It's only cause my mind's been spinning, all of this is just beginning.

[whateverthemess]

Murphy stands out in front of the barracks' open gates, turning Fidelacchius over in her hands as she looks out at the woods. She's just finished putting out a call to potential first responders - and yelling at certain parties for being massive fricking idiots. Now all that's left is to wait until people show up. If they show up

Comments

Every first responder team needs a welcome gryphon .. No, really, they do!! :>

[bondedgryphon]

Zhaneel had heard Karrin's missive over the communicator, but she was not particularly technologically savvy so she had been unable to respond. So, the best option would be for her to show up a the main gates and see what this was all about. She was not as good a fighter as many in her Wing, but she was resolute and would try her hardest. Perhaps the people here would see her as an asset as she had started to see herself at home.

She flies in from the west, dipping down through a break in the canopy leaves. Landing, the gryphon begins to pad the last of the distance to the gates of the barracks. She puts herself at risk everytime she approaches someone, particularly these people that seem so shocked that she even exists, but she doesn't know any other way to contact and volunteer. Perhaps someone will be willing to teach her how to use the communicator as Karrin had?

She sees the opening in the barracks wall ahead and there is a fair haired woman standing there already. Zhaneel can see her clearly, even from this distance, and recognizes her as the woman Karrin. She clears her throat as she approaches, pausing far enough away that she can take back to the sky in a beat if need be.

"I wish to help," she calls to her, weight shifting from foot to foot. Her crossbow isn't visible between her wings, but it's there all the same. "You do not know me, but I was brought here to the Wood as well. I am capable of many things if you give me the chance.." She can barely keep herself from pacing, worried this one will react like the others. "I know I am not .. typical, but I can help .."

Her eartufts flicker forward before pinning again, feeling foolish to be asking at all. She could be refused and then what? She would be back to flying the skies in a repetitive circle and constantly herding in newcomers that would be more terrified of her than grateful.

[whateverthemess]

Murphy eases a step back, forcing herself not to go any farther. This... thing. Hasn't made a move to attack. It's saying it wants to help. And having someone who can fly around would be useful - if they can be trusted.

"What's your name?"

[bondedgryphon]

Zhaneel watches the woman as she takes a step back, unable to help but sigh softly. She chooses to respond to the question first and foremost. She hadn't met this woman, so she was due a reaction of this sort. It shouldn't surprise her anymore, right?

"My name is Zhaneel and I am a gryphon," she says plainly, moving to sit back on her haunches. "And please, rest easy .. I've no intention of attacking anything without justification, nor of eating anything remotely human in size or shape."

[whateverthemess]

"...Wow," Murphy whispers. "Sorry, I've never..."

It's nice that she can still be surprised. Well, not nice. Nice that she can still be awed, yes. She shifts Fidelacchius, finally slinging the strap over her shoulder again and out of the way. She's not letting her guard down just yet, but she's not about to attack someone acting so obviously non-hostile. "How long have you been here? Why haven't I seen you before?"

[bondedgryphon]

Zhaneel studies the woman curiously, although she is not so relaxed that she cannot take immediately back to the air if need be. She was finding it best to not relax so much around those in the Wood, much for her own safety as anything.

She watches warily as the woman shifts and slings her sword over her shoulder, although not where she cannot get to it. It seemed neither were going to let their guard down just now and that was rather sensible, all things considered. Neither had met the other before this, after all, and Zhaneel was rather sorely aware that these people did not know she as a friend.

However, the show of deliberately putting the sword in a less offensive position is not lost on the gryphon.

"Only a short time," she says softly, not yet moving to sit. It would be easier to take to the air from her feet than not. "I arrived two days into the gala celebration. I thought it best to keep mostly to myself, under the circumstances. There appear to be no others of my kind amongst all of you and it was best to not get myself injured in an attempt to gather information of any kind." Her expression, if you can read it Karrin, is rather wry and amused considering the circumstances. "I'm rather fond of my feathers and hide .. I'd rather not see them marred with any unnecessary holes for any misunderstanding."

[whateverthemess]

"...Ouch. Quite a welcome." Murphy slowly moves forward, breathing a quick prayer and hoping this thing - this kind of gorgeous thing - is as friendly and well-intentioned as it says. As she says. "Zhaneel. Where are you from?"

Not that Murphy really expects to recognize any names, but still. She's close now, just a step out of easy strike range. "There are humans where you're from?"

[bondedgryphon]

Zhaneel snorts softly, nodding once. "It was certainly a crash course, as it were, on what to expect of this place." Spending a day as a human had filled her with exhilaration, if she was to be honest with herself. She was not certain how soon she would wish to repeat it, as she had performed any number of social mistakes.

She remains perfectly still as Karrin approaches, letting the human do so at her own pace to avoid seeing the pointy end of her sword. She isn't doing anything outwardly threatening, but it was all a matter of perspective. She, the huge hulking beast and she the diminutive human female. You could see where the error would fall if Zhaneel managed to get herself attacked while trying to avoid any confrontation at all.

"Velgarth," she replies simply, inner lids flicking across her eyes. "I very much doubt that you have heard of it. Only one other I have met has, and she is from another time altogether."

At the last she bobs her head once, beak nodding in ascent. "The primary species, actually .. Ours is a land rife with magic and creatures like myself and others far different still."

[whateverthemess]

"Do you have any experience with organized militia or law enforcement? Anything like that?" She'll get around to asking what Zhaneel's specific skill set might be - even if the gryphon isn't much of a fighter, having someone who can fly is bound to be an asset. "And I'm sorry if this is a weird thing to ask - but can I touch you?"

[bondedgryphon]

She nods her head, not taking any fashion of offense at the question. Karrin had asked them to come together to form a sort of response team, so it was only sensible to see if those volunteering could actually help and in what ways. Though Zhaneel felt that any volunteer was helpful, she could see the merit in knowing exactly what everyone was capable of. When she answers, there is no manner of exaggeration or boasting; just a simple reply with the facts.

"Since I was a fledgling and capable, I have flown scouting missions for my Wing. I am able bodied with reconnaissance and general warfare training, both in flight and on the ground." She says this knowing that her shape supports the declaration. "I persevere in diving techniques and was the highest and longest flier amongst all of the Wings. I am capable with a crossbow," she shifts slightly, showing the weapon on her back, "as well as basic medic care."

Experience, Karrin? Oh, yes, plenty.

At the last question she gives pause, blinking inner lids across her eyes. A moment ago she had been concerned that this woman might take a weapon to her, but she seemed genuine in her interest. She tilts her head slightly to one side and finally nods her head once, beak parted slightly in a grin.

"If you would like."