From fscem1@merlin.acf-lab.alaska.eduSat Mar 23 21:45:39 1996 Date: Fri, 22 Mar 1996 13:14:53 -0900 (YST) From: Miz Kit To: dewshine@eskimo.com Subject: Rayek/Leetah Log, Ember's Viewpoint Ember sends to the whole tribe ** Father? Mother? Minx? ** Ynderra sends to the whole tribe ** ! EMBER?! ** Leetah locksends ** Kitling!! ** Leetah locksends ** Where are you? <> ** In a send to the whole tribe, Ember blinks a little. ** Ynderra? Hello. I'm home! Meet you in the clearing, all? ** You step off of the path and into the clearing. Lost Holt Clearing In a send to the whole tribe, Ynderra is on watch! Or was! In a send to the whole tribe, Spidersilk's sending is sleepy. Her sends are *always* sleepy when people are newly arrived. ** Nnnf? Chief's daughter? ** Leetah walks over from the Father Tree. Ynderra walks over from the Father Tree. Leetah runs up and holds out her arms to hug her daughter hello. Her smile is radiant joy itself. Ynderra dashes into view, squealing happily. "EMBER!" Ember is skidding to a halt as other tribe members enter; the skid turns into another run as she rushes towards her mother to meet the hug. ** My eyes see with joy!! ** Huntress through and through, Ember is an economy of motion, lithe, whip-slender form lightly muscled under smooth brown skin. Her form is nearly fragile in its slim delicacy, fragility belied by strength of spirit and laughter in steady blue eyes. Her hair, colored like the dying flames she is named for, cascades in a soft riot of tangled curls down her back, a few long strands shagging over her eyes. Her leathers are pale tan, setting off sun-darkened skin, and look as if they'd make a tanner despair: a short tunic leaves her arms, shoulders and midriff bare, and an equally short skirt allows for plenty of leg room for the young chieftess. Red bands encircle her upper arms, each band adorned with a brilliant white feather, matching feathers and soft furs that accent the leathers. Ankle-high boots complete the outfit, and with the exception of the boots, the entire outfit appears to be made of stratigically placed holes. Strapped to her right thigh is a dagger, and in the hollow of her throat rests a delicate wolfshead necklace. Leetah sends openly ** My hands touch with joy!!! ** Cutter walks over from the Father Tree. Ynderra darts up only a beat behind Ember's parents, and happily hugs the prodigal chief's daughter. Leetah laughs and releases Ember long enough for Cutter and Ynderra to get a hug in edgeways. Ember rolls from hugging her mother to hugging her father, still grinning hugely and her sending echoing ** hands touch with joy! ** as she ooofs. The wolfriders would clearly scent both Ekuar and Rayek on her, but that's not on her mind at the moment. Ynderra sniffsniffs at Ember, blinks, but doesn't really recognize the scents in her elation at seeing her friend. She bounces, her black curls bobbing. "Where have you BEEN?! It's been SEASONS! So much has happened, oh, Ember, I'm going to have a CUB!" Cutter hugs tightly, them moves out of the way before Ynderra hugs through him, to get to Ember. No doubt she could do it. Stepping back a few paces, he grins widely, sending, ** High Ones but it's good to see you back again, Ember. We thought ..** And then he's cut off by Ynderra and chuckles, falling quiet to watch with bright eyes. Ember sends openly ** Seasons? One or two turns, maybe ... ? CUB YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A CUB WHAT WHAT WHEN WHO'S THE FATHER DID YOU RECOGNIZE??? ** Leetah wraps an arm around her lifemate, beaming at her daughter. Ynderra nodnodnodnods, making her curls bob even more. Her eyes are very wide and blue. "It was Kai, and it was really scary, but Kai and WindStorm and I are going to talk and oh I hope you can help me raise it cause I don't have the slightest idea oh you're HOME!" She squeals again and snugs Ember hard. Ember squeaks, actually squeaks. ** Kai? Who's Kai? ** She laughs, and tilts her head back in an exuberant howl. "I'm hoooooooooommme!" Ynderra sends an image of a tanned young elf, with black hair and blue eyes, chattering about him being the son of the Willowholter Crystal and a Cat Elf, and how he's been staying here at the Holt, and there's WindStorm too except WindStorm is a Wolfrider, and Ynderra kinda