What Defines A Hero [Open]

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[atrb=background,http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/shadowolfdemon/TopAndBottom.jpg] Tail feathers ruddering for a steep port turn, a lone owl weaved silently between the vastness of thick trees; branch after branch after branch stood in the young owl's way, but he hit none, and not even the occasional flaps of his wings could even make the leaves rustle. Indeed, this owl had mastered stealthy flying. The only thing that would give him away in this darkness was if the moon shot a beam of its pale light through the canopy. But that was precisely why he came to the Shadow Forest. Here, where almost no light shone, even his armor and battle claws would not gleam. Strix Streiter was out on a routine journey to scout out any mysterious activity, and of course, help an owl in need. He had left at tween time yesterday, and had found nothing of particular interest in the lands outside of Shadow Forest except for some rumors of strange owls in full battle gear flying in this direction. Worried that it might be the Tree's most dreaded enemies gathering for some kind of an attack, or worse, capturing defenseless owlets, Strix Streiter set off right away at that, even risking flying in some daylight against crow mobbing, though thankfully he'd come away unscathed. Turning his flight feathers ever so slightly, the Guardian of Ga'Hoole shifted upwards on a warm draft of air. Odd, he thought, since those were usually only found in fires. Thermal drafts, they were called. He was no coliering expert, but he knew enough about the scientific properties of fire to at least fight with it, albeit not as well as say, The Bonk Brigade. Deciding that he would investigate closer, Strix Streiter turned around, and landed on a branch with only the slightest clicking noise from his talons hitting the wood. Now was the time to scan the ground, since he no longer needed to worry about avoiding branches. Sure enough, there were remains of a fire pit. A few embers pulsed heat, and a faint smoke rose into the air. Still, this fire could have been put out hours ago, but it was some kind of hint. If indeed, an enemy had come through here, did they hire a Blacksmith? This could be trouble....

[faylne]

Escaping from the canyons of St. Aggie's was a red-marked juvenile owl. Old enough to fly, but would still be a student if she were at the great Tree of Ga'Hoole. A female, by the looks of it. A Tyto Alba, the Barn Owls with the cleanest faces.

Adorning her face were newly-formed scars. Three down her right side, one long one down her left. Proof that she had escaped St. Aggie's with a fight. Her feathers, now lined with red, showed that she had been part of St. Aggie's. Originally as a Slipgizzle for the Pure Ones, yes, and still planning on returning. She couldn't complain, however. She was alive.

Looking down, she realized she had no idea where she was. The young Tyto drifted downwards, realizing that she had no clue how to land. Her flight pattern became sloppier and sloppier by the heart-beat, for she was thinking too hard on how to land properly. As the ground neared, she prepared for the worst. A loud thud, and she crashed into what was known as the Shadow Forest. Crash and burn, typical of her.

Straightening herself, the young female looked around, quickly growing frightened. She had no idea where she was, and she couldn't land on one of the trees; she already knew she wouldn't be able to land on one of those without falling to the ground. No doubt that'd kill her. Her head spinning, she began to shriek as only a Tyto could. The sound of a demon to some, it was quite normal coming from a Barn Owl. She knew that she was down until help arrived. A downed owl was a dead owl.

(OOC: Hope you don't mind me jumping in. If you don't like it, then feel free to ignore. ^^)

