[Nest] Felicity's Niche

[bhope]

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Felicity yawned gently. Things had been going a bit slow these past few days. It had seemed that the little girl had grown a lot- and with her new, slender legs and fluffy tail, Felicity had also adopted a much more mischevous, adventerous personality. Perhaps it was just temporary- but from the looks of it, Ellie didn't seem to be coming down from her devious kick any time soon.

I wonder where that baby is, she thought absent mindedly, wagging her black, silky tail behind her as she walked lesuirely through the center meadow. It was ridiculously hot outside today- but Felicity didn't mind the warm rays of the sun as long as they were accompanied by an occasional, cold breeze to cool her off. She wasn't very talkative. she decided, still lost in her thoughts of the newborn she'd briefly met, Bravo, a few days ago.

Felicity's mind quickly shifted gears, though, as a sudden wave of flower petals seemed to fall from the sky like rain. Thrilled at the random appearence of soft, light blue petals, Felicity bean to frolic through them. She'd always been very active- at home, with her human, Cael, Felicity would dance around him and prance and be happy. Her little boy even played a strange, huge brown instrument that made beautiful sounds! So Felicity would hum along with it, and because of this, she was constantly singing to herself.

Humming a tune that lacked a harmony, the gryphon paused her silly dancing when the rain of petals stopped. Disappointed, the little girl continued to walk through the meadow, seemingly without aim. I wonder if anybody else is around today.
---
Helios paused a moment, watching the other gryph. He wasn't entirely sure he'd met her before, but he thought he had! ..if he had, though, she had looked different then.

Ah well, what did it matter?

Cheerfully, the sunshine-yellow gryph trotted over to Felicity, whickering in greeting,
"Hello there!"
---
Felicity had just about to spin around and try to look for a lake in the woods when she heard a voice call out. Catching herself, making sure she didn't fall over from the sudden double take, (if there was one thing Felicity lacked, it was balance- she had horrible coordination!) she smiled cheerfully in Helios's direction. How bright he was!

Eeriely pale, though friendly lilac eyes glued themselves to him. Oh, a boy! she thought with excitement. Felicity had so many friends that were girls. How much fun it would be to make a new friend that wasn't!

"Hello!" she called back, prancing over towards him with enthusiasm. Pasuing a few feet away, she settled down a bit, though chose to remian standing. She was much too excited for sitting down! "I'm Ellie! What's your name?"
---
No matter that Helios was nearly an adolescent now, he would forever retain some childlike qualities. One of them was undoubtedly his love for snuggling.

The male gryph snuggled against his new friend gently, smiling,
"I am Helios!" he replied, "It's very nice to meet you, Ellie!"
---
And Ellie was estatic. Squealing terribly, her entire face lit up. What a friendly gryph! So boys are just like girls, she decided quickly, nuzzling Helios's neck with a series of trilling squeaks. They like to play and cuddle! Little did Felicity know that not all boys were as affectionate as this little ball of sunshine right here. Oh well. She'd find out in time.

Grinning fondly at her new friend- who was a boy!, she thought eagerly, Felicity responded. "Helios? That's a fun name," she decided with a small chirp, before propping herself up once more, raising her head with dignity. "And it's nice to meet you too!" she agreed lightly, nodding with ease.

It was only after this very moment that Felicity thought of something.

"Hey Helios- do you want to go find a lake with me? We could go swimming!" It was so hot outside- today would be a perfect day for a dip.
---
Helios beamed as well. This new girl was very nice! He decided he definitely liked her...at least better than Gaea's chick, Artemis, who was becoming increasingly hostile towards him.

The yellow gryph nodded,
"Sure! THe lake is always fun!" he agreed, snuggling back against her before heading off in that direction, snorting cheerfully,
"Last one there is a silly squid!"
---
Felicity grinned happily, flicking her tail absent mindedly behind her. She wiggled her little freckled bottom happily, before raising her head once more. "I found a lake once!" she informed him with a pretty little grin, bobbing her head a bit as she began to trot beside him. She was very clearly eager to get going.
"With my friend, Asajj," she continued to explain, occasionally looking up to meet his face as she spoke. "And it was fantastic! I'm not that great of a swimmer," she admitted, a slightly sheepish tone lacing through her singsong, pleasent voice. "But it'll be fun anyways!"

It was then that Felicity noticed something. There, perched perfeclty upon her new friend's back, were pair of magnificent wings. Feeling a lonely shudder go down her spine, Ellie remembered, that for some strange reason, she didn't have wings. A slightly crestfallen look took her face, but the little girl shrugged it off quickly, ignoring it as they continued to walk along.
---
Helios laughed,
"Is a lake different from a river, then?" he hadn't bothered learning about such things, really. He liked learning about other stuff better-- like how to be a good friend and a good parent and all that. He fancied he would make a -great- parent when it came down to it!

He let his wings fluff out a bit while he was running, enjoying the sensation of the wind on them. Soon they'd be big enough for him to start flying! That would be fun. And he'd already started helping look after some of the chicks as well as teaching them things.
---
Felicity smiled cheerfully, letting her shoulders pop up in a slight shrug. "I'm not sure. They're both holes with water in them, right? So they can't be that different!" she decided, logically, that this seemed to be the correct response. It made sense.

Felicity hadn't even begun to think about parenting. She was too consumed by the idea that she'd grown so much! It seemed like just last week, (though it probably was just last week, the silly gryph,) that she was so much tinier. Felicity had undergone such a growth spurt! She was taller now- still rather petite, even for her age, but her legs had grown in and she even thought that her tail had gotten a bit longer. She was pleased, to say the least!

And yet still, Felicity couldn't but notice that she hadn't any wings to grow on her back. A soft pang of jealous poked at her stomach, daring her to ask just why she didn't have beautiful wings like Helios, and all her other friends. Keeping her mouth shut, though, Felicity let her mind wander to other things.

"Let's take a short cut through the forest!" she suggested happily. Besides, the forest was always so pretty in the middle of the day. The shade from the trees would be nice, too.
---
Helios had no idea that his wings brought her any measure of unhappiness, or he would have eagerly tucked them in as much as he could. He liked for others to be happy! As happy as he was!

The gryph nodded,
"Sure, a shortcut sounds fun!" he agreed, slowing down so that she could pass him and show him where this shortcut was.
---
But Felicity was a strongheaded, stubborn little girl. She wasn't going to let a silly thing such as fluffy, feathered wings get her down. But they're so nice...
But you don't have them! And you never will! So stop pining! she told herself firmly, and she even gave her head a little nod, as if to confirm this. Yet still, in the back of her mind, Felicity couldn't help but to dwell on the unfairness of it all. Why couldn't she have pretty wings that would someday let her fly as well?

"Good!" she chirped happily, and before she knew it, she had pressed her muzzle firmly against Helios's shoulder, as if to tag him. "Catch me if you can!" she challenged him playfully, taking off at a suprising speed for such a petite little girl.
Felicity had long, slender legs- and unlike some gryphs with the same quality, she knew how to control hers so she wasn't lanky and awkward. They helped her quite a bit, and she dove into the thicket that led into the dense, crowded forest.

Felicity wove through trees happily, giggling and whinnying so that Helios would be able to hear her, if not see her through the mass of shrubs and trees. What fun!
---
Helios laughed at the tagging, and took off after Ellie. The male gryph had a bit of a harder time with it than she-- he was becoming more and more lanky and awkward just as she was becoming less. The wings didn't help either, as they tended to get caught in brush a bit.

In essence, he was just slower than she was. Still, he could follow her whinnies and did so happily, not caring that he was behind. He'd be a silly squid, it didn't matter!
---
Felicity, who was just about to cheat and make a sharp left to try and throw him off, skidded to an abrupt, startled halt. Her eyes widened reflexively, and her jaw shifted a little bit, almost in a silent gasp. Ellie backed up a bit, her eyes following the unknown structure in complete awe. What... was it?

Standing before her was a tall, massive, leering wall of trees. Felicity, of course, had seen trees before! Who hadn't? But nothing like this... There were four, perhaps five trees aligned in a row so close together, if you glanced past at first sight, it would've just looked like one massive wall of tree. Growing deep, embedded within the very bark, was vines. Intertwining, weaving, thick, thin, curly, straight- long green vines of ivy.

Unsure whether she was supposed to think it was a frightening abnormality of nature or a pretty place to claim for her own, Felicity simply stood and stared. She'd never seen anything like it before! And how tall the trees were! Her eyes wandered to the canopy above, but the little amount of sun that leaked through blinded her. She couldn't even see the top!
---
Whump! Helios skidded into the stopped little gryph, not able to catch himself in time after realizing that she was no longer running.

He tumbled off to the side, losing his balance, and laughed,
"Whoops! Sorry! Why'd ya stop?"
---
Ellie didn't mind so much that Helios had crashed into her. When she wasn't walking, trotting, or galloping, Felicity had a hard time keeping herself balanced as well. She wasn't very coordinated, but strangely enough, the only time she actually had issues when she was standing still!

"Look." she murmured quietly, as if the aligning trees had ears and would hiss at her for speaking about them.

Felicity began to think. What if Helios doesn't think it's as cool as I do? horrified at the thought, she closed her eyes for a moment. What if he thinks I'm weird because I think this is weird? Letting out a silent whimper, Felicity glanced to Helios quickly. ... Why do I suddenly care if my friend thinks I'm weird? I don't!... And he won't! He's nice. she reassured herself, and in no time, was calm again.

"What is it?"

6.20.06  

[bhope]

5.16.06

Autumn just happened to be not too far from Kuja, roaming around almost blindly. Already he was wobbling around in attempts to crawl, and doing one darned good job of it! Of course, he tires easily, so flopped on the ground by the water, breathing heavily. His little ears could hear the rushing of the stream, head lifting, trying to open his eyes to look at it.

Well, it was almost successful, his glance at the water! Eyes had opened into little slits but closed quickly. It's awful bright to him for one thing, and opening eyes is still kinda' hard! With an exausted huff, Autumn dropped his muzzle on front paws, relaxing.

He was unaware Kuja was on the close rock, but there was no doubt the other chick heard his fuss.

Kuja's left ear begn to twitch at the fuss that sounded awefully like another Gryph. His eyes opened into slits for a moment before he yawned and stretched out, giving an annoyed squeak while doing so.

Shuffling up onto his paws, he blinked his sleepy eyes and give the other chick an odd look from where he was.

Who knew there were so many chicks in one area! It turned out that Autumn and Kuja weren't the only two blindly groping around in an attempt to explore their new world. A third chick, who's bright white fur stuck out like a sore thumb in the lush grass, was stirring idly. Felicity had woken up from her nap, (one of many that day) and had concluded that sitting around, yawning occasionally and waggling her teeny little tail wasn't enough entertainment. Craving something else, despite the fact that her new body was barely functioning properly without any adventure, Felicity decided she wanted to explore.

Her tiny legs weren't much use at all. As a matter of fact, the poor thing could barely crawl on her own without managing to roll onto her side. What she lacked for in coordination, though, she made up with resilience. Determined to get from point A to point B- wherever each location was, Felicity chirped softly, her nose quivering.

Hey! Something smelled weird. Not just one something... But... Two somethings? Chirping consistently now, the little chick began to crawl feverently in the direction of the somethings, her little nostrils flaring with excitement. She was getting closer! It wasn't going to be too long before-

BUMP!

The little Gryph had waddled straight into Autumn's side! Letting out a short wail of suprise, Felicity cried out, her little nose twitching a bit. Yep! This thing here was one of the somethings!

Autumn's little ears flicked as soon as he heard the other sunbathing chick. Head lift again, staring in the direction of the other. Eyes struggle again to open, tiny little slits. He peered with somewhat blurry vision at the gryph, giving an apologetic whimper, and small, cute squeaky chirps "I sowwy, would leave but too wowrn ouwt." Well, of course he sounds like a baby!

