The Archer Interrupted

[Ori]

((This is just a casual little RP that will hopefully let me learn more about these two and their personalities and history. No real plot, just for fun. Anyone is welcome to stumble past! This first post is likely to be considerably longer than most of the rest of my posts, just to set the stage.))



In the cool of the early morning, before the sun had even fully risen, not many Sphinxes were out and about. Even fewer were lounging around in the great park at such an early hour. As such it was relatively easy for a lone hieroco, even one with wings, to slip unnoticed off into an odd corner. Days off were few and far between for an archer. Not that he would have it any other way. He would hardly be doing his duty to city and Pharaoh if he was off enjoying himself all the time. But still, it was good to have a time of rest every great now and again, a time to visit the city and remind himself why he did this.

Drawing a deep breath and enjoying the coolness of the morning before the sun returned to bake the lands once again Sekani settled himself down on the soft grass. Making himself comfortable he unslung a sack from his back, where it had been hanging alongside the quiver that he habitually wore. Opening it he reached inside and gently removed several long, dried reeds, followed by a smaller sack full of his own feathers and a tightly sealed pot of glue.

With a contented sigh the rusty red hieroco cupped his wings around himself to create a minor wind break and slid one claw out. But no sooner had he set claw to reed and begun to cut the first groove then a voice rang out.

"Sekani! Just the Sphinx I was hoping to see!"

Not even turning to look Sekani growled softly to himself. "The answer is no Badru."

"You don't even know what I wanted to talk to you about," the voice complained as a patchy striped hieroco trotted around a decorative flower bed and stopped in front of Sekani. "Maybe I just wanted to see my little brother again after so long."

"You never just 'want to see' me Badru, and I saw you not a fortnight ago. Now do you mind?"

With those final words Sekani finally lifted his head and met his older brother's bright eyed gaze with his own dark glare. He seldom had an entire day that he could devote to his hobby, and half the reason was standing in front of him now, presumably ready to try and coax him away yet again. What would it be this time?

"Spit it out Badru, what now? And don't give me those innocent eyes. They might still work on mother, but they won't work on me."

The magician coughed slightly, and looked perhaps a touch ashamed, but he didn't drop the chipper attitude. Not that Sekani had expected him to. That was his older brother all over. Badru's head feathers ruffled slightly and his voice took on a wheedling turn. "I had just thought that you might enjoy going birding with me. After all, it's a fine day and I know you like mixing different feathers into your works. I'll denature more of your feathers for you if you come so that no one can spell you with one of your trinkets. You'd like that wouldn't you?"

With a soft hissing growl Sekani put one paw over his eyes irritably. If it wasn't one thing it was another. And the worst part was, that this time his brother was actually offering a decent bargain. At least assuming that 'birding' meant that they would actually hunt and kill birds for meat, as well as whatever spell component Badru was conveniently not mentioning that he just happened to need.

"So what is it this time? The right primary of a nesting heron? Eggshells taken from the highest nest on the cliff?"

"You'll come then?" Badru was a far cry from the somber, serious magician as he all but danced in place watching his brother slowly pack his fletching back up again and rise to his feet.

But instead of heading off in the direction Badru was trying to lead him, Sekani headed off towards a distant food stall that was just setting up. "I'm not going anywhere without food first." He could smell the rich honeycakes from here, and if he was going to spend his day off on errands with his brother, he was going to get a treat first. And something a bit more substantial as well. With a resigned look Badru turned and followed.

((And no, this does not need to actually lead to a bird hunt, though if people want to take it that way it certainly can. They can just as easily stay in the park itself.))

[Eirnae]

It was one of Ode's rare days off. She probably should have been spending it getting some washing done, or maybe trying to get in some more pottery work. Something productive. Instead, she'd let Shai, her little sister, talk her into going to the park and of all things, to fetch a flower.

Ode just couldn't say no to one of Shai's wide eyed begging looks, so she acquiesced and combined the "chore" with the excuse of going to the Fountain of Isis to leave a small offering. It was closer than the temple, which might have made sense to most, but to Ode it just felt like she was being lazy. Nevertheless, she carried the small clay statue of Isis that she'd fashioned with the aid of her wheel, digits, and imagination. It was kept close to her body, being one of the few things that Ode had with her that someone might actually want to steal, and she was paranoid enough to take that into account.

