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Post by Reefshadow on Sept 24, 2014 20:22:05 GMT 1
The sea-elf grinned at the stunned glider. "I believe they did, new friend." He breathed a sigh of relief, inwardly. Maybe, just maybe, this was a good omen. The High Ones smile on us, despite our differences.
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Post by Choice on Sept 24, 2014 20:23:48 GMT 1
The sending of his soul name, the soothing words and the hands on his cheeks pulled Choice's thoughts back from their splittered chaos to some semblance of order. He wasn't being left or shunned. Aiya was staying. Aiya wasn't rejecting this gift to the both of them. Tears escaped Choice's eyes, but he smiled, smiled so wide his cheeks ached.
~**You're so beautiful.**~ It was more a leaking of thoughts than a sending, but it was locked to only Nettle.
Choice glanced at No-Sting briefly, smiled and said "Thank you", before turning back to Nettle, drawn to her like a moth to a flame. "We're going to have a child!" he said to her, the words filled with pure joy. "A child!"
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Post by Nettle on Sept 24, 2014 22:51:34 GMT 1
Nettle heard a wisp of Keleero's whispering. She winced when he phrased it like that. Her cheeks reddened, tinging pink in her embarrassment. Recognition was always cause for celebration, but she was a little exasperated that the Highones had such terrible timing. She had recognised during a gathering where most of the elves in the holt had been present.
Everyone knew.
"Oh, puckernuts", swore Nettle when No-Sting offered jubilant congratulations. She smiled awkwardly when Choice joined in the revelry too. Her eyes widened at the implication, not of the coming cub, but of its making. She was quick to correct her soulmate with a crisp tone. "Oh, there will be a cub", she readily agreed. "But we will be making that cub when we have a proper den, clean furs, and fresh leathers on our backs".
Nettle stepped back from Choice, a smile on her face when he complimented her in locksending. She was flattered, truly, but he and everyone else had to understand that some priorities were higher than furring. ~**You are handsome, but flattery will not get you closer to flipping my skirts just yet, Ergah**~, locksent Nettle. She raised a finger, stiff as a frozen twig, and poked Choice in the middle of his chest.
"You are as tempting as a newly spiced steak, standing there all sweaty and glistening", said Nettle. She bit her lip when her nail grazed Choice's skin. "I could baste you in honey and spend an eight of day licking you clean", admitted Nettle. She sighed disappointedly. "But, fun as that might be. We cannot indulge ourselves, until we have proper lodgings, a good source of food, and stores aplenty to last the coming white-cold".
Nettle found herself patting Choice's chest with growing boldness. She looked at Choice, pink-cheeked as she casually withdrew her fingers before he lost his leathers and his modesty. She turned to No-Sting, expression contrite as she voiced aloud her missgivings. "Oh, puckernuts! I cannot stop touching him! I know that recognition is a joyful thing, but is it always like this?" she asked boldly. Nettle gestured to Choice. "I just want to eat him alive, but with less chewing, even less leathers, and even more furs!" She stomped her foot, head shaking, and arms folding irritably across her chest. "But we cannot be furring when the holt needs so much to be done!" Nettle paused when a thought occurred to her. She considered No-Sting for a moment. "Oh", she said kindly. "Thank you".
Nettle was swift, also, to reassure Choice. "No", she stated plainly. "I am not denying our recognition, nor will you be without company for long. I'll need you close. If I am this distraught over standing a little over here, away from you, than I will be a nervous wreck if you scuttle off somewhere without me".
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Post by Reefshadow on Sept 24, 2014 22:58:37 GMT 1
As Nettle rambled, Reefshadow's grin got wider. Eventually he broke down and began laughing. It was clear and charming. **High Ones, does anyone have furs they'd be willing to give these two? Nettle - as noble as it is to still try to think of the needs of our little holt, Recognition isn't going to let go of you long enough, it seems.**
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Post by Nettle on Sept 25, 2014 4:19:25 GMT 1
Nettle shook her head at Reefshadow's suggestion. She wrung her hands, fidgeting needlessly, for she would usually have been kept busy either weaving or tending to her gardens. **But we should not put our needs above yours!**, she insisted stubbornly. Nettle looked to Silverthorn imploringly, grey eyes wide, for she was fairly confident that once newly recognised, you could not recognise again. She was safe to share eye-contact with another thanks to Choice.