But then? There was that BUMP! This caught his attention, head turning in that direction rather abruptly, peering blurrily at the newcomer. She's a bright lil' girl! Curious whinny at her, leaning head down to nuzzle at her forehead, "You oh-kay?"

Autumn. Your friendly daddy's boy.

Kuja's head perked up more at the sight of yet another Gryph! Was he ever free of them!? They were all so loud and so... baby-ish! Even if he was a chick himself.

Giving a squeaky, sighing growl at the other's apology, he just continued to clamber up to sit straight, licking his paw. Well... It was grooming time now!

What was that!? Felicity not only smelled weird things, but now she heard a faint buzzing in her ears. It wasn't much, but it was obviously coming from whatever it was she'd bumped into. She'd never heard such things before- even if it was an indistinct buzz. Opening her tiny mouth to squeal frightfully, the little Gryph did her very best to cover her face, her petite paws scrambling to her muzzle as she tried to protect herself.

How was she supposed to know if this thing was friendly or not? Well... After a moment of intense thought, Felicity decided that it wasn't going to hurt her. Besides. Even if it was, she was sure she could try and convince it not to! There was no evil in creatures- only a horribly confused good soul. Yep. That sounded right about good.

Chirping highly, it wasn't long before Felicity inched a bit foward again. The closer she got, the bigger the smell became! Yep. This was definitley something. But wait... Wasn't there one more? Lifting her head up as best she could, (which really wasn't that great at all,) Felicity tried to sniff out the different 'something' smell... but to no avail. Maybe this one was too far away?

Autumn couldn't stand holding his eyes open, albeit they were just little slits (and blurry!), so let them fall shut. Muzzle dropped onto his forepaws again, andhe relaxed. The poor boy confused easily, and both of these gryphs were on the confusing side to him.

He'd just let it pass, sleep some more or something.

Seeing the other try and "find" him, Kuja began to wriggle off the rock slowly, landing on all four of his feet. Once he was sure he was steady, he toddled his way over to the white one of the pair and placed a paw rough on the middle of it's forehead.

Well, he might aswell of saved the chick a job of seeking him out himself, since HE had pretty good eye sight for a chick!

Felicity nearly screamed. Well. If you considered a high pitched, defensively derived squeal to be a scream, then yes- she did scream. What else was a startled newborn supposed to do when something landed on your forehead out of nowhere? Felicity felt rightfully terrified- and followed her little shreik through with the best action she could think of; curling into a ball.

Whimpering softly, the pathetic looking chick quivered lightly, peeping softly into the grass as she pressed herself into a little sphere, as if this would ward off the 'predator'. How was she to know any better that Kuja was not a threat?

Autumn pushed up on his front paws, crawling towards the scream. Tired huff let out as he flopped next to Felicity, propped up on front legs. Left paw reached out and pushed Kuja's paw off, grunting at him. He toppled over after bopping the other chick's paw, but propped right back up, frowning. The scream didn't sound good at all - he'd come over to investigate and take care of the problem!

Autumn sat there trying to look brave, eyes closed, yet his back legs were still pretty limp. He's used to crawling, unlike the limber and agile Kuja walking around casually. Someday soon, Autumn would catch up with Kuja, and he'd be the one standing! And to add to his brave look, a tiny little cute growl. It was supposed to sound mean instead of cute, but... oh well!

And then it was gone. Hmm! The thing on her head seemed to have slide off, and Felicity was quite pleased. Perking up a bit, waggling her tail just a touch to show her relief, the small thing squeaked gently as if to ask what on earth that thing had been! Still a bit panicky, though considerably calmer now, the tiny chick exhaled deeply, peeping lightly. Thank goodness!

Felicity smelled the two things very close right now. The thought that what had been on her head could've been the second something didn't cross her mind once. Regaining her composure, feeling safe once more, Felicity chirped idly, her singsong voice trilling pleasently. Did these two somethings feel as lost as she did? Considerably happier now that she was in a small group, Felicity let out a purr like sound, trying with fleeting desperation to open her eyes- only to fail sadly.

Kuja purred in happiness at the response he got to just touching the other chick on it's forehead. Who knew some of the chicks were so wimpy?

However his joy was short lived when the other arrived and pushed his paw off the younger chick. The end of his nose wrinkled up even at the growl he was given. Was that inferior Gryph growling at him!?

Pinning his ears back, he gave a huffing snort and growled in return, more of a rougher tone rather then the cute one he got.

Without thinking, Autumn's lip curled up a bit, bearing mostly gums - but also a couple teeth as well. Well, he -is- older than Felicity, who knows how old Kuja here is. But he knows he's no match for this other chick, at least he doesn't think he is.

But he is a smart boy. Kuja has won the battle, but not the war. There would be another day, surely, where Autumn could teach Kuja to 'treat others as you wish to be treated' or something. But now he backs down, chirping out just loudly enough for him to hear, "Naut today." He's a rather bad speaker, but better than Kuja he believes. Brave little chick (at least HE believes himself to be brave) nudges at Felicity, chirping pitifully, urging her to move just a bit with him, so Kuja would get the point.

If Felicity would move just a few inches with him, both of them wobbling around, he'd be happy. Because then Kuja might understand he was free to go lounge on his rock! Stoney!

No more fluffy movement. Felicity couldn't say that she was entirely disappointed- but she had been looking foward to a few more seconds of tickle. Oh well! She'd get over it. Actually, she was already over it. Chirping pleasently, mostly to herself then to the two others, she perked her head up a bit, only to have her muzzle land in more fluffy-Autumn-fur.

Squeaking quietly, Felicity felt another small vibration as Autumn spoke. There it was again! Trilling that same singsong 'giggle', Felicity waggled her tail happily. Not a moment after the tickling had stopped did she feel a small nudge at her side- most likely from the fluffy something that she'd been beside all along. Unsure of exactly what the nudge meant, Felicity chirped questionably, perking her blind head to the side a bit in confusion. What did he want?

An odd grin of triumph appeared on Kuja's face, holding his head up high. There! He had done his job of making sure he was the boss!

Giving one last snort at the pair just to make even more clear, he toddle back quickly to his rock, trying his best to ignore the sounds the white Gryph was making.

Now he had to clamber onto his rock again! And that was troublesome.

Autumn gave up on trying to move the female chick when Kuja left. He peered after him and gave a snort. Eyes closed again and he flopped next to Felicity, nuzzling at her back with a whinny, just to tickle at her. He'd caught on that she seemed ticklish whenever he growled or gave his try at talking to Kuja.

Who knows what Kuja would be in for when he and Autumn cross paths again! Besides, he looks a little girly, he can't be all that strong. And to himself, Autumn vows to 'show who is boss' later!

Felicity giggled pleasently, throwing her little head up involuntarily as her tail wagged eagerly against her hindquarters, clearly in appreciation and glee from the tickling. Her little legs let her roll a tad bit, her uncoordinated body nearly falling over on it's side from Autumn's playful antics.

Deciding that now was the time to try again and open her eyes, the little Gryph took a deep breath. After all, how were you supposed to open your eyes if you weren't properly inflated? Drawing in air as she hopefully raised her lids, Felicity was disappointed when all she saw was a painful blinding light.

Maybe that was because by this time she'd rolled onto her back and was now directly facing the sun. Hmm.

Autumn had opened his eyes a bit just in time to watch Felicity go rolling over. He tittered at that and chirped at her playfully. He's stumbled upon an adorable, amusing playmate! In the back of his mind he wondered when papa would find him, since he wandered from his family who was a good distance away! Attetion eventually falls back on Felicity, watching her attempt to open eyes. He props up, and crawls a bit closer to look down at her and give a cute boyish giggle, a sort of "Hee hee." This way, he could shade her from the sun so not to be blinded!

He'd definately remember this lil' girl when time comes to leave with his family.

Felicity trilled happily. She couldn't see Autumn moving about- and she couldn't quite hear his cute little giggle, (though she did hear a faint buzzing), but she knew that he was up to something. The vague disappointment at her own failure to open her eyes seemed to pass, and was replaced with sheer, carefree happiness at the movements of her new playmate.

The bright sun seemed to leak through her eyelids. While sightless, Felicity could still tell the difference between facing directly towards the sun as opposed to with her face buried in grass. (Or fur, for that matter.) So when a wide space of shade covered her face, she was pleasently suprised.

Squeaking diligently, sensing this as an oppurtunity to attempt to open her eyes once more, the resilient little chick peeped firmly, her eyelids parting with greater ease then they had earlier. Everything in front of her was blurry- but she could make out the colors. There was a bit of bronzey orange and brown- not that Felicity knew what colors were yet, of course. Moments after she'd opened her eyes just a tiny bit, though, they'd closed again on her.

This was exhausting work! Peeping with satisfaction, as if that was enough work for the day, Felicity rolled playfully into Autumn, her tiny body acting as a ball as she bumped into him deliberately.

Autumn was more proud of her than she was of herself, seeing those lil eyes open. He let his own fall shut again - because yeah it is still hard work even for him!

Then he felt that bump, which sent him tumbling over, making sure he didn't land on her. He rolled onto the grass, almost in shock at being knocked over, but he rolls to his side to bump right back into Felicity with a playful growl - even if she wouldn't hear it. Then he makes his way into laying position on the ground, paws in front of his body. One lifts up, playfully (and gently) batting at the chick's own paws in the air, were she on her back still that is.

Felicity erupted into a series of suprisingly ear-soothing trills, each indicating a level of happiness from the chick. Wait! Now was not a time for giggles... Now was a time for retaliation! Besides, there was absolutely nothing fun about rolling around on the grass with your new friend, batting at each others paws. Nothing fun at all!

Felicity felt her muzzle pull into a comfortable position- she must've been smiling, even though the sensation was foreign to her- and she squeaked triumphantly. Wiggling around a bit on the grass, hoping she was better positioning herself, the little chick flung her forepaws out gently, in hopes of feebly half-pouncing on her target. Now this was fun!

 

[bhope]

5.17.06

Today had hardly been a day for adventures. As a matter of fact, Felicity was fairly sure that this was a day for unventures!... Whatever that was. Her morning and afternoon had been so uneventful that the poor little Gryph had dissolved to pushing her face into the ground, trying to let the shade of the grass give her some darkness that would make opening her eyes easier.

She hadn't gotten very far- she was still blind as she'd been yesterday, though this time she was a bit more crestfallen. Well... No matter! In time, she supposed, things would get better. And more fun. Still, though, Felicity couldn't help but to feel hopelessly bored.

The tiny white chick lolled about in the grass, her petite forepaws pulling foward, letting the newborn Gryph crawl around across the grass. It wasn't that Felicity couldn't sit still- she could- she just preferred to be up and about. What was the fun of staying in one spot, anyway?

Artemis was in about the same sort of mood. Then again, she always was. She had wandered off from her brothers and sisters, though her mother still kept a watchful eye on her from a distance. It'd taken her a good long time to get all this way anyhow!

The little gryph settled comfortably in a patch of grass for a quick rest after she had finished crawling a sizeable (read: small) distance. She would continue her explorations shortly!

And who but to wiggle herself right into the other Gryph but Felicity? It seemed as though she had a knack for blindly seeking out other chicks and then pummeling herself into them. It was an accident, of course, but something that suprised the little chick nonetheless.

Letting out a high pitched, short lived squeal, Felicity wiggled backwards for a moment. Her tiny muzzle tried to stretch into the air as she attempted to sniff out something- Oh! And there it was! It was a similar 'something' smell that she'd noticed just yesterday when she'd made two (well, one, really) new friends. Peeping happily, realizing that this smell, while familiar, was of a new Gryph, Felicity wagged her tail a bit.

