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Post by Crispin on Jul 22, 2020 9:53:27 GMT 1
While Crispin wasn't hungry, she'd still sit by the fire, Tuft plopping down next to her, yawning. **Nothing wrong with the regular way!** It'd been a long time since she'd made a fire and sat by it, her home too warm to need it – but the stone below wasn't unknown, familiar cool through her bright clothes. She would need to make some thicker ones soon, maybe some colored ones for the others here too.
**My people call themselves the Divide Crossers, for the path we share. It's not a tribe anymore, too many too scattered.** she added to her name. Her sending she kept to this room, as not to disturb everyone around. They'd learn soon enough why there was no talking to come from her. **Tuft will have to learn to live with other cats – there were so little around. She's been with me ever since she was a cub.**
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Post by No-Sting on Jul 22, 2020 22:08:18 GMT 1
No-Sting quickly got the fire going and hurried off to gather up what food stores they had on offer. Dried meat and a few roots would have to do, since she had no intention to try her hand at 'cooking'.
"Hope this will make up for the fish you lost." She offered the food to Silvergill in a bowl, thinking that a more polite way of sharing than using her hands. "There are more elves about here, yes, and I do think most of them are friendly. Some are...less talkative and a bit suspicious, but not dangerous. One or more others will peek in here before long, I'm sure."
Nodding to Crispin, No-Sting settled down by the fire, ready for a longer conversation. "Well, my bond is always happy to get to know more cats. She lost her first litter not long ago, so she can be a little clingy and overprotective at the moment."
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Post by Silvergill on Jul 22, 2020 23:17:05 GMT 1
Silvergill passed on the dried meat, and instead took the offered roots, choosing those which looked most similar to the plants she ate at home. She chewed carefully, taking in the conversation. She inferred these 'bonds' the two darker skinned elves referred to were something like the beast hovering a few paces away. It didn't look dangerous, at the moment.
"Are we," Silvergill paused, preparing herself for the answer to the question. "Are we trapped inside the cave? In the dark?" There was a touch of franticness in the last syllable that she immediately regretted, but she had to know the answer. She couldn't even begin to imagine what a horror her life would be if she never saw the sun again. Couldn't begin to prepare for a life of darkness within the walls of a cave, no matter how many other elves were around to keep her sane.
"Are there any trees or rivers?" She asked next, if there was access to an 'outside' she would want to collect as many landmarks that could make her new life slightly resemble the one she coveted back in Green River. For she couldn't fathom never fishing, nor sleeping in a cave.
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Post by Crispin on Jul 23, 2020 9:49:52 GMT 1
'Less talkative' Crispin chuckled at that, having been called this so often by humans. They treated it as if she couldn't hear either, as if there weren't other ways to communicate secrets told around servants. As long as there was sending in her life she had plenty to say. **I healed Tuft as a cub, so she is protective of me and my things. Came in handy to keep strangers out my room.** Not that many humans mistreated her personal space after so much time.
**You mentioned it's cold outside? I'll need to make some warmer clothes then, for this ones aren't suitable for going out in about any weather.** They were pretty still, though now they had a fire going she wrapped off the cloth around her wrist, not bothering much to hide the scars there as she did with the ones at her throat. But she wasn't going to have her hands near fire with cloth that might catch sparks.
