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The Day's Rest (2)
Post by admin on Jul 5, 2009, 9:13am
The little grove that Longdusk and Windsoft had found was perfect for the tribe’s needs. Stormfire advised the other scouts and hunters that they could stop searching for a resting place, and start bringing in food for the tribe to eat. It wasn’t long before the entire tribe had returned and begun to settle in for the day.
Before resting, they gathered together to share the fruits of the hunt. Afterwards, some sought the river to bathe and clean while their plantshaper worked to provide a place for them to sleep. Some were tired, some were not; the night’s travel had not been particularly strenuous on the Wolfriders. But with the travel for the night done, they could relax and appease their social urges.
Moonslight was fading and the soft greyness of dawn was beginning to touch the sky.
Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by Anna on Jul 5, 2009, 9:29am
Open to anyone to respond...
Sunsong looked at the denning site that Longdusk and Windsoft had found and nodded in satisfaction. This would do quite well! Now, how to make quick, temporary dens for her tribe? Shaping the trees into traditional dens wouldn’t do; it would take far, far too long for her to accomplish that. She’d still be working on it a moon from now!
She gazed upward in thought, and there found the solution. She smiled and settled to the ground, placing her hands gently on the true of the nearest tree. Singing softly, she closed her eyes and let her magic saturate the stiff, flexible texture of the wood. She joined her spirit to the green, growing things around her and showed it what she wanted, then guided the shaping. The rigid wood became soft and malleable to her spirit hands, and she shaped it like clay.
Branches widened, becoming flat platforms. Magic spilled from tree to tree until the entire, encircling grove shown with the faint, soft, glimmering light of plantshaper magic. Interwoven branches locked together, their smaller branches also flattening and widening. Higher, more slender branches shifted slightly, providing a shelter roof that kept sun and weather off those below.
Lastly, protuberances grew from the trunks of the trees. Flat topped steps encircling the trunks until the lower branches were reached. As the last step swelled gently out, Sunsong gasped and broke off her song, slumping to lie on the ground.
Mist ran to her side and turned her over. Fading moonslight glimmered on her pale skin. Dark shadows bruised her skin beneath her eyes, but her breathing was steady and her heart beat strong and sure. “Exhausted, again,” Mist assured Stormfire, lifting the plantshaper in his arms. He shook his head. “She always goes overboard. We could have treed on the branches without any shaping.”
Oakstaff laughed. “Like she’d let that happen, healer! It’s her goal to turn every stop into a holt.”
Mist shook his head and carried Sunsong to one of the shaped platforms. The plantshaper had thought of everything, he noticed. The platforms weren’t as flat as they looked, but gently cupped. Icemark followed him up, carrying a sleeping fur. The gatherer spread it on the platform and Mist gently laid Sunsong down.
“There’s enough room here for at least five more,” Icemark noted, looking over the platform. He smiled at Mist. “She does try to do the very minimum, at least. Seven of these will hold as all, easily.”
“I know,” Mist said, then shook his head. “But she still pushes herself farther than she should.”
Icemark placed a hand on Mist’s shoulder and squeezed. “You’re talking like a healer, not like a Wolfrider,” the other male murmured. “Would you do any different if your places were reversed?”
Mist chuckled. “No, and I’d scold anyone who tried to stop me. Let’s leave her to sleep. She’ll be well enough for now.”
The two climbed down from the tree and joined the rest of the Wolfriders, who were going about their tasks: cleaning up from the meal, mending weapons or clothing, bathing, or any number of other tasks.
((OOC: Anyone is welcome to curl up and share Sunsong's sleeping platform, but she's not gonna be moving from there til morning!
))
Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by kris on Jul 5, 2009, 10:43am
Stormfire watched, alternately worried and bemused as Mist worked on Sunsong. She always does this, the chieftess thought. Too much is never enough for her. She wants so much to make us as comfortable as she can, trying to rise to her own expectations . . .
The memory of her last encounter with Fernflower made Stormfire grimace. Fernflower had been so ungiving, so unloving with Sunsong, that she wondered how her friend hadn't been poisoned by it. Stormfire smoothed some of the hair away from Sunsong's brow and smiled. **Sleep well, my dear friend,** she sent, softly enough not to wake her.
