Custom Field Fester
KatRaccoon
[Our four heroes are deep in the caverns, crowded around a hearthfire jello. As they warm themselves and rest, they tell their stories - sharing with each other accounts of their pasts, their motivations for leaving home, and most importantly, how they ended up here. As Anvil and Moon Moon finish telling their respective stories, Vinayak begins telling one of his own.]
Vinayak: Well at least you two chose to leave home... I didn't have that option. [crosses arms and looks down at the floor]
Anvil: [a concerned expression] What's stopping you from going back? Surely your family can't be as bad as this guy's, here. [gestures to Moon Moon, who wrinkles his nose]
Vinayak: Go back? Without being able to fly? [laughs] What, do you think I just dropped out of bird school or something?
Ari: [cracks up laughing and grins at Vinayak] Did you just say "bird school?"
[Vin turns to raise an eyebrow at Ari, who continues to laugh.]
Moon Moon: [grinning as well] Well, did you drop out of bird school?
Vinayak: No! Well, kind of... Not exactly. [grimaces uncomfortably]
[Focus on a giant forested island, floating high in the sky. Roots dangle from the underside and waterfalls drain over the edges. House-sized, nestlike dwellings can be seen woven into the trees above and the roots below as raptorans soar around them.]
(Vinayak's narration: I grew up on the sky island we call "the Aerie". Raptoran society serves the lords of the Elemental Plane of Air, and my clan is no exception. Our loyalty to them is what enables us to fly, you see; in fact, it is the sole reason our island is able to remain aloft. I'm not sure how much you know about islands, but they don't normally hover around like goddamn parade floats.)
[Focus moves in toward the island. Raptorans of all kinds go about their business gathering food and doing other bird-related things. Up close, the dwellings look similar to weaver bird nests, but more intricate and decorated.]
(Vinayak's narration: In exchange for our powers of flight, we raptorans are expected to be trained as warriors from the moment we leave the nest. Warriors for what, exactly, I honestly couldn't say; as long as I've been alive, our society has been at peace. It kind of works that way when you're half a mile in the sky -- weirdly, not a lot of people are willing to venture up there to pick fights with you.)
[A young Vinayak stands among several other raptoran students (age ~12-13). Each is holding what appears to be a hunting bow designed for use by raptoran feet. While the other students glance around excitedly, Vinayak stares at his weapon with tentative confusion.]
(Vinayak's narration: When I reached the age of 13, my father sent me to training along with the rest of the fledglings. Believe it or not, I was meant to become a warrior.)
[Moon Moon barks a laugh, interrupting the flashback]
Moon Moon: You?! Hah! I thought I was a screw-up, but come on! I haven't met anyone as abysmal as you in my life.
Vinayak: [mildly irritated] Thanks, man, you know? Because I wasn't aware of that already.
Moon Moon: I mean, how could your bird dad or whoever not take one look at you and realize you're a huge wuss?
[Ari chuckles at the phrase "bird dad"]
Moon Moon: If you'd grown up in my tribe, you would have gotten the crap kicked out of you pretty much immediately, guaranteed. You'd probably make for a nice chew toy, though.
Vinayak: [sits in silence for a moment, arms crossed] ...Are you done?
Moon Moon: Oh, lighten up. It's not like you didn't interrupt my story like eight times, you ass.
Vinayak: [sulkily] At least my jokes were funny...
Moon Moon: Hey, Ari seemed to think mine were pretty good.
Ari: [presses her lips together for a moment before cracking up again] Pffffhahaha! "Bird school!"
Vinayak: [ignoring her laughter and rolling his eyes] Yes, I get it. Fighting clearly isn't my thing.
[Flashback to training, where a wooden sign is mounted to a tree that reads "Bird School". A raptoran combat instructor hovers in front of a small group of students with a footbow in claw, gesturing for everyone to do the same.]
(Vinayak's narration: That didn't stop anyone from trying to make it my thing, though...)
[While the rest of the students stand on one foot and pull their bows away from themselves with the other, Vinayak can be seen struggling with his. After looking around for a second, he discreetly uses mage hand to hold it in place with a minimal amount of effort.]
(Vinayak's narration: I wasn't very strong, no... But my talents shone through in other ways.)
[As Vinayak whistles nonchalantly, Vogel, a very stern-looking older male raptoran walks up behind him. Vinayak looks up to see his dad raising an eyebrow at him, causing him to nervously release mage hand's grip on the bow. The bowstring snaps forward and catapults the bow into the back of another student's head. He winces as the other student moans on the ground.]
Young Vin: [cups his hands over his mouth as he shouts] Soor-ryy!
[Vogel sighs and shakes his head disapprovingly. He flies away as Vinayak stares after him, looking sheepish.]
(Vinayak's narration: Unfortunately, my father didn't seem to approve. He never said anything, but I could tell that he was disappointed in me somehow. It's weird... I never saw him do any fighting, but he always expected it out of me. It was pretty infuriating, to tell the truth.)