**You said we should organise who would gather, hunt, and craft! Surely you can appreciate how important the comfort of the tribe is over our own!**
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Post by Badger on Sept 25, 2014 6:05:37 GMT 1
Returning to the group with her newly found bond, it seemed like other kind of bonding was happening. Badger clasped her hands, beaming with joy, as soon as she noticed the fixed eyes of the newcomer and Choice -- and better yet, no one seemed to be bothered about it. Among her last tribe, there had not been too much of unhappy Recognitions. Harsh, maybe, but never unhappy. Wolfriders were simple that way.
"Seems like we already being blessed by High Ones." Badger said to the group, "I take this as a good sign, if the environment was harsh and unfriendly, there would be no Recognition or cubs."
Even if Badger was a wolfrider and lived in the Now, something stirred inside her head. A memory, a cub th-- who never got to see the daylight. Badger gulped a little and steeled herself, pushing the memory far far away. She did not want to spoil her mood over something that was past.
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Post by Juniper on Sept 25, 2014 6:47:15 GMT 1
Juniper had watched the interaction silently. The signs were obvious, and it meant more work for him later, more dens, more barriers. Oh well, that was the life of a treeshaper. He smiled a little smile, when he said to the newly Recognized: "I would not keep the demands waiting if I was you."
He smirked a little, but soon turned serious again.
"As new life is on its way, it seems, we have to get organized quicker than we thought."
He counted with his fingers about the things they needed, mostly food and furs were on their list now. Water source and some shelter they already had.
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Post by Nettle on Sept 25, 2014 7:32:23 GMT 1
Nettle pouted unhappily, her resistance wilting when Badger was ebullient too. She was starting to think the others thought her and Choice a pair of good luck charms. "But I can help!", she wheedled. Juniper's pragmatism was her undoing. She heard the authority of an elder in the gruffness of his voice. He sounded kind to her ear, though there was a hint of steel in his tone.
Nettle bowed her head with a sigh. She was so used to being chastised however gently by her father, Rain, that she forgot to whom she was speaking. "Yes, Father", she said quietly to Juniper before realisation dawned. Nettle slapped a hand to her mouth, grey eyes wide with alarm. **I am sorry! I did not... you sound just like...**, she opensent feebly.
She was so terribly embarrassed. It was one thing to accept her recognition, admit that she desired Choice, and try to urge the others to organise themselves, but to mistake another elf for her Father was unforgivable. Nettle reddened to the tips of her ears. **Someone, please**, she sent pleadingly. **Give me something to do before I call someone else my Mother! This recognition is curdling my brains! I cannot think clearly! I need to be keeping my hands busy!** Nettle buried her face in her hands as she pictured in her mind's eye exactly what her hands would prefer to be doing.
~**Ergah**~, she growled in a locksend with her recognised. ~**You're like a flower to a buzzer! I just want to crawl inside your petals and sample the nectar inside! It's not fair! I will never be able to focus long enough to weave anything while you're so irresistible!**~.
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Post by Panaetha on Sept 25, 2014 7:44:44 GMT 1
Panaetha was stunned into silence by this newcomer's brashness. Who did she think she was, to come out here and praise them for finally being "sensible?" If she had a problem, why'd she hide in that cave so long? Clearly, she wasn't like Greywing, shaking in her boots. She remained silent as Nettle fussed over her, giving her food and water and tucking her in like an invalid. I am a kitten first, and then I can't care for myself?
Before she could protest, something gave her pause...a strange look. So she kept quiet and observed, and was rewarded when the Recognition was revealed. This new one was odd, certainly...to be expected, if she was cut from the same cloth as Slinker. She seemed embarrassed by the attention that Recognition got her, but courted it by so openly expressing her desires for the young, long-legged wolfrider. But once she started going on about resources, Panaetha had had enough.
Rising to her full height, she looked down at Nettle, a stern look on her face. "The best you can do is answer the call you were given. Your child will not sap our few resources much for the next two turns, if your tribe is like my pride. Great Panther above, you won't even show your pregnancy for a year. If you cannot keep your own hands busy only a few breaths after Recognition, you will take up many more of our resources delaying it, since you won't be able to hunt or help build a holt...and I certainly won't waste any energy helping you delay the inevitable. You're not putting your needs above the needs of those here...the High Ones did that for you. So by all means, accept their blessing and get on with it!"
