From dgmyth@roundtable.cif.rochester.edu Sun Apr 2 13:09:41 1995 Return-Path: Received: from roundtable.cif.rochester.edu by mail4.netcom.com (8.6.11/Netcom) id NAA07259; Sun, 2 Apr 1995 13:09:40 -0700 Received: (from dgmyth@localhost) by roundtable.cif.rochester.edu (8.6.11/8.6.11) id QAA18185 for dewshine@netcom.com; Sun, 2 Apr 1995 16:12:32 -0400 From: Dixon Message-Id: <199504022012.QAA18185@roundtable.cif.rochester.edu> Subject: Lashpaw To: dewshine@netcom.com (Sh'k'anna Korra'ti) Date: Sun, 2 Apr 1995 16:12:30 -0400 (EDT) X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL23] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 15372 Status: RO [Apologies for a lot of rooms in this log. I'm still not sure just how much repeated room-travel is aesthetically unnecessary; I suspect this is spammy. :) --Strongbow] Clearing by the Old Willow(#123RHJ) This clearing, last among the trees before the land changes slowly to marshes, is dominated by an impossibly massive willow tree. Much of the ancient tree is hidden by its ever-blowing fronds, which veil it and the entire clearing in quiet, green-grey shadows. The air holds a rich mix of scents: water and wood, elf-scent and wolf-scent, earth and the occasional whiff of fire. The fallen log by the tree, the quietly gurgling 'fountain' off to one side, the willow's gnarled roots, and even the soft earth underfoot encourage one to sit and sing or speak or send... or just to watch and listen. The entire area is tinged with a gentle, subtle sense of magic and age, centered upon the giant tree. To the south, the land slopes gently uphill. A path runs from Sun-Goes-Up to Sun-Goes-Down, with the nearby marshes lying off in the former direction and the more secluded parts of the Holt in the latter. Just off to the northeast, past the fountain, is a small pond. Contents: Sunruff NightDancer Sunhowler Hollow log Squirrel Obvious exits: Branch Old Willow Hillside Path Starwillow Copse Marsh Pond Type 'willowhelp' for Willowholt-related commands. NightDancer glances up and nods. Strongbow returns, arrow in hand, ravvit limp on arrow. His face is still, almost stony. He stands in the clearing for a moment, nose lifted, testing the air. He nods and sends wordless greetings to the leatherworker. NightDancer frowns slightly, an eyebrow cresting upwards. ** Everything all right? ** Strongbow nods, eyes softening. ** Yes...now. ** NightDancer looks curious, though he's polite enough not to quite voice the question. Strongbow looks up into the tree, then at the leatherworker, ravvit on arrow still idle in his hand. NightDancer smiles slightly. ** You're sure you're all right, archer? Rillwhisper wouldn't want anything to happen to you. ** A smile plays over the archer's eyes, which go liquid again in response. After a moment, his countenance stills, and he looks up into the old willow. ** Yes...I'm well enough. ** Strongbow looks back at you and nods softly. ** Thank you, ** he offers, and slips up into the branches of the trees. You climb up onto the sentry branch. Sentry Branch(#179RJL) This wide, side branch of the Old Willow overlooks the main clearing of the Holt, as well as the pond just towards Sun-Goes-Up. Less massive than some of its immediate neighbors, this nook in the giant willow tree is well-shaded and shrouded by the ever-blowing willow fronds. But an elf here can see out into the more open portions of the Holt, and even across the pond.... It is a cool Newgreen night, bright stars shining unhindered through the budding branches. Obvious exits: Top Branches Clearing No-fur(NF) Into the Tree Path Type 'willowhelp' for Willowholt-related commands. You climb back down into the willow tree's heart. In the Old Willow(#220RL) In the heart of the trunk of the Old Willow, you are surrounded by smoothly shaped wood, with only the occasional ripple in the surface here and there hinting that this massive tree was shaped from more than one. Handholds spiral along the trunk both up and down, and the light here is soft and shadowed and faintly green. Round crawl-holes lead off here and there into various dens. Above are visible the upper branches of the tree, and off to one side, another hole leading out along an extending branch. Obvious exits: Down Rainfire Guest Den Rillwhisper/Woodhawk/Trollkiller Sentry Branch Up Type 'willowhelp' for Willowholt-related commands. You locksend to Rillwhisper, Strongbow sends wordless completion from nearby, gently, not wishing to wake you should you be asleep. Rillwhisper locksends ** I am here. ** You locksend to Rillwhisper, Strongbow offers soft query, if he may enter your den without disturbing you or others...? You sense in a locksend, Rillwhisper sends back an image; herself alone in the quiet den, curled up on the furs. You push the door-hide aside and crawl through into the den. Chieftess's Den(#124RAJL) This oft-crowded den seems spacious enough to perhaps hold five or six elves easily. Many pillows and blankets are scattered about its floor, some on the large pile of sleepfurs beneath a small window-hole looking out towards Sun-Goes-Down. Here and there along the walls are shaped small