Birds Of A Feather (Ryst)

[Nik Nak]

Claire clasped her hand over the material of her shirt above her chest. She watched as other Ooccas fluttered about to and fro from one building to another rushing away to escape the vicious gusts that pass by every now and then. Perched upon the ledge of one of the buildings, she felt a soft gentle breeze bristle by, a warning before having to return indoors before the gusts picked up.

A sea of clouds hovered beneath her vision, covering up the surface of Hyrule for her view, a place she came to viewing as one with scenic environments, but distasteful inhabitants. Oh, how narrow-minded, our beautiful black swan has become.

Her expression softened since returning home, enjoying the familiarity of home once again. She wasn't gone for long, but oocca woman knew she had a place where she belonged. Tucking back her soft black curls, she smiled softly. Extending her wings, she gave them a flap or two to stretch them out, noticing one of her jet-black feathers straying away, being played with in the wind. So light and whisked away, taken anyway the wind blows, until it disappeared from her vision.

"Home sweet home," she chirped merrily.

OOC: Shitty post. Sorry. Will do better next time. Dx

[Ryst Seraphine]

The wind beneath his wings felt all too liberating. The Oocca Lord spent so much time in the palace that his wings were stiff from not being used. The updrafts caught his great grey feathers and he took off into the sky. It was windy, but Ryst had spent much of his youth leaving the palace simply for the sake of getting out, so he was used to it. It was a matter of embracing the wind for some speed, then folding his wings in and diving. Once his wings opened again he had enough speed to go against the winds and make quite some distance.

It was exhilarating, a sensation he didn’t seek much since he took the throne. His cold demeanour seemed to get blown away and a casual grin spread across his face as he fell into reminiscence about days long gone. Days when he didn’t have the responsibility of the kingdom bearing down on him. Days when he didn’t need a guard when he left the palace. Not that he had one right now; Ryst still knew how to get out of the palace without drawing much attention to himself.

As he flew a black feather floated past him. Quick reflexes kicked in and his hand snatched it cleanly out of the air. He inspected it carefully and then looked about. Black feathers were not very common among the Oocca, so it wouldn’t be too hard to find the owner. And there she was, enjoying the view with a distant, homesick look in her eyes. Ryst was used to seeing people return from Hyrule and knew that look. She’d been landside recently. Tucking the feather safely in his palm, Ryst looped around and landed on the ledge beside her.

”I believe this is yours,” he said with a youth filled playfulness that hadn’t blessed his voice in years as he held out the feather. Suddenly he wasn’t Ryst the Lord, but Ryst the Vagrant Prince once more, and the feeling was nice. It was an escape and he was glad for it. ”Not many obsidian wings in the air today, but I have to say this feather could only belong to one of fitting beauty.”

_{OOC: Never you mind, I'm adaptable to all quality posts. :3}

[Nik Nak]

Folding her wings back, she began to contemplate the past. Thinking back, she could recall her parents spoiling her rotten, but they always kept her in a cage. Never was she allowed to make friends or wander outside, and whenever she asked why she was given reason that others would hate her. She knew they meant well, but it was strange for a girl not to be allowed to fly on her own, right?

When her parents disappeared so suddenly, and she was free to spread her wings, she found out the whole truth behind why they kept her inside. Like a bird singing within the protection of it's cage. Her feathers were as black as the night sky on a new moon. Black wings were not a common trait amongst the Oocca, and many suspect it to be some sort of genetic mutation.

Nevertheless the proud swan would not falter to such trivial statements. Let them stare at her rarity, but in the end her feathers belong to her, and her alone. Claire thought of it nothing more than a gift given to her by the deities who created this earth. If her wings were so unique than there couldn't possibly be any others like her in existence, ne? Such vain thoughts inflated her ego ever so slightly.

A small gasped escaped from her lips mildly startled by the new found presence who found her perching spot. Another oocca... Just a second, she's never seen him before, her body tensed up slightly at the stranger. Swallowing her nervousness, she slowly reached up to pluck the black feather that was just flying off with the wind. Did he pick it up? Her question would go unanswered as his next statement brought her in a flustered state. "You flatter me, my good sir," she replied, placing the black feather between her fingers, "Indeed, my wings are a rarity. A gift given to me by my mother."

