Crystal - Open

[sunshinethroughgrey]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Wardens Bethany Hawke-Darton and Carver Hawke
RECIPIENT: The Inquisition
WHAT: The Hawke Twins have An Announcement
WHEN: Before the Great Tourney
WHERE: The Gallows
NOTES: Link to the relevant post

[The crystal turns on, and Bethany’s cheerful tones are not marked with anything but outright Glee.] Greetings, members of the Inquisition! You are not going to believe this, but the Wardens have some good news! Yes, I know, we’re all as shocked as you are but … we’re all so very excited!

[Except maybe Teren. However. Teren.]

We’re about to have babies!

[Wait, what?]

I mean, the Griffons are about to have babies!

[And lo and behold, Bethany’s not alone. Carver lets out a choked sound.]

Maker’s breath, lead with that next time. [Now that his heart rate’s going back down and he’s assured he’s not somehow going to be an uncle anytime soon:] But it’s true. There are two clutches. One’s out in a cliff-side near the sea, so it’s safe. But the other’s in one of the abandoned courtyards, not far from the griffons’ tower. Leave it be. Or else we don’t bloody want to hear it when one of the parents-to-be rips out one of your eyes for getting too close.

We’re completely serious, by the way. They will, in fact, rip your eyes out. [Bethany’s tone is firm, before she lets out a noise that most thirty-year old women wouldn’t think of making.] Can you believe it? Little griffon babies, flying all about again. They’re going to be Adorable.

[Beat.]

… and deadly. Dear Maker please do not pick them up unless you’ve had lessons from the Griffon Riders first, please please please.

[Another beat.]

Oh and guard your ham for the next few months!

Guard your bloody everything for the next few months. Luckily, the other griffons are fine. Just avoid the budding parents and their nests. If anyone wants to know which particular courtyard to avoid, we’ll let you know. [And now for something rare: Carver’s tone lightens up a tad as he continues.] That all being said, we’ve got at least ten griffon...lings? What even is a baby griffon called? Anyway, the hatchlings will need names, and judging by the names of the current generation, Wardens shouldn’t be left to name anything.

I … think they are called hatchlings? I’m not sure. Perhaps we get to call them whatever we like since they haven’t been around for four hundred or so years. [A clearing of her throat.] With that said, we are open to suggestions for the names of our newest brood. Just nothing … really offensive. No curse words, please. Or anyone who has committed mass genocide, that would be lovely.

Pretty sure they have a name in place already, given that they were around for quite a long time. [Buuuut that’s not really all that important.] And if anyone tries to give them any stupid baby names again I’m coming into your home and throwing you out the nearest window. That trend dies with the first generation.

[He’s got feelings about it okay.]

Right. I think that’s all. You all know what’s happening, you’ve been warned, and that’s all we needed to do. Any questions you might have, we’ll do our best to answer. [A pause.] And to those who worked with Bethany and I and helped find those nests? Thanks. I’m sure the griffons appreciate it, too. Especially Button and Flea.

Oh yes, thank you so much, Myr and Alex! You really were lifesavers, the both of you. Please come by anytime that you like to visit. [Bethany adds in, before adding happily.] Have a marvelous day, everyone! We look forward to seeing what names you all come up with.

Comments

[circleprodigy]

Please, for the love of the Maker, let the dear little ones emerge with some dignified names this time. 'Garahel did it' is not an acceptable excuse.

[Total agreement with you, Carver. But that said, she's too happy about the overall news to sound truly irritated right now.]

[justice_is_blond]

Dignity is overrated.

[There's a meow in the background.]

And the Hero of Purrelden agrees with me.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

[Bethany walked away for a day - A Day - and this is what happens.]

....Inessa what is going on?

[justice_is_blond]

I fail to see what's wrong with undignified names. They're Warden griffons, not courtiers. Funny names are part of the charm.

I suggest... ten? So that's...

[His voice trails off for a moment and there's the sound of pen on parchment before:] Riatsila, Leinahtan, Revrac, Ynahteb, that one'll be hard to say but at least it's not as bizarre as Sredna, Neret, Asseni, Niak, Iric... that's only nine. Asiak? Niahgol?

[sunshinethroughgrey]

...Oh I See What You Did There.

[byblow]

I like their names. None of you are any fun at all. Might as well name them after our Warden virtues—Vigilance, Victory, Sacrifice, Dignity, Stuffiness, Morbidity, Pomposity—

No, umm. We should name one Sasha, for Warden Sashamiri. She died trying to contain Corypheus the first time.

