Post by Therdde on May 22, 2009 20:23:17 GMT -5
Characters:
Nium - Female Cougar
Zephyr - Male Kestrel
Roscoe - Male Whitetail Deer
Sage - Female Lynx
Braxton - Male Fox
- Foggy Path -
So, as it were, Nium travels alone north and west, looking for this 'fortune telling'. Her chieftain, Kein, told there would be one or several beings able to foresee the future. Initially accepting as a duty to the tribe, Nium's own curiosity has pushed her further and further. The mammoth of a cougar travels slowly, head pointed toward the ground. Honestly, she's somewhat discouraged to be traveling alone. It isn't that it impedes her, Nium simply joined Amaranth when she did because she was sick and tired of journeying solo. For many years she traveled, leaving her own home for personal, and *very* private reasons. The morning sun has changed into one directly overhead, and not a cloud overhead. She walks close to trees as she can to provide herself with patches of brief shade as she walks. With only a *small* idea where she's headed, she adamantly presses forward.
Perhaps it is not Nium's fate to travel alone for too much longer. Zephyr is returning from another long trip, searching for things they need, when he spots a cougar below him. Even in the air, his keen eyes pick out the red markings on her fur, similar to those that were on the male he spoke to very briefly. With his beak just slightly opened in the closest approximation he has to a smile, Zephyr draws his wings in to dive for several feet before extending them again to level himself out, hovering still a good many feet above the cougar before he speaks. "You made it! The Merrymakers are pleased to greet the mountaindwellers from the south!" Zephyr is always happy to find another creature has decided to join them in their gathering, and he'd begun to doubt that any member of that cougar tribe would be coming to them.
Part unaware the bird is speaking to her, part lost in her own thoughts, Nium travels forward without so much as slowing down or offering a glance up at the falcon. Birds chatter loudly amongst themselves all the time, the Amaranth cougar doesn't believe this is any different. She wonders, expressionless, about what her brothers and sisters are doing at the tribelands. If she could have at least found anyone else, Nium would have gladly offered an invitation to come. Kestrels will have to do more work than that to get the huntress' attention.
Zephyr is ignored, and... Wait a second! He's ignored?! Well, that simply won't do. Zephyr would never admit to being an attention seeker... Mostly because it's very rare that he actually has to /seek/ attention. Where his bright colors fail him, when he wants someone's attention, his boisterous speech rarely does. Despite this, he is not without other ways to get this cougar's attention, and so he flies higher, flapping his wings rapidly to gain some distance from the cougar, before he dives again, this time directly in front of her and bringing himself much closer to the ground. Only once it looks like he is going to disappear into the fog, and likely crash into the ground below it, does he spread his wings again. A few moments after dipping into the fog, he rises out of it again, still with the approximation of a smile, looking to the cougar to see if he has her attention yet.
Snapped out of her thoughts, Nium stops instantly, lowering herself. Her eyes open wide as she realizes she's being attacked by a bird. It's happened before, unfortunately. She tries to continue forward, but is met with a smiling little bird in her way. Well, not *in* her way, but clearly trying to get her attention. The bird doesn't say anything, so Nium does first. "Yes?" It's simple, but that's all a Kestrel will get for swooping close to her. She decides to herself then, that if this bird starts to give her any grief about being to close to a nest or something, she will go out of her way to attempt to eat the bird. Needless to say, Nium isn't a big fan of birds, regardless of size or eating habits.
Zephyr has no intention of giving Nium grief... Well, not really, anyway. "Hello!" There seems to be no end to the kestrel's enthusiasm, despite the great many miles has has traveled today and the exertion that the two dives and his current hovering, just above the fog, require. He tilts his head to look at the red-marked fur on the cougaress before going on to say, "You come to us from the mountains, yes? Why else would you be so far from your home, if not to respond to our call for attendance to this celebration?"
Interesting, the bird notices and cares about the Amaranth markings. Well, at least he doesn't sound negative. And this celebration? Nium doesn't follow. "Celebration? ... I'm not interested." She sits down, calm, and willing to converse with this bird. "I heard there is fortune telling somewhere around here, bird. Do you know anything about that?" Nium shakes her head, getting her manners mixed up. Introductions, *then* questions. "Rather, my name is Nium, and you're right. I am from the southern mountains. Do you have a name?" Her deep, rich voice is loud, making sure the bird hears her loud and clear.