She strode out of the camp and joined the others in preparing for rest. Just as she lifted a sleeping fur over her shoulder, Journey hurried over to grab several. "That's quite a load you're taking there, Journey," Stormfire said, feeling much more kindly towards her young friend than she had in days. He'd shown, by word and deed, that he was truly sorry for his actions, and for that he'd gained the tribe's forgiveness. Still, Stormfire couldn't help but wonder what was behind his sudden industriousness.
"Thought I'd help Nightsun set up a sleeping place," Journey said nonchalantly, and walked away.
"Wait . . . Nightsun?" Stormfire turned and hurried after Journey, hauling him up short with a hand clapped on his shoulder. *All right, Journey,* she sent, when he gave her a wide-eyed look that just missed perfect innocence by a wolf-length. *What are you doing with Nightsun?*
*Nothing,* Journey assured her, grinning. *Everyone knows Wingfoot's cloud-headed crazy for her. I don't poach.*
Stormfire snorted, but couldn't keep from grinning. *You don't poach, but you don't mind twisting a bear's tail once in a while, either,* she returned. *Whatever happens, Journey, it's on your head. So--why the interest in Nightsun?*
*Why not? She's beautiful, sweet, kind--and she knows more things than I've ever seen. I like to hear her tales, that's all.* Journey hoisted the load of furs to a more comfortable spot on his shoulder. *And who knows--she might have run across trolls this way before. Wouldn't it be something if--*
*Journey.*
A crestfallen face. *Aw, c'mon, Storm--*
*NO. You aren't going off by yourself to trade with trolls.*
Journey perked up, grinning. *But we will trade with them if we find them?*
Stormfire shook her head and gave him a mock glare. *Get out of here, you treasure-muzzled treewee! Out!*
As Journey went on his way, Whirlwind sidled up to Stormfire. "I knew you couldn't keep that one's spirits down long," she chuckled.
"Keeping Journey down would require a mountain. Maybe two."
"Have you seen him with Nightsun? They make a charming couple."
"I've seen. Wingfoot might decide he wants a Journey pelt to polish his weapons with."
"Or a Journey pelt for the bedfurs . . . "
"I don't think Wingfoot would feel that friendly if Journey managed to woo Nightsun away."
Whirlwind shrugged. "Well, at least that gives Tallspear a clear line to Softling . . ." She stopped as Stormfire glared at her in truth. "What?"
"Will you stop trying to pair everyone up?" Stormfire exclaimed. "When we've got a new holt, we can worry about all that then--and then it's nothing to worry about! Quit matchmaking!"
"Well, you've deprived me of having any fun, little sister--cozying up to that dry, frostbitten stick of a healer--"
"Just stop it, Whirlwind," Stormfire warned, and Whirlwind's eyes widened in astonishment at her tone. "You don't know what you're talking about, or you wouldn't say such things about Mist. Don't you have something you could do?"
Whirlwind's eyebrows rose to her hairline, but she reached down and picked up several supplies. "Any place you want these in particular?" she asked, her voice calm but lacking all laughter.Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by viola on Jul 5, 2009, 12:28pm
Lightgaze -> ?
Lightgaze had silently waited till Sunsong was done, and the place seemed comfy enough. She frowned as Sunsong collapsed, but Mist was there, so she figured he would take good care of her. The elder was tired, and secretly, she wished that they would stay here for a bit longer. It would at any case make her slightly more adjusted to the darkskinned newcomer. Lightgaze still didn't know what to think about Nightsun and her spirit-talking. She had more or less decided to avoid the newcomers, at least for now.
~*~
Firecat -> Shellslip
Firecat shook her head, poking Shellslip. "She does too much," she said, watching Sunsong collapse. A twinkle came in her eyes. "she shapes stairs, but instead she could've shaped roofs. Maybe it rains, and then we're all wet. Talking about wet... care to join me in the river? I want to sleep all cleaned up, if I can."
~*~
Longdusk -> ?
Feeling satisfied about finding the spot, Longdusk had inspected the construction Sunsong was shaping, but far before she finished up, he left to circle the surroundings. He wanted to make sure that they would be safe, even though he and Windsoft had scouted accordingly. He felt restless.
