"The Right to Walk Tall" Log Date: 5/19/00 Log Cast: Faanshi, Cynara, Anagu, Prying-Eagle Log Intro: [OOC Note: This log takes place not long after "Mercy Goes Not Unseen", the previous log on my logs page.] The last week or so has been a strange one indeed for the shudra healer Faanshi, featuring two encounters with an affable and apparently mightily rash young Sylvan, one encounter with a vaisya artisan, and one encounter this very morning from a kshatri Kanya priestess -- all of whom, so far as Faanshi is concerned, have shown an inordinate amount of interest in her. Granted, she _did_ heal the Imphadi Prying-Eagle, but for the life of her the maiden cannot figure out why the Imphadi Saleem wished to take the time to speak to her or why he was interested in her motives for venturing into Bordertown to heal people who are not Varati. Only slightly less astonishing is the interest of the Imphada Roxana; although Faanshi cannot be surprised at an Ushasti woman wishing to minister to the lowly and downtrodden, Faanshi _is_ astonished that Roxana wishes to do it _with her_. This puzzling week, and this puzzling day in particular, is not quite over. Still stunned by the morning worship ceremony she has been permitted to attend and by the conversation she has had with the Kanya, needing time to reflect upon the request that has been made of her, Faanshi has set out on her daily walk through Bordertown -- not yet aware that there's one more person wishing to question her on her motives for her activities, and that a certain Sylvan isn't done making appearances in her vicinity either... *===========================< In Character Time >===========================* Time of day: Afternoon Date on Aether: Friday, July 2, 3906. Year on Earth: 1506 A.D. Phase of the Moon: Waning Crescent Season: Summer Weather: Clouds Temperature: Comfortable *==========================================================================* This day, to be sure, has been full of surprises -- and even as Faanshi makes her way into Bordertown this afternoon with her ever-loyal hound loping along in doggish contentment at her side, the maiden hopes tiredly that she won't have too many more surprises in store. The privilege of being permitted to participate in the songs of praise sung to Ushas that morning was one thing -- but one of Ushas' own priestesses wishing to come _with_ her into Bordertown _and_ have an armed escort is another thing entirely. Now that she is out with no company but Kosha, Faanshi has had the opportunity to admit to a surge of dismay and confusion. In a way, in her heart, she has begun to think of Bordertown as... hers, almost. A place to which she can escape and have a kind of freedom... even if she tells herself that her purpose is to uphold the surahs and do good for those who need her most. How many Mongrels will talk to her, if she must venture into their streets and for their front doors with a kshatri maiden at her side and an armed warrior to watch over them both? How many more Empyreans will sneer at her -- if indeed they bother to notice her when a noble maiden and her armed protector must assuredly command more attention? How many Sylvans will remain in the protection of the green growing places of Haven? _Sylvans,_ she thinks bemusedly as she hurries along. There's another surprise she's had to muse upon, these last few hectic days, a Sylvan who's seemed kind and friendly and who uttered the most unusual things, a Sylvan she half-hopes she might espy again somewhere in Haven... if only to find out whether he seems so much like her as she'd thought. Her mind and her heart full and distracted, Faanshi hurries along the street, only half her attention upon the path she's taking to the house of the Mongrel Joseph and his sizeable -- and poverty-stricken -- family. Anagu wanders in from the east along Fairway. Anagu has arrived. Well, guess what, Faanshi, your day is not yet over! There are several healers who wander the border town streets these days, most of whom happen to be students of the winged woman who was branded and thrown out of the Delphi several years ago. And while Faanshi might have come to think of Border town as her own, there is another who has laid the same claim, and therefore takes a good deal of interest in another who is so brave or perhaps foolish, as to wander these darkened streets alone and offer her unbranded services to those within what Cynara considers her realm. Having had scouts set upon the streets, the Empyrean has just been alerted to the fact that Faanshi has been seen once again on the streets of this side of town. And so, dear halfbreed, here comes she comes to meet you. Flanked by two large men and a rather small one, all dressed