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Post by No-Sting on Jul 24, 2020 22:24:33 GMT 1
No-Sting took no note of Silvergill's eating habits yet, too focused on getting the fire going properly and on preparing for questions. Thankfully, the first ones she got were easy. "No, we are thankfully not trapped here. That way," she pointed at the tunnel opening opposite the beacon behind her, "leads to the outside. It's a little twisty and you have to unlatch two furs before you can pass through it, but you can leave at any time. And yes, it's white-cold season here right now, so I'd avoid going out there before borrowing warmer clothes. Help making more of such is very welcome and needed." They'd gotten a rough supply of warmer clothes going, and people could share as they weren't all awake at the same time, but keeping everybody clothed for the weather was still a challenge. "There are trees and water out there, with a river big enough not to freeze completely in the cold. That way," she pointed to her right, "are our stores, and that," to her left, "is the way to the Sleeping Chamber and the Hot Spring Chamber. Our oldest rockshaper named them. He likes complicated names for things." She assumed Keleero was older than Sefu - his sendings echoed with a sense of age, at times, though not the wisdom No-Sting had come to expect from an elder. Such a strange elf. "You are both welcome to sleep here in the caves," No-Sting continued, but hurried on as she'd caught wind of Silvergill's unease, "There are dens being worked on in the trees outside by our treeshapers, but I'm not sure how far along they've gotten. Badger , Juniper and Mindlight sleep out there and I think Tambri might have been helping Juniper along with the dens." It was hard to keep track of what everyone did with their waking time when there was so much to be done and half the 'tribe' slept while the other worked. "Talk to one of them if you wish to seek a sleeping place out in the trees." Satisfied that the fire would keep going a while, she finally turned her full attention to Crispin and Silvergill. "I must say, you're taking magically being in a new place much more calmly than I did when I arrived." |
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Post by Silvergill on Jul 25, 2020 4:10:07 GMT 1
Silvergill breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank the High Ones, I don't know what i would have done with sunlight, or a tree to climb up in at night" She fiddles idly with the scraps of root still in her hands, so far nothing tasted off. "As for calm, I guess the elves from Green River were never a people for confrontation. I mean, we've never met any other elves or humans to scrap with, other than the humans that drove us to Green River, but that was so long ago that no one can remember how true the stories even are. Other than that, we don't even fight with animals, if they settle near the tribe, we just drive them off rather than kill them."She sighed, drawing her knees up to her chest and resting her chin on them solemnly. "I mean, we always believed that the High Ones throw us our lot in life, and if mine is to end up in a cave seperated from everyone i ever knew, then it must b for something."
She popped the last of the roots into her mouth. As she chewed, she looked down the dark passageways No-Sting had pointed out, trying to peer around the twists and turns for some glimpse of the unknown world outside the cave. Finding nothing immediately visible, she resumed eating her few roots. She'd also have to figure out what this 'white-cold' that was mentioned was. There wasn't an equivalent back in her warm, humid home. Even if she didn't go outside, having the warm clothes that No-Sting mentioned would be useful to have even in the cave.
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Post by Crispin on Jul 25, 2020 19:30:52 GMT 1
Good to hear they weren't trapped – she might've been able to handle it, but Tuft needed more space to roam and be happy. Though how well her bond would like cold was to be seen. **I've made all of mine, so I'll sure figure something out. Whether it's with plants or redoing what's there.** Would need some time to make the tools she needed, but that too wasn't impossible. And they could get started on the plants next spring.
**Better complicate names than none at all** Crispin chimed in, glad that she wouldn't be the only elder around here – she certainly didn't felt old and wise, but time left it's mark. The inside was fine for her to sleep in, though then she wasn't used to anything else. Maybe she'd try later when the weather turned nicer outside. **It is not the first time I've been taken away. A first for the magic, yes, but I am a healer. I will do good wherever I go. Even if this place misses my lovemate, my children and my community.** Crispin hold her hands out near the fire, warming them.
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Post by No-Sting on Jul 26, 2020 23:58:22 GMT 1
"A world without sunlight and trees would definitely be a horror!" No-Sting agreed with Silvergill. "No, the outside is there for you to wander should you wish it. Just be vary of the humans farther down in the woods. Yours is not the first tribe to have been attacked and hunted by them, so we're keeping well away from them. Just to be sure. There are those here who think humans aren't as a much of a danger as others," she gave a nod toward Crispin in respect of her apparent opinions on the five-fingers, "but we're few in number and not ready to gamble our lives on it." The idea that the High Ones could have a direct influence over one's life surprised No-Sting somewhat, but she made no comment. There were plenty of new and strange things thrown your way when you ended up in Beacon Call, she'd finally come to accept. "Sounds like you'll fit in well around here. Though you might not be too far from your kin. I don't recognize the stars outside, but once night falls you should both go out and see if you do. Maybe your people live only a few days' travel from here. Then a part of the conversation that confused her utterly caught up with her. "Wait a moment, Silvergill. If your people don't hunt animals, why were you hunting fish?" Animals were animals to No-Sting, whether they lived in the sky, on land or in water. Maybe Silvergill's people bonded with most animals that weren't in the water? Stranger things had apparently happened, if Flint's tales of his own home were to be believed. As the topic drifted to clothes, No-Sting said, "There's a preserver here in the holt. Keleero claims their web can be made into very sturdy yet light cloth, which Choice seems to agree with. There's also hides and furs to work with. I've got the skills of an apprentice when it comes to tanning, but Jaseio knows her business. We'd be grateful for any additional help we can get with making clothes." Hearing that Crispin was a healer made No-Sting somewhat unease. She was getting used to the elves about her using magic as if it were any other skill, but it still worried her, her anxieties rekindled by Flint's stories of living magic that could eat you alive if you slept in the wrong cave or climbed the wrong mountain. Luckily, she was saved from having to say anything by the arrival of Mahrak. |
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Post by Mahrak on Jul 27, 2020 0:01:21 GMT 1
Pushing aside the second and final hide that protected the entrance tunnel, Mahrak made his way into the Beacon Room together with his tiger-bond Longsleep. They'd had an exhilarating ride around the woods around the holt and was ready for warmth and conversation. Luckily it seemed there were elves gathered in there with a fire already going! New elves, if he'd heard No-Stings open-sending correctly.
