall you help guide her to?

As all Night Hippogryph Demon of the Skies is a painfully-thin creature of black pelt, black hairs, and black feathers. But notably she is of the rare Night Clan who was born with red markings that identified her as a warrior from the start. In her case her mane and tail are streaked by red locks and a bold, wide band of red feathers in the middle of her wings. Her hooves are also solid red as if she's stepped in fire. By contrast her eyes are honey gold, quite striking and, when she wants to be, intimidating.



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I Just Want to Travel with You Female Angel Familiar

Mindspeech: Italics #e8aef6

Travel with You, like most all other Angel Familiars, is a kind creature and highly affectionate towards her Bonded. She in young in terms of Familiars, very new to the world. Much will have to be explained to her, and she doesn't understand much at the moment. But she's eager to learn and bring a childlike innocence and curiosity to everything she does. One thing that cannot be understated is just how much pure hope she carries into any situation. Even when things seem the darkest, as long as she's with you there's nothing that cannot be overcome. Oddly, she and Demon of the Skies seem to have some deja vu kind of familiarity with one another, though there's nothing to explain it and the Hippogryph hardly seems to care. For her part Travel with You is somewhat intimidated by the other and does her best to not invoke her ire.

Travel with You is one of the Familiars that has taken a more mundane animal form... if with a few extra adornments, just in case you were uncertain that she wasn't mundane. Physically she looks kind of like a very small deer, barely standing two feet tall at the top of her head and is very delicate in build. Like a Pegasus she has bird wings, though they can only hold her about a foot or so into the air and for only about half an hour at a time. Were it not for her being incapable of being a hybrid from the winged equines and a Familiar some might think her such. Feathers adorn her ankles right above her cloven hooves. Her eyes are a bit large for her head (the term 'anime style' might come to mind), and as all Angel Familiars are sparkle pale blue. Her coat is pastel mint green with pink on her lower legs, hooves, the undersides of her wings, and on the tip of her very long, almost leonine-like tail. Though she is clearly female the typical terms of gender doesn't always apply to her kind; she has small, two-point antlers that start buttercream yellow at her head and fade into rose pink at the tips.



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My Words for Those in Need Female Hope Giver Day Roc

Mindspeech: Color #9f0958

Words is quite a knowledgeable Roc, if in a specific field of expertise. She is a psychologist, advocate, and master of laws pertaining to family. She possesses a keen eye and ear for the signs of those who have been abused or neglected by the ones who should care for them the most. Then she does her best not only to advise them to get out of a bad situation, but to be the help to get them to safety and to a better place. Words is the very epitome of the term champion for the underdog. She possesses no qualms about spending months trying to help one person, will listen for hours to those in need of an ear, and if it comes down to it will stand proudly in court for her client.

Given all this is shouldn't be surprising that when she happened to encounter Try Again in the Village she saw the truth of the matter after only a scant few words between them and worked with him to get out of the toxic friendship he was in. Given no laws were broken besides those of common decency and how friendships are supposed to operate Words understands that there's little to prevent the Athid's ex-friend from returning, but she hopes the distance of living continually away from such a selfish individual and, perhaps, finding a good, kind individual to Bond to will be what Try Again needs.But just to be certain and to provide support she'll be tagging along. Hope that's not an issue.

Standing on par with a good-sized horse, Words takes the form of a Kea parrot. Though they can be carrion birds their diet is mostly roots, leaves, berries, nectar, and insects, and it is these that Words prefers wings down! She is primarily soft brown with red and yellow on the undersides of her wings and tail especially visible when she is in flight. Some might call this a bit drab, but seeing her from the back certainly changes their tune! From above her wings hold a gorgeous iridescent blue, purple, and green, with a splash of red just above her tail. Her feet and beak are gray-black, and her eyes golden. On the back of her right wing is a looping band of pink, the mark of her Hope Giver mutation.