in mismatched clothes and odd sorts of armor, Cynara strides down the road in Faanshi's direction. Her wings are held tightly to her back, and her head is high, the brand easily covered by a curtain of golden hair. Upon her raised arm sits a large falcon with fierce yellow eyes. Caught up in her thoughts as the halfbreed maiden is, she lags as she often does behind her hound in seeing figures headed for her. Kosha yips -- if the noise of surprise that emerges gruffly from his sizeable throat can be properly called a 'yip' -- and then skitters sideways a bit. As far as the dog is concerned, people in general of whatever racial flavor are unremarkable. But look. there's a BIRD. He yips gruffly at it again, more loudly, and now Faanshi _does_ look up, surprised into halting. What? Do they want he--Ushas. Green eyes find Cynara swiftly before their gaze dips again in involuntary habitual shyness, and the young healer begins to step aside, expecting that the Domina and her escorts are on their way past her. Hoping, perhaps. But she does not say that, oh no. The anguished sun floats harsh against the Western blue, broken on occasion by the thick roil of clouds. Yet, even though the sky is fraught with the summer's lack of placidity, the air is smooth and sweet. The smell of unwashed bodies from the Rialto and the ancient stone is muted by a subtle breeze, which slides against the skin like so many silken sheets. Not that the denizens of this part of the city could mark the comparison--they would not know the feel of such rich fabric. They just revel in the reprieve from the summer sun's beating rays. And into the street, from one of the many alleys that knit the tapestry of Bordertown, stumbles Anagu. The young Varati glances over his shoulder, as though concerned that he is being followed. Upon seeing the halfbreed before him, he stops, his eyes narrowing to slits. And, seeing the Empyrean and her escort a distance away, he sidles into the shadows with practiced ease. He watches the situation developing before him. Alecto, the falcon, dips his head a little lower at the sound from the dog and eyes him with a bright yellow gaze. The second sound he makes is returned with a sharp, reprimanding or perhaps warning, squawk. The Empyrean woman does not seem to notice the exchange, her cool blue eyes focused only on Faanshi. She draws to a halt just a few paces before the girl and waits a moment or two for the girl to look up once more. "Ave... Faanshi, right?" Asks the warmthless voice of the winged woman. "Yes, domina... Ave." Faanshi's voice is equally without warmth -- but unlike that of Cynara, it holds no tone of command, no self-assurance. It is instead the voice of a servant, almost without inflection. She who leads the Outcasts must wait a trifle longer it seems, though, for the girl in Clan Khalida's red and blue and gold does not look up. Rather she goes still where she stands, slender sungolden hands clasping nervously at her breast, and after a moment she gives a small bow over them, appending, "Namaste'." At her side, far more brave of eye than she, the dog bristles slightly at that noise from the falcon; Kosha knows a fellow predator when he sees one, and it seems that for the time being, the big canine has decided that Alecto will receive the fullest measure of his attention. After all, if a rat that rightfully is HIS prey comes along, this feathered creature might decide to try to STEAL it. Alecto would most certainly take whatever rat he found within the area. It is -his- area, as is the rest of the world in his opinion. For the bird most certainly reflects the arrogance of his mistress in every way. His sharp yellow eye returns the dog's regard in returned anomosity, holding himself low upon Cynara's arm. Cynara looks over Faanshi a moment, the men behind her silent and looking in other directions. A wrinkle comes to her blonde brows as the other healer does not look up. "Namaste." she corrects herself casually. Of course, the girl fancies herself Varati rather than halfbreed. "I have heard of your deeds among the Bordertown people and I saw you with Prying-Eagle the other day. I thought perhaps we should talk." Cool, the voice my be, but it lacks no politeness. For a heartbeat Faanshi knows a surge of fear. One noblewoman has already expressed interest in her doings among the Mongrels today -- and it seems to the maiden that _this_ woman carries a far stronger potential to bring change to what small deeds she has been able to accomplish in the poorest part of Haven. While her dog engages in his staredown with the raptor upon the branded healer's arm, she swallows behind her veil and tries to clear her thoughts. Prying-Eagle's mention sets off a little start