Log Date: 11/28 - 11/29/95 Log Notes: This log is spliced together from logs taken by Rillwhisper and Strongbow. Scenes which contain Rillwhisper are from her point of view, and sendings which were not directed at her have been tweaked appropriately to reflect this. Log Intro: It's a quiet winter's day in the Willowholt; Rillwhisper's curled peacefully up with Trollkiller asleep in their den, while Woodhawk emerges from the Old Willow to begin his watch around the Holt. The Holt is primarily asleep, including the Holt visitors Strongbow and Moonshade, who have brought with them a baby wolf cub which Moonshade and Rillwhisper both hope will bond with the archer, though this hasn't quite properly happened yet. As Woodhawk emerges, he finds a few of the other Holtfolk about.... ---------- Clearing by the Old Willow(#123RHJa) Contents: Dawn Facelicker TailBiter Littlefang Winterdawn Obvious exits: Branch Old Willow Hillside Path Starwillow Copse Marsh Pond Dawn looks all frozen and shivery! Woodhawk stretches, as he emerges from the tree for his watch, and he scans the clearing lightly. "Dawn," he greets, rubbing sleep out of his eyes. From the branch above, Duskshadow swings down off the branch to the clearing below. Duskshadow drops down from the branch above. Duskshadow has arrived. Woodhawk looks up, and adds, grinning, "Duskshadow." Duskshadow smiles. ** Heyla, cousins ** You say "Holt's quiet?" Dawn brrs, running over to Woodhawk. ** Quiet.. and cold! ** Dawn sort of leans against Woodhawk, and asks nicely. ** Fire? ** Duskshadow nods in agreement. Woodhawk ehs? And chuckles. "You could be curled up in your den, you know." Joy has connected. Woodhawk blinks and smiles to Joy. Quite a few of the Holt around. "Well. Fire, huh?" He pats Dawn's shoulder and squints at the fire-pit, which got snowed in the night before. "Kinda wet..." Dawn giggles, and tells Woodhawk. ** Fire is more fun! ** Woodhawk kneels and inspects the ashes of the last little campfire he made, thoughtfully. "Aye, wet. I'll need dry tinder to burn if you want a fire..." Woodhawk as he speaks regards the ashes lightly, warmly; his hand begins to glow, sending out tendrils of warmth and heat into the wet ashes, trying to persuade them to dry out. Dawn muses. ** More dry wood elsewhere.. where the forest is thicker. ** Woodhawk hmms? "Well, do you want the fire here, or what? I've got to go on watch..." Joy decides this is taking too long and goes to warm herself in No-fur's den. Joy climbs up onto the overhanging sentry branch. Joy has left. From the branch above, Joy climbs up from the clearing below. From the branch above, Joy vanishes into No-fur's den. Duskshadow hugs Dawn and Woodhawk, and whistles for 'heera, as she heads off to her den. Kraheera has arrived. Kraheera bounds in and rubs against Dusky's legs. Woodhawk smiles to Duskshadow, and looks expectantly at Dawn? "Fire here, lass?" Duskshadow slips down the path around the Old Willow. Duskshadow has left. Dawn aws.. Dawn ers. Dawn sends openly ** Here will be fine, then... ** Kraheera flexes her claws and stretches, then bounds off suddenly. Kraheera has left. Woodhawk nods and returns to coaxing the flame. "Get me soemthing dry to burn?" Dawn ohs, and dashes off to look for dry things. Hm. Wait. Dry..dried.. now where did I put that stash.. Dawn disappears between the trees, giggling softly to herself. No Rillwhisper around, they won't find out! Woodhawk works at the fire, and eventually, the ashes start to steam for him. Dawn brings Woodhawk a small bundle of twigs and sticks and leaves and..stuff. All nicely dry. Woodhawk's glowing hands eventually coax an answering spark in the ashes, and he says absently to Dawn when he sees her return out of the corner of his eye, "Got something?" Dawn nods gravely, and starts feeding little twigs to the fire. Keeping an eye on Woodhawk from the corner of her eye. Woodhawk lingers, and studies the fire a few moments, until some of the twigs begin to catch. "You remember how to do this, aye?" Woodhawk starts to rise. "I do need to get on watch." Dawn dumps the rest of her (mixed) load onto the fire. Nearly strangling it. "Oops!" Woodhawk half-grins, and gives the load another touch and a bright yellow stare. A few moments: then, a flame *poofs* into life, beginning to consume the tinder in the pit. Woodhawk stands, then, and promises, "Send if you need it stoked. I'm going out to keep watch at the itchgrass circle." Woodhawk strides off, upwind. [As Woodhawk heads off for his usual patrol, Dawn pouts to herself. The firestarter is gone -- with whom can she share this lovely fire? Who looks like Woodhawk? And where IS he....? A sudden delicious idea in mind, she goes off searching....] Dawn slips into the nearby copse of saplings. Dawn emerges from the nearby copse. Strongbow emerges from the nearby copse. Strongbow slips out into the fire's light, flames reflecting in his eyes as well as in those of the squirming cub he releases. Strongbow releases Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub bounds over toward the other elf, playfully yapping and snapping at sleeping wolves at the clearing's edge. One of the wolves slits open a narrow eye, and yrfs at the cub. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub bounces through firemelted snow, getting her paws quite wet, away from the yrfing wolf to Dawn's side. As she looks up at the elf, big-eyed, the archer slips up to stand, quiet, near the fire, next to Dawn. He sends quiet greeting, traced with comfort. Dawn kneels by the tiny fire, which seems to be burning with a rather odd color. Colors. Dawn blinks up at the cub, smiling and ruffling her, then she looks up at Strongbow.. Strongbow's nose twitches slightly, looking at the fire, imagining from its shades whose work it is. He looks at Dawn again, and slowly sits, folding his legs. Dawn watches Strongbow, and smiles slowly. As he sits, she scoots a little closer, and sends. ** First, you looked like Woodhawk. But you're not. Isn't the fire pretty? ** Strongbow nods once to not being Woodhawk, and again to the fire being pretty. ** You're all right? ** Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub bounds around the elf maid to her favorite and scratches at his folded legs through the boot leather, as if trying to dig. Dawn smiles dreamily. ** Sometimes, it feels like flying. ** Dawn leans closer to the fire, watching it intendly. ** Can you see? ** Dawn locksends to Strongbow. ** If I look close enough, I can see them. ** Strongbow looks at Dawn, one brow raised, and then into the fire. ** I see...flames. ** He looks away, unwilling to delve into any memories he might actually see in the flickering light, should he look too long, or think too long. He concerns himself, instead, with disentangling cub-sharp teeth from his leathers. Dawn whispersends. ** But look..can't you see it? ** She leans closer to the fire, almost too close. A greentinged flame flickers nearly against her. Strongbow pulls a bit back, but does look again, letting the disentangled cub free. ** It's bright. If you stare long enough, I'm sure you could see things. ** He puts out a hand to gently touch the other elf's shoulder, then pulls it away, as if to prevent her from getting too close to that green flame, or any other. His nose twitches, and he rubs it, absently. Dawn giggles softly, looking brighteyedly up at Strongbow at the touch. ** ** Strongbow turns his head aside to look at the other elf, seeing through Dawn's sending, though determinedly not through his own eyes. He shakes his head, as if to clear it. ** He's done something odd to this one, ** he sends quietly, a bit uncertain, meaning the fire and its maker. Dawn watches Strongbow's eyes dreamily, and reaches out to touch his face lightly. ** Woodhawk is nice. He can make fires that . ** She giggles softly. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub wanders around the fire, sniffing at its smoke and, after a few sniffs, sneezing. Deciding better of it, she bounds over to pounce on the tail of some sleeping wolf The wolf in question, Crystal's Winterdawn, wffss sleepily and triest to curl up more snugly under the root she's chosen as a shelter from the snow. Strongbow wrinkles his nose, raising a brow again at the dizzy...dizzyingly close Dawn. He leans back a bit, sending blankness. Strongbow offers, cleverly, ** I can't do that... ** Dawn leans right back after Strongbow, keeping the distance. ** Then it's all fine, cause you can't burn down the holt. ** She giggles, and sneezes at a random gust of smoke from the fire. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub walks away from the sleepy wolf, disappointed, only to be thwapped by some other tail she'd aggravated in the meanwhile. Oh! A toy! She jumps at THAT tail, instead. Strongbow inhales as Dawn leans back into him, then sputters in the smoke, coughing a bit, trying to swallow it. ** Burn down the... ** He fades off and drops a hand from his knee to the snow behind him, fast, as if to keep himself from falling. Dawn giggles again, and leans right against the comfortable looking Strongbow! Balance, who needs balance? And this snow is so nice and soft... Strongbow, after a moment, decides that worked pretty well and puts his other hand down behind him, blinking repeatedly. However, he wasn't expecting Dawn's weight, and as she leans into him, he falls back into the snow, ploof. Dawn sends fuzzily. ** Rillwhisper got all mad about Woodhawk and the burning and you're not so it's fine. ** Strongbow shakes his head, looking up into the smoke wafting overhead, through that into the trees. ** Rillwhisper all mad...? ** He tries to equate that with this holt-burning thing she'd mentioned before, and struggles a bit to try to sit up. Strongbow's eyes unfocus and refocus. ** Angry...Woodhawk...fire. Holt burning. ** He looks into the flames, or through them, at the trees behind, woozing sideways slightly. Dawn snuggles comfortably up. Quite coincidentally keeping Strongbow pinned. With another soft giggle, she whispers against his ear. "Promised I wouldn't do it to Woodhawk again. But you're not." Is it her send, or yours, or is the clearing..rippling, as a reflection in water? Strongbow stays pinned, leaning back again, into the snow, trying to move his eyes with the rippling so that the motion will stop. ** Promised Woodhawk...? ** The elf maid's words are even more confusing than her sends. Didn't she say something about the green-eyed chieftess being angry? Something about the holt burning? Dawn's presence seems less important, as the disorientation grows. The images dance now, free of the fire.. elves and wolves, perhaps..flickering and burning. The trees, tinged with red. Strongbow stares through smoke into flickering trees. He sends, faintly, trying to get a grasp on what was being said, but soon believes clearly enough in nothing being said. His eyes focus again, clearly, on willow limbs along the edges of the clearing and branching out overhead, flames weeping down the bark. He pushes at Dawn, as if to get her off of him...to get something off of him. Someone to pick up and carry away...fallen burning limb, trapped underneath...uncertain. He sends, blurrily, for what he remembers, mind racing for someone to call to. Moonshade! And the chieftess...she has to know...he sends, rolling away from Dawn into the snow and up onto hands and knees, heaving, weaving a bit too. Dawn oofs, shaking her head a bit dazedly. She sits up, looking confused. ** What..? ** Strongbow struggles to his feet, silence clustered about his head with his sending to elves that aren't there to hear, as well as a select few that are. He wobbles, taking a step one way, then the other. He sees the wolves and sends, loudly, ** Move! Fire! ** Dawn tries to get up, and loses her balance. An alarmed look finally dawns on her rather befuddled face. ** Oh... Come back! ** Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub starts and stares at her favorite. Wow, he's gotten weird allovasudden. She bounds off to yap at the other wolves. A few lupine heads raise, sleepily, at Strongbow's sudden urgent movements. What? Dawn staggers over to the nearest willow, leaning against it. *something* that isn't moving, at least.. Strongbow turns sharply, slipping a bit in the snow. Who he sees in Dawn's place, whether it be Dawn or someone else, is uncertain, but his orders are clear enough. ** Get them! Go! ** His sending crackles, and in it is flame, spread anywhere and everywhere, wild. Dawn scrambles away. Dawn slips through the trees up the hill. Strongbow pushes aside the willow fronds and steps into the tree. [And in the meantime, Rillwhisper is wakened from her sleep....] The fuzziest, vaguest shadow of a send reaches you, concerned. It might even be archerlike...more than concerned. It fades as fast as it came, as if it never were. You locksend to Strongbow, Rillwhisper sleeps, and, sleeping, frowns vaguely to herself at the fleeting sending. Eh? Strongbow? Dawn locksends ** Rillwhisper..the fire..Strongbow! ** You locksend ** What? What about Strongbow? ** to Dawn. Dawn locksends ** I.. fire.. He thinks it's real. Please, hurry. ** You sense in a locksend to Strongbow, Rillwhisper: Dawn has this sudden realization penetrating her fogged mind. Rillwhisper will be ! She decides it's time to hide.. You crawl through the door-hide and out into the heart of the tree. In the Old Willow(#220RL) Obvious exits: Out Rainfire Rillwhisper/Woodhawk/Trollkiller Guest Den Sentry Branch Up You locksend ** Archer? Talk to me, archer, what's wrong? ** to Strongbow. You step out through the doorway and through the willow fronds. Clearing by the Old Willow(#123RHJ) Contents: Strongbow Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub Facelicker TailBiter Littlefang Winterdawn Obvious exits: Branch Old Willow Hillside Path Starwillow Copse Marsh Pond Strongbow, in the midst of running southward now, sort of staggers at a send, returning it. Rillwhisper comes dashing out of the tree, and skids to a halt at the high stench in the clearing. "Wha... oh, High Ones...!" You sense in a locksend, Strongbow's mind shows only flames, trees flickering in their consuming dance, urgency to RUN, fight its source later, save cubs... Rillwhisper takes one look at the fire and gets something of an idea of what's happening. What in the world was somebody burning? She starts grabbing handfuls of snow and throwing them into the flames, making them hiss and spark. Rillwhisper yells, "Strongbow, stop! Wait!" Strongbow starts at the sound and whirls around. His eyes blur, and widen, and focus again. ** Find... ** Why does she have a knot in her hair? No...wrong time...different... He sends urgency and runs on, intending to scare out the whole holt. Strongbow slips through the trees up the hill. Strongbow has left. Rillwhisper sends to the whole tribe ** Tribe -- something wrong with Strongbow, who was burning things in the fire-pit? ** Hillside by the Willow Clearing Contents: Sunruff(#39aes) Nightruff Ashes Wolf Den(#110AJe) Obvious exits: Starwillow Copse Tiny Copse Clearing You locksend ** Archer! Strongbow! It's Rill! Wait! ** to Strongbow. Woodhawk sends to the whole tribe ** What?! I started a fire for Dawn... ** You sense in a locksend, Strongbow races through the willows, looking for tribesmates...nothing but the flames. ** Get the others! Are they out? ** It's almost as if he's not addressing you, though it's Rillwhisper the send makes it to. A moment later, it's most certainly Rillwhisper the archer intends to reach. ** Sweetleaf! He has to be out of the trees...burn him too... ** he fades back into semi-coherence. Zalen sends to the whole tribe ** What fire? What elves? ** Rillwhisper sends to the whole tribe ** Curse it! What was she -- never mind. Look for Strongbow! She's made him dream something about fire and it's scared the boots off him -- he's not answering my sends! ** You locksend ** Strongbow, listen to me! Listen! There is no fire! Come back! ** to Strongbow. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub comes up the hill from the nearby clearing. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub has arrived. Zalen comes up the hill from the nearby clearing. Zalen has arrived. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub runs out, panting, grinning, waiting to follow the others in the next step of this fun game. Rillwhisper stands, fist clenches, sending frantically. Zalen says "Dawn did what?" Rillwhisper pants breathlessly, "He ran *hff* this way -- hairballs!" At Zalen's arrival, she whirls, and loosk up at him anxiously. "I think Dawn was burning shrooms, I smelled something funny in the fire-pit in the clearing, but it must have gotten to Strongbow!" Zalen frowns. "Why would she?" Zalen steps lightly on the balls of his feet, moving closer. You sense in a locksend, Strongbow's returned send is at first as if at someone else, clearly showing the clearing quite aflame. How did it sneak up on him? How did he not smell it being set? Can't have been humans, then...he fades out of reach only to come back stronger, aiming for Rillwhisper-chieftess now, not some long-gone tribesmate. ** It's coming! Get out! Where are the cubs?! ** He frantically searches the shoreline, the hillside, looks out across the pond, fire hot on his back, approaching the itchgrass. Rillwhisper shoves a hand through her hair, catching her breath, and wails, "Ah, curse it, I don't know, maybe because he looks like Woodhawk?" She snaps her gaze up, and frowns into the air. "There he goes again..." Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub bounds through the snow. Oh, this is fun! But why aren't these elves playing chase and fear too? She yaps at them. You locksend to Strongbow, Rillwhisper seeks you urgently, trying to get a directional bearing from her position by the wolf den on the hill. Zalen looks even more confused, shaking his head. In a sudden send, the archer stops his frantic search, heart going cold into his belly. His tone turns from panic to dead shock. If the chieftess for some reason can't follow...trapped... Dawn is hiding in a..tree. Really. Watching without being seen. Rillwhisper stands, fists both clenched, scanning her surroundings anxiously. She sends, and the force of it hangs about her palpably. You locksend ** Archer! _Where are you_? ** to Strongbow. You sense in a locksend, Strongbow's sending blurs as he puts the pond to his back, facing the flames once more, drying and hot to his face. ** Others! Are there others with you? ** His tone is white panic, suddenly aware of some other mind in the holt within his head. You locksend ** Moonshade! Are you awake? Strongbow needs you! Help me! ** to Moonshade. Rillwhisper swears softly and runs off. You head down the hill, and into the clearing. Clearing by the Old Willow(#123RHJ) Contents: Moonshade Facelicker Pwyll TailBiter Littlefang Winterdawn Obvious exits: Branch Old Willow Hillside Path Starwillow Copse Marsh Pond Rillwhisper comes bolting down the hill, and she calls the other elves here, "Anybody seen him? He has to be around here somewhere!" Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub comes down out of the trees on the hillside. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub has arrived. Pwyll turns 'round and shakes his head a little. "I've been looking, chieftess.. not caught him yet." Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub bounds after the chieftess, yapping at her heels. Rillwhisper flashes Moonshade a briefly relieved but still anxious glance, and hastens to the tanner. She sighs heavily. "Timmorn's _Blood_, I should have kept an eye out for that... Moonshade, Strongbow's having visions." She thrusts a finger at the dead fire-pit, which still stinks of something -- strange. "I think Dawn burned mushrooms in that, and the smoke made him dream. We have to find him!" You sense in a locksend, Strongbow now tries to get a grasp on _your_ whereabouts, hoping to come after you, rescue you...suddenly, with the tone of chill fear, ** Where's Woodhawk? ** Rillwhisper, with that, freezes, her attention diverting. Moonshade says "I haven't seen him anywhere. He keeps sending to me.. but all I get are images of fire.. and confusion." Moonshade says "It doesn't seem like he is HERE at all." You locksend ** I'm in the clearing, Strongbow. Can you come to me? ** to Strongbow. Moonshade locksends ** Soulmate where ARE you? We can't help if we can't get to you!!! ** to Strongbow. To Moonshade, as if on cue, the archer sends, frantic. ** Out of the holt! Have you seen Woodhawk? Rillwhisper? ** He fades, flames over his face, drying and hot to his skin, tangling through the far edges of the holt, desperately seeking something lost. ** Stay out of the Holt! That's what he wants to burn! ** Moonshade locksends ** STRONGBOW!!!!! ** to Strongbow. Rillwhisper locksends ** Archer. I'm in the clearing. Moonshade's here with me. It's alright. ** Pwyll sends openly ** I'll check the shore, around the pond. ** Rillwhisper nods briskly, distractedly, to Pwyll. "He sent about the pond, he has to be near, go!" Rillwhisper frowns and mutters, "He's frightened. What in the name of..." She trails off, sending. You locksend ** Archer. I'm in the clearing. Moonshade's here with me. It's alright. ** to Strongbow. Pwyll vanishes northward into the trees. Pwyll has left. You sense in a locksend, Strongbow's sending picks up its tempo and volume. ** In the CLEARING? ** Oh, High Ones, that's where the fire started. They must be being held there, trapped in the flames... ** You'll be burned... and him too! ** He fades off, forcing his way to you. Fhen emerges from the willow tree. Fhen has arrived. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub yaps nervously. This isn't feeling like a game anymore. You locksend ** We're _alright_, Strongbow. There is no fire! Please, come to us! ** to Strongbow. Strongbow emerges from the nearby copse. Strongbow has arrived. Rillwhisper sends to the whole tribe ** Got him! ** You sense in a locksend, Pwyll blinks. ** Where, chieftess? Do you need help? ** Rillwhisper snaps her gaze up. "Archer!" You locksend ** He's here. Come back... ** to Pwyll. Pwyll emerges from the trees by the nearby pond. Pwyll has arrived. Strongbow comes racing, raging, through the branches and brambles, eyes unfocused, or focused on something, sometime, else. Sending loud and painfully clear, he encompasses Rillwhisper and Moonshade in joy and greeting...they're here, he's found them, even among the flames his sending shows so clearly, seen through his eyes. Moonshade rushes toward her mate, anything to make his pain cease. Fhen whistles for Willowpaw. Willowpaw has arrived. Willowpaw bounds out of the shadows, runs up to Fhen and nuzzles him with great affection. Strongbow slips a bit in the snow, uncharacteristically off balance. ** You have to get out! The fire will burn in as the wood dries... ** he fades off, eye widening, as the tall, blackhaired one emerges into the clearing. He pales, sending dropping cold, dead. Pwyll jogs back from the direction he'd run only a moment before. His eyes track the movements of the archer, as he moves toward his mate and Rillwhisper, and something in his carriage eases, a measure of urgency slipping away. ** Good, ** he sends to noone in particular. Rillwhisper blinks, momentarily taken aback by the sight of Strongbow so visibly upset and afraid. After Moonshade hastens to him, she steps towards him as well, offering a hand. "It's alright," she murmurs, voice low, hopefully soothing. "It's alright, archer." Strongbow scowls deeply, suddenly, grabbing for Moonshade to step in front of her, between her and the blackhaired. Something about the way he looks at Pwyll...his eyes flash, brown glittering glare, sending starting to cloud around his thoughts. Fhen sends openly ** ** Rillwhisper blinks again -- Strongbow clearly isn't seeing her. ** Archer! ** Moonshade sends openly ** What is it? You're safe now.. We are here... ** Rillwhisper closes her hand on Strongbow's shoulder, trying to divert him. ** Archer, listen, it's Rill, it's just us, we're alright, there is no fire! ** Strongbow's glance flicks to Rillwhisper, and in one motion, he steps forward, as to put her behind him as well, attention returning glaringly to Pwyll. The archer's locked sending sure enough reaches Pwyll privately, strong, angry ...deathwishing...but it seems hardly directed at him. ** Let them go. ** The tone is deep, from somewhere farther down in Strongbow's mind than he's sent yet. Pwyll stops mid-stride, as Strongbow's gaze settles on him, and sets his foot down beside the other, eyebrows lifting a little. His gaze shifts from the archer to Rillwhisper, and Moonshade, Fhen, and then back again. The look of confusion only deepens, as he takes a step backward, countering Strongbow's move. Strongbow senses in a locksend, Pwyll's send is genuinely confused, and the 'voice' is odd, compared to the one the archer expects to hear, no doubt. ** Let who go, archer? ** Rillwhisper gapes, and, gaping, hangs on intently to the archer's arm. Something about the older elf's angry, tense stance sets off alarm bells in her head, and she tightens her grasp, sending... You locksend, to Strongbow, Moonshade: ** _Archer_! Listen, please listen! It's _alright_! ** Strongbow flicks a glance toward Fhen, then back to Pwyll with a bit of a curled lip, shifting his bow on his shoulder, eyes widening, darkening. From the branch above, Joy swings down off the branch to the clearing below. Joy drops down from the branch above. Joy has arrived. Joy glances up, "Mother?" Joy glances around at the crowd and quiets down. Rillwhisper, hanging on as tightly as she can to Strongbow's arm on his right side, calls over her shoulder to Joy, "I don't know where she is, lass..." Strongbow locksends to Pwyll, Strongbow's tone chuckles softly, as if to say, "Not fooled." ** Rillwhisper. My mate. ** This last is almost a growl. ** Where is Woodhawk?! ** Almost yelling now in his send. Rillwhisper flicks a glance around Strongbow to his mate, silently imploring her aid on this. Moonshade sends openly ** Strongbow, LISTEN to us! You are safe now. WE are safe. It's over ** Strongbow takes one step forward towards Pwyll, eyes dark, menacing. Over his shoulder, at the chieftess and tanner, he sends, ** Go! Toward the pond, wetter there... ** Joy glances up and is about to say something, then just shrugs. Moonshade grabs her mate's otehr arm trying to catch his eye. Strongbow yanks on his arm, reaching to pull his bow from his shoulder, pulling away from his mate, sparing a moment to send to her. Joy blinks curiously and moves over near Pwyll. Pwyll takes another half step backward, with a visible flinch this time, before he straightens himself up a little, and sends, with forced determination, and points. ** They're there. See? Rillwhisper, and your mate. Woodhawk.. Woodhawk was looking for you too. He's here, somewhere, too.. ** Moonshade grabs for Strongbow's arm again sending as loudly as she can, trying to get his attention. Strongbow locksends to Moonshade, Strongbow's send, flame-colored and brilliant in pain and anger, is quiet compared to that of earlier. ** Go. Time of loyalty to cubs, to tribe, now. Not me. Go, live! ** Fhen sends openly ** Strongbow, there is no fire. You're safe. We all are. ** Moonshade locksends ** There IS no fire! There is NO danger. You must come back to us! ** to Strongbow. From the branch above, Dawn bites her finger, watching from concealment. Oh, dear.. Rillwhisper mutters, "Skyfire...!" and stumbles as Strongbow lurches forward. He's not doing what she _thinks_ he's doing, is he? Flashing an urgent glance to Pwyll, she orders him, "Out of the way, lad, he doesn't usually miss and I don't want to take the chance he will now!" Rillwhisper, with that, tries to grab at the bow. Moonshade reaches up with her free hand trying to knock the bow away. Strongbow's eyes flare, reflecting flames only he can see in his rage. ** Stay here! I'll hold you down...better both in the flames than you escape... ** He stops sending as the others reach for his bow, and whirls, raging. From the branch above, Dawn eeps! And dashes out from her hiding place to protect Pwyll! From the branch above, Dawn swings down off the branch to the clearing below. Dawn drops down from the branch above. Dawn has arrived. Strongbow locksends, to Moonshade, Rillwhisper: ** He has you...controlled...! ** Moonshade tries the only thing she can think of, steps in front of her soulmate, glaring deep into his eyes and sends with all her might.... Pwyll blinks, and dashes off to his right, toward the fountain, skidding just slightly as he reels around to try and keep an eye - or half an eye - on the archer. You locksend, to Strongbow, Moonshade: ** Wha?! _No_! Strongbow, no, we're _fine_, I swear it! ** Moonshade locksends ** Wyl, STOP! There is no fire, there