Out and about [alva&open]

[alva]

A.L.V.A

Her talons clicked on the wood floor. Her light brown eyes surveyed the room. Fledglings smiled as they accomplished the lesson and proceeded to make more of the necklaces that she had taught them a half hour before. She turned to go back to her craft table until she heard beads crashing on the floor. The room fell silent and her eyes; along with the rest of the students, fell upon a small black and tan male griffon. He was frowning with disappointment, something she always hated to see them do. 

She walked over to him, "your beads are supposed to be on the thread, dear..." she began picking them up. The fledgling huffed, "every time I grab a bead it falls out of my talons!" he complained with such frustration. It made her smile with sympathy, "it takes practice, coil, you know that..." she spoke softly. His pupils grew small as his eyes stared at the class, who was staring back at him. She turned around and saw his other problem, "every one get back to your necklaces..." she turned around to the one named coil, "you and I will go to back of the room..." she smiled and made her way to the back desk with a mess of beads scattered all over it. He agrivatedly followed.

She started stringing beads together. The fledgling watched with wide eyes as she worked with speed. In no time at all she had created a necklace with black and brown charms. In the middle of the pattern; black then brown, black then brown, set a white diamond. Then another two set of black and brown beads. She smiled at him, "coal, charm making takes patience... I was once that frustrated fledgling, but I learned from my mistakes" she walked over to him and place it around his neck. It rested lightly on his small feathered chest. He smiled as he gazed upon the necklace made for him, "but my talons slip when I grab a bead each time! I hate it!" this little guy could complain about anything. She placed a charm in her claw, "try and pick it up..." she tested, hoping to help his strategy. He scowled, but accepted the challenge. He went straight for the bead with force and it slipped out of his talons. He groaned, "pick it up soft... The more force the less stability... Try again" she put another in her claw. He stared at him, hoping to get it right. He gently placed his talons over the bead and steadily picked it up. It worked! But she had already know that. His feathers ruffled in excitement. "Just practice that, and you will be able to achieve, coal..." her words were soft, as they should be when teaching. He scampered back to his work desk and began trying again.

Time had flown by with no more outbursts of frustration. "Alright my little griffons! Times up! Pack up your crafts and set them in your name box. I will see you all next week!" she smiled as the colorful array of griffons chattered amongst themselves and cleaned up. In no time the room was back in order and most of the fledglings had left. Except for one. She smiled, as it was coal. He walked up to her, "Miss. Alva, thank you for showing me how to have patience!" he sounded much better than he had earlier before. Her eyes were soft as the griffon sounded confident, "you know I am always here to help you, coal... You're welcome, dear..." her voice was smooth and sweet. "I made you this!" he held a necklace in his claw. Her eyes sparkled. There were six gold beads. In between the first two beads was a gold charm. In the middle of the second set of gold beads was an emerald charm. And in between the last set of beads was a sapphire charm. All accented with a black thread. "Coal, it's beautiful! Thank you so much!" she tied it around her neck and gazed as it rested on her white feathers. He smiled at her and started to run out of the class. He stopped at the door way, "I will see you next week! Bye Miss. Alva!" and off he went into the busy streets of Royal Rocks.

She cleaned up the rest of the mess her students left behind. Before she knew it an hour had passed and her stomach demanded food. "I guess now is a better time as ever to get something to eat... It would hurt..." she went to her desk and put a black side pack around her neck. It looped around and rested behind her wing. Walking out the door, she locked it behind her. The streets sounded of griffons left and right. A normal day in Royal Rocks. In no time she blended in with the crowd. That is if every griffon bore a full white coat. She had only met a select few that did. 

[Red Charge]

As Alva walked the streets she could hear the distinct sound of hoof clops incessantly around her, yet found herself stumped as there was no pony to be seen within the sea of griffons. It took her quite a bit to locate the source of the racket, that is because it was not a pony making the noise. The front part of a formidable Eagle and the hind part of a horse.

A Hippogriff.

Hippogriff weren't exactly rare, but they weren't very common, especially in Royal Rocks. Most of them usually lived outside of the Griffon Kingdom, as their parents would usually live with the pony spouse rather than force them to relocate to a hardly accessible place like Royal Rocks. Though their conception would always have to be magically assisted, they still contained their parents genetic material, and it showed. Though they had no real magic of their own and did not gain a cutiemark, Hippogriff enjoyed not sharing their griffon ancestor's weakness to magic.

This one in particular carried himself with confidence, wakling around the Griffons rather smugly. Upon noticing Alva he stopped, a bit ahead of her and waited to see if she would catch up, a mysterious glint in his eyes.

