|
|
Post by Flint on May 31, 2020 23:17:41 GMT 1
Flint noticed how uneasy Spotfur seemed, but had little clue what to do about it – with Sapling he'd always known what was up and what would help. Here waiting seemed like the best method, looking for hints as to what might be the issue, how to help. There was much to learn when dealing with others. The topic on his homeworld didn't appeared to be the best one either, his normality far beyond anything else. Maybe over food they'd find something better. For now he looked after Keleero wide-eyed, flying nothing he ever imagined an elf being capable of. “Is that why you don't go outside? That your magic might take you up in the sky and never back down again?” he asked when the elder came back.
|
|
|
|
Post by SL2657F on Jun 1, 2020 4:17:35 GMT 1
Flight. One of the few extremely forbidden types of magics that an elf could have in the Dengali empire. She'd never witnessed it before, and now that she saw it, she was startled, scooting back away from Keleero at first. She began reaching back to the box on the back of her neck, looking around, feeling her panic rising. She couldn't see, but due to the elevation in her heart rate, the green bubble had turned yellow-green.
"<Is this some kind of test? To see if I'll reveal anything? I won't! I'm loyal!>" SL2657F then scrambled to a kneeling position, forcing her hand away from the collar, placing her fists on the floor, her gaze down and ears flattened back against her head. She had her right knee bent up against her chest. It looked like a completely submissive pose. "<I will die for the Emperor if the command is given! But I will not break!>"
Shinefind flittered away from the cat-elf in confusion, looking between Flint and Keleero. "Shinefind do bad?" She had been translating happily up until the outburst. "Spotfur-Highthing scared. Thinks will break? Spotfur-Highthing say words Shinefind not know."
Just then... a flash of light filled the room.
OOC: I am horrible at preserver-speak... sorry.
Also i'll need some time to write the entry for Tambri, so it may not be up for a bit, but i'll have it posted tonight.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tambri on Jun 1, 2020 10:30:14 GMT 1
The wind continuously blew around her hinting at the coming storm. The winter had been particularly harsh this year. The sun was setting leading Tambri to turn her search for a suitable shelter. No later had the thought entered her mind than it began to snow. Spook, the solid white wolf, snapped his jaws at a few snowflakes. At least he was having fun... With a sigh, Tambri let out a soft whistle, calling the wolf back to her side. He was young, not quite ready to ride at 8 months, but soon. The snow began to fall heavier, visibility starting to dwindle. She could see the dark shape in the distance and moved that way. A large tree trunk. Dead wood was difficult to shape, for her, but she could make a den out of it. It'd be warm enough until the storm passed, at least.
After the stump had been shaped, the snow scooped out of the now protected 'room', she slid in and curled up against the far 'wall'. Spook was quick to join her, chewing on a random stick he'd found while waiting for Tambri to finish shaping the wood. Tambri tugged her fur-lined coat tighter around her body as she slowly drifted off, slumping over against the wolf's side.
She didn't notice the flash of light, but once it cleared, she remained, curled up against the wolf. The wolf was curled up around his elf-bond, his head resting on her thigh. The wolf noticed first that the setting had changed, opening his brown eyes, his ears perking up as he lifted his head. Then came the growl. Tambri groaned and stirred at the sound of the growling, pushing herself up. That was when she realized she was laying on stone, not dirt, and she was not in a shaped den. She saw Flint first, then the strange cat-elf. At least she assumed it was an elf. She'd seen one once before in the distant past. The preserver was third, before she saw Keleero.
Sitting up, the look of confusion was obvious. **I... am not in the forest anymore...** Her gaze snapped back to the cat-elf, arching a brow at the wall she'd encountered during the send.