is NO danger. Please, Wyl...come back to me. ** to Strongbow. Strongbow abandons the bow and leaps for Pwyll, giving chase, intent to pin him down. Somewhere in his race, however, he slips in the snow and falls. And, fallen, does not move. Dawn looks from Pwyll, to the struggling elves, and looks utterly distressed. She takes a step back. Rillwhisper yelps, and sprints to the fallen elf. Moonshade gasps and runs to her fallen mate, kneeling in the snow beside him. Joy pads over to her brother. Fhen runs over to Strongbow, hoping he can lend assistance. Moonshade cradle's Strongbow's head and shoulders in her arms, brushing snow from his face. The archer sends...or so it seems. It's rather more as though sending clusters over him and spreads out from there, not at all his doing. There's not a word in it, nor a meaning. Pwyll gives another hop backward at the leap, and loses his balance entierly, ending up on his tail in the snow. He clambers to his feet the next moment, however, half-crouched, and ready to run again. Rillwhisper kneels anxiously opposite Moonshade, not quite daring to touch Strongbow. She glances up and says to the others, "Find Silversong.. or Brightfire, somebody find the healers..." You locksend ** What... is he alright, can you tell? ** to Moonshade. Dawn backs up further, until she reaches Pwyll. Strongbow's eyes, open, focus on Moonshade's as she lifts his head, and finally focus a bit more deeply than they had before. He is perfectly quiet for a moment, then curls into her arms, pulling her to him with one tense hand, shuddering without a send or a sound. Dawn places her arms gently around her cub. Moonshade locksends ** I.. don't know.. ** Moonshade wraps her arms tightly around her mate, cradling him carefully.. Fhen stands where he is, silently hoping that Strongbow is going to be okay. Moonshade locksends ** Please.. please come back.... ** to Strongbow. Pwyll keeps his eyes on Strongbow, be he on the ground or not. Rillwhisper, as Strongbow huddles against his mate, sits back, expression turning awkward, oddly shy. She then looks up. "A fur," she mutters. "Need a fur..." Willowpaw whurfs? Strongbow locksends to Moonshade, Strongbow is silent for a time, then sends, again as if from a distance, but from a different place this time, somewhere deep within. ** ...would...protect you...die with him...should have...to go with him...to forgive... ** Fhen says "Come here, girl." Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub comes over from under the brush she'd hidden under in the madness, wagging uncertainly. Moonshade blinks in confusion as she recieves a send.. that makes no sense... Rillwhisper rises. Moonshade seems to have this in hand, she thinks. Better for her not to intrude. Moonshade whispers "It's like he's not here. where IS he.. WHEN is he??? Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub puts her little cold wet nose on Moonshade's arm, near the archer's ear. Willowpaw pads over to the crowd around Strongbow. Rillwhisper blinks? Moonshade turns toward Rillwhisper, violet eyes filled with tears.. "PLease don't leave.. maybe you can reach him.. you mean as much.." Dawn decides it's sort of time to start slipping away.. Strongbow shudders, perhaps as if sobbing, but he makes no sound. Fhen sends openly ** Moonshade, would you like Willowpaw to help keep him warm? ** Joy nods to her mother. Rillwhisper is standing now, but she hasn't moved yet, and she starts amazedly at Moonshade's plea. "Um... alright..." She looks around at her tribe. "Someone... a fur, please, and water..." Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub whffffs into the archer's ear. Strongbow twitches and clutches tighter to his mate. Pwyll, eyes still on the downed archer, offers, "I can get water." Willowpaw pads a little closer, sensing she might be needed. Moonshade nods toward Fhen, not daring to send. Rillwhisper kneels carefully in the snow, lifting a hand to Strongbow's dark red hair. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub backs up and looks up at the tanner, then over at the food-providing chieftess. Maybe one of them can make everything better? Rillwhisper smiles weakly to Pwyll. "Thank you, Pwyll... please..." Moonshade locksends ** We are here... we can't go to you, come back to us... ** to Strongbow. You locksend, to Strongbow, Moonshade: Rillwhisper, her mental voice subdued, reaches for the archer's mind, but keeps her contact open to the tanner as well. ** Strongbow? ** Willowpaw, acting on a send from Fhen, curls up around the archer, helping him keep warm. Pwyll works his way out of Dawn's arms, and heads back toward the pond again, with many backward looks. Pwyll vanishes northward into the trees. Pwyll has left. A few more of the Willowholt arrive on the scene: Woodhawk, running in breathlessly from his watch outside the Holt. Talek, silver eyes wide and startled. Rillwhisper, as her elder mate sends in bafflement to her, looks up at him silently; Woodhawk then nods, and steps back, keeping out of the way; Talek promises in a low send, ** I'll get Brightfire... ** and skitters off. You sense in a locksend to Moonshade, Rillwhisper: Strongbow's mind is tangled, extremely distant. He's not in the same distant world he had been in, though, and his send is calm, lacking panic, lacking flame. Instead, he sends from somewhere deep in darkness and silence: ** ...stay here...with him...one for one...should have gone too...to forgive. ** Joy sighs quietly. Strongbow seems entirely unaware of the others, and mostly unaware of the wolf, though he shudders slightly less in the warmth. Moonshade locksends ** do you think he's remembering.... ** Rillwhisper blinks, and stares in startlement down at her archer-friend. "Forgive?" she blurts. Moonshade turns panicky eyes toward the chieftess Willowpaw cuddles up a little closer to Strongbow, not wanting to let him get cold. You locksend ** I... I thought... I thought he was healed. ** to Moonshade. Rillwhisper hesitantly smooths Strongbow's hair as best she can with his face pressed against Moonshade, and with Willowpaw's large furry head so close by. Moonshade locksends ** what can we do? ** Dawn pads slowly closer, her worry over Strongbow overcoming her worry of Rilwhisper. Dawn locksends ** I'm sorry.. ** to Strongbow. Moonshade glances at Dawn. Strongbow starts slightly, eyes focusing again, and sends to the air, ** ? ** You locksend ** You... know him, better than I. Can we get him to talk? ** to Moonshade. Moonshade locksends ** Talk?? ;) ** Joy leans against the fountain idly, kind of confused. Rillwhisper murmurs to Moonshade, "Better get him someplace warm..." Dawn blushes. Pwyll emerges from the trees by the nearby pond. Pwyll has arrived. Moonshade locksends ** There is nothing to forgive. ** to Strongbow. Moonshade nods, "If you can support THAT side, i can get this. Strongbow senses in a locksend, Dawn is a little woozy from the fumes herself, but far more used to them than Strongbow. Her touch is gentle, if fuzzy. ** It's all right.. ** Pwyll returns, having taken a bit longer than he might have, with a waterskin in hand, which he carries over toward the trio of chieftess, archer, and archer's mate. "Had to get a skin," he explains, quietly, and, "It's cold." Rillwhisper nods softly to Moonshade, and slips her fingers under the archer's arm. "Strongbow," she whispers quietly, "come on, up... let's get you out of the snow..." You sense in a locksend to Moonshade, Rillwhisper: Strongbow seems to react half to Moonshade, half to something else. ** Shouldn't have. Should have thought. Didn't think...all rage...worry... ** Willowpaw whurfs, and offers her help in transporting the archer. Strongbow shivers despite the wolfwarmth, and blinks a few times. He shakes his head slightly, as if it hurts to do so, and slowly sits up, pushing the wolf aside, gently. Joy straightens, hands on her hips, not looking particularly happy. Willowpaw uncurls herself from around the archer. Rillwhisper smiles solemnly to Pwyll and nods her thanks. "Just a moment..." Hands still gently grasping the archer's arm, she murmurs to him, "Come on now... inside. Moonshade will come too. Come on..." Moonshade clambers to her knees, helping Strongbow to his feet. Rillwhisper helps tug Strongbow up, studying him critically to see how well he stands. Rillwhisper says quietly over her shoulder, "Dawn. How many shrooms were in the fire?" Strongbow gets to his feet, wobbling visibly; after a few breaths, he is still and steady. He looks round the clearing, as if seeing for the first time everyone there, and gets an odd expression on his face, at first afraid, then hurt. After another breath, it fades into shame, and he looks away, at Rillwhisper, then Moonshade. He sends general, wordless assent, and makes ready to follow whomever might lead. Joy looks to her mother and raises a brow. Moonshade slips her arround Strongbow's waist Dawn squirms without moving. Quite the sight. ** I.. I don't know. I just rememberd where there were some.. ** Rillwhisper nods, without glancing at her dainty tribesmate. She doesn't seem angry, where perhaps she should; rather, her expression is very still, very solemn. All she says to Dawn, as she helps Moonshade lead her mate off, is, "Alright. Thank you." Rillwhisper adds to Pwyll, "Bring the water with you, Pwyll? Put it up in the den in the starwillow..." [And just after Rillwhisper leaves the clearing with the archer and the tanner....] Dawn takes a step after them. ** Please...can I help? ** Moonshade slips into the nearby copse of saplings. Moonshade has left. Fhen slips into the nearby copse of saplings. Fhen has left. Pwyll emerges from the nearby copse. Pwyll has arrived. Dawn looks unhappy. Pwyll just looks quiet. Dawn walks slowly up to Pwyll, and tilts her head to look at him. ** Are you all right? ** Brightfire emerges from the willow tree. Brightfire has arrived. Dawn breathes in relief. Brightfire doesn't come out of the tree; she comes out of the borders of the holt, at a dead run, and does not stop even to acknowledge people. Brightfire slips into the nearby copse of saplings. Brightfire has left. Pwyll watches Brightfire zoom past, then nods. "Fine. Are you?" Dawn plops down, leaning her head in her hand. ** No. ** Pwyll scowls faintly, and sits too. "Why not?" Dawn looks unhappily over at the firepit. "I thougth they would barely be noticeable at all.. all dried and shrunk." Pwyll looks over at the firepit as well. "Is that what smells so much? The things you put in the fire?" Dawn nods, unhappily. ** Just a very little.. I remembered they made Woodhawk all warm and glittery before. I thought maybe.. ** Pwyll shakes his head a little, and puts his arm around Dawn's shoulders. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub watches quietly, and after a while, whines softly and wanders to the starwillow. [In the meantime, Rillwhisper carefully assists Moonshade in escorting Strongbow to the den where the two are staying while at Willowholt....] You locksend ** Find Silversong, or help Talek find Brightfire. They might be needed. ** to Dawn. Dawn locksends ** Yes, chief. ** Rillwhisper watches Strongbow seem to move mostly under his own power, so she simply guides him where she wants him to go, up into the starwillow, to the shelter of the den she'd made ready for the archer and the tanner. You climb up the handholds to the top of the Starwillow. Top of the Starwillow(#5586RL) Obvious exits: Quiet Den Plane Tree Marsh Old Willow Down Strongbow climbs up from below. Strongbow has arrived. Moonshade climbs up from below. Moonshade has arrived. You push aside the leather door-hide and step through into the den. Quiet Den(#115R) Obvious exits: Out Strongbow steps in from the heart of the tree. Strongbow has arrived. Moonshade steps in from the heart of the tree. Moonshade has arrived. Fhen steps in from the heart of the tree. Fhen has arrived. Rillwhisper breathes huskily, helping Strongbow into the den and pushing him gently to hopefully get him to lie down, "Rest, archer....." Pwyll steps in from the heart of the tree. Pwyll has arrived. Strongbow sits, but doesn't lie down, clearly somewhere deep in shock. Rillwhisper pushes at Strongbow a little harder, then, and glances over him to Pwyll, hoping the lad brought the water? Pwyll ducks his head inside the doorway, and deposits the waterskin just there, before he disappears again, after a quick uncertain glance at Strongbow. Pwyll steps out through the door-hide into the heart of the tree. Pwyll has left. Strongbow looks at Rillwhisper, eyes big and brown and mournful, and without a word or another attempt at stubbornness, lies down. Moonshade sits next ther her lifemate's still form and watches him thoughtfully. Moonshade whispers to Rillwhisper "Thank you so much for staying, i know it must have been difficult for you. Rillwhisper visibly winces, green eyes glimmering at that... dead, tragic look on the archer's face. She nods slowly to Moonshade. Quietly, Fhen says, "Is there anything I can do?" Strongbow turns onto his side and curls up, as if he'd like to be invisible, at the voice. Rillwhisper looks up to Fhen, and says gravely to him, "Help find the healers..." Moonshade wraps her arms around her soulmate as if protecting him from any more harm Fhen nods. He looks at Strongbow and is saddened at his reaction to his voice. Rillwhisper pauses, regarding Strongbow uncertainly, not knowing whether she should leave him alone. Fhen steps out through the door-hide into the heart of the tree. Fhen has left. Rillwhisper whispers softly, "Strongbow... do you need me to stay?" You sense in a locksend, Strongbow sends, quietly, lockedly, to you and at his lifemate, ** Dead. Didn't even think. ** Brightfire steps in from the heart of the tree. Brightfire has arrived. Fhen steps in from the heart of the tree. Fhen has arrived. Fhen whispers "She ran right past me." Rillwhisper lingers near Strongbow, who's huddled up in Moonshade's arms; her gaze is worried. At the sounds of Fhen and Brightfire arriving, she looks up. Strongbow lies, curled in the den, on his side, as if he'd rather not be visible, his mate nearby, wearily trying to comfort him. Brightfire all but skids into the den, eyes large and worried. ** Sick? What happened? ** Rillwhisper says quietly, "I need you to look at him and see if he's got anything still making him dream in him. Dawn was burning mushrooms in the fire-pit... the smoke made him dream..." Brightfire looks worriedly at first Rill, then at Strongbow's curled-up form, and nods, moving more slowly over to his side to kneel there. Brightfire locksends ** Archer? ** to Strongbow. Outside the den, Talek and Tinyhowl, trailing after Brightfire, peek in. Talek's large silver eyes are filled with worry, and Tinyhowl is uncharacteristically quiet. Rillwhisper mutters, perhaps to herself, "I've... never seen him like this..." Fhen whispers quietly, "Is he gonna be all right? Strongbow locksends to Brightfire, Strongbow's mind is tangled, distant, deep within...in a way that's faintly familiar. Streaked through with shame and pain, he explains, as if in apology for all that he imagines has happened, ** ...didn't think. Life gone, never thought... ** He fades, disgusted with himself. ** ...no chance, anyone, to forgive...remember kin...anyway. ** His form shudders; to the healer's senses, his mind is foggy, but at least his own. Rillwhisper, watching Moonshade hug the archer to her, and still not quite daring to touch him herself, murmurs to Fhen, "I don't know..." You locksend, to Brightfire, Fhen: ** I think... I think he thought that Pwyll was... Tash. ** Brightfire's eyes widen a little, and carefully, nearly asking permission to do so, reaches out a hand to place it lightly against the archer's shoulder. ** He will be all right. ** Healing fire glows faintly, searching through the elf's system for the hint of drugs that would explain the change in his attitude. Outside the den, Talek pales, and huddles back against the nearest tree-wall. Fhen shudders at hearing that name again in his mind. Brightfire's nod to Rill is bare, concentration elsewhere. Drugs sensed within Strongbow's system, Brightfire's healing power sparks stronger, the soft glow warming, seeking to dissapate the remaining narcotics. Strongbow shudders slightly at the magic's flare, but makes no move and puts up no resistance. Rillwhisper waits, half ready to hug Strongbow herself should he so much as twitch a finger, half ready to creep quietly out of the den to leave him in peace. Warm fire travels lightly through the archer, gentle, and Brightfire's sending, concentrated, requests privately to him, ** Let me help, Strongbow. Your dreams are being made worse by the drugs. ** Even as she sends, there comes a slight sense of clarity, fire washing away drug-addled fears and hatreds. Strongbow locksends to Brightfire, Strongbow's mind flares slightly, making it quite clear that he's certain he's _not_ dreaming his guilt. To the cleaning out of the haze, however, he makes no objection, his own self-anger becoming more clear as his mind gains clarity. Brightfire's eyes close in concentration; the shroom-dreams themselves are not so difficult to help fade away, but quelling fears is something else. Fire runs from her fingertips through Strongbow, almost inobtrusive, the healing a rather different sort than trying to mend a broken bone or torn muscle. In the depths of her healing trance, only Brightfire can sense that the archer's mind and form allow the cleansing fire to remove traces of drug and haze, and he even indulges in some of the comfort that eases his fears. Still, he holds to his guilt, his distance deep within himself, unwilling to let it be quashed and washed over again. Rillwhisper frowns softly, not knowing whether to stay. She backs up a bit, giving the healer room. You sense in a locksend to Rillwhisper, Fhen: Brightfire separates, briefly, a bit of her mind from the healing, reaching out to the onlookers. ** Drugs gone...great anger... ** This less than helpful piece of information is all that comes through as she returns full concentration to the healing. Strongbow senses in a locksend, Brightfire, in truth, never doubted that the guilt was your own, but as a healer, she is unwilling to let you feed on that, if she can help at all. Beyond the clearing of the drugs she offers... a hand, perhaps. Not to hide memories, but to help deal with them. And steady throughout is the warmth, the soft power of healing, available should you be able to accept it. Strongbow locksends to Brightfire, Strongbow finally comes clear enough through the last dissipated shrouds of fear and dreamhaze to ponder the help, the healing, and is silent somewhere-between for a long, unbreathing moment. Then, as sharply as his gaze can turn away, he sends, ** No, ** and retreats, bringing himself to wakefulness slowly, by his own will. Strongbow seems to tense hugely and, just as greatly, relax under the healer's hands. A moment later he uncurls slightly, slowly coming back to himself. Rillwhisper nods wordlessly, watching. Knowing that Brightfire doesn't have quite the same level of skill as Silversong, she does not interrupt. Eyes liquid, she looks down at Strongbow. Brightfire lifts her head, and her hands fall