The peasant didn't pick up much of the beginning of the brothers' conversation, as Ode hadn't really been paying much attention to them then as she'd strolled by enjoying how the grass cushioned her paws. What business would the daughter of a laborer and potter have had in listening in on those of higher rank than she, anyway? Yet funds were tight for her family, so when she heard enough to ascertain that these were folk with possible coin and a definite purpose, Ode took the risk of deterring from her intended path and headed in the direction of the pair of hieroco.

"Mother Isis, please don't let me flounder," she mentally prayed as the green furred sphinx neared Badru and Sekani. With her arms tightening protectively about the idol she carried with such reverence, Ode dared to approach the food stall. The scents wafting from it made her mouth water and her stomach clench into knots that proved even more painful that their predecessors, but luckily her tummy didn't vocalize its desire. Keeping her ears perked forward and her tail mostly immobile, Ode spoke to the then closest hieroco, which just happened to be Sekani. "Excuse me, sir," she asked in a tone she hoped was friendly yet businesslike, "I could not help but overhear your conversation, and believe that you may benefit from my services for this venture you are planning. Perhaps even for future trips, as well."

[Nightfeathers]

Training had been hard that day as it was every day, but Senht didn't really mind. He enjoyed it and it gave him a place to feel like he belonged. People he could be around without them acting as if he were cursed or evil because of his wrappings. It was about as far from the truth as could be, but for some reason a lot of people's first reaction to him was a loud scream anymore.

It was sort of understandable though and Senht had gotten used to it a long time ago. Now that it was time for a break he decided a good honey cake would be just the thing to replenish his energy. They not being normal army fare, he headed to the park to a vendor who sold the most delicious cakes around.

The food itself wasn't strictly necessary for him. Not much of anything was really necessary anymore, him being a living mummy and all. On the other hand he'd always liked the taste and only just now had the money to actually buy them for himself. For that reason alone he still liked to eat them, just to enjoy the taste which thankfully he could still appreciate.

The vendor no longer cared who he served as long as he got his coin. Senht smiled and paid him, happily accepting the cake. He took a bite and found a good place nearby to plant his behind while he looked around, only to see a pretty peasant girl chatting to a pair of heirocos.

Not so long ago he'd been among the peasant class himself. Remembering what it was like, Senht returned to the vendor for another. This one he did not munch before walking over to the female. Lightly nudging her shoulder, he held out a cake.

"Would you like one?" He offered. "This guy sells the best honeycakes around. You have to watch the honey though. It has a tendancy to run down your fingers."

[Nephthys]

Naomh stepped out proudly into the early morning sun. Once a poor peasant, she was lucky enough to get a cat and become a dancer during the heb bastet, and was now completely satisfyed with her life. But her goal now, was to use her success to help others.

At once her eyes found Ode, and she sighed sadly. The sight of a poor peasant girl brought back many too vivid memories about her childhood. She prayed that she was not too poor... and also that her parents treated her well.

Ife purred and rubbed herself around Naomh's legs. "I'm lucky to have you, little girl." She whispered just to her. Ife stared up at her with intelligent looking eyes. "Now stand back." Naomh told her. She began to hum a tune and practiced a dance she had recently learned. Twirl, step to the left, twirl step to the right, step leap, roll... No! Naomh skidded to a halt to stop herself from automatically rolling over on the dusty ground. The dust would ruin her fur she had spent ages washing earlier that day. That dance move was for dance studios... Dance studios only! Her ears flicked as she heard loud purring coming from Ife, sounding almost like laughter. Naomh frowned at her and brushed her tail lightly over Ife's head. "Enough," She said.

Naomh's eyes then stopped to look at Ode again. She saw a soilder, offering her a honeycake, and thought that was sweet of him. But from the look of things, Ode looked like she needed it. Naomh sighed softly again, and absent-mindedly walked over to the pair, Ife close at her heels. "I hope you don't mind me asking," Naomh began, turning to Ode. "But have you ever considered what job you might like to have in the future? Perhapes I could help you. I feel it is my duty, as not long ago I was a peasant myself like you."

