Min strode to the canyon in graceful form. She was a vulnerable creature when she was by herself. This time all she wanted was another companion, as Jack and Joli would not always be there for her. She stood under a lush tree and surveyed the area.

A pair of yellow eyes latched onto Min, surveying her with the hungry look that always laid in the orbs of a bird of prey. The goshawk was surfing the warm updrafts so far overhead the gerenuk that she looked almost to be a speck in the sky. This was not her usual prey... but it would do. With a sudden shriek, the slate-bodied bird dove, talons outstretched to rake across Min's flesh...

And then a similar but non-identical shriek peirced the sky, and a deep voice called out. Elderwild! Barun! Barun, pathu!

With a scowl, Elderwild pulled out of her dive, turning her accusing eyes toward the human who had called her. Ravenwing scowled right back, and raised his voice as the goshawk continued to circle Min ominously. Elderwild! Barun! Pik mayur blath! Leave it. It is not your prey.

With an annoyed shriek Elderwild pulled away from Min, circling about her man for several moments before landing firmly on his shoulder, moving the long ebony hair aside with her head until she was able to nip his ear sharply. He swatted the air next to her, and she dodged obligingly as he let his mahogany eyes rest on Min. Brenith, saati. Mein parlat vu. His voice was soft and soothing, hoping Min would not bolt.

Min stepped back when the bird threatened to have her for lunch, but she did not run. Her large eyes were locked onto Elderwild. Just then, she heard another call, and then a human voice. She calmed down when the bird left.

She gazed at Raven and took a few cautious steps forward. Wondering why he called off his hunter, she walked even closer until she could extend her neck to smell Raven. He did not smell like a predator, nor did he act like one. She stood in front of him and waited for him to make another move.

With the patience developed from living life the way he had, Ravenwing remained absolutely still as Min came toward them, a soft word to Elderwild keeping her in place, not allowing her to go after Min again. The bird nipped his ear agan, though this time it was less sharp and more of a possessive, affectionate thing. She was telling Min, This is MY human.

But Ravenwing flicked at the place where her beak joined with her head, a light reprimand for the goshawk. He loved the bird, but above all else, he would have obedience out of her. He murmured to her for a moment in that strange language, and the Elderwild gave a gusty sigh and turned toward Min, speaking for the first time. My human says that I am not to eat you, that you are too big for my usual menu. Consider yourself lucky, lunch. Okay, so she wasn't the easiest creature to get close to.

But Ravenwing more than made up for it. He had never seen such an unusual creature before, and had absolutely no idea what it ate, but he reached into a belt-pouch and came up with a bit of apple, usually part of his own lunch. With a slow and steady hand, he held it out to Min, to see what she would do.

Min looked at Elderwild. "Then your human is very well mannered." She replied politely. Her attention was on the human again when he held something out for her. She sniffed it carefully. She had never eaten an apple before, but it smelled good. She gently snatched it from Raven's hand and ate it. Her large ears were always turned towards him, and her large eyes watched him closely.

A small smile lit Ravenwing's face, though he was careful to keep his teeth sheathed. No reason to frighten Min, and after all, teeth were the first sign of aggression. Instead, he reached out a hand to be more closely inspected, and to prove that he possessed no claws, no fangs, nothing to hurt the gerenuk. Of course, there was a bow and quiver slung on his back, and a hunting knife at his belt... but Min could easily escape before he could draw either of them, fleet as she was. So it was with a soft word that he reached his hand to her.

Elderwild, on the other hand, cocked her head to the side, not smiling. My human is well mannered... meaning I am NOT, I suppose. Min had meant no such thing, of course, but the goshawk had a bad habit of reading too much into the words of others. Well, if you're so high and mighty, miss, why aren't you my lunch right now? Only for my man would I hold off. I... And her head twitched in fury, beak clicking together rhymically in her uncontrolled rage. I won't stand here and be mocked! And with a flutter of her feathers, she pushed off of Raven's shoulder and let a shriek into the air, rising high before emptying her large-birds bowels on the ground near Min, telling the gerenuk exactly what she thought of her. She didn't dare let it land on Min, for that would anger Raven, but she could tell her what she thought. With a flip of her tail, she soared away, soon disappearing over the mountains, ignoring Raven as he called after her.

Elderwild! Tshaba, tarib. Tarib, Elderwild! But the bird continued to disappear, soon escaping even his keen eyesight. With a shrug, he smiled. Elderwild would get over it. Part of it was... she was jealous. He was paying attention to someone else, and not her. He shook his head, continuing to hold the offered hand steady, waiting for Min to investigate it.

Min was about to sniff Raven's hand, until the bird spoke again. She said nothing. All that was offered to Elderwild was a nervous glance. Figuring the bird was only bluffing, she twitched an ear and sniffed the man's hand. She very much liked this person, especially since he had given her food.