Such harsh words were spoken about the festival and the so called 'merry makers' that ran it by this particular creature, and yet here he was, going against his own predjudices just in order to see what was going on. A few days ago, the fox named Braxton had mentioned something about fortune telling, and with all the luck he had been having in finding does and his safety in general, the buck had to at least /try/ to join the festivities one more time. Perhaps it was just horrible timing on his part before, to arrive just at the time where a cougar was ready to feast on a deer.. and that raven.. that stupid raven just wanted to irk him. Maybe he would find only herbivores like him there this time? Not one for optimism, Roscoe broke yet another trend as he came upon the foggy path that he remembered so clearly from his last visit, and with his senses keen, regretted it almost immediately. The figure and scent of a cougar up ahead and the sounds of the kestrel. Furrowing his brows in irritated curiosity, the whitetail continued towards the small group with little noise accompanying him.
"Not... Interested? Why, of course you're interested!" If only Zephyr could land, rest as Nium does. If he did so, though, he would disappear into the fog, and most animals don't like speaking to disembodied voices. As such, he takes the only other option he has to rest his wings, flapping them a litte faster to gain enough altitude that he can land on the nearest, lowest branch to the cougar before he says anything else. "I, too, have a name, Nium. Many of them. The one you want, I think, is Zephyr, proud avian member of The Merrymakers!" With his attention so devoted to Nium, he does not recognize the approach of Roscoe immediately.
"Merrymakers...?" Nium is curious, yes, but not totally enthusiastic. She turns her head up slightly as Zephyr roosts. Kein told Nium about fortune telling, but nothing of a celebration or Merrymakers. "What are you celebrating, Zephyr?" She asks, sincerely not planning to stay around much longer to hear about a celebration of his eggs hatching or something. Her tone is not rude or sour, she just possesses an impatient air. At least the Kestrel isn't unpleasant to talk to.
His cloven hooves touch the ground for only a few more steps before his instincts kick in and he tenses up, but mentally shakes it off. Freezing like that is what /not/ to do in a situation like this. Not renowned for bravery, this particular buck once again breaks the stereotype and lifts one front hoof rather cautiously, emerging from the north border fully. Saying nothing, Roscoe keeps a wary eye on the predator, his ears focused mainly on the kestrel. This wasn't the same cougar that he had a run in with before; good. No dead deer around.. also good. Eyelids half open in a rather pompous fashion, the proud stag took a few more steps further, and "ahem-ed" in order to establish his presence. No polite introductions yet, for he had to be sure that everything was safe.
Eggs hatching would be an excellent reason to celebrate, and he's certain he could browbeat, er... sweet talk at least a few other animals into joining him for such a celebration. This is not the reason for their current celebration, though. Before Zephyr can answer the question, his gaze is drawn to the buck. With a nod of his head, he greets the newcomer briefly. "Welcome!" Then, his gaze snaps back to Nium, and he says, "We are celebrating the moon. She will be hiding from us in just a short time, and we must let her know that we appreciate the light and guidance she gives us." Still, no answer to Nium's first question, whether he knows anything of fortune telling, as there have been more interesting aspects of this conversation for the very small predator.
Well, isn't that just nice. Nium looks over to where Zephyr does as he extends a welcome she realizes isn't for her. A buck. Nium isn't concerned, nor does she act aggressively toward it. That wasn't her mission here. All she wants to know is what Kein told her about, and this kenstrel doesn't seem very intent on giving it out. THAT or Nium simply doesn't understand. "The moon..." She looks up at the sky, as if to see it now, but doesn't. "Huh."
No attacks? No threats of attack? Just a welcome and ..well, nothing. Not that he particularly cared either way. He wasn't the type of deer to converse with carnivores any how. He did however give a nod to the kestrel who welcomed him, though. "Thank you.." he says calmly, his voice deep and serious. Wary eyes still keen on the cougar's movements, he glances upward for just a moment to offer a polite grin to the bird, but then returns his rather insinuating gaze back to the big cat. Saying nothing more for the moment, he figures that watching the two for a few more moments would be a good idea.
