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Post by Sofia on Oct 8, 2014 22:16:19 GMT 1
OOC: This takes place a few hours after " Gathering Time". It's getting closer to dawn, but there are still stars in the sky. The elves in this thread are out scouting the forest, maybe moving toward the human village whilst still staying hidden. Things they could run into: - The local wolf pack (who probably tried to make a meal out of the two deer caught in strangleweed); elf-blooded wolves are free to challenge and take over this pack! - Troll traps, they're everywhere! - The humans' livestock (cows or goats), roaming fairly freely with one herder in the distance keeping watch for wolves I'm tagging some elves here, but if you'd rather see your elf in the " At Work" thread, feel free to have them jump in there instead! Tags: Greywing, Panaetha, Silverthorn, Slinker and Swift-Wind! Edit: Removed Edgerunner as he's not been posted in this thread yet and his player is on hiatus. He's off wandering on his own somewhere 
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Post by Greywing on Oct 9, 2014 19:16:56 GMT 1
Greywing launched K'rstai into the air, watched her circle this new holt and disappear. The greywinged falcon would do some scouting ahead of time; though elf and bird couldn't send to each other, they'd developed a rudimentary communication system. After she'd eaten and settled in to some corner of the caves, the green-haired elf was ready to explore their new home. She had no problem calling it that; she had no desire to return to her birthplace.
"We ready to go?" she asked the surrounding elves. Her bag of sling stones was full; with no falcon on her arm, she was able to twirl the sling around with one hand. She was eager to get to know this place...but more eager to see the humans she heard about. Would they be more like the humans from her birthplace? More like Sunset's, friendly and able to befriend elves? Or something different?
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Post by Silverthorn on Oct 11, 2014 12:22:07 GMT 1
Astride No-Tail, Silverthorn took a deep breath in through his nose, testing the air. Cold, crisp winter weather - not ideal for scouting, despite the snow that would still betray any creature's tracks, but it will have to do. They had a whole existence of make-do ahead of them, at least for a while, in this yet-unknown land. Though they've scouted the territory close about the caves and the Beacon, the wolfrider chief still felt to the very pit of his gut the vast expanses that lay beyond it, a constant reminder that they were not home and could not imagine themselves safe.
It gnawed badly at him, making even the good branch-horn meat sit uneasily in his stomach, so that he hadn't eaten much - a practice that was threatening to become a bad habit. Silverthorn knew that he had to train himself to rest easy while he could even so far from his own den and Dandelion's warm presence. At least this new ramshackle tribe was less likely to bicker with some food in them and tasks set to get to. About to leave on their first major scouting effort, he was already feeling better himself.
He spared Greywing a smile. True, she was young, and he couldn't yet know how far he could trust her at his back - he was keenly aware that they would all have to prove their mettle for each other. But her eagerness was good. It spurred him forward. "I'm ready," he said. "If only we could all fly like your falcon, how much simpler this would be. Can you send with it?" He'd have assumed it wasn't possible, a few days ago. But now - how could he say?
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Post by Slinker on Oct 13, 2014 8:04:06 GMT 1
Slinker had been up and about early. He'd slept deep and easily despite being in a new place, though the anxiety from the other elves had kept many up and awake for hours. He couldn't fathom why the others worried over-much. It was a strange thing. They were in a new place, but the excitement of discovery in his mind at least out-weighed the anxiety. He missed his tribe certainly, but the discovery that Nettle was near at hand gave him comfort. He'd been surprised to learn of her recognition, but pleased none-the-less that a new cub would enter the holt in two turns of the seasons. He did wonder if the unexpected recognition would bind the scattered strangers that they were into a new tribe.
Only time would tell.
Slinker scratched behind Ash's ears when the wolf shifted impatiently on his paws. "Easy my brother", he said gently. "We can't be off scouting on our own now, though I'd prefer it too. We're not at home here, and we've yet to establish ourselves as a dependable pack". He glanced at Silverthorn and Greywing. "You will have to send", he said to Greywing. "Everything out there will hear you if you speak aloud. The wood has ears, no matter if you screech or whisper, you will be heard. A wise wolf keeps his voice down if he doesn't want his hide shredded by a bear or punctured by a nest of stingers".
Slinker patted Ash's furry nape, coaxing the wolf to calmness. "We're ready too".
OOC: Thanks, just edited it out
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Post by Greywing on Oct 13, 2014 22:30:02 GMT 1
OOC: Uh, it's not sunrise yet. XD The stars are still out...sunrise is pending.
Greywing blinked as Slinker spoke, a little taken aback. "I wouldn't have survived two turns of the seasons on my own if I didn't know the value of stealth," she grumbled, furrowing her brow. She looked at Silverthorn as she answered his question; much more reasonable, in her opinion. "We can't send, but I have her trained well. She'll circle until she sees me return to this spot, and using taps, she'll tell me what she sees. One for prey, two for predators, three for humans. If I tap her back, she'll lead me to where each one is, though she often gets frustrated. She doesn't get that we can't move as fast as she does." Greywing chuckled a little; it would indeed be much easier if they could all fly like her. On the other hand, it would make them vulnerable to human arrows and stones, so perhaps it was better that they ran through the trees instead.