the girl can't entirely hide, veil or no veil, but on the whole her voice remains humbly polite as she answers, "As you wish, domina... I am at your disposal." And at least mentally, she composes a quick prayer that Joseph and his ailing mother will not mind if she is a little later than she'd hoped. The chill blue gaze of the winged woman rests upon Faanshi's head for a moment before she turns her head to one of the men behind her and murmurs something unintelligible to him. The man nods and then nods to the others and all of them back away, and take up different positions down the road. When they have moved out of hearing range, Cynara's voice softens slightly as she speaks to the other healer. "Do not be afraid to look me in the eye, Imphada. I occupy the same level in society's eye as you." Of course, below society is an entirely different matter, but she makes no mention of that. "Were you on your way to anywhere in particular just now, or merely walking the streets in search of those in need of your assistance?" There is a sort of testing in the last qualification of the question, but otherwise, the voice is not quite so cold and uncompromising as a moment ago. Faanshi is an innocent -- but she is certainly capable of drawing conclusions from what little she knows of the world. And what little she knows tells her that _she_ is a halfbreed, a servant, tolerated at best by the Children of Fire because their Queen happens to have succumbed to the impulse to permit a halfbreed chit to serve her. Cynara, on the other hand, is obviously pureblooded Empyrean even to Faanshi's relatively inexperienced eyes, and she must be a Lady, for men and women alike obey her. Branded the older woman might be, but a little corner of the shudra girl's mind niggles at the notion that a mark upon the brow might not make them so equal as Cynara's words might imply. But no, she is not stupid. And so she does not argue such a magnanimous remark, settling for murmuring instead, "There is a house... to which I was bound, Domina." And since she has been invited, she peeks hesitantly upward, leaf-green eyes coming back into better view above the blue veil. Anagu traipses along Border, heading south. Anagu has left. Cynara would not argue against the points made by Faanshi, should she make them aloud, so it is good that she does not. There is indeed a difference, however, this particular Empyrean would likely not point out that difference herself unless provoked. For now, the subject lays dormant. Lifting her brows a bit as the girl looks up, Cynara allows the corners of her lips to curve upward. "Very well, rather than keep you, I will walk with you, if you don't mind?" Though the tone itself assumes that she will not mind. The winged healer turns in the direction the other woman was heading and begins to walk. "You seemed quite tired from healing a rather small wound the other day, from what I understood. Were you not rested? Or had you already exhausted your magic on other things that day...?" she begins casually, stroking a finger down Alecto's chest. Indeed, Faanshi doesn't appear to be about to argue Cynara inviting herself along on her visit to the Mongrel family; if anything, the girl's only immediate reply is to whistle softly to Kosha, three breathy little notes that manage to seize his attention away from the bird. The big dog whines petulantly, not liking the notion of having to walk somewhere with That coming along, and in doggish sulkiness he slinks into place at his young mistress' heel as Faanshi uneasily falls into step along with the healer. That she should be addressed so conversationally by someone clearly her superior provokes another furtive peek over the veil. After a moment the maiden shyly replies, "The Imphadi Prying-Eagle was... the first healing I did that day. But he had crashed into a box... and his shoulder was broken in two places and the bone was out of place." Of any discomfort or loss of strength her work to mend the Sylvan might have caused her, she makes absolutely no mention. "I see." Comes the low reply. "I didn't think the injury was that bad. I saw no need to inspect your work. I was there when you saved Eric, if you remember, so I know that you are capable." She nods thoughtfully. Alecto shifts about upon her arm, trying to catch glimpses of the dog and keep him in sight. Eventually, the bird wanders up Cynara's arm and sits upon her shoulder, sharp talons digging into her bare flesh, but seemingly being unnoticed. "As I said, I have heard that you have been spending a good deal of time on the ...darker side of Haven, healing those who are beneath the notice of respectable society. Might I ask why you do this?" Glower. Glower glower glower. Kosha