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Post by Keleero on Jun 10, 2020 21:42:38 GMT 1
"Thank you," Keleero said to Flint, glad to let his hands rest for a bit. "And I'm glad the beacon seems to have settled down for now. We only have so much food to share today."
The offer to keep watch was most welcome, though Keleero was careful not to show too much gratitude. Sharing responsibility made for a good alliance, but being too dependent too soon would weaken one's position. He settled for a quick, ~**Most gracious of you. I will of course return the favor whenever you may need it.**~
Keleero relaxed a fraction when Tambri began to speak using her voice instead of sending. She didn't sound like she was used to speaking - had she been alone long, perhaps? Or was it a choice? Most curious. But there were good news at least! "Ah, a plantshaper, how wonderful!" Keleero gave her his best smile, small as it was. "We do not at all mind wooden bowls. All contributions to the group are much appreciated. And yes, there are plenty of trees out there." Far too many of them, giving cover to beasts and humans both. Mentioning such negative thoughts would do no good though.
The wolf went and came back, leaving Keleero a little on edge as he began preparing the soup. He'd preferred it to have stayed outside, yet was determined not to make a fuzz about it. He'd have to get used to the beasts sooner or later, or go off on his own - the second option was unthinkable, so the first it would have to be.
At Tambri's question about the size of the 'tribe' Keleero had to stifle a sigh. All Steepsides' many faults aside, he did miss having a mountain full of elves to hide among. There was safety in being many - it was much easier to end up exposed and endangered when the targets were so few. "We're terribly few, I fear. With you now arrived we should make five-hands-and-one in all." If no one had gone missing while Tambri arrived. It's not like that was unprecedented.
All the while he spoke to Flint and Tambri, Keleero kept a close watch of Spotfur out of the corner of his eye. She seemed...calmer now. By no means relaxed, but she wasn't rushing for the outside world or asking questions. Hopefully that was a good sign.
The soup thankfully would take little time to prepare. It wouldn't his best work, but under the circumstances it would have to do. "There should be bowls in the store room or around this chamber. If you're hungry, find one and bring it here. The soup will be ready soon."
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Post by Flint on Jun 10, 2020 22:23:19 GMT 1
It was good to hear that there were trees outside and he noted of taking a look later, see if it felt as safe as this cave. He'd rather not get stuck in here, but with everyone seeming to consider this the base, he simply would have to adapt. Wasn't that he had a natural restlessness, the nomad life of his a means of survival. The questions about the tribe he left to Keleero, who'd been here the longest, could explain best, focused instead on the fire, the answer to his sending only getting a simple acknowledgment back. 'Gracious' and 'favor' were new terms, meaning conceived through the sending, another odd way of interactions between people learned. Not that he'd use it soon, simply doing what was necessary.
That included keeping an eye on Spotfur, glad when she finally settled down too. Flint could use some proper food, curious what Keleero would make. Nodding at the prompt to get bowls, he got up and went to fetch some for all of them gathered around the fire, taking his backpack along as always. Skipping the translating bug, he simply put one in front of Spotfur with a smile – didn't matter how hungry she was, one should take food while it was there.
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Post by Tambri on Jun 11, 2020 20:38:07 GMT 1
"I will make some, then. Though I would not call me a plant shaper... I've only managed trees and... I'm not the strongest shaper, either. I... haven't really needed it all that often." When one is traveling by themselves, you don't need to replace bowls, weapons, or shape dens nearly as often. Tambri glanced at the cat-elf. "What do you know of that one? When I sent... It was as if I hit a wall... Like she was blocked off, I suppose." She was curious, and wasn't meaning anything malicious by the questions. "She looks... unstable?" She wasn't even sure how else to describe it.
Spook circled the area a bit before he returned to Tambri's side and flopped down with a huff, laying his head on his paws. He kept his dark eyes on Keleero, Flint, and occasionally the cat-elf, but for the most part he seemed to be relaxed. Evidenced even more when his back left paw kicked straight out behind him as he let his eyes close, though his ears remained perked.
