"Brooding in the Grotto"

Log Date:
	3/10/00

Log Cast:
	Rillwhisper, Cutter, Aroree, Strongbow

Log Intro:
	Lostholt has learned, much to its collective alarm, that the Willowholt
has been destroyed--and that, bizarrity of bizarrities, its bedraggled 
elves have been taken in by Blue Mountain. All too certain that this must
be some subtle trick of Winnowill's, Cutter and Strongbow have hastened to
Blue Mountain to help Rillwhisper see what tribesmates of hers will wish to
leave safely back out into the Outside... but that's the thing. For many of
Rillwhisper's tribe are of Glider blood, and with their Holt destroyed, the
temptation of staying with others of Glider blood is proving a powerful lure
indeed. It has begun to grow more and more apparent to the Wolfbringer that
after the long tenure she's had as the first and only chieftain of the 
Willowholt, she may have to become only Rillwhisper once again.
	But it's all too difficult to admit to such vulnerability, especially
in Blue Mountain, where vulnerability turns elves into prey and drives 
them to drink... and yet cannot pull them out of Winnowill's reach....

----------
Grotto(#564RL)
Water cascades from the very heart of this cavern, from its spiralling roof 
  down over the forms of stone to the uneven floor. In the center of the room 
  a number of circular basins nest, each within a larger one, sinking in order 
  into the floor and edged with shells shape from the very stone. Water fills 
  each of these basins, as in the old days, constantly flowing from the 
  fountain clean and being eventually drained away. The circulation ensures 
  only the very purest water is in the basins at any given time.
        Illuminated with the same far-off luminescence as the water and most 
  of the Mountain, two paths sinew off into the stone: one low-ceilinged 
  hallway, and a set of stairs descending into the floor.
Contents:
Cutter(#665PBJOce$g)
Generi
cradle
Obvious exits:
Stairs <D>  South Hall <NW>  

She's talked to Woodhawk and Trollkiller as much as she can about it -- though 
  she was more comfortable talking to Strongbow, truth be told, and even the 
  archer hasn't quite been able to dispell the disquiet from Rillwhisper's 
  heart. The Wolfbringer is alone, parked at the edge of one of the pools 
  within this grotto and gazing pensively into the water.
_My tribe is breaking up,_ she tells herself starkly, trying to keep turning 
  the idea around and around in her head. Perhaps if she tells it to herself 
  often enough, she'll actually get used to it.

Cutter walks into the Grotto with a bit of pensiveness showing on his face. 
  His hands are tucked behind his back, and though he glances around 
  occasionally, his gaze is drawn mostly to the floor passing beneath his 
  feet. Something's troubling the Kinseeker and it's more than a little 
  obvious.

Perhaps it's his tall shadow, taller still than she's really accustomed to; 
  perhaps she's caught his scent, or perhaps her ears have caught the soft 
  footfall of his approach. Regardless, Rillwhisper glances up, and allows 
  herself a fractional smile as she sees the other elf in this relative gloom. 
  "Cutter," she calls softly, a touch darkly wry. "Come to brood, too?"

Cutter's head snaps up at the familiar voice and an almost embarrassed smile 
  curls the corners of his mouth as he nods, "I suppose so," he replies as he 
  veers from his original course and heads toward you. As he approaches, he 
  lets out a long sigh and folds his length into a seated position beside you. 
  "Have you talked with your tribe?" he asks, sounding concerned about the 
  matter.

"Aye," murmurs the smaller chief, shifting position slightly to be better able 
  to look Cutter in the eye. She smiles again, but only slightly, and only on 
  one side of her mouth; the smile doesn't reach her eyes, either. "Not much 
  to say. Some of us will be at Ravenholt, I think... some of us are going to 
  stay here. Joy might go looking for Vale -- I don't think she believes he's 
  dead. But."

Aroree has arrived after a long descent from the south hall.
Aroree has arrived.
Aroree floats in quietly

Cutter nods as his expression turns to one of heartfelt understanding, "And 
  the rest..?" he asks, lifting a hand to lay it gently on your shoulder, 
  offering a bit of comfort there and feeling a bit clumsy about it because 
  there's really nothing he can do to help the situation any.

Rillwhisper, nevertheless, appreciates Cutter's gesture even if he feels 
  clumsy about it. Her hand lifts up to clasp his for a moment, and that 
  darkly resigned expression she's wearing eases just a trifle. "Midnight's 
  gone to Ravenholt. Woodhawk, Trollkiller, Rainfire... they'll go where I go. 
  I don't know Ravenholt, though."

