For Windsonde

The ceremony for initiation into your clan has just finished. Your parents are very proud that you have reached adulthood and completed your initiation ceremony. Show your family and friends congratulating you!

Following Soolee's initiation, her parents throw their daughter a party in celebration of her entry into adulthood. Because her parents are wellknown shaman gryphs in the community, they wrangled a cliff face for their daughter to live (somewhat happy to have her out of their aery). But her family isn't without concern for Soolee's future.


"Now honey..."

"Hm?"

"Honey please pay attention."

"Right"

"I need you to look me in the eye."

"I am."

"No your eyes are wandering again. I need you to look me in the eye so I know you're listening."

"I am listening!"

Raisha sighed. It was always like this. The little gryphon was notoriously difficult to keep focused. But this time she couldn't let her daughter's mind slide away. Not for this.

"We put a lot of effort into setting up this party for you."

"Yes."

"An aery-warming, for your new home."

"Why couldn't I stay with you guys again?"

"Because Soolee, you're an adult now. And adult gryphs have their own place and their own responsibilities."

"Why bother? It's just going to go in one ear and out the other," her father, Silee, grumbled.

"Because I have to at least try."

"Try what?"

The bat-hawk/caracal moaned, exasperated.
"Your father and I both chose a path for ourselves and now are shamans in Twistoult."

"Yes greater gryphons!"

"Yes, yes. We're greater gryphons."

"With the extra features and markings and size!"

"Yes I know, you don't need to tell me. My point is we chose a path, and now you must also find your place in our aery."

"What place? What's so bad about where I am right now?"

"Because you're no longer just the daughter of Raisha and Silee, Soolee. You're now your own gryphon. You have to create your own identity and contribute to our group. There are storm clouds approaching, Soolee." Raisha's face darkened despite the effervescent illumination from her daughter's experimental glow-water lanterns. "Skrekrill is prodding Grandesque's borders with more hostility than ever before. It won't be long before they look to Twistoult as more than just a stop for when their soldiers get hurt. Tulkiina needs every gryph to keep their eyes to the skies and ears to the ground should things worsen."

"Why would they?"

"Because that's how Skrekrill is, Soolee."

Soolee was confused. This was a strange lecture, not like the usual chastising she received when her various projects went south. Or when she pulled yet another social blunder. The kinds of social blunders that made it difficult to wrangle any guests other than the reluctant Karkaros (there only to impress her shaman parents) and her fledgling harpy-mix siblings. What did this have to do with her new place, her new tools and goggles? These were all fine gifts, but what would anyone want with her? Why did this moment matter so much to her mother?

What would she do to catch the attentions of some gryphs far, far away from here? She, Soolee, who whittled away the hours on her many projects. Projects she wanted to get back to as soon as everyone left.

"Will you make more of an effort to fit in, daughter?"

"I can try."

"Thank you, I trust you'll find your way." Her mother knelt down to preen her daughter's dark crest. "I hope you enjoyed the meal. I worry about you, living on your own."

"When did I give you the impression I couldn't live alone?"

"Never, Soolee." Raisha smiled, "you've always been very independent. I know you'll be fine."