Crooning gently to whoever this was, she decided to try and open her eyes. Unfortunately, the sunlight was much too strong and she was far too tired from all that crawling. So instead, the chick let out another tail wiggle, followed by a gentle pawing in Artemis's direction.

The other gryph chick did not seem impressed with this at all! She let out an indignant chirp as Felicity bumped into her, and scooted in a direction she hoped was away from the other, but couldn't be bothered to sniff out as definitely so.

She felt Felicity's paw as it reached to touch her and chirped again. She didn't want to be hit again, like her sister had the other day! So many pawing, violent chicks! Reaching out, she pawed at the other in revenge.

Felicity, cheerfully unaware of Artemis's unhappy retaliation, felt a light swat in her general direction. That was lovely! Another chick to play with! Unfortunately for Felicity, she was hardly aware that Artemis's intentions were different then her own.

Cooing softly to what she hoped would be a new friend, the little Gryph rolled onto her back happily, letting out a series of pleasently pitched trills that almost sounded like a song. Her paws batted blindly at the air, and it almost seemed as if she wanted Artemis to chirp along with her.

Artemis was quite sure she had no idea what the other gryph was about, and settled back amongst the loam and leaves to chirp in confusion to herself. She wanted to be able to roam about and explore properly just as her mother and father did. She was tired of this wandering aimlessly in hopes of finding something exciting!

Felicity frowned mildly. Why wasn't this new chick complying? Chirping twice softly in quick sucession, it wasn't long before the newborn herself had devised a game plan. A rather articulate, ingenious one, if she'd've said so herself!

Feeling her face relax into that very comfortable position- the same one she'd done yesterday when she'd smiled for the first time, Felicity steadied herself. Her little nose perked up into the air and she chirped in a huff, clearly trying to detect the exact direction of which Artemis had scootched to. Deciding that she was aiming in the correct way, the little chick gave a fullhearted pounce-tackle, her nose rather sucessfully having lead her in Artemis's direction.

Felicity pounced happiy ontop of the little Gryph, wagging her stubby tail playfully. Now it was war!

Artemis' chirp was twice as indignant this time! She rolled over quickly in an attempt to throw the other chick off of her. Why was she so unjustly being attacked? She hadn't done anything but wandered by, and suddenly this obnoxious creature felt the need to jump on top of her and swat at her most unpleasantly!

It was a good thing that Felicity couldn't read minds- for if she could, she would've been most certainly unhappy to know that Artemis thought so poorly of her already. Oblivious to the other Gryph's rage, however, Felicity continued to chirp sweetly. She interupted Artemis's swats and chirps to be mock aggressive- truly playful in nature.

It was a shame that Felicity failed to see (not literally, of course) the true nature of Artemis's behavior. She would've most certainly 'ceased fire' had she known how unhappy the other chick was with her playful attacks. Seeing as Felicity had no way of knowing, however, she continued to play.

Her teeny paws pressed happily ontop of Artemis's, though they sloppily fell off here and there, causing the chick to slide down and bump into the grass once more. As Artemis rolled, however, Felicity was completely thrown off. Where had the little thing gone to? Raising her muzzle into the air, Felicity began to crawl in all sorts of directions, trying to seek out her 'friend'.

The little gryph sighed contentedly as she had managed to roll away from the offending other gryph, and sniffed about for her, to make sure that she could escape quickly if she came close.

Artemis' nose was quite good, but she was not accustomed to Felicity's particular smell, and so did not realize she was just there. She crawled off, but likely not far from Felicity.

Unfortunately for Artemis, Felicity was one determined little chick. She whinned a bit, clearly unhappy that Artemis had seemingly vanished from the spot. A soft whimper trailed from her muzzle, which was then buried into the ground. The soft blades of grass tickled Felicity's snout, and she promptly shrieked into a small trill of giggles, her pleasent little singsong squeaks vibrating against the ground.

Pulling her muzzle up, chirping sadly as the tickling blades of grass vanished, Felicity now had a better idea of which direction Artemis had scuttled off in. Crawling in that remote direction, the chick herself was quite suprised when as she crawled, she accidently stumbled over Artemis's stray paw.

Loosing whatever ounce of coordination she'd established, the Gryph rolled onto her side, wailing in suprise as she faced directly upwards, the sun beaming against her closed eyelids.

Artemis blinked at the touching, then sighed. She was very determined, she had to give her that much. Wiggling so that she touched the other very briefly, she realized that the other had fallen over and nudged against her in an attempt to set the other right.

She wasn't a -mean- gryph, really. She just didn't understand when others tried to play with her without her initiating it.

Felicity's paws hung limply in the air above her, and she perked her head to the side about. That was so very strange... How come whenever she lied on her belly, everything was dark- but when she lied on her back, everything was brilliantly bright? She'd have to learn about that some time or other. It puzzled her very much.

The chick was estatic when she noticed that she was on the receiving end of a light nudge. Chirping pleasently to show her appreciation for Artemis's attempts to roll her over, the little chick made an effort to do so as well. Her little paws flailed to the side and she rolled back onto her belly, comfortable once more. Peeping a few times happily in what she hoped was Artemis's direction, Felicity waggled her stubbly tail a bit, her paws kneading idly beneath her.

She wished she could see this new 'friend' of hers! Trying, for some odd third time now to open her eyes, Felicity suprised herself when blurs of unrecognizeable colors flashed before her- only to disappear behind eyelids once more.

 

[bhope]

5.18.06

What a lovely day! Felicity was most definitley sure that this was the most wonderful day that she'd ever witnessed. Not that she'd witnessed many... But anyway. It was certainly splendid outside. There was a gentle, cool, refreshing breeze every now and then, and the warm rays of the sun heated up Felicity's coat to just the perfect temperature. Occasionally the chick would let out a trill of singsong chirps to the wind, simply to show her appreciation of the fantastic weather.

No sooner had she ended her chirp had she suddenly been overwhelmed with a burst of motivation. Perhaps she would try opening her eyes today! Inhaling deeply, bracing herself for an attempt, the darling white newborn tried to life her lids. She did so with a bit of sucess- blurs of colors swirled past her eyes- though they quickly snapped shut. It was much too bright outside to open them fully, she supposed.

Autumn just happened to be trotting through the same field Felicity was in, but would't notice her yet. He would remember her from when he was smaller though. Not long ago, of course! He's only recently started walking around and opening his eyes more. Hey, he was even learning his speech better.

The little boy still wouldn't notice her, he was too busy watching the sky and admiring the scenery. It wasn't until he heard a familiar chirp. He looked around, red eyes soon enough settling on Felicity. He recognized the colors and her size, and her smell too. "Chick-a-deee~" he cooed excitedly, tromping towards the little girl. Before he reached her, his last little 'tromp' landed paws in front of her (a safe distance away), backside in the air and front lowered down. His tail wagged ever so happily, giggling at the girl, nuzzling her forehead. Chick-a-dee was her little nickname for now.

Hopefully she recognized his scent! Otherwise she might think some stranger is here!

Hm? What was this? No sooner had Felicity finished her little trill of chirps did her little nose flare up, quivering as she inhaled a new scent. Well... The scent wasn't really all that new. As a matter of fact, she recognized it rather quickly. This was her fluffy-something-friend! The tickley one! Immedietly exciting herself up for their little reunion, Felicity's stubbly tail wagged, pittering against her own hindquarters and the soft, lush grass beneath her.

She let out a set of pleasent trills and peeps, her tiny body crawling in the direction that she hoped Autumn was in. This was her friend! She knew this fluffy smell! Felicity, assuming that not much had changed, was severely mistaken when she bumped right into his forepaws. His much larger forepaws. But the scent was undeniable- this was her tickly friend, surely! Chirping twice in mild confusion, the chick perked her head to the side. Had he really grown that much since their first encounter?

Autumn really had grown! He wasn't enormous or anything, just a little bigger than her. But hey - he was born before her, after all. He continued wagging his tail, a little smile creeping across his muzzle. Cute little whinny at Felicity, though he was unsure if she could hear it. Either way, he was expressing himself and his joy to see her again.

"You still haff some gwowing up to do chick-a-dee! Heee hee!" Little boy stares at her, in the pouncing position - no he's not gonna' pounce her! He's just being eye level with her. Those little chirps were cute, he had to admit that to himself, and just giggled at her. Finally he rose himself up and moved to lay beside her, one paw tucked beneath his chest. He knew she was ticklish, so let out a playful growl just to tickle her!

Fortunately for both Felicity and Autumn, the little Gryphon's hearing was very gradually becoming more acute. There were no drastic improvements- but smaller things. Instead of faint buzzing when others spoke, Felicity now heard mumbled jibberish. She couldn't understand it, even if it was clear, but it was still a step up. She still seemed to be having a bit of trouble opening her eyes, but that at least was understandable. It'd been so bright outside lately!

Except... It was evening now, and the sun's glares- while warm cozy and strong, were fading, which gave the little Gryph a bit of hope when it came to trying to open her eyes. For now, though, she was content with finding her friend again.

Pleasently suprised as Autumn remembered her ticklishness, the chick squealed with happiness, her tail waggling playfully and her paws batting gently at what she hoped was his face, her little body jerking with squeals as she giggled in that same singsong tune. What fun!

Autumn's little growls turned into fits of chuckles and giggles, head lowered so that Felicity could have at his face with the pawing. It didn't bother him the least bit, since it was light. Hearing those pleasant little giggles from his little friend made him a happy gryph, tail waving around contently behind him as he giggles with her.

He was used to playing with his family at this point, so was afraid to initiate any horseplay. He was afraid of hurting her, but while the miniature femme bat at his face, he'd gently n** or poke at a paw.

It was quite reassuring that Autumn didn't mind Felicity's playful battings- but he indudged them and seemed to be humoring her as well. A light squeak surfaced from the Gryphons muzzle as she wiggled foward a bit more, her body bumping lightly into Autumn's paws for a second time now. Squealing happily at the contact, Felicity trilled a sort of purr of happiness.

Felicity was estatic when Autumn 'retaliated' gently, poking and nipping at her lightly. Oh, she'd show him who was boss! Squeaking several times in quick sucession, as if she were peeping a battle cry, the chick nudged herself foward, repetatively bumping into Autumn's paws. It was almost as if she were trying to play-beat him up!

Watching the little chick was the highlight of his day, and all the better that he was blessed with playing with her. Autumn continued to indulge the little chick, laughing at her 'battle cry.' He got into the game further, leaping up quickly onto all fours, ducked into pouncing position yet again. Still there was no pounce, but instead he kept a paw out, just so Felicity could continue her 'assault' on his paw. His retaliation now was just to make sure she landed on his paw every time she came bounding forward, just to make sure she didn't go charging into him, or off to the side only to topple over! Though it's not obvious to Felicity, Autumn proudly considered himself her little protector.

Aha! So that was how it was going to be! Felicity felt a surge of pride and excitement sweep over her little body. She'd attacked him!... Well, his paw, at least. And that was good enough for her. Squeaking loudly, yet strangely soothingly each time she pounced on his paw, the little chick seemed to be getting more excersize out of this little war front battle then she'd gotten from crawling around all day! The constant wiggling, bracing, then pouncing was really getting her adrenaline flowing.

Then there was the final attack. This next scheme she'd come up with was surely going to secure her winning position for this battle. Wiggling her bottom dramatically, the blind chick peeped several times before pouncing as best she could ontop of Autumn's paw. She brought her muzzle down to it and began bopping her snout gently against the paw, as if she were trying to beat up the individual limb. Success! The paw didn't seem to be moving! In Felicity's mind- this was one battle she had won.

