Congratulations, Novice Elatheara!

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As Mayor Zandera ran around the small yard, the feathers of scattering chickens flew into the air in a minor explosion. She stopped and rested with her hands on her knees. The only thing that could draw a notable political figure out into this hot sun was a good friend's request for help, Zandera mused dryly as she raised a hand to block the sun's rays from her eyes.

"I found it!" Elatheara Bal A' Vilzaine shouted, which sent the chickens into another tizzy. The citizen came out of her modest home in Tar Valon, where she had lived for the past year, with a small bag cradled in her hands. "Sunflower seeds! Also good for my babies, as it helps them grow healthy feathers and lay more eggs." Ela's enjoyment was plain on her face, and though Zandera was tired, she couldn't help but smile.

"Is this better than the cauliflower idea? Or the idea before that, when we tied a whole bag of brussel sprouts to the ceiling of the chicken coop with the hope that we could lure them inside and lock the door?" Zandera asked.

It was getting later, and the two women were running out of time to get the chickens safely in the coop before freshening up and going out to the Olde Warder and Hen for a drink and meal. There was some animal around lately that had been killing some of the neighbor's chickens--probably some big cat--and Ela didn't want to leave them unattended.

"The brussel sprouts were a great idea," Ela said with a serious expression that was a little tongue-in-cheek.

"Until the whole thing came down and brussel sprouts flew everywhere! I'm glad that thing didn't fall on me. There's still leafy greens all over the yard!"

"There there, Zandera," Ela said and pat the mayor on the shoulder. "We'll get them in no time with these seeds. I'm telling you--baiting is the best way. Then... you slowly creep up behind them--and snatch!" Ela jumped forward and pretended that she was snatching up one of her beloved chickens that she'd raised from little tiny chicks. She made the movement quite suddenly--a very spry woman--but Zandera knew she would be careful when grabbing the chickens. They were dear to her.

"All right, let's get to this," Zandera said and rolled her eyes as Elatheara ran cackling and tossing piles of sunflower seeds around wildly.

The chickens were quite riled up, but after Zandera and Ela stopped moving like some sort of parody of the childhood game Red Light, Green Light, they eventually pecked calmly at the seeds. Zandera's and Ela's eyes locked for a moment before they both began to creak into motion, heading for the nearest chicken.

As Elatheara had explained to Zandera earlier, the way to catch a chicken was to target one in a contained area. It's much easier to catch one when there's less room for it to maneuver. Approach the chicken slowly from behind: If you move too quickly, you run the risk of disturbing the hen and scaring her into a run. Be as quiet as possible, don't make sudden movements, and hover over the chicken. As Elatheara was kind enough to go on about in detail, hovering over a chicken might cause it to crouch down and open its wings, as hens often do during mating. From there, you must grasp the chicken by putting your hands over its wings. If this fails, you can also grab the chicken by its back and tail by cupping your hands and scooping up the chicken gently from underneath. If the chicken runs forward, grasp the tail and grab the chicken from the front by the shoulders. Do not grab the tail feathers as much as possible, as chickens greatly dislike this. You can also try to grab the chicken by its legs, but avoid holding the chicken upside down. There was a great deal of pantomiming and hand gestures as this was all explained by her energetic friend.

Zandera approached the chicken soundlessly and crouched to leap. As her hands came around the sides of the chicken, it stepped on her face. Zandera felt her nose hit the ground as the chicken caused her to fall over with its frantic wingbeats.

"I got it!" Elatheara said triumphantly, as the remaining chickens scattered. She held a red-brown hen in the air with both hands. It clucked.

"Oh, there you are boss," an elegant voice said from the other side of the gate. Zandera looked over to see City Architect Cold Manshima eye her a bit strangely. "I didn't expect to find you chasing chickens, quite honestly."

"What are you doing here, Cold?" Zandera asked, and Elatheara walked over to the gate and let him into the yard.

"I'm here for Elatheara," he said with a warm smile.

Ela turned to Zandera, eyes widening into saucers. Zandera couldn't help but feel excited too. News from the Tower! This was it--what her friend had been waiting for! Elatheara was many things, but one thing for certain was that her excitement was always infectious. Elatheara threw her chicken into the air and grasped both of Zandera's hands as they jumped up and down shouting loudly together. Someone passing through the street looked over with a questionable expression.

"If I may have the honors?" Cold asked Zandera with a smile, and the mayor nodded.

"It is with great honor that you are called to the White Tower to begin your training, Novice Elatheara."

Congratulations, my dear!!!! :wave
 

Kelgan al'Moranwin

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Congratulations! :D
 

Cahalan Sothron

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:joy

Welcome to the Tower!!! :hug
 

Nymala Ingasy

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FREAKIN' FINALLY!!!!!
 

Sailea Nerid

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:joy Congrats!
 

Ariadne Davion

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:joy Yay!!! Congratulations!!
 

Bryher al'Venna

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Congratulations! Welcome to the Tower! :joy
 

Ashara Koh'inor

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Congratulations darling!!!
 

Alora Sionn

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zelda_t_shirt__beware_the_chickens_by_thehookshot-d4hr89g.jpg


:giggle Congrats and welcome to the tower! :joy :tackle
 

Nandi el'Shahir

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Congrats!
 
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Congratulations! :joy :joy

Welcome to the Tower!
 

Theolyn Maryash

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Congratulations, my Pocket Paintbrush! :hug :joy
 
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