likes them both, and and and and and.... Ember, listening with half an ear to Ynderra's sends, turns to her parents as well. ** And you? How are *you*? I've *missed* you! ** A radiance of red and gold surrounds Leetah, with a glimmer of mischievious green to her lovely eyes. She is light embodied, power tempered with wisdom and compassion flowing through her. A tumble of crimson curls falls around her smilingly copper face and graceful brown shoulders, held barely in check at the top of her head by a golden comb. She walks with a lightness of step, a lightness of heart which has hardly been seen in her in many long turns. She is once again garbed as a wolfrider, leaf-green tunic over lighter green pants, cinched with a thickly embroidered belt. It is a re-affirmation of who she is, life-giver, healer, and lifemate to Cutter, chief of the wolfriders. Cutter grins widely. "Easy, Ynderra, easy, you'll talk her ear off, and none of the rest of us will have a chance to deafen her with all the tales she's missed." He watches a few heartbeats longer, then sends, faintly sternly, ** And who told you you could up and wander off for so long, anyway, cub? ** Ember's sending is automatic. ** I'm not a cub! ** Ynderra eeps, and bobs her head hastily to her chief, and lets him take over his daughter's attention. Ember takes a breath, to begin, and then sort of lets it trail out, uncertainly. "Well, I went to the Palace, you know that..." Cutter nods, "And back again. And then..?" Ember puffs her cheeks out. "Well. I went to check on Rayek." Her bottom lip is chewed upon for a moment. "When I got to the Palace again, he and Ekuar were /gone/." Ynderra blinks, and steps back, startled. Ember's eyebrows dart upwards. "So I followed them," she says, as if it were the most reasonable thing in the world. Ynderra looks wide-eyedly from Ember to her parents and back again. Cutter arches an eyebrow, and glances sidelong at Leetah, before asking, "Followed them -where?-" Leetah listens raptly, glancing at Cutter. Ember tilts her head. "First -- well, first I had to catch up. Harder than I thought; the old rockshaper's quick on that one foot of his. Once I did, I asked if I could come with them. Rayek's not right in his head, and Ekuar's no hunter. We walked north and west, and found a valley in the mountains. I kept them fed while Ekuar tried to sort out Rayek's head." Leetah nods, listening to the words and what lies beneath them. Ember, absently, adds, "I told Suntop I was going with them." Leetah smiles and interjects, "He's here, you know." Cutter muttersends, ** Not right in his head. Is this news? ** It's not -quite- a jibe. Not quite. "A valley. In the mountains. And.. you've been there, all this time?" Leetah squeezes Cutter's arm. Ember purses her lips. "All but the last season or so; we've been traveling here since then. Rayek broke his fool leg." Ember pauses. "Suntop's here?" It's almost a shriek, and her sending is almost audible to the rest of the tribe as she searches for him. Ynderra blinks, then puts in, startled, "Rayek's HERE? And he's hurt?" Instinctively, the younger healer steps forward again, looking past Ember at the same time Ember squeals about her brother. Leetah's brows knit, "Broken leg?" Ember blinks back at the healers. ** Broken leg, ** she agrees, and then grins as Suntop answers. "They're outside the holt. Rayek's all in a fuss." Cutter startles a little at Ember and Ynderra's combined searching. "Suntop's here.. off somewhere. He disappears into the trees from time to time. If Rayek were here, though, we'd already know about it, Ynderra.." Then he looks at Leetah, and nods a little. "Though he'll need you, when he comes in." Leetah nods solemnly. Ynderra ohs soundlessly, belatedly realizing that this, for once, is a time for Leetah to do the healing and not her. She nibbles her lip and scoots to the nearest tree, but continues to listen, captivated. Ember puffs her cheeks out again, and turns to her father. ** I'm sorry I was gone so long, my chief. I never thought to be. ** You locksend ** He is... mmmm. Afraid to see you. ** to Leetah. You sense in a locksend, Leetah mentally sighs. **I wish to see him. There is much to be put right. ** You locksend ** I ... am not sure how much he remembers you, Mother. ** to Leetah. Cutter