Among the Greenery (Philomena)

[Merik Dragmire]

Merik rode Desertfury at a slow pace as they travelled through the forest. He always liked to spend a bit of time in the Faron Province whenever he was ashore. The plants, the trees, the animals...the entire area overflowed with life and it never ceased to amaze him whenever he came around. All in all it wasn't so surprising when he stopped to consider the two areas that he called home.

On the one hand there is the desert: burning sun, scorching winds, endless seas of sand, the frozen moon...

On the other hand is the ocean: water stretching off to the horizon, life hidden deep below the waves, the only safe places are the occasional spots of landing dotting the sea...[/color]

He lightly tugged on the horse's reins as they neared a small pond, dismounting to sit beneath a shady oak as Desertfury began to drink.

[philomena]

Irene had been BEGGING Mena to take her to the forest again. It was the large eagle's favorite place, there where lots of little animals for her to eat. Philomena knew that the raptor also liked it because she was larger than most things there, in the Castle Town there where only humans and buildings, with the occasional patch of trees here and there for decoration. Philomena had taught Ireeney long ago that the animals there belonged to people and where completely off-limits.

Philomena liked the forest too. It was a great place to get away from everything in the city. It was more enclosed then the fields that she had grown up in, and extremely refreshing. It helped that there where songbirds everywhere who where always sociable and curious about this woman who could understand them. They liked Philomena quite a bit, but they didn't like Irene. They ignored the old, slow horse that Mena had rented for this outing. Mena communicated to Irene in the basic language of birds. These birds here, are afraid. You are very big. Your eyes are much too intense for them.

Irene gave a twitch of acknowledgement and flew off to hunt. She would behave.... hopefully. The old horse that she was leading saw a glimmer up ahead, and trotted forward without any care at all. Mena could never understand horses. The horse found the pond, and Mena saw who else was there.

Oh, this was just great. She didn't know who this man was, she didn't even know WHAT he was. He was probably some robber or outlaw, or worse! Her imagination went a bit wild as she tugged at the horse to try to get him to leave.

[Merik Dragmire]

When the other rider approached, Desertfury turned and stared at the old horse for a few seconds before returning to his drink. Merik spared a quick glance at the woman before turning his attention back over the water.

"Good afternoon miss. Pleasant day for a nice stroll through the forest isn't it?" he asked politely as he stretched a little bit in the shade.

Yes quite pleasant; the heatwave that had overtaken much of Hyrule seemed to have tapered off, especially so deep within the forest.

[philomena]

When the man spoke to her, it wasn't at all what she expected him to sound. Judging from his voice, he didn't seem like some ruffian that she had thought him to be at first. Philomena was still extremely wary, but she wasn't going to run away either. The pond between them both made her feel safer. He wouldn't be able to approach her too quickly.

"Um, yes, very nice." She wasn't going to be rude to someone that she didn't know, but she didn't really want to talk to him either! She was having trouble deciding what to do here. Really, she was completely alone except for the horse, and Irene. But Irene was still hunting. The big eagle wouldn't be able to help her if something went wrong.

"I'm sorry if I disturbed you at all, I can leave."

[Merik Dragmire]

Merik chuckled lightly as he easily managed to pick out the little edge of nervousness in her tone.

"No, no it's quite alright, you aren't intruding at all. Even if you were I'm sure I'd be able to get over it, it is a big forest afterall and it isn't as though it belongs to me..." he said a little kindly as he actually turned to watch her now. "I do hope I'm not frightening you, if I am I assure you it was not my intent."

His instincts kicked in as he gave her a quick once over: Fairly normal looking woman, a simple knife for defense, judging by her clothing she has some money but not much...the few rupees he would get from her wouldn't be worth it...not that he really took the time to rob individuals anymore, a single share from prizes claimed at sea was usually more than he'd make in a week's work robbing people on land; not to mention the fact his ill-gotten gains had taken him past the level of 'very rich' many years ago.

