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Post by Anna on Jun 29, 2009 11:23:23 GMT -6
Nightsun to Silent** [faint yellow puzzlement]/That's not possible. Our minds touch wherever we are.** Wanderlust nudged Nightsun's thigh in a friendly way, and gave her the submissive ‘grin’, laying her ears back. Nightsun was startled at his response, but she responded to the wolf’s friendly overture by placing her hand on the broad skull of her head, her fingers automatically digging into the plush fur to scratch. “I meant,” she clarified with an uncertain smile, “that two may be too heavy, and I would not displace you from her, when I am accustomed to walking, and you to riding.” Her smile became more sure. “I would not even know how to begin.” **May I ask you something? About what you said to Wingfoot to make him faint. Why you seem....[touching something else]/[distant-different-private] (special?)** First, Nightsun was concerned that Silent wished to know what she’d told Wingfoot, and that gift was not hers to give. She was reassured, however, as the youth’s send clarified that wasn’t what he sought. She tasted the over and undertones of his send, looking for more than he’d actually said. Not that he actually said much. Silent’s sendings were different than those she remembered from her kin, or from what she’d shared with her brothers and a few of the Wolfriders. It was almost like when she’d tried to share a memory with Wingfoot. It was as sharing of emotion and intent, not a verbalization of words. In some ways, the send provided more information, and in others, it was very confusing since she wasn’t certain what it was that he was asking. “We are all special, in different ways,” she said slowly. “Each has a talent, a gift from the High Ones. Some are physical gifts – sharp sight, keen hearing,” she picked up the edge of her leather poncho and smiled in amusement. “Tanning. Others, they have the magic of the High Ones. Your Sunsong can make plants dance out of season, weaving them to her will. Your Mist can mend the injuries of body and mind far more swiftly than time alone could do.” She dropped her poncho and turned her clear-eyed gaze back to Silent. “I have heard that you, too, have a gift, although none seem certain what it may be. Your kin wait for this gift to flower, and see how it will serve the tribe.” She touched his hand again. “They are very proud of what you did on the prairie. No one else could have done as you! But you asked of me.” She fell silent and they walked for several moments while she considered. She’d heard whispers for many seasons now. Voices known and unknown that would rush by, murmuring words she heard, and sometimes she didn’t. Sometimes they were happy. Sometimes they were sad. She was only know beginning to understand that not everyone heard the spirits of the elves had passed from this life. She had assumed everyone could. Of course, she’d never discussed it with her brothers, either. They hadn’t liked to speak of their lost kin, and she had honored that. “Some of our lost kin wander the world at will. Perhaps all; I do not know. Sometimes they speak to me, or I hear them on the wind. Life does not end when this body stops; it merely becomes pure spirit.”
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Post by Anna on Jun 29, 2009 11:38:33 GMT -6
Windsoft, Longdusk (temp)
Windsoft and Longdusk had paired up to scout for a resting place during the day. Windsoft usually preferred to pair with one of the younger scouts, usually Softling, so the cubs could learn by experience and observation. Sometimes, however, the children had to go on their own and learn by making mistakes. The area seemed safe enough and there had been no sign of humans for several nights. Now as as good as ever to lengthen the lacings.
And it was a sheer relief to have another experienced scout as a partner, one she could depend on to do his part. That's what prompted Windsoft to give Longdusk a bright smile as they rode out of hearing range of their tribe.
*Why are you smiling?* the other scout asked suspiciously.
*Worried, old wolf?* she teased.
Longdusk snorted. He certainly wasn't an 'old wolf' and he had no cause to worry.
Windsoft's reply was surrounded by a laugh. *Grump, then,* she corrected. *The smile is simple enjoyment, Longdusk. The cubs can be wearying at times, and it is nice to have a full partner. Let me enjoy it while it lasts, and what do you think of that thicket?*
Longdusk shook his head. He'd noticed the thicket an immediately discarded it. *If you enjoy brambles in your hair, you're welcome to it. I, however, will keep looking.*
Windsoft wrinkled her nose at him, but rode on. Her eyes watched their surroundings closely, although she concentrated on the left and left him to scout to the right.
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Post by Anna on Jun 29, 2009 11:50:57 GMT -6
Icemark, Lightgaze (temp)
Icemark rode with his arms around Silvercub. The child was bored and restless, but managed to confine that restlessness to small fidgets. Icemark was proud of his cub; she had handled the long journey well, with few tantrums. As they road, he let his love and pride for her fold around her, and even the fidgeting stilled as she relaxed against his chest.
"I wonder," Lightgaze murmurred, eyeing the passing foliage speculatively. She plucked an unfamiliar berry and sniffed it. She didn't say what she wondered and the silence stretched on. It didn't bother Icemark. He was accustomed to Lightgaze's long thoughts.
