Post by avalikia on Feb 15, 2010 23:02:33 GMT -5
Characters:
Niabi - Female Elk
Jasie - Female Elk
Aylen - Female Elk Calf
Setting:
Trickling River
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Its very early in the morning. So early, in fact, that Aylen isn't even up yet. But given how much Niabi dotes on her daughter, she's not about to wake the calf. Besides, she treasures these moments of non-responsibility as a good time to think over things. And she has a rather large amount of things to think over, as it turns out. The whole mess with the whitetails is still at the back of her mind, and now Catori behaving oddly... So much to worry about, so little time. And so it's only half-heartedly that Niabi is picking at the plants on the riverbank, but at least she's getting herself a little breakfast.
An early morning indeed but to Jasie it seems the best time to be on the move. After all most beasts are either just waking up or they're done with hunting and going to bed. She's explored the woods a bit in the last week but ultimately she's found herself returning to the only place she's seen another elk in a long long time. Granted it was a brief meeting with Catori but one elk in coming on a year without any is something to remember. Quietly she heads for the river, pausing on the edge of the trees to look around and huh, there's another elk but it doesn't look like the one she saw before...
With her mind firmly on other things, Niabi's senses are taking a back seat. Which is unusual for her, especially since the birth of her daughter made her so much more careful. Then again, with so many elk in and out of this area lately she knows that nothing dangerous is likely to be around. However, after a moment the general background scent of elk she knows gains an unfamiliar addition, and Niabi suddenly pauses to take a look around. With the stranger holding back in the trees, Niabi doesn't spot her immediately, though she clearly seems to think that someone else is around here somewhere.
Jasie pauses in the trees, watching carefully and checking the rest of the area. It's Niabi spotting her that makes up her mind though and she slips out of the trees, looking back at the other elk "Hello...You're not the one I met before are you?"
When she finally spots the owner of the scent, Niabi's face breaks out into a smile. "No, I don't believe we've met," Niabi says, obviously in a friendly mood. "I'm Niabi, lead cow of the Umber," she introduces herself with a nod. For a moment she tries to decide who this cow would have met before. Probably Catori, though perhaps Faith? Either way, Niabi's always glad to meet another elk.
Jasie looks faintly surprised, lead cow is important so with a small smile she bows her head a little bit "Then the honour is mine, my name is Jasie. I was, well, wandering is the only word for it. I'm between herds but formerly of the Haderin, they were a long way north of here last I saw them"
Aylen's tail twitches as she moves her lengthy hind leg in her sleep. Stirring from sleep she raises her head from the earth, elongating her neck while bringing her fore legs beneath her body she pushes herself up to a standing position. Shaking the silty soil from her darkening cinnamon fur, and stretching back each of her hind legs, flexing her growing muscles. Giving a shake of her head as if to force herself from the dream she was having, Aylen scents at the air, noticing only then that they were not the only other elk to visit the river today. Rushing to her mothers side she whispers to Niabi, "Mommy who is dhat?"
Niabi herself doesn't think much about her own title. The elk portion of the herd isn't very large at all, and half the time she tells herself that she's only doing the job because nobody better has turned up yet. "A familiar story around here," Niabi comments with another nod, "We've only been together as a herd for about a year and a half, so the only ones born into it were the fawns this spring - I should mention that there are whitetails as well in the Umber. You're welcome to join us, if you're interested." Her line of thought is interrupted by the arrival of Aylen at her side. "Aylen, this is Jasie," Niabi introduces calmly, hoping that her happy tone will help ease a little of her calf's chronic shyness.
Jasie tilts her head and leans it to the side, so it was a calf she saw hide behind Niabi "That would explain the scent of deer I keep coming across" she comments before she smiles at Aylen and assumes a motherly, calm sort of tone as if she's used to talking to fawns "Hello there Aylen, it's nice to meet you as well" she glances back to Niabi again "She's yours?"