The revelation that Nightsun spoke to spirits, and to his deceased recognized in particular, had raised the urge to talk to her. Truthfully, though they shared the bond of recognition, he and Skylight hadn't been deeply in love, but they had respected each other, and their daughter Fleetfoot had meant the world to them both. And Longdusk had wondered, if Fleetfoot was near, as well...Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by kita on Jul 5, 2009, 12:46pm
Silverfang sat and watched Sunsong shape the dens. He decided to kill some time and went to bathe himself. He went to the river and removed his clothing. The water was cold an Silverfang shivered as he stepped in. Starfire is still hunting, he thought to himself, She'll be gone for a while. Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by Anna on Jul 5, 2009, 4:54pm
Windsoft to Longdusk, Silverfang, Shellslip, Firecat
Windsoft was more than ready for a refreshing dip in the water after the night's travel and slipping through bushes, trees, and groundcover. Miniscule seeds had fallen in her hair and clothes, and the night's condensation had turned the traildust into what felt like, to her, a sticky plaster. After eating and clearing away the debris of the meal, she headed for the river, altering her course as she spotted Silverfang already there.
She loosened the lacings of her dress and slipped out of it, then gave it a good, hard shake before setting it aside and discarding her ankleboots. "How's the water?" she asked the younger hunter, dipping a toe in. She shivered, then took a breath and walked straight in. "Firecat and Shellslip will be along," she said as she sank to her chin in the cold water. "I heard them talking as I passed them."
Windsoft looked around, wondering where her erstwhile partner had gone. Missing, and she wasn't surprised. She sighed. He never relaxed and Sunsong wasn't around to try to steal a smile from him. *Longdusk, my friend, we scouted thoroughly while we waited for the tribe to join us,* she sent, guessing what he was probably doing. *Come, bathe in the river and relax. Let others guard; you deserve some rest.* She added a light note of teasing. *Don't make me wake up Sunsong and send her after you!*
Mist to Stormfire
Mist had come down the tree in time to hear Whirlwind's comments and Stormfire's defense. His expression didn't change, but he felt himself flinch inside. Many of the tribe's younger generations held the same opinion of him that Whirlwind did, and he could only assume it was his friendship with Sureshot that had given Stormfire a differing opinion. He was a 'dry, frostbitten' healer, although he didn't truly think that 'stick' was an accurate description, to someone like Whirlwind. She was impetuous and wild, qualities that Mist could never allow in himself.
But Stormfire's defense worried him. Whirlwind was her sister, her best friend. He shouldn't be a cause of conflict between them, not when they still didn't know what they may be to each other.
**Stormfire,** he sent softly, staying in the background so Whirlwind wouldn't realize he'd overheard them. **There's no need to leap to my defense, especially when Whirlwind's opinion has some basis in fact. My hide isn't scratched, I promise you.** He infused his send with a feeling of faint amusement.
Nightsun to Journey, anyone else?
Nightsun cautiously mounted the steps the plantshaper had moulded from the wood, finding a platform large enough for her and several others. She would have sought a smaller one, sensing still the reserve Wingfoot's kin had for her. But she was not accustomed to darting like a bird amongst the higher limbs and her heart quivered at the thought of going higher yet. So she crossed to the far side of the cupped platform and knelt to remove her pack. While the Wolfriders ate their meat raw, she had yet to try it and had little desire to do so. Her travel rations would do her for some days yet, and she rather liked the bars of mixed berry, meat, nuts, and honey, mixed and pounded together.
The scuff of leather on wood announced an arrival, and Nightsun smiled as she watched young Journey step onto the platform and drop an armload of furs. She found him an eager, lively companion and enjoyed his wide-ranging curiosity and his open, inquisitive mind. He felt no reservations about her, and that soothed her heart.
"Kitling," she greeted him. "Have you not grown tired of my stories?"
Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by kita on Jul 5, 2009, 6:33pm
Silverfang to Windsoft
Silverfang looked to the other wolfrider that joined him. He smiled as he saw her reaction. "Well, as you found out, the water's pretty cold. If we had got here when the sun was still up, or when it just went down, it would be much nicer after a day of absorbing sunlight."
