990612 - Nightfall, Treestump, Suntop, Flashfire - Nightfall shares fish.
Suntop is concerned about Flashfire, who is acting differently.

You walk towards the Father Tree.

Base of the Lost Holt Father Tree
A dense grove of grotesquely shaped trees dominated by one immense Grandfather of
a tree whose age is no less great than its size.
It is obvious that the old tree has survived a terrible tragedy but new growth
and thick strong branches cover the worst of the scars left by the terrible
blaze. Weeds and night blooming wildflowers grow in natural disorder around the
trees roots. Like old friends, the gnarled trees embrace one another, their many
branches entwining to form a dense canopy high above the ground, serving to keep
the ground cool from the summer heat. You hear hushed noises as the holt slowly
comes to life as elves and wolves awaken from the hot summer sleep.
Contents:
Flashfire
Suntop
Bearpaw
Rialti's Tent
Snowsplash
Patience
Skylark
SafeRunner
Obvious exits:
Into the Tree<N>  Around the Tree<AT>  Clearing<S>  

Treestump walks out of the Father Tree.

Suntop sits, crooked in his favorite root, as he has been for quite some time.
Most of the day, actually. His brow is creased in thought as he stares out at
nothing.

Nightfall walks out of the trees silently, a couple of medium-sized fish hanging
from one hand, the fingers of the other hand being cleaned one at a time of their
colorful berry stains.

Treestump appears on a branch overhead, his arrival announced with the creak of
his weight applied to the shaped wood. A hand gripping a smaller branch above him
for balance, the old wolf's familiar tone ripples down, ** G'evening, all, ** to
any open ears in the clearing below.

Nightfall looks up and smiles a finger-in-mouth greeting to the older elf.
Abruptly realizing that she looks like a cub caught eating all the berries, she
removes her fingers from her mouth and holds up the fish, asking all in general,
** Anybody want to share? **

Suntop wakes from his reverie and shifts slightly. Now he feels the acorn that
has lodged itself between the root and his back. Ow. But he blinks himself back
to the here-and-now as he looks up to Treestump and over to Nightfall, "Shade..."
he murmurs, trying to shift to a better position.

Flashfire's been back for about a day now, and most of it's been spent inside his
den, asleep. He's also seemed a little...reluctant, perhaps, to come out around
more of the tribe, yet. However, he's decided to see who's around as he steps
over a root of the Father Tree, on his way from his den.

Nightfall looks over to Suntop and completes the greeting, "... and sweet water."
Smiling lightly, she offers, ** Would you like some fish? **

Treestump settles himself into a sitting position, back against the truck, one
leg folded while the other dangles towards the ground. He gives Suntop a curious
smile, amused, but wondering at the boy's bemusement, then looks over at
Nightfall. His nose wrinkles, teasing, "Bah, fish, lass? Are we turning into
humans now?"

Nightfall sticks her tongue out at Treestump. ** What, you're too good to eat my
fish? I didn't have my bow with me and didn't want to come back empty handed;
these two beauties, ** she holds them up and they are, indeed, fine specimens of
medium-sized fish, ** were easy to catch. **

Peering at the acorn for a moment, Suntop then sets it aside, rather carefully.
Odd cub. It is then he looks up to Treestump, "And what's wrong with fish?" He
smiles sweetly to Nightfall, "I would like some, yes. Thank you." The smile
falters slightly as Flashfire comes into view. Yes, the wolf-elf was the subject
of most of his thinking today.

Flashfire rubs at the side of his head, squinting at the sending he can pick up.
That may take a little time to get used to again, those voices in his head. Been
a good turn or so since he last heard a send from an elf. He looks from Suntop to
Nightfall, then Treestump after that, and a grin spreads. "Uncle..!" he exclaims.

Treestump bahs again, but grins, only playing. After all, he wouldn't be asking
his next question if he weren't: "Aye, lass, actually I would, if you don't
mind?" He tilts his head to Suntop, winking, then follows the boy's gaze to...
"Lad! You're back? When did you get back?"

Nightfall chuckles at Treestump, ** Of course I don't mind. ** She looks at
Flashfire when he exclaims, and smiles a greeting to him, "... and would -you-
like some fish too?"

Suntop stretches out his legs and runs a hand through his bright curls, just
watching. The mirth in his expression has faded and only the characteristic
seriousness remains. He watches Flashfire and Treestump greet each other for a
momenet before scrutinizing his sleeve.

Nightfall crouches, laying her fish on the ground and proceeding to deftly clean
them off. Flicking the discards into one pile (for the most part), and growling
softly at a wolf that gets too opportunistic, she fillets out the meat.

