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Post by Flint on May 24, 2020 21:27:57 GMT 1
OOC: morning Day 17, assuming everyone went to sleep after Not Sleeping. KeleeroIt had been an really odd time since the tower caved in on him, magic somehow taking him elsewhere. Somewhere far away, where the ground wasn't full of magic running afoul, where other elves resided. Tiredness had gotten the better of him eventually, no matter the many questions. As usual he'd only curled up in free spot, only keeping some distance to the walls he still didn't trusted, falling into a fitful sleep. Not being used to Sapling not watching over him nor staying in one spot for long, he woke up early. Quietly he'd stolen back to the Beacon room, stared at the glow for a while – it was the only spot that felt as infused by magic as his home, not that he could do anything about it. He'd like to talk more with Keleero, the one who'd believed his words and reassured him about his magic not likely to become twisted here. Not knowing how to approach him meant he waited for the other to wake up, tending to the fire till then and eating some berries from his backpack. |
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Post by Keleero on May 24, 2020 22:35:49 GMT 1
Though hardly optional, Keleero had learned to last nights on end without sleep. According to the elders of Steepside, the High Ones had not needed sleep at all; he'd always envied them for that. The latest arrivals and what they'd shared of their lives had kept him up, working on the decorations in the bathing cave as the others settled down to sleep either in the neighboring cavern or outside in whatever shelter others had managed to construct over the days (he tried to push that thought aside, the idea of spending time unconscious outside of the safety of a mountain). He'd let himself get lost in the shaping, creating patterns that meant little though looked pleasant, until the sound of a distant fire burning and others stirring brought him out of his meditation and reminded him that the need to eat was impossible to suspend, especially after a night of stoneshaping.
Making as little noise as possible, Keleero made his way to the Beacon Room and found one of the newest arrivals tending to the fire. On pure instinct, Keleero touched down and walked. He'd probably revealed his gliding to all elves in this mad place already, but flaunting it would be beyond foolish. "Oh. Eh, have you been shown the stores? There should be food there. I'm sure the others will be hungry too, once they wake." Had the sun even risen yet? "Flint, was it? My apologies, I'm still getting used to meeting so many new people in so little time."
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Post by Flint on May 25, 2020 6:03:22 GMT 1
Coming from a world of constant dangers and no fixed rhythm of day and night meant Flint had nothing that could be called a sleep pattern. This night had been a welcome break, chance to rest and catch up on a life-long fatigue, but it likely wouldn't last to sleep that long, always at the same time. Oddest of all was the lack of magic around, the quietness something he had yet to get used to.
That Keleero was the first to join him proved pure luck, giving him the chance to talk without figuring out how to approach. “Stores...?” he repeated, that concept another one lost on him. They'd never stuck around long enough or it. “Don't you have backpacks of your own?” Living in a group of individuals he didn't knew from birth appeared to bring many challenges and new rules. “Think how it's for me” This was the first time he met others in his life. Lots to figure out there. “Still feel as if the world will cave in on me. There's bits of magic, but... it's not doing anything. How can you stand that? Just waiting for something to happen”
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Post by Keleero on May 25, 2020 17:00:31 GMT 1
"You did not have..." Keleero caught himself. "No, of course, how silly of me. I'm so used to there being food stores that I fear I take them for granted." He gave a forced laugh, short and breathy. "And no, I have never owned a backpack. Before coming here, I'd stayed in the same place my whole life, so there was no need for one." Scouts and warriors had their satchels, but Keleero had never been one of them.
Flint's comment implying the newness of socializing with elves at all brought Keleero up short. He floundered for a moment, unsure how to move past his blunder. "Ah, yes, eh, of course, of course. Very different." He gratefully follow the change of topic to magic. "I can assure you, the idea of the world caving in is as strange to me as the idea of stores seems to be for you. As I said yesterday, while magic can go bad and be twisted, it's a rare thing, at least where I come from. My own magic has never been anything but a great help to me." Other people's magic on the other hand... But that was neither here nor there. Rival magic users were one thing, the mountain itself caving in a completely different one. "Forgive me for asking, but, uhm, exactly how often did you encounter spoiled magic in your home? I think I recall you saying something yesterday about someone turning into an owl?" Sleep-deprivation did nothing for his eloquence.
