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Post by Sofia on Aug 29, 2014 7:40:29 GMT 1
OOC: Quick heads-up to all players with elves still inside the Beacon Room; we've got two other elves incoming so please stick around to spot them appearing. Sunset especially should stay here a moment  I'll post IC soon - at work right now so probably should get back to actually working...
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Post by Tinder on Aug 29, 2014 8:47:24 GMT 1
OOC: Thanks Sofia, and np. I actually almost forgot to switch profiles with my first elf. >.> Oops. Almost. XD.
IC:
Tinder was fuming. She stormed into her den, her brother on her heels, as he tried to reason with her.
"Sister. He did not mean it".
Tinder scowled, twirling on her heel, skirts flying as she whirled to face her brother. Dune was the Chief of their tribe. He had to be reasonable, but she did not. Tinder opened her mouth to scold him when the tirade died on her tongue. Her eyes grew round and wide with confusion as the air inside her den shimmered like it did in the desert over rock and sand baked hot by the sun.
"What in the world?" said Tinder. She frowned when her brother, just as confused, asked a simple question.
"Sister, are you doing this?"
"No", snapped Tinder. "You know I have better control over my magic than that. I wouldn't burn down my own den, Dune".
Tinder rolled her eyes when her brother, true to his nature, bowed his head ashamedly.
"I didn't mean-", he began as he tried to be reasonable again.
"Oh shut up, Dune, before I-Oh-Oooh!" cried Tinder. She took a hasty step back when the air seemed to close in upon her. She looked around, eyes flying wildly left and right, when the shimmering air thickened and vibrated with a strange bell-like chiming. She jumped back when it seemed to coil around her like a snake. "I swear, Dune!" called Tinder. "It's not me!"
"Sister!" yelled Dune. "Get out of there! NOW!"
Tinder saw a break in the shimmering air, a narrow channel of escape between its coiling edge and the wall of her den. She sucked in a breath, bent her knees, and bolted like a desert hare. Her eyes went wide with alarm when the air rolled inward like the wind whipping the desert sand into a frenzy during a storm. She would have tumbled headfirst into it like a charging sand-bull if a slender golden shape hadn't darted like an arrow to intercept her first. Tinder instinctively held her arms out as the quick-footed feline leaped for her.
::Back elf-kin! BACK!::
Tinder stumbled when Thistle slammed into her chest and knocked her off-course. She hit the ground hard, wheezing, as the air flew from her nose and mouth. She heard her name roared in a desperate and terrified opensend as she was snatched from her tribe like the wind extinguishing a candle-flame.
**TINDER!**
Tinder would have sent too if a sharp bite on her thumb wasn't an abrupt and painful distraction. "Ow! Thistle!" she hissed irritably.
::No sending!::
Tinder stilled as her awareness returned. She had been plunged headfirst into darkness. Her grip tightened around the ball of warmth tucked into her lap. "Oh. Highones", she whispered, sudden fear and disorientation making her cautious. Tinder swallowed nervously as she inhaled experimentally. She was not reassured by the lack of heat, warmth, and familiarity.
Tinder did not smell the comforting musk of her tanning furs nor the earthy smell of baking clay. "We're not home, Thistle", she whispered. The panic started to seep into her bones as Tinder trembled. She couldn't smell the ash from her fire or the delectable scent of roasting spiced meat. "We're somewhere else", said Tinder as the panic gave way to fear.
::Make light, elf-kin::
Tinder felt Thistle nip her thumb again. She resisted the urge to singe his tail. The troublesome little brat had a point. Everything feared fire and she was the living embodiment of fire. Thistle raised a shaking hand into the air. She gulped, bit her lip, and willed a spark of flame to burn in the cradle of her palm.
