An Adventure

[Cleef]

Cleef landed on the branch just outside the diner hollow. He was hungry from flying around the tree, running errands for the Guardians and, since it was about that time, decided to fly to the diner hollow.

Cleef hopped of the branch and glided into the entrance of the hollow. The nest maid snakes and a few other owls were already there. Cleef spotted a snake with no one around it and took a place there, others, probably mostly owlets, would fill in around him and ask for stories of his adventures. He didn't know if any other grown owls would like that.

Cleef sat down on the snakes left flank and began a conversation while he waited for the other owls and food to show up.

[xxskyfalconxx]

Naraky arrived at the tree just before first light, and he was astounded at what he was seeing. He had heard of this tree ever since he was a hatchling and has always desired to go there, however he was planning to save the best for last on his journey.

There were many hollows and many owls that seemed to be flying toward one of the biggest hollows in the tree, so he thought maybe that’s where he should head first. He landed outside of this strange hollow and looked inside noticing that many owls started to gather around rather small snakes, this was strange to Naraky because he never had a nest maid snake in his family, however some nearby sooties did and the owlets always seemed to be screeching at the snake for going through the hollow and moving all of their owlipoppens , while also rearranging some coloured glossen that she like to place where the sun could shine through it and warn her body, however this annoyed the small sooties because she would rearrange it constantly while the owlets were trying to sleep during the day; the parents however didn’t mind this because she had been in the family for years, so they had gotten used to it.

As he entered the hollow a feeling of uneasiness came over him and was confused on where to go or what to do, so he decided it would probably be best if he should go talk to someone who looked important; he saw that many of the older owls were around snakes together, however he wanted to catch someone who wasn’t in such a large group and was by themself, however there was no owl that wasn’t by themself except a burrowing owl who had a couple fledglings around him, so he decided that this was the closet he was gonna get.

[Cleef]

Cleef had attained a small crowd of young owls and was just now telling them the story about how he had saved one of his friend's owlets from the curropt St. Aggies. "....And once I spotted him, rather secluded from the others, I took a deep breath, the breath of qui, and swooped down to grab him." One of the owlets raised his talon in a questioning manner, "Yes, little one," said Cleef. "What's the breath of qui?" the owlet asked. "The breath of qui," Cleef answered, "is basically a breath exercise that helps me to fly faster." "Oh," answered the owlet, "what happened next?"

Cleef continued on with the story, he was reacting the story in small gestures and wing raisings, in fact, he was so absorbed in entertaining the young ones gathered around him that he didn't notice the nervous Great Horned owl that was approaching his table.

[xxskyfalconxx]

As Naraky approached the group of owls that surrounded the snake who was being used as a table, he overheard the burrowing owl telling a tale to the owlets of him using the breath of qui in a battle. “This owl is differently interesting,” Naraky thought to himself as he watched the owl continue the story. However, as much as he wanted to hear more, he knew he would have to interrupt; so he approached the table and suddenly all the owlets seemed to take their focus off the older owl and turn their heads towards Naraky, making him feel awkward. "ex...excuse me," Naraky stammered, "but could you maybe help me out, i'm new here and i'm a bit confused on what to do."

[Cleef]

"Ah," said Cleef, "young owls, it seems the Tree has acquired a new member, give him a warm welcome." At that, the owlets gave this new owl a chorus of "Hello," and "Welcome." "You should return to your parents owlets, I have to show our new friend around the tree and take him to the King and Queen," the little group gave out a grand "awwww," one of the owlets exclaimed, "But you haven't finished the story!" Cleef looked at the small band, "Yes, I know I haven't finished yet, remember where we are and I'll finish it next meal okay?" all the owlets nodded, said goodbye, and returned to their parents.

Cleef then turned to the tree's new member, "You caught me in the middle of a story, the little ones love it when I tell them of my adventures." Cleef looked the new owl up and down. He had the normal coloration of a Great Horned owl, but was a bit larger than usual for a male.

"Anyways," said Cleef, "my name's Cleef and this here," Cleef spread his wings, gesturing to the whole hollow, "is the dinning hollow of the Great Tree of Ga'hoole. Naturally, this being a dinning hollow, this is where all the owls of the tree eat. Now, come with me and we'll pay a little visit to the Rulers of the tree."

At that Cleef exited the dinning hollow with the Great horn right on his tail. He put them in the direction of the king and queens hollow.

[xxskyfalconxx]

Naraky followed Cleef out of the dinning hollow; he flew swiftly behind him whilst passing many owls who were still heading towards the large hollow. "I’m really going to meet the king and queen?!" he whispered to himself; however he did wonder why he was being taken straight to them, he never thought that the king and queen would personally meet every new visitor of the great tree, but this proved to him that they were obviously great leaders, so he decided not to bother Cleef with the question.