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Post by Flint on May 25, 2020 18:25:25 GMT 1
Flint didn't thought it silly, had long since accepted that there was more in the world than he could ever imagine. Shrugging at the comment he explained a bit: “We've never stayed anywhere long enough. And with it all changing, it'd just get lost.” Hard enough to find meeting spots, if they needed to split up for some time. Whatever you needed or wanted, you kept close. “Didn't you get bored, always being in the same place?” he asked, curious.
The young one also was the last to notice any inapt phrasings, had Sapling and he never kept behind with anything. “How often?” Now it was his turn to give a short laugh. “There hasn't been a spot free of magic to stand on in my life. Not all of it alive – spoiled – or dangerous, but always there.” Here it was an almost troubling absence of it, that had his senses on high alert. “Here, it's like I lost a sense.” Hard to grasp the feeling, let alone explain it. Shaking his head a bit he went for known experiences instead. “Ivy said our father turned into an owl. That's what she believed, anyway – we never met him. She followed one a while, but it didn't seemed... more different than any other. Then she was gone. No trace. No things left behind, nothing to follow. Like she'd walked into a tree and never came out again.” Which given all the odd things in his world was as good an explanation as any.
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Post by Keleero on May 26, 2020 21:05:29 GMT 1
"Bored?" Boredom would have been a blessing. He vague memories of his younger years; waiting for things to come or begin made to practice meditation, and being oh so frustrated, wishing for something to happen. How foolish he'd been. "No, Steepside is not a place that gives much opportunity for boredom." Dismissing the question so curtly wouldn't do. Flint had offered a conversation topic and one should accept such gifts. It's how alliances grew. "There were those who went outside, to hunt or explore. I, however, have always preferred to keep in one place, work on my crafts. There was plenty of challenges to be found at home, despite the lack of spoiled magic."
The idea of a world filled to the brim with aggressive magic was...unsettling to say the least. "Not one spot?! Oh dear, that is distressing to hear. You must be very capable, having survived such an environment!" Elves turning into owls, elves walking into trees, pure madness! But Keleero didn't doubt Flint's story. This was too mad to be made up. No one would have come up with such a lie and thought they could get away with it. Since coming to this strange place, he'd heard more than one mad tale and seen more than one strange elf. Why not a world constantly consumed by magic too?
"I've never been much good at sensing magic," Keleero admitted, "but I take your meaning. I would not take well to losing the sense my rockshaping gives me of this cave." To demonstrate he brushed his hand against the nearest wall, letting his magic light his hand in a soft glow only for elfin eyes. The ceiling remained as stable, though uneven, as ever. "Do you think the beacon," he nodded toward the softly glowing orb in the wall, "could be related to your world? It seems to have a mind of its own."
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Post by Flint on May 27, 2020 5:50:41 GMT 1
It wasn't that Flint had many opportunities for boredom either, such habits leading to dangers in his world. He just couldn't imagine being in the same place for long, though from the sound of it there'd been others to care for needs. “But what if it'd not be safe inside anymore? How would you know where to go?” All his life had been built around constant danger, expecting the worst to happen at any given moment, having to be ready to pack up and run.
“It's all we knew. All anyone knew, for many a turn...” he replied with a shrug. A world you were born in was easier to adapt to, knowledge handed down for generations, intuition the best defense. The same intuition that let him notice Keleeros rockshaping a moment before it happened and knew it to not be harmful. “Your magic feels good. Not dangerous.” Much easier to hurt someone with fire, no matter the intention. Flint always was careful to use it. “Who knows? Maybe it's a thing of old times, cast away because it was too dangerous... but then the ones in my world don't stay in one place. They're a mix of what was and what's around, trying to expand, change, shift.” After a pause he added: “Some talk. We tried to stay clear of those.”
