What It Be: Strongbow and Woodlock attempt to talk a little sense into Furr and put him in his place. Who Be In It: Strongbow (logger), Woodlock, Furr When It Happened: 3/19/00. I asked Furr how this would fit in with a paused scene we hope to finish Monday, and it seems that this would've gone better before the one on hold. He said Furr was acting more behaved in the other one, so this could serve as a way to explain that. ============= Hill Standing atop the slope, you have an incredible view of the SilverRun river, to the west of the holt and to the Northeast you see the huge branches of the immense father tree in the distance, reaching upward to the sky.. The land here rises softly in a gentle slope, then drops off steeply to the river bank which hems in the western side of the holt. The land around you is covered over with brown and drying grass, dotted here and there with colorful stray leaves from the neighboring trees. It is a cool autumn morning. The father tree is quiet as elves and wolves alike seek to their dens. Contents: Woodlock Furr Obvious exits: Clearing River Bank Along the River Bank ** ...still don't trust that one, Woodlock. ** comes a muted send only Woodlock can pick up at the moment, from Strongbow. The two are on their way to the hill, the archer carrying his bow in one hand like he usually does. Woodlock walks up the hills at Strongbow's side, nodding his agreement to Strongbow's send. He replies as softly, but prefers speech. "Not right in the head. Skywise doesn't seem to believe his story, either." Furr is sitting upon a treebranch several feet in the air. If one is keen of eye they will see his feet dangling from the foliage. Oh, Strongbow's certainly keeping an eye out for Furr. One never knows whether that one will try jumping someone else or not, and the archer's just looking for an excuse to come down on him. ** He seems to believe what he claims. ** Strongbow notes, eyes narrowing faintly as the pair of feet are spotted. Woodlock gives a faint shrug, and taps the side of his head meaningfully. He notices the feet too, or perhaps the accompanying scent, and slows down. You locksend ** Wonder whose demise he's plotting now. <> ** to Woodlock. Woodlock locksends ** His ire did seem mostly directed against Cutter. He'll need to improve his stalking skill for that. And the fighting ones, for that matter. ** Furr watches the pair of elves from above but makes no movement to contact them. You locksend to Woodlock, Strongbow hmphs. ** Mantricker would be ashamed of that one. ** You sense in a locksend, Woodlock is thoughtfully silent for a moment. ** Perhaps he was. If his story is true, he might already be an outcast. ** Apparently, conversing with Furr isn't on the archer's mind, either. Strongbow makes to walk past the tree Furr sits in, though a smidgen of attention is kept on the elf, because you never know. You locksend to Woodlock, Strongbow pauses. ** What part of the story was that? ** Woodlock walks along with Strongbow, apparently not paying the tree or occupant any attention. Woodlock locksends ** About being in Mantrickers tribe. We did not actually... discuss the details of how he ended up here, but it does seem to follow that he must either have been thrown out, or gone missing without anybody searching for him. ** Furr leans over the branch slightly as he pushes off landing in front of the two elves before they pass him by, "Heyla" You locksend to Woodlock, Strongbow considers this. ** Has he told how so much time was lost? ** Woodlock locksends ** He was too busy telling me what false wolfriders we all are. << Annoyance.>> ** Woodlock stops, watching Furr calmly. "I see you've dried up. And returned." Furr nods slowly, "I have been here...since yesterday" Strongbow stops short of Furr, fingers clenching a bit tighter on his bow. ** What do you want this time? ** he sends, glancing to Woodlock beside him. Not quite, but he nearly half-grins. You locksend to Woodlock, Strongbow hardly even bothers with that one, past an effective 'snort'. ** He knows nothing of us. ** Woodlock locksends ** ** Furr blinks, "Want? I don't want anything. I was just offering a greeting Woodlock folds his arms over his chest. "You challenged. You lost. Are you here to show throat, or repeat the challenge?" ** Thought you wanted to see our chief dead, given your scratches in the dirt. ** Strongbow peers, arms matching Woodlock's, over the chest. At his companion's question, he awaits whatever answer is forthcoming, deciding to hold off on anything else until then. Furr digs his boot into the dirt creating a little mound of sand over his shoe, "I am here am I not and I have not attacked you soo..." Woodlock tilts his head a little. "Yes?" Though still apparently calm, he doesn't seem about to make this any easier than it has to be. Woodlock locksends ** Seems that little bath helped, after all. ** Strongbow glances sidelong at Woodlock, nodding to a send. Then his gaze returns to Furr, arms still folded. ** I trust that means no more challenges. ** he begins, watching Furr intently. ** Let's get one thing straight. What's in the past is in the past. It means nothing. This might have been your home in the past, but it's ours now. If you expect to stay here, you will follow our rules, our ways. Challenge them, and you will not stay long. ** Furr continues to dig his boot into the sand as he's reprimanded by both elves. He nods affirmatively to Strongbow his eyes staring at the ground, "I understand your rules" Woodlock exchanges a glance with Strongbow, then gives Furr a faint nod. "Understanding is a good beginning. Acting upon your understanding will make things easier for all." What's past is indeed past, and he does not seem inclined to pursue the matter further. ** Indeed. ** the archer agrees, nodding along with Woodlock. ** All the understanding in the world doesn't mean a thing if you don't act on what you