Twisting Tunnels [EVENT]

[Shoki]

“Good for nothing Feline!” One of the cooks took a swipe at the Feline as she darted past one of the drudges that had a tray in her hand. “I swear if one more of my fish get stolen by that thing I will-“

“I’ll go after her. If I feed it something good maybe we won’t have this trouble again.”

“If you want to take it in, that’s your affair Alma, just get the beast out of my kitchen!” The drudge grabbed some food quickly and skittered away, not wanting the angry cook to have reason to be angry with her. She spotted where the feline had gone and raced after darting deeper and deeper into the lower caverns.

“Come here sweetie, I have food!” She didn’t know how far she had come, and she couldn’t say she recognized this area, but she knew she had seen the feline come down this way. However, she didn’t catch sight of it at all. As she walked there were boards all along the walls. It seemed like it was all storage for building materials? She couldn’t say. Someone had to know, right? Finally she heard a faint ‘mew’ and rushed over, coming to a spot where there were a number of boards everywhere. Perhaps the feline was hiding behind it all.

A bit of effort later, the boards were all to the side, and a door made itself apparent. The door had a gap near the bottom though, and Alma bent down to see if the feline was under there. She gasped as she beheld the feline and a nest of little ones with her! She wasn’t sure how many of them there were but the feline had a group of babies! She immediately tried the door, but it was jammed stuck. The woman dropped the food by the door and ran back to the kitchens to get help. However, it didn’t mean she was not going to excitedly speak to about anyone who would listen. Perhaps someone would be willing to help her get the door open and they could give the felines some good food and a warm home.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

No sooner had Rallin wandered into the kitchen, seeking sustenance, then one of the drudges came running in, clearly excited about something. With the ease of someone who spent many hours around children, most of whom disliked holding still for any length of time and saw nothing wrong with running on collisions courses with each other or any adult in their vicinity, Rallin side-stepped the woman’s headlong rush.

“Is everything ok?” he asked. She didn’t seem scared or perturbed, but it was better to ask then not. Besides, if it was good news, than he would enjoy hearing it. There was nothing better than good news for brightening up a day.

[Breeze]

Fianna had been in the kitchen under the guise of helping, when, in all actuality, she was simply moving things to where they shouldn't be in order to entertain herself. It wasn't working very well, she was still completely bored out of her mind, almost as bored as if she had remained laying in a bed and staring at the ceiling. So, when the drudge that had gone after the cat that the cook was so bothered by returned with an air of excitement about her Fianna's interest was peaked. A grin tugged up one corner of her mouth, this might prove to be exactly what she needed to relieve her boredom.

She silently slid the pot she was carrying under a table, before making her way towards the drudge, a pleasant smile masking the mischievous grin, although the glint was still visible in her eyes. A man was already standing by the drudge, all the more fun could be caused then. "Did the cat get into somewhere it isn't meant to be?" She asked by way of greeting, tugging slightly on a lock of red hair, before tucking it behind her ear, gaze fixed unwavering on the drudge.

[Shoki]

The drudge scooted to a stop, a little too excited to converse in the right order. So her words just sort of tumbled out in response to the questions that were directed at her.

“Oh I’m not sure miss, I’ve never been down where she’s gotten to! I can’t get at her or her babes, I’m afraid the door is jammed. Oh, Wherhandler, could you help? That is if you perhaps don’t mind. Unless someone would loan me something to pry it open?”

“Silly girl, you are making a mountain out of nothing.”

“But it was so dusty where they were, it can’t be good for the little ones.” The drudge was insistent, and apparently, quite the animal lover. She remained where she stood, looking a little lost, waiting to see if anyone was willing to help her.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Had Rallin been a different man, he probably would have sighed. However, he was Rallin, so he did no such thing. In fact, it didn’t even occur to him to do so.

“Now why should I mind?” Rallin asked the drudge, stepping so that he was at least half-way between her and the cook. He didn’t make a particularly imposing barrier, standing shorter than many young men, but getting mad at the poor drudge wouldn’t help things.