Does the very fact that he knows, as certainly as his companions know, about the approaching eclipse prove that Zephyr has as much futuresight as any of them? Perhaps, but nonetheless, as the more interesting parts of the conversation fade out, Zephyr finally tells the cougar, "My own skill does not lie in seeing the future, but if that is the part of our celebration that interests you the most, I could certainly introduce you to one of us who has cultivated that skill, though she may ask for something in return for her services." Again, Zephyr looks to the buck. He does not recognize Roscoe as the snippy one from many days ago. They all look much the same, even with Zephyr's keen eyesight, and so, not knowing whether this buck knows anything of them, he says, "You will be safe in the lands further north, should you choose t'join us as well!"
Nium doesn't even offer the buck a second glance. It isn't worth her time. However, Nium takes a step closer to the bird (though it is still above her head) when it mentions a companion with the knowledge she seeks. "... Something in return? Up north you said?" So now it seems the cougar is genuinely interested in this aforementioned celebration. Certainly though, she doesn't understand the meaning of it, she wishes to find out. The large puma hopes the bird could be more specific in directions, as Nium hasn't been specifically around here before.
The kestrel's offer of safe lands to the north is given a rather sarcastic smirk in response. "I know quite well that they are safe." he says, trying his best not to come off as rude, but his nervousness around the cougar quickly turns to fear, which then in turn transforms to hostile defense mechanisms, in this case, verbal. He tries his best to ignore the cougar as she was ignoring him, as he felt quite the same. The cat wasn't worth his time nor his trouble, and at least this Zephyr seemed like good company. Stepping cautiously around the cat, he came to reside beneath the tree that the bird was perched in, and looked up at him. "You mentioned fortune telling.. that is what I'm here for as well." he said with his eyes entirely open and aware now. "If not you, who gives these services?"
"Last I saw her, she was further to the north... Though I ought to warn you that hostility, verbal or physical, from herbivores will be met no more kindly than hostility from carnivores." Despite his small size, Zephyr /is/ a predator, and he would not see any of his predatory brethern made to feel uncomfortable for that, as the sarcastic smirk and snippy response from the deer marks him as one of those to automatically look down on predators for their biological need for meat. That's all he says in warning, though, before he hops off the branch to hover just a few feet off of the ground before saying, "Follow me!"
- Clover Lawn -
Slowly, calmly, never taking her eyes off of the falcon, Nium rises to her large paws. This is interesting, hey, this could even be fun. Though Nium, in all of her habitual stoicness, has a dull look about her. Her thoughts wander away from the prey and the bird momentarily, thinking about what a fortune teller even looks like, what would happen if Nium actually *knew* what was going to happen to her... and does she even want that? She debates it over in her head, it's full of thoughts. What kind of 'something in return' would this teller want? "Sir, why is the moon going away?" She asks, keeping up with the pace of the bird. Nium's glad this bird found her! Otherwise, she was planning on making a turn in the wrong direction unless something else guided her.
It seemed that his snippy attitude did in fact bother the kestrel, and for that he felt slightly bad. Not too much, since none of his hostility was really directed towards Zephyr, but more or less to the cougar who was paying him no attention. Following the predatory avian as he hovered away, Roscoe held his head higher and higher, walking with dignity in every step. Though his kind served as food for the cats, he was taller than the female feline, and was at least happy for that. Superior in one way or another. And it wasn't that he automatically hated predators because of their need to hunt; far from it. He understood that everything living in the forest needed death in some form; he massacred plants on an hourly basis! It was merely the experience he had here before that caused his sour mood. "My apologies." he offered the kestrel, and continued to follow him silently.
Zephyr does not fly so fast that it would be difficult to keep up with him as he weaves through, and sometimes circles, trees, nor does he fly so high that it might be easy to lose sight of him. He hears Nium easily, and says, "See! I told you that you were interested!" Again, Zephyr decides to address what is more interesting, and the apology does not interest him. It's not that he feels slighted, only that he would hate for anyone, predator or prey, to miss out because they are made to feel uncomfortable by another. "The moon will be hiding because she feels unloved. We must prove to her otherwise." As soon as he says that, they leave the trees behind them, and he spots the lynx off in the distance. With no trees to dodge and nothing to hide him from his followers, he flies faster, now, to close the distance between them quickly.
Nium picks up the pace as Zephyr does, attempting to stay only a short distance behind him. Her bulk, however, prevents her from being able to run too fast, or for long distances. "Unloved? .... The moon?" Like, the MOON moon? As in the thing in the sky at night? The trees disperse and grow further apart, making running easier. The buck, at this point, is entirely ignored. Nium will communicate with it should she ever need to, but hopefully that will not be the case.