is a loyal dog, and where walks Faanshi there goeth he, or something like that at any rate -- but this doesn't mean he won't peer balefully around his beloved healer girl up at That Winged Thing up there. A sullen little rumbling, not quite a growl but more of a general noise of discontent, escapes him. At the moment, however, Faanshi doesn't appear to notice her four-footed companion's distress. A small shuddering breath escapes _her_ as Cynara asks her question, and for an instant she cannot help but wonder if she's been fated by Ushas to undergo the same experiences multiple times this week -- or at least to answer the same questions from apparently wildly unrelated individuals. But because the Imphadi Saleem has asked her this same thing over the last few days, and because the Imphadi Prying-Eagle and the Imphada Roxana have both unwittingly underscored the matter in Faanshi's mind, she's able to murmur a clear and sure response even if it's a shy one. "I heal here because I must, Domina--" A new fear strikes her, abruptly. Does Cynara wish her to _stop_? The arrogant Falcon no longer pays any mind to the land bound mutt. Holding his head high almost a reflection of Cynara's own posture. The muscle within Cynara's jaw twitches. Her gaze is straight ahead, in the direction they walk, but that muscle can be seen to give the vague impression of the blue lightning that has just flashed within the winged woman's eyes. "You must?" she challenges, though her voice remains even and calm, displaying no emotion. "And why -must- you? Were you told to do so, or is it a personal conviction that has come upon you?" Told? To heal Mongrels in Bordertown? Well, if you get down to the technicalities of it, both her former mistress and her current one _did_ express their wishes that she do this -- but Faanshi had decided to do it on her own even before she had official sanction, and so she cannot take refuge in the simple answer of 'Yes, I was ordered to do it.' Instead, she murmurs earnestly, "The holy surahs and my heart say that I must heal, Domina... and the People... the Varati... they do not often permit me to serve them with my magic. So I came out into Haven... I came... _here_." For a moment, she glances up about her, just enough to give a swift liquid glance to the dingy and shadowed architecture that surrounds her and her unexpected companion; she lifts a hand, too, as though she might wish to heal all of Bordertown with the brush of two sungolden fingertips. And then, perhaps embarrassed, perhaps simply painfully shy, she ducks hand and gaze downward again. Cynara manages quite well to keep the twisting from her lips at the mention of the holy surahs. Her demeanor is merely thoughtful, contemplating. There is no trace of disrespect in her tone as she murmurs, "I see... Tell then, healer, if you offer these people such a gift as you do, out of nothing more than the goodness of your heart and your own private sense of duty, why do you not hold your head higher when among them? Surely they know you are providing them with something invaluable. And though the Varati People as a whole might be displeased to know of your actions toward those they view as less than themselves, certainly you must know your own value to these people?" There is a true sense of wondering in her tone. It is your god-given right to walk tall, after all, you are a healer. Prying-Eagle travels along Border from the south. Prying-Eagle has arrived. The girl certainly would not, if she were asked, dispute that her magic is given her by the gods -- though she might have to ponder over which gods, exactly, where in charge of deciding that she would come into the world with the power she has, whether it be Ushas or Her consort Ashur Masad... or their son. Still, though, she has not been asked. And in the meantime she is stricken silent for several breaths, as she and the winged woman who has intercepted her this day make their way through the street. In the back of her mind the maiden notes the habit that some who pass them seem to have of giving Cynara and her falcon a wide berth, but most of her mind has seized up in involuntary reaction to that probing query. "I..." That little syllable comes out of Faanshi rather hoarsely, and it seems to cost her effort to frame the rest of her reply. "I am only a shudra, Domina..." But even as she utters this, the maiden stumbles over the words. It's a pat answer, an easy one, and she has to admit even to herself that a number of her Mongrel acquaintances have urged her time and again to look _up_ when she's talking to them. Alecto, the falcon on Cynara's arm lets out a warning squawk, just to remind the four-legged beast beside Faanshi, that he is still keeping an