Complete Private ✪ Stokbon On a Wing and with Flair

[Bluebird]

Bluebird's tittering whistle could barely be heard over the hubbub of Stokbon's streets, but there was certainly missing the bright blue beastfolk leaping from roof to roof as the wind carried her above the foot traffic. A satchel bounced off her side, while her claws clacked loudly across shingles and railings.

Today, Bluebird was working. There was more to being Starcalled than adventure and expeditions - there was also the little menial things, because even in this world there was a need for money. But even work in Terrasphere was more fulfilling than her own endless touring - and courrier work most of all. How could she not smile when someone received a package they had long awaited, or a letter from a distant friend? It made her heart flutter with warmth every time she did it.

This time, she was carrying a literal mixed bag - clothes and writing material from a general purpose store that specialized in mail-order in imitation of real-world companies. Low priority, but no less important than anything else - though she always spent a little time puzzling over her packages, wondering what the person on the other end would be like...

She stopped on a rooftop, perching on the edge as she pulled out her map. This was the apartment, and the instructions noted to knock on the side door. With a last whistle she dropped down into the alley, taking a moment to straighten up her clothes and feathers before she knocked on the door and called out in a clear and singsong tone.

Greetings~! Delivery for @Kyra Vashtana!

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra Vashtana

220 / 220

Something had dropped by the window, a small clicking sound as it landed on the stonework outside, barely notable over the many other sounds of the city that seemed to hover on the edge of Kyra's senses. She was just standing to check, when a soft knock followed by a singsong voice carried into the apartment.

The puzzlement still on her face, she glided to the door, pulling it open gently as she glanced outside. Before her stood a blue-haired woman who, for all intents and purposes, somehow reminded Kyra of a bird. Her eyes glanced beyond the girl, searching the ground around the person for...well, something.

"Oh...uhm, thanks. Uh...hi, I'm Kyra. Do I need to...err...sign anything? Or...?"

Her eyes once again looked over the person in front of her, before returning to her search. Something had fallen, she'd been sure of it. Why wasn't it there, though?

"Hey...weird question, but did you see something on the ground when you came up to the door? Like anything that appeared to have fallen?"

She was starting to wonder if she wasn't losing her mind - lack of sleep and staring into a book constantly could do that to a person, given enough time. Still...

She glanced again at the girl, her eyes squinting slightly as she studied her for the first time. She saw the satchel on the side of their body, a clear indication of the courier position they'd taken. Something about the girl smelt...different, somehow. Kyra's tail stopped moving behind her, as she focused more on the girl, leaning forward ever so slightly as she did so, her eyes and ears honing in.

@Bluebird

 

[Bluebird]

Bluebird blinked, then nodded in response to Kyra's question.

Ah, yes! Just a moment!

She reached into her satchel, pulling out a little notebook. The pages looked more like a ledger, filled with signatures from previous customers. She held out a pencil and tapped an empty space with a pen, then held both out to Kyra.

Your name and signature, if you will?

Once the notebook was in Kyra's hands, Bluebird started the process of pulling the package out of her inventory. She crouched down, eyes fixed on the ground as the brown paper-wrapped package appeared at her feet. With a little huff she picked it up, then titled her head at Kyra's second question.

Something falling from above- ah! My apologies! That would be the sound of me landing!

She fluttered her wings as she balanced the box. Sometimes she forgot that people didn't expect things to come from above. Even she hadn't been one to look up before the sky had become more than distant firmament.

You see, I am one practiced in the art of flight - I suppose you could say that I am a deliverer of 'air mail'! It allows me to deliver packages swiftly and safely.

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra Vashtana

220 / 220

She quickly dashed the pencil across the page, writing her name and signing in a handwriting that signified someone who was used to doing such a thing, before starting to hand the book back. Her movements stalled, however, as she caught sight of the wings, her eyes going wide and her tail standing straight out behind her suddenly.

"Are those wings? Like actual wings? Did you say you can fly?! Like actually fly? Like a bird?! I didn't even know that was an option! How? How do you do it? Wait- are you a birdfolk, then? That explains the smell! Oh, that's awesome! And a courier too! That's...was that on purpose? Oh, and the whole flying thing, how do the wings carry you? I mean, bodily weight and all that. Do you have hollow bones like a real bird would? How long can they keep you aloft? Does it use up your actual energy?"

