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Post by Silverthorn on Sept 17, 2014 22:14:11 GMT 1
So many names - Silverthorn had nearly sunk into a trance, trying to remember them all. The normally forward, outspoken wolfrider chief had sat back throughout most of the gathering and the introductions, observing, listening, mentally cataloguing skills and goods. Though the variety of tribes and looks was astonishing, it didn't interest him very much. Dandelion would have been fascinated, his clever lovemate who was always firing off questions as the best of his hunters fired arrows, his spirited and curious sister as well... but Silverthorn had neither time nor patience for questions for their own sakes. Here were almost four-hands of elves gathered, far from home in a place where they did not know the plants and animals, the seasons, the caprices of the weather. A tribe half the size of his own without basic tools and supplies, without the cache of fried and stored food that the Longvale wolfriders could depend on, without... anything. They could only tell the season from the lengths of the day and night, even. It was unthinkable. There was nothing in his memory of his tribe's tales and history that he could possibly compare it with.
It was a test to daunt the greatest of chiefs, and confident of his leadership skils though Silverthorn was, he was not fool enough to consider himself quite such a character. When they were few, stepping forward and giving orders had come naturally. Now it was time to listen, learn and plan. They would only survive if they planned every move with the greatest care.
And they would most certainly not survive if they lingered on such things as who formed a bond with what creature, whose skin or eyes were strange, whose magic was unheard of. None of that was important with their lives at stake. Later, the confusion and maybe even curiosity. For the moment, only the Now.
Almost all of the others have spoken - Silverthorn memorized their skills and supplies with the deepest focus, their names with as much attention as he could spare - and he was about to rise up himself when, again, there was a new scent and new voice. He only half-stood, seeing that several others were as usual quick to jump to the youngster's aid, but a few words in the midst of her nervous talk caught his attention and clamped down on it with stony jaws. He did rise, quick and immediately scowling, and strode up between Sunset and the girl on the one hand, and Tinder on the other. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Badger. Her question echoed his, though his was more alarmed and demanding.
"If you don't fear humans then you're a fool pup," he snapped at Sunset, and speared the young newcomer with a dark look. "I don't care what blood you have in you, but why do your people say that the humans will hunt you? How will they find you?"
She was very young and frightened, he could see, and he didn't like upsetting Sunset and some of the others as he was sure that his blunt questions would do. But all of that was for later worries. Here, NOW, an elf that humans could somehow sniff out was one more danger to add to a mountain-tall pile. They needed to survive, first of all. And humans were the last danger that Silverthorn, man-slayer, war-chief, meant to lose his life to.
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Post by Choice on Sept 18, 2014 6:28:09 GMT 1
Choice's heart ached for the newcomer. There was a dark kinship between them, in a way, though she held far less guilt than he did. For one, she didn't sound like she'd sought humans out - like he'd so foolishly done. Surely the others here couldn't reject her for having the luck to survive such a terrible attack?
"Y-you don't want humans to find us, do you?" he hurried to ask once Silverthorn had finished speaking. "I don't believe there are actual curses, so unless you go seeking their company I doubt they'll come looking for you." He glanced around at the other elves, heart bearing hard in his chest. If they sent the newcomer away, what would they do if they found out what he'd once done?
"How did you befriend one?" Choice asked Sunset, to distract both himself and the others. "Is there a trick to it?"
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Post by Badger on Sept 18, 2014 6:31:14 GMT 1
Badger was taken aback by the snarly face of the fireshaper. She raised her hands in calm manner, hoping it would calm Tinder down.
"There is no need for snarling faces. I am just worried. I would not like to be murdered in my bed by humans." she said, keeping her tone of voice calm and cool. To be honest, this was not the worst Badger had faced -- there had been snarling faces in the old tribe as well, not to mention assault. If the fisher was any judge, Tinder was over-reacting -- she herself did not feel like she had been barking questions, just voiced her concerns. It was not easy to hear warnings about humans, and then accept an elf, who told was being followed by humans. Even if the aggressive tone of Tinder was not the first, Badger most certainly felt defeated and shunned, as well as humiliated. Blush crept up her neck, and after she had asked Tinder to calm down, she kind of fell silent and shuffled in her place. She was not going to back away, but the situation was most certainly awkward for her.
