From: owner-willowholt-l@murkworks.net on behalf of Wolf031877@aol.com Sent: Sunday, August 09, 1998 3:35 PM To: willowholt-l@murkworks.net Subject: [willowholt-l] Resend: A Sort of Homecoming I sent this as an attachment before, and I got it all screwed up...resending just in case. ------------------------------------------------ Synopsis: After a long time away, Dusk and Talek finally return home to the Willowholt. It's logged August 9, but took place shortly after the fulfillment of Dusk and Tsoran's Recognition, probably within a couple IC days. Players: Dusk (logger), Talek, Dawn, Woodhawk, Jylien. --------------------------------------------------------------- South Marsh The edge of the marshes is vibrant with the small sounds of life. Wind rustles through the treetops, carrying the heady scents of summer grasses; the air is alive with water-scent, too. Wild creatures abound: waterbirds, ravvits, and small deer, all foraging through the tall grasses and reeds for their food. The immediate area is wild and tangled, trees allowing passage in only distinct directions, and the earth is slightly damp underfoot. A tangle of trees and brush stands off towards Sun-Goes-Down; it is quite thick, but a closer look suggests it is passable. To the northwest, the trail winds on into the marshes, and towards the distant Wandering River. Towards Away-from-Hub, the marshes give way entirely to the forest and the grasslands beyond. Obvious exits: SouthMarsh Trail Camp After a quiet and uneventful flight provided by the Chosen Tsoran and his bond-bird, Dusk and Talek have been let off a bit outside the Willowholt. Dusk looks to be happy that they were able to trust the Glider and avoid a grueling trip over the desert in the summer. She looks around as the pair come up on familiar territory. ** Home.. ** Talek is a bit thinner than usual, having lost a slight bit of weight despite the generosity of the Sun Villagers and their food. The sun-burn is gone from his cheeks, leaving him as pale as ever except for light touches of shading here and there. He offers his companion a crooked smile and hehs! softly. ** Aye.. home. Looks good after all that time.. ** ** Very good..let's go! ** Dusk answers with a smile and a bit of urgency to her sending. She wants to get back inside, where everything will be great again. No more Underworld, no more travels - for a while, at least. She heads for the hidden entrance. Talek trails behind her, silent save for that lopsided smile of his, careful to avoid getting stung by the itchgrass. Carefully you pick your way through the tangled barrier, avoiding the itchgrass that grows thickly at its base. South Bank of the Pond This narrow, winding pathway is shielded in almost all directions save up, where the open sky allows clear illumination to mark the trail. The foliage is that of a place on the fringe between wood and marshland; tall young trees to the south and west, dominated by a massive distant trio of willows, are set off against a tangled barrier of brush and grasses that curves gently across the trail just off to the east. Thinner grasses mark the edge of a pond immediately to the north. The sun is rising over the green Holt, climbing towards the zenith. The sun is high in the hot summer skies. Obvious exits: Holt Copse Itchgrass Circle Pond On the other side of the itchgrass circle, Talek vanishes into the thick tangled growth towards Sun-Goes-Down. Talek carefully works his way through the itchgrass barrier, arriving from the marshes. In a send to the whole tribe, Dusk's touch on your minds is felt gently, bubbling over with joy to be back here. ** Willowholt..Talek and I, we're home! ** Dusk looks towards the holt, and continues on, pausing to grin at Talek after she reports their return. Dawn sends to the whole tribe ** Cub! You're back! Where are you? ** You head into the Willowholt. Clearing by the Old Willow Here in the heart of the Willowholt, the air is thick with the scents of the Newgreen -- regardless of season. Green growing things crowd the clearing, from the myriad bright 'mushrooms' hiding among tall shoots of grass, to dreamberry bushes sandwiched between the trees, to the mighty, massive 'Old Willow' that dominates everything in sight. A fallen 'log' under the Old Willow's branches provides a place to sit; a gurgling 'fountain' provides a constant song of water. Amidst the almost overwhelming weight of Newgreen scents, the air, to elfin senses, is alive with magic. Immediately to the northeast, overlooked by the mighty willow, lies a small pond; to the southeast, south, and west, paths to the Holt's more secluded parts; to the east, the distant