Log Date: 12/2/95 Log Intro: It's been days snce Strongbow's unfortunate experience with Willowholt's more interesting hallucinogens -- days in which the archer has remained holed up in the Starwillow's guest den, with the Willowholt seeing scarcely a glimpse of him. The tiny wolf-cub his mate Moonshade has brought him, unable to climb into the tree to join the elves, has lingered about the clearing begging treats to eat from the Willowholters -- and Rillwhisper begins to realize that the cub needs more than food. Rillwhisper, too, has been asked to guard Strongbow's bow for him, but keeping the weapon in her care troubles her.... ---------- Rillwhisper leans over to scritch the cub. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub whuffs softly, looking rather well-fed for the moment. Rillwhisper murmurs at the cub, "You know, you should go to your friend, little one." Dawn smiles happily at the Cute Cub. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub bounces a bit, looking a bit bigger, too! Did she just say "food?" No...the cub sits again, thinking, head atilt. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub This is a leggy young wolf cub, with arguably the largest, liquidest, brownest eyes that have ever been seen on any wolf cub born. Her melting lupine gaze meets the world with absolute innocent assurance that anything she meets will either be food, a toy, or a wonderful friend to play with; her pelt is a rich, glossy shade of golden red, impossibly fluffy and soft, and her tail is a cute little plume of fur that is just about constantly wagging. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub is 0 Turns, 3 months, and 4 days old. Rillwhisper scritches the little creature, and asks it measuringly, "Do you want to find Strongbow?" Not expecting a result, she sends a very simple image of the archer at the cub. Dawn smiles at the little cub. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub's eyes go all big at that. She turns her head around to gaze up at the food-provider, wagging a bit into the spring-soft ground. Rillwhisper quirks a golden eyebrow, and tries the wolf-send again. ** ** Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub wags harder at that, tail catching in decayed leaves and wet dirt, standing up to better facilitate wagging. She paws the ground a little and steps backward, then drops her chest to the ground, tail in the air, wagging still, whimpering slightly. From the branch above, Jasmael climbs down from the tree's top branches. From the branch above, Jasmael drops down onto the sentry branch, sitting down there. Rillwhisper murmurs, decisively, "Well then." She offers the cub her hands and arms. "Let's go find him, cub? Find?" From the branch above, Jasmael smiles to herself, watching the scene below. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub springs. Maybe the food-provider will take her up into the tree where her favorite insists on staying again! Rillwhisper giggles a little, and scoops the cub into her arms. "Oof! Getting bigger. Let's go, then..." Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub leaps into your arms! Rillwhisper smiles crookedly, and moves off. [Rillwhisper carries the cub -- and Strongbow's bow -- up to...] You climb up the handholds to the top of the Starwillow. Top of the Starwillow(#5586RL) Green-shadowed and flickeringly lit even in the brightest parts of the day, this hollow among the branches of the Starwillow is surrounded by thick walls of wood that feel as if they have been newly shaped. It's quiet here, and peaceful; there are occasional scents an elf can catch that suggest that this particular willow tree is only sometimes frequented by the elves of the Willowholt. The Daystar shines brightly down on the hazy green willows, waking the forest from its long Whitecold sleep. Obvious exits: Quiet Den Plane Tree Marsh Old Willow Down You release Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub. Rillwhisper places the cub carefully down and lets her sniff the branches. You locksend ** Strongbow? ** to Strongbow. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub sniffsniffsniffs. Ooo, he's _right_ here somewheres! The archer's send returns, quietly, from somewhere deeper than the den. Assenting to no more than affirmation of his identity, he replies, ** Yes. ** You locksend ** I've brought, um, well, someone to see you. Can I come in? ** to Strongbow. You sense in a locksend, Strongbow wordlessly assents, sighing slightly at "someone" other than Rill acoompanying, but he doesn't question it. Rillwhisper gently picks up the cub and carries her through the den hole. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub leaps into your arms! You push aside the leather door-hide and step through into the den. Quiet Den(#115R) A tiny den just large enough for an elf or two, this nook in the Starwillow is softly shadowed, its floor covered with a few thick, soft furs. A single shaped hollow in the wall contains a tiny candle that smells of pine when burning. The Daystar shines brightly down on the hazy green willows, waking the forest from its long Whitecold sleep. Contents: Strongbow Obvious exits: Out You release Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub. Rillwhisper pokes her head in through the doorway, and places a wriggling shape before her. "She missed you," she says softly. Strongbow startles, turning from where he leans, forehead against the den wall, to stare at the cub. ** I'd... ** He fades off. