Nothing.WRONG.With.Me...

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

After The LIGHTS Go Out On You
After Your WORTHLESS Through
I Will REMEMBER How You Scream

Close casket,
I can tell you why, there's a mind for mutilation
In the skies tonight!

In the darkness, well it makes you close your eyes!
It's a scream set right beside you
Or a faint and distant cry!

Come a little bit closer baby,
I'm just a shadow in your mind!
Step a little bit closer darling,
The devil's work is done tonight!

The morbid song rang out into the night as an announcement to what had just been done. Once again, Sapphire Roc had struck in the dead of night, assassinating an owl for money and... well, fun. She had been hired by some family in the Forest of Tyto to kill off an oncoming preacher for The Pure Ones. It didn't take her terribly long. It never did. Sapphire was just far too experienced for the average fighter. Her supreme senses that weren't her eyesight made up for her lack of sight at all. She could see things in her own way, and it was for that reason she had been titled "Roc", named after a mythical bird said to behold magical powers.

Now Sapphire didn't think of herself as magical... no, just talented. Supremely talented. Better than most. Sure, people could say she had an ego, but she hadn't been bested in a fight her whole life... except....

The memory played through her mind again. She had been working on a new set of battle claws in the Shadow Forest when she sensed a group of owls fly by. Remnants owls. Cursing her luck, she quelled the flames of her forge and hid in the trees in a way only she could. Soon enough, a fight was upon the land, and she just couldn't help but test her worth against a Guardian....

She had been doing wonderfully against the Spotted Owl when a stupid Tyto had knocked the wind out of her. Still, she supposed she owed the Spotted Owl something after he let her go unharmed... but still. The she-owl furrowed her brows in distaste for the whole situation, and then flew off with her newly collected loot to a secluded spot... or so she thought....

[Fin]

P I S C E S

It had been a quiet night for a certain young Osprey. His lithe figure glided effortlessly high above the tops of the tall trees of Tyto below as he scanned - out on patrol alone, working himself hard, as usual. Tilting his wings downwards, he steeply banked starboard as he began a long decent into the cover of the trees. All was quiet, he thought peacefully. It was strange for this neck of the woods, as the Remnants ran riot below the Kingdom and daily skirmishes began to increase in number. His little band of free-fliers had been worn out recently, having to cope with so much trouble in the world.

Though he was not graced with silent flight like the owls that seemed to rule this world, he was given the gift of speed if nothing else. His species were proud of their dives and quick turns, it wasn't an unknown fact. Flapping his wings once, his bright yellow eyes searched again before noticing something stirring. Squinting a little, Pisces instantly rolled into action, his body spinning as he dived sharply into the cover of the shadows, his flight slowed. A shape of an owl was up ahead, and he was sure he recognised it from above. Could it be?

Lighting down on a branch nearby where the owl had stopped, they seemed to be carrying something. Lowering his striped head a little in an inquisitive manner, he leaned forward, his eyes glinting at the owl in the dark. It was a female owl, he could tell, but there was something familiar about her... a Great Horned with battle regalia, which confirmed his queries - it was the infamous hireclaw Sapphire Roc!

Feeling everything but threatened by her presence, the Osprey spoke out in a level voice: "You know, it's wrong to kill for a reward." After speaking, he practically hopped down from where he was perched on the branch, flapping his wings once or twice to stop himself from crashing into the floor. Folding his wings, he walked towards her, stopping almost a wingslength away from her. Even though he was only a young Osprey, he still matched her size.

"But I suppose thats how some decide to live their lives. Names Pisces - and don't tell me, you're Sapphire. Oh, I've heard all about you, my friend. Reports telling me you help the Remnants kill Guardians - all manner of things." He trailed off, his eyes wandering to the shadows of the trees before returning straight back to hers.

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

Before the Osprey even made its way close to Sapphire, she could hear him, but that mattered little to her. For now, she was content to see what it was she had received from the Tytos who'd hired her to kill off a Remnant. Opening a small rabbit skin sack, the Hireclaw poked her beak inside, happily bringing out her loot. Well, perhaps loot was the wrong word. See, she changed her prices regularly, depending on who she was working for. In this case, all she had asked for was a simple Owlipoppin, a small doll made of down feathers, twigs, and leaves that owlets tended to love more than any other owl.

"You know, it's wrong to kill for a reward," a voice rang out. Sapphire merely laughed shrilly, stepping aside on her branch to let Pisces perch beside her. While off duty, she wasn't particularly hard to get along with... so what was the problem with socializing with the commoners.

