Log file from Cutter. 2/23/2000 10:38:39 PM Title: Consequences of a Dream Characters: Cutter, Flashfire and Suntop Synopsis: Just another normal day in the holt? Perhaps not as Strongbow's name comes up for something that Suntop normally does. Base of the Lost Holt Father Tree(#765RJ) 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 and you can see some of the scars left by the terrible blaze on the branches as leaves turn yellow as flame and red as blood. Brown weeds and night blooming wildflowers lie dead or dying in natural disorder around the trees roots. Like old friends, the gnarled trees embrace one another, their many branches entwining to form a canopy high above the ground, though most of the leaves now decorate the ground and crunch under your feet. It is a cool autumn evening. You hear hushed noises as the holt slowly comes to life as elves and wolves awaken from their daytime slumber. Evening outside, and for once Flashfire's not just waking up. This time he might be found running in from the clearing, fast as his legs can carry him. Stormbrindle is hot on his heels, growling all the way. Cutter seems to have been up for some time as well as he sits on a low hanging branch, leaned back against the tree trunk. His brow is furrowed in thought until the sounds of growling and running feet find his ears. Once that happens, his attention is drawn to the source of the sounds and he queries the racing wolfelf, **What've you gotten into now, cub?** though there is faint amusement in his send. Flashfire's pretty quick for an elf on two legs, though his bond is faster, catching up quickly. Huffing, Flashfire darts right past Cutter, the words short and quick. "Took his..catch!" Sure enough, there's a ravvit in hand, held by the ears. But a moment later Flashfire's flat on his stomach, Stormbrindle pinning him fast with paws on his back, staring down at him. Suntop walks around from behind the Father Tree. Suntop has arrived. Cutter's brows arc high on his forehead as he gives a confounded shake of his head. **Shouldn't do that, cub. You know better.** he gently chides then watches as the wolf handles his own affair. He keeps to his branch knowing that the wolf won't try to bring blood just give Flashfire a good taste of his ire. Flashfire's done it before, but not since Stormbrindle got so big! He oofs as Stormbrindle puts his jaws around his neck and squeezes just enough to remind Flashfire who's boss in their bond-relationship, then snorts in his hair and snatches the ravvit from Flashfire's hand, settling down a few feet away to dine. Suntop wanders into the clearing, his hand lazily resting on the trees as he passes. He's not really sleepwalking, but he's not paying too much attention to anything either. Funny, but it's an almost similar look when he's had too many dreamberries. Cutter chuckles at the little power struggle and give another shake of his pale mane. His eyes catch the movement from another direction and he turns to see who's coming. At the sight of the mystic, he sends a sensation of greeting though there are no actual words to it. Flashfire sits up slowly, rubbing the back of his neck as he eyes the ravvit hungrily. Oh, he could always just get something else, but he and Stormbrindle seem to enjoy testing each other. This time he starts to move away but a look, growl, and stare from Stormbrindle plants him right where he is again. ** He told me to stay... ** he sends meekly, glancing towards Suntop to wave. Suntop returns the send, taking a seat on the root and kind of watching. But he's not really, as his gaze just misses those in the area. Cutter chuckles at Flashfire's petulant tone and gives a sligh shake of his head, **I don't blame him..** he replies sounding truly amused st the entire situation. ** You're taking his side.. ** Flashfire complains, but he does indeed sit while Stormbrindle dines noisily, keeping an eye trained on his wolfboy. ** Shade, Suntop... ** Cutter makes himself a bit more comfortable against the tree trunk as he gives another shake of his head at Flashfire's predicament. He doesn't grace that send with an answer as he crosses his arms over his chest and watches the wolf eat his prize. It's not long however before his gaze drifts away from wolf and wolfelf, toward the direction of blue mountain and a slight frown furrows his brow. Suntop's brow creases slightly as his nose crinkles at a scent. ** Oh...Shade... ** he manages to send back before blinking. ** I'm sorry, what were we talking about? ** Well, he's trying to be a little more 'there'. Flashfire nearly pouts, offering Stormbrindle a glare of his own, a challenging 'c'mon!' look. Maybe he'd rather tumblerumble than just sit here. ** There wasn't really a topic.. ** he answers, semi-distractedly. Cutter glances down at Suntop with little change in his expression. A quiet question comes from him, "Have either of you caught wind of elves coming from the mountain yet?" Flashfire turns to look at Cutter, the question not registering. "No..I haven't heard a thing." Next thing he knows, he's on his back this time, Stormbrindle having taken up his 'challenge,' letting the ravvit be to pounce and pin. Flashfire yelps! ** Mountain? ** Suntop frowns, ** No...why would anyone come from there? Besides Gliders... ** Cutter's brow draw a bit lower, "Rillwhisper's tribe should have already begun to show themselves by now.. that's why." he says more in a mutter to himself than anything else. Flashfire pushes at Stormbrindle's muzzle..well, he would if the wolf's paws weren't holding his arms down in place. "Get..off me." he murmurs, next attempting to pull his bond aside with his legs. Stormbrindle just slurps his face with his tongue. ** Maybe they're..taking their time.. ** he sends, definitely distracted now. Cutter glances over at Flashfire and shakes his head as one corner of his mouth quirks into a near smile. **Maybe..** is his terse reply before his gaze is drawn back toward the distant peak. Flashfire manages to at least wriggle free enough to scramble away from Stormbrindle, hopping up into a defensive stance in case the wolf decides to pursue him further. Stormbrindle considers it, not yet making any further advances. ** They'll get here. ** he sends. Suntop looks off in the general direction of the mountain, staring for some time, ** It will soon be Whitecold...** he offers in a quiet send. Cutter lets out a sigh and nods though whether it's in response to only one son or both, is difficult to tell, "I hope they make it soon.." is his only comment on the subject. Flashfire and Stormbrindle stand off at high...midnight, would it be? ** Should anyone try to find them? Maybe Strongbow can? ** Then it's on, the wolf and wolfelf becoming a blur as they playfight. Strongbow? Usually something like that would be given to Suntop. But now, with the way he's been acting, it's a miracle he remembers where the Father Tree is. Cutter shakes his head at Flashfire's burst of playfulness as he drops from his perch to land neatly on the ground below. Inwardly he thanks the High Ones that he's finally becoming adjusted to his long limbs. **I'll have to talk to him..** he sends as he starts across the clearing, presumably in search of the archer. Maybe Suntop's troubles have a lot to do with why Flashfire thought of Strongbow first, instead of him. "Rrrrr..!" he growls, the sound mixing in with the same from Stormbrindle as they bite and roll and try to pin each other, the smaller elf's quickness saving him from another, for the moment. He doesn't quite get a response out to Cutter.