[alva]

A.L.V.A

She admired the necklace upon her white feathers. Coal was such a sweet griffon. She is always happy with doing what she does. It always makes her feel accomplished when she helps out those wanting to learn. She bumped into a fellow griffon. He stared at her with irritation but went on his way. Maybe it would be best if she watched where she was going. 

While lost in the crowd of griffons a sound had caught her attention. Was that the sound of... Hooves? A pony? In these parts? How strange. She looked around to see if she could notice the rare visitor, but no luck. It must have gotten away. She had began walking with determination to find some food. Then she saw the creature. She curiously gazed upon it. It had made sense now. A hippogriff! She had seen them before, a lot less rare than ponies in the griffon kingdom. But they weren't a real common sight.

She continued walking, but also keeping an eye on the hippogriff. He walked through the crowd quickly and swiftly. She wondered where he could be going. She began to slow down at the creature stopped a short ways in front of her. Staring back. What could he possibly want? She was sure what to do with the situation. Keep going? Or turn around? What's the worst that could happen? She kept trudging forward through the crowd.

It wasn't long before she had reached him. She stopped, a few feet before him. "I don't believe we have met... May I ask why you're staring?" something had to break the ice instead of skeptically waiting. She wondered what he could have possibly wanted from her. A lesson? She only taught fledglings. She hoped he didn't want to cause trouble.

[Red Charge]

"Haven't seen a Griffon that was white all around yet." Said the hippogriff, his own coloring was mixed, a grey plumage over a brown hindquarters. His horse tail flicked once and his yellow beak stretched into a wide smile. "And you make it work so well." He complimented shamelessly, his eyes drifting towards her necklace.

"My father was a goldsmith. He could loop a spiral a hundred times and have it perfectly round with each part measuring the exact width. I picked it up a bit, but I'm not nearly as talented. I was always better with gem cutting." He commented with interest. He seemed sociable enough, for a Griffon that was. But there was something quite... ungriffonly about his behavior. It was something odd to pick up on, but every Griffon probably would, he didn't seem half as militant as a Griffon would. Maybe it was merely his pony side, but he seemed considerably more articulate and less Griffonly than one would expect.

"I was actually looking for a place to eat, and I'm not local, care to show me to a place that won't rip me off?" He asked, somewhat out of coincidence, but then again he always was good at noticing the little details about those around him. Perhaps that's why he was in the Griffon Kingdom now to begin with.

[alva]

A.L.V.A

He started out with complimenting her pelt, or at least she thought he was. That was until he said it fit her well. She relaxed and returned to her light smile and cooling gaze. She bowed her head lightly in thanks, "thank you, I rather enjoy the colors myself..." it was true. It made her a unique character. She then noticed his eyes glance at her new necklace. She became a little cautious.

He then went on to talk about his father being a blacksmith. How interesting, at least she found it to be anyway. She had never met a blacksmith griffon before. And supposedly she still hasn't met one all the way. But a griffon into gem cutting? Maybe the two creatures had something in common. She felt a little more at east with her necklace. It was merely a conversation starter for the two. At least he was smart enough to ease the awkward tension.

She smiled as he spoke about being unfamiliar to these parts. He was also looking for something to eat. Such a clever hippogriff. Although, it wouldn't hurt to have a lunch accomplice. She nodded, "I was actually going to head to a small cafe on the corner of the street. It's usually quiet around this time" which never made sense, as it was a busy time of day. "It's a kind place that won't... Rip you off, as you like to say" she began walking once more.

She walked at a place he would be able to stay up with. It wasn't that fast to be with anyway. "So what brought you to Royal Rocks?" why not create conversation as he had once did with her upon meeting.

[Red Charge]

"All kinds, you can say I'm... a diplomat." He said with some thought. Apparently attempting to hide the reason he was there but not be untruthful. "It can get complicated to explain." He assured her with a smile as he walked, making sure to stay at her exact pace and further more, exactly side by side with her so that none of them took the lead, as though he was mimicking her own movements precisely.

"How do you like it here?" He asked conversationally, "It looks like a fine place, if a bit vain." He said, motioning at the cotes ordered along the walls of the terraces, displaying the marvels of griffon architecture. "Especially after coming up from the Hollow that is," He mentioned, now observing for her reaction. The Hollow was full of poverty and squalor in comparison to Royal Rocks. The Griffons there were mostly miners and laborers, and it was a very crowded area. Perhaps not laden with disease, but still rather filthy in comparison to Royal Rocks.

[Valiant]

Valiant marched about the streets, his feathers ruffled in frustration. Yet another rejection. Didn't those soldiers know natural talent when they saw it? Hmph. He'd just have to do something extra spectacular tomorrow.