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Post by SL2657F on May 27, 2020 19:38:04 GMT 1
SL2657F had slept, but not very deeply. Her entire body ached from her essential tossing and turning. She had no sense of actual danger, but these elves... were they her captors? Was this all a trick by the humans? She had spent most of the night, since she couldn't sleep, thinking over what she'd learned. She wanted to talk to someone... Anyone... a familiar face. She had so many questions, fears, concerns. The little bug had stayed with her for a while, even offered to "wrap" her to make her sleep. She had declined the bug's offer, but now she was wondering if she should have accepted? With a sigh, she sat up and reached for her backpack. Taking inventory, she had a few rations, a few weapons, but very limited ammunition.
She heard voices, soft, coming from down one of the passages in the cave. Setting the bag down she slowly began to move that way. She tensed as she felt something land on her head before she heard the preserver's voice, loud when she wanted to be quiet. "<Spotfur-Highthing wake up! Need help talking today?>"
SL2657F sighed, nodding, gently so as not to shake the creature off. "<Yes. I will... Thank you...>" She moved forward, trying to retrace her steps from the night before until she found herself at the entrance to the beacon room. The one who could melt and shape stone was there. Kellro? And the one who had arrived shortly after she had that had never met another elf. Flint. His name was easy to remember. She stood in the doorway, not saying anything. Leave it to the preserver to announce her presence.
"Helloooooo!!" The preserver took flight to go greet the other two elves leaving the cat-elf behind to slowly enter the room.
Still wary of the other two, she was listening, only able to pick up a few words. She thought about telling the small bug...Shinefind, a name that she couldn't forget since the creature kept saying it, for help but decided against it for now.
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Post by Keleero on May 27, 2020 23:02:36 GMT 1
"Inside was never safe either. Just safer than outside." Mad as it was, four-hands-and-one day into his stay here had been the calmest of his long life. There was hardship, definitely, but far more outright cooperation than he'd experienced since his half-forgotten youth. "I never thought of leaving Steepside before coming here. It was unthinkable to be, to be honest. The mountain was all I knew. I...I think I see your point." The comment Flint made about his magic was oddly flattering. It wasn't a strategy of flattery he'd experienced anyone attempting before. The novelty of it was almost as pleasant as the praise itself. "It does? Well, thank you." Also, it was good to know his magic didn't come off as hostile in itself to those who could sense it more than others. That would give him the element of surprise, should he needed it, and in this mismatched group he suspected he sorely would need it, should things ever come to ahead between him and any of the others.
Distracted by such an unpleasant side-track in his thoughts, Keleero nearly jumped at the sudden screeching greeting of the preserver. Shinefind's voice was exactly as subtle and melodious as all of its kin that Keleero had known in Steepside - in that it left your ears ringing. "Ah, hello," he said, not commenting on its abrupt appearance. Preservers were valuable to have around, especially now that their food stores were so precious. Keeping on its good side was important. "Did you-" He spotted the other newcomer in the doorway, appearing to have followed Shinefind from the inner tunnels, and it stopped him short. While Flint seemed an ally, at least for now, Keleero still had no idea where anyone stood with the strange cat-elf now coming to share the Beacon Room with them. "Shinefind, would you please tell-"
"Spotfur-Highthing?"
Oh dear stars, the names preservers came up with. "Y-yes, Spotfur-Highthing. Could you tell her that she is welcome by the fire and that I was about to go fetch food for cooking?"
The preserver nodded with a wide smile and turned to chirp at the cat-elf in the strange human tongue it knew. Keleero had no idea if its translation had been accurate, but there wasn't much he could do about that.