Naraky was staying quiet whilst they were flying around the ga’hoole tree, mainly observing in awe at his surroundings while also noticing the long vines of milkberries that hung around the tree. Milkberries were a personal favourite of naraky’s, he loved to get tipsy every now and again on them at a grog tree, however he also loved to catch out the odd boastful owl while he was also tipsy and dare him to fly through a part of the shadow forest that was just thick with trees; they all mainly failed to get through it and most of the time they would injure themselves, however they usually fly fairly slow so their injuries aren’t always that bad, a broken wing every now and again but that’s what happens when you accept a stupid dare.

Naraky wondered how this burrowing owl might go on the course, and with that he gave as small churr, but he did realise that the smaller owls seemed to get through the trees easier, only twice had had other owls made it through the course with him and they were both elf, he had never asked an burrowing owl to fly through the course so he was a little curious to see how he would go. However he then refocused his mind back onto the event ahead.

[Cleef]

"Did I miss a joke or something?" Cleef asked over his port wing as he heard the new arrival churr. He smiled and faced forward again. It was probably a churr of some odd thought the owl had had. Nothing of Cleef's concern.

Cleef landed just outside of the monarchs' hollow, "Now," he said, "you may be wondering why I've taken you to our king and queen first. This is simply so they know you are here and can set up a tour. Nothing scary's going to happen." Cleef smiled at the Great Horned, "But it is alright to be nervous. Let's enter."

With that said, Cleef rapped on the bark right outside the entrance. He heard the king's voice, "You may enter," Cleef did just that, with Naraky right behind him.

"Your majesties," Cleef said happily, "we have a visiter who plans to join the Guardians." Cleef gestured with his wing towards Naraky, he also signaled for the owl to come closer.

The King looked at the Great Horned owl, "Owl, what is your name?" he asked.

[xxskyfalconxx]

"my name is Naraky your Majesty." He said while also moving closer towards the king.

[Cleef]

"Well, Naraky," said the King, "let me be the next to welcome you to the great ga'hoole tree. We will send you on the classes for new arrivals when they start. As for now, I'm sure Cleef wouldn't mind giving you a tour of the tree."

The king looked at Cleef, "No, I would actually be delighted to help out a new arrival, knowing that helping is something I do best." Cleef looked to Naraky, "Follow me, I'll show you this tree," he said, hinting that he had just rhymed to himself.

Cleef flew out of the hollow with the new arrival following. "Hmmm, what to show you first?" Cleef stopped, and hovered, he turned his body so that he faced Naraky. "Well, let me ask you, is there anywhere in the tree that you know of that you'd like to see first?"

(OOC: Even though I started this thread, this is Naraky's story. I don't really have any plans. So, don't be afraid to take the wheel. )

[xxskyfalconxx]

Naraky had heard of all sorts of amazing places and things they did at the tree, but the sun was over the horizon now and he began to feel a bit tired and still needed to get something to eat; and so he thought about postponing the tour till tomorrow night.

“I’ve heard amazing stories about the tree, its chaws, and the owls that live here from other travellers and by visiting grog trees.” Naraky replied to Cleef , “And I had planned on visiting the tree a little while back, however I’m a little tired from the flight and a bit hungry at the moment, is it alright if you could show me where I’ll be sleeping?” But before Cleef could reply, Naraky remembered the necklace, “wait, actually I need to show something I found first, here follow me.” Naraky then went into a dive with Cleef right on his tale. He had placed the necklace down by the roots of the tree when he first arrived because he didn’t want to be carrying it around with him. Naraky soon spotted the external root were he had placed the necklace under, he then flew down and landed underneath the root with Cleef landing just seconds after he had. Naraky then turned his gaze onto a small mound of dirt that was covering the necklace to keep it hidden; he then moved the dirt away to reveal the hawk necklace to Cleef.

“I found it around an old, wooden others hollow far south of Tyto forest.” Naraky told Cleef, “and I think this could have belonged to one of them, and anyway I heard about a weavers guild that could maybe fix this for me.” Naraky said while showing Cleef the broken string.

(OCC: Thanks Cleef This roleplaying is turning out to be great, I’m really enjoying it!)

[Cleef]

Cleef examined the necklace while it was still in the Great Horned's talons. It was quite a piece of work, but Cleef knowing the weavers guild, it would be fixed by morning.

Cleef looked to Naraky, "I think the weavers guild will be able to fix this easily, it's only a broken string. I'll show you your hollow and then take it to them. That is, of course, unless you'd like to take it to them yourself. In my opinion it's quite a rare find. Finding a necklace before Trader Mags could get a hold of it."

Cleef took a breath, "Anyways, would you like me to take you to your hollow and then take the necklace to the guild, or would you rather take it to them yourself?"