Silently, the wolfrider female felt thankful for Silverthorn, who had accompanied him. For a little while, she had been afraid that everyone was going to turn against her in this situation.
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Post by Keleero on Sept 18, 2014 6:40:19 GMT 1
Keleero was too taken aback by Sunset's explanation to speak at first. His mind ran circles around her words, desperately trying to make sense of them - or rather, trying to deny what sense they made.
Elf- and wolf-blood? Beast in you?! Surely she can't mean what it sounds like she means? There has to be another explanation!
Keleero looked from one elf to the other, especially at their pets. It made a horrific kind of sense how these strangers were able to sit so close to predators if...
No, that's impossible! How would that even have happened?!
Keleero did his best to hide his inner turmoil, but the idea of elves sharing beds with animals and then having children was too disturbing for his horror not to show on his face.
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Post by Panaetha on Sept 18, 2014 7:05:49 GMT 1
Panaetha watched in shock as Silverthorn stormed over to Sunset, Badger, and the newcomer, immediately getting in her face about the humans. Surely her tribe was just superstitious. "Back off the kit!" she growled, furrowing her brow. "This Beacon has brought nothing but elves and our bonds through...if you want to guard the thing and wait for humans to come, then by all means, do it, but give her some breathing room! You do not even know her name yet!" Even if she had some sort of strange quality that drew humans to her, surely she couldn't bring them through the Beacon.
The healer gathered her skirts, her tail as puffed as it could get, and brought her own portion of fish to the poor kitling. It was all she could do to keep from wrapping her up in her arms and glaring at Silverthorn. Instead, she just put her hand out towards her with the raw fish in the palm. "For you," she said with a nod. "My name is Panaetha. I know this is scary for you, even for a brave chieftess such as yourself." With a new kitten, one often had to stroke its ego before it allowed itself to be pet. "No harm will come to you."
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Post by Juniper on Sept 18, 2014 7:18:57 GMT 1
The situation seemed like it was about to explode between those that feared humans, and those who just wanted to make the newcomer feel welcome. Juniper watched the commotion, and it seemed like the tall male glider was not going to do anything to break off the word fights. The treeshaper also felt like he would snap soon, he disliked the possibility of humans just as much as some other wolfriders. But, he was also smart enough not to go and to dig any blood from his nose in the situation.
He wanted to shout 'everybody shut up', but that was not his style or personality, so instead, he got up and sent to all elves present.
**Everybody calm down! If it eases the fears of any of you, I will start forming defenses right away.**
Juniper hoped there would be some prickly thorn plants around, so he could get some seeds -- or if not, he would carry some in with his belongings.
At the question of feeding the newcomer, he said nothing. Some of the females were eager to give their rations of fish to the new elf, even Slinker urged Badger to give the newcomer a piece -- however, Juniper had not seen Slinker sharing any of his own food, despite he had been talking about of the plentiful bounty -- bountiful plenty -- he had brought with him.
Juniper took a deep breath.
"I understand that we come from different cultures, and that some of you are friends--" the word came out a little harshly, "-- with humans. But cut some of us some slack, please." he requested, placing a gloved hand on his heart, "Some of us have been ... hunted down by the round-ears, and faced great losses. Of course we are afraid, just as afraid as the cu-- youngster is."
There was a hint of pain in his words.
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Post by Greywing on Sept 18, 2014 7:28:34 GMT 1
Greywing was overwhelmed. This place was strange. It looked strange. It smelled strange. It had strange elves. She tried to absorb the information Sunset was giving her...this was a new place to all of them. Another asked if her mother was a High One...it wasn't a phrase she used, but the ferals did, and often with disdain, as a High One implied an elf who's head was high in the clouds and not grounded in the present. Ferals were always down on the originals for longing for their starry home, and since they were also so much taller, the name "High Ones" was starting to spread through her people. Others around the fire tried to urge her towards the fires, and as soon as she was tempted, another short, feral-looking one came at her with a face and a gaze like skyfire. She snarled as he did; she couldn't answer his questions, and the look on his face reminded her of the accusing stares she'd gotten from other elves.