Aylen peaks at Jasie from around her mothers leg. "Hello Jasie!" Says the elk calf, smiling up at the newcomer with enthusiasm. Having been trying to speak more to her elders and not be quite so skittish. Aylen moves her ears to and fro listening for any danger that may be in the surrounding area, not hearing any she moves to the rivers side to drink some of the refreshing water.
Of course, you can hardly miss the scent of deer with how strongly Roscoe keeps the place marked up. But the less time she spends thinking about the buck, the better. "Yes she is," Niabi says with a proud smile. Yes, this adorable, healthy, strong, and no doubt gifted calf is hers. To say that Niabi puts Aylen on a pedestal is actually a bit of an understatement. She can't help but chuckle a little at the calf's attempts to overcome her fear, but she finally manages to peal her attention away and back to Jasie. "Unfortunately, she was our only elk calf this year, but it's looking like next year will be different," she comments.
Jasie watches the calf for a couple of minutes with a soft smile as she talks to Niabi "She's looking good and strong, I'm sure you're proud" she cautiously starts to walk over to the pair "Are there many elks in the herd then?"
Feeling a chill from the water, Aylen brings her self back from the river to a warmer looking area close to her mother and the newcomer. Bending her neck to taste the sweet grasses of the river bank, she listens to Niabi and Jasie's conversation. Occasionally looking up at the two other elk, Aylen begins to wonder where she and Niabi had come from before they made there long journey back to the herd. "Mommy, why was/I/born so far away from the herd?"
"Hmm, I'd say there's about five of us, give or take," Niabi says after a brief pause to consider, "It depends on who you count; there are a couple that we don't see very often because they wander around a lot." She seems about to say more when Aylen's question forces it out of her mind. Chuckling a little, she comments, "She's at that age..." before turning to Aylen and answering, "I was on a very long trip; it took many moons. I tried to hurry back so you could be born here, but it was a very bad winter." Silently she hopes that Aylen doesn't have too many more questions about that part of her life. Where's the questions about her father? Those were easy!
Jasie nods along to Niabi's words before blinking and looking back to Aylen when she asks her question. She chuckles at the 'She's at that age' thing "It's no problem, I've had a couple of them before, they all like the trickier questions" she tilts her head at the explanation though, listening in.
Ever curious of her birth place and where other elk calves come from, the quizzical young elk has so many questions to ask. Where /was/ I born? Was my father there for my birth? Why was her coat beginning to thicken and change to a darker color? Wanting to ask them all at once, Aylen pulls her ears forward and instead says, "Where do calves come from?"
Unfortunately for Niabi, there's a plethora of questions that Aylen could ask that would be a little beyond tricky. "She's my fifth, believe it or not," Niabi says with a smile. Which is plenty of time to come up with reasonable sounding answers to questions young calves are just plain too young to know the details of. "Calves come from their mommies," she answers quickly, chuckling to herself. Well, it's true, isn't it?
Jasie smirks at Aylen "Gone for the best one first" she shakes her head, laughing quietly, she's amused "Just the two for me but I'm sadly without this year, spent too much time away from fellow elks" she smiles at Aylen "Anymore questions to put your mother on the spot with?"
From their mommies... From the /inside/ of their mommies?? Beginning to ponder being in her mothers belly, Aylen touches her nose to Niabi's belly. Hearing Jasie's question, she turns toward her and replies with, "Yes just one more...from /inside/ their mommies, /how/ did I get out?" Eye's wide with anticipation and innocence, she listens for a response from either cow.
Chuckling at the question, Niabi gives a very vague answer, "It was really hard; you were huge!" She'll let Aylen try to figure out what that means. It'd take some of the magic out of life if she were to explain everything right now. Turning back to Jasie, Niabi nods in understanding, "I spent two years before Aylen was born in that situation. We have bulls enough in the area now, though, so that won't be a problem."
Jasie grimaces apologetically at Niabi with the calf's question "She knows how to pick them" another shake of the head and she gives the trees a quick glance over "I think I'd like to meet all these other elks sometime, it's been far too long"
Wow! To even think about how to get out of a belly was mind boggling for the elk calf, her curiosity now on trying to figure out just /how/ she would escape such a place, she is content to nuzzle her mother's neck and go back to eating the delicate blades of grass.