Spoke continued to growl, even when Tambri placed a mittened hand against his back, intent on calming him. She didn't reach for a weapon. Afterall where she came from, elves did not kill elves. That didn't mean she wasn't cautious. They somehow moved her here without waking her or Spook. That meant magic, though not a form she was familiar with.
|
|
|
|
Post by Keleero on Jun 1, 2020 19:59:48 GMT 1
Keleero made quick work in the stores, finding enough supplies for a meat broth. That should hopefully settle everyone's hunger without upsetting any stomachs; who knew when these two newcomers last ate a full meal? Flint's question took him fully by surprise. "Up in to the-? Why would you-?" But before he could wrap his mind around the mere idea that flight, one of his few sources of safety, should ever be a source of danger, Spotfur let out a long rush of words in that human tongue of hers, sounding very upset indeed. She even assumed a position that reminded Keleero all too much of Sefu in his most insecure moments. "I don't think you did anything wrong, Shinefind," Keleero hurried to reassure the preserver. Having both it and Spotfur panicking would be beyond catastrophic. Spotfur had been plenty hostile when she'd shown up and apparently something had set her off again. "Ask her what's wrong." He kept in the air, still holding the satchel of soup ingredients. Touching ground right now felt like an unwise idea, if the need to dodge or flee should arise. Shinefind swelled up its tiny chest in determination, happy to be given a mission in solving this problem and also in knowing it had done nothing wrong. It turned its full attention on the kneeling elf. <Spotfur-Highthing angry-scared? Deepscare-Fly-Highthing says Shinefind must know what is bad. What is bad-wrong, Spotfur-Highthing? Is hurt? Need Shinefind make wrapstuff?> The sudden flash of light from the beacon startled both Shinefind and Keleero, sending them both darting for the middle of the chamber's ceiling; the one part of the uneven roof that actually allowed for a height advantage. Shinefind found itself first. "Is new Highthing!" it chirped in joy, fluttering closer to the newest newcomer and her wolf without fear. "Safe-shiny light took new Highthing here where is snug-safe! Growler-thing too! Hello hello! Is Shinefind! Highthing has trinkets? Trinkets for Shinefind?" Then it seemed to catch itself and, reluctantly, added: "Trinkets to make Spotfur-Highthing stop being sad-angry?" Keleero hesitated, accepting the stranger's sending without allowing it to go too deep. He had long practice with only sharing as much of himself as it pleased him (which was rarely anything deeper than a vague sense that he was present and had heard the sender) and he put that into full effect now, cutting off all emotion but answering back a wordless affirmation that the newcomer's observation was truth. Then he switched to speaking: "Shinefind, please let our new arrival breathe." He gently beckoned for the preserver, who reluctantly backed up a bit. "Welcome to...Beacon Call, I think is what we're calling this place. I am Keleero, for now formerly of Steepside Mountain. You are in no danger here." He hoped. Spotfur looked really on edge despite her kneeling posture. "We have all been taken here without knowledge of how or why. What is your name, stranger?" The growling wolf was an issue, to say the least. "And is that animal your," he had to search for the word for a heartbeat, "bond-friend? Please restrain it, we mean you no harm." OOC: SL2657F - I think you're doing great at preserver speak! Flint - Keleero will definitely be getting back to the "floating into the sky"-issue once this chaos is over, great line! |
|
|
|
Post by Flint on Jun 1, 2020 21:06:32 GMT 1
The question about magic got lost in Spotfurs outburst, this something he could barely deal with. If he'd understood what she was saying, maybe, albeit there'd never been anything like it between Sapling and him. Panic could quickly kill you in his world and since this wasn't a danger to him Flint kept quiet in his spot – certainly not ignoring what was happening, simply asserting the situation till there'd be course of action visible.
His instincts registering the beacons activity seconds before it happened meant he didn't get startled, though he moved nonetheless – away from the wall he'd been sitting in front, closer to the fire in case he needed his magic, hand on the hilt of the sword strapped to his back. As far as he knew everything could happen.
Relaxing a bit at the sending, meeting him open and surprised, he at least let his weapon go, only keeping near to the fire in case there'd be need for magic. Following Keleeros need he introduced himself: “I'm Flint” Gesturing to the covering girl he added: “That's Spotfur. She's... upset.” Deciding that maybe she needed some comfort, he moved over to sit next to her, not daring to touch without approval, only offering a quiet reassurance.
OOC: Yes, you're doing great! And thanks Sofia! I blame my consume of obscure scifi that had me come across two stories with ppl for which gravity worked upside-down and the idea of falling into the sky is quite alluring
|
|
|
|
Post by SL2657F on Jun 1, 2020 21:50:36 GMT 1
SL2657F remained still, even as Flint approached. The bug had returned and had been asking about why she was mad. She wasn't angry, it was more... will to survive. She wanted to prove her loyalty. If she didn't say anything that could be incriminating then she wouldn't be a traitor, right? The flash had startled her, but she'd seen it before, vaguely. Seeing another elf appear, with a wolf, she was starting to waver in her own beliefs.
