Eclipse Event Stories (NOT CANON)

The journey was relatively calm amongst the three unlikely travellers. Cuvrar kept mostly to himself and just followed them with some distance, but Noeu and Minas talked a bit about the Tatras customs and tribe.

«Oh one more thing that I've been meaning to ask since we started walking. Since you're blind, how do you know where to go? How do you not run into trees or off cliffs and know exactly what direction your home is?»

«There are many ways to see without eyes. You have to use your other senses though. In my tribe, everyone is blind, but we have adapted. That is why we get along with the birds so well, they are our eyes and ears. So to find my way, I can feel energies through the ground, recognize certain familiar smells or hear different animals and environmental sounds. And because I don't have to rely on sight, but my other strengthened senses, I can even travel at night without issue!»

«But if you're in an unfamiliar area, how do you not drop into a hole or something? How can you notice that beforehand?»

«With sounds traveling differently through the air. I talk a lot when I'm moving alone, because I can hear my voice bouncing off walls and trees so if suddenly, I don't notice anything coming back, I know I have to be careful about my next steps. »

«I see. That's really interesting! Thank you for sharing.»

«No problem, it's better if you know how we live before you get there, so you're not too bewildered.»

The group was traveling for a few days. The way was long, but Minas had ensured them that it was worth it and that his 'mother' would happily welcome them and answer all their questions. One day, the two hobs had to eat and decided to hunt, while Cheondungchida and Sun-Hee, whose stomachs were also growling, set out to find some of their own food. While the jill and her bird were out scavenging, climbing the trees and leaping from branch to branch, she suddenly noticed she had come across Minas and wanted to watch him hunt. The hob was crawling low to the ground, sniffing intently and even opening his mouth to recognize the smells better. Suddenly he stopped and waited for what seemed like an eternity. The green birdcatcher had just decided to leave as she was getting bored, suddenly she saw a spike-tail lizard leave from the bushes and walk past Minas, who remained completely still until he finally pounced and killed the creature with one bite. His senses of smell and hearing were so sharp that he had noticed the reptile long beforehand and he lured it into a false sense of security. The Tatra hunted like a spider or snake, waiting motionlessly until his prey was right in front of his muzzle. A smart way for sure and Noeu was rather impressed by this, as she surely wouldn't be able to hunt at all if she was blind, so she thought.

They all met up again at the place where they had separated before, each with their own kill and the jill with some seeds and eatable leaves that she would be able to scrape by with for a little while. She'd have to find better food soon, but for the moment it was enough.

The three ate together and while Minas surely noticed the scent of her meal, he didn't say anything, obviously not bothered by her alternate ways, but Cuvrar was different.

«Why aren't you eating prey? You're such a bad hunter you can't even catch anything?»

He grinned at his own snarky reply, laughing like a hyena, but Minas shook his head in disagree.

«I think it's great she's doing this out of her own will, clearly. Noeu is merciful and kind, sparing innocent creatures from an untimely death.»

«Correct. Thank you for understanding! Most don't see it the way you do.»

Cuvrar snorted spitefully.

«Of course, because it's crazy and unnatural.»

«Listen, I don't really care about your opinion, you can hate on me all you want.»

«Good, because I will.»

Finally the had arrived at Minas' tribe, the heart of their territory, a huge tree with strong, dark bark and healthy, green leaves right in front of them.

They stepped towards the plant which seemed to tower higher and higher over them the closer they got. It was so tall that Cheon couldn't even see it's crown from the bottom and could only guess where it was. Above it, half a dozen birds kept circling through the air, waiting or looking for something...or someone.

At the bottom of the tree, hidden between two massive roots sticking out of the ground, the group could see a large gap into the inside and two guards in front of it, one on either side. They were also Tatras with shoulder mane and red eyes with white, blind pupils. But that wasn't all. The guards had large birds sitting on their backs, a kind the jill hadn't seen before, but she also wasn't familiar with the fauna of the mixed woodlands. The birds however had red glowing eyes as well, just like their tamers. It was a very creepy sight and as Noeu gave a quick glance towards Cuvrar, she noticed him being similarly unsettled by that. It was clear he didn't feel comfortable here, but also that he would probably find the answers he had been looking for. Cheondunchida on the other paw just wanted to see the tribe and how they lived with the birds together, she didn't care very much for the mother or a connection between the strange tribe and the crazed birds.

As they got closer to the guards, the birds on their backs looked up, their eyes fixated on Noeu, or rather Sun-Hee that was hiding behind her head. She seemed scared by the large, predatory kin and nestled herself more into Cheons neck fur.

«It's alright sweety, I'm sure they won't hurt you.»

«Actually...» Minas seemed a little apologetic as he tried to get the females attention.

«I would watch her closely, I don't know what they're gonna do to such a small bird. We have taught them hunting and they might see her as prey, but as long as she's with you, she's gonna be safe. Like I said before, they'd never attack a Saliko just like that.»