[As a group of young raptorans practices weapons-related stances, Vinayak can be seen hiding in a tree a little ways away, playing his didgeridoo. A tiny swirl of something shimmery seems to be issuing forth from the end of it.]
(Vinayak's narration: I became more irreverent as I grew older and began shirking my duties. What exactly was I training for? I didn't want to become a warrior; in fact, I hated the whole idea of fighting anyone! Our own home was as safe as it could be, and I saw no point in preparing for a war that would never happen. While my friends busied themselves becoming stronger, I remained aloof, reading books and practicing my magic.)
[Vinayak breaks away from his flashback for a moment]
Vinayak: It's not like I didn't understand what my father was on about. I mean, when your entire clan lives on a giant sky island that is kept afloat solely by some sort of god magic, you kind of have to listen to what that god says, you know? But I was starting to become sour on the whole arrangement, regardless.
Anvil: [gravely] So that's why you can't fly? Because you gave up on your gods? [shakes his head with heavy disapproval] It's no wonder...
Vinayak: Well, I wouldn't say "gave up". But it's true that I didn't entirely agree with the lives they intended for us. If anything, what I gave up on was ever fitting into the role that I was expected to fill, which just so happened to also go against the will of the air lords. So... yeah. [a sullen expression] No fighting, no flying, I guess.
[Flashback returns. A slightly older Vinayak is playing his didge for a couple of his friends, who are laughing and marveling at the illusory dancing snake coming out of it. Vogel approaches the group, looking stern, and Vinayak swiftly makes the illusion dissipate.]
(Vinayak's narration: I was entirely prepared to make that sacrifice, but my father apparently had other plans for me.)
Vogel: I'd like to have a word with you, son. Come with me.
[Vinayak's friends wave goodbye to him as they disperse, most of them flying away. As Vogel turns to leave, Vinayak follows after him, stuffing his didgeridoo away into his bag of holding. When they finally stop walking, they are standing at the edge of the island, overlooking the open sky.]
Vinayak: [tentatively, frowning] So, uh... what's up, dad?
[Vogel motions out toward a flock of raptorans who are flying around and hunting for game. One of them seems to have caught a large bat-like creature.]
Vogel: Tell me, Vinayak - what do you see?
Vinayak: [squinting and shielding his eyes with his hand] Uh, that looks like old uncle Touco over there. I think he finally caught one of those fruit bats that have been raiding our orchard recently. [cheerfully] Dang, looks like a big one, too!
Vogel: I meant what are they doing?
Vinayak: Well, it looks like they're skinning it now... [expression changes to one of disgust] Ugh! Do they really have to let the guts fall out like that? What happens when they reach the ground, I wonder? [laughs] Could you imagine some guy down there just walking along, minding his own business, when suddenly--
[Ever patient, Vogel places a hand on his son's shoulder, cutting him off. He pinches the bridge of his nose and closes his eyes, letting out a deep sigh.]
Vogel: They're flying, son...
Vinayak: Oh. Right.
Vogel: It is what our kind is meant to do. It is a mark of great indignity and weakness to be confined to the ground. You understand this, don't you?
Vinayak: Dad. I --
Vogel: [sternly, cutting his son off] It is your responsibility as an able-bodied raptoran to serve our lords, and that means you must train yourself for combat. If and when they finally call upon us for aid, it will be our clan's duty -- as well as yours -- to fight for them. This you also understand, I trust.
Vinayak: [defiant, balling his hands into fists] Look, Dad! I never asked to be a part of this! If our gods have battles to fight, they can fight them by their damn selves as far as I'm con--
[With a flick of Vogel's fingers, as if pulling an imaginary zipper through the air, Vinayak's lips are suddenly sealed shut. He continues to protest, clawing at his mouth, but all that can be heard are muffled profanities.]
Vogel: [angrily now, yelling] Zip it!! I will NOT have a pitiful glider as a son!! I will not allow it!!
[Vinayak shrinks back a bit and becomes silent, his feathers ruffled out in surprise. Vogel continues to glare forcefully down at his son for another moment before appearing to calm himself.]
Vogel: Listen, now -- there is a task that you must complete for me. A test of self-reliance, if you will -- of survival, strength, and determination. We call it the Walk of the Four Winds, as a tribute to the pact we made with the lords of the Elemental Plane of Air so many generations ago. If you can complete this task and prove yourself worthy to our lords, you shall be granted the power of flight. Is this understood?
[Vogel flicks his hand through the air again, and Vinayak's lips are parted. Vinayak rubs his mouth and frowns at his father reproachfully.]
Vinayak: [still rubbing his face] Yeah, okay... I understand...
Vogel: You're fully prepared to take on this challenge?
Vinayak: [shrugging apathetically] Sure, I guess.
Vogel: Good. I'm glad we could have this talk.
[A short silence as they both stare out into the sky.]
Vinayak: So... What does this "Walk of the Four Winds" entail, exactly?
[There is a brief pause, and then Vogel pushes Vinayak unceremoniously off of the cliff. Cartoonishly shocked, Vinayak proceeds to plummet toward the earth.]
