Private Finished Customs and Relations

Helebraska perched at the top of the pile of skulls that was her throne. She eyed as Eein entered and bowed before her. The bone cladded guards stand at attention while their cheiftess curled a smile.

"Ah Eein. Back with more questions are we? You are always a welcomed guest here and you may ask me anything. There are many nuisances in our culture that someone unfamiliar to the outsider." the old bird looked to her guards and released them with a wave of her hand. The guards strut out and stand at attention just outside of the tree hut. The only one to remain was the same brightly colored male harpy standing behind Helebraska.

"Now... you mentioned these were... personal question?" inquired the old bird as she leans her head forward somewhat

"Hrmm... purely for... academic purposes I presume?" there was a curl of the lip from the old bird as looked down to Eein with much amusement "Discussions of such are not taboo to our people. We are not so squeamish nor prude as other races. Your perceptions however, hold true; females out number the males by near four to one. With such a natural shortage, it customary for a male to establish a harem of up to four females. "

Just then, one of the bone cladded guard unexpectedly entered and performs a low bow.

"Cheiftess, your daughter has arrived and wished to speak with you. Shall I turn her away until you are finished speaking with your current guest?"

"Ah... so Prahka has returned." noted Helebraska, clacking her claws together in consideration "... no. Allow her passage. She can help answer a few of the young prince's... curiosities."

The guard gives a single nod and turns back around to retrieve Prahka. Helebraska in the meanwhile gives Eein a wry smile, before she then diverts her attention to her daughter entering.

"Mother I have re- Eein? So I did catch your scent about." remarked Prahka, circling around Eein. The tips of her wing feathers brush against him as she sniffs around around him.

"Eein here had some questions regarding our clan, particularly regarding our mating cushions. Might you explain how a female choices a mate?" requested Helebraska as she she bares her sharpened teeth like a grinning Cheshire cat.

Prahka turned to her mother like a meerkat on alert. Though it may have sounded like an innocent question, Prahka knew full well it was in fact an order. Prahka then looks to Eein, her two brow feathers fully raised before slowly relaxing as she then explained.

"Ah... well traditionally a male would show their fitness as mate to the females by dancing with the other competing male dance during a festival or a celebration. Onlooking females would then choose depending on the male's performance, their plumage, and their... capabilities. Should a female choose a male as her partner, she would then mark him as her mate by biting him and rubbing her scent on him so that all will know. The bond is then confirmed by exchanging a gift with each family though this is more of formality than anything. Afterwards the female will then move in with the male.

A male however can only have so many mates under his wings and competition for desirable mates is fierce among the females. Thus any female can challenge a weaker female for her spot in the harem at any time."

"Hrmm... is there someone whom has caught your eye?" chortled Helebraska as she purposely eyes between Eein and Prahka. Prahka head spins, her pupils expand as she looks to her mother a bit fluster but says nothing of it. The elderly harpy croaks yet another laugh before she puts on a more dignified face.

"While uncommon, outsiders are welcomed provided they are of worthy stock and prove themselves as a desirable mate." spoke Helebraska in a serious tone, clacking her claws together as she looks to the two from her throne of skulls.

"Should you wish to impress one of our females, there is a festival coming up that can provide you with an ample opportunity to do just that."

Just as Eein ask, Helebraska raised a wing to gain the attention of the male standing just behind. At her silent command, the the male harpy steps forward to the side of the cheiftess.

"Trav'awk here can instruct you on the proper forms and attire for such dances. There is much he can teach you as he is among the finest of dancers of our dancers within the clan as well as one of my most trusted advisors. Speak with him sould you truely wish to learn. He will accommodate whatever times and days work best with you Eein." spoke Helebraska while Trav'awk responded with only a curt nod.

Prahka look to Trav'awk, then turns her gaze back to Eein and speaks in a hushed tone.

"I can not think of finer tutor than Trav'awk though... it remains to be seen if you will be left standing once he is through with you." cautioned Prahka with a rare hint of smile.

"It is the Festival of the Great Huntress, a celebration of the first Skulltaker and the founder of our clan... Skaawl." responded Prahka to Eein's question.

"Along with the dancing there will be feasting and drinking while storytellers recount the tales of the Great Huntress and how our clan came to be, tales which are quite popular with our hatchings." further elaborated Helebraska