Griffons

[circleprodigy]

FORM: Sending crystal
SENDER: Inessa Serra
RECIPIENT: All
WHAT: Griffon babies, name poll?
WHEN: Sometime this month, after her rescue.
WHERE: Kirkwall, the Gallows
NOTES: This can also be a log, if people want to visit Inessa/the griffons in person. Fair warning, she'll have some issues from her captivity even though she'll do her damnedest to pretend that she doesn't.

[This is probably the first some have heard from Inessa in some time. Her return was quiet and fairly recent, and she hasn't made herself available since them. Her voice is as crisp and calm as ever, likely a needed counterpart to the chorus of squeaks and chirps surrounding her.]

This is Warden Serra, one of the griffon keepers...and I come with news on that behalf. Thanks to two couples, we now have eleven hatchlings at the roost. They won't be able to support riders for some time, but expect that future announcement once they're ready.

[One of said hatchlings takes the opportunity to start screeching nearby, so she immediately moves away from the racket.]

Sorry about that. Visits can...possibly be arranged, but only with very close supervision. Their parents are quite protective and will not hesitate to harm those they perceive as a threat. The hatchlings themselves are rambunctious and I would advise against bringing anything you don't want taken or gnawed on. This includes hair, so keep it out of the way and wear gloves to protect your fingers. Trust me, you want the gloves.

[Now that she's warned you all about the precious bundles of beaks, claws and screeching, Inessa's tone relaxes a bit.]

Currently all are unnamed. Any suggestions are welcome, though the ultimate decision will be left to my order.

[Cue a sudden thump and smug chirping noises rather closer to the sending crystal. Someone's gone and turned Inessa's lap into a bed.] This little one says hello.

Comments

[swordproof]

Have you considered naming one for a number?

[ This is a joke. She's joking. Because her Mabari is called two. ]

I would like to meet one, if I might.

[circleprodigy]

Do you wish for a namesake, then?

[There's a soft chuckle at that, and the sound of a beak tapping the crystal.]

Stop that, you. The crystals aren't meant to be eaten.

[Anyway--]

Of course. As long as you follow the advice given, it will be safe for you both. And the little ones could always benefit from new company. They need to get used to people aside from just us keepers.

[swordproof]

Perhaps not for me, but it might match some naming themes that are beginning to develop.

[ She needs a horse to name it 'Ten', clearly. ]

I will do what is asked of me, of course. I am only concerned that I might appear quite intimidating.

[circleprodigy]

I've more been concerned about them intimidating people, to be honest. I love them all, but they can be a handful and fear nothing. Some are easier to deal with, though. The one near me is a snuggler...he just needs to be kept away from hair.

[A pleading chirp is heard, though it turns into a more mollified noise because of petting.]

[swordproof]

He sounds as though he might be charming.

[ The idea of being able to be near such marvellous creatures makes her sound almost excited. ]

Perhaps there might be one we can dub 'Ten', then. If they are large enough for the name.

[circleprodigy]

Oh, he is quite charming, as long as he's given undivided attention.

[Chuckle.]

Perhaps seeing them in person will help you decide which to suggest for that name? And you might gain inspiration for others.

[swordproof]

Ah, an attention seeker, then.

[ It's said fondly enough, at least. ]

I would like to, as soon as they are truly ready for guests and there is someone there to monitor us.

[earthbones]

Are they shedding any feathers?

[Important matters first which is-- well, she's better at being quiet, and right now visiting would be out of the question anyway so that's that.

(Don't ask.)]

You're naming them early.

[circleprodigy]

Here and there. If you want some, I'm certain it can be arranged.

I suppose, but nothing is official. I expect it will take some time yet, even with a pool of suggestions-

[There's a more insistent chirp, a little louder.] No, this crystal isn't your treat. It would not taste good, little one.

[earthbones]

They've been decent for fletching when I can get in and out, if they're broody then I need my fingers.

[The silence lengthens, if anyone might understand she'd thought it to be a Warden, an elf with life running through the fingers faster than sand.] I meant premature. They might die yet. Certainly if they go trying to eat the crystal.

[circleprodigy]

He's -ouch- not going to eat the crystal.

[An irritable chirp is the response, but the hatchling seems to settle down after a moment.]

...they could, but I plan to do all possible to prevent that from happening. We didn't see griffons return only to let them die out.

[earthbones]

So sure about that?

[It doesn't sound that way from where she's sitting.]

Isn't it what they're meant to do? What lasts here? [More pointedly:] What lasts alongside Wardens?

[circleprodigy]

...not entirely, but I would be a poor keeper if I just allowed it to happen.

[Background flaps and thumps can be heard, the sounds of those who haven't quite managed any real amount of flying.]

Darkspawn, but it would be a grim world with Wardens and darkspawn and naught else. Griffons are finicky and temperamental and many other traits...and yet, the world -and my order- was lesser without their presence.

[justice_is_blond]

Gareth, Gareth, Gareth, Gareth, Gareth, Gareth, and Gareth. All with slight differences in pronunciation.

[circleprodigy]

[A curious chirp is heard after the name. Maybe the hatchling likes Gareth as a name?]

What, no puns? Anders, I was counting on you.

[justice_is_blond]

I can give puns too, though I gave a great many with the last nest and I thought I could add more confusion to Kirkwall for fun. Kirkwall never has enough confusion.

[circleprodigy]

Not the feathery kind, at least. I'll have to ask Gareth how he'd feel about that many namesakes.

[justice_is_blond]

Who wouldn't want nearly a dozen namesakes? Alternately, we could name them all variations of Nathaniel and Nate and the like.

[circleprodigy]

[That gets a chuckle from her, and an irritated chirp in response.]

I'm sure he'll appreciate the suggestion.

Will that become a perk of a senior Warden, do you think? An entire clutch named after those of sufficient rank? An interesting incentive....

[in_death_sacrifice]

I still say they ought to be given proper dignified names befitting of griffons. Names that can strike fear into our enemies' hearts.

...That being said, I still love Potato despite our inability to rename her Sky Stalker or Doom Claws.

[He didn't say good or particularly creative for those names. Just ridiculously 'fierce' sounding.]

I'll be glad to help in any way that you'll let me, with them. I can manage that.

[He hasn't been able to return to proper training yet, and it's been frustrating. He's had to work hard to just strengthen himself enough to just walk around like normal, ugh.]

[circleprodigy]

I agree about the names, but I am also suspecting that we will be vastly outnumbered. Getting our hopes up about it is probably not wise.

[She sighs, though not just about that.]

How alert are you? If you're distracted by pain, or your reaction time is off, it could result in dire consequences.

[in_death_sacrifice]

Surely there are people with some clever names out there. Even if it's just for this set, we'll still have at least some legendary names which will fit well into the songs...

[Even if Potato deserves her own song, by his estimation, but he's a little biased.]

I'm well enough to help with the basics. Grooming and feeding and such. I... may have gone to see Potato the other day. I- I had to! We've missed each other so terribly...

[circleprodigy]

I...can't fault you there, Kain. I've felt the same about her, honestly. Grooming and feeding is fine, just wait on riding -especially solo- until you've the strength for it.

[And he'd better be honest about that strength, if he knows what's good for him.]

[in_death_sacrifice]

I figured you might understand. I'm perfectly safe around her, and the others, for that matter. Even if she... sort of knocked me over out of enthusiasm, when she saw me.

[He isn't eager to add that he'd struggled to simply get up, not too thrilled with how weak he still is.]

For now, just being near her is enough.

[circleprodigy]

I know, but I would still prefer to be there at the very least. If she becomes too enthusiastic, I can attempt to distract her.