Of Patience

[atalanazhyra]

Atalana Zhyra glided into the Breeding Forest, flying low and fast, skimming the grass. She spotted a clump of bushes and dove behind them. Poking her beak into the brush, she peered out across the forest. She was here, not to find a mate, nor to find a flock to join, but just to find someone, anyone; a friend.

Of course, one might think that hiding in the underbrush was a rather bad approach to finding a friend, but Atalana Zhyra had a reason. She didn't want anyone to think that she was actually here for a mate. Of course, she could always refuse if any male did happen to ask to be her mate, but she didn't want to take even the slightest chance of being force-bred, and for that reason she had decided to only reveal herself if a femme were to arrive.

So while she waited patiently for someone to show up, she set about preening her feathers. She might be in for quite a long wait.

[selendrile]

Selendrile noticed a shape skimming the ground and he went to investagate he landed in the clearing and looked around. "hello, is any here?"

[bethany]

Phoenix also landed in the clearing her five hatchlings riding upon her back. She set one wing down and they all slide off and she stood pver them seeing the male and heard rustling in the brush not knowing it was a femme she avioded the male as she walked over to the bush and poked her head in then her hatchlings did so as well all smiling at the fae they saw"Hi!"they all chirped in with their baby voices"Shush! Well hello and we meet again Atlanta and I'm hoping you arent here for a mate right?"She watched the male keeping her hatchlings safe under her winged bodice then she nudged them into the bush and followed them by going around the bush and sitting next to Atlanta flicking her tiger tail awaiting an answer

[atalanazhyra]

Atalana looked at Phoenix's hatchlings and smiled. Perhaps one day she would have some of her own. Turning her gaze back to the new mother, she said, Congratulations on your hatchlings. You must be very proud. She glanced back out into the clearing at the male who stood there. No, I'm not here for a mate, just to find a friend. She shrugged. And I didn't want to take the chance of being force-bred, so I hid here. She grinned at Phoenix. Apparently I need to work on that, if you found me so easily.

[bethany]

"I heard you rustled with the leaves while you were landing. And thank you for noticing my hatchlings three girls and two boys but Animus is no longer here to see them"Phoenix took off the present she had made for Animus the ten red rubies shining in the suns rays she was sad but she had five hatchlings to take care of

[atalanazhyra]

The grin fell from her face. I'm so sorry, she whispered. She wondered whether Phoenix knew what had happened to Animus, but she didn't ask. Instead she looked at the necklace of rubies and nudged it with a talon. She was holding her own ruby, that was really the red moonstone, in the talons of her left foreleg, trying her best to keep it hidden. That's beautiful. Did you make it? she asked, looking into Phoenix's eyes.

[bethany]

"it was surposed to be for Animus but he never came back so I wear it it keeps his spirit with me as long as I wear it and I rarely ever take it off"Phoenix put it back on"Its just to bad that they will never see their father"She watched as Animus(the hatchling was named after his ffather)played tackle with Ashen

[selendrile]

Selendrile failing to see Phoenix land he took off and headed back to there he was. "hum... I must be seeing thing."

[atalanazhyra]

She watched the male fly away, apparently thinking no one was here, then turned back to Phoenix. Glancing at two of the hatchlings--males--who were tackling each other, she said, So two of them are males and three are females, right? What are their names?

[bethany]

Phoenix picked up Ashen and set him before her breaking up the fight"This is Ashen the biggest of the males and the other one is Animus after his father"She she gently picked up Rainbow and she woke up with a squeak of fright then settled feeling her mothers comfort"This is Rainbow shes the smallest of all five, and this is Tiger the alpha hatchling" he didnt pick up Tiger but she picked up Love"and this is Graceful Love but just Love for short"She smiled as the hatchlings sat by her proudly but Ashen laid back his wings and lowered his head from being pulled away from his brother and he was winning to

[atalanazhyra]

She laughed softly as Ashen sulked. How she wanted hatchlings of her own, but she didn't think she was ready for that quite yet. Soon, soon, she promised herself.

Well, I can see you're going to have your claws full with these five, she remarked. Especially without a father to help.... Her voice trailed off. She could have kicked herself. She had wanted to avoid bringing that subject up again. She cleared her throat and looked away hastily. Hopefully Phoenix wouldn't take it the wrong way.

[bethany]

Phoenix laid down settling her wings over top her babys"Yes I know but I'm looking for another female to help me and i knew that you were open and I was wondering if you would like to help me with them"She fought back tears of the lose of her mate but controlled them as she waited for a reply from Atlanta.

[atalanazhyra]

Atalana blinked at Phoenix a few times before she found her voice. Phoenix wanted her help? She would have hatchlings. They wouldn't be her own, but that didn't matter to her. This was almost a dream come true. Really? she asked. She looked again at the five little gryphons. Of course I'll help. Just then something occurred to her. Where will you--I mean we--live then?

[bethany]

"In Animuses old land of course I wouldn't give it to anybody else unless Animus came back and told me to do so"She started picking uo her hatchlings and setting them on her back and waited for Atalana

[atalanazhyra]

All right then, she said cheerfully. Do you want me to take one of the little ones? You'd be able to fly easier that way.