"Well well, what lovely new company we have here!" he exclaimed as he entered the cave, brushing fresh snow off his coat with an intentional flourish of his watershaping. He couldn't do much with frozen water, but make small pieces of it move away from him took little effort. "I am Mahrak and this here is Longsleep. He's a big softie, don't worry about him. Who may you be?"
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Post by Silvergill on Jul 27, 2020 2:04:50 GMT 1
Silvergill stared wide-eyed at the hulking beast that entered the room, she had never seen a creature so large. The fact that it had a name and traveled at the heels of an elf eased her slightly. The philosophy of her tribe could wait, perhaps for more of a private setting. It didn't feel right to share all their beliefs within moments of being ripped away from Green River. Her biggest concern now, only slightly in front of her concern over Longsleep's teeth, was the other inhabitants of the holt. Coming from such a small, insular community, she knew she would have to work to learn the names and personalities of the new company around her, so different from the large family that was Green River. Silvergill peeled her eyes away from Longsleep, hoping not to have, and fixed her wide gaze on the elf introduced as Mahrak.
"Silvergill of Green River." She replied, hoping to portray as much friendliness in her tone as she was hoping to receive. The worst thing to do in a new situation is make enemies, especially if you've never had enemies before. If she didn't count the various predators she had helped scare off Green River land in her lifetime, but they were never elves.
She turned to Crispin,her words of being a healer had finally struck some familiarity with Silvergill. Finally something that wasn't new! "A healer? How wonderful! Healers are always useful no matter the situation." She sighed happily, her mind flooding with memories of the various minor healing magic she'd seen in Green River. Magic was few and far between on the swamp so any gifts were treated with utmost awe.
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Post by Crispin on Jul 27, 2020 17:42:04 GMT 1
Crispin nodded, respecting that others were wary of humans too. She knew to be careful, but living among them, helping them, had made her hearth soft over the years. Not that she had any need to run back to them, much preferring freedom and being among her own kind. Preservers she'd only heard notions of, but if there was thread to weave she could make clothes, hides and furs less known materials, though either way the basics stayed the same.
She smiled at the elf coming in, following the introductions: **I am Crispin. Of the Divine Crossers. And this is Tuft** The caracal had laid her ears back, covering down at the bigger cat – she had too little experience with others, confident when it came to defending the healers personal space against elf and human, but not so much regarding other bigger animals. **She'll learn** was her reassurance, knowing that curiosity would win eventually.
**Useful, yes. But one shouldn't come to rely on it too much. Small things can heal on their own. The mind is hard to heal. And you shouldn't feel too safe, for even we can't beat death...** That she knew too young already, closing her eyes and putting a hand on her chest to remember for a moment her first lovemate, the child that got taken.
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Post by No-Sting on Jul 27, 2020 23:35:26 GMT 1
No-Sting sat silent through the second round of introductions, merely nodding along. She didn't know Mahrak well yet, him only having arrived a hand and two days ago, but if there was one elf who'd be enthusiastic about new arrivals she suspected he'd be first among them. It could at times be downright unsettling how seemingly happy he was about having been snatched up by the beacon.