The questions began pouring out of Kyra, the package almost forgotten at her feet as she turned her entire attention towards the courier. She'd begun leaning closer and closer, bending at the waist like some weird anime character as she tried to take in everything. Her nose twitched as she sniffed at the girl, and the ears atop her head quivered constantly, as if a tell of her intense excitement.

"Being a birdfolk would you say-ohwaitairmail, ha! I get it now!"

She suddenly doubled over in a giggling fit as the joke seemed to finally connect for her. For a few moments, she continued - laughing so hard she seemed oblivious to the world, before she managed to stand up again, holding her sides in pain as she spasmed out a few final giggles.

"Okay...I'm...I'm good now...I think. That was funny though...you should definitely consider comedy club alongside courier...or a mixture of the two."

Wiping away tears that had begun with the laughter, Kyra straightened herself upright, leaning against the door frame slightly as she eyed the other Starcalled - the package appearing at their feet had confirmed that much to her.

"Okay...so, how do you manage to fly, anyways?"

@Bluebird

 

[Bluebird]

Bluebird stiffened, leaning back in parity with Kyra's leaning forward to sniff her. She was suddenly glad for the package standing between her and the other woman - it was a makeshift barrier, but better than nothing. And if she had to, she could simply fly from this place faster than the other could run.

Still, she put on a polite smile as the woman began to laugh. At least she was the sort to like jokes, and that always made it a little easier.

You certainly have a lot of questions! My wings assist me with flight, but they are far too small to carry me alone. You see...

She stepped back a little, and then whistled sharply. A gust of wind suddenly whipped down the alley, just strong enough to ruffle fur and feathers both. A faint sparkle was left in the wind's wake, though it quickly faded as Bluebird put her arms behind her back.

I have the wind to carry me! Though my wings and nature do make it far easier for me to ride it - for others it seems to be a far more tiring process..

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra Vashtana

220 / 220

She stood, stunned for a moment as she watched the other's feathers ruffle ever so gentle in the summoned wind. Time seemed to stretch on as Kyra's mind raced, the thoughts almost melding together. Then, suddenly, she was able to speak a single, short question.

"How?"

Her excited nature had already calmed slightly, allowing her to focus on the social norms required at the present moment. She straightened up as she realised that the other girl had begun to lean away from her, an understandable reaction to say the least.

"Oh, sorry about that...I get a little bit excited sometimes."

She grinned a bit self-consciously as she tucked her hands behind her back, before glancing down. The package was still sitting on the steps between them, and for a moment Kyra wondered if she shouldn't do something about that. Kneeling, she lifted the piece - it was far heavier than it looked, and she was amazed it hadn't caused the courier any further problems just moving it - before dumping it on the small cot on the other side of the room.

"Okay so, how did you do that? The thing with the wind. I'm assuming it's some sort of magic, right? Manipulation of air currents or something? Or is it something more subtle? The whistling...is it something about the manipulation of sound in order to adjust the flow of the air around your body?"

She was getting excitable again, this time bouncing on her toes as she spoke - her tone quickly picking up speed as she began rapid firing her questions again.

@Bluebird

 

[Bluebird]

Bluebird blinked. For a brief moment she was able to look into the little apartment - and how curious it was, that they had apparently chosen to acquire such a thing, rather than simply resting in an inn or a traveler's stable. Not that it was her place to tell people what they should or should not spend their money on, but it was interesting nonetheless.

Ah, yes, it is magic. In my case, it is Aeromancy, but controlled with Harmonic Magic. It is a convenient combination - melodies are easier for me to remember than those long chants.

She had the smile and tone of a person answering questions after a presentation. It was a safe face to put forward against this highly enthusiastic woman.

I cannot say I understand its intricacies, though. I know only that my song calls the wind, and the wind carries me so long as I have the breath to call it. It is... well, magic!

She smiled weakly. It wasn't an impressive sort of explanation, but it was the best she had. She hoped it would be enough.

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra Vashtana

220 / 220

Kyra's ears twitched again as she listened to the explanation. It was certainly an interesting combination - the harmonics used to pull forth the control of air. Almost on instinct, the purple leather bound book appeared in her hand, a pen scratching across the pages as she began taking notes. Without looking up from the book, she began mumbling more questions, pausing just long enough to hear the responses so that she could mark them in her books.

