crystal;

[notathreat]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Ellie
RECIPIENT: All y'all
NOTES: N/A

Hey, guys. It's Ellie. Uh, acting Griffon keeper for the next couple of months. And since we've got a lot of new people joining, I was thinking- it might be intimidating to just go up to the Aerie and introduce yourself to the griffons alone.

They're mostly just big babies, but I know they don't look like it.

[Also, said babies can take off an arm if they feel like, but details.]

Riftwatch has some griffon riders who take good care of them, but they have favorite people they bond with and a lot of them don't have anybody special.

So if you want to come up and meet them, let me know and I'll introduce you. And if anybody's interested in learning to ride -- griffons or horses, or whatever else is in the stables, I can teach you that too.

[ooc; Griffon riding is an AC Reward that can be purchased here until the system is updated! It can be done without threading with Ellie or anyone else about it, but if you want to thread it out heyo]

Comments

[laruetheday]

Yeah, if you've ever thought to yourself, "I want to ride a horse, except the horse can fly, and also, the horse is a carnivore who screams in my face and tries to rip my limbs off my body on a regular basis," griffon riding is for you.

[ she's here to help ]

[notathreat]

[STOP HELPING]

The limbs thing was like one time. Get the bacon out of your pocket faster and you won't have a problem.

[laruetheday]

And the screaming thing?

[obdurata]

I don't teach, but I can help introduce.

( joselyn quite enjoys griffon-riding, though she's had to remember to strictly pare down her love trinkets before heading up there. )

[notathreat]

Any advice to share for the new guys?

[obdurata]

Confidence is key. It's about being firm, but respectful of the animal.

[sprent]

(Curiously,) I've never ridden a griffon before. You aren't scared of bein' that high up?

[notathreat]

Only the first couple of times. Now, no. Artie wouldn't let me fall.

[sprent]

Because you're friends, (she supplies,) so it's important to find one that likes you first...

(Maybe griffon riding is not for her.)

[heorte]

I can help out with instruction, if you find yourself with your hands full.

[notathreat]

Thanks Ellis. I know you don't do company, [said with unbothered acceptance,] but I'm working on getting a few of these guys groomed, if you want to make an oversized chicken's day.

[degenere]

'Acting', for this 'couple' of months? Meaning you will soon choose to act in a different role?

[notathreat]

Maybe? I don't know, I kinda like it. And I spend a lot of time up here or at the stables anyway. Why?

[pathlit]

[ Yeah, okay. A flying carnivorous screaming horse prone to violence doesn't sound like the standard definition of a good idea, but-- ]

I'm in! Jayce. Jayce Tal-- [ Hm, but that doesn't mean jackshit here. ] --nnnevermind, just Jayce. Anyway, I'd like to meet them.

[notathreat]

[See, this guy's fun. Imagine knowing there's creatures with wings you can fly on and not being even a little bit curious. Please.]

Hi, Just Jayce. I'm just Ellie.

Do you know your way to the aerie? It's the tower with the big holes for flying in and out of. I can meet you there, if you're free.

[portalling]

Oh, good, you’re saving me the trouble of putting up a needy personals ad asking for a trainer.

I’d like to learn.

[notathreat]

Cool, I was wondering if you'd be one of the people interested.

[Stephen has never struck her as anyone afraid of heights, but the research folks tend to be hit and miss about getting away from the lab.]

When can you come up?

[youwonscience]

[A little bit wry:]

Is there a position open for providing griffon enrichment here in Kirkwall only? I don't mind the idea of flying on its own, but if we did superlatives in Riftwatch, pretty sure I'd get "most likely to get captured and/or injured on any give field mission" without any trouble.

[notathreat]

I mean, I'm sure they'd enjoy being flown around even if it's just over the city, or the water. I'm also sure that if you wanna volunteer for griffon-grooming duty then they'll adore you.

And I'm sure it's not that bad.

[hornswoggle]

Are we providing griffon matchmaking services as well now?

[notathreat]

... as well?

Oh, the Hangman thing- no. Not really. Maybe?

i'm late.

[soulrot]

I am glad the griffons are doing so well here.

[ If Ellie has had the privilege of meeting someone from the Anderfels, she'll recognize the accent, which in turn might explain the vaguely possessive tone to that statement. At least partly. ]

I would like to learn, when you have time.

love you anyway

[notathreat]

Easy access to both the mountains and goat sausage helps.

[Ellie's unfamiliar with the accent except in passing, and she can't place it, but he's thankfully easy enough to understand. She's wary of the tone, but mostly that comes from this voice belonging to a stranger.]

I'm here now. Whenever you're ready come on up.

[evervescent]

Is it easier to learn horseback first, or should I just throw caution to the wind and try the griffons?

[ GET IT, throw caution to the wind? Okay, he's not good at jokes in any way but it's An Attempt. ]

[notathreat]

[A low guffaw. Dude's got jokes. Well, one. And it's bad. Which can absolutely be a plus in her book.]

Try to learn horseback first. And horses first. That way if you get thrown, it's a lot easier to get back in the saddle again.

[Haha.]

I can teach you if you want. Did they hook you up with boots?