The green-haired female looked up at the stars; some still twinkled, though the daystar was coming. It was strange for her to be so awake now; this was around the time she'd normally be rousing. But if humans didn't wander up here, maybe she could switch back to being awake when she stars were. She felt more energized...more awake. Her mother attributed it to the wolf blood. They were just waiting on a few more...on male with an impossibly large, strange bond that looked like a...bulky deer, or an elk that'd recently shed its antlers. And two of the ones who bonded with cats. Greywing wrapped her cloak around her as she waited; she'd spent so much time in solitude that she didn't know what to do around others anymore.
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Post by Slinker on Oct 14, 2014 21:01:49 GMT 1
"This isn't about survival", chided Slinker. His eyes glinted in the moonlight, feral like a wolf used to hunting and hiding. "It's about safety". He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "You're not on your own anymore, Greywing. You're with other elves now. Wolves too. There's more at risk than yourself".
Slinker listened attentively as Greywing answered Silverthorn's question. "Good. Pity you can't share-send with your falcon. It would be useful to have eyes in the air". Slinker sighed as he considered the risks of them entering the unknown. "I'm used to scouting on my own with just my bond for company. We're going to have worse luck keeping ourselves hidden and quiet with so many moving through the woods". He glanced sidelong at Greywing, eyes solemn as he shared something personal. "I've been hunted before, more than once, it isn't something you forget. Caution is needed now more than ever". He looked to Silverthorn too. "I could always send farther and stronger than any elf in my home tribe. If you need me", he said tapping his temple as he finished the sentence.
**Then send for me**.
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Post by Panaetha on Oct 14, 2014 23:01:28 GMT 1
**If this isn't about survival, then what is it about?** Panaetha replied, landing in the small circle. Pardus elected to stay behind, grumbly and wanting to nap in some tree somewhere. **You must not have been at the fire when Greywing shared her tale of being hunted by humans for as long as she's been alive. There is no need to scold the girl.**
The cat-glider's temper had been short lately; after four days and nights, she was no closer to escaping this place than she'd been when she was taken...and the way the elves snapped at each other, seeking dominance, grew tiresome. She missed her sister, who was a little younger than Greywing. The fact that a kit was pending in two turns was of no comfort; she had no plans to stay that long.
**We have eyes in the air. I will keep low to the canopy over the scouts. Everything that can possibly be known of this area should be known before a more permanent settlement is made.** Panaetha knew that other elves were already working in the caves, making dens; what if something else lurked in there and they had to move after all their hard work? On the other hand, it didn't matter too much to her...she wasn't sleeping in those forsaken caves anyway.
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Post by Slinker on Oct 15, 2014 10:35:18 GMT 1
Slinker's face darkened as he answered Panaetha. **Survival is mere existence, knowing not where the next meal comes from, or where it is safe to sleep or rest. Survival is desperation and fear and anxiety. That kind of survival, healer, is worse than this**. He nodded briefly to Greywing. **I did not scold her. I stated a fact. We are a ramshackle tribe, a collection of strangers, who cannot yet trust one another. We must think of the safety of all now, not of the individual, or we will never join together as a proper tribe**.
Slinker nodded at Panaetha's sending. **I was not present, no. But it matters little. The past is past. It is better that we focus on the problems at hand than to dwell on what we cannot change**. His face softened as he looked again to Greywing. **I am sorry if I offended you**, he sent honestly. **But it is not my way or Nettle's to be gentle**.
OOC: Actually what are these guys doing? Are we scouting the lay of the land or what?
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Post by Silverthorn on Oct 15, 2014 23:16:24 GMT 1
"Enough of that." Silverthorn's voice was low, only gently chiding. He couldn't help himself in that; he'd been looking forward to a quiet without disagreements, with all of their bellies full, and disliked the reminder of how they ran rough against each other rather than the smooth easy going of longtime tribemates. He raised a hand to greet Panaetha and offered her a smile as well. He was very glad of her presence, her eyes up above. The Longvale tribe made extensive use of their gliders, and he had always counted it the most useful magic of all, except for healing. To have both gifts in one elf was surely the High Ones' blessing for their little group.
**Sending is safer, that's true enough,** he put in. **We don't know the ways of the humans here, or what kind of predators might live in those woods. But we'll not know without venturing out, anyway. We'll only learn what precautions to take by taking a risk.** The four of them seemed prepared. He nodded to himself and rubbed No-Tail's ears in fond encouragement.
**Let's be going, then. Panaetha, would you cover our rear, if Greywing's bird takes point? I suggest we try to make a wide circle about the humans' dwelling, see if we can get the measure of how far they venture.** Unknown land or not, the humans were still the first danger that concerned him. Giving suggestions came naturally. He knew what he wanted to do, and hoped they'd follow willingly.