"Good and evil are just points of view," she replied dully, turning her sightless eyes to the Osprey. Then she did something odd, she lifted her beak to his face, and huffed, taking in his scent like a dog, "You ain't an owl, that's for sure. Though I could tell from your loud flight pattern. Sheesh, what is with you birds of prey." She paused, letting the Osprey introduce himself, "Well of course you've heard about me buddy. No one hasn't. The Remnants know me, and so do the commoners. The Guardians are a whole other story. I've never seen one of them hire me, but I work for whoever asks, regardless of background. I may not agree with them, but it's my life, like it or not."

She let out a sort of small series of whistles after that, turning her head this way and that, as if she was studying the Osprey named Pisces. Of course, there was nothing really there in front of her by sight. There never was. Most considered it a curse to not be able to see, but Sapphire had no problems with it now. Besides, what was an owl best at? Night flight. What time was it for her at all hours of the day? Night of course.

"But since you seem to have judged I work for Remnants, I might have to ask you what your purpose is in being here. Cuz if its to try and kill me, can we schedule an appointment for another day? I have things to attend to, like my forge. Or did you want battle claws? I've never had a bird that wasn't an owl visit... and I frankly find it... odd."

She leaned in close again, her eyes narrowing despite them being devoid of anything. The tufts on her head blew forward in the breeze, and she clicked her beak several times, as if trying to decide if this Osprey was safe to be around or not.

Carefully maneuvering her feet, she put the Owlipoppin she'd received as payment from the Tyto family back into its sack, and then with a final hoot, lifted herself into flight, twisting around a few branches effortlessly and landing in the tree opposite Pisces, "Or, better yet, did you have a job for me?"

[Fin]

^{ignore pisces being on the floor xD It was very late when i wrote that)}

P I S C E S

If the Osprey could grin, he would. Despite the horrifying reports he had received speaking of a sightless owl who could look into your soul, or of an owl who stalks the night murdering whole families of owls, she was actually very civil to speak to. Yes, he had assumed she worked for the Remnants, but he wasn't ever going to harm her. Though he had attacked owls aggressively before, and sometimes even killed, it was only ever because they threatened some other bird. He didn't agree with her lifestyle, but at least she wasn't devoted to the evil Tytos that stalked these lands. When the owl moved in close to scent him, a strange thing to do as a bird, he tried not to flinch, keeping steady where he was.

"Battle claws? Why would I ever need those - you owls act as if you don't have any weapons of your own." Pisces said firmly, his beliefs on the subject lining his voice. If the owl wasn't blind, she might have noticed the subtle change in the Ospreys expression, his yellow eyes slanting and he walked along the branch a little. On his left leg, a thick scar trails around from a gruesome wound from a pair of battle claws. It was only by luck some other owl picked him up and took him to a safer place to heal. Shaking his head, he looked back to the owl as she flew off to another branch, speaking again: "I suppose they make battle a little more... unpredictable. Ever seen an owl injured with his own set of claws? Hilarious."

Opening his white-and-brown wings wide, he leapt off the branch and lighted down heavily on the ground below. In a slow movement, he shambled along the floor with his dappled-white tail bobbing and hopped up onto a rock, his black talons clinking against the surface. He turned to the owl again, his yellow, predator eyes searching her face. "Hire you? To do what, kill a remnant? I can do that myself. No... I'm here to offer you a compromise." Lifting his right wing up, he began to preen the brown feathers that covered his secondaries. In a swift movement, he pulled his head back up, lowering his wing again.

Pausing for a moment, he began to speak again: "You don't have to live alone, you know. I live with a band of freefliers, and it's not that bad. We live in a big cave on the coast of the barrens - everyone has their own nest. I know you have a forgery, but if you ever need somewhere to stay..."

The young Osprey meant every word he said, trying to convince her. With the Remnants getting even more powerful every passing day, he knew that they wouldn't tolerate a non-tyto for long, and that soon the owl may not be safe. He had only known her for a few moments, but her life was very... interesting. It captured his imagination, and that was one of the reasons he offered her hospitality at his cave. He hadn't mentioned he was the leader, or even what band it was, but he ignored that fact.

"You would be a great addition to the team, even if you didn't live with us all the time."

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

As Pisces spoke, Sapphire followed him with her eyes that could not see, and hearing him click his talons on the ground below. She let out a series of hoots, and swiveled her head at the Osprey as he made her an offer, "You can kill a remnant huh?" she repeated. "Then why do you need my help. You certainly seem to have already figured out your goals and can do them well."

She lifted her wings, and with one graceful swoop, landed next to Pisces, though her primary feathers bumped against his head slightly due to a tiny miscalculation, "Just brushing off the dirt on your head," she grumbled. "And before you say what dirt, let me tell you you reek of it. Got it? Good. Glad we've come to this conclusion, but I'm still a bit hung up on that proposition of yours. It just seems odd for a random bird to ask another random - well, I suppose famous - hireclaw to join a group of non-owls in some random cult. What's in it for me? And, more importantly, why me? Think you can just use me for my strength, or knowledge with metals? I'm not in this game to be used. I'm the master, and everyone else is my puppet... got that Pisces? I ain't working for Remnants cuz I like 'em. I work for 'em to drain them of their resources. I charge a fortune for my jobs for those bastards, and barely a fluff of down for the commoners."