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[atrb=background,http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/shadowolfdemon/TopAndBottom.jpg] ((OOC: I don't mind at all! :3)) "Peculiar," Strix Streiter muttered to himself almost silently as he watched the embers flicker. Nothing was happening right now, and the Guardian was not sure of what he was to do in such a situation. If there were enemies ahead, he would need to be prepared for the worst. It was possible that this armed owl could be with others as well, and while Streiter was confident in his abilities to take on anyone, more than three owls would be hard to take on and come out unscathed. But the fire hadn't necessarily said that there was an enemy nearby either. It was hard to determine his course of action given what he knew, which admittedly was not much. However, the sound of a crash in the branches took away all of Strix Streiter's attention. He whipped his head around almost one-hundred and eighty degrees in time to see a Barn Owl, a Tyto alba by the looks of it, fall to the floor. He didn't waste any time in diving down after the young'n, which upon further inspection seemed to have only just grown in flight feathers. Carefully lifting his battle claws, he turned the female owl over. She had fresh scars, likely the doing of battle claws, and her feathers seemed to be dipped in some kind of dye. It certainly was unlikely that any Kraals had made their way this far out into the forest, so it was more likely this owlet escaped from Saint Agelious. Then it all came together. The owl in full gear must have been a St. Aggies owl chasing this youngster. "Can you get up?" he urged. "If you can lift yourself to that low branch, I'll help you as best I can. But keep your wingbeats silent. We don't want to attract attention!"

[faylne]

She awoke to the feeling of...something... turning her over. Thinking it was a St. Aggie's owl, she tried to pull away, screeching and flapping her wings. The young Tyto's dark eyes darted, hoping to find a chance to escape.

Finally getting away, she spotted that the owl that had her wasn't from the place she had just escaped from. Sighing in slight relief, she slowly returned, looking up at the low branch he had suggested.

"I-I don't know how to land," she admitted sheepishly, staring up at him as if he had just taken away her food.

(OOC: Lazy, so sorry. I promise I can do better than this. x3)

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[atrb=background,http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/shadowolfdemon/TopAndBottom.jpg] ((OOC: Don't worry about it. I have lazy days too ^^. No need to make them lengthy as long as I know what's going on! I don't mind, really :3)) "That was clear from how you crashed down here," Strix Streiter responded rather bluntly. "I'll show you. Watch carefully." The Guardian turned around, and with one great flap of his wings, lifted into the air. Using three large powerstrokes, he was already on the same level as the lowest branch. Now he stuck out his talons ever so carefully, angling his wings so he could hover in place for a few moments until finally, he had his grip on the perch. Now he turned around, "I'll help you if you fall," he prompted. "But you'll never get good at it unless you try. A grounded owl is a dead owl." That was just his style, blunt and to the point. His voice wasn't exactly kind, though it wasn't sinister like a Pure One's or a St. Aggies General. No, he was a Guardian of Ga'Hoole, and no matter who this owlet was, it was his duty to help her, even if his bitter soul didn't show it too well. He swivelled his head one way, and then another as he observed the Tyto in the way that only he could. Strix Streiter was young, but he had this uncanny ability to see the good or bad in others. Probably because of the family background and numerous lives he'd already lived. Owlet, Orphan, Kraal, Guardian....

[faylne]

The young female watched with narrowed eyes. Well, if he was willing to teach her, it was worth a shot.

Stretching her wings out, she silently pounded them through the air. She lifted herself up, getting higher into the air. Wit outstretched talons, she gripped them onto a branch, landing sloppily. "Was that right?"

[aakesh]

---

King had begun his patrols once more; bidding farewell to his beloved Queen and extending out those tawny-hued feathers for flight. Oh, how the visit seemed too short for comfort, but there were things that had to be done, and this was one of the many. Bearing his armor upon his body, gold glinting in the moon's elegant rays, he had set off once more into the starry sky for dangers untold. The waves roared beneath his body, and eyes of amber chanced a peek down at them so as to see their activities and what they were crashing down upon each other for. Eyes widened as pupils dilated, interest solely held by the wondrous pigmentation that the waves had; for their blue was like a dark gray mixed with those tints of white to show foam. They sang their song, so should he join in with his own? Shall he toast with the water's deep, gushing voice and tip his glass to them? Of course, for that was how he rolled. A jolly chap, he would open his beak and begin his own poem about the sea, a quick beat to it so as to match the sound of the waves below.

