Synopsis: It's been a few days ICly since Dusk and Tsoran Recognized, and Tsoran finally comes back after disappearing for a bit. The date was August 2, but like I said, it took place a few days after the previous one. Players: Dusk (logger), Tsoran, Talek, then Serin and StreamWind at the end. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Garden of Shade and Sweet Water Nestled in the rocky canyon, this area has been turned into an oasis. Rows of herbs and flowers, blooming bright blue and white, dance in the breeze. Mature sticker-plants are bursting with yellow and red blossoms. A row of woody shrubs lines the stone path. They blaze with orange-pink blooms. Clustered back near the rock walls several short, gnarled trees provide shade for the benches below: most are covered in puffy pink flowers, but one sports round, orange fruit peeking out from beneath its glossy leaves. You can hear the gentle burble of water. The sun is high in the warm spring skies. The explosion of colors is fading as plants dry up and go dormant, waiting for the next rainfall. Contents: Tsoran Hot Pool Shaded Stone Benches Dreamberry Bush Obvious exits: Dancing Square Tsoran floats down, landing lightly nearby. Sitting on one of the stone benches is Dusk, alone. The last few days haven't been easy on her, with Tsoran's disappearance and all. It can begin to hurt if Recognition isn't fulfilled, and as much as Dusk may not want to, she needs to fulfill it. Tsoran walks over, expressionlessly. Tsoran locksends ** Ashte. ** Dusk gasps, startled after having been paying little attention to things around her. She looks up quickly, over to Tsoran, her eyes widening again. You locksend ** Tsoran. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran stops beside the benches, clasping his hands lightly at his back and looking out over the garden with apparent calm. Tsoran locksends ** Who have you told about this? ** Dusk breathes in and out slowly, looking from Tsoran to the gardens, and then to Tsoran again. She seems tense. You locksend ** Nobody else but Talek..Aroree knew.. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran still watches the garden. ** Instruct him to tell no one. I do not wish this to be known. ** Dusk shuts her eyes, holding her hands in her lap. ** Why? Are you ashamed of what happened, afraid of others knowing? ** Tsoran says "You will do as I ask, or I will leave. Now." Tsoran glances down. Dusk's eyes open again quickly, and she looks at Tsoran, eyes wavering. ** Send it.. ** she asks, more of a begging question than a demanding one. But it seems apparent she'll obey in order to keep Tsoran from leaving. Tsoran sends openly ** You assume too much. ** Tsoran takes a step away from Dusk. "No! Wait.." Dusk bolts to stand up, extending her hand towards Tsoran. ** Wait..I'll tell him..not to tell anyone else..don't go. You can't go.. ** You sense in a locksend, Talek's sending is a tentative one, blurred hazily from half-sleepiness. ** Dusk..? ** Tsoran appears to deliberate for a moment, then nods curtly. "Very well." He remains where he is. You locksend to Talek, Dusk's sending is seemingly distracted, as she blurts quickly. ** You can't tell anyone about Tsoran and me, or he'll leave.. ** You sense in a locksend, Talek's sending halts, then turns sharply clearer, now awake. ** What? Why? ** A moment, then: ** Dusk, where are you? ** Dusk takes two more steps closer to Tsoran, looking like the best thing for her would be to fulfill this and run. "We have to do this.." You locksend ** He'll leave if anyone else knows and he can't leave before we fulfill this! I..we're in the gardens.. ** to Talek. You sense in a locksend, Talek's sending glimmers uncertainly. ** Do you want me to..? ** You locksend to Talek, Dusk's words are questioning ones. ** To what..? ** Tsoran says frostily. "*I* need to do nothing, unless I choose to." Talek locksends ** ..come? There? Is he here? ** You locksend to Talek, Dusk's reply is a wordless sense of affirmation. Dusk swallows, looking pained for a brief moment, before it passes. She steps closer again, trying to lay a hand on Tsoran's arm. "Please..I'm an elf too..why do you hate me so much?" Tsoran looks down at Dusk's hand for a long moment, then out at the garden again. There's a rustle among the surrounding greenery, then Talek emerges, brushing a few leaves out from where they caught in his hair, smoke-grey eyes flickering around for the one he seeks. ** Dusk? ** Tsoran locksends ** I reserve my hatred for those who deserve it. ** Dusk leaves her hand on Tsoran's arm, if allowed to, before she glances towards the owner of the new sending. ** Talek.. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk asks simply, ** Do you hate me? We barely even know each other. ** Tsoran locksends ** Do you hate your prey? ** Tsoran narrows his eyes slightly at Talek, apparently ignoring Dusk's touch. You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk's answer holds a little confusion at the question. ** No..prey is there to be hunted, and we thank our prey for giving us food to eat. ** ** Dusk! ** Faint relief tingles lightly in Talek's sending. ** Are you all-- Oh! ** He stops then once free of the greenery, shifting awkwardly from one foot to the other as Tsoran's presence registers. He blinks, but only once. ** I.. Oh.. Hm. .... ** His brows furrow, gaze shifting from rust-furred maiden to tall, regal Glider. ** I'm sorry, I didn't.. Am I interrupting..? ** Tsoran locksends ** Quite so. I hate you no more than I hate any prey. ** You locksend ** Do you hate your prey? ** to Tsoran. Tsoran regards Talek calmly. ** Are you usually this unfocused? ** Tsoran locksends ** That would be foolish. I am no fool. ** Dusk's hand slips from Tsoran's arm at Talek's stuttering sending, and she stares at him for a moment, before her eyes are drawn back up towards Tsoran's. ** I..don't know, Talek.. ** You locksend ** I didn't mean to say you were. I don't know Gliders very well. ** to Tsoran. Talek's gaze flicks back to Dusk and darkens slightly with concern, a hand lifting to scratch the back of his neck before looking again to Tsoran. ** I.. No. ** Tsoran slowly looks down at Dusk again, meeting her eyes. Tsoran locksends ** You are little more than a child. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk's send bristles momentarily, before settling. ** That has no meaning in this..Recognition chooses when it will happen. Please..let us just fulfill it and we can split ways again. ** Tsoran locksends ** And where will you go then? ** You locksend ** Home. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** Willowholt, I believe you said. I know of that one. ** Dusk swallows gently, looking back up into Tsoran's eyes. You locksend ** Stay away from it, please.. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran's lips curve faintly into a humorless smile. Tsoran locksends ** I obey the will of my Lord, in this as in all matters. ** Talek looks ill at ease, his discomfort increasing swiftly. Perhaps he shouldn't have barged in so.. abruptly. ** Dusk, ah.. ... Perhaps I should.. Should go.. ** As Tsoran's smile forms, Dusk begins to frown. Distracted, she speaks aloud. "Aye, Talek..sorry.." This doesn't seem to be a conversation she can share with a third party. Tsoran floats up lightly. "Oh, by all means stay. I have business elsewhere." Tsoran locksends ** I'll leave you to meditate on the value of obedience. ** Tsoran flies up. Tsoran has left. You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk can't quite hide a sudden twinge of apprehension at the words. ** ... ** At Dusk's indication, Talek does move back towards where he entered, only to depart, then stops at Tsoran's spoken reply and his own abrupt departure. He blinks. Slowly. And looks to Dusk, confusion creasing his brow. ** Dusk..? ** Dusk sinks down to her knees after Tsoran departs, hugging her arms close to herself. "Talek.." Talek moves forward as his rust-furred friend crumples, his eyes now wide and startled. ** Dusk! ** He crouches beside her, a hand going to her shoulder. The surprise fades to concern. ** Are you all right? ** ** No, I'm not all right.. ** Dusk send-murmurs, shaking at Talek's touch. ** We Recognized - I told you - but he's cold, and cruel..and might leave me without fulfilling it.. ** Talek pulls the wolfen elf into a tentative embrace, hugging her gently, but firmly, lest she pull away. ** He wouldn't, Dusk, ** he sends, his voice a blur of concern and reassurance. ** You know that. No one, not even Gliders, can resist Recognition.. He /can't/ leave you without fulfilling it.. ** Dusk doesn't know for sure, with Tsoran. ** We met a few days ago, and he left..he just came back now. And when he left again, he said he'd leave me to 'meditate on the value of obedience'... ** She's simply at a loss for what to do. ** What under the sun did he mean by that? ** Talek blurts without thought, pulling away just enough to give Dusk an uneasy, confused glance, his arms still wound around her form lightly. Dusk sends openly, ** I don't know..but he made me tell him where I live...they might come for my cub.. ** When the cub is had. /If/ she's even allowed to return home. Talek bites his lip and studies Dusk, as if measuring her reactions and considering them. His sending carefully cleanses itself of that worried factor that so darkens it, still concerned and reassuring. ** He won't, Dusk. You /know/ that. We've dealt with Gliders before.. The Willowholt wouldn't let him even get in! ** Tsoran has arrived. Tsoran floats down, landing in the shade as if he had never left. Dusk merely nods to Talek, embracing him. She doesn't offer much past an affirmative sending. Then, as Tsoran returns, her head lifts. Tsoran gives Talek a disinterested look, then rests his gaze on Dusk. Talek, lacking Dusk's wolfen senses as well as her private link to the Glider, does not notice Tsoran's return right away. Yet when Dusk looks up, he tilts his head slightly and follows her gaze until it rests on the Chosen, and then he blinks. ** I thought you left, ** he puts forth bluntly, without thought beforehand. Tsoran says curtly. "Perhaps I should, rather than disrupting this touching scene." Dusk slips out of Talek's embrace and rises slowly, returning to the Glider's side wordlessly. Her eyes shift towards the ground, then send-blurts, ** No..! ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk's words are more of a begging sort than before. ** Please..don't leave me..what do you want from me? ** Tsoran rests a pale hand lightly on Dusk's furred shoulder. Tsoran locksends ** I think that should be obvious. ** Though Dusk rises, Talek remains where he is, crouching on the ground. His cheeks, fading back to their normal color after being sun-burnt, flush a dark red before looking sharply to Dusk again as she sends. ** Dusk..? ** You locksend ** To..go with you? <> I will.. ** to Tsoran. You sense Tsoran's hand moves gently along your shoulder, thumb brushing the side of your neck in a caress. ** Soon. ** Dusk swallows, leaning slightly against Tsoran if allowed to. She glances back to Talek before looking down again. "I'm sorry, Talek.." she murmurs. Talek's brows furrow, gaze shifting between Dusk and Tsoran uneasily. ** What? For what? ** Tsoran senses, Dusk's head tilts ever so slightly, to let you caress her as you will, without resistance or objection. ** Soon? ** Tsoran locksends ** I have thought the matter through. You are right, I do wish to keep this secret. At least from the Gliders. ** Tsoran strokes a finger lightly along Dusk's neck, watching her through narrowed eyes. You locksend ** Aye..<> What are you going to do? ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** We will do what needs to be done. And then you will return to your home, and stay there as long as is necessary. I will ask no more. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk's send hints at relief. She's glad she won't be taken to the Mountain, or at least it seems that way. ** Aye. ** she agrees. Dusk leans a little closer to Tsoran, though she seems uncomfortable in doing so. Her eyes remain fixed on the ground, and no answer is given to Talek. Tsoran looks up at Talek again after a while. "Are you travelling with her?" Talek still watches Dusk, the concern growing, but answers Tsoran with a slight nod of his head and, ** Aye.. I am. ** Dusk resigns herself to staying quiet, her thoughts shifting more towards plans to protect her cub-to-be, in the event Winnowill decides she wants it. Tsoran locksends ** Come with me, now. ** Tsoran leans down slightly, putting his arm around Dusk's waist. Dusk sends, suddenly. ** I have to go now, Talek.. ** Dusk nods to something from Tsoran, and lifts her arms to grab around his upper body. [Tsoran carries Dusk off, for the two to be alone.] Tsoran brings you to a secluded and sheltered spot not too far away from the village, but once there seems at a loss. Putting you down on the ground again he looks at you with a slightly confused mixture of desire and repulsion. "This... is more difficult than I thought." "It's not easy, sometimes.." Dusk admits, looking up at you from her place on the ground. "I'm sure you know sometimes Recognitions like this happen.." Tsoran avoids your eyes, with an effort. "There was a rather... notable such in Blue Mountain. Yes." Dusk can't seem to stop herself from looking at you, however. "I..wouldn't know..I don't want to go to the Mountain, though.." Tsoran looks glum, not bothering to keep up the pretense any longer. The mental bond is too strong to for it to be worthwhile. "Nor do I, at the moment. This is most unfortunate." You sense in a locksend, Tsoran's mind keeps up a light touch, much as his fingers did a little while ago. You might get the sensation you are being... searched, somehow. Dusk looks relieved that Tsoran doesn't seem to have any plans for taking her to the Mountain, enough that she relaxes a little. Maybe this won't be so bad. "I suppose so.." You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk seems to feel this, and questions you wordlessly. Tsoran lowers himself to sit on a low rock, and tells you. ** Come here. ** You sense in a locksend, Tsoran's soul-image shimmers with pale colors, appearing to be in a light breeze that stirs the as yet unseen hair. He sighs faintly, telling you. ** You are so different. I try to find something... anything familiar. ** Dusk nods, and after a pause, she obeys, moving closer slowly. Tsoran takes your hands, and looks into your eyes once more. You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk's own soul-image looks back at you, and suggests, ** Forget your body's thoughts and disgust..we are one..let us do what needs to be done. ** Dusk's hands rest in yours rather weakly, as she stares into your eyes, and further, your very soul. You sense in a locksend, Tsoran starts to reply, but abandons the words. His hands tighten on yours as, mentally, he reaches out to embrace you, closing