Getting a better look at the gentleman perched right next to her, she noticed right off the bat, the color in his voice. Playful, as if escaped from the prowls of a cat, and rejoiced to returned to the sky where he belonged. It would seem he too felt like a caged bird, and somehow found his way back to the sky to spread his wings. Yet despite his playful front, she saw in his eyes something more.

Definitely an oocca from a noble upbringing, but what family could he have come from? Claire wasn't positive so she just left it at that, and decided to take her chance. The wind playing with her ebony black curls. "The wind is a jealous harpy," she mused softly, "Always getting in the way of everything, wanting to be the center of attention, but you can't see her. Only feel her persistence, or her vengeful wrath as she comes and goes."

She smiled softly to her company. An earnest smile she hasn't had in a while now. "I am Claire," she introduced herself, "Who may you be?"

[Ryst Seraphine]

Ryst Seraphine, King of the Oocca and Lord of the Sky, pleasure to meet you.

There was a moment where sheer curiosity wanted to break free and give that answer, just to see her reaction. Just to see that pretty little face meet mixed emotion as it tried to fully grasp the words. But this was a rarity. To venture out and find someone who didn’t know him by title first and name second. To find someone who would talk to him as another Oocca who just aimed at flattery, instead of their Lord whose every comment should be met with applause, blush or giggles simply because.

Perhaps this was just the Vagrant Prince speaking up from his cage locked deep within Ryst. A wayward spirit who could, once upon a time, drink anyone under the table and still have enough left to take several people down in the ensuing bar fight when wagers were not collected properly. The vagabond who once flaunted the title of prince purely as a way to pick up ladies and see how quickly he could get a prize. The old Ryst emerging with his freedom from the palace; a rare gift indeed. Perhaps that was why, too, this woman did not recognize him.

”A jealous harpy indeed to want to steal away such a lovely gift,” spoke the Vagrant Prince, not the Oocca Lord. ”But when you truly know how to handle a woman as I do, she does not hold a wrath but a glorious freedom ready to be embraced and carried forth. Consider, then, this chance meeting set up only because the jealousy of the wind brought me a sampling of the beauty who waited.” There was a tinge of laughter to his voice, a playfulness he’d long sense forgotten, and this suddenly felt distant and strange. He no longer recognized himself.

”It is a pleasure, Claire, but allow me to withhold my name during this courtship, for I fear it would get in the way. Instead, simply call me Chance for the time being, to remember the exact circumstances by which we met.” Someone in the court was going to be throwing a fit by now, knowing that their liege lord was nowhere to be found. Guards would be rallying, and soon searching, so Ryst had to wonder how long he could even stay.

[Nik Nak]

Perhaps it was thanks to her sheltered upbringing that brought up such a momentous occasion. Whilst growing up, she was the center of world, and everything revolved around her. Now that she'd gotten older, it was quite obvious that such aspects of her life were quickly changed. Although certain things have changed in retrospect, she was still the same woman, who bared the black wings, and proudly proclaimed herself the black swan. Little did she know how right on the mark her speculations were, but she paid no heed to them. She was quite enjoying herself in this chanced courtship.

To look upon eyes that revealed in the very essence that freedom loomed. Eyes like a steady hawk, and wings mighty and powerful - no doubt an aristocrat of the highest pedigree. Yet it wasn't his looks or suave demeanor that was alluring to the black swan, in fact, it was that natural presence in front of a lady that was enticing. Perhaps ignorance could be bliss for the time being. Claire did not complain whatsoever, rather taking a liking to her company, whose intents in keeping her company didn't seem quite so bad. Once again, a rarity, she has not been blessed with for a while.

"You must know the winds in ways if she caresses your face so lovingly," she complimented in a rather strange way. Her words spoken in a slight musical tone as she mused at the thought of soothing the harpy's jealous ways. Twisting her views in such ways that it makes the wind seem more like an ally rather than a opposing force of nature. In other words, another way to look at it. Such humorous thoughts brought forth a soft giggle from her lips. What a delight he is, and yet she didn't even know his name.