"<Shinefind... Are there... Humans... hiding somehwere? Am I being watched?>" She was trying to keep her voice even, steady. For the first time in her life she wanted to feel the twinge of pain that came with the injection of the mind-controlling serum. She didnt like feeling fear.
Shinefind looked around, confused look on its tiny face. "<Human? Down steep hill! But Shinefind stay, Shinefind help Spotfur-Highthing! Shinefind watch Spotfur-Highthing, yes yes! Spotfur-Highthing want Shinefind wrap? Spotfur-Highthing sleep!>" The preserver took a deep breath as if it was about to spew wrapstuff all over the cat-elf, but glanced at Keleero first. "Spotfur-Highthing ask for Humans. Shinefind wrap? Spotfur-Highthing sleep! Shinefind do?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Tambri on Jun 1, 2020 22:02:23 GMT 1
Tambri glanced around at those gathered once more, listening to the exchange of words between the preserver and the cat-elf... Wait, the cat-elf was speaking the language of the Five-fingers!? She slowly stood, stray bits of snow that had been blown into the den she'd been sleeping in falling to the floor even as it began to melt. Spook rose to his paws as well and took a step forward, his tail up, ears perked. The white wolf a sharp contrast to the dark leathers the pale elf beside him was wearing.
The hood of Tambri's fur-lined coat fell back away from her face, revealing the paleskinned wolfrider, her hair braided, two framing her face, two forming a crown, back into a leather strap that bound her hair back. It could be mistaken for a Chief's lock, though she held no such rank. She had a quiver and bow, though they were attached at one hip, a sword at the other, likely due to the bulky outerwear she was wearing. Mittened hands moved to the bow first before one slid towards the hilt of the sword. The leathers were dark brown, the fur a mottled mix of grey. The coat was furlined, and it appeared so were her boots and pants. Wherever she'd just come from, it must have been mid-winter.
**Why is the one who can't send speaking Five-Finger?** There was no hiding the hatred for the humans in her send. She'd lost too much to them. She'd encountered only one other elf who couldn't send, and even then, she'd never run into a wall like that. It was... different. As if it was blocked. But if an elf could send, why would they block it? She couldn't think of a reason, except to shield oneself from black-sending, something she'd never personally experienced but she'd heard stories from those who had.
**I am Tambri, the wolf is Spook. He is my bond.** It had startled her when she had bonded with the wolf. She had found him through his mother, who had been killed in a trap. There were four cubs initially, but they were so young and she was so far from any help. She had tried to save them but only Spook had survived. He was only a few weeks old when they had bonded. Either the mother or the father must have come from an elf-tribe at some point. She had tried to seek out that tribe but never saw any sign of them. It was possible that they, too, had long since moved on. Considering how regularly she had to hide from human hunting parties during that time, she could understand why.
Her hand left the hilt of her sword to rest on the wolf's back again. Still silent, but the wolf remained still. At least the growling stopped.