[Ori]

Sekani blinked, the pupils of his eyes pinning rapidly like those of a startled bird. From seemingly having the park practically to himself he had gone to suddenly being all but mobbed by other early risers. He didn't have a chance to even figure out how to respond to a young stranger boldly offering unspecified aid on their trip (and thus admitting to having been listening in on their conversation) before two others were hustling over to offer comforts to the girl. Warily he stepped around the group, nodding briefly to the mummified soldier, and continued on to the food. Let Badru sort this out. He was the social Sphinx. Anyways, this was his venture, let the magician deal with it.

Choosing to ignore them at least until he had food, Sekani stepped up to the stall where the vendor and his daughter were watching with apparent interest. The daughter noticed him first, and giggled and fluttered her eyes in an all too familiar reaction that caused him to grind his beak slightly before coughing to draw the vendor's attention. Reaching into one of several concealed pouches he pulled out some coins and placed them on the stand. "As many cakes as this will buy."

With a broad grin the vendor nudged his daughter into motion and soon Sekani was the owner of a baker's dozen sweet treats. That made the prospect of the day seem a little better, and with an amiable nod to the vendor he turned back to see how his brother was doing as he sunk his beak into the first oozing cake. Oh honey, how he loved it!

Meanwhile Badru's bright eyes were examining Ode, taking in all details, including the small statue of the mother goddess she clutched tightly to herself as she nervously approached his brother. He chuckled softly as his brother sidestepped the whole group that had appeared and hastened on to the honey cakes. Turning back to Ode he tilted his head and watched both a fascinating reanimated soldier and a graceful dancer approached in Sekani's stead to offer food and aid. "Well, if you're sure you have time still I'm quite eager to hear what you plan to offer. Any good at scaling cliffs? If we can pry you away from your admirers." His beak gaped open in his version of a grin as he chuckled to himself once more.

[Eirnae]

Ode was used to being around those she didn't know. It was all a part of being a road laborer, after all, and she usually was the first of her family most customers met when they ordered pottery. Yet Senht was more than a stranger, he was a mummy that was walking and talking. If he'd approached any other member of Ode's family, they would have screamed and run for the nearest temple. Ode's faith in Isis, however, shielded her from any surge of panic. Had Isis herself not been responsible for raising her husband from the dead in just such a manner?

Smiling, Ode turned and glanced down at the honeycake Senht offered to her. After carefully shifting the clay idol of Isis to be secured by one paw, Ode held out the other with its paw pads sky side up. "Thank you, good sir," she said with genuine gratitude. Past experience had taught her that to refuse a gift was usually perceived as far more rude than accepting. Plus, the giver of the honeycake hadn't had the time to poison it, or at least by Ode's way of thinking, so that wasn't a concern.

With a quick look, for she didn't want to stare as the poor fellow probably suffered from staring enough as things were, Ode assessed that her benefactor was likely a soldier. He had a military bearing and wore the traditional garb worn over his bandages. How very interesting for one such as they to show her kindness. Still, to owe someone of the guard for something edible wasn't Ode's preference. "Is there anything I can do to repay you? I have skills in labor and pottery. Perhaps I could sign you for a free commission? Our idols are particularly popular this time of year ..."

Her words trailed off as a lovely dancer approached and asked what Ode's professional aspirations were. The green furred sphinx managed not to grimace, thank the gods. Accepting the honeycake had been the limit of the charity she was willing to agree to that day, and even then she felt the need to offer to pay Senht for it. To receive aid in achieving a better lifestyle? That debt would sting far greater than any sweet bread induced heartburn. "That is kind of you, my lady," she murmured in her steady deep alto, "Yet I seek not the art of dance."

It wasn't hard to tell what Naomh's profession was, with her dancer silks and braided hair. Ode tried to not look too envious. She had never had such lovely things, and even for a boyish female like herself, a small part of her longed for them. "Though perhaps one day I will record steps such as yours to be kept in the annuls of history."

She didn't know how to read or write, having been a peasant her entire life, but both had always fascinated her. When times had not been so hard for her family, Ode sometimes waved the fee for her road work or pottery if someone offered written works or chiseled tablets instead. Her collection was meager, but she poured over them whenever she got the chance.