In the midst of the grassy clearing, the fortune-teller in question is pacing to and fro, mentally mapping out the area for future plans and inspecting the small hole that Gully has dug into the ground in preparation for...something, only the Merrymakers know what. On one of her paths, movement in her peripheral vision catches her attentions, and the silvery-furred feline glances up, bobtail flicking about curiously behind her. Another odd bunch, which pleases her...though truly only the cougaress is new to her. She appreciates the difficulty of prey to cavort alongside their natural enemies, but those who have tried hunting on festival grounds despite their warnings have faced Luna's fury. "Welcome," she greets amiably when the trio is close enough to hear, settling down comfortably and casually onto her haunches.
In truth, Roscoe didn't much care if the bird accepted his apology or not. The point was that he did apologize, and as far as the other two knew, he was remorseful to a point. Maybe a bit, but not much. His memory of the dead deer served him well, and he had no reason to treat the cougar with kindness. She wasn't talking to him, anyway. Returning the favor, he remained silent for the length of the trip until he stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of the lynx. Another instinct that was polished by his mother and father; stop and observe. He remembered the lynx from before, but wasn't necessarily excited to see her. She had been with the murderous cougar, after all. Pushing those petty emotions aside, he let out a relieved huff of breath, and picked up the pace. The sooner he had his fortunes read, the sooner he could return home to his deer friends.
If Zephyr is friendly to strangers, then to his long-time companions, he is doubly so. One could only guess how enthusiastically he greets his sometimes-mate. As they reach the lynx, he falls to just a foot off the ground and flies around her a couple times before landing beside her, still with his beak slightly open when he's not speaking. He does speak, though, instead of leaving the others to introduce themselves. He waits until Nium and Roscoe are close enough to hear him easily, then says, "This is my friend and fellow Merrymaker, Sage. Sage, I would like you t'meet Nium and..." Well, not-Nium. The other one. A pointed glance is delivered to the buck as he realizes that Roscoe never did introduce himself.
Not even allowing time for the buck to introduce himself, Nium, the large cougar nods her head. "Nice to meet you, ma'am." She has seen lynx before, and simply by appearance alone, she liked them. Smaller cougars, in a way. Catching her breath as quietly as she can, the puma sits down in front of, but not too close to, Zephyr and Sage. Understanding this place and these beings show a lot of respect, she tries her hardest to make a good impression and abide by politeness, despite her tiredness.
Sage turns her icy blue eyes from Zephyr to the introduced cougaress and partially-introduced whitetail, nodding simply to each in turn. "The pleasure is all mine," she answers with a friendly smile. As none of the three has yet mentioned what they've come for in particular, the snowy-furred cat's brows lift in mild expectation, and she looks back and forth between the less familiar pair. "Well, what can I do for you this lovely afternoon?"
"Roscoe." he says in his deep, serious tone. "My name is Roscoe. Pleasure to meet you." Though in truth, he had already met her before. Given the circumstances though, perhaps another introduction was in order. With a forced grin, the buck tried to look happy.. he would hopefully get his fortunes read soon, and that indeed was exciting.. he just wished that he was in more suitable company. Zephyr and Sage didn't bother him, but the unfamiliar cougar's presence was just nagging at his instincts. Ignoring them further, he flicked his tail and took in a breath. "I heard that you were reading fortunes.. and I was interested in that."
Nium looks over to the buck in surprise as he submits a request about the fortune telling. That's precisely the reason Nium is here, too. She ponders on how far this information has spread. Maybe this is a lot bigger than she thinks. The cougar turns her head back to the Sage, hoping she could at least shed some light on this.
Sage shifts her forepaws in closer to her body as she nods in response to the buck's request, looking very much like an oversized, extra-fluffy housecat with her prim posture. "I am. Well," she clarifies with a little shake of her ruffed head, "I am attempting, as it is a matter of faith and trust on both ends. But what have you come to ask?"
With a blink, the buck turned to look at the cougar, as if the lynx had just asked a question that he didn't know the answer to. What did he come to ask? He didn't come with anything to ask, actually. Really, he thought that he would just show up and the fortune teller would.. tell him his fortune. Foolish on his part, but then again he had never had his fortune read before. "I've.." he started, and brought his lips back in a thoughtful pose. With a nervous chuckle, he finally admitted it. "I'm afriad I don't have anything in particular to ask.."