[Fin]

Alarmed by her sudden outburst, Pisces was taken aback a little, his piercing yellow eyes calculating in the dark. She had taken it the wrong way - the very wrong way! He tried to stutter out an explanation when she was speaking, but stopped himself from interrupting.

"By spirits, you've got me wrong, owl!" He exclaimed, wings flapping urgently, "I would never take advantage of any bird. I didn't make the Talons of the South for fun, you know!" He finished with a sigh, his wings having stopped flapping. His chest feathers were a bit ruffled and his yellow eyes were wide, but he calmed down quite quickly before continuing.

"I only offer you this place in our home if you ever need it, or our support if you ever need us. I'm not calling you weak, and I'm most certainly not calling you useless, but with such an alarming number of Remnants these days... it makes me nervous. We've got to stick together, don't you understand? They will destroy this world once again, and I just don't think the Guardians can cope this time round." The young Osprey spoke, though desperate sounding, his words were from the heart.

He pictured what it must have been like when the Pure Ones lurked these forests, their deadly silent flight unfaltering in the strong winds. In his worst daymares, he would see the great Lyze of Kiel fall at the hands of the old High Tyto Metalbeak, and he shuddered at just the thought. It was true they had little to no support from many Freefliers, but there were even more dangerous Tytos in their army now that they may need them in the future, and the Southern Talons would be there - waiting.

_{ooc: she doesn't have to join them of course, but for future roleplays if anything ever happens like her forgery destroyed or she is chased, etc 8) )}

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

((OOC: I know. but I must play into her character. She's all "RAWR" to everyone. XD))

Sapphire stayed silent for a few moments, her sightless eyes blinking a few times, as if there might be true emotion behind them... but this was no so. Her pale eyes continued to be devoid of anything, no light, no color, no emotion, but she'd never let that hold her back before. Instead, she had made clear how she felt by words or other means, since no simple gaze could show another her true self. "I see," was all she said at first. "It makes us all nervous, not just you. If I had had a different choice all those moons ago, I would have gladly kept my talons clean Pisces, but war is among us. I've seen - well, not exactly seen - the Remnant's territories. They are foolish to think that just because I am blind that I have no conception of what's going on. They seem to think that I believe I am one of them, though I know I'm a Great Horned owl. I feel it in my Gizzard. You see, one day, the information I have will be put to good use, but right now... right now its too dangerous. There are too many turnfeathers and betrayers, and just plain old nachtmagen, or evil magic about the lands. I don't expect a bird like you to know the way of life of a Rogue like myself, so I cannot trust you blindly, excuse the pun, Sir Pisces."

She paused, thinking with a series of hoots and clicks of her beak, until finally she said, "Follow me to my forge. I have a gift for you." Sapphire took off after that, delicately weaving between trees and branches until her temporary forge in Tyto Forest was in sight, or in Sapphire's case, smell. The strong scent of coals burning was like the sweetest aroma to her, and she knew it as the closest thing to love she'd experienced. Her mentor, that old Smith, was the only one who'd ever believed in her skill, who'd ever told her she was more than what her parents had thought of her.

Digging through her various trinkets and supplies, Sapphire Roc pulled out several small metal spheres... bells, "If you ever need my assistance, send scouts with these on. I'll hear it from farther than a Barn Owl, with my heightened senses. While I cannot join you in your group, I am certainly proud to assist you for a noble cause such as the one you speak of. Who knows, perhaps there will be a day I seek our your help as well, though I highly doubt it."

Sappire churred at that, passing the bells to the Osprey with a quick toss, "So then Pisces, are you a recruiter? Or were you going to save small Tytos from capture today? Because if its the later, you may want to get a move on. The Remnants I killed aren't going to be the last of them to come here tonight.

[Fin]

When she spoke of the war, Pisces felt sadness tighten his heart as he remembered the bitter casualties he has seen. Though it had been many years, it seemed the scars still ran deep from the rise and fall of the Pure Ones. He nodded to her slowly, thankful for her understanding. It was baffling that there were so many owls out there wanting to destroy the world, but it was reassuring there are just as many wanting to rebuild it - their efforts were not in vain, all those lives lost over the last few decades, but soon they might be. The Guardians have to keep holding strong, he thought to himself, or else the border will fall and the world will become foreign to all who once knew it so well.