The soft breeze made Silverfang shiver, but brought along a whiff of Starfire's scent. *Over here,* he sent to his wolf friend. After a moment, Starfire showed up behind him. He smiled at the sight of his wolf-friend's blood stained muzzle. "I see you were able to find something to hunt. Did you bring some for the rest of us?" Starfire sent him an affirmation.
Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by peachbug on Jul 5, 2009, 8:22pm
Starpath gazed golden-eyed through the mass of branches unnaturally swirled around the magicked tree, where Sunsong was taking her rest. The plantshaper was the most ambitious elf he'd met, certainly, next to the Wolfrider's chieftess. Even Stormfire just expected a good holt. Sunsong wanted some sort of woodland Palace, not that he minded. Starpath was appreciative to have someone so thoughtful who barely thought behind the kindness of the the moment. That was definitely a Wolfrider trait he appreciated.
Grabbing a lower denning branch, he lifted himself to her level, observing the sleeping shaper. She looked drained of life, but for her breath and that incessant smile on her lips. Not intending to wake her, he sent. **Sunsong? Have you thought of what this new holt will look like? Can you show me?** After all, she would be its prime creator, from his understanding of Wolfrider ways, of their passing stories of a Father Tree. A Father Tree sounded a comforting thing.Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by peachbug on Jul 5, 2009, 8:49pm
(OOC: LOL, Nightsun has those hiking Nutrigrain bars!)
Evenstar to Softling
Evenstar carried extra furs for bedding to the others cheerfully, humming, and offering as she went. Many were a little tired, and it was good to set up dens before the sun rose. She enjoyed the cooler weather they'd found here, but other Wolfriders preferred to be snugged like a winter bear. *Silent?* The tanner sent gently, unsure to interrupt. *Have you any sleeping furs yet?* As fantastically useful as he was, she worried he would distract himself with all the new things.
Softling trailed shortly behind Evenstar, losing her arms under a great furry mass, struggling to let them not drag. "Surely he can remember--" She mumbled aloud thoughtlessly.
"Oh hush!" Evenstar stuck out her tongue at the golden haired tracker. "I didn't say he couldn't. Just making sure he did!" She eyed the stack Softling carried with amusement. Softling hadn't given any of them to anyone yet. "And what did you plan for those? You don't seem too keen on letting them go, apparently. There are better ways to stay warm."
"No! I was...helping. Like you, I was going to give them to the...others." Her face was red like a berry. Evenstar laughed at Softling's great bundle as compared to her rapidly decreasing one.
"You have to actually offer them, cub. Otherwise, you're just prancing around under the fur of all these beasts without a Wolfrider having any clue what you're doing." Softling stared at the furs in her arms, tight-lipped. "What if I just carry them for you?" Softling said finally. She didn't know where to begin...
Evenstar sighed, and reached for the stack. "I'm sure there are other things to be done. Ask Windsoft or Longdusk. You're a hunter through and through, there are more things like that to help with." She offered an encouraging smile, and turned away.
Softling was left standing there, biting her lip, and trying not to look like a cub that'd been caught with her fist in a bees' nest. There was no point in trying to help the tanner, she managed well enough. All her efforts since the arrival of Nightsun and her brothers seemed childlike and annoying. There was no tracking needed right now, and the best she could do was to go take a bath or roll with the wolves for a while. Maybe not in that order.
--------------
Redthorn to Wingfoot
Redthorn admired Sunsong's work with crossed arms, nodding approval as she examined it. If only Sureshot had seen the potential of the maiden like this, even he would've had a hard time letting her go!
A ways away, she spotted Nightsun and Journey coversing at one of the lower den branches. The spirit speaking maiden certainly was a cheerful thing, like Sunsong in her joys, yet seeming heavy in memory. She hadn't asked the maiden's age yet, but she had a feeling it was more than a cub's turn of the seasons. Wingfoot had taken to her, a good thing for Nightsun and her brothers to have such a tie within the tribe. A good thing for Wingfoot, Redthorn considered, though maybe not for Longdusk and Lightgaze. The two had been tormented by the possibilities of the presence of their loved ones spirits since Nightsun had joined them. Their entire sense of the Now had been altered.
Redthorn had briefly considered the possibilities of Nightsun's ability, casting her thoughts back to a lifemate and cub very, very many years ago. If her cub and mate wanted to speak with her, it would apparently happen at the Father Tree, or where ever the High Ones dealt it to be, when they dealt it to be. She reminded herself of that, unwilling to show weakness when her loved ones felt the wear of the presence of spirits.