Cutter is sitting near Rillwhisper looking very concerned and perhaps a little 
  lost as well. His hand rests lightly against the Wolfbringer's shoulder as 
  they talk quietly.

Aroree pauses as she notes others here, announces her presence by clearing her 
  throat and quietly "Excuse me, I hadn't expected to find anyone here this 
  late... "

Green eyes flashing their gaze sideways from Cutter, Rillwhisper stares over 
  unreadably at the slender Glider. It takes her a fraction of an instant to 
  reply, but once she does her voice is amiable enough, though a trifle gruff. 
  "Don't worry about it, we're the guests here, not you."

Aroree almost smiles at that "barely t, almost. "a slight difference I assure 
  you." Cutter gets a slightly puzzled frown, he looks familiar but... (ie: 
  last time I saw you, you was a tad bit shorter m'lad)

Cutter nods and his lips curl into a slight smile as he sends, **You know 
  you're welcome in LostHolt.** The send is partly suggestion and partly meant 
  to be supportive. As Aroree clears her throat, he looks up with brows lifted 
  in curiosity. He simply nods in agreement with Rillwhisper since she seems 
  to have said what he would have.

Aroree says "I would not wish to intrude on private council."

Dropping her hand from Cutter's upon her shoulder, Rillwhisper shrugs mildly. 
  "Not too much private in what I'm telling Cutter," she answers. "He wants to 
  know where what's left of my tribe is going. We're talking about it."

Cutter holds up one elongated hand as if to wave Aroree's apprehension away, 
  "It is not so private if it's discussed here." he replies, pointing out that 
  there's little in the mountain that can be considered truly private.

Aroree sighs and ponders just turning around and leaving but... going back to 
  her room and it's comfortless stone walls is less than a thrilling prospect. 
  She drifts forward some more, into a more comfortable conversation range.
Aroree says "Cutter? Is that really you? You're..."
Aroree tries to think of a word other than 'tall'

"What's left of Willowholt is leaving," Rillwhisper says to Aroree now, "soon 
  enough. Then she pauses, crooking an eyebrow, and glancing back to Cutter by 
  way of waiting to see how he'll take this.
You locksend ** <dryly> Took her this long to notice? ** to Cutter.

Aroree frowns, not liking what your new hieght bespeaks.
Aroree settles to the ground lightly.

Cutter's expression falters somewhat at the reminder of his shaping. A dark 
  cloud seems to shift across his countenence as he nods, **Tall..?** he 
  finishes for the Glider as a rueful smile curls the corners of his mouth. 
  **Winnowill's idea of a lesson, I think.** he offers by way of explaination 
  though he keeps any emotion from entering the send.
Cutter locksends ** She hasn't seen me since before Winnowill shaped me. 
  <<weary sigh>> **

Aroree says "I... " she shakes her head and settles for different words than 
  those that first came to mind. "My sympathies, the Lord of Blue Mountain is 
  most fond of... lessons."
Aroree nods slightly to Rillwhisper's report "It will be good to know your 
  people are safely in the forest once more."

You locksend ** So I gathered. <Her mind's voice relays that same dry 
  amusement, but along it with it comes something that doesn't quite make it 
  into her eyes: a touch of 'closing off' somehow, not because of you, but 
  perhaps because of the Glider's presence in the room. ** to Cutter.
Rillwhisper smiles, just a little, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes. 
  "Thank you," is all she has to say on the matter, as she draws a knee up to 
  her chest and lightly wraps an arm about her calf.

Cutter simply nods and shrugs his shoulders as he pushes the darkness from his 
  visage with a visable effort. Frost it, he's going to make the best of it if 
  it kills him.. His expression changes to an almost amused smile, "I can 
  reach the higher branches now, though I have to duck more often." he replies 
  with a bit of a chuckle.

Aroree says "Indeed. one also has to look down often while talking, it can be 
  uncomfortable after a while, but easily rectified by sitting."
Aroree attempts levity, fails rather miserably, but she's trying to be 
  pleasant, really.
Aroree says "There are worse things than a long reach."

Not that she's about to say anything of the sort to Cutter, but to at least 
  some extent, Rillwhisper has to agree. After all, Winnowill _could_ have 
  made him look like Tyldak. Now, he's simply... tall. But still Cutter-like. 
  And still easy on the eyes. She shoots the Kinseeker a sidelong appreciative 
  glance, and tells him, "I think you look good, but I'm used to everybody in 
  my tribe being taller than I am." She doesn't actually pause on those last 
  few words as she utters them, but still, as she does, a fleeting expresion 
  of dejection crosses her features.