"The sea! The sea!
So mighty and carefree!
It laughs merrily with its waves crashing up,
It roars with anger and sends the storms to follow.
How temperamental indeed!

The gulls, they laugh,
They use the waves as their friend,
Yet how many have they lost due to the sea's nasty
waves?

The owlets, they jeer,
Proclaiming that they could easily move with ocean's
moves!
How wrong they are, when they realize they cannot fly!

The waves are its hands,
The waves are its voice,
The waves are the ocean,
The ocean is us!

It guards us from the land predators,
It provides horrible gales,
We thank the ocean for its horrible ways!"

How merrily he chanted this as he flew through ocean's water spews, dodging the waves that arced up to engulf him in the salty liquids that meant death to the avian birds that could not swim. The winds seemed to guide him, and oh how he used them to swerve and evade! He made it look easy, for wings never seemed to flap as he passed over the ocean. Shanty would be sung now, merry tone to his deep voice as he hooted it with pride. Waves now rolled into a cylinder around him, attempting to enclose him into the water when it crashed, but King Aakesh was intelligent, for he rode the air within that circle in similar fashion of a surfer without his board. Wings now flapped as gales seemed to die, for land was visible from his current position. The mountains and forests seemed to roll into one, causing a beautiful landscape picture to be imagined. A hoot was given as he gave his farewells, and soared towards the forests.

Trees rustled as he flitted through the forest atmosphere, the waves' singing still stuck within his eardrums. The forest ambiance seemed to want to assist and increased in audibility as he reached the furthest parts of this darkened forest, so nicely named the Shadow Forest. What was he searching for? He could not recall. It was of no importance to him now, for the shanty and ocean's call were stuck in his head. He gave a merry hoot, and soon the King was rising above the trees' canopies, soaring above as he looked down upon the world below. It was at this point that he heard a familiar voice, and would find himself in the immediate need of identifying this familiar soul! It was his personality to do so, as it was also his personality to pluck feathers to write with. All bad habits, indeed.

He landed softly upon a branch, battle talons clasping neatly upon the branch as it swayed with his weight upon it; leaves wiggling slightly as he watched a Tyto work upon her flying. A near silent 'hoo' was given as the King watched with interest, listening intently to their conversation. Perhaps he should observe? To watch for anything of interest? No; for then he would be found to be eavesdropping, and that was no fun. He should announce himself to the world, for he was king! With his abilities of near-silent flight, he flitted over towards a branch upon opposite side, landing neatly and elegantly as talons grasped a thick branch beneath him. He looked like a gladiator returning home from war, and his golden armor glinted in the early light. Wings would stretch out slightly and then collapse neatly upon his body, and he would speak now, for that was what was needed, "You show potential, Tyto."

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[atrb=background,http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/shadowolfdemon/TopAndBottom.jpg] Strix Streiter watched as the young Tyto lifted herself into the air with injured wings and landed, albeit sloppily, next to him. Impressive, he thought, for such a young owl that was clearly struggling through pain, but he had to be honest, "It's how you do it, but it will take more practice. Owl's are silent fliers, and you should be able to land without making noise one day." But before the Guardian could continue, a voice called out. A familiar voice. The voice of his king, Aakesh. A bit of dread washed over the young Ryb as he turned around to confirm that it was indeed the owl he thought. He had wanted to be alone tonight, to do his routine search and rescue by himself so he could stop to think, but so far this Tyto and now his King had come to interrupt him. Still, Strix Streiter was a good enough actor, and with a dip of his masked head said, "My lord Aakesh. This owlet has just learned to fly and has escaped Saint Agelous. I wanted her off the ground so she would be safe and I could get a good look at her wounds." After nodding to the King once again, he turned back to the Tyto, "What is your name young'n? And lift your wings so I might get a better look at the damage. Saint Ageleous Owls can be ruthless, but since you could lift off, it seems you got away rather nicely. Still won't hurt to check however."