“It’s part of the job description, after all, rescuer of badly located felines and lost children. Now, where is the feline, exactly?” His voice was calm, steady, low-pitched and soothing.

[Breeze]

Babes? Fianna paused, tilting her head slightly at the word, before a beam consumed her face as the meaning sunk in, before a rare frown tugged at the corners of her mouth. The dust wouldn't be good for developing lungs. They'd probably be hungry too, or at least the mother would seeing as she had been attempting to steal food before being chased away.


Fianna turned, picking up a bowl of food from the table behind her, ignoring any consequences that taking it might have. She turned back to the drudge, "Lead the way then, time is of the utmost importance." She gave the drudge a polite smile, all thoughts of mischievous doings gone in favor of saving the animals.

[Shoki]

The drudge’s face lit up while the cook merely scowled at Rallin. Of course, the cook didn’t let that show for but a moment and let it alone. The drudge never noticed though, for she was far too pleased.

“Thank you sir!” She turned to Fianna as she spoke and nodded. “Of course miss.” She scurried off, trying to remember every turn she made in search of the feline. It was not simple, were she any less used to using little tricks to remember her way about the sprawling tunnels, she would likely become lost.

The way she led was unintuitive, and deep into the lower caverns. Many of the places she passed were rarely, if ever, used. Eventually she came to the long stuck door, and went to the ground to peer under the door again. It was a very old door, so it appeared, and it was hard to say when it might last have been opened. She saw the same dusty room, having a hard time seeing more than the legs of what she assumed were tables and chairs along with the dust. And, fortunately she also caught sight of the feline and her little ones.

“They’re here! I tried the door but it would not open.” It was truly stuck, but the wood was in such a state, that with a little more effort, it was likely not to unstick the door, but break it open wholesale. The drudge grabbed the food she had placed on the floor before running back, placing it well out of the way. She looked to Rallin, deferring to him as the one most likely able to aid in this matter.

[shapeshifter]

Anastasia was wandering around the kitchens when a commotion was started. She perked her head up from her cup of klah, easily set it down and walked over to the drudge and her gathering peers.

"Felines you say? Small babies? I'll help!" she said, grinning from ear to ear. She had never been up close to a baby feline and had the urge to try and hold one of these.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Rallin followed the drudge through the tunnels. Quickly, he was passing through places not even he had ever seen, and which, from the dust, were essentially or even entirely unused. Finally, they came to a stop before a very old door. The drudge dropped to the ground, peering under the door, before straightening.

“They’re here! I tried the door but it would not open,” she said, grabbing a plate of food, which she had probably left to try and bait the feline out, before darting back out of the way and glancing at Rallin.

Rallin stepped forward, examining the door. It was old, the wood so ancient as it would be more likely to break than to come unstuck. He didn’t want to break it unless he had to though, since he didn’t want to startle the feline too much.

He tried the door gently. It didn’t budge. A little more force, and it started to move. He stepped back with a sigh. “This thing is going to break,” he observed, then — after glancing back to make sure that no one was too close — he shoved the door, hitting it with his shoulder as well as his arms.

As expected, the door gave way, broken, or rather, shattered. Rallin staggered forward a couple steps, his feet stirring up a small cloud of dust. In addition to the felines, the room contained a table and a couple chairs, the floor was covered with parchments, as if somebody had tossed them down while writing, or searched roughly for something, the location of which they did not know. There were maps on the walls, and Rallin, curious almost despite himself, stepped closer. He didn’t notice the parchments on the table until he was almost right next to it, but they caught his attention, placed there as if someone had just finished writing them. Reaching out, Rallin picked them up.