**Wingfoot?** She sent in amusement as Journey pursued his conversation with Nightsun. **You'll have to be really nipping tails to get this maiden to yourself...**
Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by Anna on Jul 5, 2009, 9:32pm
Sunsong to Starpath
Jul 5, 2009, 8:22pm, peachbug wrote:
**Sunsong? Have you thought of what this new holt will look like? Can you show me?**
Sunsong stirred, rousing hazily from her sleep at the gentle sending. It took her a moment to recognize the feel of the mind brushing softly against hers, and she smiled as she opened her eyes the least little bit. **Starpath,** she acknowledged, welcome and friendly warmth in her send. She closed her eyes, too tired to keep them open, and snuggled into the sleeping fur. **I don't know what the new holt will look like yet. I have to see the place first. I could make this one lovely...** Images danced between them, of the ring of trees with thick trunks surrounded by wide branches, dark opening at the fork of branch and trunk... **Our holt, then one we left behind...it was more than just trees. It was home, a place where our parents were born, and their parents, and theirs before them.**
Sunsong sighed, but it was not an unhappy sigh, and her lips curved in a dreamy smile. **We will make a new home, new holt, and there we will be parents, and our cubs will be born. It will be perfect. We will make it so.** Fanciful imaginings of huge, sweeping trees, meadows full of flowers, and the light, joyous laughter of children entwined with the plantshaper's send. Imaginings of her tribe, with Starpath, Ashglow, and Nightsun included, played in her mind, sitting on the banks of a clear brooks, weaving flowers into circlets, tucking them into their hair, or splashing each other in the water. Sunsong imagined a future not far away and in her dreaming shared that hoped for time to come with him.
Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by multifacets on Jul 5, 2009, 9:39pm
Shellslip to Firecat, Windsoft, Silverfang.
Shellslip shrugged, and shook her head over Sunsong. "We should bring our sunny one something to eat in the evening. I'm sure she'll appreciate it. All this shaping has to be hungry work, don't you think?"
Firecat offered a bath, and Shellslip brightened. "Yes, that sounds like a good idea. I'll meet you there," she said, and immediately went to the water, where there was already a little crowd. The more the merrier. The redhead started removing her clothes. "Has anyone seen any shells?" she asked hopefully as the garments were neatly folded and put aside. "They'd make a nice snack, now and in the evening."
Silent to Evenstar, anyone.
He hadn't expected to be addressed. He would have to start expecting it, perhaps. As Wanderlust wandered off again, leaving him alone and off to the side, Silent replied to Evenstar. **[affirmation]/I have one,** he sent. **Thank you.** He spread out the large fur on the ground, fur side up, and lay down on half, still dressed, before pulling the other half over him and putting his head on his bundled-up mantle.
Another night by himself. Those had become habit again, after finding the river. Habits were hard to break. Did he want company? He wasn't sure. It was so hard to reach out, though Evenstar and Nightsun, and others, had been so kind to him on this journey. Perhaps he still feared being shunted aside, or he was still pining over Longmane and the total acceptance she had offered.
The quiet one sighed, fingers tightening on the edge of the fur, and pulled it over his head as his mind almost automatically drifted to the Song, his personal lullaby. It was a little louder now.Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by kita on Jul 5, 2009, 10:42pm
Silverfang to Shellslip
Silverfang shook his head. "Sorry. I haven't seen any." He looked around from shore to shore, scanning for shells. All he saw was rocks and gravel. "Hmm... maybe you'll have more luck searching underwater."Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by multifacets on Jul 5, 2009, 11:44pm
Shellslip to Silverfang:
Shellslip pouted a little as she realized her tribemate was right. Normally she didn't have to go digging about for shells, as mussels clung to rocks, but it looked as though she would have to this time.
"Later," she said breezily, and stepped into the water. "I don't want to muddy up the river for everyone."Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by kris on Jul 6, 2009, 12:07am
Stormfire to Mist, Whirlwind
Jul 5, 2009, 4:54pm, Anna wrote:
**Stormfire,** he sent softly, staying in the background so Whirlwind wouldn't realize he'd overheard them. **There's no need to leap to my defense, especially when Whirlwind's opinion has some basis in fact. My hide isn't scratched, I promise you.** He infused his send with a feeling of faint amusement.