"How am I supposed to know! We did the best we could, hiding from them, and yet they kept finding us! It was just bad luck, but the other tribes, they thought we did something wrong, like you do, so they call me cursed, and I dunno, maybe I am!"
Before she could continue, someone interrupted and came over; now four elves surrounded her! A dark elf stepped between her and the angry male. She found this new one terrifying; a little shorter than an original, the first one of the group that was taller than Greywing...but it was how she looked that scared her. Dark skin, not from spending time in the sun, but as if she'd absorbed the night itself, and her hair shimmered like a silvery river. Her eyes, wild and slanted, like a longtooth's, and as piercing as the male's with their golden color. But her eyes didn't have the skyfire his did.
She introduced herself with a strange name that Greywing couldn't quite wrap her tongue around, and held out her hand. She eyed the fish, looking between it and Panaetha with a curious superstition. Before she could decide, another elf stood and, using the mind-voice, urged everyone to be calm. His words, sent and spoken, gave her a chance to slow her racing heart and dry her eyes...his words were poignant. Her people had been hunted down by humans, certainly, but she hadn't found Sunset's human friend idea completely preposterous. After all, if her own kind could reject her, why couldn't a human and an elf be anything but mortal enemies? She was grateful for the interruption...she'd have lost it completely if the angry male had been allowed to continue interrogating her.
Panaetha still stood, quiet and steady as a stone. She nodded when Greywing looked back at her. She gingerly took the fish and smelled it. Freshly caught. Still raw. It was more in her belly than she had, so she ate it gratefully. "My name is G-Greywing," she said, after swallowing the small portion.
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Post by Jaseio on Sept 18, 2014 9:48:06 GMT 1
A lot of things were happening, but when humans were mentioned as a danger, Jaseio couldn't help but show a puzzled expression. She had met her fair share of humans: They might sometimes have disputes amongst themselves, but they were nonetheless kind, and offered smiles, and wares to trade with. She had conversed, and shared fire, and food with many a human, and never in her many eights had the humans seemed dangerous in any way. She pushed those thoughts aside thinking it might have been a slip of the tongue from Keleero, even though she doubted that could happen with him. But with this gathering she also got to see what all the elves looked like. And some were truly uncanny: Choice with his dark skin, even though No-Sting, and Swift-Wind seemed to have the same skin colour. There was also Panaetha with skin not very much unlike the colour the molten rock from the fire mountains belly had when it cooled, and eyes like golden amber. There was also the weird fish-elf whose skin and hair were of weird colours, he bore just about no clothes, and he was so tall. But she didn't spare their different looks much thought, just noted it, her curiosity could question it later. Then Rjúkandi snorted in the shadows, whilst some of the other bonds stirred, and No-Stings announcement was followed by a silence, that was broken by Choice. A new one, a young one, had apparently arrived, and the others were quick to react. And again humans were mentioned as a threat. The young one was rambling; Jaseio couldn't believe her words that humans would hunt and kill elves, when she knew they would never do such a thing. The young one mentioned so many things that made no sense to her, but suddenly the elf, whose name she didn't know, rose with the others, and questioned the newest arrival. He accused Sunset of being a fool for not fearing humans, she couldn't cope with it much longer.
What is this word fear anyway? Is it something like worrying over something? Like worrying that something bad might happen..? It was not a word she had encountered before, but she seemed to get what it sort of meant.
Everything exploded, with elf accusing elf, questions, and more questions. So much was happening so fast that she didn't catch what everyone was saying. Keleero looked like he had just seen a firemountain erupt right before his eyes. Panaetha protected the cub from the angry male, and Juniper the treeshaper's send was what seemed to be needed to calm the storm. She let out a breath of relief, as the young one dried her eyes, and swallowed the fish.