OOC: Slowly catching up on re-reading old threads, so we might have a chance to wrap up at least one of the old ones that's waiting for me to reply to it... Reposting this post 'cause I used the wrong account *sigh*
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Post by Flint on May 28, 2020 6:02:55 GMT 1
Knowing plenty about caves not being safe in a variety of ways, though Keleero likely meant different ones, Flint got his meaning. His world was all he knew too, wouldn't he thought of leaving even if there'd been a way to do so. Especially not without Sapling. Who'd watch his brothers back now? How long till the spoiled magic sneaked up on him, consuming him, turning him into another piece of landscape, never to be found again? The comment about magic hadn't been meant as flattery, such frivolities wrong in a place where every word counted, where there wasn't anyone to flatter. It was a fact, made him feel safer in a cave when so many others held unspoken dangers in the past.
The preservers voice had him flinch, Flint barely used to having others talk around him, such noise usually another sign of danger. He'd adapt, just like in his world with it's ever-changing lands. Waving his hand at the other elf, hers a name he couldn't pronounce, he gestured for her to come, sit. Share a fire. Food they could sort out from up close, by simply offering – Sapling and he had gone days without actually talking, gestures just as useful. Turning his topic back to Keleero, he choose to offer some advice, some of his lifelong lessons. “If the mountain ever stops being save... go. Take some food and tools if you can, but nothing much that'll hinder you running. Keep an eye on where you leave. Follow a line to not get lost, unless something follows. Take to the high ground, but don't be visible. Water is good to have around, if it's flowing and won't trap you. Don't go where no plants are. Light and smoke are life, approach careful.”
OOC: No rush! We sure can close some of the old ones quite quickly
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Post by SL2657F on May 28, 2020 9:50:20 GMT 1
SL2657F flicked her ears at Keleero when she saw the elf address her, through Shinefind. When the bug... what was it anyway? When the... bug... flew over to her again and began chattering, she held a hand up. She already had a headache brought on by lack of sleep and general dehydration, she simply nodded.
"<--food to eat, Spotfur-Highthing should eat food, feel better! And talk! Shinefind help Spotfur-Highting talk again! Yes, help Spotfur-Highthing talk because Spotfur-Highthing not talk right, nope!>"
"<I understand, you'll help, thank you.. Shinefind... Tell him... Uhm, K..>"
"<Deepscare-Fly-Highthing>" Shinefind interjected as she had done for Keleero earlier.
"<Deeps.. What? no, it was> Kellro?" She tried, at least, to remember how to say it, but did get the pronunciation wrong. Her lack of understanding of how the preserver referred to others confused her. She knew she was called "Spotfur-Highthing" but considering she didn't really have a name other than her designation, she let the little creature call her what she wanted. It was an accurate statement afterall... and if it was accurate for her, does that mean this other elf... Deepscare and fly? What did those mean... Fly she could figure out, but Deepscare? "<Nevermind, Shinefind. Please tell him I would appreciate food. Thank you.>"
Shinefind flittered back over to Keleero to relay the message.
SL2657F noticed, at this point, the gestures from Flint. Motioning to the fire and seating. She understood the signals easily enough and nodded her understanding, moving towards them. She was careful, clearly still uneasy. She wasn't sure if she trusted them or not. Why should she? She still expected the Dengali to be watching, waiting for her to slip up, waiting for the ambush. She wouldn't reveal their positions and plans. She wasn't stupid. She'd let them think she believed she was somewhere else. That's the only way this made sense. Even as she had thought, instead of sleeping, on not being able to recognize any landmarks, it was impossible for her to be on a different world. She'd had Shinefind verify the blue bubble was still lit up on the back of her collar, meaning she was able to receive a signal. This was either a test, or she was captured. With a soft grunt, she put a hand to her temple, closing her eyes against the sharp pain that had been growing before she moved to sit down, cross legged, her tail curling around her hip, tip twitching slightly, hinting she was deep in her own thoughts.
OOC: Sorry if this doesn't make much sense... brain is foggy.
