Sent: Saturday, August 14, 1999 2:18 PM Subject: Tsoran returns to Willowholt Tsoran locksends ** Ashte. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk hasn't heard that familiar send-voice and 'greeting' for a few turns, now. Slight surprise at first, then: ** What? ** Tsoran locksends ** I wish to speak to you. Outside. ** 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. The sun is rising over the green Holt, climbing towards the zenith. The sun is high in the hot summer skies. Obvious exits: Branch Old Willow Hillside Path Starwillow Copse Marsh Pond Tsoran has arrived. Tsoran hovers in the air, alertly watching the day-quiet holt before turning his attention on Dusk. Dusk hops down from the old willow, glancing around at a couple other Willowholters resting nearby, before Tsoran gets her full attention. Tsoran floats down to land lightly, watching Dusk with a neutral expression. ** It has been several years. Enough, I think. ** ** Things in your mountain taking more of your attention, Chosen? ** Dusk answers back, looking up to him evenly. One guess what he's here for. Or perhaps, who. Tsoran sends openly ** In a manner of speaking. I also chose to respect the wish of your 'chieftess' that I remain distant. How is he? ** Sela has connected. A faint half-smile plays at the corners of Dusk's mouth at Tsoran's choice of words. ** It is..good that you 'chose' to respect her wishes, Tsoran. Don't forget she's not the only one here. ** As for Midnight, she adds ** He is growing well..getting into more trouble, but he hasn't been too bad. ** Tsoran sends openly ** I wish to meet him. ** You locksend to Midnight, Dusk sends gently. ** Are you awake? ** Dusk glances around the clearing, while perhaps sending. You locksend ** Your..father is here. ** to Midnight. Sela notices the voices and comes around the tree with Midnight. She looks surprised. ** Tsoran, you came? ** Tsoran measures Sela with a look, then visibly dismisses her in favor of Midnight. ** It is time I met my son again. ** ** Our son, do not forget that. ** Dusk corrects, eyes narrowing slightly before softening again as she looks at Midnight. Midnight takes a slight step backwards, certainly not expecting to see the glider in the holt. He then glances over to Dusk, looking uncertain as to the undercurrents of what's going on. Tsoran holds out a hand to Midnight, beckoning. ** You have changed, since I was last here. Come closer, that I may look at you properly. ** Sela hovers protectively near Midnight. Dusk gives Midnight something of a reassuring look. ** It's okay. He can't take you away just like that. ** Dusk, for one, wouldn't let him if that was his plan. A couple others watching this tense up a bit, regardless. Sela glides over to Tsoran's side and touches his arm gently, soothingly. Midnight takes a couple of steps towards Tsoran, but keeps out of his reach for now...uncertain what he thinks of this strange glider who is his father. Tsoran's lip quirks at Dusk's comments, but he does not refute her out loud. Instead he tells Midnight. ** I seem to recall you being a brave child. Are you still? ** Dusk shakes her head at Tsoran's send. ** It's not about how brave he is or not. Please don't play such a game with our son. ** She, too, comes closer. Midnight frowns at Tsoran's comment, and folds his arms in annoyance. "Oh? How much do you remember of me?" Tsoran sends openly ** I am pleased you acknowledge my part in it, Dusk. ** At Midnight's frown, he looks genuinely pleased. ** Less than I should, child. Your tribesmates have chosen to keep you hidden from me since you were too small for conversation. A regrettable decision. ** ** You would have been given more chances to see him if you did not abuse the trust we put in you, Tsoran. ** Dusk answers firmly, not exactly approving of his attempt to shift the blame on her tribe when it lies in his own actions. Sela says softly "Please. No bickering. This is for Midnight." Midnight looks only slightly mollified at his sire's answer, but nods in acknowledgement of it. "Well, you're here now, and you've gotten a good look at me." Tsoran glances briefly at Sela. Dusk nods briefly to Sela, looking back to Midnight and Tsoran afterwards. ** Tsoran, what else do you want this time? ** Sela smiles softly to Tsoran, although her eyes are sad. She appears to be sending. Tsoran looks thoughtful for a moment, then puts on his best mild-mannered look. ** You know what I want, Dusk. I have asked you before. ** >From the branch above, No-fur wanders out onto the branch, looking down at the discussions below him. Midnight looks rather unsure suddenly, and turns to his mom...his glance questioning. Sela says gently "I have asked Chief Rillwhisper and she has said that it is Dusk and Midnight's decision if the lad wishes to visit the Mountain." You locksend ** I know you want Midnight for whatever your plans are in your cold Mountain. ** to Tsoran. >From the branch above, No-fur swings down off the branch to the clearing below. No-fur drops down from the branch above. No-fur hops down off the branch, remaining at the edge of the clearing, watching. No-fur locksends ** Glider trouble? ** Dusk answers Tsoran privately, lips twitching at Sela's words as she crouches to put her arms around Midnight's upper body, protectively. ** It is unsafe for us there. ** Tsoran locksends ** You know nothing about me, Ashte. ** You locksend ** As usual... ** to No-fur. You locksend ** You never did give me much to work with. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran sends openly ** Midnight will be as safe as anybody can be. He will be under my protection. If that is not enough, come with us yourself. Dusk. ** Midnight waits to hear what Dusk has to say in response to that. Tsoran locksends ** Then you cannot know what my intentions are, towards Midnight. Except what I tell you: That I will protect him, and have no plans to harm him. ** ** I have never known any of us to be very safe in Blue Mountain.. ** Dusk begins, quite unsure of this. But if Midnight *did* go, she'd want to be there as well to protect him, regardless of her own personal safety. ** Do you promise I would be safe if I went, too? ** she asks, partly referring to another private send from Tsoran. Then she asks Midnight, voice soft, "Do you *want* to go there...?" You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk returns no words, but a clear sense of uncertainty and unease. Tsoran sends calmly. ** I would see to it that you were both safe, to the best of my ability. ** Tsoran locksends ** A better offer than you can give me, Ashte. The Willowholt has been less than friendly. ** You locksend ** I must remind you that you did bring much of that on yourself here, Tsoran. ** to Tsoran. Sela sends quietly ** I, too, will promise. ** No-fur speaks up, from the shadows under the tree, "I'd like to go with her, as well." Tsoran locksends ** That would be the same in the Mountain, Dusk. Any... ill-will towards you would be the result of your own actions. ** Tsoran looks over at No-fur, surprised. Midnight nods to his mom, "I would. For several reasons, really." He then raises his voice a bit, to make sure the other elves can hear his reply. "I remember talking to our Chieftess a few turns back, and I asked her about the Mountain and my sire. She said several things, but the one thing I remember most is how I shouldn't forget the blood that flows in my veins, wolfrider or glider." "No..you shouldn't forget it, Midnight. You're as much Glider as you are Wolfrider...probably more." Dusk admits, having to also admit that to herself. But still..this is not easy. ** How long, Tsoran? ** she asks, then blinks in surprise at No-Fur's desire to go as well, turning to look his way. Whaaa? Tsoran sends openly ** There is a limit to how many Darkwing can carry. Otherwise, I have no objection. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk is well aware of who runs the place. ** I would not intentionally cause any trouble... ** Tsoran tells Dusk. ** For as long as it takes. You will be guests. ** No-fur grins a little, eyes shining out of the shade, ** Well, _someone_ has to look after you, Dusk, eh? ** You sense in a locksend, Tsoran sends smoothly. ** Then there is no reason for there to be trouble, is there? You know too little of my home to make a proper decision, Ashte. See it first, then you will know.** Sela looks to no-fur "I shall look after her, No-fur." Dusk smiles thinly back to No-Fur, before it fades as she looks to Tsoran again, still holding close to Midnight. ** He..wants to go, and I want to make sure he'll be all right there. I can't just stay here if he goes, so... ** She pauses, wondering for a moment if she's really going to go through with this. Apparently, the answer is yes. ** I'll have to go, too. ** Sela says "But I do not believe I can look after everyone if they should all wish to follow." You locksend ** ..tell Rillwhisper, please. Everything. I don't think she'll like this, but I'm sure she'd have others follow. ** to No-fur. You locksend to No-fur, Dusk adds a second later, ** Mother and Father won't like it, either. ** But this is how it is. Tsoran considers for a moment. ** I think you need to decide among you who shall come. I will give you time to talk about it, and return later. ** No-fur locksends ** I can probably convince her to just let me go. I'm definitely coming, though. ** he adds a bit of a mental 'wink' in there. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk gathers herself, her send-voice, and promises, ** I..I'll try to trust you, Tsoran. I don't want to believe you'd hurt either of us. ** Midnight smiles, already looking forward to his upcoming adventure. Apparently he's assuming all the details will be figured out. "Ok, I need to go and grab some stuff. And I need to say goodbye to a few people..." You sense in a locksend, Tsoran caresses you darkly, wordlessly. You locksend ** <> ** to Tsoran. You locksend to No-fur, Dusk doesn't answer, for one reason or another. Dusk seems relieved that nobody will be leaving just yet. It will give her a chance to talk to Rillwhisper, hopefully. ** Aye..Tsoran. ** she answers. Tsoran glides into the air with a faint smile, leaving the others to discuss privately. Sela waves to Tsoran as he goes. Midnight waves too. Tsoran flies up. Dusk lets go of Midnight after Tsoran floats off, instructing him, ** Stay close, now. Understand? ** Sela sighs a little. Midnight nods to his mom's instructions with a bit of impatience. "Yeah, I will." Dusk ruffles her son's head affectionately, still on the protective side. She hopes he realizes how potentially dangerous this may be. No-fur stands and leans against the tree, eyeing the gliders a bit. Midnight realizes no such thing, breaking free of his mom's embrace and walking around the clearing. "I'll need my sleeping furs, and my other clothes..." Sela eyes No-fur in turn. Sela calls after Midnight "They will probably make you new clothes once you get there, too." You locksend to Sela, Dusk admits, privately. ** I'm..afraid of that place. ** You sense in a locksend, Sela sends with surety ** You have nothing to fear. I would die before I'd let anything happen to Midnight. I love him as if he were my own. ** You locksend to Sela, Dusk bristles slightly at the last few words, perhaps taking them the wrong way. ** But he's not your own. ** It's another moment or two before she realizes just how willing Sela is to protect Midnight. ** I'm..sorry. I didn't mean it that way. ** Dusk wonders, briefly, if those in the Mountain would try to get her to wear something, too. She never has, you see. ** You shouldn't need too much, Midnight. ** You sense in a locksend, Sela's send is gentle ** Dusk, you are a fine mother and you have raised a fine lad. I am pleased to have been a small part of that. ** Midnight turns to look at Sela, "What about my spear? Should I bring it along? I can help hunt on the trip there!" Sela glances at Dusk "Of course, they might even find some clothes for you... " Sela giggles softly "I bet they will give you one of their beautiful metal-tipped spears if you ask nicely." You locksend to Sela, Dusk still sighs in spite of that. ** Thank you.. ** It's no secret this whole thing with Tsoran has not been easy. Dusk blinks once, to Sela. "Clothes..?" Seems she's not the only one who thought about that. Sela reaches out to rest a gentle hand on Dusk's shoulder. It is an expression of compassion as well as friendship. Sela says "They will not be too binding, I assure you. They might even be beautiful. It would probably help you to be accepted as an elf among them." Midnight looks interested at the idea of presents. This trip is sounding better and better. "Metal tipped? That would be great! I could take down a treehorn with that!" Sela nods soberly to Midnight "And far easier from the air, as well." Dusk adds, more for Midnight. "You don't need to take yours..they can hunt well enough already. You still need to grow before you hunt seriously." Or so she thinks, at least. At Sela's hand on her furry shoulder and additional words, she can't help but frown. ** I'm already an elf. ** she sends firmly. The frown, of course, comes from Sela's words, not her gesture. Sela gazes gently down at the fuzzy elf. ** I know that and you know that. But why give them more opportunity to misunderstand? ** Midnight looks a bit offended at the comments about his hunting skills, but let's it go. He'll show her what a hunter he is one of these days. ** They'd likely think what they want, no matter whether I wore something or not. ** Dusk answers. She's not fooling herself - she fully expects at least *some*thing to be made of her appearance. She'll deal with it if and when it comes up, while attempting to keep any promises made about how she'll carry herself. ** But..we'll see. Maybe. ** You sense in a locksend, No-fur tries to visualize you in full glider clothing, and giggles. You locksend to No-fur, Dusk picks up on that and sends a mental frown. ** You won't see me wearing those body-hugging things their Chosen wear. ** she sends. It's not her plan, anyway. No-fur locksends ** Good! I think you look just fine just the way you are. ** You locksend to No-fur, Dusk continues. ** Or one of those silly helmets, either..oh. Thank you. ** Granted, she's not in the most chipper of moods right now. You sense in a locksend, No-fur throws in a mental nuzzle/fuzzle/ affectionthingy, too. Midnight heads over to his den, "I'll see what I need to take. I don't want to forget anything..." Midnight pushes aside the willow fronds and steps into the tree. You locksend ** <> ** to No-fur. Sela smiles indulgently after the cub. Dusk watches Midnight off, looking back to Sela again afterwards, if she has anything more to say. Sela seems content with this outcome. Dusk, then, stands up to head back into the old willow as well. ** I'm going to go nap. ** Sela nods and waves pleasantly.