shakes his head, smiling. ** What's done is done, past is past, and the time you've spent is spent now. It's good to have you home, where you ought to be, and healthy. If Leetah had to heal -you- too, who -knows- what'd happen?" Leetah locksends ** <> ** Startoucher walks over from the Father Tree. DriftStalker lopes in and goes to Startoucher's side. Startoucher walks in, his eyes slightly unfocused, and a happy smile on his face. His bond-cat lopes behind him, looking perturbed. Ember grins. "I'm all in one piece, Father, I promise. Oh, it's good to be home!" She flings herself at Cutter again, for another enormous hug. Leetah chuckles softly. When she sees Startoucher, she smiles. Leetah says "With three healers here, I don't suspect any hurt would last long." Ynderra, standing leaning against a tree, smiles uncertainly to Cutter and Ember and Leetah, then blinkblinks at Startoucher's arrival. And giggles. "Four," she points out. "Kai's a healer too." Leetah laughs again and corrects herself. "Four." Startoucher glances at his friends as he removes his coat and sits down. His eyes glance over each of you without recognition, but his smile is omni-present. He yawns slightly and lays back in some leaves. You locksend ** Rayek? ** to Rayek. Ynderra, regardless, blinks at Startoucher and whispers loudly to the others, "So is he drunk or something?" DriftStalker blinks at his elf as he sits, and flicks his tail in annoyance. He glances at each of you, almost apologetically, and lies down. You sense in a locksend, Rayek answers, quietly, tightly restrained. ** ? ** Startoucher closes his eyes and starts to snooze quietly. Ynderra wrinkles her nose, looking troubled, as she glances at Leetah. You locksend ** There are, it appears, four healers at the holt right now. Leetah, Ynderra, Startoucher -- though he's ... sleeping -- and a lad named Kai. Shall I bring one to you? ** to Rayek. Cutter catches Ember in the hug, and returns it two-fold, but stops to watch Startoucher's entrance, and pulls away from Ember, to continue to watch, in puzzled silence. When the elf falls asleep, Cutter blinks, twice, and then glances at the others gathered here. "Er." Startoucher opens his eyes again, after napping for an entire twenty seconds. He sits up, looks around, and spots Leetah. He smiles happily. ** LEETAH! My Sweetest Friend! What are you doing at WinterHolt? ** Leetah smiles and shrugs to Cutter. Nightfall walks over from the Father Tree. You sense in a locksend, Rayek after a time answers tautly, ** Your.... parents.... know that I am here? ** Ember sends to the whole tribe ** Uh. What's wrong with Startoucher? ** Woodbiter grumbles and heads for the hill. Startoucher looks around. ** And Cutter! Ember! Ynderra! NIGHTfall!!! The whole tri... Whoops... ** he sends, glancing at the trees. ** These are not WinterHolt trees... ** You locksend ** Aye. I've your scent on me, if nothing else, my friend. ** to Rayek. Ynderra sends to the whole tribe ** I don't know... he was fine last I saws him at the Festival of Flood and Flower, seasons ago..... ** Leetah smiles brightly to Nightfall. "Nightfall! Hello!" Ynderra giggles a trifle unsurely to Startoucher and says, "Your'e at Lostholt, silly." Cutter simply continues to watch, inincreasing puzzlement. Ember shrieks and departs from her family at a dead run, rushing Nightfall. ** Nightfall! My hands touch with joy! I'm home! ** Nightfall smiles cheerfuly, walking over to Leetah, "How are you feeling?" Startoucher blushes a bit at Ynderra and grins. ** I did it again. I hate that... ** Startoucher hops to his feet. DriftStalker flicks his tail again. HE thought we were going to the Coldlands... Nightfall gets about halfway to Leetah, gets bwled over by an enthusiastic Ember, then grins and gives hugs her, ** My eyes see with joy! ** Nightfall smiles a greeting to Startoucher as well, hands a bit full. Ynderra considers, and steps over to Leetah, to look up at her earnestly. Leetah meets Ynderra's eyes, brows cocked. Ember lets Nightfall go, grinning. ** High Ones, it's good to be home. ** Leetah glances smilingly at her kit. Startoucher skips over (spry little fart for his age, eh?) and gives Leetah and Ember and Nightfall all hugs. ** It's been... Uhm... A while? ** he sends, almost fuzzily. Nightfall