Feeble light flickered off walls, Tinder guessed, that were made of rock. "What is this place?" she asked the still air. Tinder was emboldened by the flame in her hand. Her brows furrowed as she rolled to her feet, toes scrabbling for purchase on an unusually smooth floor. Thistle leaped from her arms and curled through her ankles as she summoned more of her magic. The flame in her hand brightened as it doubled in size.
"By the Highones", murmured Tinder. She looked up at the domed ceiling that rose fathoms high above her head. The light from the fireball in her hand set the crystals ablaze, their facets gleaming like polished glass. "Where are we?" asked Tinder. Her gaze followed the largest of the crystals, a beautiful thing that was longer than an elf was tall. It seemed to glow with an unnatural light as if it held a spark of fire at its heart.
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Post by Skye on Aug 29, 2014 10:24:31 GMT 1
The crystal began pulsing and Sunset planted her feet, wary. The cub in her arms went still, then curled closer to her in an attempt to get away from the magic. Four days had passed and he avoided it, his instincts telling him to do so. She watched as the air shimmered and then returned to darkness, except for the pale pulse of the beacon. She blinked a few times as there was fire, and then stared at the elf it was coming from.
The fur dropped from her suddenly numb fingers and her eyes widened, tanned skin paling as the blood drained from her face. She nearly dropped the cheetah kitten, but he dug in claws. Her voice a shaking whisper, thick with pain and sorrow and disbelief, she spoke. "Mirage? It can't - you can't -" She hadn't been gone long enough for the little one to have grown so much, but the likeness - and the smell, High Ones, her scent! - was too much. Her head swam at how impossible it was, but a nose never forgets, and neither does a heart.
One foot moved forward and the other followed, and she sent, almost without thinking, desperately hoping against hope that she was right. ~**Mirage?**~ The kitten in her arms wriggled to get down and succeeded - Sunset was aware of nothing else in the room but the newest arrival.
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Post by Tinder on Aug 29, 2014 11:04:52 GMT 1
Thistle hissed a warning when an intruder approached. Black ears flattened as Tinder, hearing his vocalisation, whirled on the spot. She summoned a blanket of fire along her forearm that crackled as it coiled around her elbow like a snake. She instinctively fell back into the stance learned from long turns training with the warriors of her tribe. Tinder prepared herself for a fight until she heard a voice, a whisper at first that gained strength and volume, as her cub-name was said in word and send.
The fire of her magic extinguished until the cheery ball of flame remained in the center of her palm. Tinder bent her knees, feet shuffling together awkwardly, as she resumed a more relaxed pose. Thistle threaded between her ankles agitatedly, sensing danger, and the anxiety in his mistress and this strange new arrival. Tinder, herself, stared at the newcomer, the face too familiar for comfort. She inhaled, scenting cautiously, and smelt the same scent though far fresher now than the one from her fading cubhood memories.
Tinder trembled. Her eyes brimmed with tears. She recognised the pitch of her voice too, so soft and gentle just like the shimmering desert sun at dusk. She remembered the elfess, an adult from her cubhood, who had been both friend and cub-sitter. Tinder bit her lip and nodded slowly.
~**Mirage I was as a cub and in my youth. Tinder I am now, though somehow I know that you are still the same as I remember, Sunset**~.
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Post by Choice on Aug 29, 2014 20:53:03 GMT 1
Choice had been about to accepted the fur one of the strangers was offering him - such kindness! - when the light in the cave grew strange. Blinking, Choice turned to locate its source and was soon brought up short by a new stranger appearing out of thin air.
Any normal elf would have whimpered and hid, Choice knew that, but he couldn't make himself do so. He was terribly confused and, admittedly, a bit scared, but mostly he was euphoric. This was a place with elves who didn't know of him and more seemed to be arriving by the heartbeat! And there were powerful magic users! He'd never seen an elf wear fire before. But if she knew the kind elf who'd offered him protection from the cold, she couldn't be a danger, could she?
"Does this happen a lot here?" he found himself asking no one in particular, his tone neutral to the point of being detached. He was feeling a bit light-headed. At least he had the presence of mind to pick up the fur Sunset had dropped. It was quite cold.