Smiling and nodding, Niabi says, "I remember that feeling. Like I said, you're welcome to stay here. We've been spending a lot of time here lately, so you're bound to bump into a few of the others if you stay in the area. Though, I've been thinking we should move back north again soon; there's been a lot of wolves in this part of the forest lately..." She frowns, then shakes her head, deciding that going on for too long about her worries is probably not a good idea here and now.
Jasie straightens up a little and flicks her ears about, looking round the trees a little more thoroughly. She's not panicked, just cautious "Wolves are far from my favourite beasts in the world. I think I would take you up on that offer to stay even without the threat of a pack here though...Stay and move with you if you wouldn't object to it of course"
Aylen having seen a few wolves while on the journey here, was not to excited that her mother had mentioned them. "Why are wolves so mean?" She quietly wonders to herself. They had been chased by many creatures on their trip, and Aylen can distinctly remember getting chills from hearing a wolf howl one night while they were bedded down. Hearing something change in Jasie's voice, the young elk prances over to her and ever so lightly nuzzles her leg, to let her know she welcome's her. Not sure how the other might respond she turns her muzzle upward and grins at the elk cow, the young elks cobalt eyes sparkling with tenderness.
Wolves are far from Niabi's favorite creatures as well, but she's had the misfortune of dealing with them enough that she's more worried than fearful. No, the creatures she really fears are cougars. Still, it's better to avoid them, isn't it? "Of course we wouldn't object. We'd love to have you," Niabi says with a smile as she speaks for the whole herd. Including Aylen, she sees, which is a surprise, but a good one. Chuckling again at the question, Niabi gives Aylen and affectionate nuzzle of her own and says, "Wolves aren't mean, they're just hungry." She'll refrain from the standard comment about how the grass might think that Aylen is mean until after the calf is fully weaned. They're so close now that she's not about to set back the process by planting the idea that eating grass may be cruel.
Jasie has just about decided that there are no wolves currently watching, none she can see anyway. She blinks at the nuzzle, looks down quickly and a smile forms when she sees Aylen down there. She bends down to aim an affectionate lick at the calf's head "Of course wolves aren't mean, they're just different. Unfortunately part of that sometimes involves them hunting elk. Just stick with a herd and they'll keep their distance"
Huffing out a, "Hmm." Aylen had always thought that wolves were just chasing them because that was simply what they did for fun /chase/ elk and deer. Having never been licked by anyone but Niabi, Aylen takes a few steps away, after the fact, from both cow elk not wanting to offend Jasie. Curious that she got such a wonderful feeling from the cows affection. A glimmer off of a mushroom catches her eye, "Mommy what is this?" She asks, wondering if she could eat it or if she should leave it alone.
If Niabi thought there was much of a chance that wolves were watching them right now, then she'd have left the area long ago. She's not one to mess around when Aylen's safety could be involved, as much as she's prone to take risks if she's alone. An amused twist of the mouth crosses Niabi's face at the interaction between Aylen and Jasie, the lead cow can't help but notice and be pleased by Jasie's obvious mothering skills. It'll be good to have another experienced cow in the herd, especially given Catori's recent attitude. "That's a mushroom, don't eat it," Niabi says absentmindedly, certain that she'll be obeyed.
Jasie doesn't seem offended, her smile doesn't even falter as she watches the calf back up. She tries to see the mystery food in question but leaves that to Niabi in the end. She's relaxed again, though silent again for a moment, watching the calf, she's missed fawns in the last year.
Feeling full anyways, Aylen obeys her mother. After nuzzling both her mother and her new friend lovingly, she decides to submerge herself in the sun. Finding the perfect place to rest next to Niabi and Jasie, seeing as it has sunbeams dancing all over it. That grass should be nice and warm, she thinks. Laying down with a little thud, she closes her blue eyes and rests her head on the ground. The warmth radiating from the ground soothes her and she completely relaxes, knowing that there are two adults nearby to protect her from the big bad, but only hungry, wolves.