[faylne]

The young Tyto nodded, listening to the ryb's words. As the second owl approached, she stared up at him with wide eyes. She spread her wings as he instructed. Nothing was broken, but there was a bit of dried blood. All was well now.

"M-My name is Faylne," she hooted softly, lowering her gaze to her talons. The female - her name now known - pivoted her head as she stared at the ground. A small caterpillar inched its way on the ground. Hmm. Cute.

[aakesh]

---

Noble brow, or more of an 'invisible' brow, would be quirked as he watched how this ryb acted in his presence. Eyes narrowed, merely to show himself attempting to read this owl, before attention and semi-harsh gaze was directed towards the younger specimen. What an interesting creature. Head would be dipped in recognition of the younger owl's statement, and then head would rise slowly as he would return that liquid amber gaze towards the Tyto, or 'Faylne', and would hoot in that semi-deep voice, "Faylne, you certainly have some luck upon your side, for you have encountered peaceful owls instead of hostile specimens instead of some of your Saint Ageleous 'friends'." A churring sound would be produced, the sound of that 'laugh' reverberating inside his chest cavity. Eyes would shut, and there would be an owl-like smile upon his face. Due to an owl having a beak, it was quite impossible to do anything that could simply resemble what was known as a 'smile'. Therefore, he would do the closest thing he could to illustrate it. One must seem friendly when laughing.

The laugh would end promptly, for how irritating it was sometimes to constantly listen to one laughing all the time. Wings would shift slightly upon his sides, stretching slightly as he shifted his weight. My oh my, the branch he had just perched upon would start shaking vigorously once more. It would not faze him, of course, for he was used to these sort of things. There was a large debate between the largest owl species, and that was between the Eagle Owl and the Great Gray. Due to him belonging to the Eagle Owl species, it would only be likely that he would constantly encounter branches that shook beneath his wake. Though thick as this branch was, it certainly wasn't sturdy enough for the King's taste, and so Aakesh would flit down closer to where the young Tyto stood, wings extending outwards and flapping slightly to support his weight as talons would extend wide to grasp the tree's limb, shaking it slightly as muscles flexed and moved to help him land gracefully.

Wings would stretch as they usually did before folding neatly at his sides, and the armored giant would glance downwards towards this Tyto named Falyne. She certainly did have potential, but even those with potential and talent had to hone their skills to the point in which they could master it. Sure, they had a 'head start' on the skills they showed talents for, but there was much work to be done. Stern gaze would be turned towards this child, interest promptly sparked in this young Tyto as soon as he got close to her. Ah yes, she was injured. Sure, he could examine her himself, for he had experience with injuries due to his time spent being tortured in an unknown destination, but the ryb had offered to do it, and thus he would refrain from moving forwards to 'assist'. Eyes would glance upwards towards the moon that shown large and full, much like a saucer full of fresh milk.

How lovely it was, matched wonderfully with the stars in the sky. Memory was stirred of gazing up towards that large circle in the sky in times of dire need, like the time of torture and captivity. Wind pushed through his feathers, and it felt pleasant as the forest atmosphere complimented the breeze rushing through the trees, shaking them like maracas. Grasp upon tree limb tightened, driving the tips of those golden battle claws into the bark, and those liquid amber eyes would not move away from the old friend in the sky until prompted to, for introductions could use improvement. Slow movement was used for that dramatic effect as the male of browns and sorrel hues glanced towards the young Tyto, a hoot being produced as he would breifly mention what he believed untold, "My name is Aakesh, young one, King of the Great Tree of Ga'Hoole. This owl is the ryb of the Search and Rescue Chaw named Strix Streiter. You have come from Saint Ageleous, and thus have knowledge that could be useful. You have potential, but even those with potential and talent must hone their skills to become the best. Come with us to the Great Tree, young one."