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Post by Skye on Aug 29, 2014 22:05:20 GMT 1
Confusion, joy and pain warred in her expression. The cheetah kitten batted at Thistle playfully, yowling his approval.
Sunset began shaking at the send, so different, but the feel of the mind the same. Her voice failed her, blocked by a knot of tears. **My eyes see with joy, kitten. Oh, how you've grown.** Her mind voice was filled with pride, and suddenly she could no longer help herself, and in a burst of almost uncharacteristic passion, she embraced the fiery elfess in front of her.
At Choice's question, she laughed. It rang like a bell off of the crystals above, and a smile lit her face as she released the young woman. It had been many turns since she had smiled, and though it felt strange, she couldn't help herself.
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Post by Keleero on Aug 29, 2014 22:22:24 GMT 1
Keleero found himself surprised at his own lack of surprise, which made his head ache. It was clear the amber colored orb was the source of the appearing elves, however that worked - it never glowed for long before or after elves disappeared and it would be a very strange coincident if it just happened to only light up when elves appeared. It was almost like some sort of... what had Lord Hela called the fires they humans lit in their towers? Beacons? Yes, that seemed a suitable word for it. As strange as what it did.
His thoughts drifting thus, Keleero's heart leapt up into his throat and froze there as he finally registered that the new stranger was holding fire as if were a whip, ready to strike. Oh no. Oh no, no, no. Fire-shapers were never good news. The one fire-shaper he'd ever dared to stay close to was Ashre. It was even more unsettling that Sunset seemed to know the stranger - her sending felt overjoyed, clearly there was affection at least on her side. What would they do as allies? There wasn't much food to be had, after all...
So caught up in these thoughts Keleero had to steady himself against the makeshift tunnel he'd made for the horses and the elves who'd gone outside. He nearly lost his balance and could only stare at Sunset and the new elf, barely noticing anyone else in the room.
OOC: Thought we needed the beacon to be named in-game too, to make sense of the cave's name ("The Beacon Room"). Hopefully it
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Post by Tinder on Aug 29, 2014 22:33:55 GMT 1
Thistle sniffed curiously at the tiny spotted kitten. He hissed when he was batted on the nose. Tail puffing in agitation, Thistle swatted the kit back, though he slapped at Tinder's ankles when she gently toed him in the side. "Thistle!" she growled. "That little ball of fluff is just a cub!" The serval snorted derisively as he circled the kitten, sniffing, and familiarising himself with the little stranger.
::I know, elfkin::, Thistle bondsent sarcastically.
Tinder rolled her eyes. "Blasted arrogant cats". She tensed when Subset embraced her, the action impulsive, but brimming with relief. **Highones, Sunset**, sent Tinder. She reached back hesitantly at first, surprised and a little unsure, but gradually she warmed to her old friend. Sunset's joy was infectious. Tinder awkwardly embraced her too, one-armed as she kept the flame in her other hand raised high and out of reach.
Tinder laughed when she was released. It was good to see so friendly and familiar a face in such a strange place. She peered into Sunset's face, studying her features closely, for several moments. She saw weariness, tinges of sadness, and something else in that gentle face too. Tinder's smile softened as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.
**It is good to see you again. I have missed you so, Sunset. Oh. Dune would be overjoyed**.
Tinder's expression turned melancholic. "He would be. If he were here". Tinder shook her head, the nervousness returning, as reality set in. She was startled when another elf, a stranger this time, introduced himself with an odd question.
"Puckernuts!" cried Tinder. She whirled on the stranger, finger pointed like an arrow. She was quick to strut over to the newcomer and poke him hard in the middle of his chest. "Don't do that!" Tinder poked him hard once more, her expression furious. "What do you mean this happens alot?" she demanded. "Do elves just magically appear out of thin air around here! Where is here anyway? You must know something to ask a question like that!"