know. ** He shifts his stance, picking at his bowstring, tossing glances Furr's way every few seconds. ** You don't have much trust from us, yet. Prove you deserve it, you'll get it. ** Furr moves to change the conversation, "Where were the two of you headed?" Woodlock eyes Furr, then tells him. "Seems we'll be making another trip to the river." Strongbow allows Woodlock's answer to serve for his own, regarding Furr's dodgy question. ** Now, then. Do you plan to actually act on what you know, or otherwise? Your choice. ** And punishment, too, depending. Furr says "I plan to act of course" You locksend ** <> ** to Woodlock. Woodlock locksends ** His way is definitely odd. And he calls us five-fingers! Only they would be so unable to show clearly what they mean. ** Woodlock watches Furr, narrowing his eyes slightly as he sends to the stranger alone. You locksend to Woodlock, Strongbow scoffs. ** Haven't gotten a straight answer from him yet. ** Strongbow's upper lip curls slightly at Furr. ** Answer the question better. You know our ways. Do you agree to abide by them? Tell us now and save us all the trouble if the answer is no. ** Furr looks at both of you frustration upon his face, ** I have answered you, what more do you want? I told you I understand your rules and will do as you want. Must I allow you to place your teeth upon my neck for you to be happy??!!" he tilts his head back and runs his hand over his neck, "Go on then! Do it if it'll bring peace to your minds!" Woodlock unfolds his arms, stepping closer to Furr. Rather than accepting Furr's... invitation, he places a hand against the other elf's chest, and shoves. [OOC] Strongbow says, "Question - are you going to fall, Furr? If so, I'd like to work that into my pose." [OOC] Furr says, "Well Furr wouldn't be expecting that so he'd fall" [OOC] Strongbow says, "Okay" Strongbow growls, having half a mind to smack some sense into Furr, the same as Bearclaw occasionally did to him in his younger days. ** You said you understood our rules and ways and that you'd act on them. You did not say which way. ** Usually one of the easier ones to anger of the Lostholt, he remains calm in the wake of Furr's outburst, finding it more amusing in a sad way than anything else. But as Woodlock gives Furr a shove, the archer springs into action, to use the curve of his bow against Furr's throat. Not hard, but enough to put a little pressure on the windpipe and let Furr know he means business. The intent scowl on his face may help. ** Listen, and listen good. You want to stay here, you'll know your place and accept it. I don't know why you left Mantricker's tribe. I don't know what you did then, and I care about neither. I will not have you badgering -this- tribe with your insults, barbs, and threats. Are. We. Clear? ** Furr is rather startled by the shove and even more startled by the bow upon his throat he struggles a bit to relieve the pressure as he manages a nod to Strongbow's question. Woodlock steps back again, as Strongbow has things well in hand. He has learned to distrust the intentions of strangers, but still prefers to keep the peace when he can. A surrender that is cloaked as a challenge doesn't impress him, but Furr seems properly subdued, now. Strongbow's eyes narrow, seeking Furr's own. It's the look of a challenge. Meet them and accept it, or avoid them and do the equivalent of truly showing throat. ** Send it. Don't nod it. ** Furr gacks as he tries to pry the bow from his throat, droplets of tears forming at the corners of his eyes. Why is this elf doing this to him! How could they be so cruel these new Wolfriders will they beat him till he has no thoughts of his own, finally in desperation he sends ** I understand!! ** Woodlock tenses slightly at that reply. A wolf that shows throat does it fully and honestly, there are no mixed signals of anger and defiance. His fingers flex in instinctive response, but he does not interfere. Strongbow only presses down a little harder as Furr tries to get out from beneath the bow. But no - there are no beatings to make anyone behave a certain way. That is not their way. As Furr finally does send that he is clear on things, Strongbow's off him at the blink of an eye, the pressure and bow gone. This, in spite of those mixed signals Furr sends. ** Good. Remember, don't bite and you won't get bitten. If you don't like our ways and don't want to adhere to them, leave. Leave now, in fact. Find another place to stay. If you want to stay here, you'll follow -our- ways, -our- chief. ** Then he does something that is, perhaps, unexpected - he offers Furr a hand to help him up, holding it out for him. ** Or, we can do this again another time. Your choice. ** This time, he tries to give Furr the benefit of the doubt. If the visitor doesn't plan on behaving, he will be dealt with again. Furr chokewheezes as he sits up his hand reaching for his now sore throat. He eyes the hand being offered to him warily as his eyes trail to take in what Woodlock is currently doing. He wouldn't be surprised if this other elf decided to take a turn at beating him when he takes said offered hand. For several long moments he thinks knowing that if he doesn't take this offered hand it will in these elves minds surely be another defiance of their laws. Shakily he reaches out his other paw to take Strongbow's hand. Woodlock watches Furr carefully. But as Strongbow's choice seems to give the desired response he relaxes again. He looks away from the other elves, towards the river. Woodlock locksends ** I'll meet you at the river. ** Of course, Strongbow doesn't sucker Furr in to do anything else. He assists Furr to his feet, then lets go. ** You might want to wash up. I think you know the way to the river. ** Turning away, he goes to follow Woodlock. You locksend ** Aye. ** to Woodlock. Woodlock scrambles down the steep hill. Woodlock has left. You scramble down the steep hill.