Cutter smirks and nods, "Yes, that too." he replies, still feeling a little 
  down but, it actually has little to do with his height as he's grown 
  accustomed to it by now.. for the most part.

Aroree blinks at a sending and something flashes across her features, an 
  unaccostumed emotion in this place quickly subdued again by her normal 
  sorrowful visage. "How is he?" she asks quietly, having long ago abandoned 
  sending while in her home and discussing things of importance. She keeps her 
  tone carefully neutral.

Cutter gives Rillwhisper a sidelong glance with those bright, blue orbs of his 
  and smiles. His hand lifts to the Wolfbringer's head and he ruffles her hair 
  in a lightly playful gesture, "You're not so bad on the eyes either, little 
  chieftess." he replies, then sobers somewhat as he glances toward Aroree and 
  says, "He's well... though I hope he didn't take me too seriously when I 
  asked him to keep an eye on Ember.."

Rillwhisper winks at Cutter, appreciating it for all that a gesture from an 
  elf his current size makes her feel a bit like she's a cub again -- and so 
  does being called 'little chieftess'. But she takes it in stride, and simply 
  glances back and forth between the other two elves. "Fill me in," she 
  requests, as long as the others are speaking aloud. "Who are we talking 
  about?"

Aroree says "It is good to hear. Sometimes it is hard to imagine the outside 
  world exists when one is here."
Aroree does smile at Rillwhisper's question, a fleeting expression "One 
  advisor to Cutter, his trusted star-watcher, Skywise." she sighs "a friend 
  of mine as well."

Cutter chuckles a bit as his gaze shifts back to Rillwhisper and he replies, 
  "Skywise, of course." The sudden, impish grin that finds his face is almost 
  reminiscent of his soul sibling as he nods at Aroree's words.

"I've met him," Rillwhisper deadpans to Aroree, not bothering to point out 
  that at this point she's fairly familiar with the names and faces of 
  everyone in Lostholt. Then she softens it a touch, and grins.

Aroree says "So your holt is doing well, Cutter? Such words sit well with me, 
  I should tell you that your grand-child Lhyree has become an excellent 
  huntress."

Cutter straightens a bit and nods, "The holt is safe and everyone is well, 
  Aroree." he replies then nods at the mention of Lhyree, "I have.. spoken 
  with her." Something in his voice on that last lets the two of you know that 
  something about that encounter bothers him no little amount.

Rillwhisper's dark golden brows crook up. Most of this is news to her; 
  familiar though she might be with the Lostholters, their kin who have 
  wandered elsewhere tend to be out of the Wolfbringer's experience. So she 
  merely tilts her head inquiringly at Cutter, willing to simply listen for 
  now as the other two converse.

Aroree can well imagine that, but continues politely "She is a credit to the 
  Mountain. Indeed I can say with all truth she is better than fully half the 
  Chosen."
Aroree sighs "they are not what they once were, still, you should be proud of 
  Lhyree's ability. She was always the best of my pupils."

Cutter nods and a glimmer of something, perhaps grandfatherly pride?, flashes 
  in his eyes but, he doesn't say anything about it.

Aroree is quiet for a moment, the heavy weight of other thoughts making it 
  hard to sustain a light and cheerful conversation.

Well, isn't this... awkward. Rillwhisper blows out a soft breath, saying then, 
  "Now is one of those times when I wish I had hold of some dreamberries. 
  Aren't we a cheerful herd?"

Aroree shakes her head "It will be best for you all to leave soon. Things have 
  been..." she hesitates to say it "Better here lately, but it is best not to 
  risk those who have no obligation to remain." a twitch of the lips that 
  approaches a smile at Rillwhisper's comment. "Indeed. Alas no dreamberries, 
  though there is a quantity of wine available that you are welcome to partake 
  of."

"We're leaving soon, as soon as those of us who are leaving are ready," is 
  Rillwhisper's succint reply. Then she smiles crookedly. "Thank you, but I 
  think I'll save it till I'm curled up in a tree somewhere."

Cutter chuckles at the mention of dreamberries, "Too bad Pike's back at the 
  holt, he'd have some with him." he says, then shakes his head at the mention 
  of wine and lifts a hand, "No, I think I'll keep to the water."