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub bounds forward to tug at the archer's boots, wagging hard enough to shake her whole hind end. Rillwhisper lingers near the doorway, and watches, wistfully, gaze tender. Strongbow bends his knees, dropping in one long line to gather the cub into his arms, seeming not to care at the licking at his face. You sense in a locksend, Strongbow's tone seems weaker, but far closer than it had been a moment ago. ** Thank you... ** Rillwhisper gives a bare hint of a nod, as she watches the ecstatic cub greet her -- she hopes -- bonded elf. You locksend to Strongbow, Rillwhisper sends very gently that you're welcome, and adds, ** I... thought you might be lonely. ** Rillwhisper turns to slip out. Strongbow closes his eyes, burying his face in the ruff of the little wolf, letting his ear be slurped and whuffed into. You sense in a locksend, Strongbow repeats his thanks without the words this time, perhaps an admittance to your thought. Rillwhisper pauses at the entry-hole, and smiles a little, thinking dismayedly, has he been hiding from fresh air and light all this time? Strongbow squeezes the little cub, who, tired of this treatment, starts to wriggle again. Strongbow lets the cub go, looking up a bit flushedly to see the green-eyed chieftess still there. Even so, a slight smile plays across wearied features, glad to know he's been in someone's mind. You locksend ** If you and Moonshade need anything... please... let me know? ** to Strongbow. Strongbow looks around. The tanner is absent; has she been hunting to force her mate to eat? Perhaps. Determining that Moonshade is not there, the archer nods once to you, a lock of hair tumbling forward from where nuzzling against a wolfcub had pushed it aside. ** We will. ** Rillwhisper studies the archer worriedly, noting the lines of his features, privately wondering if he's slept at all. She lifts a hand, for a moment, as if to smooth the tumbled lock, then blushes a bit at herself. Strongbow lowers his chin a bit, reaching out to idly scritch the cub, gently preventing her from chewing too violently on the furs or his leathers. ** We should...be more sociable... ** He seems a bit guilty for his hiding. Rillwhisper frowns a bit, wondering whether her beloved archer-friend is up to being more social. That he's mentioned it himself lightens her heart a little, but still -- this hesistance, this uncertainty, is not like him. How to assure him, without driving him back into hiding? She finally notes, hoping her tone is soothing, ** We'd like that... I'd like that. ** Strongbow nods, noncommittal. He looks down at the cub and notes, changing the subject, ** She doesn't seem to "answer" to anything. ** Rillwhisper glances from elf to cub and back again. Should she stay? He's talking, at least. This is good. As long as he's talking, she'll stay. ** Hmm. Anything come to mind that sounds like it fits her? ** Strongbow smiles slightly. ** Mostly things that fit me. ** He frowns to himself, after that, as if it wasn't quite what he meant to say. Rillwhisper gives a very soft smile, and suggests, ** Perhaps that isn't a bad thing? ** Strongbow chuckles subvocally. ** The one I'd thought of before... ** He looks away from the cub, shadows passing over his eyes. ** I don't know. ** Dawn steps in from the heart of the tree. Dawn has arrived. Dawn peers in.. Rillwhisper notes that shadowed gaze, and starts to reply, when Dawn's face becomes visible at the den door. Strongbow crouches among the furs, scratching a wriggling, fur-chewing cub, thoughtful. Dawn looks uncertainly at her chief, and then the archer.. Dawn locksends ** I..cannot find Moonshade. I thought.. how is he? ** You locksend ** He's talking. At least some. About the cub. ** to Dawn. Dawn slips quietly into the den, kneeling behind Rillwhisper, and looking over her shoulder at Strongbow. Rillwhisper offers, in a fashion meant to imply no haste needed, ** We could help you pick a name, if you're stumped... ** Dawn smiles, tentatively. Strongbow looks back at the cub. ** I wish _she'd_ help me pick. ** He folds his legs, sitting, looking weary and a bit aged. ** She should, ** he sends, sort of at the cub, softly. You locksend to Dawn, Rillwhisper frowns mentally. ** I don't think he's been eating much. Probably not sleeping much, either... ** Dawn says "She's..a pretty cub. And healthy." Rillwhisper wrinkles her nose, and carefully scoots a little closer. ** You've asked her? ** she inquires. ** She heard my send -- she's a sharp one... ** Dawn nods gravely at Rillwhispers back. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub whuffs impatiently at the archer's send and butts her nose into his ankle. Strongbow shrugs slightly. ** She doesn't answer. ** You locksend ** Huh. But I _think_ they're bonded. The cub acts like it... ** to Dawn. Dawn speaks softly. "Perhaps she's hungry.. I could get some meat.." Dawn locksends ** Maybe it just takes a little time. ** You locksend ** Perhaps... ** to Dawn. Strongbow looks up, just now fully realizing someone else's presence. ** ...doesn't seem hungry...for once. ** Strongbow's sending shrinks a little, quieting, and he turns back to the cub, disentangling her teeth from his bot. Rillwhisper glances, very briefly, at Dawn, and then studies Strongbow again, as surreptitiously as she can manage, looking for clues to his inner state in his expression. ** Perhaps she doesn't understand what you want? She certainly understands you, though. She yapped and wagged that little tail of hers, when I asked if she wanted to find you. ** Dawn swallows, and asks as quietly, as if afraid to be too noisy. "Would.. you like some food?" Strongbow looks to Rillwhisper after a quiet moment, and shakes his head. ** Probably just haven't hit it yet. ** Dawn smiles to Strongbow again, more certainly now. Rillwhisper nods, and gently diverts attention to Dawn's last question. ** Are _you_ hungry, archer? ** Strongbow considers that question for far too long. ** Moonshade...has brought food... ** Rillwhisper asks, adding a little firmness under her gentle tone, ** Have you eaten it? ** Rillwhisper oofs a little, and smiles, genuinely, as the cub goes romping across her lap. Strongbow looks past Rillwhisper to Dawn, a slight smile flickering over his face, followed by a slight shadow. Strongbow thinks on that for a while, wincing at the cub's hyperness. ** I think so, ** he offers. Dawn returns Strongbows smile, then giggles as the cub romps all over Rillwhisper. "Romper!" Rillwhisper, once the cub is out of the way, follows Strongbow's gaze to her tribesmate, then back again. She lifts both eyebrows, though, at the response. You locksend ** He _thinks_ so? ** to Dawn. Strongbow quirks a brow at Dawn, then looks at the cub, sending clustering round his head. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub bounces around the den and starts trying to dig into the pile of furs, burrowing most ineffectively. Rillwhisper leans closer to the archer, studying him a little more openly now. ** Strongbow. ** Her sending takes on just a hint of a chiefly command, though still gentled. ** When did you last eat? ** Strongbow shakes his head at the cub, apparently whatever he tried having failed. To Rillwhisper, he sends, an aside, ** Don't know. Belly's quiet. ** Dawn locksends ** I think maybe I will go find some meat for him, in any case.. ** You locksend to Dawn, Rillwhisper sighs. ** Yes... please. If he can't remember when he last ate, I don't want him going hungry. ** Dawn gets lightly to her feet, smiling to her chief. Rillwhisper glances at the archer's lean middle, wishing briefly that she were a healer, and that she could tell with a touch if he needed food regardless of what his head might think. She then looks to Dawn, and smiles solemnly to her. Dawn then smiles to Strongbow, reaching out to *almost* touch him, before withdrawing her hand and slipping out of the den. Dawn steps out through the door-hide into the heart of the tree. Dawn has left. Rillwhisper holds in the sigh she wants to make, contenting herself with keeping it mental, and finally, earnestly, she sends, ** My friend... I'm worried about you. ** Strongbow looks up from the cub, or from whatever he was thinking. ** I... ** He fades off, sending wordless apology. Rillwhisper's green eyes glimmer, anxiously. Whether she intends it or not, it's the same look that in a shared dream a Runnel-that-might-have-been gave a little lad with a hurt hand. ** Do you want me to stay? ** To help? Strongbow reaches out to scratch the cub's tail end as she burrows in the furs. ** For a while, ** he finally sends. Rillwhisper looks a bit relieved, at that, and she settles nearby, back against the den wall. Within touching distance, should that be needed. ** Have you been sleeping alright? ** she asks quietly. Strongbow seems to have to think about that as much as about the food. ** I've...rested, ** he returns, the best he can do. Rillwhisper does not look surprised by that answer -- she does, however, look grieved, as her green eyes darken in concern. ** I owe you apologies, ** she sends lowly. ** I should have told Dawn sooner that you should have been asked first, if she wanted you to share shroomdreams. Whether by burning the shrooms, or just eating them. ** She rests her hands in her lap, but by careful concentration keeps them still, and by equally careful concentration does not look at them, but keeps her gaze on the archer instead. And then she trails off, her sending suggesting that there is more for which she feels she must apologize, but which she doesn't yet offer -- perhaps because of needing to see if you believe this much, first. Strongbow shakes his head. ** She's said as much. ** He shrugs, apparently laying no blame, apparently not even upset. ** It's...just as well. ** Rillwhisper considers this. Alright, then, let's see how he deals with this, she thinks. And sends: ** I can't help but think I should have done something... more. ** Rill pauses, then, and finishes with slight emphasis, intending to leave no doubt about _when_ she means, ** _Then_. When I found you, in the woods with the healers. ** Strongbow turns his head