Carry You

Another few hours ticked by and Weiss found herself face to face with Blake again. “It’s time for dinner, Weiss.” Weiss frowned and sighed. She honestly was dreading meals now. She’d had so many disasters that it was difficult to want to go. At least Valerie was there so she could talk falconry with her. She stood and nodded. “Okay.” She trudged behind Blake to the dining room and sat next to Valerie. The fae smiled at her warmly. “Oh, hey, Weiss. How are the falconry lessons going?” The hadn’t been apart that long. “Fine, I suppose. Lilyana won’t let me start with the micros, though; she wants me to start off with her red tail or Harris hawk.” Those birds intimidated her to no end. Those talons could do some serious damage if they wanted to. A glove would not protect her from a bird that wanted to foot her. Especially an aura breed. She did notunderstand. Well, she understood the idea that micros were easier to kill, but she didn’t understand why they wouldn’t let her start off that way. Something else also hit her. “What’s the point of hunting with micros anyway? If they can only hunt small prey like songbirds, why hunt them?” It was strange now that she thought about it. Wasn’t the basic point of hunting to bring food back to the table? Then again, fae didn’t eat meat. What was the point of hunting in the first place? Well, the birds would eat what they caught, but still. So much about the fae didn’t make any sense. She was so confused. She hadn’t been here that long, but she was already so frustrated by her confusion over everything. “For sport. All our hunting is purely for sport. Do you not understand the idea of hunting simply to do it?” Weiss sighed. SHe had been out on a sport hunting trip when Blake had found her. With factory farming, people in big cities didn’t need to go out and get their own food. She wasn’t sure if she’d be able to handle dispatching the prey yet… It was hard to know if she’d be able to do that. It wasthe falconer’s job to take out prey if the bird didn’t in the first place. “Atlassian upper class is obsessed with trophy hunting.” That much was true. Most large manors had taxidermy rooms. SHe had seen a few in the hours before events. Mounted deer, moose, and elk heads, incredible display for foxes, and she’d seven seen wolves on display before It was rough living for animals in Atlas. Valerie grimaced. “We don’t trophy hunt at least. That’s wasteful. We hunt what our birds will eat. We make sure nothing goes to waste. Even though we take the intestines out, other animals will eat them. We try to live in harmony with nature, not try to be above it like humans on Serlia are.” Weiss looked down at her plate. “I suppose that is true.” Atlas was literally a flying city. It was quite literally above everything else. There were fields for farming there, but still… It was mostly large, opulent manors. She didn’t even know what Mantle was like aside from being choked by smog. She had seen it from a distance but that was it. She was…privileged. The people of Mantle obviously didn’t live like her family did. She really didn’t know what to think of that. “Even when I go after wolves and foxes with my eagles, I give them everything unless the bones are too big. Those get taken out to decompose in the forest or are taken out to the dragons. They enjoy the marrow inside.” That made Weiss grimace again. Marrow? That sounded disgusting. But if it was no waste, she supposed that was good. Her family wasted a lot, now that she thought about it. Spending thousands for as ingle gown then throwing it away. “Do fae wear a gown once then throw it away?” She really didn’t know what to expect. She had seen President Jacques clean her close out multiple times per year. Things weren’t ‘in season’ any longer and, thus, should be thrown out. Even if they were still in perfectly good condition. She could see it as the waste it was now. Valerie tilted her head. “I thought we were talking falconry. But we do sometimes. However, we mostly wear what’s made for us until it falls apart. We don’t like unnecessary waste. Clothes that fall apart are then repurposed into rags for cleaning. And then those are used until there’s nothing left. Why do you ask?” Weiss frowned. “I can see how much waste is produced on Rem— Serlia now that you talk about it. My clothes got routinely thrown away when they were still perfectly fine to be worn.” At least Auria likely wouldn’t throw all of those clothes away. She would wear them until they fell apart. Then again, what about the Misum court? She looked at Blake. “What about the Misum court?” She probably wouldn’t be going over there from how she had talked to Kali… “More or less the same. I can’t believe you would throw out perfectly good clothes like that.” Blake shook her head. “I mean if it’s an incredibly special occasion like a wedding. The we may only wear something once.But it always gets repurposed if it isn’t kept. A lot of fae will keep their wedding clothes.” Weiss nodded. That much made sense at least. She…really was starting to see Remnant’s problems bit by bit. “Waste not, want not. And we recycle as much as we can. If we have table scraps, we always put it out as compost and fertiliser,” Valerie put in. “We really try not to waste anything if possible.” Weiss could see that. She could start to see the immense amounts that Remnant that simply put into the trash. How much food from those fancy parties