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Post by Greywing on Sept 25, 2014 8:06:07 GMT 1
Greywing was baffled by all this Recognition business. Many of the elves in this council seemed to think it was a blessing bestowed by the High Ones...what were they to these elves? She remembered back to when Shadowhunter took her and a group of ferals to stalk a human encampment. Early that evening, she heard them chanting a strange word...<Idrogr, Idrogr, Idrogr!> Males, thrusting crude spears into the air, ready to hunt. Another time, she heard wailing females repeat it over and over, staring at the stars...as if Idrogr was a star. Her mother had told her that the humans on that planet revered something they called a God...Greywing never grasped the idea. But she wondered if these elves she was with now...did they see the High Ones that way too? The "high ones" from where she was from...Recognition was not a blessing from them. It was a side effect of how they blended their kind with the land. It was reproduction, pure and simple...there was nothing magical about it.
Badger's comments confused her as well...Recognition itself didn't care about anything, least of all a harsh and unwelcoming environment. Greywing's kind bred like mad with and without it, which the ferals took advantage of, having led many young, cocky ones to their deaths trying to win impossible battles. It wasn't something an elf did once...it was done many times, and when her parents were alive, Greywing was approaching the age when she would be pressured into finding a suitable mate to Recognize. As if it were a choice. So Nettle's frantic actions over it, and Panaetha's comment about it being inevitable were even more confusing. Couldn't Nettle just...get it over with? Or if she didn't want to Recognize Choice, why did she in the first place?
But she stayed quiet about it, and took Panaetha's lecture as an opportunity to munch on the portion of dried meat Nettle had pushed into her hands. Surely there was more elsewhere.
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Post by No-Sting on Sept 25, 2014 12:16:34 GMT 1
No-Sting had to stifle a laugh as Nettle grew more and more flustered. The poor thing, Recognition sure could be trying!
"We have furs enough for two all right," she said, voice overflowing with mirth. "And the sleeping cave is empty and free to use."
This said she straightened up a bit and made her grin into a friendly smile. "I agree with the others. A cub in your belly won't get in the way of you helping out - at least not for a long time - but denying Recognition can be outright harmful. I say we get the two of you some furs and some time alone. I volunteer to stand guard in the cave with the, eh, Beacon was it, Keleero? Anyway, I'll keep an eye out there for newcomers so they don't stumble in and disturb you."
She gave both Nettle and Choice a meaningful wink.
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Post by Silverthorn on Sept 25, 2014 15:53:06 GMT 1
Bold and forward as Nettle was, perhaps too much for some, Silverthorn appreciated both her emergence and the supplies that she'd brought with her to share. The way she rambled on, but all essentially practical things, reminded him of his sister Tallshoot - a positive recollection, of one who had always been his right hand. He liked her immediately, and was set to welcome her and thank her for what she shared when she had caught Choice's eyes. Now what little order they had attained had collapsed again, and Silverthorn's spirit fell with it.
<I>Dung and dung twice!</i> he thought, this Recognition could not have picked a worst timing. All of them barely settled, and not yet sure how they would provide for themselves, and now one of them, suddenly, would be more than one. Now they had a life-bearer to protect. The only point of light here was Badger's comment - Silverthorn had seen enough Recognitions to in his time to know that they did not tend to come in lean years and harsh winters, when the tribe was in dire straits. He wondered if it could really be, that something in them knew that the time would soon be right for cub-making.
And of course, it was another thing. "Well, there you are," he said, to no one in particular. "If this is not proof that we're all elves and kin in our souls, however different we are, I don't know what is."
But it was small comfort when at last they had been gnawing at the true backbone of the matter, the practicalities of survival. Difficult as it was, he had to pull their minds back to it. "I said it, and I appreciate it, when it comes to comfort," he told Nettle, grinning slightly, a little gratified that she looked to him. "But Recognition is a need, as true as cold and hunger. Don't indulge, maybe, but go and answer it. The swifter you do, the sooner you'd be done and good again to do your share." He was also glad to think that Nettle would need little encouraging to do that share.
"For the rest of us, the first thing we need is a good few kills, for furs to make winter coats and for meat to sustain us. That, and to know the herbs that can be gathered here, especially those used for healing. Here is what I propose:" he took account of names, bonds and skills in his mind again. "Panaetha, since you glide, you would serve best as a scout to get a sense of our territory. Those of us with wolves to ride should also ride out together to search for game, since wolves are hardy and run well and far in the snow - moreso than cats, though I don't know how it is with roundhooves," he admitted to Jaseio and Edgerunner.