marshes. All is quiet in the heat of the summer's day, as elves and wolves both keep to the cool shadows. The sun is high in the hot summer skies. Obvious exits: Branch Old Willow Hillside Path Starwillow Copse Marsh Pond Talek appears from the nearby pathway. Dusk sends to the whole tribe ** <> Mother! We're in the clearing! ** Dawn appears from the nearby pathway. Jylien arrives from the side of the Old Willow. Talek's gray eyes sparkle like polished stones, lifting a hand to brush a few stray hairs out of his eyes. As the pair step out into the clearing his stance straightens a bit, looking around him as if viewing the surroundings for the first time. ** /Missed/ this place, ** he comments, grinning at Dusk. Dawn runs and grabs Dusk in a tight hug, laughing happily. ** I've missed you! ** Dusk nods at Talek emphatically, turning in a full circle, then another, as she looks around her home again. ** Missed it a /lot/, after all that happened. ** she answers, before her eyes stop on Dawn and Jylien. She rushes towards her mother, meeting her halfway, grinning as she returns the embrace. ** Mother! My eyes see with joy! ** She's a bit thinner than she was when she left. Woodhawk appears from the nearby pathway. Jylien tries not to be quite that openly enthusiastic, restrained and grown, but it's hard to do. There's still a bit of a spring in his step and a pleased glint in his eyes as he walks -- rather more quickly than he'd like -- toward the two. Woodhawk trots in a bit behind, but grinning softly for all of that. Dawn hugs her daughter happily, but complains. ** You're too skinny. Didn't you remember to hunt while searching? We'll soon mend that, though. ** Talek doesn't look much worse for wear, thinner as well, but not by much. He grins broadly as Dawn and Jylien come into view, then Woodhawk quickly after. ** Dawn! Jylien! Woodhawk! Hello! ** Woodhawk sends a wordless greeting, but seems quite glad to see them all. Dawn keeps an arm around her daughter, turning to smile to Talek. ** And welcome home to you too, Talek. ** She peers curiously at Dusk. Jylien can't help the grin though; that's ear to ear. ** Welcome home, ** he adds. Dawn locksends ** You found your soulname, then? ** Dusk's eyes travel past her mother's head to spy Woodhawk, and she grins at him. ** Woodhawk, too! ** She doesn't forget Jylien. ** And how are you, Jylien? ** At the words from her mother about her skinny form, she settles a bit, uncomfortable about what /caused/ her to become skinny to begin with. You locksend ** I did, mother. ** to Dawn. Dawn locksends ** That is good, Ashte. ** Dawn sends openly ** You must tell us all about your travels! But first, I'll get some food. ** Dawn hugs Dusk again, smiling, and heads for the willow. Dawn climbs up onto the overhanging sentry branch. >From the branch above, Dawn climbs up from the clearing below. >From the branch above, Dawn climbs towards the top of the Old Willow. You locksend to Dawn, Dusk's send is somewhat surprised. ** You..know it? ** ** Food is good, ** Talek sends a bit blearily, and apparently belatedly, flicking Dusk a glance, brows raised. Jylien answers, ** Glad to see you home, mostly. How was it? The searching, I mean. ** As Dawn heads off for nourishment, Dusk sinks down to sit on a log, crossing a leg over the other. ** The searching..went well. ** she explains, leaving something more out. Woodhawk's thin lips tug upwards a bit. ** There's a story to be told, eh? ** Dawn locksends ** Since before you were born, cub. ** Dawn arrives from the side of the Old Willow. You locksend to Dawn, Dusk's answer is a wordless smile. Dawn returns with what meat is left from a recent hunt, and makes sure Dusk and Talek are well supplied. Getting in a hug from each as she does, too. ** Something like that, ** Talek replies, his smile somewhat faded as he retreats backwards a few steps, reclining slowly back against the Old Willow. As Dawn hugs, he returns it, offering her a crooked version of that said smile. Dusk has found a spot on a log in the time Dawn left and returned, and she returns the hug to her mother before she begins to consume the food given to her. ** Let's just say we could have been back a lot sooner.. ** Dusk offers. Dawn sits beside her daughter, wrapping an arm comfortably around her again. ** You can tell us of your journey when you have rested properly. ** Jylien nods agreeably. ** There'll be a howl, I bet. ** Dawn nods eagerly. ** Oh, yes! It's been far too long since we had one! It's about time we had something to celebrate again. ** Dusk puts an arm around her mother's waist, and leans against her. ** I'm not tired, mother. We had an