Tinder tapped her foot impatiently. She looked at Sunset, eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Do you know this elf? Is he trustworthy?" Tinder turned back to Choice. She peered into his face too. She judged him curiously for a moment. The silence was tense until Tinder asked a simple question.
"Were you snatched from your tribe too?"
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Post by Slinker on Aug 29, 2014 22:42:30 GMT 1
Slinker had waited out of sight and reach in the darkness. He had arrived sometime before that strange fire-making elfess. He'd kept himself hidden, alongside his bond, the natural caution of the wolf instinctively urging him be careful. He wasn't sure who he could trust just yet. He arched an eyebrow when another elf appeared, another stranger, though not like anyone he'd seen before. This elf was too tall and long like he'd been stretched until he could stretch no more. He was thin, lanky, and terribly bony too as if he hadn't eaten for many eight of days.
Slinker sniffed curiously, bided his time, and circled round the strange elf like a wolf tracking prey.
Slinker, true to his name, just like a cat slunk closer without being seen. He smiled, unable to help himself, as he poked the lanky elf in the arm. ~**Do you always make a habit of watching pretty elves from the shadows instead of introducing yourself?**~, he locksent curiously. ~**Bit rude doing that**~, Slinker added cheekily.
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Post by Choice on Aug 29, 2014 23:35:33 GMT 1
Choice watched the reunion between Sunset and the stranger with wide eyes, and not a little spark of jealousy. If there only was someone in the world that would feel that much joy in meeting him. But it was childish to envy other's happiness...
He gave a yelp when 'kitten' - he doubted that was her name, but that was all he'd gotten from the exchange he'd heard - stormed over to him, and flinched as she poked him in the chest. He curled in on himself a bit, horrified to have caused ire in another elf this soon. "D-do what?"
The stranger seemed to have no end of questions and Choice was caught up in the flood of them, blinking and cowering until the stranger had said her piece.
"I wouldn't know," he dared say after she'd fallen silent. "Where we are, that is. I woke up here only moments ago. I think your friend Sunset knows more than I do. But yes, I too was...snatched from my tribe." Not that he'd had a tribe, but there was no need to speak about that so soon. "I'm Choice. What is your name?"
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Post by Keleero on Aug 29, 2014 23:46:06 GMT 1
Keleero had learned in his youth to not make noise when startled. Four days had been enough time to adjust enough to this strange new place for those skills to reawaken, no longer hampered by shock. Still, he started at the sending and jumped off the ground - which of course meant he remained levitating in mid air, a hand's breadth from hitting his head on the ceiling.
"Really, was that necessary?" he found himself asking the yet newer newcomer, irritation trumphing caution. "And are you sure you should be accusing me of hiding when you just ambushed me? I was in plain sight, I'll have you know. Also, if I was to introduce myself to every elf who appeared out of these walls, I'd do nothing else with my time!"
Lowering himself back down to the ground, Keleero felt his cheeks flush. Such childish outbursts really weren't fitting for an elf his age - it had to be the stress, the cold and the small portions of food. Surely.
He looked over at Panaetha, Choice, Sunset and the other new stranger (careful to not turn his back on the newest addition to the cave), and fought the urge to sigh. "We have another newcomer over here, in case anyone missed that. May I suggest we all find a less crowded place to explain the situation? Someone might fall from the ceiling next for all we know."
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Post by Panaetha on Aug 30, 2014 7:29:10 GMT 1
Panaetha had been about to show Choice the outside-the cold, but open skies of outside!-when she saw the air shimmer and the fire-elf appeared. Her tail puffed, the hairs on the back of her neck raised; she liked the warmth, she liked curling up next to a fire...but this was not natural, the way this newcomer handled fire. A new elf in the room, and the ease with which the stranger played with fire, did nothing to ease her claustrophobia.