nods, smiling, ** About time for you to come back, too. ** She cocks her head a bit at Startoucher, giving him a hug in return, ** Are you okay? ** Ynderra nods unsurely to leetah, then turns her attention to the visitor. Rayek locksends ** And what do they say to... my prsence? ** Startoucher grins at Cutter too, and gives a wink. ** My eyes see with joy, again, Cutter. ** You locksend ** Mother wants to see you. ** to Rayek. You sense in a locksend, Rayek does not answer, at least for a time. When he finally does, it is in a strangely muted, perhaps even vulnerable tone. ** Should... I enter the Holt? ** You locksend ** Rayek would like to enter the holt, Father. May he? ** to Cutter. Cutter smiles a bit, finally, though it takes some effort to do so. ** As do mine, Startoucher. It's good to see you again. ** You sense in a locksend, Cutter is a bit distracted, so he nods, vaguely. Not really listening, is the wolf-chief. Ynderra leaps lightly over to Startoucher, and smiles at him. "Going north, huh?" You locksend to Rayek, Ember, after a momentary pause, nods. ** The chief says you may, yes. Come. ** Startoucher grins at Cutter and nods. He turns to Ynderra and chuckles. ** I'm not quite sure. ** he sends to her. ** Apparently, right now, I am going to Lost Holt. ** Ynderra points out patiently, "You're _at_ Lostholt, silly." There's a giggle under her voice. Startoucher grins at Ynderra. ** I know... Who knows afterward? ** Startoucher bends down, picks up some leaves, and flings them casually at Ember, to get a bunch in her hair. ** But for now, I'll just stay here and cause trouble. ** he sends happily. Startoucher braces himself for retaliation. Nightfall chuckles softly, "Doing what you do best?" she asks with a mischievous glint. Startoucher giggles and nods to Nightfall. ** Better believe it! ** Ember laughs and ducks, more into the leaves then away from them, and straightens happily, gold and brown leaves decorating coppery hair. Startoucher chuckles. ** Hey, Ember... Lots of those leaves are the same color as your hair! Not quite as soft, though. ** he sends with a grin. He turns to Leetah and winks. ** She's gonna get me, I'm sure of it... ** Leetah beams happily at Ember, and around at everyone. Ynderra giggles, and tosses a few leaves herself. Startoucher grins and ducks leaves. Ember shakes her head. "Later," she promises Startoucher, but her attention is clearly elsewhere. Nightfall tosses Startoucher a quizzical look, then moves over to sit on one of the roots. ** How long are you here for? ** Leetah laughs. DriftStalker sneezes as a leaf drifts over his nose. Leetah locksends ** Where is Rayaek? ** Startoucher looks at Nightfall and ponders. ** Until I leave, most likely. ** He smiles. Rayek steps into the clearing from the east path. Startoucher glances at Rayek as he arrives, and smiles somewhat. Nightfall snorts softly, grinning. She scoops up some leaves at heaves them at Startoucher, ** You state the obvious with ease. ** Leetah smiles delightedly at Rayek. Startoucher akpthblps! as he is covered with leaves. Without more than a slight ripple of magic feeling to herald his arrival, Rayek floats into the clearing, his stance stiff, wary. Ynderra's blue eyes widen, as she is distracted by Rayek's arrival. Cutter can't help but chuckle a little, as the wolf sneezes. The absurdity of the entire thing strikes him all at once, you understand. Until that is, Rayek's scent is carried to his nose, and his eyes are drawn, unerringly, to the airwalker. Then, the chuckle ends and the smile fades from his expression, slowly. Ynderra sends to the whole tribe ** Timmorn's blood! He's got on feathers! ** Nightfall greets Rayek with an glance, Leetah squeezes her lifemate's arm again, reassuringly. Rayek lands, out of arm's reach of anyone, and paling slightly at the number of elves present. His amber gaze goes instantly to Leetah, but his words are directed to Cutter as he says lowly, "Your daughter said I had leave to enter, wolf-chief." Ember glances up at the airwalker, with a nod; that was what she was waiting for. Leetah tilts her head, gazing at Rayek. Startoucher blinks a bit, and his grin fades slightly as he sees the tension. He glances at Nightfall for a second, and then to Driftstalker. Nightfall offers