easy trip home. ** She glances towards Talek, thinking it might be as good a time as any to talk about what went on. She grins at Jylien, looking like she might howl right now. You locksend ** We should tell them. ** to Talek. Dawn hmphs. ** Should have paused more often to hunt, then. You're all skin and bones! ** Talek's eyes are dark though when Dusk looks at him and offers her a slight shake of his head, nibbling the edges of the meat Dawn gave to him. You sense in a locksend, Talek is hesitant. ** Now? ** You locksend ** Aye, now. Why wait? ** to Talek. Talek locksends ** But.. we just got here! ** You locksend to Talek, Dusk sends reassurance. ** We're home. We're safe again. Let's talk. ** Jylien glances skyward. ** Is anyone fed enough to make you happy, Mother? ** Woodhawk just watches the two homecomers. Dawn considers the question carefully. ** Sometimes, I think. ** Dusk nods her head to Talek after he shakes his, and she sends openly. ** We hunted enough, mother. But for a while I wasn't allowed to have any meat. ** You sense in a locksend, Talek's sending is equivalent to a mental sigh, but he nods as well, offering no argument. You locksend ** It's better this way... ** to Talek. Jylien frowns. ** Not allowed? By who? ** Talek nods as well, then seems to find the dirt at his feet absolutely fascinating. Without looking up, he blurts in response to the query, ** Underworlders. ** Dawn starts to scowl at Talek at Dusk's words, him being the only logical candidate for any forbiddings. Then her eyes go wide at his send. ** What? ** Dawn's send is echoed by Jylien's. ** What? ** His eyes, however, narrow. Woodhawk's own brows draw together as anger flickers behind his quiet expression. Dusk gives her mother's arm a squeeze, trying to settle her. ** Mother, it's all right now. ** she begins, looking unhappy at her reaction to Talek. To all, she continues. ** We were coming home again, after I found my name, and we were ambushed. There was an Underworlder who was after Talek, and he used me to make him go with him. ** Talek nods again, once. ** His name was Evenek. He was.. from the Family I was born to. That I used to be a part of. ** Dawn growls faintly, deep in her throat. ** The same ones that got Simmel? ** ** The same. ** Dusk answers, giving Talek a nod. ** He..Evenek gave me to another one down there..Lrilanya. She tried to make me think I was her daughter. She was mindsick, and wouldn't let me eat anything. ** Jylien's expression clouds quietly. Dawn hugs Dusk worriedly. ** Oh, poor cub! No wonder you're so thin. ** ** She got away though! ** Again, Talek blurts and his face flushes slight for it, yet his eyes lift from the ground and flicker from face to face, as if nervous. ** We both did.. for a little while, anyway. ** Woodhawk's own expression becomes more set, but he refrains from comment. Jylien sends openly ** What happened after a little while? ** Talek turns a darker shade of red as he sends honestly, ** I'm not sure. ** He glances at Dusk, biting his lip. Dusk hugs her mother back, nodding. ** Someone down there did something to me, and I almost killed a troll, too. I didn't even know what I was doing. ** She looks at Jylien. ** I was..too weak to get away, and Talek fell and hit his head hard trying to carry me off. ** Dawn looks worriedly between both. ** I wish one of the healers was here right now. You both need looking after. ** Jylien's violet gaze darts to Talek, then back toward Dusk. Dusk shakes her head at Dawn, and looks between everyone again, finishing the Underworld part of the story. ** I don't know why, but that mindsick one gave me back to Evenek, and he just let us go suddenly. We made it to Sorrow's End, because it was closest, and we got food and some healing, too. We got better there. ** Yet she still has some filling out to do. Talek only nods for lack of words to send or say. He nibbles again at the bit of meat, then lowers it, brows furrowing. ** And the trip back wasn't so bad.. ** he starts to send before halting midsentence, looking back to Dusk. He tilts his head slightly. Dawn nods approvingly. ** You should have stayed there longer, until you had filled out some again. No sense travelling when you're weak. ** Talek locksends ** Do you want that to be told now? ** You locksend ** I'll..share it. ** to Talek. Jylien counters, ** It's good that you came home. It's easier to heal when everything's familiar. ** You sense in a locksend, Talek nods lightly, and offers something akin to a mental hug, sharing strength. Dusk shrugs at Dawn's words, and send-murmurs, ** Something else happened there, and we took a good offer to get back here