 

[bhope]

5.19.06

Today had been a long day. The unstable weather had really seemed to bother Felicity a bit. You couldn't really blame her, though- going from drizzling to sunshine to pouring to sunshine to thunder, then back again to sunshine wasn't really her choice of weather conditions. Though, like the little cheerful, resilient chick she was, Felicity had gotten over the poor weather and was pleased once again when the sun came out to warm up her tiny body. As a matter of fact, she was more then pleased. For one reason or another, the little chick was unreasonably estatic. She was just in a great mood! Her litle body waggled about as she crawled about the soft grass.

Day by day, Felicity noticed herself getting stronger. Her short legs could carry her with more ease now- even if she was still horribly coordinated. Her ears were swiveling and perking constantly now: noises were no longer faint, low buzzes, but now slightly distinct mumbles and whispers. This was so exciting! The one thing that the Gryphon couldn't wait to happen, though, was for her eyes to open. She wanted to see the world around her!

She was patient, though. The little newborn would wait. For now, she would wait. Besides, she had all the time in the world, didn't she? Suddenly a burst of happiness swept over her tiny body, and she let out a series of suprisingly ear soothing trills and chirps, her whole body waggling as she seemed to dance around the field. Today wasn't so bad after all, she decided.

Trotting happily along, Mushu held his head up high, looking like a proud little infant. There was a bemused grin sliding across his face. Today was a good day. Oh yes. He'd gotten through an entire nap undisturbed, the weather was nice, and Cri Kee wasn't really being all too annoying today.

So all in all, it was off to a good start. He stretched out his back as the warm sun beat down on it, and suddenly swiveled his ears about. Was there something moving in the grass? Indeed there was.

Maybe it was a lion! Grassnecks! Oh no!

Turning he began to creep forwards, peeking over the little hedge of grass. Down below was a small, and really pale looking baby gryph.

Well... at least it wasn't a cow or a lion.
Duke was the one who would make his appearance. With chicks nestled on the ground around him, he was laying on top of a flat bed rock, the perfect place to have a little sun. His long tail sways behind him as he observes everything around him, his ears swiveling, his eyes paying close attention to what was happening. After all, he did need to take care of the chicks, and any who made the mistake of getting too close would probably finds themselves faced with a very angry father.

His large wings stretch then nestle against him before he turns his head to spy the little red Hippogryph running around. He pays no mind; so long as it's other Hippogryphs then he was very willing to relax, but even then one should still be cautious.

Persephone, herself, was curled up against the rock where she had been brought. Her little white coat was dirty but she didn't care, obviously; she couldn't even see it! Her nose was nestled against her forepaws, snoozing contently. The sounds all around her were still dulled out too much for her to notice unless they were extremely loud and extremely close to her.

Aurora was slowly trotting down, not really noticing too much as she walked ahead of her mother, who held another chick as they walked. This one wasn't from her flock, she knew, but he felt a bit familiar. Her mother had told her she had agreed to watch over him for the day since he was the son of a friend she had in another flock.

Setzer was mrring sightly, as if a bit upset at all the movements going on. How did they expect him to SLEEP like this ?! Hmph ! He tried so hard to open his eyes to see where they where going, but it was a no go.
Helios frolicked cheerfully around the central area. He had seen Gaea the day before with one of her new chicks, and now he spotted Duke with the others! Gleefully, he trotted over to them and sniffed at each gently-- he didn't want to disturb them or anything.

"Hi Duke!" he wiggled his tail happily at the older gryph.
Guinivere lifted her head, hearing things around her. She tried to open her eyes, but couldn't get them open more then a crack, and besides that, the light was far to blinding for her anyway.

She cried out. Shouldn't her brother be around her somewhere? Where waaaas he?
Rumaging through the long grass, Kuja was looking for the rock he normally napped on, but he couldn't seem to find in anywhere. Snorting angrily, Kuja held his head high as though in a mood with the grass itself. How dare his rock be moved!

Without even relising it, the small chick seem to bump into something soft and red.. And bigger then he was. He was even knocked back to the ground witha small squeak.

And then suddenly, almost as if out of nowhere, several new scents and noises flooded Felicity's senses. She squealed from suprise- she'd been too busy dancing and wiggling to have noticed them earlier! Squeaking gently, her little chirp laced with mild apprehension, the little Gryph lifted her nose to the air. Oh my! There were tons of other Gryphs around the the meadow today. That was certainly exciting... Though, in spite of Felicity's slight disappointment at not quite being able to physically see all of them- surely she could sniff and bump into them!

Deciding that would be the best choice, the little girl swiveled around a bit, her velvety muzzle bringing itself to the sky as best she could, taking in all the foreign scents around her. There seemed to be something just behind her! Yipping softly with excitement, the naive chick scuttled backwards before twirling her body around gracelessly. She didn't have much coordination. Felicity headed in Mushu's direction, pleased that one of the many Gryphs around was right behind her!

And then it happened. Minding his OWN business (even though he was spying on the baby gryph) something came and bumped into his side.

"AUGH!" he cried out, turning his head to see a... weird lookin gryph. What was up with that hair? And that outfit? Why the heck would any self respectin' gryph be goin' around in that sort of get up?

Man he must have a cruel den mother.

"Helloooooo.... bigger Gryph here... watch where ya goin'." he hrmphed...

Then realized it was another baby gryph. Opening his mouth to say something he suddenly realized there was something else coming close to him. Turning his head he spied that little paley baby coming up on his haunched.

Oh no.

This likely wasn't going to end well.
His ears twist and his head tilts down when he spies the approaching ball of yellow fluff that belongs to Helios. He offers the boy a friendly smile upon his approach.

"Hello, Helios. How are you?"

Persephone's ears twitch as she feels something coming near, enough to draw her out of the slumber she was in. She tilts her head up, chirruping faintly at her father and then in direction of where she assumes Helios to be.

Aurora couldn't help but notice Mushu's predicament, and couldn't help but giggle as well.

Ah, well. The great Mushu wouldn't need her help to repeal the chick invasion, yes ?

So, she instead turned to waddle torward the other voice she reconized in the pack. "Hellliooosss~" She called in a sing-song voice, only noticing Duke and his chick when she got there, and stopped.

"Oh, im sorry... Do you mind if I come closer, mister ?"

Upon noticing a gathering of gryph of all ages, Aurora's mother finally let Setzer down. He aknowledged this with a small huff. About TIME !

His grumpyness seemed to be replaced by cusiosity, as he started to crawl to the biggest source of sound - that is, Mushu and the other chicks.
Helios smiled,
"I'm doing great, Duke! and..." he blinked, turning around at the voice. He spotted Aurora and beamed!

"Hi!" he cried, trotting over to her and giving her a nuzzle,
"You're so big now!"
The small white and black chick turned her head left and right. Maybe if she moved she'd find where he went...

She started crawling in a random direction. Heerrrree brother brother brother...

She stopped suddenly, squeaking loudly as she ran into the front leg of a bright red (although she didn't know the color) object.
Finally looking at the older Gryph, Kuja looked rather stunned for a moment as the other spoke, ears pricked up. He didn't understand fully what he said, but the tone he did not like.

No one talked to him like that!

Scowling in an odd way, he clambered onto all fours again, getting ready to head but the red one. But his head pricked back up again as he recognised the white Gryph coming closer. Or... atleast it was similllar to the last one.

Snorting, he nudged Mushu's leg moodily before setting off to the white Gryph. Maybe she moved his rock!

Nothing could spoil Felicity's mood, it seemed. Not even the reappearence of the unfriendly baby Gryph, (not that she thought him unfriendly- Felicity had been happily unaware of Kuja's dislike of her presence) seemed to let her down. As a matter of fact, Felicity was estatic when she heard the small squeak come out of the other chick's mouth. A second Gryph?! That was wonderful!

Her priority, however, was on the first 'something' that she'd sniffed out. Mushu, of course. Oblivious to the dread that was forming in the red Gryphon at the sight of two approaching babies, Felicity continued onward, wiggling close enough to Mushu so that she was an inch or so away from his forepaws. She then promptly let out a trill of happy squeaks, as it to introduce herself.

Unfortunately for her, Felicity hadn't the slightest clue that Kuja was headed towards her. Besides, she hadn't moved his stinky rock!

Mushu promptly tried to backpeddle from the little gryphs. Saddly, he found his back leg bumping up against something else tiny, and soft. Turning his head he saw yet another little gryph. What the?!

Looking left for an escape his eyes went wide as a tiny pig made it's way towards him! (Afterall the cow couldn't obviously be the cow seeing as Susan was a cow).

These little monsters were everywhere!

Cri Kee seemed to laugh at Mushu's misfortune, however quickly stopped as the red gryph shot him a threatening glance. It was then he heard the tiny trilling noises. Turning his head towards the first baby he'd seen he made a nervous laugh.

"Hi... I'm Mushu... nice to meet you all..."
His company was short-lived; he watches as Helios's attention, rather flightly, is caught by someone else. Eyes rolling, but amused, he lets the boy wander off. Any humans who saw this spectacle would probably think that Duke was stuck with babysitting judging from the amount of chicks around him and he being the only adult. Not the case though.

Regardless Duke lets out a yawn, stretches and sets his head down on the nice warm slab. He closes his eyes, intending to take a momentary nap.
Forgetting all about Duke's presence as well, she returned Helios's nuzzle, giggeling. "Not really ! Mom still won't let me go anywhere alone." She pouted, setteling to sit, "It's a bit annoying, but im glad you're here !" She chirped hapilly. "How are you doing ?"

Setzer continued his approach, but then, as if the sky has opened to form a miracle, he stopped nearby, visibely being very amused by what he could gather of the situation.

Thanksfully, he didn't look like he was getting any closer, but he let out a small, amused chirp.
Helios sat down next to her, grinning goofily,
"But you are! Last time, you didn't even have your eyes opened yet or anything!" he disagreed, then lifted his muzzle to the sky, taking in the sunlight,
"I'm doing great! It's so nice and sunny and beautiful out!"
Guinivere chirped up at Mushu. She had no idea what was going on, but he had made some funny noises.

Pay attention to meeeeee! She kept chirpping, hoping he would cuddle against her like her brother did. She was cold anyway and tried moving in closer.
Kuja's ears flickered close to his head as he cringed slightly on the spot. What was making all that chirping?! It was always so noisy!

Snorting again, Kuja ignored it and continued on towards the white Gryph.

Once he was there, he gave it a glare while he pressed his torso to the ground. Again he snorted at it while giving in a annoyed mewl.

Hmm... This thing smelled strangely familiar. Oh yes! Of course, this was the second fluffy thing that Felicity had sniffed a few days ago. Hardly aware of the tense nature of their last encounter, the white Gryphon chirped quietly, pleased to see that her previous acquantince had returned.

Wiggling her stubbly tail happily, Felicity let out a second chirp, followed quickly by a third, that was almost melodious. She sure was a singy little creature. It almost seemed as though she were trying to reintroduce herself!

Kuja blinked in a rather confused manner. Did this chick not react to other's annoyance?

If memory served him right, the chick had been scared for a moment but was all happy when that other came into the picture.

He wasn't sure if it was more annoying how she acted.

Sighing, he brought up a paw and placed it on her forehead, hoping to get the react he got before.

Felicity was just about to chirp once more. Maybe the other smelly (not in a bad way, of course) thing hadn't heard her properly? Then, just as her vocal cords were bracing themself for a quick chide, Felicity was gripped with fear.

She'd felt this before! She'd felt that heavy, awkward thing on her forehead before. Squeaking frightfully, the little chick writhed uncomfortably beneath the paw. Now, a bit bigger and more mobile, Felicity was able to squirm out from beneath the other chick's paw. Her heart was racing with the recollection that came back to her.