Flashfire fidgets in place for a moment, as if considering running up the tree
and tackling Treestump, but logic wins out in the end - tackling him out of the
tree could, well, hurt. "Last night..after being by myself for a little while."
A..little while? It was more than that, of course. His attention shifts towards
Nightfall and her fish, and his tongue slips out to wet his lips. "Aye..that
looks tasty." he decides, coming closer.

Nightfall picks up a bit of the filleted meat, gives Flashfire a serious look,
then offers him the first handful, "You look hungry." She glances up at Treestump
and Suntop, ** And you'll probably have to come down here; I don't think the fish
would make it up to you. ** She grins wryly, gesturing mildly to the panting wolf
watching her every move..

Well, if Flashfire won't come to him, Treestump will go to him. Hopping down
lithely from the branch, landing on the clearing ground with a bend of his knees
to catch his wait, he moves quickly towards the elf, arms reaching to embrace the
boy in a fierce bearhug. "Ach, furcub, you were away /far/ too long. I was about
ready to come after you and drag your tail back home again!"

Flashfire's gotten a bit leaner than he used to be, but he'll have to wait a
moment longer to get his food as the yellow-bearded elder smothers him in that
huge hug, which he happily returns, nuzzling at his shoulder. "Was I..? Do you
know how long?" he asks.

Suntop is down, but he'll probably stand to work out some kinks. He glances over
as his uncle and the furcub embrace, only able to estimate the time. After all,
he was gone as well...and he doesn't know when Flashfire actually left. But
instead of thinking -too- much, as he tends to do, he'll go help Nightfall by
trying to coax the eager wolf away from the fish.

Nightfall nods appreciatively to Suntop, handing him the fish she was holding out
for Flashfire. "Thanks; that one's little more than a cub and doesn't know
better. Yet." She looks up at Suntop, looking over his expression.

You locksend ** What's eating you? You're giving Flashfire odd looks..? ** to
Suntop.

The old wolf's brows furrow, thinking as he hugs the boy, then steps back, hands
settled lightly on his shoulders. "Eh..." Treestump hrms, and haws, and hrmphs,
before finally shrugging his broad shoulders, reaffirming, "Too long."

Suntop locksends ** It just...<<sigh>> Something's changed in him...and I don't
understand. I should just let it be. **

Nightfall glances thoughtfully at Flashfire.

Too long works as an explanation for Flashfire. "I'm sorry..I didn't mean to make
anyone worry." he explains. The best way he might be able to figure out how long
he was gone would be the passing of the seasons, but even then, that could be
iffy. Ask him his age, and he'd have *no* clue what it was. He mimics Treestump's
shrugging shoulders. "Well, I'm back now." That seems enough for him, and he
turns back to the fish waiting to fill his furry belly.

Suntop takes the fish and nods, murmuring a thank you and then tries to keep
between the wolf and the rest of the fish while eating. His eyes don'e really
seem to be watching anything anymore...well, maybe looking to Nightfall every now
and then.

You locksend to Suntop, Nightfall hasn't seen enough of the furred elf to know
how he's changed, but, ** He's been gone for a while, and looks like he's been
through a lot. If he found his soulname, then he'll definitely be different. <<
pause >> Have you gone on a soulname vigil? Or did you already know your
soulname? **

Nightfall holds up another handful of fish for Flashfire, after popping a morsel
in her own mouth. "Hrf. You're part of our tribe, our pack; of course we're going
to worry when you're not around. You're back, and that's what matters."

You sense in a locksend, Suntop's send ripples with a bit of a chuckle, ** Oh, I
have my soulname... ** He's just having a diffucult time adjusting to Flashfire's
complete 'Now' mindset.

"Aye, that you are." Giving the boy a sound clap on the back, Treestump moves
away, towards Nightfall and her fish. "And you better stay back, eh?" he throws
back over his shoulder, moving to settle into a half-crouch beside the maiden.
"Or else this time I /will/ drag you back by your tail."

You locksend to Suntop, Nightfall's mind calms, relieved -- and pleased that she
didn't put her foot in her mouth. ** I wasn't sure... but that hardly matters.
Give it time; you didn't see him for a while, and he changed more than expected.
**

Flashfire stumbles slightly at the clap on his back and whulfs - perhaps
Treestump underestimated his own strength. "I'll try," he promises, unable to
hide a glance at his rear to make sure he doesn't really *have* a tail to be
dragged back by. Then, finally, he plops down and begins to dine on the fishmeat.
Nightfall gets a smile between bites, and he merely nods to her own words. Seems
he's quieter than usual.

Suntop locksends ** Aye, perhaps... **

Nightfall pauses in handing Treestump a handful of fish, peering at Flashfire in
some surprise. "So little to say?" she smiles, turning it into a gentle tease.

Suntop begins to feel as he once did as a cub...when Ember would chatter on about
being a wolfrider and wanting to play her wolf-chief games. Distant. As a cub, he
would usually seek out Leetah for reassurance, but she is not in the clearing
now. But if Nightfall and Treestump can accept the furcub's changes, he can try
as well...even though it gnaws at him.