eye on him, then haughtily plucks at a misplaced feather. Cynara frowns at the response she hears and shakes her head, turning to look at Faanshi more closely. "Who is your teacher now, Faanshi?" She asks pointedly. But don't worry, the conversation will inevitably come back to the point Cynara was about to make. There may be a familiar face appearing to Cynara and Faanshi, somewhere further down on the street. Yes, it is that young, curious and reckless Sylvan again. This time, he is not running to, or from the two Healers.. Instead, he might be spotted, climbed up along a large wooden pole that's attached to one of the many helter-skelter houses of the border town.. Used for laundry perhaps.. He is slowly inching his way upwards towards the top of the pole.. For whatever stupid reason? Kosha grumble-growls sidelong up at the falcon, but by now has distracted himself with the need to not trip over Faanshi's sandaled feet as he follows along behind her, and for the need to keep an eye out for two things: 1) any passing Danger (which must be bitten), and 2) any passing Food (which must be eaten). A dog's got to have his priorities, you see. Not being a bird, however, Kosha doesn't tend to look up. And so at least for the moment he manages to miss the figure of the Sylvan shimmying his way up that pole. "Imphada FallingStar, the Sylvan," is Faanshi's answer to Cynara, in the meantime. Unsurprisingly, the halfbreed girl isn't looking up either -- though this time it's as much out of discomfort with the piercing blue attention levelled upon her as it is with this acute shyness that appears to plague her. Should have known. FallingStar. Cynara nods silently, pausing a bit in speaking before she returns to the subject at hand. "That's good, FallingStar is an apt teacher, and I'm sure she'll be even better now that her sight has been returned to her. She teaches some of my other students as well. However, the fact that you are a shudra among the -Varati- people does not mean that you do not have a gift that is revered and respected. Perhaps they have told you or made you think that you are less than they, but this is simply not true, and you've no reason to be so shy about yourself or your abilities. If you wish to heal as your heart tells you, you must appear confident or people will not trust you with their care, do you understand?" She lectures. Alecto suddenly flies from Cynara's arm and straight toward the Sylvan man on the pole. He recognizes him, of course, and decides to have a bit of fun at his expense. Lovely bird that he is. He floats high above the young man and then dives down toward him, just barely missing his head before ascening again to circle above him. Prying-Eagle slowly ascends the pole.. It takes effort you see.. What is it that he wants so much? Is he trying to reach a window, or trying to reach something at the top of the pole? The bird doesn't seem to change his strugging expression to a happy one. "Hey, get away!", he mutters to the bird, who he recognizes... But can't put a finger on exactly where from.. He shoots the bird a glare, making up rather well to the 'Eagle' part in his name. This is /my/ territory, birdie. The bird taking wing might catch Faanshi's attention -- if Cynara's offhand remark about FallingStar hadn't so thoroughly seized it already. Coming to a startled halt there on the side of the street, the maiden blurts out, "Her vision -- it is back...?" Ah, it seems that shell of humility and timidity _can_ be cracked, that there can burst from beneath it strong, fervent emotion. That can only be shock and joy in Faanshi's voice now, and that propels her hands up to where her mouth must be behind her veil in swift unconscious surprise. As Alecto has already silently pointed out to yon doggie, the world is -his- territory, big-ears, so he'll enjoy it as he pleases. Ascending high in the air again, completely undaunted by the warning or the glare, the falcon makes one more sweeping pass at Prying-Eagle's head then turns to land casually on the top of the pole. His head tilts to the side, yellow eye focusing on something atop the pole. With his sharp beak, he pokepokes at the little pouch there, and manages to get it loose. Clutching it in one sharp taloned claw, he squawks and lifts off into the air, prize taken, and flies toward his mistress. Cynara stops as Faanshi does and nods confidently. "Yes, I healed her recently." She smiles, "If you'll tell me which house you were heading towards, I will take care of the situation, if you'd like to go pay her a visit?" The branded one offers, then adds a condition, "But only if you promise to -try- and keep your head up when within my territory, hm?" Before the falcon can soar up in the