Tambri noted the unease that crossed Keleero's face at the presence of the wolf, but chose not to say anything. Not yet, at least. All had their reasons to be distrustful of beasts. She had been distrustful of several beasts in her own life, but in time had learned to live with them, even trust them. That was in a past 'life' as it were, when she had last lived with a tribe.
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Post by SL2657F on Jun 12, 2020 8:33:33 GMT 1
SL2657F kept her eyes on the other elves, listening to the translation, though more to the words themselves. She needed to learn to speak for herself. The bug, while it was helping, had an unusual way of talking. She didn't expect the elves spoke that way, so piecing together what was actually being said was a bit more challenging. But, just as before, there were words she was recognizing. The female was talking about herself a bit, no doubt explaining some of where she'd come from if the previous night's conversation had been any indication on how this one was going.
She glanced up at Flint as he approached and smiled, holding a steaming bowl. She reached up to take it from him with a nod. She gave the soup a sniff, to try and gather what was in it, before she took a small sip. She didn't see any utensils. She glanced at the others, not knowing if it was rude to start eating before them. But then, where she came from, if you weren't fast enough you didn't get to eat.
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Post by Keleero on Jun 14, 2020 12:57:07 GMT 1
"Ah, thank you kindly," Keleero said as Flint handed him a bowl. He tried to drink the soup with dignity, gently blowing on it to cool it down. How he missed spoons. And forks. And chairs. High Ones above, would he ever see a proper table again?
He listened with interest to Tambri's description of her magic. The idea of not needing one's gifts too often was utterly alien to him, but he did not think it wise to comment on that. Instead he said, "That is far more than most of us can do to affect growing things and any aid you can lend the group will be most welcome. There are many here more familiar with the woods than I," everyone, in other words, "who I'm sure will be glad to help you find whatever you need, should you wish for assistance."
In answer to her question about Spotfur, Keleero said: "Our friend over there has been through quite an ordeal," and wasn't that an understatement! "She and Flint here arrived only yesterday, so we haven't gotten to know each other too well, but as I've understood it, she's been through...an unpleasant time before coming here." He stifled a yawn as he waited for Shinefind to translate. He really could use some sleep. "We are all very different from one another, we who've arrived here. I'm afraid far more surprising differences are in store for us in the future."
He very carefully kept his eyes off Tambri's wolf. The rock around him helped him sense the beast, keep track of it in case it decided to move again. That would have to do for now.
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Post by Flint on Jun 14, 2020 13:55:44 GMT 1
„My brother, Sapling, is a plantshaper too. It's an useful gift, however small.“ he commented on Tambris words. “I'll help too. There wasn't much of anything where I'm from, so we used to make it all from scraps.” They would work it out somehow – if he had managed just with Sapling, a group might make it all the easier. Regarding the issues of sending to Spotfur, he stayed silent, not knowing enough about how it should feel.
While Flint had plenty of reason to be wary of pretty much everything, the wolf and other bond-beasts were fine with him. They didn't seem dangerous, so as long as nothing would attack him unprovoked, he was indifferent to them being around. His own past hadn't been too pleasant either, but since he survived it there was no need to complain. Spotfur too sure would adapt with time.
Not bothered by heat as much as others and not having known spoons or similar utensils in this lifetime, Flint drank the soup straight from the bowl without waiting for it to cool. Had been a while since there had been a proper meal like this. “We'll work it out.” he reassured them. Later it was time to take a look around the surroundings, but first he would make sure of his promise of keeping watch while Keleero slept. The other looked like he could use it.
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Post by SL2657F on Jun 15, 2020 0:50:52 GMT 1
SL2657F continued to watch the others. She wasn't used to not having utensils but as none were offered to herself nor the others she assumed they either didn't know about their use or just didnt have any. Considering what she understood about them all being brought here unexpectedly, the latter was likely the case.