"So you use the harmonics to essentially whistle the magics into being? Does it work with all your other magical abilities? Assuming you have some others, sorry."

She glanced up for a brief second as she provided her apology, before turning back to her notes. She glanced over them quickly, before considering something that held her attention far more than anything else.

"Aeromancy, right? That's like...magical control over the air? Can...can you show me a bit about it? Nothing fancy, but just something basic...I'm...kind of interested in seeing it."

She gave a slightly hesitant smile at the other, fluttering her eyes a bit in an attempt to try and make her request more appealing.

@Bluebird

 

[Bluebird]

Bluebird watched curiously as Kyra brought out her tome. Magic was such a... normal thing in this world, especially for a Traveler. Learning it was more a choice than a challenge, and using it was only as difficult as you wished it to be. Seeing someone treating it so seriously was different than she was used to.

Ah, well... I suppose I have some time before I should return with this receipt, but... I suppose I can give you a small demonstration.

She took off her satchel and set it aside, then stepped back a few feet to make room. The alley would make it easier in some ways and more difficult in others, but flight wasn't too difficult anymore. She inhaled deeply, spreading her wings and flaring her tail, and let loose a long and warbling whistle.

Wind swirled around her in response, fluttering her clothes as it lifted her slowly in the air. The subtle adjustments needed to hover in place were natural now, and soon she was suspended a foot into the air. There she remained, until her breath began to flag and she gently lowered herself to the ground.

Though I do not have to use music to manipulate my spells, I find it easier to do so. My ability to fly through the air in particular - though I can only do so for as long as I have breath. I can also create sharper gusts to attack, and I hear of some who can even manipulate lightning - though I have yet to learn that art.

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra Vashtana

220 / 220

Kyra was in awe, watching as the other manipulated the very air around them, describing everything that they could do with the magic. Her mind was numb, for once, as a single thought occurred to her. She raised her left hand slowly, the first two fingers straight up while the remainder curled inwards, her mouth opening slowly as she considered the best way to ask her question.

"So...you can like...control the air, right? Like you manipulate the actual air around you, in a way that you can control how it...affects you? So...would it be possible to like...manipulate the air in such a way that it...err...well...in a way that it caused certain things to like...blow in the wind? Like...could you make the air cause your...clothing...or say, your hair...to blow? Like if you were using a fan, or something?"

Her face had flushed slightly at the suggestion, hoping that her idea was too obvious. She'd doubted that the other would care - I mean they didn't even know Kyra, so why would they take any offence to the question - but something about it seemed almost offensive, in a way.

@Bluebird

 

[Bluebird]

Bluebird covered a smile as Kyra worked her way through her questions. She was enthusiastic, if nothing else - not someone who felt dangerous, for certain. Though she did seem like the sort who could overwhelm her with questions if things went too long.

Well, she had a good excuse to leave if that happened. There were benefits to having a job here in Terrasphere.

"I can make the wind move in all the ways one would expect wind to blow normally, yes. And in some ways it wouldn't. However, the more air I attempt to move, the more difficult it becomes, and heavier things are more draining than lighter things. It is why I cannot fly for long, even if my breath holds."

She shrugged with a soft smile.

"It cannot be helped - even a place as fantastical as Terrasphere must follow its own laws, however different they may be.

...you are quite interested in this, it seems. Are you thinking of learning the art of aeromancy?"

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra Vashtana

220 / 220

Even a place as fantastical as Terrasphere must follow its own laws. It was logical, in a way. Every world had basic laws, and if Terrasphere was anything like the real world, it had laws of gravity and basic environmental requirements that would need to be maintained. Limitations, even with magic.

"Yeah...yeah even this world has limitations...magic may be powerful, but it's not all-powerful...even it has limitations...it makes sense, in a way. Imagine a world where there were no restrictions? That would be chaos..."

Kyra nodded as the girl asked about her interest in aeromancy. The more she saw of it, the more interested she was in its capabilities. It didn't give any sort of edge on healing, at least no immediate edge that she could see, and yet...yet somehow she found that it was appealing, in a way. Interesting to her in the sense that it gave...freedom.