air however, Prying-Eagle reaches the top of the pole, and with a sudden angry movement attempts to grab hold of Alecto's wing. "Since you can't read my looks.. This is /my/ pole! Get off, and let go!" Prying-Eagle angry? It's as if the eagle suddenly made him lose his temper completely, and it's sheer frustration and anger that's shining through his eyes. He looks well like he would want to tear the bird into peaces. "You healed--" That's all that Faanshi can utter, however, before the cry from the bird and then the cry from the young man cause the girl to look up in startlement. Also alerted by Alecto's taking wing, Kosha barks, deep and full-throated and resonant and just as happy to see the bird Up There instead of Down Here. For a moment or two Faanshi simply gapes behind her veil at this, the third time in more or less as many days that she's glimpsed that -- that _is_ the same Sylvan, isn't it? Then she catches herself again, blushing for a tangle of reasons, and she jerks her attention back to the older healer. "I... I-I promised that I would visit Joseph's mother, Domina... and see if the tea worked... she would not let me heal her but she did take the tea..." Ushas. Mercy of the Mother of the Amir-al...! FallingStar can _see_? Her thoughts spinning wildly back around to that startling news, the halfbreed finishes huskily, "You healed her--? Domina... thank you...!" And all at once, quite abruptly, she deeply bows. Alecto squawks as that hand comes far too close to his wing and keeps him from taking off, because he is forced to hop back a little as the sylvan's fingers brushes over his fine brown feathers. The next sound of the bird is a shriek of indignation and he lurches forward to bite at the hand, talons dropping the prize for the battle so that they too my clamp onto the hand or anything else within reach. This is a fierce bird of prey and he bites -hard- if he can manage to catch any part of flesh. Cynara glances toward the sound of her bird and chuckles softly at the frey, then turns back to Faanshi once more. "I did." she nods, then frowns darkly. "She wouldn't allow you to heal her? Stubborn... foolish woman...." she begins to mutter to herself. Drawing a deep breath and letting out a sigh of irritation she furrows her brows at the bow she receives. "You are welcome. Why don't you go see her, I'm certain she will be pleased to look upon your face. But if she tells me you do not look her in the eye, I'll come find you, you understand?" There is command and also a touch of humor in the branded one's tone. A cry of sudden pain, mixed with anger, comes from Prying-Eagle's lips. He was trying to do things without attracting attention here! That is surely thwarted. He reaches out with his other hand to lash out angrily at the bird.. Right against every thing his teacher taught him once.. The bird has no idea of what this young man has gone through this day however.. Nor has Faanshi or Cynara.. So,the situation proceeds with Prying-Eagle being in mid-air, on his way down to the ground. The little pouch, out of Alecto's grasp is, as well. His feet are in the right direction, but it may still be painful when he reaches the ground.. Kosha barks his alarm again, and this time as Faanshi looks up, it's with a cry of "Ushas!" Cynara gets only a distracted nod as the maiden darts towards the pole -- a fall like that can't have been pleasant! "Imphadi? Imphadi, are you all right?" Wasn't that what she said the first time she met him? Alecto lets out another sharp cry as a few of his feathers dislodge themselves in the flapping of his wings to get away from that swinging hand. He is a fast bird though and before the little prize can hit the ground, the falcon swoops down and grabs it with a triumphat shriek. Once he has it, he flies back to rest on the top of the pole. Cynara only smirks at her bird's antics, grinning at the animal a bit as she makes her way casually over toward the fallen man to look down at him. She is not quite so worried as Faanshi, but then, she knows there is little she cannot heal. She awaits his response to the other healer's question. Alecto drops the damned pouch as he alights on the post. Landing on his feet, Prying-Eagle winces as his knees bend too much, his feet hitting too hard.. That hurts.. In fact, the air leaves his lungs, and he catches himself with his hands on the ground.. Normal people rest, or at least catch their breath.. But not Prying-Eagle, oh no.. He stumbles up on his feet, on legs that barely seem to carry him at the moment, and curses in a gasping voice up at the falcon. "Give it back to me, you thief!". The impact of the fall made him miss the fact, that the pouch is now on the ground next to him... Wha... Cynara.. Faanshi? He