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Post by Panaetha on Oct 16, 2014 3:34:44 GMT 1
OOC: yeah, just getting the lay of the land, searching the forest for anything notable, tracking humans, perhaps stumbling on troll devices.
Panaetha nodded at Silverthorn's "suggestion." That was how she had to think of it; she thought he sat too long in his chief's position and couldn't resist making orders. But her taking her position behind the rest was sound, so she lifted back into the air and waited for the rest of them to be off. **You should take point, Silverthorn,** she suggested openly. **You and I have been here the longest of this small group, and it was you who discovered the presence of humans in the first place, yes? If the bird cannot be sent to, and we know not of what it sees until after our trip, then it is of little consequence as we explore.**
Blending in to the lightening sky, Panaetha eyed Slinker. He was quite strange to her. His entrance into the group was odd, the way he made Keleero so uncomfortable. His personality seemed about as sweet as acid. Yet he also seemed to already consider the group a tribe, like he'd accepted his place here. Did none of these other elves have families to return to? The healer kept her concerns to herself; she was more than willing to help them build whatever community they wanted. But once they were past this initial state of survival, she'd be gone.
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Post by Greywing on Oct 16, 2014 4:25:27 GMT 1
Greywing wasn't truly bothered by Slinker's comments, though she was tired of others making assumptions about her. She knew how to track and hunt on her own, being stealthy in a group was no different. And she didn't need to be coddled and defended. **It's fine,** she sent to Slinker, accepting his apology and proving she could send. **I'm not a cubling, though...I know how to scout, in and out of a group.**
She was relieved when Silverthorn stepped in. It might not be in Slinker's or Nettle's nature to be gentle...something she'd learned just after she'd appeared in this odd place. But it made her defensive. After two turns of operating with the kind of survival mindset Slinker had described, with no other elves for company, part of her was just waiting for them to start throwing stones at her. The other part of her was grateful that Panaetha, Slinker, and Silverthorn even cared at all.
"I, um, I don't mind going ahead. But I don't know where we're going, so if you know better, maybe you should go ahead. I can follow easy enough," she said to Silverthorn. Usually, she'd follow in the trees, running from branch to branch, but these trees were mostly tall and narrow, their branches too thin for even an elf's light frame.
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Post by Slinker on Oct 22, 2014 11:03:12 GMT 1
Slinker nodded briefly, letting Silverthorn and the others take the lead. **I'll be rear-guard. Best to have eyes on our backs too**. He scratched behind Ash's ears, and silently bondsent to his wolf-bond.
::What do you think of them?::, Slinker asked in wolf-send as they followed the group from behind.
Ash flicked an ear, shoulders rolling as he loped slowly after the others. ::Slow to adapt. Talk too much. Think too much. Waste time instead of doing what needs to be done. These elves do not follow our Way::.
Slinker nodded. ::You're right::. He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. ::Nothing we can do but bite our tongues and bear it::.
Ash growled irritably.
Slinker smiled wryly. Wolves altogether were far more sensible than elves.
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Post by Swift-Wind on Nov 1, 2014 12:17:53 GMT 1
Swift-Wind was running up from behind, as quietly as she could. She had lingered a bit before joining the others, wanting to check something out, as well as see who would take the lead and whom would keep to themselves.
When she had gotten a hint of this she chose to rejoin, offering herself to also take the lead.
**Hi everyone, you know I've also seen the humans and a bit of what waits ahead? If you'd like I could also keep in the front, giving a heads up when I recognize them.**
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Post by Slinker on Nov 3, 2014 22:01:37 GMT 1
Slinker grinned toothily when Swift-wind joined them. He glanced to Silverthorn. **Well?** he asked in sending. **We are following your direction. Surely another pair of eyes would be useful**.
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Post by Silverthorn on Nov 4, 2014 23:02:39 GMT 1
OOC: Sorry I'm so late to reply, everyone! Academia eats me up sometimes. Would it be okay, if Silverthorn is leading, for me to also "take point" in this thread? Like to describe where they're all headed, and when they find the humans, etc.? Or has anyone else got other plans?
So now they were, apparently, following his direction. Silverthorn couldn't say that he was not satisfied. He still offered a nod back to Panaetha at her own suggestion, though, sensing that the floater was a little more reluctant, on top of the good sense of her proposal. No matter how much Graywing protested her maturity, it was still perhaps not the best of plans to have the youngest among them walking first... although, the wolfrider chief thought wryly to himself, he was already getting the impression that many in the impromptu tribe thought of age in a different way to his. Their pack ranks were all a muddle.
**Good, Swift-Wind,** he sent, to her and openly. **Then let's us two take the lead. I don't know how all of you run in your scouting parties, but in my tribe we keep together and not disperse beyond an arrow's range, in case unexpected danger strikes. So that is what I ask of you all. Let's be cautious - but let's ride and see this new land of ours.**
With those encouraging words, he sunk his fingers into No-Tail's fur and the wolf broke into an easy lope, grinning with its pink tongue out at finally being away.
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