A flock of fledglings about his age suddenly bustled in front of him and Valiant looked for their source. A jewelry store? Valiant's tail twitched in annoyance. Griffons were struggling in The Hollow and these fledglings were playing with trinkets? The final student exited, a happy confidence about his grin and Valiant moved on, unsettled. His stomach growled. Unsettled... and hungry. When he ran away from home, he'd felt too guilty to take any of his parents' bits. That was only last night, but Valiant was famished. The aromas of the surrounding restaurants tempted his tastebuds until Valiant found himself with his beak pressed against the window of a small cafe, staring at the full plate of a customer, wondering if he could somehow work for something to eat.

[alva]

A.L.V.A

While answering her question about him being in Royal Rocks, he seemed a little hesitant with answering it. She wouldn't pry though, it wasn't in her place. She nodded lightly when he said it was too complicated. At least he was honest about it. She smiled as she noticed they were keeping an exact pace. The hustle and bustle of the crowd made her kick it a step or two quicker. Her stomach couldn't take the torment anymore. 

She looked around at the griffon architect that he had pointed out. It was as regal as any place in the griffon kingdom. She found it to be an enjoyable place. "I love it here. Born and raised!" she smiled happily. Her whole life evolved in Royal Rocks, which is why she was so fond about living here. He mentioned his bringing up in the hollows. She had been there a few times. It was nothing like here. There was more sight of laborers and struggling with bits. She remembered feeling claustrophobic as a fledgling while she visited distant family. They had long passed away, but she remembered it like it was yesterday. "I had family that lived in the hollows..." she wondered if the hippogriff ever knew of them. Then again, they didn't look like her. 

She closed her eyes as she raised her beak to the air. She could smell her cafe coming around the corner. This street was a little less busy that the main street they were just on. She opened her eyes and smiled, finally she was close to eating!

[Red Charge]

"Interesting." The Hippogriff mused, why would they not invite their relatives to live in a fine city such as Royal Rocks instead of The Hollow? These griffons sure were strange. A roc passed over them in flight and the Hippogriff looked up. "I haven't introduced myself yet, my name is Aleron." The Hippogriff said with a smile, offering a talon for a shake.

"Your Rocs look very happy here," He mentioned, this at least was something good. The Rocs here seemed very satisfied with their environment, a culture is often best judged by how their treat their companions, in some cases animals, in this case Rocs. "What do you think about Rocs?" He asked.

[alva]

A.L.V.A

She noticed the roc flying over head. Hers was asleep at home. He had received some injuries a few days prior, he was just healing for the time being. The hippogriff had reminded her they never fully introduced themselves. She felt embarrassed now. How rude of her! She gave her talon for the friendly shake he had offered. "It is wonderful to meet you Aleron. My name is Alva..."

The two had arrived to the front door and made their way in. "I see you brought a friend, A... Make yourself comfortable" a griffon quiet a few years older than her tilted her head to a row of mostly open tables. "Thank you!" she offered her friendly smile and made her way to the back corner.

Now, where were they? Oh yes! "The rocs enjoy being here... We treat them very well. Keep them fed and we keep the stray rocs that fly over happy..." the griffon and roc companionship here was very connected. Treat the wildlife well and it stays and returns the favor. Just Ike they had done in the past. At least for her anyway. "I love the rocs. Such kind creatures..." she had a special place in her heart for them. Well, one in particular.

"Long ago when I was a young adult and out on my own. I once traveled along throughout the all the wilderness land... Collecting crafts and items than I could use for when I started out on my shop" she briefly glanced at the necklace on her white chest. "When I was on the outskirts of stone valley a small group of traveler and trader griffons tried to take the things I had gathered. I was small and no one was intimidated by me..." she looked down at the table, as if she was ashamed by her old weakness and size. It was something she couldn't help, but the past is the past. Nothing can change that, and she was glad she didn't. "I told them to get away from me and to leave me alone. But they still shoved me down and went through my things. Then they suddenly stopped, as one of them was stuck in a circle of fire. I looked up and I saw the majestic roc flying over head! " her voice grew more excited as she replayed the memory. "Before I knew it, the other griffons were scratched and bitten or encased in fire. The strange roc protected me and helped me... I thanked him and went on my way. But he refused to let me go alone..." she pushed aside some feathers on her neck; almost nearly under her new necklace from today, to reveal and bright yellow feather tied on a white string. Her feathers covered it quiet well. "Ever since our encounter, he has stayed with me. His name is Alec. It means guardian..." she smiled and let her feathers fall over the memory around her neck and she looked back up at him.