Stormfire handed several pouches to Whirlwind. **Oh, you have your flaws, old one, as do I,** she asserted. **But my sister would sooner see me paired off to someone of her choosing. And you and I both know, I choose for myself.** She walked beside Whirlwind to another platform. **Thank you,** she added to Mist. **You would have been right to feel insulted, but you thought first of my sister and myself. You're not so frostbitten as you may think, Healer.**
She wanted to say more, but held back. There was time enough when they settled down for the night. Glancing at Whirlwind, who walked in silence beside her, Stormfire said quietly, "I'm sorry. Next time I won't take your head off."
Whirlwind chuckled, turning her head so fast that her hair spun around her. "You call that taking my head off? I taught you to fight better than that, little sister." She reached out and jabbed at Stormfire's ribs; growling playfully, Stormfire jabbed back, and Whirlwind snickered. "Your trouble is the same as any maiden who's just lost her heart to someone. You think Mist is the only one for you." Whirlwind's smile was kinder, but still held a tinge of mockery. "Someone will come, Stormfire, who will set you ablaze and be everything you've ever thought you'd need and more. And it won't be an elf so afraid of his wolf-self that he holds himself apart from life."
The words cut. Stormfire exhaled sharply and forced herself not to grow angry, even though she resented the implication that she was no more than an infatuated cub, too new to emotion to think straight or even know what was best for herself. "And how do you know Mist won't do?" she returned.
"Do you really think you got that name on some elder's whim? You're too fierce at heart to bind yourself to Mist. You need passion and adventure, not safety. You need someone who will fire your blood and never let you get away with anything, especially in disappointing yourself."
Stormfire almost laughed. And why does she think I attached myself to Mist? Is she that blind? She chose to change the subject. "There's a likely spot," she said, pointing to a ledge close to Sunsong's, but higher off the ground. "Will you share with me, or go elsewhere?"
Whirlwind chuckled. "Share? No. You'll want Mist, and I intend to have some fun myself. I'll take that ledge over there."
Journey to Nightsun, Wingfoot
Quote:
The scuff of leather on wood announced an arrival, and Nightsun smiled as she watched young Journey step onto the platform and drop an armload of furs. She found him an eager, lively companion and enjoyed his wide-ranging curiosity and his open, inquisitive mind. He felt no reservations about her, and that soothed her heart.
"Kitling," she greeted him. "Have you not grown tired of my stories?"
"Not at all," Journey answered, grinning. He reached into his pack and rummaged for something. Some of his treasures were solely for himself, bits and pieces of things that held no interest for anyone else. Some were for his mother, things he knew would delight her eye or lift her spirits. And a few, picked up here and there, were meant to be handed to friends, gifts intended to bring a little joy.
"I also wanted to give you this," he said, and placed the vine-like bracelet he'd found at the mountain into her hand. "I started to give it to a tribemate after I found it," he said, "but she didn't care for it much. But it does seem to suit . . ."
Journey trailed off as Wingfoot climbed up to the platform, dark eyes narrowing. He summoned up a cheerful smile. "Hello, Wingfoot," he chirped.
"You're here again?" Wingfoot arched an eyebrow. "Don't you have a nest, or some troll's cache, or even a human's refuse pile you could be robbing right now?"
"I'm listening to tales." Journey put a finger to his lips and tipped his head towards Nightsun. "You like tales, Wingfoot? I'm sure Nightsun's coming up with a good one."Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by kita on Jul 6, 2009, 12:31am
Silverfang to Shellslip
After bathing himself, Silverfang donned his clothing. He picked up a few shells he ended up finding along the way for Shellslip. He walked alongside Starfire on his way back to the camp. He looked towards the east where the sun will come up and decided to go to sleep when he got back.
When he got back, he walked over to Shellslip and handed her the shells. "Here, I found these on my way back."Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by meimei on Jul 6, 2009, 12:45am
Ashglow to Softling
Ashglow still found the reversal of sleep patterns hard at times. Though there'd been times they'd hunted or travelled at night, usually his siblings and he - and their tribe before them - had travelled during the day. It was hard to break a routine he'd been accustomed to for over four hundred years. He watched Sunsong as she shaped their place for the night. A part of him was still awed by the plantshaper's powers. And he took a little time to gaze around at the platforms and steps she'd made as the group began to settle for a rest.