"Hmm, I guess it's naptime," Niabi comments with a quiet chuckle, "Many nights I wish I could just fall asleep like that." Ah, the advantages of being young! "I'd forgotten how much I missed having a calf around before she was born," she says with a smile, "It almost makes me wonder if I should participate in the rut this year or not. It's hard to say how much she'll need me next spring and summer." Her expression becomes thoughtful, as this is something she's pondered a few times but has not reached any conclusions about.
Jasie smirks, lowering her head to check, yep, asleep. She shakes her head, amused as she looks back to Niabi "Some nights I can, it depends what the day's been like" she laughs quietly and leaves the calf to rest, though she doesn't move away. It's not her child but there's still that urge to stay close and protect "I've missed having a calf around this past year too, it's been too quiet, they always have so much energy...well, when they're not sleeping"
Niabi finds it difficult to move very far from Aylen when the calf's asleep herself, only doing so when she really feels the need. "Hmm, she plays hard and she sleeps hard, apparently," Niabi says with a grin, "She deserves the rest though. She wasn't lying when she said she was born far away from the herd - it took us two moons of walking to get here after she was born, though I didn't push her too hard. That's enough walking to justify any number of naps, if you ask me."
Jasie smiles, still a little amused "I don't think I could imagine traveling like that. Two moons is a long time for a newly born calf, she'll definitely grow up to be strong with a start like that"
"Oh, she's definitely a tough girl, my Aylen," Niabi says with more than a little pride in her voice, "Takes after both of her parents that way. Still, I wish that I could have spared her all of that travel, not to mention the danger. She should have been born here, but some things can't be helped." It certainly wasn't Niabi's intention to have a calf so far away. In fact, it wasn't Niabi's intention to run into a good bull after she set out last year, but these things happen.
Jasie nods along, the odd glance going to Aylen "Well these things happen and she'll be better for it I'm sure. She's here now anyway, safe and sound, that's what matters...Is her father here too then? You said there was a bull around?"
Shaking her head but with no apparent shame in the fact, Niabi says, "No, I met her father while I was gone. But here we have Ojalo, the lead bull, and we also see Mojag around from time to time. Both of them are very nice, handsome too, though I personally know Ojalo better. He took it upon himself to watch over the herd while I was gone."
Jasie doesn't seem to be finding anything wrong with it, they'll find bulls wherever they happen to be hiding "Ojalo and Mojag, I'll have to try and meet them sometime. Them and everyone else of course" she chuckles "Meeting a new herd is one thing I haven't done before"
Niabi chuckles at that thought. "It's not something that I've done either, come to think of it," she says with a smile, "Even though I wasn't born here, first it was simply meeting elk I've never met before, and then it gradually turned into meeting new members of my herd. Though I suppose it turns out the same way; you just get to meet everyone at once instead of one at a time. And you should go introduce yourself to the whitetails sometime; they're northwest of here - when you reach the maple trees and run into all the deer scent you're there."
Jasie tilts her head "I think I wandered through that area on my way here, it's hard to tell" she chuckles "I've been in a lot of circles. I can't say I've spoken to many deers before, nice lot?"
"For the most part," Niabi says, managing to keep her lingering issues with one of them from clouding her tone, "They're much like us, just a little smaller and, understandably, a bit more flighty. They've had a good year - the place is crawling with fawns." And Niabi's not jealous of that - no, of course not...
Jasie smirks faintly "I'll see about running into them too but I'm sure all their fawns together couldn't match up to one elk calf" she grins "Though don't tell them I said so" a quick glance around and she seems to make up her mind "I think I'm going to have a look around some more, perhaps I'll spot some of these mysterious other elk.
Chuckling at that sentiment, Niabi smiles and nods, "Like I said, I'm sure they're around here somewhere. Though perhaps it's a good sign that everyone's so good at hiding themselves. I'll see you later then, huh?" Niabi will, of course, stay right where she is until Aylen wakes up. Actually, maybe she'll walk around just a little to graze, but that's it.