She was pulled out of it when Tinder poked Choice. Had Panaetha been between them, she would have slapped the stranger's arm away. "How can you lecture him on his manners when you have none of your own?" she growled, stepping before the smaller elf. "Yes, if you must know, this seems to happen quite frequently; you are only one of many who has been taken by that...thing," she said, the disdain for the Beacon in her voice quite clear.
Keleero's "discovery" of yet another elf interrupted her, and she listened as the glider explained himself to this newest member of...whatever their group was called. It certainly wasn't a pride. Panaetha hissed at this one who felt it appropriate to lurk in the shadows and ambush others, baring her fangs as her tail thrashed behind her. "I am headed outside. If my powers are needed again, anyone who can find it in themselves to be polite can come find me." With that, she lifted off the ground and glided out the new large entrance that had been shaped for the horses. She found Pardus out there, waiting loyally in the brush; for once, his silence was comforting instead of sarcastic or secretive. She wasn't sure yet if she wanted to join the elves with the swaybacks, or climb a tree and never come down! The healer sighed deeply and scratched behind her ears. She understood the fear...and that fear sometimes manifested as anger. But did it all have to come at once? First the male with the swayback who seemed like he couldn't care less about being healed...then the pair in the cave now. Choice's gratitude softened the blow, but she was still upset. It just made her more determined to find a way out of this strange land.
OOC: Pana out!
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Post by Tinder on Aug 30, 2014 11:19:03 GMT 1
Tinder reddened with embarassment when Choice was understandably anxious. She bit her lip and looked guiltily at Sunset. **~I didn't mean to scare him. Really I didn't~**, she locksent sheepishly. She paused when another stranger elf, this one both tall and slender like a tree exclaimed loudly. He was soon followed by another lanky elf, who seemed to be a healer, for all Tinder could tell as she took a cautionary sniff. The elf was loud too and demanding not unlike someone she loved and respected.
Tinder's nose wrinkled disdainfully. She looked over Choice's shoulder to a disappearing Panaetha. She smiled ruefully. "She sounds just like my brother. Another healer that's my elder in age and wisdom. Wonderful. I'll never hear the end of her lectures on proper manners too I'll bet".
Tinder's face softened as she glanced at Choice again. **I am sorry for being so forceful. I honestly didn't mean to upset you. I'm just anxious and afraid too. All of this is new to me, and I have no idea what has happened or where I am. The attitude, well, I tend to get a bit fiesty when I'm anxious. Comes with having firemagic I suppose**. Tinder shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "I think the grumpy one, the healer, has a good point though. We should probably leave this room and go elsewhere before someone falls on me".
Tinder considered the two elves before her. Choice seemed honestly uncomfortable. He looked cold too, especially when he shivered like that. Tinder groaned irritably as her conscience got the better of her. "Highones", she told Choice. "Come here!"
Tinder was quick to grasp his elbow. She reeled him in like a fish on a line. "Stop squirming! I'm not going to hurt you, Choice". Tinder called to Sunset too. "Pride-sister, you obviously know him I think. Well, if you wouldn't mind sharing your fur until we can get out of here I can light the way. Stay close to me if you want to stay warm too, but not too close", warned Tinder. **I run hotter than most elves. Neither cold nor damp bothers me. I could keep you warmer than a banked fire and leave you sweating at the same time as if you'd walked under the desert sun for half a day**.
Tinder smiled at Choice. She patted his arm gently. "Tinder. My name is Tinder".
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Post by Slinker on Aug 30, 2014 11:37:41 GMT 1
Slinker chuckled amusedly. He grinned at the lanky elf when he finished squawking like a treewee. "Noisy thing aren't you?" he quipped cheekily. He was more amused than offended by the tall elf's outburst. "I'm thinking you're half bird with all the wind you pass out that pretty bill of yours". Slinker snorted when the other elf, just as tall and stretched like a tree, shared her opinions. "She's a healer", he affirmed. "Only the healers ever bother to scold an elf about bad manners. Worse than my mother, truly, but it's her magic that makes her that way".