was tossed away simply because it hadn’t been eaten? She couldn’t imagine. Wouldn’t there be better uses for it? “Anyway, sorry for that detour. Back to falconry?” She reached up and petted Sayaka’s head. The starling let out a pleased noise. The birds were cute… How could she hunt them if she didstart with the micros…? This was a more complex issue than she thought. “Oh, I’m looking forward to our hunting trip! It’ll be great!”Valerie smiled widely. “Some people say big falcons like gyrs and peregrines are the height of falconry, but I feel like eagles hunting are.” She looked at Weiss. “Do you have a hunting dog? That’ll be a good companion and a boon in the field.” Weiss shook her head. She hadn’t known dogs were even used in the sport. She didn’t have a dog but… “Blake, do you think Dorosi would be willing to help?” He was no dog but a wolf. However, a wolf could still track and probably would do whatever was required of a falconry dog. It wasn’t like the wolf was a strictly instinct-driven animal. He could think, talk, and plan like she could. Would he be up to the task? She hoped so. “You can ask him. He’s from a unicorn forest, though, which means that he’s never hunted before. Unicorn forests are places of harmony. Even carnivores survive off the fruit in those forests since certain types are functionally the same as meat. But he’ll still have the naturally enhanced senses of a wolf.” Weiss nodded. She’d have to track him down and ask him if he could be willing to help. “He wouldn’t be doing any hunting. It mostly comes down to either pointing or flushing prey depending on the flight style of the bird. With a Harrirs or red tail, it also depends on your quarry. You can go after a large range of prey with both. Red tails are opportunists that can go after everything from rodents to rabbits.” “I see.” Weis nodded. She had no idea that birds could take such wide-ranging prey. She supposed that made sense why Lilyana wanted to get her started on those birds with that in mind. Combine that with them not being as easy to kill as micros and it was starting make a clear picture. “Are there other reasons why a red tail or a Harris are a good starter bird?” She was still relatively in the dark about most of this. She was trying her best to understand even if she felt so lost… “It’s because they’re incredibly forgiving birds as long as you’re not imprinting them. Most awakened animals are imprinted, though. The exception tends to be accipiters like goshawks because they’re so unforgiving. Plus, you’ll be working with birds that are already trained. You’ve basically got the kid gloves on.” Weiss nodded a bit. Easy birds were probably good to start with. She wouldn’t want to mess up a bird. “What’s imprinting?” She kind of felt like an idiot asking so many questions to understand all of the terms. She simply hadn’t heard this is one before. “Sor if all of my questions are annoying too…” She was still new to this world and picking up a new skill like falconry would take time. She hoped it wasn’t too annoying. “Ah, right. It’s the process of raising a baby bird—an eyass—with the intent of hunting. The bird thinks it’s not a bird and associates itself more closely with fae—or humans in your case, I guess. With awakened animals, they also bond most closely with their handler too. They often don’t tolerate other handlers.” It was like with Neige, then. He didn’t like anybody but her riding him. “So I see. I can understand that with my horse. But is it more intense with raptors?” She didn’t entirely understand how imprinting effected raptor psychology. It wasn’t ike she knew anything about it in the first place, but she hoped that would change in the near future. All of this was so new to her. She was trying her best to take it all in. Hopefully she wasn’t annoying. But she really was just trying her best at this point… Valerie nodded. “It creates an intense bond between a raptor and its handler. You needguidance if you’re trying to imprint. You can screw up a raptor for the rest of its life if you mess up. We actually do catch passage birds here for a season—or maybe a couple, depending on species—then release them. That’s falconry in its most traditional sense. I flew a passage goldie for a few years.” “Passage? And why do you do that?” There were so many new terms here that it was tough to keep up. She really needed to start bringing a notebook with her to dinner and when she met up with Lilyana. There was so much to learn and she was having a tough time keeping all of it in her head. “First-year bird. An adult bird is a haggard. And we do passage birds so you can have it as a stepping stone to training your own bird. An already trained awakened animals is basically easy mode. They have the memories of years past to pull on. Hunting with them will be easy. An early passage bird will teach you how to train up a bird for the first time. They aren’t awakened animals, so you have to learn their psychology from scratch. You’ll probably spend this season hunting with Lilyana’s birds, then get an early passage next year.” Weiss nodded a bit. She wanted her own bird but it did make sense to not give her one right away. Plus, it would put her to the test. She wasn’t even sure if she’d be able to handle everything falconry tossed at her. She still had yet to see if she could take down the prey. That really was her greatest hurdle. She could probably handle the birds