Niabi - Female Elk
Jasie - Female Elk
Aylen - Female Elk Calf
Setting:
Trickling River
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Its very early in the morning. So early, in fact, that Aylen isn't even up yet. But given how much Niabi dotes on her daughter, she's not about to wake the calf. Besides, she treasures these moments of non-responsibility as a good time to think over things. And she has a rather large amount of things to think over, as it turns out. The whole mess with the whitetails is still at the back of her mind, and now Catori behaving oddly... So much to worry about, so little time. And so it's only half-heartedly that Niabi is picking at the plants on the riverbank, but at least she's getting herself a little breakfast.
An early morning indeed but to Jasie it seems the best time to be on the move. After all most beasts are either just waking up or they're done with hunting and going to bed. She's explored the woods a bit in the last week but ultimately she's found herself returning to the only place she's seen another elk in a long long time. Granted it was a brief meeting with Catori but one elk in coming on a year without any is something to remember. Quietly she heads for the river, pausing on the edge of the trees to look around and huh, there's another elk but it doesn't look like the one she saw before...
With her mind firmly on other things, Niabi's senses are taking a back seat. Which is unusual for her, especially since the birth of her daughter made her so much more careful. Then again, with so many elk in and out of this area lately she knows that nothing dangerous is likely to be around. However, after a moment the general background scent of elk she knows gains an unfamiliar addition, and Niabi suddenly pauses to take a look around. With the stranger holding back in the trees, Niabi doesn't spot her immediately, though she clearly seems to think that someone else is around here somewhere.
Jasie pauses in the trees, watching carefully and checking the rest of the area. It's Niabi spotting her that makes up her mind though and she slips out of the trees, looking back at the other elk "Hello...You're not the one I met before are you?"
When she finally spots the owner of the scent, Niabi's face breaks out into a smile. "No, I don't believe we've met," Niabi says, obviously in a friendly mood. "I'm Niabi, lead cow of the Umber," she introduces herself with a nod. For a moment she tries to decide who this cow would have met before. Probably Catori, though perhaps Faith? Either way, Niabi's always glad to meet another elk.
Jasie looks faintly surprised, lead cow is important so with a small smile she bows her head a little bit "Then the honour is mine, my name is Jasie. I was, well, wandering is the only word for it. I'm between herds but formerly of the Haderin, they were a long way north of here last I saw them"
Aylen's tail twitches as she moves her lengthy hind leg in her sleep. Stirring from sleep she raises her head from the earth, elongating her neck while bringing her fore legs beneath her body she pushes herself up to a standing position. Shaking the silty soil from her darkening cinnamon fur, and stretching back each of her hind legs, flexing her growing muscles. Giving a shake of her head as if to force herself from the dream she was having, Aylen scents at the air, noticing only then that they were not the only other elk to visit the river today. Rushing to her mothers side she whispers to Niabi, "Mommy who is dhat?"
Niabi herself doesn't think much about her own title. The elk portion of the herd isn't very large at all, and half the time she tells herself that she's only doing the job because nobody better has turned up yet. "A familiar story around here," Niabi comments with another nod, "We've only been together as a herd for about a year and a half, so the only ones born into it were the fawns this spring - I should mention that there are whitetails as well in the Umber. You're welcome to join us, if you're interested." Her line of thought is interrupted by the arrival of Aylen at her side. "Aylen, this is Jasie," Niabi introduces calmly, hoping that her happy tone will help ease a little of her calf's chronic shyness.
Jasie tilts her head and leans it to the side, so it was a calf she saw hide behind Niabi "That would explain the scent of deer I keep coming across" she comments before she smiles at Aylen and assumes a motherly, calm sort of tone as if she's used to talking to fawns "Hello there Aylen, it's nice to meet you as well" she glances back to Niabi again "She's yours?"
Aylen peaks at Jasie from around her mothers leg. "Hello Jasie!" Says the elk calf, smiling up at the newcomer with enthusiasm. Having been trying to speak more to her elders and not be quite so skittish. Aylen moves her ears to and fro listening for any danger that may be in the surrounding area, not hearing any she moves to the rivers side to drink some of the refreshing water.