[xxskyfalconxx]

Naraky decided it would probably be better if he took it to the weavers guild himself, so he replied "i recon it would be best if i take the necklace to the weavers in person." And so the two owls took flight with Naraky following Cleef and the necklace clutched between his talons, they headed towards the weavers guild.

[Cleef]

(OOC: Snap, I think the Weavers guild is in a hollow, but I'm not sure...If I'm wrong please correct me.)

Cleef landed outside the hollow of the weavers guild. He rapped on the outside of the hollow, was invited in, and gestured for Naraky to go within first.

The group of two entered the hollow. Cleef began explaining to the head of the guild, "Our newest member of the tree has a necklace that he would like repaired, it's only a broken string so I think it will be an easy fix. Then again, I'm not an expert."

The snake examined the necklace, "Yes," she said, "It should be an easy fix, it will be ready by morning, darling." She took it further within the hollow so that they could add it to their worked.

Cleef then turned to the Great Horned, "I think I can take you to your hollow now. The guild will patch that necklace up expertly." Cleef then exited the hollow with Naraky right behind. He knew exactly where Naraky's hollow would be as the monarchs had given him the information right before he left the hollow.

Cleef and the Great Horned owl landed right outside a rather spacious hollow. "I think you will find it fitting as the tree tends to create hollows of perfect fit for its inhabitants. Is there anything else you'd like to see before bed?"

[xxskyfalconxx]

Naraky looked inside the hollow with awe; this was the largest and most amazing hollow he had ever had to himself. There were selves to the right of the hollow to place books with perches running along the side, as well as a main perch that was located at the very back of the hollow and in the shape of a semi-circle with enough space to fit 3 owls; a small desk with an ink tray and a plain, white scroll; and to top this off for Naraky, milkberry vines were creeping through the entrance of the hollow. Naraky entered the hollow while Cleef was telling him something about the tree and how it treats to all its inhabitants, and this hollow was no exception. Then he eventually replied to Cleef once he had done studying the hollow, “no thanks Cleef, im sure your as tired as I am; however I wouldn’t mind if you would be able to get a maid to bring a vole up to my hollow, just a bit hungry.” Cleef obviously didn’t mind doing this, and so just before he flew out the hollow he informed Naraky to just go straight to the dinning hollow when he wakes up at tween time and that he’ll meet him there; and so the two new friends bided each other good light and Cleef flew out of the hollow to get a maid and then head back to his own hollow.

Minutes later a nest maid snake arrived with a vole wrapped in her tail. “so you’re the new arrival to the tree?” she asked while she handing the vole into Naraky’s talons, “yeah” he replied, “who told you, Cleef?” “well, not first; a young owlet told from a family I look after said that a new comer interrupted their story.” Naraky then remember the young owlets that Cleef was entertaining, “oh, I see…” The nest maid then drew nearer to Naraky while flicking her tongue- making naraky feel awkward and back away a little. “I don’t bite” The snake hissed “It’s just so I can get a proper scent from you; it’ll help me tell if your around the tree or not and locate you easier if someone wants me to find you.” She said in a caring way, and so Naraky then allowed her then take a proper scent from him. Once the snake was finished, she welcomed him to the tree and wished him good light, and Naraky wished her good light in return.

He looked around his hollow again, still stunned at what he was seeing; he looked at the shelves that were currently empty and remembered hearing from somewhere that the tree had a vast library. Although he had been to Ambala and many other places that had libraries, he knew none would compare to this one, and so this was one of many things he wished to see. Naraky decided it was time he should be getting to sleep, so he finished the vole and flew over to the main perch in his hollow and shut his eyes, however one questions was still flowing around in his head, “Will I have to give up travelling to become a guardian?” Cleef early on asked him his intension as they were flying towards the kings hollow: If he wanted to become a guardian or just staying for a little while, he didn’t exactly know what to say, he wasn’t sure if he would suit being a guardian, but then again he has to go through many tests before he would be able to be a guardian, so he took the opportunity and would decide after a couple weeks if this is what he would want to do with his life.

[Cleef]

The sun had just sank under the horizon, the tree slowly began to stir. One of the early owls was Cleef, whom was already heading to the dinner hollow, although it probably wouldn't be open yet, he would perch outside of it and wait for Naraky. He had told him that he would meet him at the dinner hollow, so he didn't want Naraky to get there and see that Cleef wasn't.

Cleef landed on a branch that was just to the side of the dinner hollow. A few owlets joined him. They had been awaken early so that they wouldn't be half asleep during their lessons. When they saw Cleef arrive they thought that maybe he could finish his story to help pass the time. The dinner hollow wouldn't open for a little while yet.

Cleef surveyed his little group, all of the owlets from yesterday where there with a few more. "You are a bunch of early risers," Cleef commented with a slight churr. The owlets giggled. Cleef quickly summarized what he had told yesterday then continued on with the story. He made sure to look out from his small group to look for Naraky every now and then.