"Being too reliant on healers isn't a good idea, no," No-Sting agreed with Crispin, glad to hear the healer wasn't too focused on her magic. That path led to spoilt, rotten magic, if all the Tuftear legends were to be believed. No-Sting had become more and more inclined to believe them.
Not sure what else to say, No-Sting added, "How's the hunting going?" to Mahrak.
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Post by Mahrak on Jul 27, 2020 23:36:50 GMT 1
"Well met, Silvergill of Green River and Crispin of the Divide Crossers! I hail from the Far White, which is nowhere near here according to the stars in the sky." He'd heard No-Sting's advice to the newcomers to go for a look-see later that night. "It's definitely understandable that your dear Tuft should be worried by Longsleep. I can assure you he'd never eat a fellow cat," at least as long as they weren't starving and never someone's bond-friend. "I'll tell him to give Tuft space until they've gotten to know each other's scent better." To Longsleep, he sent, ::Small cat, friend. New elf's friend. Gentle. Kitten.:: Longsleep sent back annoyance at this sudden abundance of kittens-that-didn't-look-like-kittens (some of them being wolf-shaped), but also resigned acceptance. Mahrak had to stifle a giggle. "And it's always nice to meet a fellow magic user!" he continued with genuine enthusiasm. "I may not have the life-giving gifts of a healer, I am but a humble watershaper," though he sounded anything but humble, "but I am pretty handy to have around when there is fishing or swimming to do. You mentioned healing the mind – is such a thing possible? Oh, and Silvergill, are you also gifted with magic or just your stunning presence?" He added on a wink at the end, along with is ever-present smile. "As for the hunting, I've given tracking the pronghorns another try, but they're keeping well away from this place. We might be going at them too hard, not having stored up for the white-cold. Should we perhaps put more efforts into fishing?" OOC: Mahrak is a hopeless flirt and definitely looking for furmates, but I know not everyone wants their elves involved in flirting so just let me know if you want him to stop  |
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Post by Silvergill on Jul 28, 2020 2:58:11 GMT 1
OOC: Silvergill is ok with flirting! Though she is probably not going to go any further than playful teasing until she gets herself situated. The Green River Tribe encourages having fun before Recognition
IC: Silvergill couldn't help but giggle. "No magic here, but I've been told that i'm faster than a fish in water." She added. Back in Green River, elves were always open, and most up for a little fun sometimes, herself included. She had still yet to meet and stick-in-the-muds that No-Sting had alluded to earlier, and was all the merrier for it. At least her new life would not be boring.
"I don't know anything about hunting these 'pronghorns', but I've got a good spear and two quick hands, and a trusty net to help with any fishing." There was no use sitting in this cave day in and day out if there was something she could do to help. She quickly checked the small pouch on her hip, just as she thought, a collection of seeds that she was planning to plan that day to boost the Green River harvest. "I've also got some seeds from Green River, once it gets warmer and there's a riverbank to plant them on." She theorized she should play the same part she did at home, being a fisher and gardener was useful there, and it was what she was best at, so she was going to use those skills in any way she could.
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Post by Crispin on Jul 28, 2020 16:31:55 GMT 1
Crispin was fairly sure not to be near home, stars or not. Things were just too different here and she couldn't imagine magic back there doing this. **That is good to hear.** She too sent to Tuft ::Friendly cat. No intruder.:: resulting in a low irritated yowl from her bond. Oh well. There'd be time to sort this out, should they work it among themselves and not with constant guidance.
**You do not need to be a healer to give life** A smile her, thinking of all the children she helped bring into the world. That usually worked nice without a healer. **What's broken can be mended – but it's not as easy as working with the body. It cannot be forced and there's only so much I could do** This hadn't been something she worked on much, so she'd not make promises beyond trying, as with every hurt, to give her best in helping.
And this was where she could bring the most into this community, the talk of hunting having her put her hands up in defeat a bit. **There has been no need to hunt in my life, so I fear Tuft will do a better job at it then I.** Leaving out that she didn't wish to kill either, be it animal, human or elf, but this could wait for later. Surely they'd understand her reasoning.
OOC: Crispin doesn't mind flirting, tho it's questionable how much she'll give back of it!
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