You locksend to Suntop, Nightfall reaches to you with a wordless mental hug of
support and caring. ** You were a lot close to him than I ever was, remember.
It'll be harder for you. **

Suntop locksends ** <<thanks>> I suppose I have never really known anyone so deep
into the 'Now' as he... **

Treestump takes the handful of fish with a good-natured nod, biting in and
chewing slowly, standing the taste despite all his previous blustering and tease.

You locksend to Suntop, Nightfall is amused, ** Some of us, usually the ones more
wolflike, are so deep in the Now that Later isn't considered and Past isn't
remembered. At least he's talking. You'd have to ask Pike for the story, but I
seem to remember hearing that Rahnee She-wolf was very deep in the Now.

Flashfire blinks twice at Nightfall's bit of teasing, shoulders rising and
falling in another shrug. "Guess not," he murmurs, definitely in one of those
quieter states. But at any time, he could turn into quite the chatterbox again.
Probably will, once a few more memories of what he was up to recently come back
to him. He sniffs at the fish-wanting wolf after that.

Suntop's eyes shift back to Flashfire, watching him quietly.

Suntop locksends ** Or Timmorn Yellow-Eyes... **

Nightfall chuckles softly, glancing sidelong at Treestump as she starts working
on the second fish. ** Mmmm, good fish, isn't it, furchin. ** She sits back on
her haunches, warns softly, "Watch out.." and tosses the remnants of the first
fish -- but not the scales -- to the wolf, who gobbles it up gladly. Flashing
Suntop a brief, surprised/approving look, she leans back down towards the last
fish, cleaning it with smooth strokes.

** It'll do, I suppose, ** replies the elder Wolfrider good-naturedly, with
mock-resignation, but he winks at Nightfall, grinning in between bites.

Suntop nibbles at his share, looking about the trees once more...in an attempt to
cheer up, perhaps?

Nightfall chuckles, definitely amused at Treestump.

You locksend ** Suntop looks too serious -- and worried. ** to Treestump.

Flashfire wolfs (heh) his fish down, patting his stomach afterwards. "Mmmm.." he
makes the sound of contentedness, but the sending seems almost..just a little
bothersome still. Yes, he'll definitely need to get used to that again, and his
head shakes for a very short moment. "I think it tasted very good." he declares.

Nightfall nods to Flashfire, shooting Treestump a teasing glance, "Appreciation
at last."

Treestump grins over in Nightfall, looking somber for just a moment, but it
passes quickly. "Aye," he replies mildly, eyebrows raised.

Treestump locksends ** It's the dreams, I think. The night I spent with him, the
lad looked pretty frightened. **

Nightfall chuckles softly, relenting. "Would you like more, Flashfire?" There's
enough for another portion for each. Accordingly, she pops some more into her own
mouth, looking inquiringly at Suntop and Treestump as well.

You locksend ** ... ** to Treestump.

You locksend ** What are the dreams about? ** to Treestump.

Suntop shakes his head and offers a bit of a smile, "No, thank you Nightfall. I
can barely finish this share." But he does. He will, however, try and keep that
particularly hungry fish away from the second one, if the need arises.

No hesitation at all from the furcub (who can still be called cub, easily the
youngest here still). "Aye!" he says with a little more enthusiasm than normal.
No, he's not going to pass up seconds.

Treestump glances sidelong at Suntop, then back to Nightfall, smiling at the
maiden, but shaking his head in decline. "Perhaps later, eh? I'm still not yet
awake... A bit too early to be stuffing myself to the brim quite yet."

Nightfall nods to Treestump, then holds the rest of the fish up to Flashfire,
smiling lightly, "Then it looks like it's up to you to finish it. If you want the
rest, of course."

You sense in a locksend, Treestump considers the question. ** I don't know about
the rest of them, but.. The one I walked in on was about the fire that first
destroyed this place. The stories got to him apparently. It was vivid enough for
him to be sending; I heard him and came running. Like I said before, he gave me
quite a fright. **

You locksend to Treestump, Nightfall quickly reins in the maternal impulse to
shelter Suntop; he's an adult, and doesn't need smothering from her. ** I didn't
think anybody sent images of that fire; I've been doing my best to not remember
it. **

Flashfire reaches up for the fish with his claw-tipped hands, not at all having a
problem with finishing it off. "I can, thank you." he answers, almost cherishing
the easily acquired meal.

Suntop wipes fish-grease off on his leathers and shakes his head at a thought.
High Ones, this is just too much, Perhaps he -should- do as Ember says and just
not-think for a while. Things might just be easier then. But the question is, can
he do it?