Bobbing his head for a moment, he couldn't find an answer to her last words, remaining silent as she spoke. It was true - he had never considered the life of a hireclaw, or even a rogue, for his intentions had been loyal to the Guardians since early age. Glancing back to her when she called him to follow, he instantly lifted his wings spread them out wide, flapping them down hard for a quick take off. Within a few beats of his wings, he had caught up with her. His bright yellow eyes followed her through the trees, himself narrowly avoiding one or two branches. He was good at flying through woods or forests, but his area of expertise was always out at sea or rough air currents off cliff faces.

Having little idea of where they were going, Pisces could only guess they were visiting her forge - and they were. Diving hard after her, he lighted down hastily on the ground not too far away and clumsily bounced over to where smoke was emerging. The scent of the place was overpowering to the Osprey, much different to the fresh smells of the open sea, salt and seaweed, or the moors near his home.

"Nice place." He commented, wings tucked to his side and head ducked as he looked in. It was no denying - he was a big bird, and he was a little scared of getting stuck in there and embarrassing himself in front of the owl, so instead he hung back outside. His eyes wandered off around the area, the dark shadows still around them, stars shining above. The sound of strange jingling brought his attention back to the forgery. He was alarmed by the alien sound so much that he moved a few paces backwards, his tail feathers raised a little.

Outstretching quickly to grab them in his beak, he caught them with ease and placed them on the ground, inspecting them. It was a good idea - if he ever needed her, to send some of his comrades out with a bell attached to one of their legs. Leaning down, he gently picked out two of the bells and wrapped the ribbon tightly around his right leg, tugging it to make sure it would never fall off.

"Thank you. I will put these in my nest for future use if we ever require your help. I have two placed on my leg, so that if ever I am near, you will be able to find me. It would be a disadvantage to yourself to have such a noisy trinket upon your leg, but to myself it is an advantage. I will stir fear inside of all who oppose with the haunting sound of jingling!" He added the last patr dramatically, chuckling to himself after. Raising his leg a little and shaking it to let her know the distinct sound, he dropped it again.

Her question made him pause again, but his eyes remained fixed on her own sightless orbs. He opened his beak to speak: "I am not a recruiter. I am the leader of the Talons of the South." He stopped, thoughtfully before continuing, "We have reports that a group of remnants are going to infiltrate the Great Tree with turnfeathers tomorrow, so myself and a few others are going out to stop them. I have no real reason for being here other than... I need to clear my mind before a mission. It may come to a fight where I might have to kill an owl, but if it saves however many birds, then it is worth it. Sacrifices have to be made, as my comrades know so well." The osprey said, he words getting caught in his throat nearer the end. He had lost few birds, but they were brave in the face of death. The cleaner the fight, the cleaner the outcome. One of the sea-faring birds who brought the report told of a heavy fog falling over the expected area, which would work well for the Southern Talons - ambush.

"I will stick around for a while, but I will return to our HQ before twixt time. They need a word of encouragement to settle their minds. Do you know any nearby lakes or rivers? I'm starving."

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

"The river Hoole is close by," Sapphire commented. "Come, I'll lead you there." She chose not to comment on the next part of his speech however, wondering instead how he would rally his soldiers for such a fight. A band of freeflyers taking on a platoon of Remnants? Crazy talk. They'd need more talons if they wanted an edge in this war. Perhaps I should join? she asked herself as she flew over the forest. At last, the trees thinned out to reveal a small stream, which then opened up into the infamous river used by so many owls for navigation.

"Eat your fill," she offered. "The river has many fish to spare during these times. Most mammals that eat from here are long since hibernating."

[Fin]

The prospect of a meal lifted Pisces mood - his eyes lit up like a fire. His talons itched to be hunting, and soon he was following the blind owl to the River Hoole. As the wide river came into view, the Osprey began to pick up speed, and before long he was diving down at great speeds towards it, pulling up at the last moment to skim. Not even five heartbeats had passed before he had foudn his first catch. A small fish, but nonetheless food. Throwing his two clawed feet forwards, he struck the surface quick, pulling out the fish and flying off to where Sapphire was, placing the fish for her before returning to his hunting ground.

The white-and-brown bird returned to his hunting manoeuvre, but this time he struck big. Ahead, he saw a bigger shape than before looming in the water. Focusing his sharp yellow eyes ont he water, he matched speed with the fish, and a quick dive into the water rewarded Pisces. Though he splashed about a lot more than before, and it was entirely ungraceful, he pulled out a long catfish. Please with his efforts, he lifted himself from the water and flew to where Sapphire was, landing with his catch proudly.

Though one might call it bad manners, the bird instantly began eating the fish, using one foot to hold it down as he did. Stripping the meat off the prey, he paused, looking to Sapphire with a thoughtful look upon his features.

"It's not as nice as the sea. These fish have it easy... all that nice flowing water, but out there in the thrashing waves... well, it's a different story. Still, its food!" He said, returning to his meal.

_{(sorry for late reply - didn't think it was my turn! apologies)}