|
|
|
|
Post by Keleero on Jun 1, 2020 22:59:47 GMT 1
Well this is a fine mess, Keleero thought, too tired to reach the edge of near hysteria the chaos around him would have invoked not but the day before. This place was pure madness. At least Flint was keeping steady. And apparently brave or foolish enough to edge closer to Spotfur. At least he seemed ready to deal with any attacks that might come. Keleero admired that sign of pragmatism; not going for a weapon right away but not relaxing either. This place could use more of that calm and steadiness. ~**Seems we have some calming down to do,**~ he dared lock-send to Flint, a brief mind-touch to show Keleero would back him up if this all came down to a brawl. Trying to keep an eye on Tambri, Keleero half-turned to Shinefind as it asked him about wrapstuffing Spotfur. "Shinefind, did she ask to sleep?" Trying to cocoon someone without their say-so would likely end in bloodshed. Spotfur seemed a capable sort. "And what are <humans>?" "No ask but sleep good! <Humans> is Bigthings. Bigthings by the much-big water down steep hill!" The tiny preserver frowned, clearly not pleased at its solution of wrapstuff having been stalled. "Spotfur-Highthing think Bigthings look-see-sniff for Spotfur-Highthing but Shinefine say all snug-safe and happy-happy here!" Happy-happy indeed. Keleero fell back on keeping a blank mask in the face of this turmoil. "Tell her the humans by the sea aren't 'her' humans. They use spears and live in huts. They don't know we're here and they won't be coming here unless she runs off and calls their attention." And if she tried that he'd definitely do his best to stop her. He had the vague recalled that Spotfur considered the weapons the others in Beacon Call used 'primitive', so hopefully the fact that the local humans used spears would bring home that she truly had ended up somewhere other than her mad homeworld. Then again, who knew what preservers chose to call 'spears', when elves where 'highthings', wolves 'growler-things' and humans 'bigthings'. Keleero managed to keep his mask of indifference as the newcomer Tambri sent to him once again. Why risk sending when talking was perfectly possible? Was she mute? "Well met, Tambri," he said out loud, pointedly keeping his receptions of her sendings as shallow and neutral as possible. He dared try a slightly warmer, though still fairly neutral expression. "To be honest, I only met that one," he indicated Spotfur with a glance, "yesterday, so I haven't quite figured that out yet. But I can assure you, there are no humans here. Just...a very mixed group of elves, from all manner of places, all stuck here because of that magical rock you see in the wall behind you." Not the most graceful of summaries, no, but he was sleep-deprived and he'd just gone through the whole sordid tale only the day before. There was only so much he could muster the energy for. "We were just about to make soup. Would you like some?" He briefly glanced at the wolf, remembering not to meet its eyes; more than one of his new acquaintances had taught him that was a sure way to angering a wolf. "There should be some meat for your...friend too." OOC: Leaving how successful Shinefind is at translating Keleero's info about the local humans up to you SL2657F ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Flint on Jun 2, 2020 9:52:59 GMT 1
Humans, the bug wanting to wrap Spotfur – Flint was truly lost among this unknown things, glad that he didn't need to sort this out alone. It showed in his silent acknowledgment back to Keleero, how he didn't knew what to do, but would try to the best of his ability. He could snap into action on a moments notice if needed, basing the force of his reactions on what happened. Fire would be a last effort, too easily hurting, despite the good control he had on it.
Regarding the humans, Flint decided to follow Keleeros lead – no danger right now, as long as they didn't run off. Until he got a chance to see the outside, this cave likely was the safest... though it was hard to get over a lifetime of fearing them, was he on edge for any magic happening. Speaking only in sending like the newcomer, Tambri, did would take a good bit of getting used to with him, sticking to speaking instead while receiving her sending open, likely sharing too much of how confusing this was for him.
“At least the rock seems to be done for now” he added in, sensing no more magic from it. Seemed like the best course of action would be to sit down, have some food, all of them calming and explaining what was up. Given that Tambri seemed sensible enough to be talked to, he kept his focus on Spotfur and how she'd receive the news about humans not being around.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tambri on Jun 2, 2020 21:15:49 GMT 1
Tambri turned her gaze to the rock behind her when Keleero mentioned it was what brought her here. She had heard stories of the palace and the magic even its shards had held. She had never witnessed that power herself, but knew others who had. She nodded her head in understanding. She noted both males, while acknowledging her send, had responded with spoken word. Her gaze shifted back to the cat-elf and the preserver who was jabbering on in the Five-Finger tongue.
When she spoke, her voice was level, quiet in tone. "So both of you and the... cat elf? Were just... brought from somewhere? Where is here?"
She nodded at the offer of soup and moved forward. The wolf remained at her side, watching the elves, just in case.
|
|
|
|
Post by SL2657F on Jun 3, 2020 6:47:26 GMT 1
SL2657F remained as still as she could, trying to keep her breathing steady. Shinefind fluttered back and forth before returning finally. The words were jumbled, hard to understand but it sounded like there were humans nearby but not an armed military... she was describing... well pointy sticks and small point sticks.
"<Sharp-point Sticks and small Sharp-point sticks? What... are those?>" She raised her gaze briefly.
The preserver seemed to brighten. "<Shinefind show Spotfur-Highting!>" it flew across the room to the approaching Tambri and tried to tug an arrow out of the quiver. The mittened hand stopped the arrow from being pulled free, forcing the preserver to pout.