What was so scary about having a paw placed on your forehead? Not much, if you were a normal Gryphon. Then again, Felicity was quite quirky.

The little thing, a few inches away from Kuja now, squeaked softly, her voice laced with sadness. Was he trying to scare her?

Kuja smirked a little at the creature's reaction before it started to mew sadly. What was wrong with it? Did it not know it was just his paw.

Sighing, the Gryph mew a couple of times as though trying to explain himself.

Hopefully the Gryph would get it through it's head it wasn't purposely trying to scare it, though it was funny.

It was clear that Felicity didn't understand. It was also clear, though, that as soon as the paw was removed, Felicity reagined her calm and composure. Bizarrely enough, it only seemed as though when that sort of pressure was applied to her forehead, she became extremely distraught.

No matter, though! The paw was gone, and Felicity was cheering up again. She chirped softly, perking that tiny little head of hers in confusion. What was this smelly thing doing? Didn't he want to say hello to her? Felicity wiggled around a bit, peeping happily.

 

[bhope]

5.20.06

Each day so far had brought Felicity happiness. There was very little that the young chick had to complain about. As each day passed, her hearing became more acute, her eyelids grew lighter, and her tiny body gained mobility. Still, she had the coordination of a one legged caterpillar, but that was alright, seeing as all she could do was crawl anyway.

A small yawn escaped her throat. Today had begun mellow, and it had only progressed to remain as such throughout the early afternoon. Felicity waddled calmly through the high grass, her ears swiveling about quickly. Noises were no longer faint buzzes to her- but instead, a more pronounced, distinct sort of muttering. She was very proud of her progression, and while she was still a bit crestfallen that she couldn't see, she knew to take things one step at a time.

The fluffy white chick chirped softly to the grass, pressing her muzzle into it gently. It was so lovely and soft! It tickled her velvety snout, and she let out a short, quiet squeal. That was about the umpteenth time she'd done that today. It was getting old. Felicity craved something new! Adventure!... Or maybe something a bit safer. Anything that would entertain her.

Jenna was soooo full! After her lunch she was again ready to play. At least, play as much as she could with a belly so full it was making it hard to lie down in any position that was comfortable. She wobbled about like a little ball with legs that stuck out in all directions. Tiny wings that had no other purpose for the meantime but to make her itchy. She chirped, complaining at anyone who'd listen to reach and scratch them for her. Tiny points at the innermost part of her eyes were opening and her ears no longer had that fat, squashed look that Malcom had come to recognise on chicks her age.

Felicity twitched her little nose. What was this? New smells! With a gleeful chirp, the little chick changed directions. Her tiny legs carried her in a feverent crawl as she darted in the direction Jenna was in. Her sense of direction was curiously accurate- though Felicity didn't seem to notice her own preciseness.

The newborn came to a short halt, pausing just before she would've bumped into Jenna. Squeaking happily in introduction, the little chick waggled her tail rapidly behind her, gleeful to make a new acquantince.

Jenna chirped in surprise, too distracted to even notice someone new had shown up until now. She rolled back to her belly and started instantly ramming her little nose into Felicity's side for a thorough sniff. She let out a sneeze, chirped, and started to groom at her. It was Jenna's chosen favorite thing to do, to groom anyone she didn't know. It had seemed to make friends as far as her little world was concerned.

Felicity had just been about to peep happily when she felt a very ticklish sensation near her tummy. What was this? Letting out a series of girlish, cheerful squeals, she rolled over a bit. This was fun! Squeaking happily, the little chick wagged her tail a bit, letting her tiny body roll into Jenna's playfully. This would be a new friend!

 

[bhope]

5.24.06

It was beautiful outside today. Felicity couldn't even remember the last afternoon she'd spent mentally complaining about the unfriendly weather. Any traces of an unkind climate seemed to have vanished. All that the little chick could think of was how absolutely gorgeous it was outside.

Well, not quite. She thought of something other then that.
I can actually see how beautiful it is now! she thought with great enthusiasm, actually letting out a tiny squeak, despite her constant efforts to keep her happiness contained. A little bit, at least. It probably wasn't very flattering of yourself to go around constantly peeping and squeaking every time a happy thought breezed through your mind.

Felicity, who had been constantly talking (mostly to herself when there wasn't anyone else around- or to Cael, who didn't seem to really understand her) had become a master of speech already. With her lilac, frosty eyes wide open, the estatic infant could now walk, talk, and see. Today was marvelous!

Jenna was trying to run, but all she had been managing was walking quickly to stay upright and letting gravity move her forward. She cooed with enthusiasm, letting out a squeal every now and then.

Malcom had resigned himself to be the permanent babysitter at this point, rolling his eyes at her enthusiasm. He barely remembered being that happy with an eagerness to learn everything about the world around him - but then he remembered being bullied heavily. Malcom watched her with an inner jealousy and tried to change the subject in his mind.

"Say Malcom, Jenna... Maaaal... cooom..." he attempted.

"Grrrrbbb...!!" she laughed.

"Voices!" Felicity squeaked aloud as opposed to simply thinking it. That was, afterall, how she had taught herself how to talk. It was much easier verbalizing your thoughts rather then just thinking them- especially when you were first beginning to learn the general language.

Excited at the sound (which she heard crystal clear!) of other voices, Felicity began to trot with a great, full fleged heartfeltness, towards them. Just as she trudged over a small hill, she saw the tiny gryphon with a much, much larger one! Had those huge things always been there, or was Felicity just suprised now to actually see one? Gulping bravely, the little girl sped down the hill, controling her speed mildly as she skidded to a halt... Before falling over.

She may be an infant now, but she still had horrible coordination skills.

Teetering up towards the pair enthusiastically, Felicity spoke, her speckled rump wagging eagerly behind her.

"Hello! I'm Ellie, what's your names?" The little gryphon hadn't realized that when introducing one's self, you should generally use your full name. Not the nickname that your human used for you.

"I'm Malcom," Malcom replied, herding Jenna back to where he could keep a safer watch on her. "This is Jenna. Can you say hello, Jenna? Say hhheeh-llooo..."

Jenna looked at his mouth, her eyes going cross-eyed with all the concentration she could muster as she tried to form the words with her own little mouth.

"Loooo..." she said, then started laughing again. "Eeeeeee!!" she started to scuttle around his legs in figure eights.

Malcom sighed and let his head drop.

Felicity was clearly oblivious to Malcom's defeated feelings. As a matter of fact, Jenna's giggly playfulness was quickly rubbing off onto the little white gryphon herself. Squealing happily and throwing her little head into the air with enthuse, Felicity yipped twice in quick sucession.

"I'll teach you how to talk!" she decided cheerfully, trotting bouncily towards Jenna as she plopped down right in front of her, her black tail flicking at her freckled rump. "Elllll-eeeee," she said slowly, making the syllables very pronounced and clear. Perhaps her nickname was a good thing after all. 'Felicity' was a lot harder to say then 'Ellie' was, anyway.

Jenna took a breath, Malcom shut his eyes tight as his ears went flat against his skull. He knew this was coming.

"LEEEE-LEEEE!!" shouted Jenna, her front feet going up into the air with a hop as she shouted to the top of her lungs. "Jen jen jenjen JEN!"

She started chasing her own tail, squealing as she fell over and then tried to catch it again.

"Lovely singing voice, Jenna," Malcom exhaled, rubbing at one ear with his paw.

Felicity's eyes darted wildly between Jenna and Malcom. The fellow infant had only taken a great draw of breath- yet somehow, the big fluffy boy seemed to have been anticipating something greater. How had he known that Jenna was going to scree-

"OH MY GOODNESS!" Felicity cried over Jenna's shrieks, before promptly falling onto her belly and splaying her paws out in front of her, giggling madly. "You're a bit giddy now aren't you, Jenna?" she sputtered between fits of laughter, her eerie lilac eyes watching Jenna with pure amusement. What fun this girl was going to be to have as a friend!

Then, very suddenly, Felicity turned her attention, sober once more, to Malcom. "Singing?" she repeated curiously, blinking before she returned to watch Jenna as she pronounced her own name over and over again. Felicity knew that word. Singing. Singy. Singsong. She liked to sing a lot! When she was a newborn, she would trill and squeak and sing. Now, of course, she didn't want to- not in front of them, at least! Smiling happily, Felicity stood up again, prancing over towards Jenna and nudging her gently. "Say Ellll-eeee!"

"She only -thinks- it's singing," Malcom went on. "Say Ellie, Jenna."

Jenna looked to them both and then sat down, her little chest heaving as she was catching her breath. She laughed and let herself fall over with her feet in the air, kicking at nothing. She noticed her tail and tried to do a sit up to try and grab it with her forepaws.

"Lee-lee!!" she repeated, insisting that that must be the only -proper- way to say a name that complicated.

"Don't ever give Jenna any sweets," Malcom made a mental note out loud.

Felicity hardly heard Malcom's answer, kind as he was to recognize her little statement- she was much too fascinated with the lack of attention span that Jenna had mastered. Grinning playfully, Felicity crouched down, her black speckled rump in the air, wagging happily, as her forepaws kneaded the ground.

"Let's play! Since you can't talk right, let's wrestle!" she insisted happily, since wrestling was clearly the best alternative to teaching her how to speak.

Felicity growled playfully, opening her eyes wide, hoping to catch Jenna's attention at least for a bit.

Malcom stepped away from that proposition. "Fine, but leave me -out- of it. The last thing I need is to be covered in chick drool."

He sat and watched them both play from a safe distance.

Jenna squealed loudly as Felicity growled at her. She attempted a growl back.

"Rrrrrr...!" she said, though it was hard to look intimidating when your feet were in the air and you had been trying to eat one of your own shed feathers.

What's more is she was teething and only a tooth or two was poking through her soft pink gums. Drool was beginning to pool on her upper lip from lying on her back and she let it all out in a spray the moment she realised it.

"Pppppbbbbbbbbbtttthhhh...!!"

Felicity was torn between feeling appalled that she'd just been spritzed by chick saliva, or hysterical for the same reason. Luckily for her, the moment that the slobber had launched itself in her general direction, Felicity had collapsed to the ground, swiping her paws up and above her head to protect herself from the offensive liquid.

As the attack ended, she leapt back up, blinking curiously at Jenna. "I think that you need a HUG!" Felicity cried out. Well... Of course. Wouldn't you assume that a deranged, slobbering cutey pie like Jenna just needed a hug to set things right?

Felicity trotted towards Jenna, taking just a few steps before contemplating her own safety. Could this infant be trusted?... Of course she could be. She was just a bit hyper was all! Cooing happily to herself, Felicity threw her head over Jenna's shoulder in an effort to pummel the other infant to the ground in a tackle-hug-wrestle sort of motion.

 

[bhope]

5.25.06

Felicity whickered happily, throwing her little head into the air as she froliced about the meadow. The weather just simply didn't get much more gorgeous then this! She was sure of it! The young gryphon neighed lightly, her black tail flicking against her speckled rump and her ears flopping lightly against the sides of her head. She was terribly glad that Cael had finally let her outside. He'd cooped her up inside his room all day, and now he'd finally gotten the sense to let her outside and play! The gryphon pranced through the tall grass, giggling happily as the wheat tickled her belly.

Bare feet, bare chest, a straw cowboy's hat settled lightly ontop of his dusty blonde hair, and a pair of ancient overalls covering his skinny body. It was the classic "Cael" look. He was a nine year old boy who's sole purpose, according to his loveable mother, was to milk the cows at their farm. Cael, however, had recently adopted another meaning to his life. To watch over Felicity with every fiber of love that his heart could produce. The short, scrawny little boy laughed lightly, pulling the stiff piece of wheat back into his mouth as he chewed on it lightly. He sat in the grass contently, watching his little friend play happily.