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[atrb=background,http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/shadowolfdemon/TopAndBottom.jpg] Strix Streiter inwardly groaned as the King introduced himself and extended an invitation to the young owl to come with them to the great tree. Did this guy have any sense? Sure, the owlet could prove useful. Any lone owl could prove useful if given the chance, but this Tyto, Fayline as she called herself, probably wanted to go back to her family. Having been captured himself at around the same age, he knew what it was like to escape and suddenly be surrounded by others you don't know, in a world totally foreign to you. "If I may, Lord Aakesh," he spoke, his voice letting loose a small string of bitterness. Before continuing however, he nodded to Fayline that she looked fine and her wounds were minimal. And then with a stern glare, he finally spoke his mind, no parliament to hold him back, "Fayline probably would like to see her family more than the inside of our Tree. I can't imagine you'd know the terrors of being kidnapped as an owlet. Besides, transporting her now would be unwise. As I flew into the Shadow Forest, I picked up rumors of some owls flying with full battle gear, and I highly doubt they were speaking of you Lord Aakesh. It's more likely that the St. Aggies owls are still about looking for this young Tyto. It would be foolish to escort her over the sea of Hoolemere at this time...." Strix Streiter trailed off, turning his head around so he could motion towards the embers that had finally died down on the ground below them, "And of course, more evidence that we are not alone out here tonight." With that, he swiveled his head back to stare at the King with challenging eyes. No, he wasn't going to defy the lord of the Great Tree. He wouldn't dream of doing that when his whole acceptance back into the place was a shaky subject in the first place, but Streiter was not an owl that was fond of others boasting about their power. It reminded him too much of his brother, and it also seemed stupid. To him, Aakesh always seemed to be showing off.... But when did this grumpy Ryb think anything nice about another?

[faylne]

The young Tyto watched as the king laughed, only fake-laughing herself. She had no idea what was so funny. Faylne pivoted her heart-shaped face once more, turning her dark gaze to the Search and Rescue ryb.

"T-The Tree?" Her eyes widened a bit, she tentatively hopped towards Aakesh. "You mean, it's real?" The Barn Owl listened eagerly as he spoke; all stories of the Guardians had been forbidden in both St. Aggie's and the Pure Ones. His words filled her gizzard up, as if renewing her with some kind of unfound strength.

As he invited her back to the island of Ga'Hoole, she was a bit tongue-tied. If she did leave with them, perhaps the Pure Ones would get wind of this and attack. But she couldn't say that she was a Pure One. They'd kill her for sure.

She thanked Strix Streiter silently as he basically said that she couldn't come. As she quickly thought, though, the young Tyto hatched a sinister plan. An undercover mission, from the inside of the great Tree of Ga'Hoole. She'd be a slipgizzle once more for the Pure Ones, and learn all she could about the quote-unquote 'heroes'. She'd be considered a brave, noble owl back home, and probably get promoted.

"I want to go to the tree with you!" she hooted, eyes bright. Oh, she'd do great at her mission. The Guardians were going down.

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[atrb=background,http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p30/shadowolfdemon/TopAndBottom.jpg] Strix Streiter was no mind reader, but something... something of akin to a siren went off in his head. It was known for Spotted Owls to feel small changes in atmosphere, but was it possible to also feel changes in emotion? His gizzard churned a bit at Tyto's sudden enthusiasm. Moments ago, she was a frightened owlet barely able to fly. Now she was pretty much inviting herself even after Streiter had told her it would be unwise to fly at this time. He didn't mind bringing in new owlets, no, not that, but something... something held him back this time. With intense eyes glowing through his mask, he looked at the Tyto, Faylne, and asked, "And what makes you think you can become a Guardian, young Tyto. You have potential, yes, both I and my King see it. However, I am curious of your intentions. It seems most odd that you do not want to see if your family is worried about you." He wondered if Aakesh would pick up on his suspicions, but somehow he doubted it. The King was too welcoming, to softhearted at times. A polar opposite of Strix Streiter in many ways, yet much better suited for the high position than him. He was older, more experienced... and yet Streiter's gizzard told him that questioning in this situation was the right thing to do. "I suppose it's no big matter," he said, standing up straight. "You're just an owlet after all. You all hear stories of Ga'Hoole and turn to it with wondrous eyes because of the legends. If only you knew what was involved..." he trailed off, his eyes growing bitter for a few moments. He wasn't going to let on about his distaste for the Great Tree and its inhabitants, but he would mention something that most young owls didn't think of when they heard the name Ga'Hoole.... "It is hard, dedicated work young'n. Are you up for that challenge?"