It caught his attention as first Journey, then Wingfoot approached Nightsun, and Starpath climb the steps to watch over the sleeping Sunsong. It was a strange feeling, still, to not always have one of them by his side. He no longer felt suspicious of the Wolfriders, or the wariness he'd first felt. But that didn't stop him from feeling awkward. About as awkward as the young Softling looked, when Evenstar took the furs from her and nudged her off to do something else.
He hadn't spoken to the skittish youth much. She'd been among the wolfriders as wary of he and his siblings as he'd been of them. But he wandered over to where she stood anyway.
"There's nothing wrong with wanting to help. Just remember where your strengths lie. You're a tracker, right? So you'll have plenty of chances to be useful, even if it doesn't feel like it right now."Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by Anna on Jul 6, 2009, 10:17am
Mist to Stormfire
Mist winced at Stormfire’s ‘old wolf’ comment and sighed. He wasn’t so old as that, and he had no claim to the title of elder that she occasionally labeled him with, but her teasing did make it difficult, sometimes, to replace the image of the squalling girl-cub of the past with the youthful chieftess of today. It was sometimes a shock to turn around and see her, mature and graceful, instead of the child she’d been until so recently.
**I know Whirlwind, chieftess, and I know where her words are coming from. She takes what she sees as all there is. My ‘old’ hide can take her barbs – and your defense will only make her prickle you harder, just to prove you wrong. Do you really care if she thinks I’m a frostbitten stick?** His sending turned sly and teasing. **If she thought I was anything else, she might try to lure me to her furs…**
As he sent, he moved from the tree to the river. Silverfang, Shellslip, and Windsoft were already there and bathing. He joined them in the water to clean up, but didn’t join in their conversation. Whirlwind’s words hadn’t hurt, but they’d thrown him into an introspective mood. His bath was quickly over, and he spread his leathers to air over a bush during the day. Wearing only his loincloth, he climbed one of the trees, higher than Sunsong’s shaping, and settled on a branch to wait for the sun’s rising. The sounds from the Wolfriders were dim, muffled by the leaves and the woven roof Sunsong had made. Wolfriders were always quiet, even at the height of any celebration.
The still unseen sun lightened the sky on one horizon, paling the night-dark to fading shades of grey.
Nightsun to Journey, Wingfoot, Ashglow, Starpath
Nightsun reached out and took the bracelet from Journey, then turned it over in her hands, her fingers delicately tracing the fine work of the filigree. “Oh,” she sighed. “How lovely!” She slipped it over her hand and admired the luster of the gold against her dark skin. “You are thoughtful, kitling, and generous, as well.” She lifted the arm that was now decorated with the bracelet and touched his cheek gently in thanks. “It goes poorly with these crudely tanned clothes, but no matter. It gives me pleasure to see it.”
She turned her gaze to Wingfoot as he joined them and held her arm up for him to see. “Is this not lovely, dear one? See what my young friend has given me!”
Even as she showed Wingfoot the bracelet, she cast a delighted send to her brothes. **Ashglow, Starpath! Is this not beautiful?** she asked happily, sending them the image of the bracelet on her wrist. **Is young Journey not kind?** And then, on a different topic altogether. **Will you sleep here on this platform, or have you friends you will join today? There is room for more than we three, and share we must. The plantshaper only made seven of these tree nests, but there seems to be room for all when shared.**
Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by viola on Jul 6, 2009, 1:27pm
Firecat -> Shellslip, Silverfang, Windsoft
When Shellslip rushed off, Firecat followed at a more quieter pace. She had no intention of tiring herself even more, if she didn't know when they would leave again. She liked this place, she thought as she looked over her shoulder, seeing that one of the darkskinned kneeled next to Sunsong. Lucky gal, she snorted, before continueing her way.
When she reached the river, she just saw that Silverfang handed over the shells to her friend, and she grinned: "Bribing my furmate, are you, Silverfang?", while winking at Windsoft.