Getting to the field this time had been far easier, now that Guin's eyes had opened. They had made it in record time. Lilith was also learning the path better, which had proved very helpful.

Guinivere looked around. So THIS is what the medow looked like! How exciting! She peeped happily and ran around in circles. It was so exciting to be able to run like this.

Felicity brought her soft, velvety muzzle to the skies, drawing a great breath of air in happily. Hmm? There was a new smell around! This smell most certainly did not belong to her human, though it sort of... Kind of... Smelled like him? Frowning diligently, the curious gryphon pranced in the direction of Guinivere and Lilth, skidding to a halt when she saw the pair. Oh! There were others who had human pets? Felicity squeaked happily, charging thoughtlessly in Guinivere and Lilith's direction, her mind void of any caution and hazard.

Out of the corners of his frosty, foggy eyes, the little boy noticed Felicity's abrupt change in pace. Spitting out the wheat from between his lips, the skinny kid shouted out towards his gryph. "Ellie! Ellie, come back here- where ya running to!?" he cried out, his rich southern accent flowing through his words. Cael leapt up from his comfortable sitting place and gave chase to Felicity.

Lilith's widened her white-blue eyes. "Oh!" She had heard someone call out, another person. She didn't know that others came up here, aside from her and her sister. "Hello?" she called out. Oh, dear... She took a tentitave step backwards, as she heard something moving in her direction, and fast. "Guinny..." she said nervously.

Guin looked up at Lilith and cheeped. Hmm? What's wrong? She watched the girl, and noticed the worried look on her face. Oh! Right...Lilith didn't know if this charging Gryph was going to hurt her or not.. Hmm.. Guinivere thought quickly, and started racing forward to meet Felicity, and took a small leap, trying to stop the new gryph.

Felicity was determined. And excited. Which, of course, was a combination that gave her a great amount of energy and carelessness. Squeaking happily, she froliced into the air, her bottom wagging happily behind her, her hindquarters being beaten by her wispy black tail.
The gryphon finally came to a sloppily, uncoordinated halt a few feet away from Guinivere, who was still charging. "Hello!" she cried out, wagging her tail happily as her ears flopped around her head. "I'm Ellie! What's your name?" she implored cheerfully, before plopping down onto her butt.

Cael, who had hardly broken a sweat from chasing Felicity, (which he did quite a lot; hence the lack of energy needed to use to find her), finally paused at the top of the hill. There was Felicity... and another gryph, and another... human?! Cael raised an eyebrow curiously, his lanky arms folding over his overall clad chest. The nine year old boy tumbled down the hill, trotting over towards the two gryphs and pausing a fair distance away.

Yikes, the other gryph had stopped! Guinivere put her front paws down quickly, screeching to a hault, but still tumbling head first into the gryph. "OOF!" she exclaimed. "Um, Hi..." she said carefully. Her and her brother had been practicing with each other how to talk properly. "I'm Guinivere," she said. "How do you do?"

Lilith tugged at her apron nervously. The charging noise had stopped, but now the two were making strange noises. She easily identified Guinny's squaks, which she had heard many times before at home. The other sounded friendly, so she relaxed. "Is there someone else here?" she called out again. She thought she had heard a human voice, but it had been a ways off, she couldn't tell.

Clearly estatic, it was only natural that Felicity's tail continued to wag, thumping quietly against the soft, lush earth beneath her. A gryphy smile pulled on her muzzle, and she raised her head into the air lightly, letting the wind blow through her body.
"I'm wonderful!" Felicity replied happily, smiling brightly at Guinivere. Just as she was about to open her mouth to speak again, she noticed the approaching human from behind the other gryph. "Oh! You have a human too?" she asked kindly, her voice suprisingly melodic sounding. One might've thought it would be harsh and squeaky, given her enthusiasm.

Cael stared warily at the two gryphons, a small, kiddish grin on his face. The other little one that Felicity was sitting beside didn't seem to be harmful. Relieved, though still a bit bothered by his gryph's reckless behavior, the little boy approached his gryph, patting her on the head lovingly. "Ellie, you ought to be more careful," he warned humbly, scratching behind the gryphs ear.
Just as he was pulling away, however, he noticed the other child. Blinking twice, as if severely confused, he glanced between the white and black gryph next to Felicity, then back to the little girl.
"Is that one yours?" he asked finally, taking his hands out of his overall pockets.

Guinivere tilted her head to the side. She had a human? "Don't...umm, we belong to them?" she asked, confused. "I mean, Lilith feeds me and gives me a home, it seems like I'm more hers then she's more mine..."

The white and black gryph giggled and wiggled around. Meeting new gryphs was fun!

Lilith looked over toward the human voice, but ended up looking slightly to the left of him. "Yes, she's mine. My sister and I take care of her and her brother." She smiled sweetly. "Her name is Guinivere."

Felicity smiled genuinely to Guinivere, whickering happily after her comment. "Of course not, silly! The humans belong to us. Well, Cael belongs to me, at least. I let him know when we should go to bed, when we should go outside, and I quiet up all the farm animals for him! I give him love, too." she insisted happily. It didn't seem as though Felicity thought in the slightest that she 'belonged' to anyone. Cael was just as much hers as she was his.

"Oh!" Cael interjected lightly, grinning as he brought his tiny hand to the back of his neck. "This is Ellie. Well, Felicity, but I call her Ellie." he explained cheerfully, settling down in the grass beside the two gryphons and sitting crosslegged next to Felicity. He patted her head again lightly, smiling as she trilled in recognition.
"And I'm Cael!" he added happily, looking up to Lilith.

"Nice to meet you, Cael," she said happily. "My name is Lilith," she paused as she sat down slowly, kneeling first, then patting around her to make sure she wasn't going to sit on anything or anyone. "I have a twin sister named Lydia. She says we look just like the other." Lilith giggled, then reached forward, patting around.

Guinivere shook her head. "Well, I help Lilith with some things, like getting up to the field and moving around the house, but that's about it." She glanced behind her and watched Lilith for a moment. "Oh, hold that thought..." she wiggled through the grass to Lilith's hand and rubbed against it.

Felicity giggled lightly, stretching her forepaws out in front of her as she placed her muzzle ontop of them. Crooning comfortably, the little gryphon watched her Guinivere and her human curiously. "You two sure are funny. Can't she see you?" Felicity piped up cheerfully, clearly meaning no harm or disrepect from her question.

"Oh, you've got a twin sister?" he asked kindly, his southern accent fitting his little kid farm appearence perfectly. "That's gotta be fun," he added thoughtfully, wondering for a moment what it'd be like to have a twin brother. "I think Guinivere and Felicity are making friends outta one another," he said after a short moment, grinning at the two gryphs.

Guinivere purred lightly as Lilith ran her hand over her back, then settled to scraching her ear. "No, she can't," she said, almost sadly. "They say she's...'blind' I think it was. Something's wrong with her eyes." Guin shrugged her small shoulders. "She doesn't let it stop her from doing stuff, like comming out here with just me." She squaked, laughing. "When I was still very little, and my eyes were shut, we came out here togethere. Talk about the blind leading the blind!"

The orange haired girl shifted her legs so they were tucked under her and then smoothed the skirt of her dress around them. "Are they? Guinny sounds happy, anyway, so I imagine they must be having a good time." She pushed her bangs out of her face, revealing her pale blue eyes. "What does Felicity look like?" she asked curiously.

Felicity frowned lightly. She'd never known anything out of the ordinary before- needless to say, she'd never heard of the term 'blind'. Curious, though slightly crestfallen by this discovery, Felicity's voice dropped to a mellow, soft sound. "Oh, well then I'm sorry, Guinivere. I didn't mean to say anything bad," she explained honestly, scootching foward a bit more to push her snout lightly against Lilith's hand, smiling slightly.
"I remember when I was... not... seeing... blind. I remember when I was blind too," she agreed lightly, her ears flopping around a bit.

Cael grinned lopsidedly, perking his head to the side a bit. Lilth talked a bit funny. Not in the sense that she actually sounded awkward, the way she put things just gave Cael an odd feeling. Those strange feelings were reinforced, however, when the little girl asked him to describe Felicity. Not only that, but when Cael's eyes wandered up to meet Lilith's, he noticed how very pale they were. Deciding it was best not to iduldge in questions, the little boy simply complied, his voice gentle and cheerful.
"She's white. Mostly white, at least. She's got these cute little freckles on her bum, with a black tail. An' she's got some goldy stripey things on her forelegs. And these pretty, real light lilac eyes. They're super pale. Kinda like yours," he added as an afterthought, watching Lilth carefully.

Guinivere chuckled. "Oh, I know. There's no harm in someone asking about things. She's the only human I know who can't see. But then...I only know a few humans. Lilith, her sister and their parents." She nodded. "Not seeing wasn't very much fun, but I like having the strength to run around more then being able to see." She wagged her tail.

Lilith covered her mouth as she giggled from Cael's discription. "She sounds very cute." The little girl jumped lightly as a second nose came near her hand. "Oh! Hello," she said, petting Felicity. "What a sweet little gryph you are!" She looked back up at Cael. "Oooh, lilac eyes, that must be beautiful. I love the smell of lilacs."

Felicity grinned happily, her cool snout pushing playfully against Lilith's hand. Her attention was fully on Guinivere, but she'd figured that she'd give a moment to this new gryph's human as well.
"Hey, do you wanna play tag?" Felicity suddenly thought, removing her snout from the other human's palm and focusing on Guinivere cheerfully.

"She is cute," Cael agreed proudly, though a slightly crestfallen look shrouded his eyes. It was... sad that Lilith couldn't see Felicity. Or her own gryph, for that matter. Or... Anything else.
Down, but not depressed, Cael grinned lightly. "Felicity likes the lilacs too. She knows how bizarre her eyes are colored and she was happy to find something that looks just like them." he explained thoughtfully, admiring Lilith's ability to not be upset constantly by the fact that she couldn't see.

"Tag? Sure!" She wiggled excitedly. Sounded almost as much fun as wrestling. "How do you play tag?" Guinivere asked, looking confused. "I don't think I've ever played that." She stood up and streched out, licking Lilith's hand to tell her she was going to play.

"Are you gonna go do something, Guinny?" Lilith asked, wiping her hand off on the grass. "Go have fun then." She turned back to Cael. "So what do you do for fun?"  

[bhope]

5.31.06

Felicity whined in a small, hardly audible voice. Ordinarily, the little girl would've been frolicing carelessly through the meadow, but this afternoon was different. Her tummy felt very sensitive, and her neck almost felt sore! It seemed as though the little gryphon was just waking up, when a horrible, terrible sense of reality shook and seized her with fear.

"AAEE!" she cried out, startled as she felt a very uncomfortable pulling on her throat when she tried to leap up and trot away. Her tummy, which was sprawled against the ground, seemed to be tinted red a bit- naturally from all the rolling she'd been doing on it, perhaps in a nap she'd took earlier this afternoon. In desperation, the little gryph took one of her forepaws as close as she could to her neck, batting helplessly at the bizarre contraption that was preventing her escape.

It took Felicity several long, thoughtful moments before she'd realized what had happened. Cael had tied her up.

The full impact of this hadn't reached Felicity yet. At the moment, she was simply disappointed that she couldn't go frolicing. She didn't even take into consideration that she didn't know when Cael would be back, why he tied her up, or how far away she could walk from the tree trunk her rope was tied around. Sighing lightly, the bound little hippogryph buried her muzzle into the soft, tickly grass, her tail wagging half heartedly. This had never happened before!

Artemis blinked, looking at the chirping form in front of her. She was pretty sure she couldn't help the other out, but how awful it must be to be tied up like that! Artemis herself would not have been able to stand such a thing. Possibly, she would have taken to chewing her bindings if nothing else seemed to work.
"How'd that happen?" she asked the other.