How could she eat it raw like that? She looked with a openly confused face at Greywing.
Jaseio chose to speak up even though she normally would never do that, but she had to try, and tell the ones that feared the humans that apparently the so called fear wasn't always necessary."It seems like some of you have suffered because of the humans you have met. But all the humans I have met in my turns, have never showed sings of being a danger towards elves. If there are humans, and some of you are uncomfortable with them, I think we should first try to approach them carefully. I am pretty sure that humans would not kill with out reason, but I can not speak for the humans you seem to have met." |
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Post by Sunset on Sept 18, 2014 11:01:05 GMT 1
Sunset could feel the rage building inside of her. The disgust and horror that these elves were looking at her with, when she mentioned human friends - it made her blood boil. She struggled to contain it and moved away from the newcomer, not wanting to frighten her further. She did not want to share that part of her - not now, not with how little she knew of the others, and not with the memory so fresh.
Tears swam in her eyes as she remembered; holding Coia's hand, stroking the weathered, wrinkled skin lovingly as she sang to her dying pride-sister. To see a beloved face age so quickly, while she herself still resembled a cub in her youth, caused unbearable aches in her chest and a knot in her throat.
Dashing the tears away with a hand, Sunset walked to the farthest edge of the fire and stared out into the darkness. She lock-sent to Tinder, ~**I'm going to find more food. There's too many of us and not enough to eat, and we need to, badly. Will you watch the kitten? He sleeps, for now.**~
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Post by Reefshadow on Sept 18, 2014 11:03:55 GMT 1
While concerned, Reefshadow remained where he was, watching the spectacle with bubbling amusement. What were these 'humans' anyway? He'd never encountered them, but there seemed to be mixed feelings on the matter. Regardless, he would bide his time. He had plenty of that, now.
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Post by Tinder on Sept 18, 2014 12:43:00 GMT 1
Tinder's anger simmered under the surface. Her ire was briefly pacified by Badger, though it sparked anew when Sunset, obviously upset over the ensuing discussion, left the safety of the firelight. Tinder watched her go with a heavy heart. She would, ordinarily have followed, but time and age separated them now. She was uncertain of what her reception would be. Sunset had always been kind to her, but she was no longer the same cub that the elfess had cub-sat.
Tinder was an adult. She sighed when Sunset locksent, though she nodded in agreement. Thistle, ever brave and daring, left the warmth of her lap to fetch Sunset's bond. Tinder watched her serval, an adult in his own right, agilely dart to the sleeping cheetah cub, open his fanged maw, and instinctively grip the little one by the ruff of his neck. She stared when Thistle, carrying said cub, brought him back to with her.
Tinder calmly accepted the sleeping kit and her bond curling into her lap again. She was unsurprised that the kit hadn't awoken. Cubs could sleep through the loudest noises with little trouble. Sunset's kitten seemed content to lounge and slumber in a warm place. Tinder smiled when Thistle set about grooming the ball of spotted fluff. She watched him swipe his tongue back and forth between the kit's black ears as he sought to give some semblance of order to the tufts of spotted fluff.
::I watch cub. Elf-kin listen to gathering::, ordered Thistle.
Tinder scratched between her bond's bony shoulders as she addressed the issues raised. "You are wrong to think that humans would not kill without reason or cause", she said to Jaseio. "But you are also wrong to think that humans can be only cruel". Tinder looked from Silverthorn to Juniper, and Greywing in turn. "You are from tribes that have suffered at the hands of humans. I am too". Tinder lowered her chin, though not in obseisance or respect. She looked Silverthorn in the eye. The challenge silent, but direct. "Sunset is no fool. Neither are you. Nor is Greywing". Tinder turned then to Juniper and Badger too. "It is wise to be cautious. Wiser still to shore up our defenses, though thorns made of living wood will do nothing against fire and flame".