Turn 34, day 24
I am amazed! It is impossible, after so many dragonets were lost at the last hatching, almost all survived this time! We had every child of the right age there, a mere dozen in number for the clutch of almost twice that. I counted two girls in the bunch, both of them hardly old enough to stand. When the Queen finally hatched, I felt hope when she went to the candidates, but she lashed out at all of them in frustration. It seemed that this clutch was doomed, but one of the dragonets took a rider, before in a frenzy, the Queen raced out into the Bowl. I don’t think there was a soul that could stand to stay seated. I rushed out, but there she was, even still, looking out at the Bowl. She looked down, but no one understood. But it happened. She turned back and declared to all of us, “I am Ligneth!” It amazed us all. She didn’t disappear. Imperiously she commanded her siblings, and they came out to her, and they all looked where she had. I don’t understand it myself, but they said they looked at themselves. I don’t think all the hatchlings understood either, but we only lost about five. Only T’gan is a rider, but the clutch mates to his dragon still live.

We finally have a chance. I don’t think I’d have believed it. But finally, there is a chance!

Rallin lifted the top page out of the way. The next one was in a different hand.

Turn 61, day 10
I have attached an entry from G’thil’s journal to this document. As he has recently passed I felt it would be best to have his view present, as I did not make note of anything that day besides my impression to Kinnageth. It is strange for me to think that once upon a time it was more common for dragons to impress humans then not. There are so few of us now, and as G’thil has passed and as he was always such and influence upon me I felt it proper to continue his work. I do not claim to be a Weyrleader, but I will always have Ice Stone’s interests at heart. I believe, like he did, that Ice Stone can continue on.

As much as I dread saying it, I think the humans are a liability to it. Not just because we had to forsake the other Weyr, but because that against this foe, we never stood a chance. Humans never really stood a chance. I’ve seen too much, too many riders dying in the air, their dragons disappearing and leaving the body to tumble in midair… So many times. They can do it alone. Kinnageth tells me that they are more lonely, not always complete. I can’t say it will be a perfect existence. But the Iceleaders agree, we have to keep them here. We cannot back down now.

G’thil tracked every single clutch since the break. I can finally use his work and say, once and for all, the dragons will keep on. We lose almost no dragonets anymore. Each time we bring in the Ice and each and every dragon goes and looks at the reflection. I take great pride in teaching the new dragons with Kinnageth, but soon Olganilth will take over that job.

I almost forget what it was like when there were more humans then dragons.

G’thil will rest along with the others, I have made sure that not one of those left will be given up to the elements without burial. He was a good man, a wonderful Weyrleader, and the last of the Weyrleaders of Ice Stone. I have no ability to carve stone or bend metal to give a proper effigy or anything that will last for all time. However I will say this.

He was the best mentor I could have asked for, and I pray that I am half the man he was.

If anyone reads this. Remember him, even if you forget me.

And beware the black birds. They must be stopped.

“This is… interesting,” Rallin mused, still half lost in thought. After all, he loved a good story.

[shapeshifter]

Anstasia had followed the drudge and the younger man through the tunnels, reaching the door rather quickly. She watched as he struggled for a moment before breaking it down.

"Well that's a good way to do it." she said in a low tone more to herself than anyone around her. She shrugged and made her way behind them

She saw the crumpled up letters, not really concerned as Rallin was with them. She was more concerned with the little furry things that were mewing somewhere in the room.

"Where are they? I hear them...but I don't see them?" She said, looking around under one of the chairs and the table. The dim light was not helping her case at all.

[Breeze]

Fianna noted the drudge picking up the bowl of food, frowning briefly before shrugging and placing the food she had brought down on the ground in respond. She jolted as the door broke open, not having paid the least attention to what had been happening now that they had arrived at the door. She looked up as the way to the room cleared, a wide cheerful grin spreading across her face.

This room was fascinating. It was all that she needed to relieve her of her boredom, and then some. She straightened, entering the room without the grin disappearing, dragging a finger through the collection of dust on the table. She brought the finger up to inspect, before she sneezed, covering her face in the crook of her arm, eyes watering. This dust had clearly been here quite a while. She hated the dust, and she could only imagine the havoc it could play on the developing lungs of a young feline.