Braxton is on a walk. He has decided that it'd be good to get some exercise, despite being a new father he knows he still needs to get out a bit now that he's reaching an advanced age. He's also thinking maybe the Merrymakers might have some other activities.
Nium, still deadly serious and surprised the buck came for the identical reason, steps forward. "I do, ma'am...." Her voice, though rich and strong, is perhaps less than confident in talking to the fortune-teller. "I -uh- well... I'm trying to learn to medicine... as well as anything I can." Nium sits down again. "I wasn't aware of any... celebration going on here. My cheiftan, Kein, told me of a fortune teller I could find north. And here you are." She isn't great with words or vocabulary, that much becomes rather clear. "I just want to learn anything I can, from anybody who can spare the time. I want to help my tribe more than I can, which isn't much to begin with."
Sage chuckles as well, though certainly not in a mean-spirited way. She wouldn't be a Merrymaker if it was, would she? "Don't worry, you're certainly not the first. Come here, and bow your head...let me see what secrets your eyes hold." This may be a tall order for the proud buck, lowering himself to the eye-level of the smaller predator -- but the lynx isn't likely to break her own sacred vow. While the buck no doubt mentally prepares himself for such an act, Sage turns to Nium, tufted ears pricked alertly as she listens to the cougaress' own request. "Medicine? Well, that's not something I hear often...and admittedly, a little more involved than a simple question-and-answer session. What exactly are you wanting to know?"
It certainly was refreshing to be in the company of the lynx. From his last brief encounter with her, he remembered that she wasn't the one he wished to get away from. It was the other cougar and the raven that made him flee the scene. With a nod, the buck bent his front legs at the knees, and then sat himself down on the ground the rest of the way. Now lying down, he was at the eye level of Sage, forgetting about his need to keep a princely stature at the moment. He tilted his ears backwards nervously, and blinked once or twice, not knowing if he needed to do anything else besides that or not.
Braxton spots that same lynx and decides maybe she can tell him all the kinds of activities he can do, preferably with his mate and hopefully before too long, kits. "Hello, over there!"
Nium watches closely, the interaction between the whitetail and the lynx. It's an odd sight by anyone, Nium can't help but almost feel uncomfortable. Words fail to surface to her mouth, and she doesn't come up with an answer for Sage. What *is* it she wants to know? Nium herself isn't even totally confident she has an answer for that. She does understand what she wants to learn is more in depth than what word of mouth can pass on. Perhaps it was a mistake to come up this far expecting to be taught anything. Nium shouldn't be wasting time here, she should be looking for Ashen. And-- Nium is caught off guard when Braxton calls out. She doesn't reply to him either.
Sage's tufted ears swivel back at the sound of another hello, glancing back briefly to note that it's presumably the same fox that she met only a couple of days prior. As he's already gotten his own fortune-telling done and these two visitors have not, the fox will simply have to wait until she's no longer occupied. There's only so much Merrymaking she can do at once. Since the cougaress has fallen strangely silent in response to her question, Sage simply focuses all of her attention on the whitetail buck in the meantime. Her eyes focus closely on his own, perhaps a little unnerving to be stared at so intently by a predator less than a foot from his face, even if his kind isn't her usual prey. The pale blue irises glaze over, her feline pupils narrowing to slits before widening again, blinking away the brief self-induced trance. "You need not be so anxious, forest walker, nor so boastful. Pride serves for naught in the face of danger. Instead, let your demeanor and your earth-given image speak for you, with your inner strength displaying to others the impressive title that you so desperately seek." She pauses briefly, before adding: "I hope that answers your unspoken questions, my friend."
Watching Sage 'work' is always interesting, and Zephyr has spent many hours doing just that, either from nearby or from afar. As Gully and Sage have been making preparations in this area, though, Zephyr still has things to do. With Sage, Nium, and Roscoe all occupied, Zephyr hops a couple steps away before taking to the air and flying away along the same path the fox took away after his brief visit.