Of course, you can hardly miss the scent of deer with how strongly Roscoe keeps the place marked up. But the less time she spends thinking about the buck, the better. "Yes she is," Niabi says with a proud smile. Yes, this adorable, healthy, strong, and no doubt gifted calf is hers. To say that Niabi puts Aylen on a pedestal is actually a bit of an understatement. She can't help but chuckle a little at the calf's attempts to overcome her fear, but she finally manages to peal her attention away and back to Jasie. "Unfortunately, she was our only elk calf this year, but it's looking like next year will be different," she comments.
Jasie watches the calf for a couple of minutes with a soft smile as she talks to Niabi "She's looking good and strong, I'm sure you're proud" she cautiously starts to walk over to the pair "Are there many elks in the herd then?"
Feeling a chill from the water, Aylen brings her self back from the river to a warmer looking area close to her mother and the newcomer. Bending her neck to taste the sweet grasses of the river bank, she listens to Niabi and Jasie's conversation. Occasionally looking up at the two other elk, Aylen begins to wonder where she and Niabi had come from before they made there long journey back to the herd. "Mommy, why was/I/born so far away from the herd?"
"Hmm, I'd say there's about five of us, give or take," Niabi says after a brief pause to consider, "It depends on who you count; there are a couple that we don't see very often because they wander around a lot." She seems about to say more when Aylen's question forces it out of her mind. Chuckling a little, she comments, "She's at that age..." before turning to Aylen and answering, "I was on a very long trip; it took many moons. I tried to hurry back so you could be born here, but it was a very bad winter." Silently she hopes that Aylen doesn't have too many more questions about that part of her life. Where's the questions about her father? Those were easy!
Jasie nods along to Niabi's words before blinking and looking back to Aylen when she asks her question. She chuckles at the 'She's at that age' thing "It's no problem, I've had a couple of them before, they all like the trickier questions" she tilts her head at the explanation though, listening in.
Ever curious of her birth place and where other elk calves come from, the quizzical young elk has so many questions to ask. Where /was/ I born? Was my father there for my birth? Why was her coat beginning to thicken and change to a darker color? Wanting to ask them all at once, Aylen pulls her ears forward and instead says, "Where do calves come from?"
Unfortunately for Niabi, there's a plethora of questions that Aylen could ask that would be a little beyond tricky. "She's my fifth, believe it or not," Niabi says with a smile. Which is plenty of time to come up with reasonable sounding answers to questions young calves are just plain too young to know the details of. "Calves come from their mommies," she answers quickly, chuckling to herself. Well, it's true, isn't it?
Jasie smirks at Aylen "Gone for the best one first" she shakes her head, laughing quietly, she's amused "Just the two for me but I'm sadly without this year, spent too much time away from fellow elks" she smiles at Aylen "Anymore questions to put your mother on the spot with?"
From their mommies... From the /inside/ of their mommies?? Beginning to ponder being in her mothers belly, Aylen touches her nose to Niabi's belly. Hearing Jasie's question, she turns toward her and replies with, "Yes just one more...from /inside/ their mommies, /how/ did I get out?" Eye's wide with anticipation and innocence, she listens for a response from either cow.
Chuckling at the question, Niabi gives a very vague answer, "It was really hard; you were huge!" She'll let Aylen try to figure out what that means. It'd take some of the magic out of life if she were to explain everything right now. Turning back to Jasie, Niabi nods in understanding, "I spent two years before Aylen was born in that situation. We have bulls enough in the area now, though, so that won't be a problem."
Jasie grimaces apologetically at Niabi with the calf's question "She knows how to pick them" another shake of the head and she gives the trees a quick glance over "I think I'd like to meet all these other elks sometime, it's been far too long"
Wow! To even think about how to get out of a belly was mind boggling for the elk calf, her curiosity now on trying to figure out just /how/ she would escape such a place, she is content to nuzzle her mother's neck and go back to eating the delicate blades of grass.