candle-nooks, in the shapes of leafy nests; the candles within them shine brightly, in counterpoint to the night's darkness out through the window. Along one wall, a shelf-like ledge is set into the living wood of the tree. You see 1 elves asleep here, and 1 awake. Two crawl-holes are visible here: one leading back out into the heart of the great tree, and one leading off sideways to the guest den frequently used by Rillwhisper, Woodhawk, and Trollkiller. Contents: Rillwhisper Comfortable fur Sleepfurs Obvious exits: Guest Den Out Type 'willowhelp' for Willowholt-related commands. Rillwhisper looks up quietly, sitting up as you enter. Strongbow pads softly in, in one hand an arrow, on the arrow a ravvit, limp. He sets it right by the passage into the inner tree, where it won't stain anything. Then he turns liquid eyes upon you. Rillwhisper scoots over slightly, and holds out a hand to you. Strongbow lets his bow slide off his shoulder and steps softly over to put his hand down to yours. He crouches by you, yet quiet. Rillwhisper studies your face, the set of your shoulders. Her eyes hold inquiry, but she waits patiently; her hand clasps your fingers gently. Strongbow crosses his legs and sits silently, watching your gaze for a time. Finally he sends, softly, ** He was a fine hunter. He was... ** He trails off, words too little to describe the loyalty, friendship, kinship, love, and hunter's bond shared between himself and Lashpaw. Instead he sends those qualities, those emotions, and relaxes a little. Strongbow bows his head, strands of auburn hair drifting slightly over the leather upon his forehead. Rillwhisper just holds your hand, her smaller fingers curled around yours. She smiles a little, gravely. ** I listened, but I did not hear you howl... ** Strongbow looks up, eyes wavering slightly. ** Yes. ** Somehow it wasn't right to hold howl alone, and his agreement to your offer silently states as much. Rillwhisper considers, and at last rises noiselessly. ** Come, ** she invites, gently. Rillwhisper crawls through the door-hide out into the heart of the tree. You crawl through the door-hide and out into the heart of the tree. In the Old Willow(#220RL) In the heart of the trunk of the Old Willow, you are surrounded by smoothly shaped wood, with only the occasional ripple in the surface here and there hinting that this massive tree was shaped from more than one. Handholds spiral along the trunk both up and down, and the light here is soft and shadowed and faintly green. Round crawl-holes lead off here and there into various dens. Above are visible the upper branches of the tree, and off to one side, another hole leading out along an extending branch. Contents: Rillwhisper Obvious exits: Down Rainfire Guest Den Rillwhisper/Woodhawk/Trollkiller Sentry Branch Up Type 'willowhelp' for Willowholt-related commands. Rillwhisper descends into the Gathering Hollow. You descend into the Gathering Hollow. Gathering Hollow This hollow within the Old Willow is a cozy chamber, where visitors to the Holt, as well as the elves of the Holt themselves, can gather when weather forces the tribe indoors. There are an assortment of furs here, and a wooden stool or two upon which to sit. It is a cool Newgreen night, bright stars shining unhindered through the budding branches. Contents: Rillwhisper Obvious exits: Up Out Type 'willowhelp' for Willowholt-related commands. Rillwhisper steps out through the doorway and through the willow fronds. You step out through the doorway and through the willow fronds. Clearing by the Old Willow(#123RHJ) This clearing, last among the trees before the land changes slowly to marshes, is dominated by an impossibly massive willow tree. Much of the ancient tree is hidden by its ever-blowing fronds, which veil it and the entire clearing in quiet, green-grey shadows. The air holds a rich mix of scents: water and wood, elf-scent and wolf-scent, earth and the occasional whiff of fire. The fallen log by the tree, the quietly gurgling 'fountain' off to one side, the willow's gnarled roots, and even the soft earth underfoot encourage one to sit and sing or speak or send... or just to watch and listen. The entire area is tinged with a gentle, subtle sense of magic and age, centered upon the giant tree. To the south, the land slopes gently uphill. A path runs from Sun-Goes-Up to Sun-Goes-Down, with the nearby marshes lying off in the former direction and the more secluded parts of the Holt in the latter. Just off to the northeast, past the fountain, is a small pond. Contents: Rillwhisper Sunruff NightDancer Sunhowler Hollow log Squirrel Obvious exits: Branch Old Willow Hillside Path Starwillow Copse Marsh Pond Type 'willowhelp' for Willowholt-related commands. Rillwhisper emerges from the tree, briefly, with Strongbow a quiet shadow behind her. She nods to NightDancer in passing; her eyes are grave. Rillwhisper slips through the trees up the hill. Strongbow follows Rillwhisper, feet quiet, lacking ravvit and bow now. You slip through the trees and up the hill. Hillside by the Willow Clearing This gently sloping hillside inclines down toward the clearing dominated by the