"Yeah...yeah I would say that I am interested in learning about aeromancy. Maybe even mastering it one of these days! I mean, it's outside of my normal skill set, but it's definitely something that provides...well, almost like a sense of freedom - that old ideology about the freedom of the air, and all that..."

She grinned suddenly, considering the idiom. She'd never been a fan of those things, and yet it seemed fitting in this situation. Almost perfectly so.

"You...wouldn't happen to be interested in...teaching me a bit? Nothing intense, just a...just a bit of an introduction...a way to get started, so to speak? I can pick up a lot of it on my own, once I know where to start from..."

@Bluebird​

 

[Bluebird]

"Teaching...?"

Bluebird blinked, face blank. She had never really taught anyone, not since those days in the compound, and that was for simple things like weeding or religion. And while she did her lectures now, that was less "teaching" and more "informing".

She tapped the side of her face with one finger, looking thoughtful.

"I cannot say I know how to teach magic... all I have learned has come from the system. Do you... not do the same?"

Could you learn that way? She has always assumed everything had to be done through that little menu, telling her the words to say or the motions to make. The idea of... seeking out a teacher seemed strange. Could you even perform such magic without the system to pave the way?

"I suppose I could try, but... would it not be easier to use the system? Even if you do not let it cast for you, it is as useful as any spellbook might. Surely it could teach you far better than I could!

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra Vashtana

220 / 220

Kyra's ears wiggled in response, and a blank look crossed her face for a few moments as she seemed to glaze over in thought. Suddenly, a gasp of recognition passed her lips, and an embarrassed smile spread across her face.

"Ooohh...you mean the UI, right? I uh...I don't really use it. All of the abilities that I have, I have...well...learnt....either from reading things in this world, such as books and teaching points and such...or I've come across them just general introduction. My scythe, for example..."

She waved a hand at the scythe that was tossed on the cot across the room, the chain looped around it gently.

"...I learnt to wield by just...well, using it. I...wasn't even really aware that you could use the UI for things like that...although I guess it makes sense, for those players that aren't super immersed."

She pondered the thought for a moment, before realising that the other girl was still standing there waiting, likely with other things to do. Kyra's ears wiggled again, and the same embarrassed smile returned.

"I mean...if you could just give some pointers about how it...feels?...to call upon the air-based magic. I mean I know that you use the whole whistle bit, but...does the aeromancy have a specific feeling inside you? Like a lightness, or..."

She had taken a step forward, in her excitement. Forcing herself backwards, she considered her next words, biting her lip slightly before stating her idea.

"For example...I use spirit magic for healing. And whenever I want to call upon it, I can close my eyes, and feel the connections with others, their essence, or soul, touching my own. I just...sort of reach out with my own soul and connect with those lines, and...sometimes there's phrases I say for the casting, sometimes it's just the release of the energy...the will of casting it..."

She'd closed her eyes as she'd described it, feeling the connection with the courier. She'd almost released the spell - a simple healing spell - before coming to the recognition of what she was doing. Carefully, but deliberately, she let go of the magic.

"Does...does your air magic have anything like that?"

@Bluebird​

 

[Bluebird]

"To learn through books and practice... you must spend quite some time within Terrasphere."

It was something Bluebird wouldn't mind doing herself, but reality ever hungered for her attention. So long as she had managers and schedules she had no way to escape into Terrasphere for the hours she would long to do so. Not without drawing attention to an activity that was, apparently, quite illegal.

"Such an interesting path to walk. I must admit, I find myself envious of your dedication!"

She smiled, wings fluttering as she brought her hands together. She could feel those tentative threads of magic probing at her, reaching into something that wasn't physical, but something more... it was something of a relief, feeling them withdraw.

"The feel of magic, you say..."

She looked down at her cupped hands. She took a breath - in, out, letting it whistle between her lips and swirl downwards above her palms. She closed her eyes and focused - really focused - on how it felt beyond the act of breath and song.

"...it is cold. Sharp, in a way."

Her voice fell into an odd cadence - a chant, rather than words. Beneath it thrummed the faint influence of Harmonic Magic, as if trying to draw Kyra into the same mindset.