Startoucher a shrug and a slight shake of her head. DriftStalker glances around a bit... Elves... tense elves. Tense at each other. Time for a nap. Cutter straightens up, shoulders thrown back a little, as Rayek, even on the ground, is still taller than he. The faintest dip of his nose is a nod. "You do." Nightfall reaches one hand out, picking up n old, dry stick; her other hand pulls out her knife of it's own volition and starts flicking the blade with short, precise motions against the wood. Rayek's gaze slides sideways, then, perhaps as if he is almost afraid to look Leetah or anyone else in the eye. He begins, more or less in Cutter's direction, "Ekuar and I... thank Ember for assisting us. We will be returning to the Palace and will not burden you long..." Then, again, his regard flicks to Leetah, startledly. Startoucher glances at Ember and chuckles slightly. Ynderra stifles a low giggle, as she studies Rayek's leather-clad frame in frank appreciation. Leetah gazes levelly at Rayek. You locksend to Nightfall, Ember glares, actually glares, at the appearance of your blade. Startoucher locksends ** Maybe he should tell YOU that he thanks you, eh, lovely red one? ** Spidersilk walks over from the Father Tree. Nightfall locksends ** Hunh? What? ** Leetah raises her hand, faint glow touching her fingers. Cutter glances sidelong again at Leetah, and then back to Rayek, giving him another shallow nod. "Stay as long as it takes.." Startoucher smiles as he sees Spidersilk, divorcing his attention from the tension in the clearing. ** Hiya! ** Nightfall glances down at her knife, switches the wood into her knife hand and flicks some shavings off her leg, then goes baack to carving. Nightfall locksends ** ** Spidersilk pads in, sheerly curious. The desert elf is at Lostholt, eh? She studies him, without the least bit of shame in her curious gaze. ** Hmm? Oh. Startoucher ... ** Her eyes don't leave Rayek. Ynderra waves to Spidersilk, and points, surreptitiously, at the red feathers in Rayek's hair. Startoucher quirks an eyebrow and glances back at Rayek. You locksend ** He's uncomfortable enough. This ... puckernuts. ** to Nightfall. You locksend ** No matter. ** to Startoucher. Nightfall locksends ** ** Lean, angular lines and bold shades define the frame and form of this elf. Deep golden-brown skin clearly marks him as one born under a hot Daystar, and is set off against near-waistlength, uncompromisingly straight hair, black as a starless night sky; eyes of a molten shade of amber dominate his aquiline features. He moves with a hunter's sharp, smooth grace, but there is an added fluidity to his motion and stance, making him seem to float even when he is at rest. Pride, too, is always present in his speech, sending, and carriage, suggesting a supreme awareness of any impact he is about to make on his surroundings - and assurance that this impact will be naturally worthy of notice. For those that know this elf personally, his current garb might well strike them as surprisingly crude. He is clad only in roughly tanned breeches, furred boots, and a vest laced about his torso, all in varying shades of undyed brown. His hair is uncharacteristically unbound, and flows freely in a black wave down his back, save for a braid on either side of his face. The braid on the right sports a pair of vivid, bright red feathers. Rayek spends most of his time floating just an inch or two above the ground; whenever he actually lands, he stands slightly awkwardly, as those his leg might be paining him. His expression seems a mix between sullen embarrassment, stoic determination, and for those of extremely alert sensitivity, just a hint of fright. Startoucher locksends ** ** You locksend ** He's not that bad. ** to Nightfall. Nightfall looks thoughtfully at the stick, cleans her blade with a couple of deft flicks against her thigh, and smoothly returns it to it's sheath, keping the stick in her hands to look at it thoughtfully. Rayek stares at Leetah in undisguised shock, then follows her green gaze down to his right leg. Stiffly and mutely, he manages a nod. Startoucher locksends ** Well, _I_ appreciate you, at least. You make places smell better. ** Nightfall locksends ** How bad? ** Spidersilk nods, still absently, at Ynderra. You're right. Rayek has feathers