away, fire dying, and she nods a little, to the archer. You locksend ** How is he? ** to Brightfire. You sense in a locksend, Strongbow's eyes meet yours, opening beneath strands of straggled hair, and he is quiet for a moment before sending, ** So...quiet. ** Rillwhisper smiles wanly. Brightfire locksends ** Unwilling to accept outside help. ** You locksend ** Worried for you. Are... you alright? ** to Strongbow. Strongbow reaches up to push some straggles of hair back from his face, showing open eyes, and sits up, slowly, to lean on his hands, arms tensing and shaking a moment before surely holding his weight. You locksend to Strongbow, Rillwhisper's own gaze, as well as her sending, reflects an echo of that quiet green place where Runnel lives on in her memory. Strongbow looks for a moment at the chieftess, fast flashes of many different thoughts and places flickering in his eyes. Brightfire's eyes stay on Strongbow, concerned, though she makes no move to help him. Rillwhisper looks at Moonshade, briefly, as if seeking assurance. You sense in a locksend, Strongbow's mind shies away from the quiet green place, as if something in him can't reach it anymore, and it hurts him to have discovered that. Softly, he returns, ** Have to think. ** The archer's hardly, if ever, sent anything so mournful, apologetic, and strangely shameful as that sentiment before. His eyes lock on yours, liquid, for a breath more, and then flicker away. Strongbow senses in a locksend, Brightfire watches you for several moments, with both eyes and healing senses, and then, calmly, offers, ** Should you wish help, archer, ** and leaves it at that, the impression being that this healer, as silent as yourself, will not be offended if you do not seek assistance. You locksend to Strongbow, Rillwhisper sends, a breath of an offer to lead you there, to that green sheltered glade, if you wish it or need it. ** Should... we leave? ** Strongbow looks briefly over at Brightfire and shakes his head, once, brown locks flickering red for a moment in the winterlight coming through the entrance of the den. He looks back at Rillwhisper, sending a soft reassurance. You sense in a locksend, Strongbow reluctantly replies, ** I...should be alone. ** He doesn't want to be, but he's chosen what he thinks is best, and will do it. Rillwhisper closes her eyes for a moment, her look disappointed, still worried. Then she nods to the others, and says quietly, "Alright, everyone... out." Rillwhisper closes her eyes for a moment, her look disappointed, still worried. Then she nods to the others, and says quietly, "Alright, everyone... out." Strongbow looks around, as if something is missing. Outside the den, Talek swallows hard, and scoops up his daughter to move as the chieftess directs. Fhen quietly gets up and leaves. Fhen steps out through the door-hide into the heart of the tree. Fhen has left. You sense in a locksend, Strongbow asks, very quietly, ** My bow...? ** He keeps his eyes away from the others, not yet wishing to know that they were there. Brightfire nods briefly, at Strongbow, then slips out after Fhen. Brightfire steps out through the door-hide into the heart of the tree. Brightfire has left. Rillwhisper, in the process of waving the other elves out of the den, pauses at the entryway. You locksend ** You dropped it... in the clearing. I'll get it... ** to Strongbow. You sense in a locksend, Strongbow answers, quickly, ** No. ...not yet. Just...don't lose it. ** For a moment, the archer's eyes almost smile. Rillwhisper studies you anxiously, certain that something is still wrong here. She glances past you at Moonshade's worried face, then nods softly. You locksend ** We won't. _I_ won't... ** to Strongbow. Strongbow looks back at his mate, the moment gone, and nods to her, or perhaps to himself, with some internal decision. Rillwhisper, with that, creeps out. [Out in the Starwillow copse, Strongbow's tiny wolf-cub has lingered, yapping mournfully up into the willow branches -- she knows her elf-friend is up there, but she doesn't know how to get to him. It doesn't help that when Pwyll and Dawn arrive, quietly, that neither of them pay much attention to her, for indeed, it's her elf-friend that they want to see. And they pass the others coming out of the quiet guest den, as they go -- Talek, Brightfire, and Tinyhowl creeping off in one direction, with Talek muttersending anxiously about needing to talk with the archer, but being afraid it will not help; Fhen following Rillwhisper, who as Strongbow has requested her to do, begins to look for his forgotten bow. But Pwyll and Dawn creep up to the den, to check on the archer, as soon as the others are gone....] Dawn steps in from the heart of the tree. Dawn has arrived. Dawn peers in, uncertainly. Pwyll steps in from the heart of the tree. Pwyll has arrived. Pwyll scoots in, after Dawn, almost.. protectively? Strongbow stands, bent to the small area, near the side of the den, apparently sending at his lifemate, who is glaring at hhim as if he doesn't know what's good for him. Perhaps he doesn't; he seems set on heading outside. Both of them quiet and look toward the den entrance at the soft footsteps. Dawn looks a bit embarrassed. Dawn sends openly ** I.. just wanted to see if you were..all right.. ** Pwyll looks stubborn, not embarrassed. He's not running, this time. Strongbow tilts his head at Dawn, then looks at Pwyll. His face pales, then flushes. You locksend to Pwyll, Strongbow offers a send, but never gets as far as words before cutting it off in shame. Dawn blushes, too. "Um, maybe we should..come back later." Strongbow looks away after a moment of quiet, and softly replies, ** Yes. ** He swallows, knowing he's being poorly-mannered, feeling his mate's _look_ at him, and quiets. Dawn slips out, as quietly. Dawn steps out through the door-hide into the heart of the tree. Dawn has left. Pwyll steps out through the door-hide into the heart of the tree. Pwyll has left. You locksend to Pwyll, Strongbow trails a send after you, wordless apology, and fades. [Back out in the main Holt clearing, Rillwhisper finds Fhen and Brightfire and the others lingering, but most of her mind is on finding the bow. Her passing, though, is noted by the wolf cub, who perhaps hopes that the chieftess will either take her to her elf-friend, or give her food....] You slip out into the clearing. Clearing by the Old Willow(#123RHJ) Contents: Fhen Brightfire Willowpaw Facelicker TailBiter Littlefang Winterdawn Obvious exits: Branch Old Willow Hillside Path Starwillow Copse Marsh Pond Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub emerges from the nearby copse. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub has arrived. Fhen wonders aloud if Rill would like to join him and Willowpaw. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub bounds after the chieftess with a yrf. Rillwhisper walks out into the clearing, gaze scanning the trampled snow. Then she spies what she's looking for: the archer's sturdy bow, and she kneels down to pick it up, her movements strangely tender and reverent. Then she ehs? and looks up at Fhen? Fhen sends openly ** I was wondering if you'd like to cuddle with me and my wolf. ** Rillwhisper smiles half-heartedly, and murmurs, "I think we could all use a good cuddle right now..." Bow in hand, she rises to join the younger elf and his wolf-friend. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub sits petulantly in the snow. Willowpaw uncurls enough to let the chieftess join them. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub whimpers softly. Rillwhisper's gaze lingers on the Starwillow, though, as she finds herself thinking that the one who needs a cuddle most isn't letting himself take it. She then blinks, at the wistful little wolflet. "Oh, High Ones!" she breathes, reminded. Rillwhisper sets the bow carefully down on the log, to keep it out of the snow, and moves slowly and unthreateningly to the cub, offering her an upturned hand. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub's big sad eyes brighten. Someone's finally noticing her! She gets up and bounds to meet the upturned hand and puts her nose wetly into it, wondering if a tidbit might be found there. Rillwhisper murmurs, "That's it, come here, now..." She lifts the cub and cuddles her gently in one arm, while fiddling around in her pouch to see if she's got anything to feed her. "Hungry little cub. You must be frightened, too..." Willowpaw looks at the cub with a mothering instinct that she hasn't felt before. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub follows the chieftess' fingers with her wet nose and a softly licking tongue. Rillwhisper murmurs sadly to the others, "I hope this hasn't hurt the bond... oh, High Ones..." She finally produces a scrap of dry, tough meat, and offers it to the little wolf. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub joyously grabs the bit of meat and gobbles it down, sharp little cub teeth chewchewchewing. Brightfire's sending is soft. ** I think it'll be all right. ** Rillwhisper looks anxiously at the healer. "He came to try to find his next wolf-friend..." She sighs, and looks at the cub, and asks it, "Do you want your friend, little one?" Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub looks liquidly up at the chieftess. Ooo, what's she saying? Did she say "food?" Dawn emerges from the nearby copse. Dawn has arrived. Pwyll emerges from the nearby copse. Pwyll has arrived. Brightfire moves one hand a bit. ** The mushrooms...opened old memories for him. Memories that had been locked away but not dealt with. I think before he can do anything else, he'll need to deal with them. ** She smiles a little, down at the puppy. ** Let's just hope this little one has patience for a stubborn old archer. ** Dawn sort of sticks close to Pwyll.. ** Will he be all right? ** Brightfire glances at Dawn. ** That's up to him, in a lot of ways. ** Dawn . o O (Somebody yell at me soon! I can't take it any more! Aaaaarh! ) Rillwhisper looks around, and asks the clearing at large, "Anyone have anything to feed this cub?" Dawn ums, offering cautiously. ** I might.. ** Rillwhisper's gaze falls on Dawn. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub oooo, she _did_ say "food!" Or close. The little cub licks the chieftess' fingers. Brightfire grins faintly. ** No shrooms, Dawn. ** Fhen sends openly ** I might. ** Rillwhisper, hands full of wriggling cub, skitches the creature gently, and nods to Fhen and Dawn. "Something, then, please." Dawn blushes, and nods quickly. She slips off towards her den. Always something, there. Dawn climbs up onto the overhanging sentry branch. Dawn has left. From the branch above, Dawn climbs up from the clearing below. Fhen looks in his pockets and finds something. He looks at Willowpaw, who nods back at him. He pulls a pice of meat out of his pocket and offers it to Rill. "Here's something." Rillwhisper nods thankfully to Fhen, taking the meat in her free hand, and offering it to the cub. "Cubs're always hungry... this one, it seems, constantly..." Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub gobbles at the meat, wriggling in the green-eyed chieftess' arm, slobbering on her fingers and chewing on them once the meat is gone. Rillwhisper valiantly keeps from wincing, much, at the nibbles of cub teeth. As Dawn returns and promptly creeps off again, Rillwhisper gives her another of those strangely solemn nods, and barely looks at her. Brightfire sighs, eyes closing for a moment. Rillwhisper suffers the nips and nibbles of cubling fingers without protest, green gaze still on the Starwillow. Brightfire locksends ** Not much you can do, I think, chieftess. ** Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub stops nibbling after a while, sensing that it's neither getting attention nor getting food. Rillwhisper, once her fingers stop being mauled, scritches the cub absently. You locksend ** I... I thought he'd gotten over that. Killing Tash, I mean. ** to Brightfire. Fhen looks at Rill. ""Can I hold her?" You sense in a locksend, Brightfire's expression turns a bit startled; 'meek' is not a feeling she's used to hearing, from you. ** I think...it felt like the memories were buried, not dealt with. Like a wound that's been covered up and left to fester, almost. Ignore it and it'll go away. I wish I could help him. ** Rillwhisper blinks at Fhen, then nods absently, and passes the wriggling cub to him. After a moment she realizes the cub's teeth have left quite the series of nicks and bruises on her fingers, and she blinks again at them, as if surprised. Brightfire chuckles softly, almost soundlessly, and sits up, reaching out a hand towards Rill's damaged fingers. ** Here, ** she offers. Fhen scritches the cub. He smiles, holding the small cub in his hands. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub wiggles. Hmf, he smells a _little_ bit like food... Willowpaw leans over toward the small cub and uses her tongue to give the young one a bath. Rillwhisper looks up gratefully to Brightfire, and holds up her fingers. Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub squints, looking unhappy but suffering through the needed bath. Brightfire moves her hand under Rill's, not quite touching it as her fingers curl up around the other elf's hand, and warm, soft tendrils of fire rise up, twisting around Rillwhisper's hand and easing away nicks and bruises alike. Zalen comes down out of the trees on the hillside. Zalen has arrived. Zalen bursts out of the shrubs somewhere. "Did you find him?" he pants. Willowpaw finishes with the bath, satisfied that the cub is clean. Rillwhisper looks up wearily and nods to Zalen. "Aye..." She's sitting on the log, with Brightfire's hands clasping hers. Zalen stops to catch his breath, something that is probably a send indicates ** Oh ** Rillwhisper murmurs to no one in particular, "I thought... I thought that the healers helped him. Blythe, and that other one that showed up." Brightfire checks Rill's hand after a few moments, and nods, releasing it. ** Funny, ** she sends, a little absently. ** Healing seems to be easier since I was near that little palace. ** Zalen gives up and sits on the cold ground, breath heavy in the chill air. Rillwhisper nods distracted thanks to Brightfire, flexing newly whole fingers. Brightfire glances back at Rill, and smiles wryly. ** I don't think healers can do everything, chieftess. ** She studies Rill, some concern visible in her steely eyes. Fhen goes back to scritching the cub, making sure that at the same time, he dries the young one in the process. Zalen flops on his back, staring unfocused to the air. Rillwhisper nods heavily to Brightfire. "Aye.. I just... I've never _seen_ him like that...!" (whump) Brightfire nods in return, still watching Rill with mild concern. ** I don't think even the greatest healer can make someone forgive themselves, chieftess. He may have a long road to travel. ** Zalen gets up wearily, after the brief quiet rest, and moves to the fountain, trying ice from it. Brightfire locksends ** Friends like you will make it easier. ** Zalen cups the water in his hands and drinks, his breathing still deep but slow. Rillwhisper nods lowly, worriedly. "This long, though... I mean, it's been over three eights of turns of the seasons..." Zalen stands up, watches the two worriedly and clambers uselessly up the tree. Zalen climbs up onto the overhanging sentry branch. Zalen has left. From the branch above, Zalen climbs up from the clearing below. Brightfire, hesitantly, suggests, ** If the healers were able to...bury it for him, hide it...then the time isn't a surprise. A thorn under the skin will eventually come out, but sometimes it needs to be poked at a bit. Maybe the mushrooms poked. ** Rillwhisper wrinkles her nose, troubled by the notion that Strongbow should need to hide from anything that troubles him. "I suppose so," she murmurs. Brightfire doesn't think 'need to hide' is exactly right. 'Forced to hide' might be closer; in Bright's opinion, he should have been left to deal with this twentyfive years ago. ** He'll be all right, chieftess. ** Rillwhisper smiles weakly. "I hope so... I-I don't want to return the archer like this to Cutter, Cutter'd have my head..." Brightfire squints, trying to place the name. Finally a brief image, mostly a flash of pampas-colored hair and blue eyes, colors her sending. ** It's not exactly your fault, Rillwhisper. I don't think he'd blame you. ** Slowly, she reaches out to take Rill's hand again, eyes still worried. Rillwhisper half-smiles, and nods. "I hope not..." You sense in a locksend, Brightfire's sending is less vocalized than a gentle brush with healing senses, concerned. From the branch above, Zalen swings down off the branch to the clearing below. Zalen drops down from the branch above. Zalen has arrived. Rillwhisper lowers her head slightly, towards Brightfire... Zalen leaps down from the branch and says hurriedly, "Humans! With spears!" Rillwhisper then blinks, and looks up sharply. "What!" Brightfire's head jerks up as well. ** What? * Zalen smiles quietly and shakes his head, going to drink more water. "I think I'm almost rested." Rillwhisper stares at Zalen, sudden startlement evident in her face, for two reasons now. "What are you talking about? What humans...?" Zalen waves a hand dismissively to his own comment and says, "You two were almost sounding like obsessed Preservers. There are no Humans." Brightfire stares at Zalen, and sets her jaw. Zalen glances back to Brightfire as though he doesn't care, or know. "You were." Rillwhisper frowns and rises, mouth tightening. But, as she'd reacted to Dawn's inadvertant mishap with the fire, she only eyes the tall young Glider with a solemn, quiet gaze. All she says is, "That was not... funny." With that, she turns and picks up the bow she'd left lying on the log. Zalen says "Should it have been?" Zalen's blank expression shifts slightly into familiar state of confusion and the hints of loss like a kicked puppy. Brightfire shakes her head, and finds something else to look at. Snow, probably. Brightfire locksends ** I think you should rest, Rill. ** Rillwhisper picks up the bow, blinking rapidly. Her eyes look wet. Rillwhisper mutters absently to Brightfire, "Yes... I should... I'm sorry, I'm just... Rillwhisper looks at Zalen, then, apologetically, and scrubs her newly-healed hand across her eyes. "I'm... all rattled, by this... hope Moonshade can settle him down..." Zalen murmurs reproachingly, "I don't even know what happened." Zalen keeps his eyes on his feet. (Waaaay down there.) Brightfire stands up, and offers Rill her hand. ** Come on, ** she sends, softly. Brightfire looks at you closely for a moment. Rillwhisper says softly to Zalen, "Strongbow..." She sighs. "I think he thought Pwyll was Tash." Zalen looks up, eyes now expressing concern and confusion. Zalen says "Pwyll? Why... why didn't anyone tell me?" Zalen says "Is he okay?" Zalen's concern grows deeper as the words start flowing out, "Where is he? He wasn't hurt, was he?" Rillwhisper shakes her head. "Pwyll's fine. We got Strongbow down before he did anything, in his vision." She holds up the bow. "Moonshade and I got this away from him. Moonshade sent... something. I guess, his soulname... anyway, he fell down, and