"The sense you feel before a storm, the smell of thunder on a distant horizon. The wind that carries all things away, until naught is left but the bright emptiness of a blue sky..."

She paused, then shook her head, wings fluttering anxiously. The small tornado in her hand blew apart into nothing, and all sense of magic went with it. Bluebird looked up to Kyra, smiling sheepishly.

"It is... a complicated feeling. I'm sorry, I can't imagine that was very helpful..."

@Kyra Vashtana

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra Vashtana

220 / 220

She'd shied away from the compliment about her engagement in Terrasphere - unsure if it had entirely been a compliment. However, as the delivery girl had begun speaking, Kyra had listened intently, her hands mimicking the movements of Bluebird's own.

"The feel before the storm..."

She had whispered alongside the other as they explained the feeling, searching in herself for the same feelings that the delivery girl had tried to encompass, tried to introduce to Kyra. Her eyes had half-closed as she focused, trying to find it.

She barely noticed as the other spoke, apologising for what they felt was unhelpful. Kyra barely heard the words, sounding as if from a far off distance. A cold ran up her spine, the feeling similar to the first touches of winter, something she was far too familiar with.

"May the storm come from within, and release upon the world in a flash of great thunder..."

The small burst of air was just enough to cause Kyra's hair to bounce in place - indistinguishable if she hadn't been so focused on feeling it. The following yelp of surprise, and then yips of excitement erupted from her almost instantly.

"I did it! I think I did it! I mean it wasn't much! But I think! I felt it! The cold! The cold before the storm! The way the winds inside blow! The...the touch of the ocean spray! Amazing! So amazing!"

She was bounding on the spot as she spoke, her tail wagging behind her in an almost frenzied manner as her words spilled out quickly. She smiled at the delivery girl, her excitement overwhelming her even considering the small amount of success - if it could even be called that.

@Bluebird​

 

[Bluebird]

Bluebird's eyes widened in surprise as the wind began to rise, and not by her own hand. She could feel it shifting her feathers and brushing against her own awareness, a magic similar but unlike her own. It had worked!

"Oh, I felt that! Congratulations!"

The woman's bouncing excitement was infectious - she raised a hand to cover her giggle. It was... cute in a way! Like watching an excited puppy, but as a person.

"It is rather unique, is it not? But all magic is. The hum of Harmonics, the touch of the stars... I've yet to learn the full depth of what I know, but there is no better practice than use.

She hummed to herself, rocking back and forth on her talons.

"And who knows! Perhaps next time, it will be you teaching me! You seem to have more than enough determination to master the art!

How long had Bluebird been here? She glanced upwards at the crawl of the sun - not long, but certainly longer than she had planned. It wouldn't be long before she began to receive concerned messages regarding her absence...

"In fact, I hope you do not mind me sending you a friend request - that way we can ensure that second meeting arrives! For as much as I would like to linger, I still have deliveries to perform."

She bowed slightly as in in apology, then made the gestures...

Notice

Bluebird sent you a friend request.

 

[Siondhe]

Kyra Vashtana

220 / 220

The request appeared in her face, startling Kyra. She wasn't used to using the UI much, and the few things that did pass through all the lock-downs that she had in place, was the requests that came from friend invites, or party requests. Each time they did appear, it always took her by surprise - she often found herself forgetting that such a system even existed in many cases.

"Oh! Yes! Yes yes yes! Absolutely yes!"

She hummed as she carefully pressed the accpet button with enthusiasm, sending the notification of acceptance back to the other. She bounced on her toes again, smiling broadly at the new friend she'd made.

"I can't remember if I ever introduced myself, but my name's Kyra! Kyra Vashtana...it's a pleasure to meet you, Bluebird! And thank you for all the help with learning Aeromancy! I'm definitely going to practice some more, and then maybe one day you and I will meet again and compare what we've found - perhaps even share notes on ways we can affect things!"

She paused suddenly, remembering for the first time why the girl had arrived at her place. She gave a sheepish smile, realising that she'd stolen far more time than she should've.

"Thank you...for taking the time out of your day to show me this. I hope we see each other again, soon! And stay safe!"

She waited for the girl to head off, before closing the door behind her, turning her attention back to her studies, a soft wind continuously billowing about her hair, causing it to almost float around her head.

@Bluebird​