Tinder was aware of the fear these new elves had of her magic. She had seen their faces when first she had revealed herself and her talent at the gathering. "You need fear not, Juniper", said Tinder. "I am not a rabid beast in need of a leash. I will not burn this fledgling holt to the ground, nor am I likely to roast you alive, though from time to time I might feel like it. I am not a kin-slayer". She eyed Badger for a moment. "I sense that you have not been around fire-shapers before. I will not apologise for my abruptness, though it made you clearly uncomfortable. It is my nature to be like the fire here, banked by stone. I can give of myself to warm others with words or actions, or I can burn them with words or actions. This is who I am, Badger. I cannot be other than how the Highones made me".
Tinder shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "I know that of all those gathered here and now. Most of you fear me. You should. Some of you likely think me a greater danger than the humans out there in the wilderness". Tinder glanced around the circle from Keleero to Juniper and back again. "I do not fear humans or the fire they always bring, but you do, and you will should the worst come to pass". She scratched behind Thistle's ears, taking the time to check over Sunset's sleeping bond too. The cub slumbered still as he lay comfortably in her lap.
"It is wise to be cautious", said Tinder. "Humans are a danger to us all, but know this". Tinder directed her words to all the elves. "Is it unwise of you to set upon my pride-sister, to call her fool, and drive her from the firelight. It is unwise of you to think less of her because of her compassionate heart. She alone of those in this circle has known and lived with a human. She has experience you do not".
Tinder plainly stated her allegiances. "Sunset could help you". Tinder's expression darkened as she scowled. **You are also unwise not to realise one thing**, she opensent boldly. **Sunset and I are from the same tribe. Who do you think I will be sharing my fire and talent with in the days and nights to come? I am not bound by oath or blood to help any of you. Sunset is my only concern. I am only present at this gathering as a courtesy. If I knew how that Beacon worked I would be inside that cave trying to find a way for it to send us home where we belong**.
OOC: I hope it's okay that I moved Sunset's bond. He is a kitten and well kitten's need cuddles.
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Post by Slinker on Sept 18, 2014 13:28:48 GMT 1
Slinker, sensing an opportunity, took it. He doubted any would notice him leave the gathering. He doubted any would care, for on first meetings, many in his mind thought him either cruel or thick-witted. He cared little, either way. These elves were strangers, too sheltered in their isolation, to appreciate the pragmatism of a goback lifestyle, mingled with the forthright practicality of the Now of wolfthought.
He had endured enough dark-looks and snide remarks for one night. Slinker rolled to his feet, stretched his limbs, and slid a leg over Ash's broad shoulders. His wolf-bond responded instinctively, rising onto his paws with the ease of a wolf that was young and fit and strong. Ash shook himself readily, urging blood to flow through his limbs, as he turned to follow after Sunset.
Slinker, sitting astride the grey-wolf, was carried silent as a shadow into the night. He like his bond were comfortable under the starry night. The Pack hunted under such skies, never fearing the shape of the moon, or the twinkle of the stars. Slinker smirked to himself as Ash followed the elfess's scent. He supposed now was as good a time as any. The elfess was a tribe-mate of Tinder's too, so if he befriended her than it might, logically, improve his chances of sharing the fire-gifted fire-shaper's hearth too during the white-cold. He liked to think ahead.
~**Your pack-sister**~ Slinker locksent to Sunset as Ash came upon her. ~**Has a temper. Also I think that elder back there, old Juniper, has a burr or five stuck up his tail, thus the sourness. Silverthorn isn't much better. He's a wolfrider like me, but from a different pack and tribe. Don't take their words to heart, Sunset. Wolf-bloods tend to talk out their backsides when they're afraid. Humans don't have a wonderful reputation among our kind. My tribe too have had bad experiences with them, though I do not think less of you for having befriended, loved, and likely claimed a human as a tribemate. You intrigue me more. If you befriended a human, than perhaps to some extent, we might be able to make peace with whomever roams the lands outside this place. We might not be friends, but puckernuts, I would be glad to be able to hunt game without having to worry about a spear through my back because of my pointed ears**~.