Before Felicity could realize what had happened, another gryph had entered the area! And by area, it seemed that this peculiarly familiar creature was directly in front of her. Letting a loose, half hearted smile dance across her velvety muzzle, Felicity sat up straight as best she could, her floppy tail wagging appreciatively behind her. Company was always nice.

"I think my human tied me here," she explained, a bit crestfallen, naturally. She hadn't even the slightest clue as to why Cael would've tied her up! He always let her roam free, whenever she liked! "I don't know why, though..." she added as an afterthought, before her eerie lilac eyes wandered curiously back to Artemis.

"I think I know you," she declared happily, the tip of her white muzzle twitching a bit, her nostrils wiggling. This gryph smelled awfully familiar! Felicity couldn't ever remember seeing her, though. "I'm Ellie," she introduced herself happily, perking up considerably now.

Artemis blinked. She didn't know how the other had suddenly become so calm. She was still tied up, afterall! Her movements were restricted, her life chained to a tree. How terrible that must be.
"I'm Artemis," she replied, still keeping enough distance that the other could not touch her. She wasn't sure what it was...maybe the fact that she had no proper wings? Or her incredibly pale eyes. Or the fact that she had somehow allowed herself to become tangled..no, she said something about being tied. Intentionally. And a human, whatever...
"What's a human? And why would they do something like that to you?"

Felicity's nature was to be unconditionally naive and cheerful- and so she was. The gryphon took zero notice of Artemis's apprehensive behavior- not wanting to sit too near to her, or all of the questions that were going through the other gryphs mind. Carefree and happy, Felicity responded without worry.

"That's a lovely name!" she insisted happily, making a mental note to remember this gryph and her pretty name. "A human is... a sort of cute thing. They only walk on two legs- and they're pink. They wear things on them too, so that you can't see all of their pinkness. Oh! And they speak quite funny too," she added with a small giggle, her tail still wagging absently mindedly behind her. "I love my human. I'm very good to him, and he loves me back. I don't know why he tied me up, though... He normally lets me run around by myself," she started off, a bit of a sad, disappointed tone to her previously uppity voice. Why had Cael tied her up?

Artemis shook her head,
"I don't think he must love you very much if he would do something like that to you." For the little green gryph, nothing in the world could be worse than having your freedom so restricted,
"They don't sound like very pleasant creatures, I think. Not if they run about talking funny and tying people up."

Felicity frowned slightly, perking her head to the side a bit. For a split second, she considered Artemis's point- but whatever inkling of agreement was quickly diminished. Of course Cael loved her! They did everything together, and she'd known him since she was a teeny, blind baby! Of course he loved her. Of course.

"Well maybe some of the humans are bad," Felicity responded carefully, her mind whirling as she thought deeply. "But not my Cael. Maybe you could meet him! Since you can't really tell whether he's good or bad just by hearing about him, maybe you could meet him and see for yourself!" Felicity suggested happily. That'd be splendid! She could introduce her favorite pink human thing in the whole wide world to her new pretty-named-friend!

... It just all depended on when Cael decided to come back to the tree. Still, in the back of her mind, Felicity couldn't help but wonder how she'd gotten here- and why did Cael put her here?

Artemis backed away a bit, shaking her head like a startled horse,
"Oh no. Definitely not," she said, her eyes becoming very wide. If she met this Cael, he might try to tie her up as well! She couldn't very well abide that. No, she would avoid such a thing completely
"I don't want to end up like you."

Felicity frowned deeply now, her entire body seeming to slouch a bit. It was clear she was becoming unhappy- both by Artemis's decision to being backing up, as well as her disagreement to Felicity's suggestion.

"Oh," she started, her previously low, mellow voice a bit choppy now. "Well, that's okay. You don't have to meet him if you don't wan-" Felicity's voice was very suddenly cut off as a looming, bulky shadow very unsimilar to Cael's was cast over both of the two little gryphs. A mixture of shock and fear swept over her as she squeaked helplessly, a sensation of drowning caught in her throat as the little gryph tugged hard against the rope, which bound her to the tree. It choked her as she tried to run from it, and with time Felicity gave up, cowering fearfully beside Artemis.

"R-run!" she tried to squeak, but her voice was muffled against the grass that she was clinging to.

The shadow- which belonged to the tall, middle aged man that was Cael's father, knelt down beside Felicity. "Still here? Good girl," he sat cheerfully, patting Felicity on the head before his attention turned to... something with wings?! Shocked, the bald man put his hand over his heart. "While I'll be... Who're you? A friend of this... this thing over here?" It was very clear that Cael's father hadn't the slightest what hippogryphs were. How, exactly, he'd managed to find his way into their territory was unfathomable. The man reached over to pat Artemis lightly on the head- his actions slow and cautious.

Artemis did not run. She was much too reckless a gryph to do something like that. As much as she hated to be chained, she also hated the idea of appearing a coward. She let the man pat her head, watching him carefully, defiantly.

"If he even -tries- to tie me up, I'll give him what-for!" the little gryph explained to Felicity, though she didn't feel quite as brave as she was putting up. Part of her still wanted desperately to make tracks.

Felicity began to whimper fearfully, her face still buried in the ground. "I- I don't know this human! This is not my Cael! I've never seen it before!" she cried unhappily, her tiny body trembling with discontent. Maybe this was the man who tied her up! She couldn't remember seeing Cael at all today- and besides- her human had no reason to tie her... But then who in the world was this strange man?

Tucking her tail between her legs, the poor creature whickered unhappily once more towards the other gryph. "I'm sorry, Artemis! I didn't think the pinky would come back again!" she sputtered, trying to make this unfortunate happening up to her new friend.

The man's previously cool, patient smile melted into a grim snarl. He shoved Felicity lightly, as if using her as a stool to stand up properly. Rising, her looked down upon the two gryphs, shaking his head almost with disgust. "You creatures... I'd heard the likes of you around here, but I hadn't believed it. And to think, my own boy- my own son was keeping a freak- a wingless one in my home... Dispicable." he began, clearly talking to the wind. The gryphs couldn't understand him anyway. "I'll have him do off with you, whitey," he stuttered slowly, running his hands over his smooth, hairless head. "And then maybe I'll go hunting around these parts..." he added thoughtfully with a disgraceful grin to Artemis. Just as he was about to continue with his speech, something startled him.

Lirit hadn't been watching for very long, but for the past few minutes, he'd noticed two gryphs talking- then a huge, ugly two legged thing appear from nowhere and start bullying them. If anyone was going to bully anyone, Lirit would be the one to do the job. Not some half witted pink fleshed... thing. Enraged, the older gryphon finally made a decision to make his appearence. He tumbled out of the bushes head first- and in a sucessful attempt to make himself intimidating, the broad creature had spread his wings and jaw, shrieking roughly to the human as he trotted out of the bushes.
Lirit paid little to no mind to the two baby gryphs- his focus right now was scaring away the man. Screeching twice more, Lirit began to paw at the ground, his nostrils flaring unhappily. After a few more moments, a wave of satisfaction flew over the gryph as he watched the man steady himself as he sprinted out of the valley.

Artemis blinked as the man made some really funny angry-sounding noises like a bear. She didn't like the sound of them, and had been just about ready to show him just how much she didn't like the sound of him with a not-so-cautious n** when Lirit had shown up and scared him away.

The gryph startled her as well, though, and she backed off a bit more, watching him carefully. She wasn't sure she liked this newcomer any more than she had liked the human.

Lirit snarled unncessarily, his jaw shutting abruptly to snap at the air trail that the human had left behind. "Better," he thought aloud, his attention driven away from the two young gryphs for a moment. Resettling his wings comfortably onto his back, allowing them to twitch slightly to get accustomed once again, the gryphon slowly turned around. A soft of gryph-smirk rested on his muzzle, and he sat down slowly, a safe distance away from the two little ones.
"So what've we here? Two helpless little girls. You can't even fend off from a dumb two legger, can you?" he taunted unkindly, raising an eyebrow. What sort of self centered, insecure prat picked on tiny infants? Why, Lirit, of course.

Felicity was much too grateful for Lirit's 'rescue' of them to think any negatively of the gryphon. Smiling happily and squeaking gently, Felicity tumbled upwards, almost yanking uncomfortably on the rope, but catching herself, as she sat down happily. "Thank you!" she cried cheerfully, her tail wagging furiously behind her as she let out a breif, melodious trill of whinnies. "Thanks for that!"

Artemis -definitely- did not like this newcomer's attitude at all. How dare he address her like that when he didn't even know her! And she'd just been about to take care of the situation, too, and he didn't know that either!
"I'll have you know I was just about to scare him off myself!" she snorted defiantly,
"I'm not helpless."

Oh, this was much too much fun. Lirit grinned recklessly, sauntering over towards Artemis until his broad shadow covered her. It wasn't fair! Lirit was a fully grown adolscent- and here he was, picking on a little infant! How had he gotten to be like this?...
In any case, it was much too easy. And fun. Looming over the infant lazily, Lirit looked down on her. "And just what were you going to do?" he hissed lightly, raising an eyebrow at her as his wings unfurled just slightly at his spine. "Cry and teeth at him till he got bored of you?" he suggested in a mock serious tone, grinning cruelly at her. It seemed he only bullied those who thought they could stand up to him. Then again, it would be hard to catch Lirit picking on someone his own size. Maybe he would- but for now, he liked to practice on the little ones.

Felicity frowned slightly, pulling at the rope a bit so she could get a better look of what was going on. What... what was going on? Peeping unhappily, the little gryphon tried to draw attention away from Artemis. She didn't want her to get hurt! Not after all this had already happened!

"We didn't catch your name, sir!" she chirped in a hopeful tone to Lirit, her tail beating lightly against her hindquarters. "I'm Ellie, and this is Artemis!" she insisted half heartedly, wondering what he was trying to do.

Artemis narrowed her eyes, taking a step forward. She didn't care if he was bigger than her or not, she'd let him have what-for if he tried to hurt her or thought he could insult her and get away with it!

"I was going to scare him off. Bite him and stuff. I could have gotten him to go away. You ruined my plan."

Lirit had entirely ignored Felicity. He wasn't focused on her right now anyway.
"Oh!" Lirit declared tauntingly, taking a dramatic step back, his paw fluttering over his chest dramatically. "Oh, you were going to bite him and stuff. I see. Brilliant plan. Shall I call him back, then? I could easily fly over the trees and meet him wherever he is. I'll have a quick chat, let him know that you're up and ready to go, and we'll see if you could fend him off on your own. You should be grateful that I saved you, little gryph," he insisted with a raised eyebrow, watching Artemis carefully. He truly enjoyed the spunk and charisma she was showing- but Lirit was terribly curious just to see how much of it the little gryphon possessed.

A pang of fear immedietly overwhelmed Felicity. She had nowhere to go- Artemis at least could flee if things got bad, but she was stuck to a tree! That pink man had put her on the tree! Whining softly, Felicity began to shake her head quickly, whickering softly towards Artemis. "Please, no! Don't let him call back the pink human, I don't want him to come back!" she whispered pleadingly, shaking her head rapidly as she spoke.

Artemis shook her head,
"He'd probably just run away. I doubt you could have a conversation with him anyhow, his words don't make any sense at all."
She didn't really care to have the man back-- she wasn't positive biting him would have scared him off properly and he -was- bigger than herself. But, she wasn't about to let Lirit have the upper hand here.

"Of course, you're welcome to try if you really want to."

Perhaps if Lirit had been just a little bit more conceited and headstrong, would he have fallen for whatever trick that Artemis was trying to play. Instead, though, he agreed solemnly. "I have my ways of communicating. Even if he can't understand our language, I'm sure I could convince him to return by charging at him in the opposite direction," he reasoned with a grim smirk, before standing up- stretching his wings, and lurking over towards Felicity.
"But- before I go," he said vaguely, stopping in front of the little gryph.