Now the birdcatcher was a little worried, but they were already here and it would be impolite to leave, so she swallowed her fear and just smiled.

«Good to know.»

Minas stopped in front of the guards and suddenly, as he talked to them, his voice had drastically changed. With the Mayurs he seemed friendly, maybe a little scared and even a bit simple minded, but now his speech was stern, serious and a little commanding.

«Tell mother I am back and that I brought two travelers which wish to speak to her. I'm sure they'd be happy to get the chance to do so.»

One of the guards gave a short 'ruff' and bowed his head, but didn't move, still Cheon didn't dare say anything because it would be disrespectful.

The Tatra that had led them there stepped forward through the entrance of the tree and disappeared into the darkness, the wary foreigners shortly behind. After their eyes had adjusted to the darkness they noticed a wide spiraling ramp going up the inside of the hollow stem, Minas waiting at the bottom of it for them to catch up.

«Mother is at the highest den, on the top of the tree. But don't worry, the way might be long but it's not as exhausting as you might think.»

He smiled and began trotting upwards, the two Mayurs shortly after him. Occasionally a guard came towards them, looking strong and frightening, but just walked past, not paying them attention. There were many holes in the walls, leading to carved out rooms and den, which the jill looked inside whenever she could, trying to find out what was inside. From some she heard low talking, some were either empty or simply silent. But Minas hadn't lied, they had walked quite high up, yet the Mayurs that were not used to this weren't worn out from it, though the jill felt a little tired from the overall journey and longingly thought about a soft nest to sleep in. She gave a quick glance down and noticed they were already so high up that she couldn't even see the bottom anymore, yet the top was still quite a way ahead of them. Suddenly, another Tatra ran up to them, a pretty, kupfer colored jill with a glowing flower behind her ear. She was blind as well of course. She bowed to Minas and spoke in a soft and friendly voice.

«Mother is glad you are back and will happily welcome our guests, but that will have to wait a bit longer.»

Then she looked at, or rather through, the foreigners in turn as she continued.

«Please feel free to rest in one of our dens and you will be able to talk to mother tomorrow.»

The brown Tatra hob nodded knowingly.

«Nests are already prepared for visitors and we will bring you food and water later. You must be tired from the journey anyway.»

Cheon nodded, but Cuvrar remained silent.

«But because of our culture and way of living, I will have to ask you to stay in different rooms. This is our custom and it would be kind if you'd agree to this. And trust me, most foreigners are happy to get a good nights rest in a quiet den than an overcrowded one full of strangers.»

The Mayus exchanged insecure glances, but neither of them wanted to speak up. With a polite head bow, the green jill thanked the Tatras, then noticed they wouldn't see her gesture and quickly said yes.

«We would be very happy to get some rest, thank you for letting us stay.»

While Minas brought Cuvrar into one of the dens, the female birdcatcher was accompanied by the kupfer jill.

«My name is Ren and I will take care of you. Is it alright if I bring you a lizard later or would you prefer bird meat?»

«Uh, I'm sorry, I hope I'm not impolite if I say this but I'd prefer not eating meat at all if that's possible? I'd rather just eat some fruits or herbs if you have any.»

«Oh yes, of course! We collect some for our birds to eat, but we will surely have some to spare for you.»

«Thank you.»

«May I ask who that cute little fella is that's with you?»

Sun-Hee had been quiet and calm ever since they had arrived at the tree, so Cheondungchida was a bit confused at first about how she had noticed her companion. Ren immediately noticed the short hesitation and answered the unspoken question.

«I know every of our birds by smell, but yours is different. I knew right away you had one with you that wasn't from here. What kind of bird is it? I have never smelled it before.»

«It's a sun conure, her name is Sun-Hee. We've been traveling together for quite a while now.»

«I see. Well, nice to meet you two! I'm sure you'll both have a great rest here. You can feel the trees energy at nighttime, when everything is quiet.»

«It is fascinating to see how you live here. I can't wait to find out more about your ways of living.»

The other jill nodded quickly and smiled, then she entered one of the dens that was carved into the tree and Noeu followed her. Inside she noticed a few holes in the bark, probably carved by paws, which let her see outside, as well as a comfy looking nest in the middle of the room. It was padded with feathers, moss and grass and the Mayur began yawning just looking at it.

«I will let you sleep a bit and bring you your meal when you awake. But I must ask you, since you are new here, please don't go wandering around on your own. The tree is large as you have seen and we wouldn't want you to get lost.»

«Thank you.»

The blind one nodded and turned back outside, leaving Cheon and Sun-Hee alone in this strange environment. The jill lay down in the nest, treating the material with her paws until it was perfect. After she had find a position to sleep in, the conure cuddled up to her cheek, hidden between her paws, safe from any danger and the two fell asleep quickly.