sooner. ** She nods emphatically to Jylien. ** That, too. ** You locksend to Talek, Dusk offers a few words. ** It..went better than expected. ** Dawn smiles, hugging Dusk again. ** I'm glad you're home, sensible or not. We'll have you both well and happy soon enough. ** Talek locksends ** That's.. good. ** Dusk hugs her mother back, and delivers perhaps the biggest news of all. ** When we were at Sorrow's End, I Recognized. ** Talek's silver-grey eyes flicker briefly and he nods wordlessly to Dusk's sending, gaze flickering from her to the rest, expression unreadable. Dawn's jaw drops. Jylien blinks several times. Dawn then gives a happy shriek, and leaps to her feet, then leans down to hug Dusk happily. ** More grandcubs! How wonderful! ** Dusk wasn't quite sure how to answer Dawn, until she's hugged again. She protects her piece of meat from falling, and returns the hug loosely, explaining. ** I was just walking through the Square, and he showed up. Nothing happened at first, but when I finally met his eyes.. ** And the rest is history. Jylien once more looks toward Talek, and back. ** Who? ** Talek nibbles his own piece of meat, commenting wryly, ** It was one surprise after another, that trip of ours. ** Dawn beams happily, releasing Dusk carefully from the hug and looking around, echoing Jylien this time. ** Who? ** Dusk sends openly ** Tsoran. One of the Mountain's Chosen. ** Jylien sits down. Hard. Dawn's jaw drops again. Dawn says "That's... nice." Dawn eyes the sky, automatically. Talek sends again, almost amusedly this time, ** One surprise after another. Heh. ** Dusk smiles only slightly, nodding without answering her mother. ** It's not nice, ** says Jylien. Dawn sits down beside Dusk again. ** Well. Um. I guess that means more gliding cubs, then. ** She looks a bit dazed. Woodhawk has to chuckle slightly at Dawn's reaction. Dusk's eyes snap to Jylien. ** He was! After..a rocky start..and he offered to fly Talek and I back here. We had him let us off away from the holt, though.. ** Dawn wraps an arm around Dusk again, gently. ** It's not the first glider to Recognize somebody in the tribe, after all. Though... I can't remember any other Chosen. ** Jylien perhaps wisely stays quiet. Dusk is well aware of Glider recognitions within the holt, and she nods to her mother. ** He didn't want me to tell anyone, but I had to tell you all..I want my cub to be safe here. Tsoran..he was resisting it, and tried to make me listen to him before we did what had to be done. But he wasn't so bad in the end.. ** Woodhawk sends openly ** Listen to him what? ** Dawn smiles warmly to her daughter, stroking her hair gently as she murmurs. "Good." Talek studies the piece of meat he holds in his hand, barely half-eaten. He's silent for the most part now, mostly because this particular chapter in his and Dusk's story is one he knows very little about. At Woodhawk's query though, the silver-haired elf answers with a touch of dryness. ** Listen to him order her around. ** Woodhawk's brows draw together again, but he remains silent. Dusk nibbles at her meat again, leaning against her mother. She lets Talek explain it, then frowns, adding, ** He told me I had to learn obedience.. ** Dawn smiles, with teeth. ** Did he, now. ** Jylien remains silent, seated as he is. ** He did..I had to, so we could fulfill it. But he was nicer afterwards. ** Dusk explains softly. ** Afterwards, aye. ** Talek's sending is an echo, pale and somewhat indistinct, but tense nonetheless. Jylien now sends, offering ** We'll never be rid of him. ** Dawn sends openly ** But now it's done, and you are here, safe. ** Dawn looks uncertainly at Jylien. Dusk's eyes also look to Jylien as her mother's do, with the same expression in them. She nods absently to Dawn. Woodhawk's send is simple ** I think we will. ** His face is set. Jylien looks up and over at Woodhawk. Woodhawk sends openly ** We protect our own, Chosen or no. ** Talek's send is soft, in agreement. ** Aye. ** ** I don't want any trouble with them.. ** Dusk looks like she's about to say more, but she nods in agreement to Woodhawk's declaration, finishing off her meat as she gets a chance. Jylien ducks his head, acquiescing. Dawn says firmly. "We're not enemies of the Mountain, like most of the other holts. I'm sure there will be no problems." Talek smiles crookedly. ** I hope not. ** Dusk clings to Dawn a bit, hoping she's right. Dawn strokes Dusk's back, musing. ** Summer, now. Did it happen recently? ** Dusk sends openly ** Aye, a short time ago. ** Dawn nods approvingly. ** It's best, to have new cubs born when it's warm. The whitecold is no time for a newborn. ** She smiles