"It would be good, Keleero, if you shape shelter for all of us for the meantime, - treeshaping is hard going in winter, I know," this to Juniper, "and I think we could use you better to forage for herbs with your magic, elder. Choice should join you when he and Nettle are done. Reefshadow, since you shape bones, could you use those of smaller kills to make some tools for us - needles, arrowheads and the like? Rokuta and Badger, fish may have to serve for us until a kill is brought in..." he trailed off and threw a narrow-eyed glance over his shoulder and into the darkness of the woods, thinking of Tinder, Slinker and Sunset, absent from the circle. He would not send to them with instructions, but it galled to have them out of reach and offering no contributions. The little almost-tribe could use them all.
"And someone must stand guard for the humans," he added finally. "But for that, it would be best if someone volunteers themselves."
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Post by Keleero on Sept 25, 2014 15:57:06 GMT 1
Keleero was a bit wary of being called 'new friend' by Reefshadow. Not that he'd never had friends, but they were a trusted few he'd known since his much younger days. How could you call someone you'd just met 'friend'?
But better to play along. Reefshadow might make a good ally in the future. He certainly didn't seem to mind the horrible cold and he'd said he knew how to trap food. Yes, a good ally to make.
The reactions to the Recognition from those gathered around were also confusing. Everyone was so open about it, both the couple and the on-lookers! Like Recognition was something to be celebrated by all, instead of a possible weak point for the chosen couple. How very strange.
But isn't that how it was for my kind before Elyro? It was hard to picture, but so much had been different before Elyro's rule. The old, happy memories were dim, and had been more of a burden, a taunt, than a comfort during the long, dark reign of Elyro. Maybe it was time to call on them now? He'd need to meditate on that, but later.
"I agree with what's been said," he said to the others, keeping a careful neutral tone. "Unanswered Recognition can wear heavily on an elf. I remember several accidents and once nearly had a fellow Rock-Shaper collapse a tunnel on me and some others, due to fatigue and pain caused by waiting to fulfill Recognition."
There words failed him. What else was there to say? Oh yes, furs. "You can have this if you wish," he gestured at the fur Nettle had given him, "and I can help No-Sting stand guard against lost newcomers, if you wish."
With the initial shock of it over Keleero was easing his way into what seemed to be the majority's mindset about the business of Recognition. He'd had long practise of speaking matter of fact about unpleasant and even horrific things, so keeping neutral about something only baffling was no challenge.
And then Silverthorn spoke. Keleero would have to agree with his first statement - that they all clearly were elves, however different in appearance, even though the detail of animal ancestors still worried at the back of Keleero's mind. He wasn't so sure of what he thought of Silverthorn handing out orders though. On one hand someone had to, clearly, but on the other...
Best to not make a fuss. "Yes, I think the mountain will have plenty of room for all of us and that I can make it quite liveable - at least for most of us." He gave Panaetha a nod, as if apologizing for being unable to make her feel at home inside the caves.
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Post by Choice on Sept 25, 2014 16:19:15 GMT 1
Choice's face felt like it was burning up and not only from embarrassment. Nettle's detailed and very blunt interest in him, combined with her touch, drove him to distraction. She was truly the most beautiful elf he'd ever seen. What she said with words he only had the presence of mind to lock-send to her in short bursts of images and emotions.
As talk began of getting him and Nettle somewhere with furs, away from the cold, Choice both blushed and smiled harder. "The cub won't make themself known to you for a long time yet," he said to Nettle, pleading with his eyes and voice. "We'll both do more good for the group if we've completed this." He gestured at the two of them. ~**Please, Aiya?**~
To Silverthorn he said: "I'll do my best to aid Juniper as soon as I can think clearly again." As he spoke he edged closer to Nettle. He took the offered fur from Keleero with a nod of thanks.
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Post by Juniper on Sept 25, 2014 21:07:56 GMT 1
"No offence, but herbs are just as hard to forage during winter." Juniper said, "Some of them have only the root during white cold time and the good earth is frozen." It was not like he tried to oppose Silverthorn and turn down his suggestions -- Juniper just had some experience on these things. "I could search if I have some seeds, and if our good rockshaper--" he gestured towards Keleero, "-- can make another cave room with rich dirt on the bottom, I could try and aid some herbs grow there. Daylight is a problem in a cave, but I think I should be able to help the plants grow with my shaping."
Other than that, Juniper had no doubts about the plans for now.
The only thing was that he really, truly wanted to shape some treedens, for himself and some others, if they wished so, because he was not going to sleep in a cave like some troll. This was not said out loud, he knew better than to step on other elves' toes.
"The trees around here have not been shaped before -- at all, or at least in long time -- but I have gotten the hang of the local trees." he then added, to let the others know that shaping dens was possible. "Anyone who wants to den in a tree, let me know."
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