"Be a dear and tell me when you find them," She commented dismissively-half not paying attention to how her words sounded and half not caring-to the woman who was currently checking under one of the chairs and the table. While she was concerned about the felines, the pieces of parchment the man had picked up were of far more of an interest right now. Fianna tilted her head as she zeroed in on the last few sentences on one of the pages, how curious. "And beware the black birds. They must be stopped." She read aloud. "How fascinating, I wonder what that pertains to, can't be anything good you know." Fianna made a tutting noise, before leaning to look at the other sheet, eyes brightening and grin widening, "Is that about self impression!?" She bounced on her heels in excitement, "I wonder if there are any more! Oh, this is so exciting! Think of all the new information this place could offer, why I could-" Her excited babbling was cut off by another sneeze, followed by a cross glare about the room. Nothing could be done while the room was in such a state, and therefore her excitement would have to be stifled until such a time that action could be taken the dig out the mysteries the room held.

[Shoki]

It was a bit startling to watch the door break down for the drudge, but she followed in with the rest as everyone went in. It was hard to see, dust and darkness did that. The Wherhandler and the other girl address the mysteries the room had to offer, but she focused along with the Wingleader, on the felines. She gingerly explored the area and found a small feline, all alone on one side of the room. She scooped it up and spoke up.

“Ma’am, I found one. I don’t see the others though.” It was such a small thing, covered in dust. It mewed but Alma couldn’t see its mother. Possibly it was spooked by Rallin’s sudden entry. Suddenly she spotted some movement in the dark, over by the table where Rallin and Fianna were investigating. “There!” Her finger shot out below where she spied a sudden movement, that hadn’t been there before.

The mewing persisted, it was becoming more clear the kittens were scattered at the moment. Their Mother was likely trying to collect them again, but it was taking time.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Rallin smiled. “I believe the black birds… he might be referring to the old DeathWings. The other, must be the first self-Impression.” There was a light reverent quality to Rallin’s voice. He wasn’t a harper, but he loved stories, and this, a first-hand account of something important, from the time it was new, this was amazing.

“There!”

Rallin’s head snapped around, first to the drudge, then, following the line of her finger, to a spot against the wall, near the table. Seeing the kitten in the drudge’s hand, he recalled the original purpose of their entrance.

Stepping back, he set the papers back down and looked around. Over in the corner, he thought he saw…

Crouching down, he slipped closer before scooping the kitten up. It was a cute little thing, mostly a very dark grey, almost black, with stripes, excepting the white spot on its face, giving it a pink nose.

“Here’s one,” he called softly, standing up smoothly and cupping the kitten to his chest.

[shapeshifter]

Anastasia looked around and found one on the bottom shelf of a bookcase. "Oh look at this little dear!" she said, a grin spreading on her face. It was a solid black feline with auburn patches throughout it's fur.

"Oh littlest one!" she said as it clung to her shirt, mewing helplessly. She flipped it onto its back in her hands and it spread its arms and paws out wide and began to wave them around playfully. She giggled, of course something so small was amusing. "Can we keep them?" she inquired.

[Breeze]

Fianna's mind was no longer on kittens at all. She turned towards a stack of parchments, reaching a hand towards it before jolting backwards with a small squeak as it moved, a small nose poking out. "Oh, you little darling!" She cooed, carefully unearthing the kitten, cradling it in her hand. She brushed a finger along the top of the kittens head, revealing a pale ginger under the coat of gray dust, with darker stripes. "You poor babe, we'll have you cleaned in no time~!" She cooed, holding the kitten closer.

She turned to look at the woman who had asked if they could keep them, eyebrows wrinkling. "Well, if we don't keep them, who will? Their mother is certainty nowhere in site, and she's having a hard enough time securing food for them with the cook being how she is. The poor babes certainly can't stay here either." She turned back to look at the kitten in her hands, who had emitted a sneeze. "I will not let them stay here if I can help it."