looks over his shoulder, his movements frozen in midair; a fist up at the bird, his lips curled over his teeth, for an angry growl.. It most likely looks quite funny. He has gotten up -- and so this alone tells Faanshi that the Sylvan must be more or less all right. More or less. Still, though, the aether ripples a little without her really meaning it to, even as she casts an anxious glance at Prying-Eagle to verify with sight what instinct is already telling her. Just for a few seconds she does see that expression on his face, aggravation intermingled with startlement, but if she finds it funny it's rather difficult to tell. Down goes her gaze, *voop*, and thus she sees what appears to have been the intended object of the tousled, dusty young man's search. Crouching swiftly down, she scoops it up and proffers it, still managing to keep her eyes down as she does. "Do you seek this, Imphadi?" Cynara smirks at the man and calls to her bird with a kissing noise, lifting her arm for its perch. Alecto comes almost immediately, landing upon her arm and ruffling his feathers, then smoothing them without concern. I didn't want your stupid little bag anyway. "I'll see to Joseph's mother, Faanshi." Cynara tells the girl without emotion. "Vale." It is said to both of them before the winged woman turns to walk away. Stupid bird! Prying-Eagle glares at the bird, before turning a somewhat sheepish grin at Cynara.. "Uhm.. I didn't know it was your.. Vale. " Oh, he can apologize to Cynara.. But not the falcon.. oh no! His pale green eyes blink as Faanshi holds out the pouch.. He looks quite amazed.. "It is the one! The one I've been looking for the whole day!" Anger turns into sudden excitement, and not thinking much, he rushes forward to embrace the Healer woman in a thankful hug.. Uh oh. That my get him in serious trouble.. "But, Domina, do you know--" 'Which Joseph' does not actually make it out of Faanshi's mouth, well-intended though her question is. After all, there must be several dozen Josephs in Bordertown, if you look long and hard enough. Perhaps later the maiden will manage to think to wonder exactly how the Lady of Thorns knew what Joseph she must have meant, the young man with the cantankerous, proud old grand-dam of mother who trusts magic no farther than she can pick up a mage and throw him -- and no small wonder, after having lost two sons in the mage-storms that swept the city some time ago. Later, maybe. Right now Faanshi has to spend time being thunderstruck at the pair of young arms that hug her. She freezes in absolute shock, and Kosha fills in the void by letting out an indignant rrrrrrr and attempting to thrust his muzzle and the rest of his sizeable self in between the Sylvan and HIS healer girl. "I know her well." Calls Cynara over her shoulder to answer the half-question. She's rather familiar with the old bat. As she strides down the road, petting the breast of her falcon, three figures melt out of nowhere and take up their places around her. Her direction does seem to be correct for the house Faanshi was going to. Rrrrrr? That is an alarming sound. And it also makes Prying-Eagle suddenly realize what he just did. He quickly pulls away, cheeks filled with color, as he takes the pouch likely forgotten in Faanshi's hand.. His lips curve upwards sheepishly and nervously. "Erm.. I'm sorry about that.. I didn't think. I was excited and all.. Now look.. I need to get going.. I've got very little time left.. Bye!" With that he darts off into a run, in the opposite direction of cynara. "I... I--" Ushas, but it has been a day for shocks. Prying-Eagle is not the only one blushing; heat has flushed through the face of Faanshi as well, though the maiden's visage is safely hidden away behind blue silk. As the winged healer strides off with her attendants in the one direction and the Sylvan flees in the other, the halfbreed healer girl is left looking back and forth in both directions and feeling rather as if she's just been hit by thunderbolts. It takes her many moments of rubbing a hand across her eyes and breathing slowly in and out before she begins to feel a little less overwhelmed -- and only then does she have enough presence of mind to whistle to her dog, who'd happily tried to charge off in Prying-Eagle's wake to assert his dominance. Yes, just you _do_ run and don't forget it! Yurf! Bark! "Shhh, Kosha... come.. come, Kosha, let's go see FallingStar..." That, at least, is a shock most welcome to Faanshi, if her teacher can _see_ again. And perhaps in sharing that joy with the Sylvan who has trained her, she can make a little more sense of the other shocks the Lady of the Dawn has seen fit to hand her on this most flabbergasting day! [End log.]