The large rounded ears of the deer swivel back as well at the sound of the familiar fox's voice, but he does not acknowledge the small mammal's presence at the time because of his occupied state. The lynx's icey eyes staring into his firey ones as she puts herself through what looks to him like some sort of trance. His bred-in nervousness causes his eyes to dialate greatly, but his logic and trust of this creature calms him, and his eyes slowly go back to normal. After her gaze was removed from his eyes, he blinked and gave her a curious look, anxious for what she had to say. She was spot on in her assessment of him; he was anxious, he was quite arrogant, and he certainly wanted to be respected. The buck stayed on the ground, happy with what Sage had told him, but a question did come to mind. A short one, that wouldn't necessarilly take any spiritual assessment.. but he didn't ask it. It seemed rude to him, and instead he just offered her a genuine smile. "Thank you very much for your insight." he said calmly and with real appreciation, beginning the short task of getting himself back up on his hooves.
The large cougar watches the methods of the Sage carefully, baffled by what she did, but amazed by result. Could the lynx possibly know where Ashen was? Nium dares not ask, but continues watching in amazement. Even a hint of a smile grows on her face, as she gathers what she's learned about the buck and puts it together with Sage's astute reading. This still doesn't deter her thoughts about Ashen though. Maybe the cub was just hiding somewhere, as a joke. For days? Nium watches the buck rise to his tall position, avoiding eye contact with the lynx, for fear she might be next. Honestly, that's intimidating to Nium, regardless of her confidence in herself and of Sage. A debate in her head rages on whether or not it would be rude to ask her if she knew were Ashen is or had some spritual insight or inclination to know where Ashen could be. And of course, there's the idea that Nium wishes to learn anything she can to help her tribe. She intentionally stares at the buck, just to avoid the feline Merrymaker.
Sage nods simply in response to the buck's spoken gratitude, then, despite all of Nium's mental wishes to the opposite, turns to face the silent female cougar. "Did you decide what you would like to ask me, Nium?"
First up were his hind legs, then his front legs. That was the order that he had to get up in, and it was quite embarassing, to him anyway. Realizing that even that kind of attitude was what Sage had mentioned to him, he forced a little chuckle, and shook off his pelt. His head raised high again, he nodded his growing antlers to the two felines, thanking the lynx again. "I cannot thank you enough, madam." said Roscoe, his eyes not nervous around her anymore. A few feet away as he passed the cougar, he nodded his head towards her also. "Good luck." he offered quietly. Though not arrogant nor boastful in his stance, the deer did have a grace to him as he walked away from the group, just naturally. Looking ahead towards the southeast, he began heading towards home.
The question is asked, and Nium is yet undecided. She looks at Sage, then to the dirt, then back. "Ma'am..." The cougar wonders exactly how many people have actually come through here if all she's seen is two others. Maybe they rest are somewhere else. "I learned a short while back... a cub, Ashen... is missing. I want to know where he is. Can you help me? Is he in danger? ... Am I asking too much?" The last thing Nium wants to do is offend a fortune-teller with her awkward questioning. Just as when he first appeared, the whitetail remains ignored by Nium as she presses to get her own questions answered. She disregards her initial reasons for coming here, learning, for attempting to know where Ashen is or at least confirm his safety.
Sage dips her head politely to the buck at his continued spoken gratitude, smiling faintly at the buck. "It was nothing. I hope it serves you well." At the other feline's question, however, her maw turns down in a slight frown. "That is a matter of divination, not simple fortune-reading, and so is not something I can answer so easily. I can certainly try...but it will take time and effort -- and not just my own." Something so in-depth will require Nium's assistance at the very least.
An attempt is all Nium can ask for. Zephyr did mention something about there being a possible requirement for Sage's services. The cougar wonders who else could help her; she assumes Sage is refering to another one of her Merrymakers. She isn't even sure of her definition of divination. Nium is not well-familiarized spiritually, she isn't even completely sure who her ancestors are, aside from her parents. She hasn't seen her parents since she was little girl, but that's another story. "Can I do anything to help?"
Sage nods, considering her options briefly, both to save time and still give as accurate a reading as she possibly can. "To the northeast of here, there is a single tree among the flat grasslands. Bring me a few of its fruits, and I will answer your questions the best I can."
Nium looks slightly dumbfounded, but she doesn't doubt Sage's abilities or methods. "Fruit?" She looks in the direction indicated by the Merrymaker and licks her lips. "How far away is it? -- Just so I know, I'll get it for you." Ambitiously, Nium stands up forgetting all else save for helping Sage and ultimately Ashen. Anxiously she waits for an answer on its distance. Even if this thing is days and days away, she will get it if it could help her find Ashen.