in his hair. And /boy/ does he look grouchy. Startoucher grins a bit at Spidersilk. When does he not? You locksend ** Thank you. ** to Nightfall. Ynderra leaps nimbly up to run over and whisper in Spidersilk's ear. You locksend ** He's -- not what father makes him out to be. ** to Nightfall. You locksend to Startoucher, Ember chuckles softly. ** Thanks. ** Leetah laughs. Spidersilk glances at Ynderra, and grins, with a quick nod. Nightfall locksends ** I didn't realize I had even taken it out, actually. Will you tell me about it... him, later? ** You locksend ** Aye. ** to Nightfall. Ember watches Rayek, and her mother, with regular glances at Cutter, chewing on her lower lip. As if trying to brace himself against a storm, Rayek remains stiff of carriage, but again manages a nod to Leetah. The look he gives her is oddly wary, and frightened. You locksend to Rayek, Ember, rather tentatively, offers a thread of reassurance, not knowing at all how it'll be recieced. Nightfall rubs with herthumb at a section of the stick, tilting her head back to nod a bit to Ember, then glancing around to ascertain just what is going on. Rayek finally steps, awkwardly, to Leetah. Leetah holds out her hands to him. You locksend to Nightfall, Ember's sending is an indicator of her focus on Rayek; it -- the sending -- is fuzzy with lack of concentration. ** He'd forgotten her... ** Cutter steps, in counterpoint, away from her, and to gather up a handful of the scattered leaves from the earlier play. He does not watch as hands are taken, but studies the veins in brown-and-red leaves that oddly reflect Rayek's attire. Nightfall locksends ** Forgotten Leetah? ** Rayek, his gaze lowered as though he has become suddenly fascinated with the leaf-covered ground, nevertheless finds Leetah's hands in his field of vision. He stares at her brown fingers, and his eyes turn liquid. You sense in a locksend, Nightfall notices that you are distracted, and offers to lessen the distraction. You locksend ** Mmmmhmmm. Something's wrong with his head... ** to Nightfall. Nightfall locksends ** There would have to be! ** Ynderra giggles lowly, and just to distract her, throws leaves on Spidersilk. *rustle rustle rustle* Startoucher grins and helps Ynderra bury Spidersilk. Leetah reaches to take Rayek's hands. Rayek risks a look at Cutter's lifemate; something can be seen to have shattered in his wary demeanor, for his expression has turned flabbergasted. Spidersilk bats at the leaves, then chuckles, shaking silvery hair free of them, catching a few to throw back. Startoucher growls playfully at Spidersilk, bracing himself... Nightfall grins lightly, leaning over to scoop up a handful of leaves and toss them onto 'Silk's head. Rayek has frozen, now, as his hands are taken. He remains staring at Leetah, dumbfounded. Spidersilk squints around at the group of elves determined to bury her, and grins. Ynderra squeals delightedly, and throws leaves everywhere. Leetah gazes at Rayek's eyes. Rayek flicks a round-eyed look to Cutter. He supports this? Startoucher giggles and wonders which elf maiden to tackle first. Leetah grasps Rayek's hands firmly, reassuringly. Nightfall chuckles softly, quirking an eyebrow at 'Silk mock-challengingly. Ember, for her part, manages to ignore the romping elves, all but leaning towards Rayek and Leetah, blue eyes half a-fire. Leetah climbs carefully up the hill that overlooks the river. Cutter is not looking, remember? Take whatever answer you will, Rayek, from the fact that he hasn't stopped her yet. Spidersilk crouches, in preparation for being pounced, though now she's watching Cutter. Rayek is led off more than moving of his own accord. Rayek climbs carefully up the hill that overlooks the river. Ember relaxes, and glancs at Cutter. Nightfall looks up at Cutter, then stands up and walks over to him, lightly laying a hand on his shoulder. Cutter starts a bit, then looks over his shoulder to watch Rayek's heels disappear. Once he is gone, he grins a bit, lopsidedly at Nightfall, and then looks past her to Spidersilk, and nods. Nightfall tilts her head a bit, quirking an eyebrow. Ember's shoulders drop a bit, and she lets out a soft sigh, rubbing her face. Then she turns, no direction in particular -- though not towards the hill -- and wanders off.