[Red Charge]

"That's a lovely story." Aleron stated with a smile, he took from it probably more than she understood. The Griffon Kingdom was disorganized and unequal. How the people of the Hollow took this injustice was beyond him. He had to remind himself, he was not here to interfere, only to observe. Griffins seemed so militant about anything, and very hesitant to answer questions, but this one was quite friendly, a welcome break.

He ordered himself some green tea and crossed his talons on the table in front of him. "Seems like a lovely place to relax. It's hard being a newcomer, especially of mixed heritage. Seems like Griffons think my pony half diminishes from my Griffonhood, while the ponies think my Griffon part diminishes from my Ponyhood. Odd that there seems to be no tension between the two to begin with, unless mixed parentage is on the table." He commented wisely, taking a long breath.

He wasn't exactly young, he certainly wasn't old, but he disliked thinking of himself as young. He was in his biological prime, sure, and he definitely wasn't as experienced as others. Something about just sitting in a cafe made him feel older somehow, maybe because he usually spends his time working and studying rather than just sitting around.

He began whistling a soothing tune to himself, as he waited for his tea, rocking his head from side to side slowly with the music.

[Valiant]

Valiant's stomach rumbled yet again. He saw a white griffon and a... What in the Nation was that?? Intrigued, Valiant followed them in, pausing as they sat. He watched them for a moment, listening to the white griffon's Roc story with peaked interest, when one of the waitresses approached him.

"You looking for someplace to sit, Hon?"

Valiant's feathers ruffled. "I'm not a 'hon.' I'm almost full-grown, you know. I'm going to join the army."

The waitress smirked. "A mite small to be a general, aren't you?"

Valiant opened his beak, but paused. After all, hadn't Mama taught him not to say anything if it wasn't nice? So instead, he growled and turned to leave, his hunger pains still bothering him.

[alva]

A.L.V.A

He merely mentioned it was a lovely story and nothing more. She held back her frown, hoping he would have said more. But she smiled at the thought of Alec saving her. She loved telling that story. It only reminded her that rocs are more and more loyal creatures as you treat them as they should be. In her case, Alec was always happy to be around her and serve for her. And obviously, protect her. She wondered how his healing process was going. She felt guilty for him getting hurt on her last adventure.

She smiled about the cafe being a nice place to be. She loved it for the sole fact that it was a relaxing place. Rather than the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city. He spoke about him being a new common and how it was hard. It was true, being in a new town was difficult. Especially in a city such a Royal Rocks. It was always busy and it was almost like it never stopped. Busy cities were hard to fit into. It had to be harder for for him, seeing as he was a hippogriff. 

It seemed other griffons found him strange due to his pony half. And other ponies saw him different from his griffon half. How unfair. "That's a bit unfair... Every hybrid creature sould be treated as the same... We are all different creations, but we are still the same..." her voice was low, almost distant in a way. But it didn't mean anything was behind it. "I've never known a hippogriff before... But to me you seem just like another griffon in my book... If you don't mind..." she hoped she didn't sound too arrogant with that statement. Maybe his "pony" half would be offended. But from the way he sounds, he wouldn't mind. 

She ordered a lemon tea and waited for her drink. Her attention was strayed away when a young griffon had entered the cafe. Some words were exchanged between him and the waitress. He found himself leaving, how unfortunate. "Excuse me for a moment..." she got up and briskly walked out after him. "Excuse me young... Soldier" she heard of his confidence for being in the army. Better to play by his book, "Were you looking for something to eat? I can spare some if you're hungry..." she spoke with happiness. 

She always had herself be kind to others. You never knew when friendships would come in handy. If you're in danger and someone you knew was around, they would help you. Friendships go a long way. Especially if the friendship would involve a future soldier.

[Red Charge]

"I prefer the term mixed parentage individuals myself." The hippogriff said in reply to being called "hybrid creature", not seeming to take too much offense from it however. He closed his eyes for a moment, as if trying to remember something. When he opened them again Alva had already gone to speak to another griffon who had entered the cafe. He made several mental notes about the conversation and remained seated. This place was quite dull, not the cafe, but rather the Griffon Kingdom. Nothing interesting seemed to be happening around and it was a shame.

Observing as she approached the 'soldier', rapped his talons on the table with boredom, observing as the situation unfolded.

[Valiant]

Valiant paused when the white griffon approached him. His feathers smoothed over at being called "soldier." It was the first time somegriffon had addressed him that way and it felt nice. She'd offered him food... As if one cue, his stomach growled. What would a soldier do? Standing erect, he looked at her. "Thank you for the offer, ma'am, but I couldn't eat off your plate. I'm afraid I would take it all."

The smell of the cafe was intoxicating. Hot sandwiches, soup, fish, and all other delicious scents wafted over him. He started to wonder if a soldier would accept the offer on urgent occasions.