Slinker shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly as Ash turned towards the caves. ~**Why don't you come help me. I think you might be upset with the others and their talking, but that you might also have come out here to catch your breath, and clear your head. I'd like to hear more of your human friend. I promise also to have an open ear and mind. I'll not judge you if you want to share or not. Memories are a private thing, but I would also appreciate your help. I've supplies stashed inside on a travois. My wolf can drag it, but I'll need help to secure it. I'm a bit fumble-fingered with knots. You can also help yourself to the first lot of weapons if you like. I've already promised Jaseio the largest of my bows**~.
Slinker frowned as he thought of one oddity stuck inside his supplies. ~**I've gotten enough sour looks already**~, he locksent amusedly. ~**I'd best be sharing what I have or risk having Juniper give me a lecture or worse - Birdie trying to bore me to death with his squawking**~.
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Post by No-Sting on Sept 18, 2014 17:21:57 GMT 1
OOC: Looks like Sunset and Slinker are out of earshot from the rest of our elves - I'll start a new thread for all elves no longer by the fire, unless someone else beats me to it  IC"Well this is a fine mess," No-Sting said after Tinder had finished her speech. "We'll get nowhere hissing at each other like kittens, no matter the danger we're talking about. Why don't we all sit back down around the fire and stop posturing?" She walked up to stand beside Badger as she spoke, doing her best to step between the wolf-elf and any that had upset her. Not that No-Sting was an expert at reading Badger's expressions - though she found herself wishing she was, and wasn't that an inappropriate thought to get distracted by right now? - but a blush and that posture were clear signals enough for anyone. "Those of you worried about the humans, I'm sure you have all right to be, but yelling at each other right now will solve nothing. The humans here, as Keleero said, are all the way down by the sea on the otherside of that forest." She pointed at the treeline to emphasize her words. "We haven't seen hair nor hide of them for the four days we've been here, so unless we go poking around in their dens by the sea I think we're safe enough gor now." Oddspot, meanwhile, gave Thistle a stare that spoke of ill intentions. That stranger cat was caring for her kit! Fur standing on end she began to edge toward Thistle and the kitten, not attacking but clearly displaying 'Mine!' No-Sting took no notice of this, too busy trying to sort her own thoughts out and put them into words. "I had not seen a human before I got here and I've still only seen them at a distance. From what I've seen and been told they seem to be much like the trolls that dwell near my and my sister's Clan; can be friendly, can be deadly. So I vote we prepare for deadly, leave then alone as long as we can, but avoid panicking and use the skills of those that have made friends or allies of humans." Sunset had left the fire, but Jaseio remained so No-Sting gave her a respectful nod. "As for you who've fought the humans, your experience is of course also very valuable." She let her gaze sweep over those who'd spoken harsh words about humans, trying to catch their eye. "Juniper, your idea of thorns and other hindrances I think is good, despite what Tinder says, as long as we stay hidden. I doubt humans would set fire to a part of the forest just because it was in their way." At least she hoped they wouldn't - trolls did plenty of stupid things like that, but they didn't live by the forest. Tinder's hostile tone left her somewhat on edge. Bragging about magic was one thing, refusing to help too, but threstening... She glanced over at Swift-Wind, then at Keleero (who looked oddly terrified) and Juniper. Panaetha last. Alll magic users, all friendly as far as she could tell (and she trusted her sister with her life). Magic was strange and dangerous in the wrong hands, yes, but not all hands were wrong. Time would have to tell what kind of hands Tinder had. To distract herself from that dark thought path, No-Sting said: "Those are my suggestions. All in favore?" She had her own hand raised already, waiting for others to either raise there's or cross their arms in rejection. OOC: The Tuftear Clan are big on voting about things at all times, so it hasn't hit No-Sting that that mighg be different for other elves 
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Post by Silverthorn on Sept 18, 2014 20:15:31 GMT 1
In honesty, Silverthorn wasn't expecting the others to react as strongly as they had. Though there were disagreements, as there were in any council - his own tribe could spark between themselves like a sackful of flint shards - He couldn't fathom what had been said that should cause so much fuss and fluster, much less outright flight from the safety of the fireside. He hadn't truly thought Sunset a fool, but to see her take herself off alone at what to him seemed a slight rebuke smacked of the action of a cub who didn't comprehend danger. All their conflict was frustrating just for this reason. Who had time and energy for conflict when bellies threatened to go empty?