Aroree says "Likely a wise decision."
Aroree sighs "though the wine does have the bennefit of helping one to sleep, 
  provided one drinks enough."

Speaking from experience? Rillwhisper stares measuringly at Aroree, not 
  entirely comfortable with conversing with her or anyone else within this 
  place -- but then again, this _was_ one of the Gliders that helped pluck her 
  pack out of the grip of the floodwaters that choked and strangled her Holt. 
  And so she asks after a moment, simply, "Speaking as one who knows...?"

Aroree smiles slightly and nods "Guilty as charged I'm afraid... it is... 
  sometimes difficult to sleep here." anywhere perhaps, but especially here.

Cutter looks to Aroree and opens his mouth as if to say something after she 
  answers Rillwhisper's question but, he seems to think about it and his mouth 
  shuts as he gives Aroree a nearly appologetic look.

Aroree sighs and shakes off any concern over her well being. She knew what she 
  was gettign into returning here. "I do not drink to excess as some do"

Rillwhisper shrugs lightly, aware of such indulgences and the consequences of 
  letting them go too far. Impossible not to be aware of such things in a Holt 
  where the mushrooms could convince you were you were a flower for a whole 
  summer if you ate too many of them. Of more interest to her is what would 
  drive an elf to drink in this place, and so she asks, the blunt words 
  gentled a bit by a touch of concern and honest curiosity, "Why do you stay 
  here?"

Aroree looks down and away, taking a moment to compose a proper reply to that 
  less than simple question. "It... is my home." is the succinct answer. Of 
  course there is more to it than that.

Cutter rests his forearms on his knees and listens to the two of you talk. 
  Keeping his thoughts, comments and questions to himself as he broods over 
  something for a moment. His gaze travels to the far side of the grotto and 
  finds a dark shadow to stare into.

Aroree tucks a loose wisp of hair back behind her ear absently as she searches 
  for proper words "These are my people... I could not abandon them to thier 
  fate anymore."

Aroree sighs "I should go... forgive me I..." she shakes her head and lets the 
  rest remain unsaid. Not a happy creature of late. (had this fabulous rp with 
  Winny, that usually does it :)

"It's all right," Rillwhisper says quietly.

Strongbow has arrived after a long descent from the south hall.
Strongbow has arrived.

Cutter looks over to Aroree and shakes his head, "It's not you, Aroree.. it's 
  this place and you know it."

Aroree shakes her head "stone walls do not steal dreams. It is not just the 
  place."

_And they stay here._ Rillwhisper doesn't sigh out loud, but she sighs within. 
  She doesn't get it. And she doesn't suspect Aroree would appreciate being 
  grilled on whatever incomprehensible motives are making her stay in a place 
  where the chieftain preys upon her own people.

Strongbow strides in at a moderate pace, on the lookout for Cutter and 
  Rillwhisper. Aroree too, given the information relayed between the archer 
  and his chief. The silent touch of a greeting filters in, reaching each of 
  the three present.

Aroree inclines her head politely to the new arrival.

For the first time since either Cutter or Aroree have ventured into this 
  grotto, Rillwhisper actually broadly smiles. "Archer," she greets him with 
  something very near to enthusiasm.

Cutter looks up at Strongbow's entrance and gives the archer a private smile, 
  that seems somehow grateful. The expression changes as he pushes himself to 
  his feet and looks toward Rillwhisper and Aroree, "I need to speak with 
  Viresse and see if she has any news for me.." he lets the rest of that 
  thought fade away as he turns and pads quietly out of the cavern, giving a 
  nod to Strongbow as he passes him by.

Aroree frowns slightly wondering what he has to speak to Viresse about, but 
  then, it's not her buisness is it? "A good evening to you."

Strongbow answers Cutter with a knowing nod, offering no opinion on Cutter's 
  business. So long as all remains well, it's not terribly important. A 
  wordless farewell-sense is given to the Wolfchief before Strongbow turns 
  back to Aroree and Rillwhisper, moving towards the latter. ** News? **

Remaining sitting there on the edge of the pool by which she'd been conversing 
  with the others, Rillwhisper smiles faintly up at the auburn-haired archer. 
  "We're ready to go, at least as ready as we'll get," she says lowly.