didn't get up again..." Rillwhisper's voice is subdued. Zalen says "Oh." The glider's voice whisps over the wind. Zalen says "So ... everything's okay?" Brightfire nods silently at Zalen, then smiles a little. ** Aye. The drugs are out of the archer's system. He'll be .fine.. ** The last is directed more to Rill than to the glider. Rillwhisper glances at Brightfire, a sort of "hold a moment", expression. At Zalen's question, her eyes glimmer damply, again. "Strongbow, he..." Her voice roughens. "Tell him, healer. Please. You felt more than I." Brightfire's sending is open, simple. ** I don't think he's forgiven himself for killing Tash, all those turns ago. I think the healers then helped him to bury the feelings he had about it, and somehow the smoke from the mushrooms got through the blocks and made him remember it all. He's very angry at himself, and I think that before he'll be entirely better, he'll have to find a way to accept what's happened. ** Brightfire studies Zalen for a moment, and adds, ** I'm sure that Pwyll is safe. ** Zalen says in all opposition to his previous boyishness, voice darker, eyes sterner, tho on what cannot be said. "He will continue to be." Fhen shudders at hearing that name again. He continues to scritch the cub absently. Brightfire nods. ** He will be, ** she agrees. Zalen glances again to Rillwhisper. ** Are you alright? ** he sends simply. Rillwhisper glances at the Starwillow, and holds the bow to herself in both her arms, as if seeking comfort from it. "Not... really," she admits humbly. Zalen reaches out and faintly touches Rillwhisper's cheek. Zalen locksends ** You have all of us. ** Rillwhisper nods unsteadily to Zalen. A few more tears become visible in her eyes, but, by contrast, she looks a little more at ease. You locksend ** Yes... thank you... ** to Zalen. Zalen takes Rill's hand briefly and squeezes it, then lets gently go. Brightfire reaches out for Rill's hand again. ** Come on, chieftess. You need some rest, if I have to tuck you into the furs myself. ** Rillwhisper blinks at Brightfire, then nods meekly, and allows herself to be led. Brightfire pushes aside the willow fronds and steps into the tree. Brightfire has left. You push aside the willow fronds and step into the tree. In the Old Willow(#220RL) Contents: Brightfire Obvious exits: Out Rainfire Rillwhisper/Woodhawk/Trollkiller Guest Den Sentry Branch Up Zalen locksends ** ** You push the door-hide aside and crawl through into the den. Chieftess's Den(#124RAJL) Contents: Trollkiller Comfortable fur Obvious exits: Guest Den Out You locksend ** ** to Zalen. Rillwhisper, looking wrung-out and teary-eyed, is ushered into the den by Brightfire. Brightfire crawls in from the tree's center chamber. Brightfire has arrived. Zalen locksends ** Take your own words to heart, my chief. Worry of things as you come to them. ** Brightfire slips in just behind Rill, quietly, eyes concerned. You locksend ** I'll... try. Thank you. ** to Zalen. Rillwhisper forcibly tries to settle her ragged breathing, and to blink the recurrent tears out of her gaze, as Brightfire helps her into the den. You sense in a locksend, Zalen almost teases. ** Think like a wolf. ** Trollkiller is lying face-down across a big clump of furs, very asleep. He barely, if at all, stirs at Rillwhisper and Brightfire's entrance. Brightfire's sending is soft. ** Hush, chieftess. Here, come here. ** Silently, she offers a hug to the distraught elf. Rillwhisper blurts roughly, "Did you... did you see that look on his face? He.." Her voice is low and rough and ragged, now, and her tears barely make any noise. Rillwhisper frowns down at herself. "Look at me *sniff*... bawling like a cub... puckernuts..." Brightfire sits down, careful not to do so on the sleeping Trollkiller, and pulls Rill down with her, keeping the other elf in her arms. ** Go ahead and cry, Rill. It helps. He'll be all right. He will. ** Trollkiller shakes his head in his sleep, and "rrrra?"s Rillwhisper gives a choked little gasp and obligingly curls up between Brightfire and her younger mate, head on Brightfire's shoulder, her own hand fumbling for contact with Trollkiller. Rillwhisper sends openly ** I... I had no idea... I-I thought he was alright! ** Trollkiller mmmmrfs and snugs up behind Rillwhisper, wrapping a leg around hers. Rillwhisper realizes, uncomfortably, that she's still clutching Strongbow's bow. Ow. She disentangles it from herself, and mumbles, "Can't lose this..." Trollkiller is moved, and his eyes blink open. He looks _very_ fuzzy. ** Vuzzit? ** Rillwhisper, at Trollkiller's groggy wakening, abruptly cries more heavily -- but still barely makes a sound -- and throws herself against him. Trollkiller is whumpfed against the furpile, going, ** Wha?! Wha?! Wha?! ** Trollkiller sends to Woodhawk ** What?! What?! What?! ** Rillwhisper clutches at Trollkiller, sobbing into his shoulder. Woodhawk sends ** I'm here, Fuzzy... Strongbow okay? ** to Trollkiller. Trollkiller looks panicked for a moment, sending something, then relaxes a little. Trollkiller sends openly ** What's wrong? ** Brightfire watches worriedly for several moments, then replies, ** She's worried about Strongbow. ** Trollkiller sends to Woodhawk ** I... from the way Rill came in, I thought something had happened to _you_... I was terrified... ** Trollkiller clearly went from zero to dead panic to at least a _little_ relieved in about 10 seconds. ** Um. Uh. Uh? Strongbow? ** Woodhawk sends ** She's upset about the archer, isn't she? ** to Trollkiller. Brightfire nods. ** Strongbow. He's...upset over killing Tash. He got into some mushroom smoke and it woke up the memories. ** Rillwhisper mumble-sends, not trusting her voice to work properly, ** He's... so sad... h-h-he remembered killing Tash, Fuzzy, oh, High Ones, his face... ** Rillwhisper finishes, shaking, ** I thought he was alright! I didn't _know_! ** Brightfire sends openly ** You /couldn't/ have known, chieftess. Don't blame yourself. ** Trollkiller blinks. ** Um. He's... upset? What? He forgot? ** Trollkiller sends to Woodhawk ** Um. A lot, apparently. ** Woodhawk locksends ** I'm coming. ** to Trollkiller. Trollkiller wakes up more, and snuggles Rill tightly. Brightfire shakes her head. ** The memories had been buried, I think. Now he has to deal with them again. ** Rillwhisper nods heavily into Trollkiller's shoulder, while protesting anguishedly to Brightfire, ** I-I've sent with him... shared with him... almost deep enough for soulnames, but, but, I-I didn't see, I had no idea... ** Brightfire reaches out to touch Rill's shoulder, lightly. ** Chieftess. I don't believe that /he/ knew. You can't blame yourself. ** Trollkiller sends openly ** I don't understand... buried? Why? ** There is a slight sound outside the den. Then... Woodhawk has arrived. Trollkiller looks up with some relief at Woodhawk. ** Hi. ** Brightfire runs a hand back through shaggy hair. ** I...I'm guessing, here. I wasn't...there. But I think that the healers who helped him all those years ago, I think instead of helping him cope with the memories, they just helped him... forget what had happened. ** Brightfire sends openly ** So he has all these emotions to deal with, now that they've been wakened again. ** Woodhawk crawls in, frowning softly at the sight of his chief-mate curled up so. He sets his own bow aside, down next to Strongbow's, and immediately comes to Rillwhisper's side. Rill keeps one hand on Trollkiller while fumbling for the firestarter with the other. Woodhawk locksends, to Trollkiller, Rillwhisper: ** Twyr. Beloved. Tell us what happened. ** Rillwhisper looks up a little, sniffling, at her older mate. You locksend, to Trollkiller: Rillwhisper gets a grip on herself, then sends, a series of images and immediate, recent memories. She'd been asleep, in here, when Dawn frantically sent, something about Strongbow believing that the 'fire was real'. Coming out to find out what was going on, she sent for the archer, but found him strangely frantic, terrified. She coaxed him back to her, at the clearing -- but there, with the others in the tribe present, Pwyll and Joy and Fhen, as well as Moonshade, Strongbow spotted Pwyll. Tall, black-haired Pwyll... Trollkiller helps support Rillwhisper, brushing his hand across her forehead, gently. Brightfire glances at Woodhawk, and, if he needs an explanation, sends, for the fourth time, her thoughts on what's happened, and then, slowly, begins to back out of the den. You locksend ** He... thought Pwyll was Tash. Would have attacked him, I think, but w-we took his bow, Moonshade and me... I think Moonshade must have sent to him... he fell down... we took him back to the starwillow.... ** to Trollkiller. Woodhawk nods quietly and murmurs his thanks to Brightfire. Trollkiller breaths out slowly, as Rillwhisper relays a story in sends... Brightfire nods, and slips out. Brightfire crawls through the door-hide out into the heart of the tree. Brightfire has left. Rillwhisper pulls in a shuddering sigh. You locksend, to Trollkiller: ** He... it was like somebody'd ripped out his heart, when he looked at me.... ** Trollkiller continues snugging Rillwhsiper, not able to offer much of anything other than comfort. Woodhawk leans in close, wrapping his arms around his chief-mate, too. At last, she begins to settle down, and her frantic hold on Trollkiller relaxes. Trollkiller sends to Woodhawk ** Phew. I thought she was going to pull out all my fur. ** Woodhawk smiles, very faintly, at Trollkiller. Trollkiller rubs gently along Rillwhisper's arm, chest, and flank, soothing... Rillwhisper sends meek gratitude to both of her mates, as she calms. [End log.]