Grapple walked close beside Faith. Occasionally Icemark's leg would brush against Lightgaze's own. Icemark didn't try to get his wolf-friend to move; he knew Lightgaze was uncomfortable being alone, and even lost in thought though she was, the light touch would reassure her that someone was with her.
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Post by Anna on Jun 29, 2009 11:58:15 GMT -6
Oakstaff, Firecat (temp)
Oakstaff glanced up as Firecat's wolf carried her to his side. He grinned at her and held up a low-hanging vine for her to ride beneath. "Hello, fisher," he greeted her.
Firecat smiled at him winningly, tilting her head to one side and lowering her lashes. "Hello, hunter," she returned lightly. "You're not with the scouts?"
Oakstaff shook his head. "No, they have plenty riding out and looking for a den. I thought I'd stay and lure some pretty maid within reach."
"Oh?" Firecat asked, arching a brow.
"Yes," Oakstaff nodded. "And it worked." He reached out and grabbed her hand, tugging her closer. Frostbite obliged and Oakstaff swung their joined hands between them. "Denning with anyone?" he asked, leaning towards her.
Firecat laughed and put a finger on his chest, pushing him back. "Maybe."
"Maybe I am, too."
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Post by Multi-Facets on Jun 29, 2009 21:50:37 GMT -6
Silent to Nightsun:Nightsun was startled at his response, but she responded to the wolf’s friendly overture by placing her hand on the broad skull of her head, her fingers automatically digging into the plush fur to scratch. “I meant,” she clarified with an uncertain smile, “that two may be too heavy, and I would not displace you from her, when I am accustomed to walking, and you to riding.” Her smile became more sure. “I would not even know how to begin.” Wanderlust huffed, as if disagreeing about her weight capacity, but Silent just lifted his eyebrows and dismounted, landing easily. **I can walk,** he "said" sensibly. **And I can teach you to ride, if you'd like. It's not complicated, and Wanderlust is willing.** He smiled a bit. **Especially if you keep scratching her like that.** **Good, good, yes, good, happy,** the wolf agreed, tail wagging. “I have heard that you, too, have a gift, although none seem certain what it may be. Your kin wait for this gift to flower, and see how it will serve the tribe.” She touched his hand again. “They are very proud of what you did on the prairie. No one else could have done as you! But you asked of me.” Silent blushed brightly, looking at the ground, but did not remove his hand. **Th-That was just beginner's luck/ [against the odds]-[still can't believe it worked],** he admitted. **I didn't even do it well/ [did it recklessly]-[wanted to prove something]. I-I don't even know if it's a gift. I just.... I just listen.** “Some of our lost kin wander the world at will. Perhaps all; I do not know. Sometimes they speak to me, or I hear them on the wind. Life does not end when this body stops; it merely becomes pure spirit.” Silent looked at the maiden again, wide-eyed and surprised. He could believe that; Wolfrider spirits went wherever they wanted once their ties to the physical world faded away. But to hear their words, to feel them more keenly.... "Sp-Spirit-speak-ker," Silent whispered in awe.
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Post by Anna on Jun 30, 2009 22:16:14 GMT -6
Nightsun to Silent:Silent just lifted his eyebrows and dismounted, landing easily. **I can walk. And I can teach you to ride, if you'd like. It's not complicated, and Wanderlust is willing.** He smiled a bit. **Especially if you keep scratching her like that.** Silent blushed brightly, looking at the ground, but did not remove his hand. **Th-That was just beginner's luck/ [against the odds]-[still can't believe it worked],** he admitted. **I didn't even do it well/ [did it recklessly]-[wanted to prove something]. I-I don't even know if it's a gift. I just.... I just listen.** Nightsun smiled and then gingerly pulled herself onto Wanderlust’s back. It felt distinctly odd, and she carefully scrutinized how the Wolfriders around her were sitting on their wolves, adjusting her position to mimic them. She wasn’t sure she had it right, but once she relaxed her back and moved with the wolf, it became easier. “Thank you both, but you must tell me when your feet tire, Silent.” She lowered her eyes and thought about his words, then looked at him again and smiled gently. “You gave your kin the direction they needed. You changed the course and brought them more quickly to the river. How was this not well done? Did you not use your gift to sense the water? Did you not seek it out? This does not seem to be beginner’s luck to me.” Silent looked at the maiden again, wide-eyed and surprised. “Sp-Spirit-speak-ker,” Silent whispered in awe. Nightsun blushed and laughed softly. “I listen,” she corrected. “Like you. I listen to what there is for me to hear.”