all right, but the animal death… Valerie patted her shoulder. “Don’t be too upset by not getting a bird your first season. I spent yearswithout a bird of my own. If you get one your second season, you’ll be doing pretty well for yourself. My apprenticeship was longer because of the intricacies of eagle behavior. But if you don’t have any sort of leaning, a Harris or a red tail is a good place to start.” “Okay.” If the Harris and red tail intimidated her, she couldn’t imagine going after an eagle. Those birds were huges and the talons were massive. He had noidea if she’d be able to handle one. Maybe in the future, but not starting off. “Is there any to see other birds and find out what sort of species I’d like flying the most?” If she imprinted a bird, she wanted to make it count. It’d be with her for the rest of its life. She didn’t want something she would have no passion for. Valerie smiled and nodded. “I have a whole network of falconers I know. I can easily set you up with some of them if you’d like.” She tapped her lips and chin with a finger. “I could honestly probably have at least one person bring out some birds when we go hunting. They can bring some large falcons with them. My quarry will be jackrabbits, but Cina has some gyrs and peregrines she can bring. There are a few lakes out that way. Sound like a plan?” Weiss nodded. “It does.” She was honestly kind of excited. The birds were amazing animals and she couldn't wait until the planned day. She would get to see large falcons fly along with eagles. She wasn’t excited to see the prey species die, but it was a natural process. Falconry was no more cruel than nature itself. “After we finish eating, want me to come to your room can give her a call?” Weiss nodded and Valerie grinned. “Let’s shut up and eat then!” Weiss wasn’t one to wolf her food down normally—she wasa lady—but her excitement took over. She and Valerie looked at Kali to be excused and the woman smiled. With that done, Sayaka led them back to Weiss’ room and Valerie pulled out her pearl. “Hey, Val; what’s up?” The voice was unfamiliar to Weiss, but she hoped that Cina would be willing to give her a chance. “Hey Cina! I’m having a hunting get together on the 25th and I have someone wanting to see different flight styles. I know it’s the most right now, but she reallywants to experience longwings. Do you think you could bring a gyr or peregrine if you’re free?” “I don’t have a lot going on that day, so sure, I can come with.” She could practically hear the frown in the woman’s voice as she spoke again. “I don’t really like flying during the molt…but I guess I can make an exception. Jeri would probably be willing to try.” She paused. “Who are you taking out anyway? It’s rare for somebody to spontaneously develop an interest in falconry…” “Blake’s family adopted a changeling. She’s not a baby, though; she’s practically an adult by human standards. She would love to see your birds fly.” Weiss shifted uncomfortably. She was clearly a scandal by any stretch. Blake had obviously broken a lot of cultural taboos and laws by doing what she had. She hoped that Cina would be willing. She hadn’t been given any choice in the matter. Blake had basically kidnapped her. “A human, huh? Well, that’s fine. I’ll spend the next few days getting Jeri as fit as I possibly can. See ya then, Val.” “See ya.” The call clicked off and Valerie smiled. “Easy peasy. Cina’s usually more than willing to hunt.” Weiss was glad. She probably should simply wait until the formal season began, but getting a preview of different flight styles was probably a good idea. She was enjoying learning from Lilyana and talking to Valerie. Things could be a lot worse… Somehow she was building a social network already. “I’m looking forward to it.” She really was. This was the first time she’d really felt passionate about anything. She had heard some of the other Atlassian girls enjoy things such as painting or music, but none of that was true for her. She enjoyed needlepoint of different kinds. But that wasn’t a passion. It was an escape from her own mind and reality for a while. And the less she talked about music, the better. “I hope you’ll take to eagles, but if you don’t, it’s fine. They aren’t a beginner’s bird by anymeans. If you end up liking the ease of buteos such as red tails, that’ll be understandable. But maybe you’ll take to longwings.” Valerie shrugged and smiled. “Finding out your favorite flight style is half of the fun of early falconry!” “We’ll have to wait and see.” SHe had no real idea what she’d take to. She was honestly looking forward to it. She would still have to see if she could handle the prey. If she couldn’t, all of this work would be for naught. She hoped she could. This was such an exciting world for her. “Anyway, my family has plans tonight, so I should head off. See you tomorrow!” “Goodbye.” Weiss watched Valerie leave and looked up at the canopy of her bed. There was still daylight for several more hours. She needed to track down Dorosi. And it’d been a while since she’d visited Neige. Maybe she’d go do that. She quickly changed into some breeches and a long-sleeved shirt, heading down to the stables with Sayaka on her shoulder. She asked the keeper where Neige was and found the horse. “Hey boy.” Neige nickered softly and lipped her shoulder. “It feels like it’s been forever.”She petted his neck. She was a bad owner. She barely visited him. But it