You sense in a locksend, Treestump's sending reflects a rueful smile that doesn't
reach his face. ** Aye, lass. You and me both. **

Nightfall looks consideringly at Suntop, catching a Look on his face.
Contemplating him a moment, she abruptly suggests, "Dreamberries."

Treestump arches an eyebrow, popping the last of his handful of fish into his
mouth. ** Dreamberries? ** he echoes curiously, then glances about for Pike,
blinking.

"Dreamberries..?" Flashfire blinkblinks and goes even quieter for a moment.
Berries...that doesn't seem to be a word that sits very well with him for
whatever reason. He glances Suntop's way, then murmurs, "I don't want any."

Nightfall looks at Treestump, then nods firmly, ** Dreamberries. ** She regards
Suntop, ** You look tense. ** Her gaze turns to Flashfire, ** And you look
befuddled. **

Suntop also blinks at Nightfall. "Dreamberries?" Is there an echo in here?
"Oh...no thank you. I get into...too much trouble whenever I eat those." Better
to stay sober.

You locksend to Flashfire, Nightfall immediately, upon seeing your look, reaches
out with warm, supportive thoughts.

Treestump blinks, then brightens, before shooting Suntop a skeptical glance.
"Hrmn... You sure, lad?" He glances sidelong at Nightfall, grinning crookedly. "I
donno, I think Nightfall might be right. You do look a little tense."

Nightfall sits back on her haunches again and looks challengingly at Suntop and
Flashfire. "What, you can't eat just one?" One side of her mouth quirks back into
a brief grin, ** Usually, one berry -- fresh berry, not dried -- is enough to
relax, ** she looks at Suntop, then looks at Flashfire, ** and loosen up your
mind. **

You sense in a locksend, Flashfire's sending is *very* unskilled right now in
comparison to how it used to be, almost as if he's re-learning the finer bits of
it. But he conveys a gesture of sorts, a comforted one, thankful of your own
support.

Flashfire's eyes flicker towards Nightfall as something is shared between the two
of them, but he finds himself shaking his head slowly, not too sure about even
one berry right now. Who knows if the reason for that will ever become evident,
though? "I can't.." he fibs.

Obviously arguing isn't going to get him anywhere is it? Well, at least he's in
the Holt. No Gliders can kidnap him here. So the young mystic sighs, "All
right..." He had better agree before it gets shoved down his throat, yes?

Nightfall considers Flashfire and Suntop for a bit, then says, "Let me get my
bow.." Vanishing into the tree, she returns in record time, landing on the roots
with a soft thump. Slinging the quiver over her shoulder, she walks over to
Flashfire and slips an arm around him, hugging lightly. ** You'll be okay,
cubling. I promise. **

Flashfire's brows furrow as Nightfall mentions getting her bow. Whatever could
she be doing that for? Given barely a moment to think about it before Nightfall
zips back out, he half-hugs her back at her sent assurances, nodding slowly.

Nightfall slings her bow over her free shoulder (now Armed and Dangerous) and
looks at Treestump. ** Do you know of any bushes that have ripe dreamberries? I
know of one that looked like it'd be ripe soon, but I don't know if they're
ready. **

Suntop can't help a bit of fleeting smile as he suggests, "Just find Pike...I'm
sure he'll know of one."

Nightfall grins, rolling her eyes in amusement, ** Just find Pike... I'm sure
he'll be -in- one. **

Treestump laughs, nodding. "Aye, Pike... eh. I'm sure there's one around here
somewhere, lass. It's hard not to with him around."

Flashfire's nose wrinkles and sniffs, as if actually trying to scent Pike.
Whether he really does or not, he gestures off in any old direction. "I think
he's over that way.." There *is* a crooked smile present.

Suntop glances to the furcub and then looks in that direction as well. He then
looks back to Flashfire, his brow furrowed in confusion. It would seem he didn't
sense Pike there....

Nightfall considers Flashfire, then the direction he suggested. Shrugging a bit,
she glances at Treestump. "What do you think?"

Treestump spreads his hands, shrugging. "If he's there, he's there. If he's not,
there's probably a dreamberry bush thataway anyway. His scent almost always leads
to one."

Flashfire was just pointing somewhere at random, really. Pike's probably not
there. And if he is - hey. That's luck for ya. The furcub gets up to stretch and
take a few steps closer to the others looking for a bush.

Suntop still remains slightly distanced from the others. It's usually not this
obvious, but every now and then the Suncub just needs his space. He's usually in
the Sun Village when he does, but occasionally it is in the Holt. So good luck in
drawing him in...for it is definitely a challenge.

Nightfall pauses, turning to look at Suntop for a bit.

Without a word of farewell, Suntop fades into the forest...to sleep perhaps.
After all, he has been up most of the day as well as into the evening. Or perhaps
he will just be thinking.

Suntop starts slightly at something and closes his eyes, his body going
completely still as his spirit leaves his corporeal form.