The bug was translating something about plantshaping and the newest female being able to make more bowls. Perhaps she could also make utensils. Her tail was steadily twitching, ears flicking. She glanced up at Shinefind when she realized the bug had gone quiet. Had it asked her a question? She nodded her head for the creature to continue, hoping that was what was needed.
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Post by Tambri on Jun 15, 2020 19:19:21 GMT 1
Tambri nodded her head and accepted a bowl of the soup as well. She blew on it and then took a sip before she nodded back to Keleero. "Thank you. I will... see what's around after eating... You say there are trees nearby, that should be plenty. Bowls are not hard to shape... Dens... Where are the dens?" She glanced around. She remembered him saying there were others here, but there weren't many in this room. She saw the hallways that led away. She began to feel a bit anxious at the prospect of being completely surrounded by stone while she slept. She needed to have an exit, straight to the outdoors... Even this room was a little too cramped for her tastes, but at least her claustrophobia wouldn't be a problem if all rooms were like this... The tunnels, however... might be too enclosed. She couldn't be sure until she tried to walk through one.
Spook, sensing his bond's apprehension, lifted his head and tilted it, making a confused sound as he looked up at Tambri. Her hand fell to his back unconsciously, almost as if seeking comfort from the wolf's presence.
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Post by Keleero on Jun 17, 2020 23:07:11 GMT 1
"The more aid the better," Keleero said, managing to control a tick in his jaw until it could blossom into a yawn. "We have no way of knowing when or if we can leave this place, so any skills we can combine to make ourselves as safe and comfortable as possible are a boon." There were many new words Keleero had gotten to know over the days in Beacon Call. 'Dens' was one of them. ...he still couldn't wrap his mind around the concept of living in a tree, them being such fragile things compared to the safety of a mountain, but he could answer questions about them. " Juniper, the only plantshaper of our group until your arrival now, has been working on sleeping places for those who prefer to dwell in the trees. So far Badger and Mindlight has joined him, and I suspect Panaetha has too. The rest of us stay in a chamber close to this one." He gestured in the direction of the Sleeping Chamber. "Past that are is the bath, free for all to use. There is thankfully hot water accessible through the ground here. To keep us warm, I'm working on circulating it through the walls and floor, but it is slow work on my own." Hopefully Sefu would be able to aid him, eventually. "You are of course welcome to make your bed wherever you're most comfortable." He glanced over at Spotfur, trying to distract himself from Tambri putting a hand on her beast and what that might mean. He sent a, "Are you feeling better?" through Shinefind, hoping the preserver would translate his meaning, if not his words, correctly. |
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Post by Flint on Jun 18, 2020 21:34:23 GMT 1
Dens, just like anything made for permanent settlement, weren't known to Flint either, structures he may have seen once if they'd been sturdy enough to survive the years, but the initial purpose long lost. He could sleep and live everywhere, struggled more to imagine living in a group of people. Anything over two seemed too many, discussions splittering his focus and having him grow quiet the more talked.
“I don't mind where to sleep, as long as I got my pack.” Leaving what little possessions he had wasn't an option, had nothing to do with trusting the others but with habits ingrained over a lifetime. “But if someone needs more warmth without a fire or hot water – I'm warm too. Enough to share.” Nothing he conscious controlled, but Sapling had liked it in the long and cold winters, fires too dangerous, furs too much to take along.
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Post by Tambri on Jun 19, 2020 0:53:13 GMT 1
Tambri glanced at Flint and grinned. She hadn't shared furs with anyone in some time. Now that she thought on it, it had to have been at least three or four cycles of the seasons. She didn't jump on the possible proposition. She didn't know these elves, and she was still uneasy about having been transported somewhere magically. She would wait until she at least got to know them all a little better before she welcomed anyone into her furs. She sipped at the soup again, nodding her head in response.