wasn’t a natural part of her routine. Though from the sound of it, it would become part of it for which she was glad. “Sorry, boy. I’m still adjusting to this world.” It’d only been a couple of days since she’d last seen him, but still. She felt bad. She spent a while with him, petting him and filling him in on what all was going on. He was surprised by the falconry talk, but he didn’t seem to be against it. She was glad he wasn’t. She didn’t know what she’d do if he was. She really needed his support especially for the upcoming hunting meet. She bade him farewell and looked around, then at Sayaka. “Where do you think Dorosi would be?” She hadn’t really seen hide nor hair of the wolf since she’d toured the grounds with him. “Maybe with Lilyana?” That…did make some sense, she supposed. He was used to living outside. Would he want to live in a house? A good question. So she followed Sayaka over to Lilyan’s. Oh right, evening feeding too… Lilyana smiled when she saw Weiss approach. “Oh, hey, Weiss! Here to help feed the night crew?” She was already tossing quail into the mews. Weiss grimaced but steeled herself. “Not explicitly, but I’ll help.” She needed to get over her aversion to prey. It was the only thing holding her back from falconry. The quail were already dead. They’d been killed and frozen. This was not inhumane. It was giving the birds what they needed. Though something hit her. “If there are fruit that can serve the same as meat, why do you still feed raptors prey?” That…felt like a legitimate question. Lilyana handed Weiss the bucket. “Just toss them into the mews while we walk.” Weiss nodded and picked up a dead quail out of the bucket. It…was strange to hold something dead. She had never once seen anything dead before. So to handle something like this so carelessly and without reverence… Its life was not wasted as it was going to feeding the birds. It was kind of disgusting, but she would need to get used to it if she wanted to pursue the sport. “As for your question, not everything can subsist off the fae fruit. Dragons could but they prefer hunting their own prey. Raptors like owls and such physically need the bones and fur from their prey to be healthy. They can’tsubsist off our fruit. Make sense?” Weiss nodded. If it was a biological need, then it made sense. She wouldn’t try to force any sort of change on the birds. She was just curious since it seemed like an anomaly in the fae world. She was glad to have people that didn’t think she was annoying. “Do you know where Dorosi is? Sayaka said you might.” She hoped this wasn’t a stupid question. “Valeie suggested he might be able to work as a falconry dog.” She…really hoped that didn’t sound as stupid as it had come out. He was a wolf, not a dog. She hoped he’d be willing to help her. “Yeah, he’s taken up residence with me. He’s used to living outside, so he’ll only stay inside should the weather turn inclement. We have had a few night showers and he’s stayed the house to get out of them.” That also made sense, she supposed. She wouldn’t want to be sleeping outside if she could help it. She wondered what it was like being out in the rain, though… Probably a strange thought, but one she had nonetheless. “Could you go get him? I’ll handle feeding until then.” Lilyana nodded and Weiss continued chucking quail into the mews. A lot of the birds looked at her curiously but didn’t say anything. She would need to explain a million times over if she answered the unspoken question: who are you?She was glad none of them were asking though. She was at least handling the quail well. It felt strange but she wasn’t passing out or anything. Lilyana eventually came back with Dorosi. He tilted his head as he looked up at Weiss. “She said you wanted to ask me something?” She…was never good at asking for things, so the anxiety crept up on her. She felt her heartbeat start to pound and her palms grow slick from sweat. She didn’t want to upset him and possibly hate her. He could so easily maul or even kill her. Aura wouldn’t be able to protect her from that. “Um, I was wondering if you’d be willing to try to work as a falconry dog for me. From the sound of it, it’d mostly be tracking and pointing. Though, if there’s anything else, Lilyana can fill us.” She was going off what Valerie had said. She wasn’t sure what Dorosi would think. It sounded like he hadn’t hunted a day in his life. He would have his instincts, sure, but she wasn’t sure if he really knew how to use them. “Depending on quarry and flight style, there can also be flushing the prey and retrieving. Retrieving is mostly useful for longwings on waterfowl. So you wouldn’t really be doing any of the hunting, Dorosi.” Lilyana rested a hand on her hip and looked at the wolf. His ears flicked back and he was quiet for a while. Weiss couldn’t blame him for thinking. “I suppose i could try. I’ve never hunted but I’ve tracked before.” His ears flattened and he whined. “I don’t want to kill anything myself. I know I’m a predator but my pack hasn’t hunted for eons.”She could understand that. She was learning to deal with at sort of mentality herself. She hated harming life, but falconry was an exciting new world for her. “Thank you. I appreciate it.” She patted his head and he leaned up into it. With that done, she and Lilyana finished up feeding and Weiss headed back to the main manor. She changed into her pajamas and curled up, exhausted from the day’s events.