Slinker shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. He grinned at the lanky bird-elf trying to appear both offended and haughty. "If I wanted to ambush you, birdie, you'd be dead", he said matter-of-factly. Slinker bared his fangs in a broad wolfish grin. **I poked you in the arm. I can bite you if you like. Doesn't bother me none. I've eaten bird before, though not the elf-shaped kind**.
Slinker made a point of poking the noisy bird-elf in the arm again. **I wasn't hiding. I was waiting and watching. New elves doesn't neccessarily mean new friends, birdie. A wolf knows better than to set off a hunter's snare before he sees the hunter**. Slinker's eyes twinkled merrily as he looked beyond the bird-elf to a larger form moving in the shadows. He grinned when Ash, large and grey-furred, moved into the sphere of Tinder's firelight. "My bond, birdie, is a wolf as you can see".
Slinker grinned toothily. "Don't worry. He won't bite unless you ask him too". He waggled his eyebrows. He looked the bird elf up and down. **You're a thin one, birdie. Did your tribe not feed you enough? You're all skin and bone. Must have been a bunch of bad hunters. Terrible. I've seen fatter treewees**.
"I am Slinker and this is Ash", said Slinker as he wrapped an arm around the wolf's neck. "Now, I think I might follow that lovely healer of yours. I could use a snap of fresh air myself". Slinker eyed Keleero pointedly. "You coming, birdie?", he asked. "Or would you rather roost in here with the crystals?"
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Post by Reefshadow on Aug 31, 2014 12:42:51 GMT 1
"Little sister, come down from there. Please."
Reefshadow rubbed his temples, suppressing a smile at his half-sister's antics. She floated close to the vaulted ceiling of his bedroom, one slender arm braced against the rock above to keep her from bumping her head. She grinned roguishly at him, obviously pleased with herself. As she should be; her magic is a gift, to all of us. I just wish she'd refrain from using it at every turn...
He affected his rare no-nonsense expression, raising a delicately arched eyebrow at her. "Do you want me to tell mother? You know the lecture you'll get if she finds out you've been slacking on your duties to play bird in my chambers."
With a sigh and a gradual decrease in height - she was getting very good at not over-exerting her gift, truly - Wavesong consented and returned to the floor. She pouted at him, a gesture that never ceased to amuse him - where do you think you learned it, little one?
"What mother doesn't know can't hurt her. I don't know why she wants me making ropes; I'd be far better suited for guard duty." Brushing a strand of pale gold hair out of her eyes, she shifted restlessly from foot to foot. "Now that I can fly, I could be our eyes in the sky."
He chuckled, standing to give her a hug. While still young, she was a match for him in height, and likely to get taller. "Off with you or I will find no little joy in calling attention to your slacking."
Wrinkling her nose, she darted out of his room, and he listened as her footsteps retreated down the corridor, then disappeared entirely. High Ones, he was tired; he'd been up all night catching glowfish. With a sigh of relief, he plopped down on his reed mat.
He awoke to the feeling of strange magic. Rubbing sleep from his eyes, at first he believed he was dreaming. The room swam in his vision as if he had heat sickness, but that couldn't be right. He sat up, suddenly alarmed, and opened his mouth to cry out. The sound froze in his throat, gills closing and opening uselessly, as his surroundings became an unrecognizable swirl of color, and then everything went dark.
Stone. He felt stone beneath his hands, and he spread his fingers cautiously, neglecting movement until his eyes adjusted. A faint glow surrounded him, and then sound flooded back. Strange voices assaulted his ears in that strange echoing fashion that only caves can create. Swiftly and surely he got to his feet, reaching for the bone knife tucked into the folds of his waistband. He palmed it and looked around warily, gills moving nervously. Silently, he simply stared at the strange elves in front of him. Why are so many of them so short?
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