[aakesh]

---

As defiance from the owl was heard, invisible brow would furrow. Oh, how he got irritated and belligerent so easily! Father dearest had often reprimanded the poor chap on it so many a time. A simple flexing of his talons, and the need to crush something beneath his force grew ever greater; the urge to feel sweet goo gush out of the crunching sound that would ensue as the lifespan of whatever he crushed was ended abruptly. And that owlet gave a nod of thanks? He had noticed that as if it were as clear as day. What was she to be thankful for towards him? The fact she would never realize the reality of legends and stories, that their culture so thrived upon? A low ambiance 'hoo' would be given as head twisted upon its spinal axis to and fro; for he wanted to appear as if he were thinking hard when in reality he was attempting to distract his anger from pulsating into his nerves and taking out irritation upon those around him. There was a tapping of his claw as he awaited for something of interest to be stated, and then he heard it from the young Tyto.

Head swiveled around to face her full on; plumage ruffling itself up as he began to inch closer towards the young bird. Oh how he tried to figure this babe out; for certainly this Tyto was 'ruffling his feathers', was she? Oh how easily got his panties in a twist! He felt the urge to crush something, and would shift his position on the branch that he held so that he could squeeze it easily without it shattering beneath his force. Wings would extend slightly in a semi-stretch, and then he would allow them to fold neatly back against his sides once more. Those eyes of liquid amber would stare piercingly from the ryb towards the young one, this Tyto, and he would release a sound of great thinking. Eghad! He was actually thinking about what the next plan was? He needed to plan these words carefully, for this once reluctant female now was suddenly accepting?

Those eyes of liquid amber seemed to glint with a darker side of his soul as they narrowed in concentration at this young Tyto, as words would spill forth from his mouth as easily as an unclogged stream flows, "Young Tyto, you show great interest in our tree, and while you show great potential, how can we know if we should surely devout our time and energy into you? Yes, yes, you flew all the way from Saint Ageleous, and that in itself is an accomplishment, but how do we know you shall survive the deadly flight back to the Great Tree?" Head swiveled once more to glance towards the ryb, searching his face for what he would read as an indicator of current mood. It would return to face the young owl, body shifting its positioning upon the tree limb so that it would easily support his weight. Thought, yes, there must be thought to this process.

As he braced his muscles for any sudden movement of hesitation or retreat from this young owl, muscles becoming tense as energy was stockpiled into any moment that would need retrieval of this owl for anything this younger one might do. Well, better safe than sorry, aye? Beak would separate once more, and he would hoot towards the youngster, "Off you go, young'un. Go see yer family and be back by the sea by the next full moon. We'll see then if yer so interested in becoming a guardian. Remember this place will, for we will only wait awhile for you to arrive."

[faylne]

As the two owls talked, she pivoted her head between them. Were they deciding not to kick let her join them? No, no! This plan had to work!

Summoning up all she had learned about faking, a sad look crossed over her face.

"I can't go back to my family," she muttered. "They're... d-dead..." The young female's dark eyes glazed over, and she began to screech as only a Tyto could. One that only a demon could muster up. And it, in another note, was loud.

"DEAD! I can't go back if they're DEAD!" Faylne fluttered wildly, barely leaving the ground.

(OOC: Sorry for the delayed reply. I've been surprisingly busy the past couple days. Just trying to get my RP muse back. x3)