At the suggestion that she had admirers, Ode's cheeks flushed. Her? Admirers? Certainly the hieroco was joking! "I am a fast and ready climber," she replied with her embarrassment cast aside in favor of a flash of determination in her purple eyes, "If that is what you require for my family to gain your patronage, I will do so. However, what I approached you over is to offer a means to store what you seek."

Slowly, she held out the idol. Ode prided herself on details and quality. It was likely the only reason that folk still bought from their tiny shop in the first place, as her family could no longer afford the higher priced materials that they once used regularly. "Our containers last longer than any others you will find, and none can compete with our designs. Whatever is required is made with the utmost of detail, as you see here, or as plain as you choose."

[Nightfeathers]

Senht smiled as she accepted. He'd been sort of worried about another female stampede so it was a relief she hadn't fled. The offer of payment wasn't really waht he was looking for but he figured she probably just felt obligated to pay somehow.

"You already repaid me." He answered softly. "By not running away. Thank you."

The heiroco who had not felt a strange, rather sudden urge for a honeycake seemed to be a little on the sarcastic side. It seemed good natured enough though. Senht gave a little wave, curious now about what the plans they'd been discussing had been. Scaling cliffs sounded like fun if you didn't have to worry about falling to your death.

"Is it hard to scale cliffs?" He asked curiously. "I wouldn't mind trying that. I have some free time today since I already finished my other stuff. I'm a lot better at keeping up now too."

The little idol Ode was carrying actually looked really nice too. Senht looked a bit closer and decided he actually rather liked it. "Do you do all the gods?" He asked. "I don't have any in my hut yet, but I'd like some. I just am a little more fond of the um... scarier ones. It's a mummy thing." He explained, glancing at the ground. "I'd like one of Anubis if you can make him."

[kitsunegreenleaf]

((sorry this is a bit long))



It was still cool though the air carried the promise of heat as was always the case in this part o the world Auset was learning. She'd still yet to find a place she could live permanently, and was instead renting a room from a young female Sphinx who could read and write well enough to understand what Auset needed. But the young Daethi'sylin hated feeling like she was imposing on the girl's kind nature, and wanted nothing more then to find someone who could understand her form of communicating well enough to realize she desired a chance to become a bard somewhere. An Inn or Tavern, or even for the Dancers themselves it wouldn't much matter, anything was better then scraping buy trying to earn something from the streets, though the peoples here were of a more generous nature the where her people were from.

Silently, with her plucked Psaltery tucked safely in its case and carried under her wing, she left the small house after scratching a quick simple note in her sloppy hieroglyphs telling Tanafriti that she was going to try finding a spot to work in the Park if she wanted to find her later.

Auset made her way carefully to the park, recalling the directions Tana had supplied the day before, her webbed feet were still unused to the coarseness of the sand beneath them and so she was wary of how it seemed to shift as she placed her weight.

She caught the scent of honey in the morning air and picked up her pace a little, she was quite hungry and she had a little left over from the previous day, after having paid Tana another days stay, and she thought she'd be able to afford what ever was wafting that wonderful smell her way.

As she rounded the last corner and into the park, she nearly collided with a Heiroco who was biting into what looked like a fresh honey cake. She stumbled to a halt, her eyes wide with surprise, and would have spread her wings in alarm save for her psaltery being carried under one.

Oh how she wished she were able to apologize for nearly running into this Heiroco, but she had no voice save in song, and she didn't know enough hieroglyphs to write an apology for startling him as she was sure she must have done.

[Nephthys]

Naomh smiled warmly at Ode. "Very well, but please come and find me if you need any help with anything. I know you might find it a bit strange that I'm saying this, but really I just can't stand to see anyone suffer no matter who they are." She stepped back a little to allow the peasant girl to continue with her other conversations.

[Ori]

As Ode's cheeks flushed Badru tilted his head to one side and made a slight questioning whistle, more to himself than to anyone else. He then clicked his beak with a mental shrug and concluded that the female mind was a strange thing. What else were the undead soldier and the graceful dancer? Potential patrons? Well, yes, maybe, but volunteering patronage indicated admiration surely. Ah well, her own offer towards him was a more interesting matter. Save puzzling over her reaction for later when he needed a mild distraction.