"<You mean... arrows?>" Could it be so primitive? "<I'm really not in the empire am I? I'm... nowhere near where I come from...>"
Ooc: sorry I just am struggling mentally tonight so I cant really continue the preserver talk right now.
|
|
|
|
Post by Keleero on Jun 4, 2020 20:24:58 GMT 1
OOC: Don't worry about that SL2657F - write Shinefind the way that works best for you  It's perfectly fine to summaries what the preserver says, if that works better! IC:"You never know with the beacon, I'm afraid," Keleero said, keeping his tone light. "Most of us have arrived in pairs or groups. We'll have to wait and see for a bit - and be prepared to save our soup bowls, in case someone stumbles out of midair right at us." There were only so many bowls to go around. It was rather ironic that they at the moment had more ability to heal elves than repair basic gear. Turning to Tambri, Keleero had to stifle a sigh of pure exhaustion. "Yes, we were all brought here by that rock. Why? We have no idea. I have been here four-hands-and-one days, while these two appeared yesterday." Had it only been that recent? High Ones, he needed sleep. "You are free to go outside to see if you recognize this place. None of us have thus far, but if you do know where we are you'll bring relief to many." To him? He honestly didn't know. "Just don't go too far. There are, as you've heard, humans out there." At least Shinefind seemed to be making headway with Spotfur. Maybe. It was hard to tell, but Keleero did his best to be optimistic. That didn't come natural, but he tried. "Shinefind, I think you've explained enough." Having the preserver steal weapons from the most recent newcomer wasn't advisable. She had a wolf on her side, after all (Keleero very carefully didn't look directly at the animal because knowing it was in the room was stressful enough). The preserver, briefly distracted from Tambri's arrows, darted over to Keleero. "Spotfur-Highthing asks if Spotfur-Highthing in <Empire>? Is true? Is lie?" "Is true." Better keep things simple. "We are all far away from our homes." "Silly Deepscare-fly-Highthing," Shinefind giggled. "Is home! Is here!" It fluttered back over to Spotfur, jabbering on in the human tongue Keleero couldn't interpret. <Spotfur-Highthing not in Empire! Spotfur-Highthing here! Is home! Is snug-safe!> Leaving the preserver to its joyful chattering, Keleero set about starting the soup. Getting the ingredients in place took little effort, but his hands were trembling too much from fatigue to work the sparkstone left by the fire-pit. Allowing himself to sigh out loud at this, he looked over at Flint. "Would you assist me, please?" Unless he'd hallucinated events of the previous evening, he thought he recalled Flint being a fireshaper.
|
|
|
|
Post by Flint on Jun 4, 2020 21:46:25 GMT 1
A complicate question, where this place was – he had yet to go outside to try and track the stars as proof for his theory of being on another planet, but the utter lack of magic and the fact that none of the others seemed to know the horrors he'd seen were enough of an indication. Having just explained the concept yesterday, Flint choose to stay quiet about it, Mahraks disbelief still in mind. “It's not feeling like magic now” he argued back, the beacon having a certain feel to it that seemed gone now – with his noticing only happening moments before there was no being sure, though at least he should be able to save their food when it happened again.
Why the flutterthing insisted on them all being home he didn't knew. This wasn't his home and as much as it was better than his life so far, he wouldn't wish to be anywhere without Sapling. They'd never been apart this long. Helping with the food would distract him from that line of thought, would he appreciate a solid meal instead of his travel bits. Of course he'd help with the fire, nodded at the question – thanks to having done this hundreds of times it took barely more than a flick of his wrist to conjure the flame, light a dry bit o kindling and nudge it to a healthy, stable fire. ~**You should rest, later. I can keep watch.**~ he told Keleero softly. Nothing good would come out of being too tired to function and he knew very well how it was to not feel safe enough to rest. Sapling and he had often slept in shifts.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tambri on Jun 8, 2020 23:46:09 GMT 1
Tambri glanced at the two males, the fluttering preserver, the very distressed cat-elf, then down to Spook. The wolf's ears flicked, acknowledging the silent command from his bond. He trotted his way toward the exit of the cave and outside. Tambri moved toward the others, carefully removing the heavy coat she was wearing. It was warm enough inside the cave without it. Beneath she had simple leathers on, a belly shirt with only one sleeve, though she keeps the fur-lined leather pants she was wearing as well as the boots. She glances over at fire when Keleero spoke, then glancing to Flint, assuming there was something fire-related he was referring to.