[justice_is_blond]

We shouldn't name one Stuffiness. Carver would show favoritism so that one would be horribly spoiled and we don't want spoiled griffons. But Sasha is good.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Well now I just want to name a griffon Pomposity.

Although I do like 'Sasha'. Perhaps we should name them for former Wardens ...

[letoldthingsdie]

Does the Inquisition usually make a habit of keeping creatures that are likely to rip your eyes out?

[A redundant question considering they're in their own tower apparently. Even so, he doesn't look bothered. He's interested and he likes talking to Bethany so far.]

I'm not the best at name suggestions, but I'd be interested to see the creatures in person.

[Maybe not up close, in regards to the babies, unless someone wants to make sure he doesn't muck it up and lose a limb.]

[justice_is_blond]

It's a Warden thing, not an Inquisition thing. Though the Fereldans have a great many mabari and those are likely to drool your eyes out which is far worse, in my opinion.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Oh yes, absolutely! Have you met Teren?

[Bright smiles.]

Hello Kylo!

[the_cleric]

STINKBEAK!

[Does this really need to be shouted: yes. Is this a dignified name: no. Is it important: yes.]

[circleprodigy]

No.

[justice_is_blond]

Perhaps Noblebeak? Or Pointybeak? Or Biteybeak.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

I. Like. Your creativity but I don't think we would want to ... make people think he had a beak that smelled bad.

[zombra]

[ Holy shit, first dragons are real, now griffons? This is pretty sweet! ]

Okay, I have the perfect names for you. These guys were great heroes in my world, so this is a total honor: Polamalu, Jerome, Hines, Greene, Franco, Bradshaw, Rocky, Tomlin, LeBeau, and Rooney.

[ Yes, she just listed a bunch of Pittsburgh Steelers, a coach, and team owner. What of it? These are good names! ]

[justice_is_blond]

...Those are names?

[He's not really one to talk.]

Green?

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Well I rather like the sound of Polamalu, Franco and LeBeau. What are they famous for?

[castintoflames]

They deserve names that fit their temperaments and personalities. (But Maedhros offers no assistance for one very good reason.) I would aid you if my family were known for choosing good names. I think part of the reason we are given so many over our lifetime is because the initial choices were so poor.

(His grandfather is named Finwë and his first name, in Quenya, is Nelyafinwë, which basically means "Third Finwë".)

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Well right now those are 'Eggs', I do not think we can call them Egg One, Egg Two, Egg Three ...

[hello_there]

You could name them after Jedi Masters. That's what I would do.

[It is, for the record, not what Obi-Wan would do.]

Mace Windu would make a good griffin name.

[justice_is_blond]

What's a Jedi Master?

[sorcerised]

[ What is this about potentially deadly hatchling babies?! Have a very excited half-elf in your ear. ]

Did you say ten? That's wonderful! Can we see them?

[ This is Aro pointedly ignoring your note of caution. ]

Actually, do you need help caring for them or anything like that? Because I would be more than willing to volunteer! Griffon hatchlings, imagine that. Oh -- do you still need suggestions for names?

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Aaaaaahhhhh ... I will have to speak with my superiors about that...

[As she does not exactly think she is allowed to that.]

[strangel]

Probably could make big omelettes. No need to be naming anything except "breakfast."

[the_cleric]

Helena. They are babies. You can't eat babies!

[faithlikeaseed]

I don't see what all the debate's about--Buttons' children are going to be Snap, Latchet, Buckle, Clasp, and Grommet. [he sounds so matter-of-fact about this]

Maybe Laces and Brooch for the girls, depending.

[periastron]

Those are actually really good names. I support those names.

[periastron]

No worries, hey. Happy to help anytime.

So, whats a person gotta do to become a Griffon Rider, then?

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Get approved by our Senior Warden, Nathaniel Howe.

[in_death_sacrifice]

They... they are?

[But after the astonishment wears off, Kain can't help but be very happy. So these won't be the last of the griffons, their kind will continue... he almost can't believe it. They're truly thriving.]

Then their legacy continues, after all. What a momentous occasion. Do we know yet which ones are responsible?

I'm in agreement about noble names, by the way. I've no preference as long as they're dignified.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

We do! It is Flea and Buttons, as well as Burp and Uggie. They'll have gorgeous babies, don't you think?