A soft trill escaped the magician as Ode pushed past her flushes and elaborated on just what her offer was. Interest sparked in his golden eyes as the hieroco leaned in for a closer look. "Ah, well now, not offering yourself as a pack mule after all. Splendid! Between my brother and I, I think we have that covered already." He ignored the muffled squawk of outrage from behind Ode and continued to focus on her rather than glance up to meet Sekani's eyes.

Badru's sharp eyes traveled over every detail of the miniature statue until the soldier leaned in to examine it as well. Then the magician lifted his gaze to Ode's face once more and fixed a rather intent stare upon her. "Ah, the Great Lady of Magic, a fine depiction as well." He made a churring sound low in his throat as he pondered, unblinking gaze still fixed on Ode. "A potter," he murmered, rolling the word around in his mouth a few times and seemingly lost in thought. Absently he answered Senht, "I wouldn't know; I've never tried. He has wings you know." One paw waved idly towards Sekani.

As though summoned by the absent minded gesture, poor Auset all but stumbled into Sekani at just that moment. Badru was snapped out of his thoughts by a sudden muffled curse as half a honey cake tumbled from Sekani's grip as the archer automatically started to reach for his bow, wings snapping open as he reared up onto one foot.

For a long moment Sekani remained posed there, balancing tenuously on a single hind foot, then on both, then dropping irritably down to all fours again. But at least half the irritation was to cover over his shock at seeing...whatever this strange stranger was. He had seen a great deal in his time in the army, but never something like this bird woman before. In a gruff tone he snapped out, "Watch where you're going. You'll get taken for a Thief if you aren't careful."

[kitsunegreenleaf]

Blinking in surprise and a little bit of shock that this Heiroco had nearly drawn a weapon on her, Auset backed away slowly, her lips trembling slightly. She'd been cursed at in this new land before yes, but never by someone who also threated to pull a weapon upon her, nor had anyone before even thought her a thief...

Hesitantly, her body trembling with fear of how this might play out she scratched a very reudementary appology with the claw of one of her webbe feet. It probably was next to impossible to read, as her grammer was more like that of a child first learning to speak, but she prayed he'd understand. After writing her message she backed even further away in case she'd sad something she didn't mean, like inadvertantly making fun of his mother or something... She was very flustered it wouldn't be surprsing.

[Nephthys]

(Mind if I poke Vivianna in here? Sorry, she's a little trouble maker. >.>)



Vivianna padded silently into the park. She had grown tired of chasing wild animals, and was looking for some fun. She was a little surprised to see so many here at such an hour, but couldn't care less, as they would provide for even more interesting games. She elegantly sat down and wrapped her fluffy tail around her lean body.

Her eyes darted back and forth to gaze at each sphinx. It seemed like the same old... Well, apart from the bird woman. But when Vivianna's gaze fell upon Sekani, a sly smile pulled at her lips. He seemed like a suitable first target, and he was handsome too. She sat up a little straighter before rising to her paws.

She crept forward slowly and silently, analysing every movement of her muscles that worked beneath her fur. When she reached Sekani from behind, she peered over his shoulder to check where is bow was. Maybe she could run away with it! That would be fun. Her tail twitched excitedly, she could hardly wait for his reaction.

((post edited, I guess I wasn't really thinking when I did that. Sorry!))

[Eirnae]

(( Ack! I missed my post order! o.o; ))

There was that ridiculous blush again. "Y-You're welcome," Ode stammered, then blushed even darker when she realized that her voice had failed her for a moment there. It wasn't that she was overly attracted to the bandaged and obviously undead male that caught her breath, it was the genuine gratitude in his eyes. Never had she witnessed such an emotion from anyone outside of her family as a result of something she had done.

A flicker of something awoke within Ode's awareness and she latched onto it. It was a hunger, a desire to help someone so she could see that look once more. The hunger lit up her purple eyes from within and make them burn with even greater intensity than her determination could ever have managed.

Possessed by the new and exhilarating feeling, Ode barely noticed that she'd taken a bite out of the honeycake and was chewing it thoughtfully. She also missed Senht's asking about the scaling of cliffs and his offer to go along, though at Senht's query about an idol of Anubis, Ode's smile banished what was left of her blush. "I do not see the Keeper of Divine Justice as frightening," she replied, then nodded once, "I would be honored to create an idol of Him for you, in thanks if nothing else. I will need a recitation of the materials you require, and where you want it delivered."