the remaining distance of souls. <> You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk's hands return the squeezing feeling, unlike her body's, before her soul-image returns the embrace, the two coming closer to one. <> Tsoran sighs softly. And, finally, pulls you into his arms physically as well, surrendering to the Recognition. While you might sigh for another reason, Dusk's is a sigh of relief, as the feeling of impending fulfillment begins to wash over her. She gladly returns the embrace, forgetting the fact you're Glider and she's Wolfrider, two species of elves that have not traditionally gotten along very well. ** Tsoran..Tsoran. ** she sends, her breath leaving her quickly before fresh air is drawn back in. You sense Tsoran's caresses are gentle and skilled. Unhurriedly he explores the unfamiliar terrain of your body. With the soul bond, you might sense that this is a matter of pride to him as much as a Recognition-induced care for your feelings. And somewhere along the way, his uniform seems to go missing. Tsoran senses, Dusk returns the caresses with her own, her hands running along your now bare back, while she makes an attempt to nuzzle your cheek with hers. Her heart begins to beat more rapidly as it all progresses, and as your uniform disappears, so too does that band she likes to wear - not that it would be a hindrance to begin with. ** Tsoran.. ** she repeats, softly. [Dusk and Tsoran agreed to do a little fade to black for the actual joining, so it resumes afterwards.] Tsoran's pale arms wrap lightly around you, once it is all over. All traces of tension gone, he almost looks vulnerable. Dusk goes back into a gentle embrace, her eyes closed peacefully. She, too, is vulnerable though - she has been all along, with you being the one to control things earlier. However, what needed to be done, was. You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk attempts a send. ** It wasn't so bad now, was it..? ** Tsoran strokes the edge of your ear lazily with a finger. "Mhmm." Tsoran locksends ** So easy to forget, what it is like. ** Dusk might even be able to..love you if the circumstances were more appropriate. As it is, she certainly can't claim to hate you right now. She mrrrs softly, resting her head partially against your shoulder. You locksend ** I'd never..thought a Recognition was like that.. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran smiles faintly, scratching a finger lightly behind your ear as one would a pet, perhaps. His usually neatly combed black hair is a disordered halo around his pale face. ** It does have some pleasant side-effects. ** A side-effect of that finger behind Dusk's ear seems to be a relaxing one, for it's a pleasing feeling to her. "Mmhmm.." she rumbles, shifting a hand to sift through your hair gently. Tsoran keeps caressing you absentmindedly. ** There have been some children in the Mountain. The results of Outsider Recognitions. But most seem to stay outside, hidden. ** ** Can you blame them? ** Dusk wonders softly, continuing to brush her hand through your fine hair. ** Most of us are..afraid of that place, and your chief.. ** Tsoran sends openly ** Lord. ** He corrects it without much feeling. ** You are right to be, of course. But this does make me wonder. I might have another child, somewhere. I had all but forgotten. ** Tsoran runs his hand along your body, resting it at the hip. Lord, chief..it's really the same thing in the end. Either way, she would rather avoid the Mountain in the end. ** I..couldn't tell you anything about that..all I know of will be ours.. ** She exhales, placing a hand on your chest. Tsoran smiles faintly, pulling you a little closer. ** Perhaps we should make doubly certain. ** ** How do you mean..? ** Dusk wonders, showing no regrets about being drawn closer again. She rather enjoys it. Tsoran's eyes sparkle with amusement, his caresses growing intimate again. ** Permit me to demonstrate. Or would you rather I return you to your companion, now?** Dusk responds favorably, as far as staying is concerned. She licks around your ear, nibbling the tip as she finishes. ** He can wait.. ** "We're not that close, anyway.." Tsoran laughs softly, a tingle of pleasure coloring his send as he proceeds with renewed enthusiasm. ** Good. He'll have to wait a long while yet. ** ** A long while..? We did..plan on going home..some time.. ** Dusk sends absently. Were they to leave soon? She forgets, for now, hands resuming their caressing of your own body, one returning to run through your hair again. Tsoran sends openly ** It's several days, groundbound, I believe. ** Dusk knows. ** Aye..we'll need to cross the desert, too. ** she adds softly. Tsoran tickles your bellybutton. ** Not unless you want to. ** Dusk giggles quietly, squirming just a tad, a questioning send for her answer. ** Why wouldn't I want to return home? ** Tsoran smiles, whispering in your ear. "You could go by air. Much faster, and no time lost to... this... at all." Dusk opens an eye lazily, blinking