** Good. The sooner, the better. ** Strongbow answers. It's not meant to be a 
  slight on the Mountain..ah, who's he kidding? Of course it is. Strongbow 
  hates this place with as much as he's got, and he sure won't miss anything 
  about it when he's gone. ** Decided where you'll go? **

"Lostholt," is Rillwhisper's answer to that. Simple. Straighforward. Direct as 
  one of Strongbow's own arrows. Still, though, there's that hint of a shadow 
  in her gaze, not quite dispelled by the crooked near-smile that passes for 
  her current expression.

If Aroree finds offense in Strongbow's attitude toward her home, she doesn't 
  show it.

Strongbow's head dips to nod, down, up, and back to center again. Just once. 
  ** Aye. You'll be welcome, as well as whoever else that wants to come. ** Of 
  this he's certain. It'll be..different. The two have always been apart given 
  their own responsibilities and lives. Now..all changes. Distracted by his 
  conversation with Rillwhisper, Aroree is left unspoken to. Not forgotten, 
  though. He knows a bit of what's gone on with her, and she at least seems 
  like she can be trusted now..to an extent.

Aroree sighs and decides "I shall leave you... I am only intruding here." she 
  raises into the air softly and turns to go.

Well. Rillwhisper won't exactly argue with Aroree about that -- she had wanted 
  to say things to Cutter, and hadn't been able to. But there's no particular 
  rancor in her gaze as she lifts a hand by way of farewell.

Strongbow doesn't wave, not feeling like going that far. But he gives Aroree 
  the same wordless farewell he gave Cutter, doing nothing to prevent her 
  exit. He winds up rewrapping the leather 'round his wrists and forearms, the 
  hint of discomfort still there. He longs for the Outside. His bow and 
  arrows, too. It's not comforting being without the things that help make him 
  what he is.

Aroree leaves the grotto towards the south hall through a smooth stone passage.
Aroree has left.

At last. Once the Glider is out of as much earshot as Rillwhisper can easily 
  determine, the chieftess sighs and says softly, "And besides, Cutter, I 
  think, is probably the only chief I could show throat to."

The sound of the water helps to drown out soft voices, to an extent. 
  Strongbow's eyes shift upwards to search along the twists and turns of the 
  roof and the walls that surround them, glancing at the basins afterwards. ** 
  He may be tall as a Glider, but he's still a good chief. ** It's an honest 
  admission, in spite of the clashes the pair have had off and on.

Rillwhisper grins, and now it's a trifle sheepish. "Well, as I told him -- 
  it's not like I'm not used to everybody in the tribe being taller than I am."

That's something Strongbow's still trying to get used to with Cutter. He's 
  been used to being among the tallest of Wolfriders, needing to literally 
  look up to someone very rarely. A snort for an answer, the hint of humor 
  found, then another nod.

"This is, after all, what happens when half the tribe has Glider blood in 
  'em," Rillwhisper says, every so slightly over-brightly, her smile a trifle 
  brittle. "I can't help wondering what it must be like when you're half the 
  size of your lifemate. How Dawn and Zalen manage. And Timmorn's Blood... I 
  suddenly wondered, after Midnight and LeafFall Recognized... well, Calmwind 
  _does_ seem awfully attached to my cub..." And then she trails off, smirking 
  ever so faintly. "And I'm babbling like a brook, aren't I?"

She is, but Strongbow listens to every last word, Rillwhisper doing enough 
  speaking to cover him a few times over, usually. ** Never thought of that. 
  ** he admits, shaking his head slowly. To be chief of such a mixed group of 
  elves..had to have been hard.

Especially when you weren't born and bred to it, with several generations 
  between you and the last chief in your own blood. Rillwhisper smiles 
  wearily, then looks a little more closely at the archer who is her 
  soul-brother. Save for the brief visit to Lostholt it's been turns and turns 
  of the seasons since she last saw him, and to see him again now, under these 
  circumstances, can't help but affect her a little oddly. "You don't need to 
  wait for us in here," she murmurs, very softly. "I think... there's a few 
  farewells that need to be made. But I know you need to be out of here."

Ah, but coming here to see them leave was the whole point, and Strongbow 
  shakes his head in objection. ** No. Won't leave until everyone else who's 
  coming does. ** He's gentle but firm in saying so, shelving his own 
  reservations and the discomfort he's had and held within. He needs to be out 
  of here, but not so much that he can't hold out long enough for the others 
  to come, too. He remains slightly distant, holding his shoulders.

Strongbow's silence, nevertheless, isn't enough to keep Rillwhisper from 
  standing up and reaching over to clasp his nearest shoulder. "Soon," she 
  promises very softly. "Soon."

[End log.]