aside, looking at and through the slowly-tiring cub. He is silent, eyes unreadable. Strongbow sends, finally, ** What could you have done? ** Rillwhisper sits forward, disturbed by the tone -- or perhaps lack thereof -- of the reply. ** Shared the burden with you, ** she answers promptly, without hesitation. Rillwhisper adds, ** I'd gladly do that now... if you'd allow me. ** Strongbow looks at you, replying with equal speed, ** No. ** Rillwhisper's brow furrows; her green eyes begin to lose their reserve, becoming translucent with the emotions and determination in her sending. ** You did it for my tribe, Strongbow. Because _I_ asked you for help. And now... ** The hands she'd worked to keep still fret a bit; she lifts one, as if longing to touch her soul-brother and really not sure if she should. ** I feel like it's my fault that you're... hurt. ** Strongbow's eyes narrow slightly, and after a moment he closes them, shaking his head. ** No, ** he repeats, more gently. ** I'll...find my way. ** He seems, by now, resigned to waiting, though for what isn't clear. ** No blame for it. ** He opens his eyes and meets yours, his own gaze clear and deep. Rillwhisper seems in danger of crying, though she isn't, yet. ** You know that I'll help you in any way I can. ** Strongbow sighs ever so slightly, stifling most of it, eyes going full. ** Then don't feel at fault. ** He pats the cub, who has, for the moment, stopped her whirlwind of activities to snooze half-under a fur. ** I...need this. ** He tilts his head, aware that it sounds a bit odd. Rillwhisper points out, implication clear, ** It's not easy to just put out a feeling, like you'd put out a candle. ** She frowns, troubled -- and thinking, slightly jealously and feeling awful for it, that the wolf cub seems to be doing more good than she. Embarrassed, she averts her gaze. Strongbow shakes his head. ** No. You live with it. ** He looks up at you, quiet. Rillwhisper, not even sure of what exactly is happening in the archer's head -- for she hasn't been asked to share it -- looks up again, gaze pleading. She asks: ** If... it gets too much for you to live with alone... promise me you'll accept help? If... not from me, at least... from Moonshade? ** Strongbow is quiet for a moment, gauging you quietly, then sends assent, not quite lockedly. ** Don't let me hurt you...? ** A slight flicker of a smile passes through his eyes before they return to their liquid, sad state. The chieftess's green eyes do glitter with a few tears, then. You locksend to Strongbow, Rillwhisper sends, wordlessly, the conviction that although she's already feeling secondhand pain from the simple knowledge of what must be happening in your heart and soul, she can't help that. She cares about you -- knowing you're in any sort of pain automatically troubles her. But she would gladly take on a share of that pain, if it meant lightening the burden for you. Strongbow inhales and gets to a crouch, slipping over closer to you, sighing softly. That wasn't supposed to happen, grumble. He puts one hand on your hands where they're settled. Rillwhisper turns her fingers around, surprised but not ungrateful for the contact, to claps yours. Her eyelashes dampen at the tears welling near them, and she blinks a bit, but doesn't look away from you. You sense in a locksend, Strongbow sends, incongruously, comfort, with the promise that when he's sorted out what his pain is and why each bit of it is...he'll at least let you see it, though not take it upon yourself. ** Live. ** The meaning, left unsaid, is clearer for the lack of words; if all he's done, if taking a life and living through it, hasn't done anything better than to hurt one of those he'd meant to protect...it was wasted. Strongbow squeezes your hand a bit, silent. Rillwhisper abruptly and fiercely embraces you. Strongbow starts a bit, but after a breath's span, returns the embrace as tightly, stroking your hair just a little You locksend ** Strongbow... I... I hurt _for_ you, not _because_ of you... ** to Strongbow. You sense in a locksend, Strongbow shakes slightly at the send, and, lost as to how to handle that, does his best to comfort you, to explain his sureness that, in time, he'll be all right. Rillwhisper at last lifts her head from your shoulder, somewhat relieved, somewhat assured, though her eyes still glisten wetly. You locksend ** Please don't forget to eat... and sleep. I brought your bow... ** to Strongbow. Strongbow moves his hands to your shoulders, clasping them gently, trying to get a clear look at your eyes. At your send, he chuckles ever so softly. ** Perhaps...I should take it...? ** Rillwhisper's green gaze is liquid, even aside from the tears there. She looks back at you steadily, nevertheless. Strongbow repeats, sans words, the offer, leaving it to you whether you wish to hold to it for now or not, rather certain he won't be using it just now. Rillwhisper sends quietly, ** When you're ready. ** Strongbow nods once. ** Keep it. ** He squeezes your shoulders. Rillwhisper nods silently. Then lifts a hand to cup your cheek with it, for a moment, her gaze promising that she'll guard the bow well. She holds her fingers there an instant longer... then she turns, and slips out. [End log.]