Felicity was suddenly very afraid when Lirit turned to face her. She shook a little bit, her crestfallen features lowering to the ground as she tried to nestle herself into the very earth itself. Failing, and sighing quietly, the young gryphon avoided eye contact with the older bully as he sauntered over towards her, lowered his hind legs to the rope, and easily slashed through it with the talons on the rear of his paws. Exhaling deeply, Felicity only watched with a mixture of calm and fright as she watched Lirit trot off into the thicket, seemingly to chase after the human.

"Oh no!" she cried lightly, trotting nervously towards Artemis, sitting down beside her with a worrisome look. "Do you really think he's going to bring the pink human back?"

Artemis blinked as the older gryph went over to slash Felicity's bonds loose. She watched him trot off and turned to the other as she posed her questions,
"I don't know. He might. He might not. Who cares? I'm sure I can scare him off easily. Especially if he's already all frightened from being chased by him."

She stretched out a bit, getting ready. She'd prove to him she wasn't just some silly pathetic girl!
"If you're worried about it, you can go hide."

"Hide?" Felicity repeated quickly and with excitement, and her mind began to churn slowly. She'd love to go hide and be safe!... But she couldn't leave Artemis alone. Who knew what sorts of things a big human like that could do? Cael was harmless- and he loved her- but that giant thing? Felicity visibly shuddered at the mere thought. Shaking her head slowly, the little gryphon stood fast besides Artemis.

"... I think I'm going to stay here, with you." she decided slowly, not regretting her choice in the slightest. No, she would stay here loyally and protect Artemis if she needed help. It didn't seem like it, though. Artemis was awful brave!

Time passed, and yet still there were no signs of an approaching adolscent gryph, not giant human. Both calmed and relieved, Felicity was just about to suggest they go play a game somewhere else when a twig snapped in the bushes beside them. Frightened, yet stubborn, Felicity sat beside Artemis, unmoving.

Artemis stood her ground. Even when some time passed and they didn't hear anything, she kept an open ear out and an attentive posture. She was a little startled when the twig snapped, though, as she'd been rather convinced that they just weren't coming back.

"Hello?" she called out cautiously. Maybe it was something else. You never know.

If fear had overwhelmed Felicity once again, she was doing a fairly well job of hiding in. Though instead, perhaps, she had gotten over being so trembly all this while. She surely wasn't as courageous or brave as Artemis was- but she found that her shaking had diminished to nothing, and her brain was focusing intently on the noises that were coming from the underbrush. Drawing in a deep breath, Felicity was about to whisper to Artemis when a small, scrawny shadow tumbled out from the thicket.

"Cael!" Felicity cried tearfully, bolting towards the skinny, small human. Her human.

It looked like Cael had been crying. His eyes were considerably swollen and red, and his nose was dripping just slightly. His arms and shoulders were cut up and scratched- most likely from the cruel, uneven branches that he'd walked through to get to his destination. The little boy collapsed, sniffling in deeply, and opened his arms to embrace the sprinting gryphon.
"Oh, Ellie!" he sobbed lightly, burying his face into the soft, velvety fur of the hippogryph's neck. "I didn't know where you were! I woke up, and Pa had come home from his business trip, and Mama didn't know where you'd gone off to, and then Pa left home again- and oh gosh, Ellie, I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" he repeated over and over again, the sympathetic tone in his voice universal.

Well, this certainly wasn't what she had expected. It was a different human-- presumably the one Felicity seemed so fond of. Still, she was cautious. Just because he was a different one didn't mean he wouldn't act the same. The other had seemed pretty nice until he snapped as well.

"Looks like he won't be back with the big one." she said casually. Or even if he was, she was pretty sure she wasn't going to take on -two- humans.

Felicity, who, although appreciated being used as a pillow and tissue, was also eager to introduce Artemis, gently wiggled out of Cael's grasp. She trotted a few feet over towards Artemis, pausing uncertainly as she cocked her head to the side.
"... Cael's not like that other thing. He's my friend. Like you! Except... His name isn't as pretty, and he's a human." she explained softly, her lilac eyes falling to the ground slightly. "So... Maybe? Maybe just say hello to him? S'okay if you don't wanna, though," Felicity assured Artemis hastily- though she was sure that Artemis didn't need any of that.

Cael understood mildly, watching as his beautiful little gryphon walked over to what he assumed to be one of her friends.
Cael had slept in late- forgotten to milk Anna-Lucy, the cow, and had woken to an empty nest- Felicity's empty bundle of blankets and pillows. He'd searched the house, barn, and farm, even asking his mother to help him. His father had come home early from the business trip, only to leave again an hour or so later. Cael hardly saw his father.
The next thing he knew, he was spending his entire afternoon hunting for his precious friend. He was so thankful to have found her, it was mind staggering.

Artemis shook her head,
"If he's not like that other thing, then how come he tied you up?" she protested, keeping her distance and watching the newcomer avidly. He would have to prove himself before she'd let him near.

Felicity smiled happily, shaking her head with enthusiasm. "No! Cael wasn't the one who tied me up, I don't think!" she insisted, forgetting proper grammar for a moment as she spoke rapidly. "I think it was that other human... See, humans do this funny thing when they're sad," she began, clearly reciting things from what she'd observed from having lived with Cael since she was a newborn. "They make water come outta their eyes," she told Artemis lightly. "And Cael's got lotsa water coming out of his eyeballs! So he's really sad... I don't think he did this to me," she sighed finally, unable to explain why it was she thought so strongly. "I just know he wouldn't." Felicity ended with a fond smile.

Cael, who'd've loved with all his little heart to meet one of Felicity's friends, had just seemed to have noticed how dark it was getting outside. With a deep frown, he brushed his knees off, fixed his overalls, and wandered lopsidedly over towards Felicity. Kneeling down beside her, he scooped the little gryphon up into his arms. Felicity cooed happily and nuzzled his face affectionately, and Cael gave her a brilliant smile back. "Time to go home, Ellie. Mama'll be upset if we're late for dinner."

"I have to go home now, Artemis!" Felicity shouted over Cael's shoulder, her paws waggling desperately towards her gryphon friend. "I wanna see you another time, okay? Bye now!" she shouted happily, before burying her face into Cael's bare shoulders.

 

[bhope]

6.3.06

Felicity had never heard music before until last night. Cael had brought in a strange, dusty looking black box with hundreds of tiny dots on it's left and right sides. Felicity had watched in awe as her human played with the dials and pushed buttons- and then she had listened in absolute stun when beautiful sounds had come out of the box.

Needless to say, she'd fallen asleep curled up beside the music box- which Cael called in his own funny language a 'boombox'. The song, which had been set on repeat, had lulled her into a deep sleep. Felicity dreamed that night, of stars and clouds and other pretty things.

When she woke, she found herself in a very cheerful mood. As a newborn, she could trill and peep in an almost sing-song way, and now, a bit older, Felicity had re-adopted that little habit of hers.

Trotting happily through the meadow, her eerie, wide lilac eyes watching everything around her, Felicity trilled a tuneless melody, quite content with the world.

Curled up on a soft bundle of hay and straw behind a fence was Whisper. Already rather large even as a newborn, this little boy was contently snoozing away. At least for the moment. His closed ears twitch as he barely hears the sounds around him, his face nestled down between his forepaws. The hubbub of the village around doesn't affect him; he's so used to it and being mostly deaf that he hardly notices.

However, his nap is coming to an end pretty soon. He yawns, opening his eyes a little and then quickly closing them when the sun hits them. Too bright for him right now. Stretching out his forelegs, he sets his head back down to nuzzle into the pile, relaxing. Maybe he would continue his nap instead.

The sun, though partially concealed by unfriendly looking clouds, peeks out occasionally to extend it's warm rays out onto the field. It's position in the sky tells Felicity that it's nearly time for lunch... Perhaps Cael won't mind if I skip it today! she thinks hopefuly, raising her muzzle to the humid air slightly. She's skipped lunch before, so she had no reason to believe that Cael would mind too much.

Just as Felicity was about to make another round through a different field, something catches her attention. A slight bit of movement in a stack of hay nearby puzzled her a bit. What could be moving inside the hay? Deciding to satisfy her curiousity, the little infant trots towards it with interest, all caution and hesitance seeming to flee from her very self. Felicity had never been a very careful creature anyway.

Pausing her little tune for a moment, Felicity stops a foot or so away from the pile. "Hello?" she calls out innocently, wearing a little gryph-smile on her velvety white muzzle. "Anybody arou-" stopping mid-word, Felicity gapes slightly in suprise. A little gryphon! Smiling broadly now, the little girl inches closer towards him, pondering whether or not she should nudge him. "Can you hear me?" she asks kindly, her tail wagging happily behind her.

If Felicity had nudged, she wouldn't have anything to fear; he's a rather pleasant boy to be around right now, and of course, being a newborn, it's not like he can do much to her anyway. His tail waggles slightly and he tilts his head to look in her direction with a mild yawn parting from his muzzle again.

Since he can't talk, she's instead greeted with a very friendly, but also very curious chirruping sound. His folded ears twitching and lifting up slightly to try and listen for her again, a smile on his face.

Felicity grins happily, pleased to see the less then threatening response that she received from the tiny gryph. Finally- someone that she was smaller then her! From what Felicity recalls from her memory, when she was that tiny, she couldn't see or hear a thing. Sympathizing for the little boy, Felicity doesn't let this stop her from trying to talk to him, at least.

"What're you doing here in the hay?" she asks rhetorically, smiling as she settles down just beside him- close enough to nudge him if she wishes. "My name is Ellie," she introduces herself kindly, bringing her muzzle to the top of his head in a friendly greeting. "I don't know yours, so I'll call you Baby for now!" she declares happily.

Felicity can chit and chatter all she wants, but she wouldn't be able to get anything out of him. After all, he hadn't yet developed the ability to talk, at least not outside of chirps and neighs and other sounds of that nature. However, it's obvious that she has the young boy's complete and undivided attention, judging by the way his head is aimed in her direction and listening as best he can.

When she makes that declaration and nuzzles, he nuzzles back and neighs at her as if he agrees but what he agrees to no one is sure, not even himself.

It doesn't seem to matter much to Felicity that Whisper couldn't hear a darn word she was saying! All that seemed to register in the little girl's brain was that this friendly little newborn was neighing and nuzzling her, which in her mind, was as best a reaction that she could've possibly gotten.

Smiling broadly, Felicity wonders what sorts of things that her new friend, 'Baby', does in his spare time... When he's not sleeping, of course. Deciding to find out, Felicity clears her throat proudly, before speaking- in vain, of course.

"I wonder if you dig through the hay..." she thinks aloud, before that same lopsided, kiddish gryph smile makes it's way onto her muzzle. Felicity nudges Whisper a bit in the direction of the hay, before nudging the hay itself towards the newborn, wondering it the feeling of it lightly against his muzzle would be familiar to him.

A curious tilt of his head is made when she nudges at him. His tail stops its wagging but he doesn't look to be angry. He's mildly confused and curious, then finally rolls onto his back to expose his belly to her. His tail resumes its once happy wagging and he chirps at her, pawing towards her face, or at least where he assumes her face is.

Felicity giggles enthusiastically, her sing-song voice showing through her curiously melodic laughter. Grinning cheerfully, Felicity brings her nose to the newborn's tummy, exhaling air through her nostrils and hoping to tickle him. So, her little digging-through-the-hay-plan failed. It wasn't a big deal. Perhaps she'd try again later!

At the time being, though, Felicity's sole concern is making this little boy laugh and be cheerful.