Her eyes flickered as he returned an answer. An answer that obviously told she was not satisfied with, but would make do otherwise. She would not have this moment spoiled, if only, for the circumstances. Claire would love to prolonged this meeting so long as she could. It only raised her suspicions further that he must be someone of great importance. Possibly even close to the lord himself. Oh, how she hated not being able to keep in touch with the times. At times like these she hated being naive, but he bestowed upon her no harm, so she couldn't bare ill-will against him. "Very well, Chance," she replied, "We've only just met and already secrets have been established. Secrets don't make friends you know."

She wanted to know more about him, but she would not pry. She wouldn't ever stoop that low. If it was in his power to reveal the truth to her than he would have said it already. Claire would want the truth given to her of his own free will rather than obscured by any obstacles that may come their way. Perhaps it wasn't as simple as she wanted it to be. So be it.

She didn't mind spending her time with him.

[Ryst Seraphine]

It was strange hearing someone refer to him by an entirely different name. He was used to his titles, he was used to his own name, he even answered to his father’s name for the more forgetful or out of touch. But to hear someone refer to him as Chance, that was going to take some getting used to, but it was a creation of his own devices, so he would go with it. Besides, it felt nice not to be weighed down by titles, respect, duty and all those other things that come with wearing the crown. All he had to do was watch out for guards and make sure people didn’t recognize him.

This might be fun.

The Vagrant Prince held a smile on his face, a jovial smile that worked muscles that were near atrophied from misuse. Not that the Oocca Lord didn’t smile, but there was emotion in the Vagrant Prince’s smile that lacked from the former. ”Take it not with suspicion. I would rather you know me first as me, then as my name. I will tell you when the time is right,” he said in an attempt to ease her more into the whole pseudonym use.

But then he decided he needed to draw the topic away from himself or it would be a constant issue. ”But tell me, you bear the look of one who’s left the city recently to go landside. How fairs the state of the world below?” he asked, intrigued. It had been a long time since he’d been to Hyrule, and then only on business for the crown. To wander the land free and visit the sights, to see the world, that was something he longed for now, longed for as the Vagrant Prince. Years had gone by since he’d experienced it such.

That longing must’ve reflected in his eyes, too, as he quickly blinked as he realized he’d fallen into himself momentarily. ”Actually never mind the state of the world, that can wait for courtly business, as I’m sure one as graceful and proud as yourself come from the lord’s court itself. Tell me of the world itself, what did you see while you were there?”

[Nik Nak]

His smile was quite endearing. The vitality that showed within his expression was simply entrancing in it's own way. As if he'd come back to life from a birthday party at a ReDead's house. Her curiosity was burning with an errant need to know, but her pride would not linger on further suspicion due to the fact that she did not want to have to work for the information she knew she'd be able to receive in good time. Patience was such a time consuming virtue to have, and unfortunately, she had mild amount of it.

Nonetheless, she never goes back once she sets her mind on something.

"No worries, my good sir, I do not pry," she smiled, "While it is true that I don't trust easily, you intrigue me very much, so I'll entertain your alias." Her words rolled off the tip of her tongue as she fluttered her long lashes. He was a clever one, no doubt, and knew how to keep a conversation moving - if not directed away from him. Now the topic was directed on her wayward travels to the surface. She tilted her head ever so slightly to the side as to why he mentioned the state of affairs of the world? She wasn't entirely sure what he meant, thus took a moment to think about the meaning behind his words.

Though her thoughts quickly were diverted by the expression worn on his face. A longing of something as if he'd long lost something precious in the past. A desire that glimmered in his eyes of that precious possession to be returned again. "The fathoms below possesses a variety of beauty stretched out as far as a bird's eyes can see. I've traveled south to the Faron Province, where the lush green forest thrives in it's own glorious beauty, but also hides away it's hostility in the form of poisonous gases. I grew careless, and nearly had myself killed while treading those woods," finishing her sentence she shuddered slightly at the thought of dying by poison. Not the way to go.

"My travels have taken me to the center of Hyrule, where I made a stop at the tranquility known as Lake Hylia," she concluded her story before turning her attention over to 'Chance', "You speak highly of me, my good sir, but I am nothing more than Le Cynge Noire. I am afraid that due to my ignorance I fall behind in learning of all the names in the social ladder. Though perhaps it is a good thing, because I get the wonderful opportunity to spend a few grains of my sand in my hourglass with you."