Smiling and nodding, Niabi says, "I remember that feeling. Like I said, you're welcome to stay here. We've been spending a lot of time here lately, so you're bound to bump into a few of the others if you stay in the area. Though, I've been thinking we should move back north again soon; there's been a lot of wolves in this part of the forest lately..." She frowns, then shakes her head, deciding that going on for too long about her worries is probably not a good idea here and now.
Jasie straightens up a little and flicks her ears about, looking round the trees a little more thoroughly. She's not panicked, just cautious "Wolves are far from my favourite beasts in the world. I think I would take you up on that offer to stay even without the threat of a pack here though...Stay and move with you if you wouldn't object to it of course"
Aylen having seen a few wolves while on the journey here, was not to excited that her mother had mentioned them. "Why are wolves so mean?" She quietly wonders to herself. They had been chased by many creatures on their trip, and Aylen can distinctly remember getting chills from hearing a wolf howl one night while they were bedded down. Hearing something change in Jasie's voice, the young elk prances over to her and ever so lightly nuzzles her leg, to let her know she welcome's her. Not sure how the other might respond she turns her muzzle upward and grins at the elk cow, the young elks cobalt eyes sparkling with tenderness.
Wolves are far from Niabi's favorite creatures as well, but she's had the misfortune of dealing with them enough that she's more worried than fearful. No, the creatures she really fears are cougars. Still, it's better to avoid them, isn't it? "Of course we wouldn't object. We'd love to have you," Niabi says with a smile as she speaks for the whole herd. Including Aylen, she sees, which is a surprise, but a good one. Chuckling again at the question, Niabi gives Aylen and affectionate nuzzle of her own and says, "Wolves aren't mean, they're just hungry." She'll refrain from the standard comment about how the grass might think that Aylen is mean until after the calf is fully weaned. They're so close now that she's not about to set back the process by planting the idea that eating grass may be cruel.
Jasie has just about decided that there are no wolves currently watching, none she can see anyway. She blinks at the nuzzle, looks down quickly and a smile forms when she sees Aylen down there. She bends down to aim an affectionate lick at the calf's head "Of course wolves aren't mean, they're just different. Unfortunately part of that sometimes involves them hunting elk. Just stick with a herd and they'll keep their distance"
Huffing out a, "Hmm." Aylen had always thought that wolves were just chasing them because that was simply what they did for fun /chase/ elk and deer. Having never been licked by anyone but Niabi, Aylen takes a few steps away, after the fact, from both cow elk not wanting to offend Jasie. Curious that she got such a wonderful feeling from the cows affection. A glimmer off of a mushroom catches her eye, "Mommy what is this?" She asks, wondering if she could eat it or if she should leave it alone.
If Niabi thought there was much of a chance that wolves were watching them right now, then she'd have left the area long ago. She's not one to mess around when Aylen's safety could be involved, as much as she's prone to take risks if she's alone. An amused twist of the mouth crosses Niabi's face at the interaction between Aylen and Jasie, the lead cow can't help but notice and be pleased by Jasie's obvious mothering skills. It'll be good to have another experienced cow in the herd, especially given Catori's recent attitude. "That's a mushroom, don't eat it," Niabi says absentmindedly, certain that she'll be obeyed.
Jasie doesn't seem offended, her smile doesn't even falter as she watches the calf back up. She tries to see the mystery food in question but leaves that to Niabi in the end. She's relaxed again, though silent again for a moment, watching the calf, she's missed fawns in the last year.
Feeling full anyways, Aylen obeys her mother. After nuzzling both her mother and her new friend lovingly, she decides to submerge herself in the sun. Finding the perfect place to rest next to Niabi and Jasie, seeing as it has sunbeams dancing all over it. That grass should be nice and warm, she thinks. Laying down with a little thud, she closes her blue eyes and rests her head on the ground. The warmth radiating from the ground soothes her and she completely relaxes, knowing that there are two adults nearby to protect her from the big bad, but only hungry, wolves.