Longdusk -> Windsoft
Longdusk snorted at Windsoft's send. He knew. He knew this place was safe and sound, but he just needed something to do. Still, he quickly and quietly made his way to the river. Ever since their journey began, Windsoft had sort of became a friend.
Still, upon seeing the others, amongst them Firecat, he refused to come out of hiding, and turned around. **Restless,** he sent in images. And it was true, he felt uncomfortable, because of the new elves around, because he longed to find a place where they could stay forever. He would return to the river later, when the others would turn in for the day.Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by peachbug on Jul 6, 2009, 7:41pm
Softling to Ashglow
Softling nodded awkwardly to Ashglow's encouragement. The urge to bite at every new thing, every uncomfortable thing had mostly begun to pass for her, though some discomfort remained. It was almost as if with the arrival of Nightsun, a new calm or determination had touched her, despite her initial fit of worry. She'd been stubborn, stupid, all number of things. Her efforts to improve though, seemed fruitless. She wanted to be a better Wolfrider, not just a cub that wallowed in the dirt with the wolves. What could Ashglow know of that, really?
Unwilling to sacrifice her hard work at being tolerable to interact with, Softling did something she hadn't tried before; she humored Ashglow.
"I will try." She offered blankly.
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Starpath to Sunsong and Nightsun
Starpath was enraptured by Sunsong's brilliant, dreamy sending of the holt she knew and dreamed of, a magicked dream of a Palace to him. All a part of the woods and everything that made it, yet set apart for elves, for elves of all sorts to know as a home. In his daze, he lost all sense of wariness or worry, any thoughts of leaving the Wolfriders for their own traveling again. **It is perfect...** He sent his genuine admiration and love for this shaper's Father Tree vision. **And only you could make it.** Starpath hoped this soothed her thoughts as she slept.
As Nightsun's sending struck him, he chuckled. **Beautiful sister...what sort of shiny thing is that made of?**
Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by Anna on Jul 7, 2009, 1:00am
Windsoft to Longdusk
Windsoft sent a wordless response of understand and empathy. Often enough she felt uncomfortable and restless in the press of too many others. It was why she became a scout – and why she made such a good one. But she was elf, not wolf, and so made and effort to spend her time with her own kind. When she was younger, Softling’s age and older, she’d spent little time among the tribe and preferred the company of the pack, or no company at all. It was only as she matured that she’d realized the wolf pack couldn’t meet all of her needs, and that she did need the company of her own kind to feel complete.
Still, she well knew the restlessness that Longdusk was feeling, and the need to be away from the tribe. She didn’t press him. **Sunsong shaped less than an eight of nests for us all to share. You’re welcome to join Journey and I when you’re ready to sleep.**
For herself, she was ready to sleep now. Choosing a couple of furs from the few that were left, she pulled them around her shoulders and found one of the platform nests that was still empty. Laying one fur down, she sank down into its plush softness and pulled the other over her. Dawn was coming, she could feel it pressing close. She yawned and closed her eyes.
Sunsong, Nightsun to Starpath, Journey, Wingfoot
Sunsong smiled and sighed as she sank more deeply into sleep, dreams of holts to be and holts left behind dancing through her mind as she shaped and molded with all the pleasure and joy the magic gave her. She rolled onto her side and curled up, hugging the soft fur close to her.
Nightsun’s response was bright with happiness and surprised pleasure. **I know not, and it matters not. It is lovely, and a thoughtful gesture from my curious friend.** Nightsun’s fingers continued to play around the metal, marveling as it warmed from her skin. **It is hard, but not so hard as the metal of weapons. I shall have to take great care so no damage comes to it.**
Nightsun’s response to her brother broke off abruptly as a yawn caught her by surprise. Her eyes widened, watering from the force of it, and she gazed at Wingfoot and Journey apologetically. “Forgive me,” she said, chagrined. “It has been a long night.” Most of it spent all but jogging to keep pace with the wolves.
Re: The Day's Rest (2)
Post by kita on Jul 7, 2009, 1:11am
Silverfang to Firecat
Silverfang shook his head. "Not at all, Firecat. She wanted shells, and I found some." He grinned. "You jealous?" Then, something caught his eye. Or lack thereof. It was then he noticed that Starfire was gone. She must have went back to camp, he thought.Re:
