[Seasonal Event] Get What You Give
Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
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Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#1
The snow was hard and crisp in the mid-afternoon light that filtered through thin clouds. Jigano's dainty paws could cross it without leaving more than the ghost of a pawprint, and Isuma was so small and light even her playful bounding hardly impacted the sturdy crust that lay on top of the snow banks. Thankfully the snow wasn't as deep in among the trees as it was out in the fields, which made hunting both easier in some ways, and harder in others.

Nose down, he followed a trail through the trees, while the little gryphlet chased his fluffy tail, pouncing at it - and usually missing - as she scampered to keep up. There was a rabbit that had passed this way recently, nibbling on the bark of peppermint trees. It was, perhaps, only minutes ahead of them and would make a good meal for them both, and he turned around to catch Isuma on his nose in the middle of her leap. She squeaked happily as she slid from his face, and he shook his head to settle his fur as he looked fondly down at her. He gave her back a lick to settle her, trying to impress on the young creature that they were hunting now and needed to be quiet. She looked up at him with bright yellow eyes from her owl face, covered in fluffy downy feathers of white and powdered blue, merging with fur in pale greys and white, and tilted her head to the side in a gesture reminiscent of his own.

He couldn't laugh in foxform, but his jaws opened and his tongue lolled out in amusement. He was on the tall side for a fox, leggy and lean, but instead of red his fur was pure white, and his eyes were a piercing blue. Turning, he began to move again, this time with greater stealth and swiftness as his companion bounded in his wake, no longer playing - even if not as silent as her friend.

The rabbit was in sight - just across the path that had been worn through the snow from all the people coming and going to the glade - and Jigano was trying to decide how to cross the last barrier between him and lunch when the crunching of quiet footsteps in the snow sent ears up from both predator and prey. Someone was approaching from the direction of the settlement - and the rabbit didn't want to stick around to see who it was. Its nose twitched once and then it took off in a burst of speed, away from path and fox both.

The white fox didn't sigh, but he straightened from his crouch and rose to a sitting position beside the path as Isuma snuggled up against his side, sensing his resignation at the loss of the meal. They might as well see who it was, he thought ruefully. If they were lucky it would be one of his friends. And if not... well, the gryphlet was still small enough that he could carry her in his mouth and disappear into the trees before whoever it was got a good look at them.

Seiji
Seiji Okura
Musician

Age: 32 | Height: 5'7" | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
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#2
Seiji watched the sky. He was increasingly aware, with each passing day, of the Longnight drawing near. It must be close. The sun rose so briefly now the days could hardly even be called such. The air was thin with cold, treacherously sharp when he breathed it in. And the snow — an endless white carpet on the ground. Difficult to believe flowers ever bloomed here. Difficult to remember the sight of grass, the warmth of spring. Or whatever the similar season was called in Caido. These thoughts were all in Seiji's head as he walked away from the settlement, tracking the sun's progress with some concern.

He had, he thought, decent enough plans for the darkness ahead. He knew where he was staying. He had some of his own food. The Rathskeller should be well-stocked anyway, but he knew so precious few of the people here he felt it best to weigh upon them as little as possible. So he had some of his own food, and he hoped he could find ways to help when the time finally came. But he was restless, all the same. The agony of waiting for something he barely understood.

So, today, he went out to the glade. He had been reading the notice board with a kind of desperate fervor, hoping to learn more from the snippets of information he found there. Many were just enough to confuse him, or else dire warnings. But one thing in particular caught his eye, and he had been thinking about it all night. Something called a Spark Bird. A being of light, he imagined. Some kind of deity, if Caido had deities the way he perceived them. Had he better planned, Seiji might have found someone to ask about this creature, but he spent all his time with others asking different questions. He had decided he would travel to the glade, anyway, and see if he could find a shrine or offering place, and follow in the footsteps of those who had come before. Even if he was not successful, he thought it should do no harm.

Over one shoulder, he carried the small bag he had used for gathering before. In it was a small handful of winter apples, the best of the bunch, though he regretted parting with them and did not particularly look forward to eating the mushier handfuls he still kept for himself. As well, he had added a handful of roasted chestnuts. It seemed a terribly small offering, and he wished he had something like meat to bring, as well, but he had never hunted anything before in his life. So what he had, along with maybe a song of prayer, would have to be enough for now. He could hope maybe the thought counted more than the physical offering, but he was still rather doubtful as he walked through the trees, his steps crunching lightly over the frozen crust of snow on the ground, his breath a ghost around his face.

His thoughts, all tangled with concern, held most of his attention. He might not have noticed either of the two creatures standing there, but some flicker of movement caught his peripheral vision and he found himself blinking at a pair of bright blue eyes just ahead. Much to Seiji's surprise, he saw they belonged to a fox, snow-white, almost invisible against the snow at its back.

But the pale creature was not alone. Nestled against its side was another, smaller animal painted in the same hues: a creature which was a bird in front and some kind of furred animal in the back. Surely these were natives only to Caido. Hesitating, Seiji stared at them, then instinctively dropped into a crouch, hoping not to startle them any further than he already had. "Hello," he called gently, a faint smile touching the corners of his mouth.
Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago Offline
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Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#3
Though the person who came around the bend was not one of Jigano's close friends, the dark hair and slender form of the young man were indeed recognizable as the Outlander he had led from the woods to the warmth of the Settlement. Tilting his head to the side, the fox watched him approach curiously, glad to see that the young man appeared to be doing well for himself in the time he had spent on Caido since that night. He dipped his head to nuzzle reassuringly at Isuma, sensing her own friendly curiosity with amusement. Nothing he had seen of Seiji had alarmed him, and the man's actions now were no reason to start.

As Seiji crouched down, Jigano let his tongue loll out in amusement. He might have been small, but there was confidence in his thick-furred body, and a dignity that threatened to give way to mischief as the young man put himself down at the fox's level. But... no, when they had last met the newcomer had been quiet, bewildered - understandably overwhelmed. He looked more collected now, but that was no reason to startle him.

Nosing Isuma's fluffy rump back down into the snow, with a mental admonishment for her to stay, he rose gracefully to his feet and took a few tentative steps towards Seiiji. Reassured at the smile on the man's face, he hopped down into the path with more certainty, stepping lightly to just barely out of reach, and then sitting once more, cocking his head and looking at his fellow outlander with ears perked forward in alert interest.

Where was the lad going on this winter afternoon? And why?
Seiji Okura
Musician

Age: 32 | Height: 5'7" | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
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#4
There is something about the fox's eyes... a canny intelligence, bright as the glare of sunlight on ice. The narrow face tilts, the tongue a shock of pink against white fur, and the creature almost appears to be laughing at him. Seiji breathes the soft note of a chuckle back at it before he straightens up. They make a strange pair, fox and companion, but they don't appear to mean him any harm. Perhaps, like the luxere, they are benevolent creatures.

Seiji stands still as the fox approaches him, half wondering if it means to touch him, but it stops just beyond his reach. Perhaps the people here feed it. Seiji thinks he must have limited experience with foxes, though he recognized the creature, so that's a start. "I don't know what you want," he tells it, "but I have no food for you." He moves forward slowly, giving it plenty of time to move away again if it wishes. He has no desire for an animal bite on top of his already bad luck.

But, because no one else is near, and because he feels a little self conscious in the lights of those icy eyes, Seiji adds, "The only food I have is for the spark bird. I am trying to find out... where I should put it." He smiles a little wryly at the fox, then continues on. He's likely to find something if he keeps looking.
Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#5
The young man appeared more nervous than the 'wild' animal. It wasn't a bad attitude to have, especially on Caido, where even something as innocuous as a squirrel could lead your to a nasty demise, and Jigano didn't want to discourage it... but neither did he want to scare Seiji, much less hurt him. Especially when the man was talking to him and treating him like the beast whose form he wore. The bard found himself delighted, and Isuma caught his amusement and made a small cheeping sound as her patience came to an end and she wriggled and rolled down the slope of snow to the worn trough of the path.

Jigano hopped to his feet and turned to catch her gently in his jaws, like a rambunctious fox pup rather than the baby gryphon she was. Seiji's admission that he did have food, just not for foxes, earned an amused snort - which in turn set Isuma to letting out an indignant Reep! at the huff of warm breath. She squirmed in protest until he set her down, giving her a soft yip of encouragement as he trotted to catch up with the human and she bounded along behind him in a surge of playful energy.

The sparkbird, was it? The locals had built a perch for it, not so very far away, though the tracks to it had been covered over in the recent snows. Trotting a few feet ahead the fox looked over his shoulder and met Seiji's eyes with his own brilliant blue. His jaws opened in another canine grin, but he let out a little huff of surprise as the gryphlet pounced on his tail, this time with success. He paused to examine her as she clung to the thick brush with four determined limbs, clearly pleased with herself. She was just heavy enough to weigh his tail down so it dragged in the snow, but he decided this was an acceptable way to travel for at least a short while - at least he knew where she was! - and he quickly turned around to keep trotting and stay in front of Seiji so he could lead the young man to the right path as they neared it.
Seiji Okura
Musician

Age: 32 | Height: 5'7" | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 10 - Dext: 25 - Endr: 12 - Luck: 10 - Int:
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#6
Seiji watches, bemused, as the two creatures gambol in the snow. They don’t seem to mind his presence, at all. He can’t help but laugh at their antics, a smile touching his lips, as they keep pace with him. Of course, the fox probably doesn’t understand — or doesn’t believe — what he just told it. Do foxes even like apples? Do spark birds, for that matter?

At least the company keeps his spirits up, and his thoughts from wandering too far. Seiji is surprised, though, when the fox trots ahead and gazes back at him as if with some intention. He hesitates, his own head cocked, as he eyes the creature’s mischievous features. “You know where we’re going?” he asks, a little wryly.

But he has no better guide. Seiji walks along behind the fox as it leads the way, its small companion riding its tail like a sled, the path they leave a wide swath of smooth snow. Probably the strangest thing he’s seen yet, even counting the spire and that night Kiada turned into a bird right in front of him.

Which makes him wonder — just for a second — but how many people around here can change themselves into animals? Kiada only told him about birds. He frowns a little, eyes narrowing at the fox. Would it make a difference, if it were a person in a fox’s skin? Not really, Seiji supposes. It could very well be an animal specific to Caido. He’s soon rewarded for his patience, anyway, as he glimpses a structure through the trees ahead.

Heavy timbers reach up toward the sky. It still smells of cut wood, as if erected recently. And clustered near the base, Seiji spies what look like previous offerings: bundles of fruits and vegetables and other things. Seiji approaches the structure and gazes up, thinking back to the notice he read on the board a few days ago. A perch. It could very well be — for a bird big enough to swallow him with its shadow alone. Seiji stands in silence for a moment, contemplating, before he turns back to the fox and smiles.

“Thank you, fox. And thank you to your friend.” He draws his bag over his shoulder and reaches in to produce a single small apple. “This is the best I have. Do you like apples?” he asks, and sets it on the ground nearby before he turns back to the perch.

His offering still feels inadequate, but he brings each piece out carefully to arrange it all near the base of the perch. Then, hesitating, he kneels in front of the offering and bows his head. It feels like the right thing to do — offer a short prayer before he leaves.
Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago Offline
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Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#7
Jigano didn't answer Seiji's question in so many words, but he tilted his head to mirror the man's gesture and was pleased when the slender outlander followed him, almost as if he understood what the fox was trying to say. It wasn't difficult going, at least, the path worn by other feet, though some trails went to the shrine in the glade, another smaller trail led off towards the woodland and a very different sort of shrine, and still more appeared to be made by those seeking luxere in these shortening deepfrost days.

But the fox knew the one to take to reach the sparkbird perch, even with a baby gryphon using him as a sled, and he led the way on confident paws and with a jaunty angle to his ears as he trotted slowly enough for Seiji to keep up. It wasn't long before they came to the newly-erected structure, still an impressive undertaking, especially in the cold of winter.

Jigano had neither expected nor needed any reward, but he was touched by Seiji's generosity, especially when the young man had so little to call his own. The white fox bowed his head gravely in thanks, even as the gryphlet finally let go of his tail and scampered forward to investigate the apple almost before the human's hand had left it. Setting her little beak to its stem she tried to shake her head, but the weight of the fruit defeated her attempt to 'kill' it. She settled for pulling mightily on the stem until it broke free and sent her tumbling back into the snow with a victorious squeak.

Amused by her antics, but watching Seiji setting out his own offerings, Jigano tilted his head to the side in consideration, then took the apple gently in his narrow jaws. It was an awkward fit, but he only needed to carry it a little ways, setting it beside the human's other offerings and stretching his long body out into a bow beside Seiji's kneeling form, offering his own prayer of hope to the mysterious creature before rising to shake himself and look up at his companion with curiosity, as if to ask what he would do now.
Seiji Okura
Musician

Age: 32 | Height: 5'7" | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
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#8
After a time of silent concentration, Seiji looked up and noticed the fox sitting next to him, the apple he had offered as a gift placed next to his own small pile. Its own gift and prayer! Delighted, he stood, a grin splitting his features. "You are a very wise fox," he told the creature. "Maybe the spark bird will answer the prayers of us both." With a wistful glance at the sky, Seiji sighed. Now, with the sky empty, snow heaped around them, he found it difficult to imagine anything of the sort. He needed to learn more about the customs of this place, how the people interacted with their local deities. He was doing his best, but one's best might not be enough for the fickle creatures of Caido. He suppose he would have to do some research. Maybe after the Longnight ended.

His errand for the day accomplished, Seiji turned to regard the fox's companion. She appeared young, almost kitten-like.  Had the fox adopted her? "Do you both have somewhere to stay?" he asked them. Did the monsters attack animals? The fox looked mature, at least, so it must have survived Longnights before. Seiji wished he could ask it what it knew, and receive an answer he could understand. Instead, he watched them both with some concern, and wondered if Kiada would mind two such creatures residing in her empty house.
Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago Offline
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Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#9
The fox looked decidedly pleased and amused at being called 'wise.' He sat with his thick tail draped around the side of his body to warm his toes, looking up at Seiji as the gryphon romped over to look up at them both with big yellow eyes. The young man seemed oddly unhappy now that he had made his offering, sighing and distracted. Jigano wondered what was going through his head. Had he been hoping the sparkbird would appear early? He was also an outlander after all, and more recently arrived than the bard. it was entirely possible that he didn't understand what was happening with the approach of Long Night, especially when so many other outlanders who had been there longer were also confused!

Jigano glanced down at Isuma as she got bored with watching Seiji and began stalking towards his feet. The fox's ears perked forward, gaze sharpening as he wondered at her intentions, but then she crouched, pale rump wiggling, and pounced for a lace on the man's boot, attempting to catch it in her beak and tug fiercely - though not very successfully - at it if she caught it. The fox cocked his head and then snorted his amusement, glancing up once more at Seiji's voice and the kindly question.

The answer was... well, he had his den, but no place with solid walls and a door he could lock. He did have a few offers in town, if things became dangerous, but Seiji's open generosity once more struck a chord with the foxy bard. He blinked up at the man and gave himself another thorough shake to settle his fur before letting out a quiet yip of gratitude.
Seiji Okura
Musician

Age: 32 | Height: 5'7" | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
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#10
Seiji is unaware of just how easily the fox reads his emotional state. If he were, he would certainly guard himself more closely, as he tends to do when faced with other humans. He is distracted soon enough, anyway, by a sudden small weight on his foot. With a start, he looks down to find the fox’s tiny companion wrestling with his bootlace. Again, laughter erupts from his chest. She isn’t so different from a little cat, is she?

Tolerating the little creature’s savage attack, Seiji ignores her long enough to pull the drawstring from the top of his bag. Then he steps back, leaning down to dangle the string in front of her — hopefully a more appealing toy than his only choice of footwear. He is reminded, forcefully, of another place. Somewhere from long ago: rain drumming on window panes and warm light spilling over cold floors. A different white furred animal lying on its back, twisting at the string he dangled above. But that one just a cat. He smiles, though the memory is bittersweet. The taste of something greatly missed, all the more because he cannot see the whole of it. Just pieces like this, snapshots into a life he left behind.

He glances over at the fox, taking its short bark as affirmation enough. “I’m glad,” he says, still toying with the string in his free hand. He has no good place to keep them, anyway, but if he needed to… Well, he would have tried to find them one. He cannot bear the thought of these gentle animals coming to harm. “I need to go back soon,” he tells them, a little rueful. “It gets dark too quickly out here.” Will they even understand the need for his goodbye? Or the meaning of it? He isn’t sure, but he puts it off a while longer, happy to stay in this moment of contentment.
Jigano Silversmith
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers Soul Shepherd
Portal Guardian
Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int:
ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,219
MP: 10170
#11
Isuma was even more delighted with the drawstring than the boot lace, because the drawstring moved, wrigglng like a living thing that she could bat at and try to bite. She bounced for it, small downy-feathered winglets fluttering uselessly but in excitement while Jigano looked on with fond amusement, content to sit back and watch Seiji's happy smile and the gryphon's delighted antics.

Well, he hadn't really meant his bark to be an affirmation, more a 'thank you,' but things tended to get lost in translation between four legs and two. And it's not as though he was accepting Seiji's offer anyways, so he didn't bother correcting the young man.

The mention of darkness had the fox tilting his head curiously, wondering if the young man had managed to make friends with any luxere yet. True, being out after nightfall could be dangerous, but having the deer around certainly seemed to help! But not at the expense of Seiji getting lost in the dark on his way home. Uncertain whether to prepare to leave or not, Isuma answered the question for him by yawning her tiny beak hugely and abruptly sitting down in the snow, blinking sleepily up at the human and his string. No matter how many times she caught it, it just didn't taste like food, and now she was tired as well as hungry.

Jigano stood, ears perked forward as he gave Seiji a long, solemn look, then stepped daintily to pick up his tired gryphlet in gentle jaws. He would, he decided, walk the human to the edge of the woods before going back to the hunt. Hopefully with dusk approaching there would be more movement of little creatures for him to pounce on, and Isuma would go to bed with a full belly tonight after their little adventure in spark bird offerings.
Seiji Okura
Musician

Age: 32 | Height: 5'7" | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 10 - Dext: 25 - Endr: 12 - Luck: 10 - Int:
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#12
Seiji grins as the little creatures takes to his makeshift toy, delight visible in every line of his face. How strange and wonderful a thing it is to watch her play, all sharp-edged beak and kitten’s claws. She seems to tire soon enough, though, and Seiji straightens back up, gathering the string in his long fingers. He is not looking forward to repairing the bag, but the sacrifice was worth it, he thinks.

He almost regrets to leave her, a truth which shows in his hesitance to turn away. But he knows he ought to get home, under a roof, near a fire. Looking up, he nods at the fox, and steps back as the creature moves to retrieve what Seiji can only suspect is its ward.

“Be safe,” he says, and gives the fox a solemn nod. Then he turns to make his way back to the edge of the glade, to the lights of the settlement waiting beyond.


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