He considered his own position too. These were not his tribe, and perhaps what was to him a standard flashing of fangs among packmates was to them much worse. But what Tinder said galled him. He met and held her eyes, the wolf in him rising to her challenge, though the intensity of his gaze stopped short of a staredown. No need for any of that. "I don't fear you, magic-user," he said evenly, "and I don't depend on your talent, either. I can start my own fires. But you can't hunt for your feed, and I can't mend leathers, and neither of us can craft our tools and weapons. We depend on others for that, and if we start quibble on whom we'll help or not help, we'll all of us die. So whether you like it or not, until we find our way back, this is now our tribe." He made a wide gesture at the elves all around the fire, including Graywing in it as well, and sweeping his arm out towards the darkness beyond the circle into which Sunset and Slinker had gone.
He glanced back to No-Sting, liking her detailed practicality. Now here was a truly sensible voice. She and Juniper could yet prove to be rocks in the whirlpool of this company. "You speak well. Hiding seems the best plan to me, for now, until we're ourselves settled. I won't trust any human further than I can spit - the round-ears killed my lovemate and dried his ears to wear as trophies." It wasn't a pained confession but a flat statement of fact, letting them all know where he stood on the matter and why. "But we've enough to worry about without seeking war. All I want to be sure of is that nothing will draw them to us. But I don't believe in curses, either." He shrugged, looking Graywing over again, up and down. Just a girl. Bad luck seemed a much more reasonable explanation than any kind of scent or magic that humans could detect with her unaware.
"But," he added after a moment, "we can't be certain of how to hide when we don't know these humans' territory, how far they range. Perhaps they'll notice change in the woods and that would only make them curious. We need to observe them. We..." he stood for a moment thoughtfully fiddling with the iridescent blue feathers that decorated his spear. "There's much for us to do. We'll need to assign duties. And none of us should stray off alone." That last comment was pointed, though it rang more with concern than anger.
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Post by Reefshadow on Sept 18, 2014 23:30:04 GMT 1
They're all a bunch of blowholes. Reefshadow watched the senseless bickering; his amusement was turning into surprise. They're as bad as gliders - except maybe the glider!
Slowly, the finned elf stood, slim limbs reflecting firelight in a strange way as he did. He watched as the small, fire-haired elf left the firelight, obviously upset, and quirked an eyebrow as the flirtatious wolf-rider followed her.
The small one with the strange furred thing made some good points; make defenses, but don't go looking for trouble. That was an idea he could get behind. He cleared his throat to draw attention, a different thought on his mind. "No offense to those of you who have encountered and suffered because of these hue-mans -" the word was so strange " - but at the moment I think we have a bigger problem. I know that, other than the young chieftess, I'm the newest, but it seems to me what we should be worrying about is whether or not we'll be able to feed us all until the thaw. The cold doesn't bother me much, but warmth seems to be a problem, too."
He looked down at the one who called herself Tinder; she seemed more like a striker to him, more inclined to start a blaze than catch fire. "I understand your loyalty to your - what was it you said - pride-sister? But it's my experience that for a tribe or clan to survive, we have need of everyone's skills - no matter how much we don't like them."
For a brief moment, he flashed the signature Reefshadow smile: sparkling, flirtatious, a little roguish. "Smooth currents to you all; I'm Reefshadow, of the White Shore. Hand me a rope or a snare and I can catch just about anything - although usually under water. Just teach me what animals live where and I'm sure I could catch us something worth eating. I cast a decent net, too." He shifted slightly, an unconscious movement. "My only magical talent to speak of is - well, a little strange, but necessary, where I come from."
Let them chew on that. He wasn't exactly sure how they'd take finding out what he was talking about.
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