Totoka River Stairway to heaven

For @Huā, @Ying, @Ruò and really whoever else in Yuelong! Forward dated May. 12th.

 

The tide was not yet low but as the sea shifted the sand bank bridge which allowed others to cross was seen under the shifting water. At this point Aiolos could have crossed, trudging through the water with it up to his sides. But he waited patiently, unwilling to cross onto the island without firstly being invited. He didnt call, didnt wish to demand the attention of the leader. He would settle on the sands surrounded by break offs of the river which led to the ocean. Soon enough a member would show and he would ask to be escorted for judgement. Until then? Fiery eyes lifted up to the skies, simply enjoying the afternoon of a bright and breezy day.

forward dated a few days!

She was on her way back to the island when she saw him. Settled in the pathway, a man painted in the colors of flame and sunlight. He was quite a vivid sight, much different than the people of the Jiang family. Still- he seemed strangely focused on the island that lie ahead. Did he know of it? Their claim?

Huā approaches him, letting out a gentle chuff to announce her presence. Was he a lone wolf? Perhaps he could be a valuable attribute, she thinks, as he looks him up and down.

It didnt take long for a woman to come along, not directly from the island but from which he sat and waited. He had expected a female, granted Ying said most were woman here. She chuffed and he turned, fiery eyes looking over her curiously. She had sandy tones mostly, with her legs and head a near black. It reminded him of Caiaphas again, a siren women he had met some time ago. Of course, she also reminded him of Ruo too. It seemed much of the women were covered in prominent makings. 

He cuffs out to her in turn, a grumble of voice without words and lifts from his seating position to dip his head to her respectfully. Hello ma'am. He greets firstly, not yet wanting bombard her with information if she was not a woman of charge.

Polite, just like the mountainous man of the other day that she had found not so far from here, gazing at the island in the same way. Was every boy that turned up at this spot destined to be some kind of gentleman? If so, perhaps she ought to hang around. It would certainly be a nice break from the arguementative and wholly different relatives of hers. 

His dipped head reminds her of the bowing back home, which only serves to appease her further. Greetings, boy. I see you look at island... A pause, as if for theatrical effect, and then- Do you know of it? I am empress there. She introduces, though holds off her name for now.

To the word 'boy', his lips initially tighten to a bit of a frown but does so to quickly remove it, refraining from scrunching up his face to it. She spoke in the same odd tongue as both Ruo and Ying, a sure sign to him she was family. He certainly thought she didnt mean anything by the term, granted he seemed to be older then she. 

He nods to her words, mmotioning with a jutting of his muzzle to the west. I know of it, Empress. He speaks with her title respectfully. I have been staying on the plateau to the west. I met Ying there, whom granted me a place in Junshi. I know Ruo, also... And far longer then Ying, too. However, he was uncertain if Ruo had ever mentioned him to any of his family, especially the empress. If so, it would have likely been by the name 'Lion', though for this woman... I'm Aiolos.

He frowns almost, if for just a millisecond, which has her eyes narrow. Why would he act like that? She found it irritating at the least. No need to frown after the empress speaks to you. As quick as it came though, it was gone, and replaced with same respect as before. Already calling her empress- my, how she loved the sound of that! Was he the first one who had truly addressed her in such a way? Even her highest ranked had not shown her such respect. I ought to replace my nobles with someone like you. He was on her good side already. 

He tells of knowing Ruò and Ying both, and she nods. At the word junshi, a bitter taste fills her mouth. So he was one of hers, then. Oh well. She could still recruit him to Yuèlóng and she damn well would. The best way to steal Ying's power was by taking her soldiers and making them into her own people. Aiolos. I am happy to know you. My name Huāzhen Jiang, I am sister of Ying and cousin of Ruò. A moment of pause, and then, You live alone, why not come live with friends?

And to her good side he would do his best to remain. He had been molded and hardened by rock and sea salt to do as a woman demanded even if he didnt want to, even if his body ached against it. However, given his time away from the cruelty of many Nereides and into the affection of those in Courtfall, he didnt think he could being himself to be looked down upon with pity and loath once again. As a child, Aiolos was a defiant one, often narrowing his eyes as he looked away, cursing under his lips. Now he was grown and away from them. He knew to respect a woman, to listen and learn and obey, but he wasnt a servant any longer. 

"Huāzhen." He speaks the odd name delicately. I would very much appreciate your acceptance, if you find me fitting. He pauses enough to shift his footing to that a single front limb slides forth, lowering his front half as his head lowers down, ears flattened before the Queenn Empress. I have been a guardian much of my life and been scouting ever since my former mission to come to these lands. I have lived on an island before as well.  He hoped that not only would she find him worthy to have in her home but worthy to have him within her ranks. While he wasnt much for challenging a woman, he would strive to become the best man amongst the Yuelong.

is there a way to get this to 10 posts so I can use for scout trade? :"D maybe he can ask a question or smtg?

The boy submit to her, ears flattened, body lowered. This went a long way for her- flattery and respect from men always came as such a surprise that she couldn't help but like those who appeased her. He lists some skills as well as his qualifications, and she nods approvingly. Even the fact that he lived on an island before was a benefit- many, she knew, were quite uncomfortable with the location of their home. She had no plans to move any time soon, so he would be well adjusted. 

Very good. I welcome you to Yuèlóng- a friend of Ruò and Ying is also my friend. She tells him. Was it still true? After Ying had done what she'd done? But she shakes the thought away, choosing to focus on the boy. If you accept, I meet you back at island. You can begin use caches, hunt, mark borders. Okay?

Sure thing!

 

Yes, Empress. I will see to it. Often or not did he scout out the lands around the coast and now he would explore those bits of land just off the coast as well, this island he would now call home. As he scouted, he would gather he what it was he could - information, possible members, food and of course, mark as he went along. It was easy enough for him, granted he liked being of use, being needed and of course amongst the men, being on top. 

How far have you ventured since being on the coast? Have you seen the Plateau to the west? He had been here just after the quakes when little life was left on the coast. He knew she had not been here before and wondered now how long she had been around and of course if she knew the rise by the sea which he would often be visiting on his ventures.

She nods, When I arrive this place, I come from south alone. I pass through the land from south to north, my sister come later on. I very fa... familiar, with beach by now. She thinks for a moment, tail flicking side to side as her gaze heads southward, as if she could see the plateau like a little speck in her vision. When I go that place, not claimed. No one live there. She shares.

Before officially taking her leave, she would wait to see should he have anymore questions. All the while, she would ponder the fact that even a boy unrelated to herself made a better follower than her own relatives. Perhaps her sister did not deserve so high a rank with her flaming attitude, considering the way this golden boy was able to respect her right off the bat. This would weigh on her mind for many days to come.

I had come from the south too, originally with a group in search for a lost mate of ours. The lands had been raging from quakes at the time. You should be glad you missed it. The beach was far too dangerous to live on then... Which is why he had been cautious of packing a pack directly on the beach. When bad weather and floods came, the island wolves here could find refuge on the hill slopes. However, if it continued and food grew scarce they may be forced to relocate. If anything, Aiolos at least new the place he would recommend. 

The plateau is still unclaimed. I had stayed there for a time. And would still often go there if Junshi were to make it a sort of hub. He imagined he would have much freedom to do so if he remained scouting and guarding. I shouldnt keep you... He spoke then after a long pause, his muzzle upturning in a lovely boyish smile. I'll go get settled. He awaited her dismissal and with a wave of his tail, turned and waded into the shallows of the sanded bridge that would take him to his new home.