[philomena]

Philomena sighed deeply. She probably shouldn't be talking to him. He could be one of those.... that seemed nice at first to lure you in and then you're suddenly kidnapped and hundreds of miles away with no way to escape! Mena always let her imagination run away with her at times like this.

But she didn't want him to know that. Somehow, it seemed like he had figured as much already, with the comment about frightening her. "No, you where just.... unexpected that's all." There, that was good, she was keeping her composure at least. She wouldn't fall apart in front of him.

At least she thought so, until a rustle from the trees above the man was heard and no other than Irene the giant harpy eagle landed on a lower branch to investigate the man. Mena panicked.

"IRENE! You get over here THIS INSTANT! KRAAAAA!" Philomena was being completely serious, but Irene seemed to be amused by this whole situation. The big bird didn't want to miss the chance to meet someone new!

[Merik Dragmire]

At the sound above him the Gerudo burst into motion, diving forward into a roll that brought him into a crouch staring up into the tree expecting an attacker. Though he was still proud of his quick reflexes he felt incredibly foolish when he realized it was only a bird landing to get a better look. As that thought penetrated his mind, he caught up with the rest of the world and realized the woman was yelling at the bird. Smirking a little at the eagle he stood back up and brushed himself off.

"Irene huh? Well Irene, congratulations, you just spooked me more than any monster ever has. By the Goddess you are a big bird aren't you?" Merik asked, the amusement evident in his voice as he spoke. After watching Irene for a few more seconds he turned back to Philomena. "Judging by how familiar you are with her I'd say I'm right in my assumption that she belongs to you. She's quite a beautiful eagle."

[philomena]

She was surprised by the man's reaction. She had expected him to be a bit startled, but how he rolled to get away spoke of his physical prowess that she could never match. She was right to be wary of him, if he had bad intentions backed my strength and speed...... but WHY was she still thinking about this? She had other things to worry about!

Irene, for one. That bird always picked the worst moment possible to misbehave. The Eagle was currently hopping down to a lower branch to get a better look, and a possible treat. She would never ignore a chance to get free food without hunting!

"You could say that she belongs to me, but she would tell you that I belong to her. She has a bit of a superiority complex, if you where a king she still wouldn't look up at you." Oh gosh, she was rambling. She couldn't stop talking from nervousness. "Don't let her hear you complimenting her either, that would only make things worse. Luckily she can't understand you."

[Merik Dragmire]

As Merik turned back at the sound of the Eagle hopping closer, he picked out a few key phrases that the woman had said.

She would tell you that I belong to her.

Luckily she can't understand you.

Her words definitely caught his interest as he smirked at Irene without turning back to Philomena.

"Of course she can't understand me, I'm surprised that she can understand you...it's a rare skill that I've only really heard of the Minish exhibiting before. Which makes me curious about how and where you learned the language of birds? Not that its any of my business, as I said I'm simply curious."

[philomena]

Time for her to get defensive. Somehow she was managing to convince him that she was somehow valuable and rare, and she still didn't know if he was to be trusted or not! She wished that she was back in her room in castle town, at least there was other people there to watch for suspicious individuals!

"Well It's nothing like a normal conversation like we're having." She wondered if standing there and talking to him like this was the best idea, or if she should just be on her way. Her mouth didn't seem to want to stop. "It's more like chaining together feelings and meanings and sounds and gestures..... it's the same from both ends. It's really more intuition than anything. " Philomena let out a deep breath that she had been holding and tried to make herself calm down.

[Merik Dragmire]

Merik listened intently as the woman explained her ability, most likely not fully divulging her secret, but giving him enough information to ponder.

"That is fascinating miss, and I'm sure it took quite a few years of training to recognize the signals and in turn have your own signals recognized by your feathered friends." he said as he turned and gave Irene a quick smile.

(OOC: Ugh crappy post is crappy but I kinda just slammed into a brick-wall on this one lol)