"If you don't mind wooden bowls I can shape some... assuming there are trees out there?" She sounded almost annoyed that she was speaking. She did prefer to send, mostly because she lived a relatively solitary life. She glanced toward where the wolf had gone. She'd sent the wolf to scent the area. The woods she had been in had been filled with humans. There was a growing settlement not far from where she had camped, just down the mountain a few hours walk. She saw the smoke from their fires on clear days. When the wolf returned, the response was simple. He'd found nothing familiar, scent-wise.
"Hmmm..." Was the response. Tambri didn't understand a lot of magic. Healing was healing, stone shaping was just that, her tree shaping, even gliding she understood. She didn't understand this... transporting that the strange stone had done.
Laying the heavy coat on the floor, Tambri sat down, crossing her legs, a contemplative look on her features. She wasn't easy to startle, but she was unnerved by the idea she had been... taken... from one place and put somewhere else. She didn't like not being in control of things... at least in the sense the transportation would entail.
"It has been a while since I have been with other elves... Is there a large tribe here?" She thought for a moment. It had been some time. At least a few cycles of the seasons. Nightsinger was still alive when she had left the last tribe she'd been with.
|
|
|
|
Post by SL2657F on Jun 9, 2020 11:49:28 GMT 1
SL2657F looked to the preserver then to Keleero whom the preserver had asked its questions to, then back to Shinefind once more. Snug-safe. The words the bug used were interesting and sometimes a bit complicated to interpret, but she understood that. Safety was something she wasn't at all familiar with. Safety, for her, was not dead. Based on that simple requirement she was... but safety also meant with her unit or back in the barracks. That way she wouldn't end up dead without notice... or at least she was less likely to be deemed a traitor and used as an example.
She slowly, carefully rose to a standing position, glancing toward the exit of the cave, toward where outside was. She started that way, a slow, uncertain walk. She'd stepped outside the night before and had a look, but she wanted to see again. To truly look around. She stopped after only taking a few steps. She needed to go over the facts of what she knew.
She had been in battle. She'd taken the blast from a plasma grenade and it tossed her down the mountainside, at least a few hundred meters to the river below. She'd been knocked unconscious. She must have gone into the river and traveled some distance before she had regained consciousness, though considering she'd appeared inside this room... She turned to look at the approximate location she'd landed the night before. She had been unconscious when she arrived since she regained consciousness here, and had been coughing up water, meaning she'd just come from the river. That river was nowhere to be seen when she'd looked last night. For her to still have that much water on her and in her lungs, she should have been pulled from the river directly. Otherwise she would have died. Died... She reached hand to her throat, and felt her pulse, steady. She pinched her neck and sighed. She felt pain. Of course she did, she glanced down at her leg where the plasma had burned through her gear to the flesh, now healed. Healed last night. Her gaze went back to where she had awakened. There's no way she could have been rescued from the river, carried to a cave that wasn't on the recon maps, dropped, and then began to breathe again. There wasn't enough time for that. Unless...
Her gaze shifted to the 'magic rock' that'd been referenced numerous times now. The magic was real. She'd just witnessed it. Another elf and a wolf had just appeared. Though this elf didn't seem disturbed. Disoriented, but not disturbed by it. She almost seemed to just accept what had happened. Was this a common magic, then?
"<Shinefind? Is... the magic from the rock... common?>"
Shinefind glanced at the beacon rock and then back at the cat-elf, shaking its head. She tuned out the bug's response as the ramblings continued about how some could teleport or glide, but this rock took elves away, too, mentioning a few names that had apparently disappeared when she had arrived, or just before.
It was another few moments of standing before she looked down at herself, her torn and ragged clothing. She looked around the room again. She'd seen no sign of anyone from the Empire. She'd already spoken forbidden words, been in the presence of forbidden magics, and elves that were using that mind-speak. She hadn't been killed. Nothing had happened. Either she was dead... or she truly was not in Dengali lands.
She turned to look towards the fire. After another few moments she moved that direction before taking a seat, a bit of distance between herself and the others.
|
|
It's perfectly fine to summaries what the preserver says, if that works better!