[Ryst Seraphine]

Ryst listened intently as Claire described her experience on Hyrule. Her description brought a complacent smile to his face as he remembered his time there. Things don’t change much in Hyrule, but there are wonders there that were simply impossible up here in the sky. Ryst made a note to himself to find some reason to go down to the surface again soon, perhaps under the guise of a business trip. Though he would be followed by the usual courtly procession; guards and nobles, his steward, and all the folk trying to get into his favor deciding some “alone time” with him, and the rest of the court, might help.

”The courtly game is a dance you don’t want to get tied up in, full of parrots and ravens,” Ryst said with a bit of regret. He was a master of the game, such a trait was necessary, but once you were tied up in it there wasn’t much escape. That was why he was glad for Claire’s ignorance, glad she didn’t recognize him, that he might escape even if only for this fleeting moment. ”It’s a world to be avoided if you can, a game fabricated by our lord regent and his people.”

Speaking of, Ryst spied out of the corner of his eye white wings and blue cloaks signalling the palace guards. They were out looking for him now. Without him there was no one to rule, no one to suck up to. As the Vagrant Prince he was able to leave because his father had ruled, but as soon as he’d taken the throne he’d become trapped in that same role. He didn’t mind it, but wished he could escape. ”I have not been to Hyrule in a long time,” he brought the conversation back to the more casual topic. ”I recall a beauty unparalleled, except perhaps by one of grace like yours. Were I a bard I’d write a song about which is more beautiful, but I don’t think I have the words to explain how a person can best Hyrule,” he said with a grin.

”Perhaps there is somewhere more comfortable we could go to talk, though?” A forward proposal, but the guards were close and that made Ryst uneasy. ”Maybe I can further accede to your beauty.” Faded blue eyes danced with the smile on his face as the Vagrant Prince found new combinations for words he’d long since forgotten. He remembered why he used to enjoy the game of courtship and avoided the game of court; this was so freeing.

[Nik Nak]

There was light in his eyes when he gave her a smile that told of joy, and contentment. As if glad to know that things in Hyrule have not changed much over the years. Claire did not expect anything out of the ordinary, and met her expectations with a whisk of the wind blowing through her lucious dark curls. The only thing that bothered her on her trip were surface dwellers... they were a bunch of strange creatures, but people nonetheless she'd rather not have much affiliation with in the future.

"Birds of a feather flock together," she giggled merrily. Her dainty porcelain hand was raised up as she gazed upon her freshly manicured nails coated in black polish. She blew against her nails as if ridding dust off. Listening to his words, she pondered why he spoke so solemnly of the court that their lord resided in. Only those who were affiliated with the court could manage to speak so close, so descriptive of the games they play. It would seem that he held quite an important position in order to desire escape from it's grasp. Still, she only kept that factor in the back of her mind, for sake keeping. Yes, she was still curious to know, but she said she would not pry. Prying would be beneath her esepcially when she gave her word to him.

His words were like poetry, and Claire could just melt with away in his hands. A flirt who knew the ways to woo a woman to her fancies, and it only but inflated that proud ego of hers. Claire did not mind his company whatsoever, he certainly did not waste any time in showing interest, and perhaps she could accept the kind gesture. "The only ones worthy of such praise would be the Goddesses themselves," she chirped like a little songbird.

Her eyes widened slightly at his bold proposal of moving elsewhere to continue this courtship they've engaged in. Half-lidden eyes gleamed with joy as that pursed smile curled upon her lips. "I'd be delighted," she replied, "but alas, my free time wanes with the ride of the winds. I must put this courtship on halt... temporarily to attend to personal engagements. Canaries think they can whistle a sweet song, and I'd follow where they lead." Yes, as much as she wanted to stay with Chance, she knew she must return home to fend off other male Ooccas who sought her hand in marriage. Expanding her obsidian wings, she gently took his hand, and placed the black feather she kept all of this time into the palm of his hands. "Keep it so that the next time we meet, you may return it to me once more, and we can continue our courtship," she requested.

With that said and done, she leaned forward, and pressed her lips against his cheek. A promise sealed with a chaste kiss that this would not be the last they'd see of each other. "See you later," she bid farewell. Leaving her perch, she allowed the wind to blow within her winds, and whisk her away until she was sucked into the gray clouds.

Sometimes goodbye is a second chance.

Exit.