happily at Dusk. ** I'll make you some new leathers for the cub, if you wish. ** Dusk smiles back at her mother, hugging closer to her as she nods. ** Aye, I'd like it if you did. And my cub will be strong. ** Talek watches mother and daughter for a while, then lets his gaze shift slowly to Jylien. Dawn sends openly ** Of course. It will be my grandcub, after all. ** Dawn's eyes twinkle. ** And Trollkillers. ** Dawn locksends ** If you wish... you could den with us for the while. ** Woodhawk gives a faintly encouraging smile. Dusk finds a soft chuckle escaping her, and she sends, ** And I'm still your daughter, always. ** You locksend ** I'd been..meaning to have my own..but maybe afterwards. ** to Dawn. Dawn nods to Dusk, smiling. Then looks up at Woodhawk at a sudden thought. Woodhawk regards Dawn, eyebrow arched. Dawn smiles to Woodhawk, her usual cheerful self again. ** I think we'll definitely have that howl. ** Woodhawk gives her a quiet grin as well. Dusk blinks at the silent exchange between Dawn and Woodhawk, and nods after a pause. ** Aye, mother. ** Dawn hugs again, and departs to find Zalen. Dawn climbs up onto the overhanging sentry branch. >From the branch above, Dawn climbs up from the clearing below. Dusk sits back up on the log as Dawn departs, and rests her hands in her lap. She just smiles, happy to be home again. Talek's gaze still rests on Jylien, yet keeps half an eye on the goings-on around him. When Dawn departs, he breaks his gaze away to watch her leave, tilting his head slightly. Jylien heaves a great sigh. "No matter what, it's good to have you both back. Honestly." Woodhawk slips up and gives Dusk a quiet hug. ** Good to have you home, cub. ** ** Thank you, brother. ** Dusk smiles up to Jylien from her spot on the log, before returning Woodhawk's hug. ** And it's good to be back. ** she answers. ** Very good, ** Talek seconds Dusk, looking back to the elves remaining in the clearing. Woodhawk grins some ** I want to see Trollkiller's face when he hears this... ** He winks. Woodhawk gives a quick wave and then slips off after Dawn. Dusk grins at Woodhawk, nodding. ** He'll be surprised, for sure. ** She waves as he departs, as well. Woodhawk climbs up onto the overhanging sentry branch. >From the branch above, Woodhawk climbs up from the clearing below. Dusk unfolds her leg from atop the other, and stands up. ** I'm going to go see who else is around. ** And maybe Talek and Jylien need a little time alone, too. Jylien climbs to his feet as well, scrubbing a hand through his hair to scratch at his scalp. ** Be careful. ** Dusk smiles at Jylien, and comes over to hug him gently. ** It's good to see you again, brother. Are Joy and Simmel about? ** Talek blinks thrice, snapping out of whatever daydream wander he'd gotten lost in, and focuses his gaze on both Dusk and Jylien as they rise to their feet. ** Leaving? ** Jylien shakes his head. ** Simmel's run off again, and Joy.. well. She comes and goes. ** Dusk frowns for just a moment. What timing, or lack of it. ** Well, I'm sure Simmel will be back soon, and I'll find Joy. I'll let you two be. ** Talek blinks. Slowly. A few strands of silver fall over his eyes. ** Um.. all right. ** Jylien's eyebrows lift. He glances at Talek, and back again. ** You.. don't have to. ** ** No..? ** Dusk answers, looking between the pair. She thought maybe they'd like to be alone. Talek's cheeks start to redden. Jylien once more glances at Talek, then doubletakes at him. ** We were.. I mean.. maybe he's tired. You've had a .. lot of adventure and.. well. ** Talek starts to send, ** Dusk, you.. ** and stops. He frowns and scratches the back of his head, still red. ** Oh.. ** Dusk seems just a tad confused. ** I thought you.. ** Well, Trollkiller and Woodhawk do.. Jylien's turn to turn red. He sends, not very loud at all, ** Maybe I oughta go.. ** Talek's hands goes to his face and he buries them there, slumping slowly back against the Old Willow again. ** ..... ** Dusk panics, biting her lip hard. "No, don't!" she blurts, shaking her head. ** I misunderstood things..it was a mistake..! ** . o O (High Ones..how could you be so stupid?) Talek's send is shaky. ** Mistake. Aye. Rest. Going to my den now. To rest. Gah. ** Dusk sighs, looking more than a little upset with herself. ** I'm sorry..I'm so sorry. ** With that, she turns and just..goes somewhere else. Talek quite literally disappears up the Old Willow. Talek climbs up onto the overhanging sentry branch. >From the branch above, Talek climbs up from the clearing below. >From the branch above, Talek climbs back down into the willow tree's heart. You slip into the nearby copse of saplings.