Log by Northwind
Log Mar1803 Northwind Gem.txt
Title: The Way?
Summary: Gem and Northwind, two guests at Lostholt, meet officially for the first time
and learn a bit about each other. Gem finally learns what this 'Way' she's been hearing
about is.

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.

Gem appears from around the back of the tree. She has just returned from a walk, 
her head still full of questions unanswered and new things to consider. She 
looks around the base of the tree and sees another stranger elf, she 
pauses...unsure of herself.

Northwind looks up as Gem appears. ** Ayooah, little one. I am Northwind ** she 
reminds, keeping her tone gentle.

Gem smiles at Northwind. **Me Gem. You live here, too? Me see you before.**

Gem draws an answering smile from the pale one. She had been leaning against the 
Father Tree, whose presence is an odd comfort, and brushing her fingers through 
her hair idly. Now she sits up, folding her arms around her raised knees. ** And 
I you ** she sends, a hint of invitation in her tone.

Gem moves to her preferred root, not too far from where Northwind is standing 
and sits down in front of it, bringing her legs up to her chest. **I stay 
Denning Tree for now. No part tribe, just visitor. Never been round elves 
before.**

** Then we have much in common, Gem ** Northwind leans forward to put her chin 
on her knees, looking at the shy little red head with unaccustomed warmth. ** 
I'm a guest too. Sunrest and I mostly sleep out in the open. And I've never been 
around elves besides my family before this, either ** she says.

Gem's brow furrows slightly. **No remember family too much. Hard pull memory. 
Long time gone.**

Northwind tips her head quizzically, not quite understanding Gem's sending. She 
tries sending images/impressions/emotions instead of words, drawing on flashes 
of her life. A glimpse of her parents, the snow plains where she grew up, nights 
under a sky feeling lost as the trees tower around her...

Gem takes in Northwind's sends, and smiles again. **Me roam about places, too. 
Love forest. Animals. Make me feel happy.**

** That's good, little one ** Northwind says, backing her sending with 
images/emotions - one of which is wistfulness. Northwind is yet to fully grow 
accustomed to this green growing place.

Gem considers the elf for a bit. **You plan stay long time?**

** For a while, I hope. I have much to learn that this tribe can teach. And you? 
Where do you come from? **

Gem tries to remember, then frowns. She has lived in the now for so long and 
lost her family at such a young age that it is near impossible for her to 
remember location. **First remember green. Then cold. Then green again. Then 
cold and white all time.** Gem shakes her head. **Not real sure**

The silvery head tips to one side, amused and bemused at once. ** You've 
traveled quite a bit, haven't you? ** she asks. ** Are -you- staying a while? **

Gem bites at her bottom lip and plays with a braid distractedly for a moment 
before she answers. **Not know. Bad time here. Feel bad if stay too long but so 
want be round elves. No want to just be me anymore.**

Northwind nods. By 'bad time' she guesses that Gem means the famine. ** I know 
how you feel ** she says.

Gem nods to herself **Chief say "welcome", but me not so sure. Make me sad. But, 
I go if have to**

Tough. This shy little blossom has strength in her, the pale one thinks to 
herself. It is all to the good. ** If Strongbow welcomes, stay till he says 
otherwise ** she urges. ** Chiefs know what is best for the tribe and they will 
make their choices by that. It is the Way **

Gem tilts head in curiosity. **I hear that word lots. What exactly /is/ Way?**

Glacial blue eyes widen slightly in astonishment. The Way... ** I only know part 
of it but...shall I share with you, sister? ** she asks, offering a hand to Gem.

Gem nods and hesitantly holds out her own hand, for some reason nervous. **Yes, 
please. I not know. I only know my way. Not what Wolfrider Way is. Want so bad 
to fit in**

Northwind's heart goes out - just a little - to the forlorn, yet oddly cheerful 
little Gem. What is it that your memory holds? she asks silently as she clasps 
her fingers lightly around the redhead's hand. The touch is merely symbolic of 
the closer, tighter sending. ** Let me show you... ** There are no words - or 
too many - to describe the Way. It is the essence of being a Wolfrider. To hunt, 
to howl, to -live- in the -now-. To be tribe, each playing their part, working 
together to function as something greater than the sum of each members' 
abilities. To be pack and to be strong, bonding with the great, faithful wolves. 
To honor their passage - and the passage of other members of the tribe - with 
mournful songs howled to the moons.

Gem takes it all in, her eyes watering slightly. **It's beautiful. I live Now, 
but not like that. It's perfect**

Northwind uncoils her legs and scoots forward to gently brush water from Gem's 
eyes. ** Does that help, sister? There is much for me to learn, but that much I 
-do- know. ** A silent call and Sunrest pads into view. He waits a little ways 
off, as she asks him to.

Gem nods. **Yes. That help. I think...no...I know, I can be part of Way. I want 
to be part of pack. I want to be loved and howled after when gone.**

Now Northwind lets Sunrest come closer. ** Sunrest, wolf-brother ** she 
introduces, wrapping an arm around the wolf's russet neck. She pushes him away 
slightly to pull her hair away from where it pools on the forest floor - wolf-
brother or no, she doesn't want him sitting on her hair!

Gem smiles at the wolf, holding out her hand for him to sniff. **He beautiful. 
Good name. My...** trails off suddenly, remembering something. **I sorry. I must 
go. I forgot something I must do night.** She rises, flinging her braids out of 
her way and smiles. **I much like talking with you. Hope do so soon again**

Bemused at the abrupt departure, Northwind lets Sunrest run at Gem's heels for a 
handful of steps before calling him back to her. ** Ayooah ** she sends after 
the redhead. ** Till next time **