"Hmm, I guess it's naptime," Niabi comments with a quiet chuckle, "Many nights I wish I could just fall asleep like that." Ah, the advantages of being young! "I'd forgotten how much I missed having a calf around before she was born," she says with a smile, "It almost makes me wonder if I should participate in the rut this year or not. It's hard to say how much she'll need me next spring and summer." Her expression becomes thoughtful, as this is something she's pondered a few times but has not reached any conclusions about.
Jasie smirks, lowering her head to check, yep, asleep. She shakes her head, amused as she looks back to Niabi "Some nights I can, it depends what the day's been like" she laughs quietly and leaves the calf to rest, though she doesn't move away. It's not her child but there's still that urge to stay close and protect "I've missed having a calf around this past year too, it's been too quiet, they always have so much energy...well, when they're not sleeping"
Niabi finds it difficult to move very far from Aylen when the calf's asleep herself, only doing so when she really feels the need. "Hmm, she plays hard and she sleeps hard, apparently," Niabi says with a grin, "She deserves the rest though. She wasn't lying when she said she was born far away from the herd - it took us two moons of walking to get here after she was born, though I didn't push her too hard. That's enough walking to justify any number of naps, if you ask me."
Jasie smiles, still a little amused "I don't think I could imagine traveling like that. Two moons is a long time for a newly born calf, she'll definitely grow up to be strong with a start like that"
"Oh, she's definitely a tough girl, my Aylen," Niabi says with more than a little pride in her voice, "Takes after both of her parents that way. Still, I wish that I could have spared her all of that travel, not to mention the danger. She should have been born here, but some things can't be helped." It certainly wasn't Niabi's intention to have a calf so far away. In fact, it wasn't Niabi's intention to run into a good bull after she set out last year, but these things happen.
Jasie nods along, the odd glance going to Aylen "Well these things happen and she'll be better for it I'm sure. She's here now anyway, safe and sound, that's what matters...Is her father here too then? You said there was a bull around?"
Shaking her head but with no apparent shame in the fact, Niabi says, "No, I met her father while I was gone. But here we have Ojalo, the lead bull, and we also see Mojag around from time to time. Both of them are very nice, handsome too, though I personally know Ojalo better. He took it upon himself to watch over the herd while I was gone."
Jasie doesn't seem to be finding anything wrong with it, they'll find bulls wherever they happen to be hiding "Ojalo and Mojag, I'll have to try and meet them sometime. Them and everyone else of course" she chuckles "Meeting a new herd is one thing I haven't done before"
Niabi chuckles at that thought. "It's not something that I've done either, come to think of it," she says with a smile, "Even though I wasn't born here, first it was simply meeting elk I've never met before, and then it gradually turned into meeting new members of my herd. Though I suppose it turns out the same way; you just get to meet everyone at once instead of one at a time. And you should go introduce yourself to the whitetails sometime; they're northwest of here - when you reach the maple trees and run into all the deer scent you're there."
Jasie tilts her head "I think I wandered through that area on my way here, it's hard to tell" she chuckles "I've been in a lot of circles. I can't say I've spoken to many deers before, nice lot?"
"For the most part," Niabi says, managing to keep her lingering issues with one of them from clouding her tone, "They're much like us, just a little smaller and, understandably, a bit more flighty. They've had a good year - the place is crawling with fawns." And Niabi's not jealous of that - no, of course not...
Jasie smirks faintly "I'll see about running into them too but I'm sure all their fawns together couldn't match up to one elk calf" she grins "Though don't tell them I said so" a quick glance around and she seems to make up her mind "I think I'm going to have a look around some more, perhaps I'll spot some of these mysterious other elk.
Chuckling at that sentiment, Niabi smiles and nods, "Like I said, I'm sure they're around here somewhere. Though perhaps it's a good sign that everyone's so good at hiding themselves. I'll see you later then, huh?" Niabi will, of course, stay right where she is until Aylen wakes up. Actually, maybe she'll walk around just a little to graze, but that's it.