at you. "And Talek..? Would you fly him back too?" Can she even trust you to take her over the desert? Tsoran supports his head on his hand. "I think that would be at DarkWings limit for that distance. But if you wish, yes." Questions form in Dusk's mind as to /why/ you'd offer to cart them over the desert, but they're left unsaid. ** You would do this? ** Tsoran says "Would I lie to you?" Tsoran resumes his caresses, abandoning the subject. "I would hope not.." But Dusk is faintly troubled that you didn't agree in a sending. She was looking for that honesty in a send. Puckernuts. She begins to let it go as well, as you go back to caressing her. Tsoran locksends ** For a wolfblood, you think too much, Ashte. ** You locksend ** Forgive me, Tsoran..but it is hard to openly trust a Glider sometimes..with her leading.. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** You are forgiven. ** Dusk refrains from sending or speaking for the moment, remaining in a comfortable position with you. [Once again, a little fade-to-black is done.] Tsoran glances up at the sky, a long and busy time later. "It is getting late." "Aye..it is." Dusk murmurs, sounding and feeling more tired than she had been before. Tsoran sits up, wincing a little, and throws away a small pebble. And considers you thoughtfully. Tsoran reaches for his uniform. ** My offer stands. ** Dusk looks back at you, rolling to a sitting position of her own. She is..tempted to accept. But only if Talek comes too. She won't make her tribesmate travel alone, home. ** I'll have to ask Talek what he thinks..Do you..think I could have a ride? ** Tsoran pauses in dressing, reaching out to stroke a finger lightly along your jawline. ** Take advantage of my good mood while it lasts. And don't question it too much. ** Dusk is certainly glad that you've been tolerable, for sure. It could have been worse. ** Aye.. ** she answers, her head lowering slightly as your finger moves over her jawline. She's tried to do what she could to keep it peaceful, and it seems to have worked. Tsoran . o O ( Tolerable. Hmph.) Tsoran stands, re-attaching his talonwhip. He considers his mirror image in the helmet, makes a half-hearted attempt to get his hair in order, and finally just puts the helmet on. With narrowed eyes, he scans the surroundings. Dusk winds that band around herself again, standing back up slowly. Oh, she's going to have a good rest after these events. She decides to look around, as well. Tsoran offers you his hand. Dusk lifts an eyebrow, allowing a hand of her own to move towards yours, without questioning. Tsoran lifts you easily. ** It is time we returned. ** ** Aye, it is.. ** Dusk once again agrees. How long were they together alone? And further, why should it matter? [And back they go, to the Dancing Square.] Dancing Square A wide paved square surrounded by brightly colored pavilions and canopied platforms. Gaily colored banners and paper lanterns hang from poles at the corners of the square. Playful spring breezes dip to ground level from time to time. In the mellow spring afternoon there are still elves found working in the fields, while others gather near the well or forge to chat. Soft laughter is heard from a hut. Lost objects might be found in the stables in the canyon to the north and east. Check the 'placehelp'. Contents: Tsoran StreamWind Serin Obvious exits: Garden Canopy Savah's House Boundary Path Crossroads StreamWind blinks slowly. Tsoran places Dusk down on the ground, giving those present a narrow-eyed look. StreamWind frowns and stands up from his seat. Dusk takes notice of others in the Square, and smiles at them faintly, standing next to Tsoran, making the furred elf and the tall Chosen a strange pairing indeed. Serin pointedly ignores the scene not at all amazed by the floating elves anymore Tsoran locksends ** As friendly as ever, I see. I think this is where we part. ** Tsoran looks down at Dusk briefly. He steps into the shadows, body tensed. StreamWind is obviously not used to this sight at all. Serin moves, rising and going to Streamwind Dusk glances back up at Tsoran, nodding without a word said publicly. You locksend ** Aye..I don't know yet about flying over the desert.. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** I still have not located Larias. I will remain near the village for another few days, searching. Send for me, if you so choose. ** Dusk nods wordlessly to Tsoran, at something meant only for her to know. Then, she turns and begins to stride towards the guest cottages, acting as if nothing was the matter at all. Serin lays a hand on StreamWind, seeking to ease his mind if only a little Tsoran leaps into the air. Overhead, Tsoran soars upward from the dancing square below. StreamWind blinks again. "Shade," Dusk greets, giving Serin and StreamWind a faint nod as she goes past them. StreamWind stares at the she-elf and nods. "uh, heyla..." Serin nods quietly, "Shade to you" Serin leans up to Streamwind speaking quietly Dusk nods again, moving on.