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[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

{In the coliseum, Caster not only has her hood down today, but also has a baby griffin perched carefully on her arm. She's handling it like one would handle a falcon, which makes sense, considering the sizable claws, even though it's so small}

Ahh, Afratos, you're eating larger animals now, so it is close to time for you to learn how to fly. You cannot nest too long if you are to be for more than show.

{She waves her hand, and a piece of raw meat appears, flying up into the air. It watches curiously, squawking as it's unsure how to get to it exactly.}

Take your time, little one. It will come naturally as you get hungrier.

{It still paces nervously, its small wings flapping excitedly. Go ahead and approach, but please don't pet the griffin unless you want to lose a finger! ♥}

Comments

[collector]

[He returns her smile] If that's what you want.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

It is--{But she's cut off as Afratos figures it out and floats into the air! He's awkward with how he flies, dipping and rising as he figures out how much he needs to flap his wings, but he snatches the meat out of the air, making a happy noise somewhere between chirping and purring.}

Ahh, wonderful, Afratos. I knew that you were hungry enough to learn.

[collector]

[Despite the awkwardness, Brax is filled with delight at the demonstration. He applauds the griffin.] Oh, well done, Afratos. [Curiously] He's a magical creature, obviously, but has he any magical properties of his own? I never thought to ask.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

Some. Since it is not a...pure-blooded griffin, in the sense that it was summoned, some are lost as a result. But they are naturally resistant to magic. The feathers will likely have some kind of magical property once he matures, but that is unique to each griffin. I will have to discover what it is for myself.

[collector]

A surprise? That will be fun. As long as they don't cause people to spontaneously combust.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

That would be surprising. I would hope it is not part phoenix.

[collector]

That would be an interesting combination. Do those exist?

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

Not that I am aware of. That would be a fearsome combination, though.

[collector]

A regenerating griffin. [Braxiatel reaches out to once again pet Afratos.] What would you say to an army like that? Every time they are slaughtered, they get back up to fight again? A thousand deaths and still no end to their fighting.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

{She chuckles slightly, holding out her arm for Afratos to perch again}

I would be sad for the poor beasts.

[collector]

So would I. [Brax smiles at the griffin.] Have you thought of where you'd like to house him when he's full-grown?

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

Not in particular. I would say away from the bulls, since they do not seem to get along.

[collector]

I'm going to have to have a carefully organized magical menagerie at this rate. Still, that's several months on, isn't it? We have time to select the best place.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

For some reason, I doubt that you would object to such a thing.

But indeed, he will not be full grown for another ten months or so. That is plenty of time to consider a more suitable home.

[collector]

You know me too well. But these creatures have made a magnificent addition to the Collection. I'm sure the students will enjoy them as well. From a distance.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

They are much better additions than our dear hydra. Though, perhaps it would have only had a taste for Dalek "flesh," as it were. Still, they are bad tempered creatures. It is why they make excellent guards.

[collector]

I don't suppose I could talk you into summoning Cerberus next?

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

If I were able to do such a thing, it would likely come at the cost of your entire Collection, Braxiatel.

[collector]

And there are very few things I'd give the Collection up for. I suppose I'll have to settle for the extraordinary creatures I now have.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

As I thought. Perhaps in a while I should add to your collection, but for now, the bulls and Afratos shall be enough.

[collector]

I'll content myself. We'll need to keep some open space for the new university, regardless.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes. How is that coming along?

[collector]

I have all the official paperwork waiting my signature before we can start construction. Now I just have to talk to my academics about it. There's some... lingering sentiment from the Occupation, I suspect. They resent outsiders coming in on their unease and they can't say why. But that's why it's so important for new people, untouched by that shadow, to come here and breathe new life into us all. Not that I can explain that to any of them, but I'll make do.

[heartscastaside.livejournal.com]

It's not surprising. I had wondered if any would resist changes, since your Collection is quite closed off, normally. It seemed that surely some would prefer that.

[collector]

Some would. Others have been fighting me tooth and nail for years to get us to do regular exhibitions. [His smile is touched by irony.] I always rejected the proposals. I didn't think it would be safe.