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Post by peachbug on Jun 17, 2009 21:21:40 GMT -6
Evenstar to Firecat
**Are we really supposed to believe this elf can see Wolfriders' spirits?** Evenstar's response was horrified at Nightsun's first declaration of such powers. **I can barely imagine a High One doing a thing like that, and she's no High One! Even if she seems kind enough...** The two males advancing at the dark skinned girl's sides unnerved her, especially the lighter haired one with a darker scowl than the black haired one. The tanner's nerves completely fled when Wingfoot collapsed. Her mentor for such a long time as a cub, if these strangers had hurt him...She felt her meat teeth on edge. She was not a fierce one, but these bewildering circumstances left her spinning.
When Wingfoot recovered and admitted the truth of the female elf's abilities, Evenstar could only gape. **Firecat, I would've plucked every one of Whitecrest's tail hairs before I thought I'd see a gift like that...and now we're eating with them!** As she finally turned to gather her sister's expression, she could only grin at the mischief playing there. **Now, you leave those poor elves alone! I'm sure they've had a weary enough day without a tumble with you...**
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Post by Anna on Jun 18, 2009 16:42:00 GMT -6
As the Wolfriders began dispersing - some to the meat, some to the river, some hanging back warily and watching the trio of darkskinned strangers - Windsoft silently came to Softling's side. Putting an arm around the cub's shoulders, she gave her a reassuring half-hug. "Instincts warring at you, cub?" she asked quietly. "The wolf wants to protect territory and pack, but the elf wants to reach out to like spirits."
Windsoft knew the conflict inside. She was experiencing it herself, and only conscious control kept her wolfish instincts at bay. The strangers made her edgy and uncomfortable on one hand, but she was also drawn to them. She, however, had had many seasons to find the balance in her blood. Softling hadn't yet, and the cub reminded Windsoft of herself in so many ways.
"So, shall we be wolf tonight, Softling, or shall we be elf? Chase the intruders off, or welcome them?" she asked, turning to smile at the youngling.
Mist stood back and watched as the trio slowly drifted apart and the Wolfriders spread out, as well. The maiden headed to her circle of bared dirt and Mist watched her go for a long moment, then turned his gaze to his own tribe. There were mixed reactions to their hosts, but overall a more positive response than might have happened. The maid knowing Wingfoot's sire's soulname had allayed many concerns, but Mist was still hesitant to open pack and heart to them. They really didn't know much about them.
Well, it was Stormfire's decision, and he couldn't say he'd have acted or decided any differently than she when faced unexpectedly with unknown elves. He headed to the river, more interested in getting clean and drinking cool water than in elbowing his way through the tribe to get food. When the others were sates, he was certain there'd be some left. The female had mentioned soaproot; he definitely remembered that!
Sunsong lingered by Shellslip, her merriment at Wingfoot's expense having passed into a general happiness at meeting new elves. She glanced around to see who she could drag with her to make them them feel comfortable. "Firecat, Shellslip, shouldn't we go make ourselves known to them? Are you curious about where they've been, and where they come from?" she asked cheerfully.
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Post by peachbug on Jun 18, 2009 17:22:18 GMT -6
Softling gnawed her lip furiously, and looked at Windsoft with furrowed brows. **What rights do these new ones have to know the soul names of Wolfriders? We were supposed to be finding a holt, not half-maddened elves who don't smell right!** She looked urgently at Windsoft and pressed the strangeness of their scent compared to the other Wolfriders into the locksend. **It's not right! They're not whole. I don't like it.**
Softling glanced at Windsoft's smile, and sighed, calming slightly. **I'm not going to cause trouble, Windsoft. I want to wonder about them, but some things tell me not to, and others do. It's like fleas in my head!**
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Post by peachbug on Jun 18, 2009 17:30:56 GMT -6
Evenstar gigglingly snatched a fish off the store of meat they'd been offered, playfully elbowing her sister. Yes, the whole things was still rather odd, but there seemed nothing wrong with the meat, or the intentions of the strangers, now that Stormfire had opened the way to friendship between the two groups.
As she bit into the deliciously fresh meat, a pleasant change from the ground-squirrels, she watched Firecat, Shellslip, and Sunsong plot their way closer to the newcomers, especially the males. Evenstar had her own questions, to be sure, but she knew they all had enough to consider for now. Instead, she stood, devouring the last of the small catch, and briskly followed Mist, who seemed on a straight course for the river. Water was what they came for, wasn't it?
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Post by Kris on Jun 18, 2009 21:37:50 GMT -6
Stormfire shook her head as her tribemates ate and drank. She wasn't hungry--she'd eaten her share of ground-squirrel--and not quite so thirsty as she had been. But as she watched Mist head towards the river, she felt a mischievous urge take hold of her.