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Post by Multi-Facets on Jul 1, 2009 19:17:52 GMT -6
Silent to Nightsun:She lowered her eyes and thought about his words, then looked at him again and smiled gently. “You gave your kin the direction they needed. You changed the course and brought them more quickly to the river. How was this not well done? Did you not use your gift to sense the water? Did you not seek it out? This does not seem to be beginner’s luck to me.” Silent faltered, biting his lip, and swallowed hard as he tried to balance Nightsun's words with his doubt. **Maybe/ [heavy-tangled-black uncertainty]** he sent, but it was barely a "whisper". Nightsun blushed and laughed softly. “I listen,” she corrected. “Like you. I listen to what there is for me to hear.” **Spirit-speaker,** he repeated, with more firmness than had been directed at himself. **Or spirit-listener, if you like/ [mild teasing].** He hesitated again, then gingerly ventured, **When did you learn you could do that?**
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Post by Kris on Jul 2, 2009 22:04:28 GMT -6
Wingfoot considered asking Stormfire exactly where they were going, and then reconsidered.
He didn't really care where they were going, so long as the scent of humans didn't assault his nose, and there was plenty of sweet water and game.
But one thing bothered him recently, and it intruded on the fragile peace he'd been building between himself and Nightsun. He watched the trio of Stormfire, Sunsong, and Mist as they rode ahead of the tribe, scowling as Stormfire turned to meet Mist's eyes more than once in four-and-two heartbeats.
There . . . she did it again.
Wingfoot exhaled through his nose and considered what was happening.
There was no telling what was going through the healer's mind. Wingfoot was convinced he had snow-melt for blood, but found himself grateful for that fact. Stormfire was still young, and not much more than a cub; her feelings declared themselves all over her delicate face with every look she threw Mist's way. That was what Wingfoot feared.
It was one thing for a youngster to choose a much-older mate. It was something else for a very young chief to show such favor to an elder. Mist had had had eights and eights of years in which he'd held Sureshot's ear. Now, Wingfoot thought archly, he held more than just Stormfire's ear, and quite likely he was using one to hold the other.
That did it. Wingfoot came up beside Stormfire, who gave him a sidelong look through her breeze-blown hair. "Chieftess," he greeted her. "So, any idea where we're going?"
"Not particularly," Stormfire drawled, her eyes pinning him through wild black curls. A blade-thin smile accompanied her look. "Perhaps I should dart ahead and find out, for your satisfaction?"
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Post by Anna on Jul 2, 2009 22:57:51 GMT -6
Nightsun to Silent
Nightsun smiled gently and did not comment on Silent's self doubt. The youngling wasn't listening to her, and some things could only be learned by one's self, in one's own time. Where had this uncertainty of self and worth come from? Nightsun remembered her own youth, the encouragement to learn, explore, experiment with whatever caught her attention. The reassurance, support, and encouragement her elders provided. The Wolfriders seemed to treat each other and the young among them much the same.
This was not something she understood, or could fix, so she like that particular topic slide away as Silent called her spirit-listener and asked about that. She looked up at the night-shrouded branches overhead and thought back, stretching her memory as far as she could.
"I paid no heed to the season, and one year is much like another to me." She shrugged helplessly. "There was no alarm or concern in me when I realized what I heard, and so there is no marker by which to judge the passage of time."
Mist, Sunsong to Stormfire, Wingfoot
Mist arched an eyebrow when Wingfoot joined them, but said nothing as the elder questioned Stormfire. He did have to look away, his lips thinned in an effort to keep from smiling or, even worse, laughing.
Sunsong, High Ones bless her, asked in all innocence what Mist was thinking but could not say himself. "How can she know where we're going, Wingfoot?" Sunsong asked in simpe curiosity. "We're following the river, and no one but the scouts what's up ahead." The plantshaper leaned forward over her mount's shoulders to better see the weaponmaker. "Have Nightsun and her brothers ever come this way?"
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Post by Kris on Jul 2, 2009 23:11:30 GMT -6
Wingfoot to Sunsong, Stormfire
Wingfoot raised his eyebrows. "I haven't asked," he returned.
"You've got the maiden's ear, Wingfoot," Stormfire stated coolly, her smile never wavering. "Try using it as more than a place to pour howl-tales. She's wandered far and wide; this place could be like home to her."
"I'll give it a try," Wingfoot responded, still unsure how to react to Stormfire. He had the feeling he still stood on the blade's edge of her displeasure, a place he hadn't thought to be wary of before--and one that made him quite uncomfortable now.
"Do that. I like to get useful advice from my elders." Still wearing that sharp smile, Stormfire urged Snowtreader ahead of Wingfoot. "Sunsong, look! Oaks!"
Wingfoot gritted his teeth. The next time I get on her wrong side, he told himself, hanging back to join Nightsun and Silent, I'm going to hit myself over the head with a heavy rock until I black out from the pain.
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