distant, huge, gnarled willow tree, just Hubward. On all other sides, younger and smaller trees provide soft, green-shadowed surroundings, and the air is alive with fresh, clean scents. Set into the hill is a rocky overhang, under which is a wolf-sized cave entrance. Many wolf-prints mark the ground near the rock. To the north and down the hill, you see the main clearing of the Holt; towards Sun-Goes-Up, the Starwillow Copse; and, shielded by cleverly placed young willow saplings, an even tinier copse to the southwest. Contents: Rillwhisper Swiftrunner Nightruff Wolf Den(#110AJe) Obvious exits: Starwillow Copse Tiny Copse Clearing Rillwhisper slips off into the tiny copse. You slip off into the tiny copse. Tiny Copse Between the Willows This miniscule nook between young willow trees is usually deeply shaded during the daytime, and darkly, greenly shadowed at night; what light falls here between the tightly laced branches overhead is ethereal, subtle. The NewGreen has filled this place with soft scents, of new flowers, new leaves. The colors all around are pale shades of green. There is room enough here for just a couple of elves, who can 'hide' in the shadows from unwanted observers, or 'return' into open view.... The one clear way out you see is northeast, back onto the open hillside. Contents: Rillwhisper Obvious exits: Hillside Type 'willowhelp' for Willowholt-related commands. NightDancer locksends ** My sorrows, archer. ** Strongbow pauses in his soft tread behind you for an instant, then moves on, following. His eyes cool and gentle at this place. Rillwhisper turns to you in the shadows under the leaves, and sends quiet assurance that even if the Holt should hear, here, it will not disturb - even the nightsleepers of the Holt have grown used to sleeping through the howling of wolves. You locksend to NightDancer, Strongbow's gratitude requires no words. Strongbow's lips twitch, hinting at a small smile, and he nods. Rillwhisper steps close to you, her hand returning to yours. She tilts her head back slightly, her eyes closing... and she begins to howl. The sound comes huskily out of her, lifting as if with wings into the air. Strongbow looks up into the branches of the willows, silent for a moment into your song, listening. In a moment, though, he closes his eyes and opens his own throat, a deep howl emerging, lightening in tone if not in spirit, echoing into the sky with yours. The sounds intertwine... and across the Holt, the Willowholt pack pricks up its ears, alerted. Strongbow's eyes press tight enough to let loose one drop of emotion, trailing down the archer's cheek and disappearing into the narrow line of facefur along the edge of his jaw. He recovers his breath and looses a continuation of his howl, more throaty this time, from deep within his lungs, full of feeling and not just sound. You sense in a locksend, Rillwhisper touches your mind gently, in support... >From the clearing, a low, soft howl joins yours, rising up to the moons with NightDancer's condolences. Faintly, perhaps from deeper within the tree, come other howls, those of Dawn and the others who still remain in the holt. Quiet and unassuming, the howls offer sympathy and sorrow while allowing the archer his privacy. As voices of wolves join in with acceptance of the perennial meaning of this song - of the Way - Rillwhisper sings with you, her voice still loudest among the strands of harmony that filter through the night air. Strongbow's song deepens, for a moment encompassing the whole of his heart and form in its production, responding to your support. Rillwhisper takes what breaths she needs, to keep the song going, letting your voice guide the howl as you will... till you are ready to be silent once more. Strongbow recovers his voice once more and turns his howl to a deeper note, slowly rising and softening, this song more one of remembrance and gladness for so long a time with such a close wolf-friend than one of mourning. The sound rises and slowly trails off, gentling, and then Strongbow stands, silent, chin lifted, eyes shut, as if captured in the echoes of the howl. Rillwhisper modulates down into softer notes, her voice gentle, supportive, acknowledging. She sends briefly, her own memories of this valiant wolf, very particular memories. And at last, as you drift into silence, she quiets with you. After a long moment, Strongbow lowers his chin and opens his eyes, looking out into the willows, eyes shining. Then he turns to look at you, eyes quieting, jaw relaxed. He sends unworded gratitude, and as he does so, his hand tightens slightly upon yours, briefly. Rillwhisper locksends ** ** You locksend to Rillwhisper, Strongbow's send twines for a moment with yours, his own images of the noble hunter so many turns at his side as part of Way and heart strong. Strongbow looks at you, quiet for a long moment. At last he speaks, neglected voice low in his throat, rasping slightly, almost a whisper. "Thank you." Rillwhisper blinks... and stares at you in wonder, not remembering if she's ever heard you speak before. After a moment, her eyes glimmer, and she nods quietly by way of 'you're welcome'.