Humming to herself, she headed to the river. A good wash would be nice. Her body felt caked with layers of sweat and dirt; Snowtreader would tell her, in the she-wolf's way, that that was merely layers of scent, but Stormfire preferred other smells to that of unwashed body. She was certain others had their own preferences too.
She stopped as she caught sight of someone crouched at the river's edge. Stormfire held still, watching Mist cup his hands, fill them with water, and drink. She studied the curve of his back, so broad at the shoulders, narrowing to the waist and hips . . . there was a time, she mused, when just thinking of him as someone other than her father's best friend made her blush from forehead to toes.
She'd had practice since then. She didn't know if she still blushed, but she was able to cherish the view for much longer.
Still . . . he had no idea she was behind him. Beyond, the water rolled past, sparkling in the light of stars and moons, cool, inviting . . . Stormfire bit her lip again, torn. Mist? Bath? Mist? Bath? Mist and a bath?
Decision made, she flung herself at him, propelling them both into the water.
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Post by peachbug on Jun 18, 2009 22:14:33 GMT -6
"Stormfire!" Evenstar gasped and laughed at the same time, standing some short ways away from the two as the chieftess rocketed into the healer, with a tremendous spray of the cool water. She wasn't yet fully undressed, and just giggled at the two, holding her top in front of her. Her clothes and skin felt completely painted in dust, and she still itched from the dry grasses and sweat, so Evenstar continued shaking and dusting off her clothing, regardless of the two.
With or without those two enjoying themselves, she would have a proper bath, she smiled to herself.
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Post by Multi-Facets on Jun 18, 2009 22:47:17 GMT -6
Sunsong lingered by Shellslip, her merriment at Wingfoot's expense having passed into a general happiness at meeting new elves. She glanced around to see who she could drag with her to make them them feel comfortable. "Firecat, Shellslip, shouldn't we go make ourselves known to them? Are you curious about where they've been, and where they come from?" she asked cheerfully. "You know me; I'd be curious as to many things," Shellslip said confidently. "Especially him," she added, sending an image of Ashglow to the others in their little group. "Stars and shells! They grow them well wherever he came from, don't you think?" She grinned, unable to help it. |
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Post by Viola on Jun 19, 2009 2:06:26 GMT -6
"As long as you share him with me," Firecat playfully replied Shellslip, winking at Sunsong. "Seems we're gonna need a big den tonight, plant shaper," she snickered, wrapping an arm around Sunsong's waist and tilting her head to see if Shellslip was coming. "What are we waiting for?"
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Post by Anna on Jun 19, 2009 19:05:57 GMT -6
Sunsong leaned against Firecat and tapped her lips thoughtfully with one finger. "Well, there are three of them," she said. "But Wingfoot would probably growl at us if we tried to get close to the female. That leaves the other two." She blinked wide eyes at Shellslip. "Goldenhair is yummy in a grouchy kind of way, but we can't ignore Blackhair. He might get his feelings hurt. First, however," she added with a giggle, and a tug on Firecat's waist, "food and swim to get all this icky, sticky sweat and mess off of us!"
Sunsong led her friends to the water, away from where Mist and Stormfire where splashing about, and stripped quickly out of her clothes. A bath. A meal. And by then the strangers should be calmed down enough that they'd welcome the Wolfrider females!
Windsoft tightened her hold on Softling's shoulder, silently reassuring and comforting her. While the strangers did make her uncomfortable, it was not for any of the reason's softly had given. They were simply strangers and she, like the wolfpack, was territorial. "You're too young, cub, to judge so harshly. Different is not wrong, or unwhole." Windsoft paused, and wondered again why Softling had been sent on this quest. Everything they encountered was a challenge to her. Softling was unprepared, and at the age to be unwilling TO prepare, to face the fluidity and unknown of this search. Her heart went out to the young Wolfrider, but her greater concern was for the tribe as a whole. Who knew just when Softling would reach her breaking point, or who would suffer for it? The young were supposed to be flexible, more adaptable than elders entrenched in long familiar ways and habits.
"I know you're trying, Softling, but you must stop trying and actually do. They are here. They've offered no harm, and much hospitality. There are only three of them, and they are in far greater danger from us than we are from them. Would meeting them help? I will take you, if you like."
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Post by Multi-Facets on Jun 19, 2009 19:34:35 GMT -6
"What are we waiting for?"
"Nothing," Shellslip returned, and promptly dropped her things and darted for the water, away from where Stormfire and Mist were playing. She jumped in fully clad, then surfaced and hastily shed her clothing to lay them on the grasses to dry. "Come on, my friends! The water's fine!" she sang, grinning happily.
Snapper ran to the shore to have a drink.
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Wanderlust too wanted the water, but she and Silent went farther down the stream, where it was a little quieter. The notes of action and fun rang sweetly against the silver-eyed elf's mind, making him smile to "hear" it.
Things would be all right now.
He shed his clothes and also dunked them, then set them aside so he could bathe while Wanderlust drank.
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