For Badru, Ode gave a tiny smile and shook her head. "As you say, that was not my intention, though I also may serve such a role if that is what you require." Being a "pack mule", as Badru had put it, wasn't so unlike the road work Ode had done many times in the past. Some might have considered it beneath them, even some peasants that Ode had encountered, but she wasn't one of them.

At the praise to her technique, and the acknowledgment of her second profession, Ode nodded once more. "Yes, sir, and one of the best." She couldn't afford to be humble about her craft. Either a peasant was the best at what they did or they didn't earn their coin, it was as simple as that.

"Of course, my lady, and thank you," Ode replied evenly with a respectful bow of her head. She had no such plans to seek the other female out for such aid, but the peasant did appreciate the dancer offering nonetheless.

As if staged in a play, almost the moment that Naomh backed away from the small group, Auset caused Sekani to lose half of a honeycake and nearly his temper. Ode's eyes flashed with barely restrained violet fire, and she grit her teeth as Sekani reached for his bow. Without being fully aware of what she was doing, the peasant moved to be between the archer and the bard. Once there, she stood to her full height and fixed the heiroco with a "You'll have to get through me first" variant of a glare.

Considering how ineffective her display would be against such a warrior would only come to Ode once the whole thing was over and she realized that she had openly challenged one of higher rank than she. Horror bloomed and obliterated the light from her eyes, leaving the peasant looking pale and shaken. Searching for something she could do to draw attention away from that awkward and dangerous moment, she listened with a keenness born of desperation in the hopes of discovering a conversation she could redirect Sekani to. That was how she heard the scratching of hieroglyphs in the sand.

Shifting to one side, Ode watched in fascination as Auset wrote her message. Oh, how she wished she could read! Ode stared at the symbols greedily, as if in just looking at them and memorizing their form would she be able to absorb the words they represented.

(( No worries, Neph, and thank you for editing. ))

As Vivianna was so quiet, and Ode's attention had been almost fully absorbed by Auset's efforts, the green furred sphinx didn't even realize that the hunter was nearby.

[Nightfeathers]

Of course. Wings. Though he hadn't thought they would be strong enough to lift two full grown heirocos. Senht decided Sekani had to be stronger than he looked. Unless Badru was all feathers, and didn't that thought make it hard not to laugh a little bit.

"Well... I pretty much live at the barracks so I guess it should be sent there." He decided. "My name is Senht. I'm pretty sure I'm the only mummy around with my name." He smiled. "I'm not really sure what materials you use but um, nothing too valuable. Someone might swipe it. Just pottery or maybe wood if you have a piece?"

The poor duck female thing seemed to be a mute. She understood the language well enough judging from the surprise in her face at being called a thief and Senht was pretty sure she hadn't meant to run into the guy. He stared down at her scratchings for a minute or two before he figured out what it said. His own knowledge of the written word was about on par with a child simply because his learning was focused around war and what orders he might be given.

"Is... that an apology?" He asked. "I um... I'm not very good with the signs yet."

[kitsunegreenleaf]

Auset finished her apology and stepped back from it, praying someone could read and decipher it. She saw that a very pretty green furred female was staring intently at the symbols but she looked to not know how to read, either that or Auset was a far worse writer of this strange symbol language then she'd thought. Yet she was relieved when the wounded soldier asked if she'd meant her attempt as an apology.

She nodded her head, slowly, and smiled softly, he seemed kindly enough as did the green female who'd jumped between her and the Hieroco whom she'd accidentally run into, she'd jumped between a strange looking stranger of what could only be supposed as no rank as of yet, when if Auset could remember what her hostess had told her of ranks in this society the Hieroco was a rank higher then herself.

She carefully scratched out a thank you and addressed it to the green female with eyes like flowers, and she also addressed a thank you to the wounded soldier for acting as a translator.

Then she gasped silently, thinking of her pasltry, had it been damaged by her abrupt and jerky stops and starts?

Nervously and carefully she pulled the case from under her wing and set it upon the ground and opened it, everything looked fine save for a few pegs having loosened by the friction of bumping against the case. She delicately turned the loose pegs and gently plucked the strings creating a soft cascade of sound, the strings were only slightly out of tune, but she wasn't yet ready to play in earnest so it wasn't something she needed to correct just yet.