"I would prefer the trees... I... don't like enclosed spaces very much." She glanced again at the tunnel that led to where Keleero said the others slept. "Bad memories." Spook snorted and yawned widely before he lay his head back down on his paws, eyes glancing at each of the elves in turn, his eyebrows lifting. "Spook and I can find a place. Is there a pack here? Might be a good idea to see if he will be welcome within it or not..."
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Post by SL2657F on Jun 19, 2020 1:13:18 GMT 1
SL2657F was trying to keep up with the conversation, but the talk of dens, and trees and then rooms in the cave got her a little confused. Some of the elves here slept in trees? Admittedly she'd never seen a holt, or any of the other types of dwellings Elves had had. She'd never heard of them. And Shinefind was just babbling on translating, as if she knew what the words meant. By themselves, yes. She knew what a den was, but in her mind it was a cave a bear slept in. Shinefind stopped rambling when Keleero spoke to it, which thankfully gave her a brief break from the bombardment. Only for it to begin again.
"<Yes... I think so... I'm having a hard time believing that I'm... not where I should be...>" Her hand went again to the collar on her neck, hinting that she meant within the boundaries of her Empire she'd been mentioning before. 'I should be dead...' she thought to herself.
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Post by Keleero on Jun 19, 2020 21:49:17 GMT 1
Keleero's eyes widened at Flint's seeming offer of...sharing. Maybe it hadn't been meant as more than an offer of keeping warm, but it was still very intimate in Keleero's view of things. Sharing one's sleeping space was a dangerous thing; getting used to sharing a sleeping chamber had been harsh enough, sharing his actual bed with anyone for any reason had him freezing up.
Chancing a quick, wild-eyed glance at Flint, Keleero finally managed his expression, forcing it back into polite interest and turning his attention to Tambri. "You are not the only one here who feels unsetteled by these caverns." He couldn't understand that fear, but then again he was sure the same could be said for many there and his own dread at being outside the mountain. "And excuse my ignorance, but what is a 'pack'?"
Shinefind fluttered over, saying: "Spotfur-Highthing is much-busyhead-worried. Not believe where is. Poor poor highthing."
"Ah, that is understandable." He let himself look at Spotfur, keeping his bowl raised almost to his lips to show he had no intentions of making aggressive movements. She seemed as cautious as himself and he wanted to do his best not to unsettle her; he had the idea that such a move could lead to violence. "This change takes time to get used to. We are all far from home, and I feel we must make the best of the situation."
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Post by Mahrak on Jun 19, 2020 21:50:16 GMT 1
Mahrak, yawning and followed by his dear and equally groggy tiger Longsleep, strode into the cave he'd arrived in, lured by the smell of food. It took him a moment to take in all the elves in the cave before him, but when he did he was pleasantly surprised. "Good morning, everyone. If it now is morning, it's hard to tell here in the caves. I see a new face. Greetings, I am Mahrak. Have you been here long?" he asked, unknowing if the beacon's recent actions.
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Post by Flint on Jun 19, 2020 22:17:51 GMT 1
Flint actually had no idea what his offer implied, sharing furs as well as distrust of others unknown to him. What he knew was his magic keeping him warmer than usual, a side-effect he had no control over but that proofed to be useful in cold places. Caves too weren't the best places to light fires, smoke and sparks proving to be a danger when not watched carefully and there was no telling when Keleero would finish his project with the warm water. An innocent offer therefor, Tambris grin as well as the gliders glance met by puzzlement.
He brushed it off, too many things different to ask about it all, focused on the topic of the caves. “But you're making them safe, right? Keep the walls from coming alive” was his comment to Keleero. The boy only had a vague idea of how rock-shaping worked, but there was trust here, the same he had in Sapling of keeping the worst of nature at bay, while Flint himself chased off cold and darkness. They'd been a good match.
“This is already better than anything I lived through...” Not a hard task to be true. Still an odd thing to imagine, that there could be so much safety. Nodding in greeting to the joining Mahrak and having already finished his own bowl of soup, he simply refilled it and offered it to the redhead. The tiger... well, he wasn't going to ask that one what it'd like to eat.
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