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Post by Keleero on May 30, 2020 11:27:58 GMT 1
OOC: I think your post made perfect sense  Hope you're feeling better today/tonight (I think we're all at the risk for brainfog these days...). Btw, do you want to bring Tambri to the holt in this thread or wait a bit? IC:Keleero listened to Flint's advice with half an ear, too focused on not looking tense as the cat-like newcomer approached them. "I will make sure to keep that in mind," he said, "thank you for the advice." Keleero knew he'd never dare run. He'd stayed in Steepside despite everything, for as long as it took a stalagmite to grow past the height of an elf. How would he dare go into the wilderness outside this unknown mountain? Even if a threat appeared inside it. He watched with forced indifference as Flint gestured the other newcomer closer and she approached, Shinefind alongside her, chattering on about how the newcomer very much would like some food and wasn't it wonderful that all the elves were getting along and being friendly~! Well, not in so many words, but Keleero had long since gotten used to translating the manner of speech preservers preferred to more ordinary conversation. "Shinefind, would you please continue letting us know what our new friend says when she speaks? And let her know what we are saying too, please." "Shinefind do!" the preserver chirped, utterly delighted. "Shinefind help, aaaand," it paused, supposedly for dramatic effect, "Deepscare-Fly-Highthing bring Shinefind pretty pebbles?" Bargaining. He knew how to do that. "Yes, I promise, I will bring all the best pebbles for your collection." The preserver gave an ear-piercing shriek of joy, then fluttered back over to the newcomer - who Keleero had decided the think of as 'Spotfur' for lack of a better name - switching its chattering to the human speech again. Finally somewhat more settled, ready to go get the food he'd promised, the details of his previous conversation with Flint caught up with him. "...wait, did you say the magic in your world talks?"
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Post by Flint on May 30, 2020 19:13:06 GMT 1
With a nod he left Keleero to use the advice as needed, his mother teaching early that everyone was responsible for his own life. Albeit with how precious rare elves had been, he'd likely not leave anyone behind, rather facing the danger for them. Hard to imagine this world throwing up anything worse than what he'd experienced. Hard for him to understand the little bugs chatter, too many odd words, too fast, Flint choose to stick with non-spoken communication for Spotfur. It'd work out, somehow.
“The ones that once were people did, at times. Mimicking old voices. Scribbles on the walls. Some, think-talk. Never good to listen.” He shook his head at the memories. “It... it wasn't people anymore. They'd lead into danger, distract us or attract other things.” Keeping talking of an 'us' that wasn't there anymore would be a habit hard to drop, his brother like a second half of personality, one he sorely missed the more time passed. “Can I help with the food?” he asked, trying to distract himself from that line of thought.
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Post by SL2657F on May 31, 2020 3:31:25 GMT 1
SL2657F moved to sit down, eyes on the two males as they spoke. Her tail was twitching, ears swiveling as she listened for any sign of anyone else approaching, any threat. She was more and more convinced this was some kind of trap. But the other part of it was she wanted to believe she was free. Closing her eyes at the screeching voice of Shinefind, she brought her hand back to her temple. The throbbing just wouldn't quit! Holding a hand up to the small bug she just nodded her head at whatever the preserver had just said, not quite sure what was really going on. She was translating... It was a she, right? Maybe? The bug was translating the conversation, but having not been there for the beginning it felt wrong to jump in. Instead she chose to just listen.
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Post by Keleero on May 31, 2020 21:16:10 GMT 1
Keleero shuddered at what Flint was describing. He'd thought he'd seen horrors done to elves by spoiled magic, had seen the mad ones it took healers endless effort to put back together, and those they'd failed to bring fully back to themselves. But the idea of magic corrupting an elf to the point where they were nothing but an echo of a person, a trap set for the next victim...
"I'll," he swallowed audibly, fought to get his expression under control, "go get us some food and then I'll be glad for your help in cooking it. I'll be right away" He didn't wait for a reply before he took to the air and darted over the stores, hoping Shinefind would translate his intentions to Spotfur.
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Hope you're feeling better today/tonight (I think we're all at the risk for brainfog these days...). Btw, do you want to bring Tambri to the holt in this thread or wait a bit?