Vinayak: [shouting upward as he plummets] Hey!! You jeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrk…!
[Ari suddenly starts laughing again, interrupting the reverie.]
Ari: [smiling in mock concern] Aww... Was the little bird not ready to be pushed out of his nest?
Vinayak: [scowling and flushing slightly] No! I wasn't! It came out of freaking nowhere, I mean... [lowering his voice, seeming a bit sad] He didn't even say goodbye or anything...
[Vinayak becomes silent and hangs his head. Anvil frowns in concern and pats Vinayak's shoulder comfortingly, and Ari's face softens a bit, despite herself. Moon Moon, however, snorts harshly, looking disgusted.]
Moon Moon: Oh, boo-hoo! So your loving father wanted to help you become less of a failure. [throws his hands up] Let's get out the snot rags and cry about it, because that's definitely what he would want to see you doing right now.
Vinayak: [miserably, resting his head on his knees] Shut up...
Moon Moon: [crosses his arms and turns his head, glaring out of the corner of his eye] All I'm saying is at least you had family who cared about you. Get over yourself, man...
[Vinayak lifts his head up and looks at Moon Moon apologetically.]
Vinayak: ...I'm sorry.
[Moon Moon snorts again, but says nothing. Meanwhile, Ari sits across from them both, squinting back and forth between them quizzically. Vinayak notices this and raises an eyebrow at her.]
Vinayak: ...What? What are you looking at?
Ari: [still squinting incredulously at Vinayak and Moon Moon] You do realize that your backstories are almost exactly the same, right?
Moon Moon: What?! No they're not!
Ari: [laughs] Seriously? Outcasts in society? Sucked at your assigned roles? Banished by your dads from your respective homelands?
Vinayak: Whoa, hey! "Outcast"? Everyone adored me!
Moon Moon: I wasn't banished! I left of my own accord!
Ari: [gestures toward Moon Moon, rolling her eyes] You were kind of banished. [glances at Vin] And "adored"? [smirks] Forgive me if I doubt that.
Vinayak: [glaring at Ari indignantly] I had so many friends, you have no idea! Way more than that ass over there, I'm sure. [points at Moon Moon, who glowers back]
Ari: [shrugs] I'm just saying... Maybe you two have more in common than you thought you did. Apart from the fact that you're both idiots, I mean.
[Moon Moon and Vinayak glance at each other thoughtfully for a moment before turning away again and scowling. There is a short silence before Anvil speaks up.]
Anvil: [interrupting their sulking] Um... I couldn't help but notice that Petri wasn't in your story at all. I'm curious... how did you two meet?
Vinayak: [perking up] Oh, this little guy? [smiles while patting Petri on the head] He was actually the first one to greet me when I fell to the earth. He was just so sweet - it almost made me not feel so bad about being unexpectedly kicked out of my home.
[Flashback to Vin plummeting through the sky. His wings remain outstretched as he falls, and while they cannot lift him, they appear to be slowing his descent just enough to prevent him from being severely injured. As he spirals toward the earth, he braces himself for impact - but instead of hitting the ground, he lands in the boughs of a large tree. As he mutters profanities under his breath, trying to disentangle himself from the branches, he hears a soft chirping coming from somewhere. Distracted, he looks around. The chirping continues until he finally looks over to see a tiny birdlike reptile perched on a twig only a few feet from his face, staring at him quizzically. Upon seeing him, Vin's eyes go wide.]
Vinayak: [his eyes wide and sparkling] Awww! You're so tiny!
[Petri cocks his head to the side in a cute way and chirps curiously.]
Vinayak: And cute!
[Vinayak picks Petri up and cradles him securely in both of his hands, smiling brightly. Petri doesn't struggle, but looks a bit confused.]
Vinayak: [in a sing-song voice] Aaaaand you're mine now!~
Petri: Squawp?
[Vinayak whistles happily as he casually stuffs Petri into his bag of holding.]
Vinayak: [breaking away from the flashback] And then I lived in that exact tree with him for a month. We've been together ever since!
[Ari, Moon Moon and Anvil all shoot Vinayak dubious looks.]
Ari: I thought wizards were supposed to have some sort of deep spiritual bond with their familiars... I didn't think you could just pick them up off a tree branch.
Moon Moon: Yeah, dude. Are you even a real wizard?
Vinayak: [somewhat defensively] We do have a strong connection! That day... it was almost as if he had been waiting there specifically for me. He was still just a baby, and he was abandoned by his parents, too, you know? I needed someone to keep me company, and he needed someone to take care of him, so it worked out.
Ari: [raising an eyebrow at him] Are you sure about that...? Because it sounds to me like you just sort of abducted him.
Vinayak: [crosses his arms] Hmph. You'll never understand the depth of our relationship. [looking up happily at Petri] Isn't that right, buddy?
[Petri doesn't respond. He sits perched on Vin's head, pecking rather violently at his temple.]
Vinayak: Ahahaha! [wincing a bit] ...ow...