Sage shakes her head. "Not far. Just to the north of the hill beyond here," the pale lynx answers, indicating the large mound rising behind her to the east with a gesture of her forepaw. "You can't miss it...it's the only one of its kind," she answers with a coy smile.
"Okay. Thank you, ma'am. I understand." Nium stumbles through sentances as she begins walking in the gestured direction with partial smile on her muzzle. "Don't go anywhere!" She picks up the pace to a speed just shy of a run. Nium is grateful it's daytime, otherwise a cougar running around at nighttime could cause trouble, and Nium didn't want to stir anything up if she's so close to help.
Running the entire distance there, it isn't a surprise when Nium is a bit winded carrying a large branch in her mouth at a slower pace up the hill. "Peezshh..." She hopes out loud, that the lynx has been patiently waiting for her return. It took a bit longer than Nium had originally hoped, but several attempts proved successful as she has the mentioned fruit on her branch, which bobs and licks the grass as it passes over. Nium speeds up as gravity helps her down the hill.
Sage merely kept herself occupied in the meantime while Nium was gone, her eyes closed as she sits on her haunches and quietly meditates, focusing herself for the coming task. A short while later, the cougaress returns (with a whole branch, no less), and once she's brought the tree's broken arm close enough, Sage picks off a couple of the crabapples dangling from it with her teeth, dropping them to the ground between her paws. One of these she starts to slice open from stem to base, working her claws into the fruit's flesh as she pulls it apart into two halves. The other is given the same treatment, though across the center of the small fruit instead; when the cores of both have been exposed, the lynx begins studying the assortment of seeds, taking note of their orientation, spacing, and number. After several quiet moments, the snowy-furred cat finally looks back up at the other feline. "He is alive, and not far from home. There is something else...but I cannot say exactly what. He is alive, as I said, but impaired in some manner," she explains, pointing out the few seeds that have been broken and split apart by the force of her slicing claws. She then lifts her paw to her blunt muzzle, licking away the bittersweet bits of fruit left on her claws. "I hope that helps."
Nium's eyes are wide an intrigued as the Merrymaker looks into the fruit to an extent the cougar can only imagine about. "Close to the tribe!?" She interprets the information as quickly as she can, too many ideas racing through her head now. "And...Impaired. Is he hurt?" Nium asks Sage, but realizes she told her all she could. Short of breath, the strong cougar sits down and huffs a few deep breaths of air. Looking first at the hill, then in the direction of home, she determines there isn't any chance she'd be able to make it back before nightfall. Nium bows deeply. "It does help, I believe. No, I *know* it does. Ma'am, I can't thank you enough for your insight and patience. I think... I'm going home." Yes, even after shortly arriving here. Though she remembers the birds words of celebration...
Sage says nothing while the cougaress reacts to her words, wondering briefly if the cub she spoke of is her own. Only speaking once Nium has settled down again, the lynx responds: "You're quite welcome, miss. And if you must leave, then so be it...though I can't think of a better way of repayment than to stay, at least until the morning, and show your gratitude by celebrating Luna's beauty with us. I am sure Zephyr wouldn't mind delivering the message to your family sometime within the next day as well, and likely doing so and returning quicker than you could arrive on your own."
Nium exhales slowly, considering Sage's offer carefully. At this point, she trusts the lynx completely, Nium has no reason to doubt anything she says. It only takes her a brief moment to decide it over. Nium would love to stay; she sick of walking. "I don't want to make Zephyr do anything for me, but if he can *promise* to deliver a message from me to Kein, and *ONLY* Kein... I'll stay the night, and part of tomorrow." Nium bites her lip, hesitant to trust someone she's only met for a short, short, period of time.
Sage smiles. "Well, I can't promise anything for Zephyr myself -- you'll have to ask him on your own." Besides, he'd probably know who this Kein is more than she would, seeing that he visited the various groups to be found around the area when they first arrived. "But we'd love to have you stay, regardless. I have preparations to finish, now, but I'm sure I'll see you around before you leave. Until then, keep well, Nium." With that, the lynx rises from her seated position, turning to trot up the hill to its apex, hoping to gather the rest of the Merrymakers together for a brief meeting before it grows too late.
Nium - Female Cougar
Zephyr - Male Kestrel
Roscoe - Male Whitetail Deer
Sage - Female Lynx
Braxton - Male Fox
- Foggy Path -
So, as it were, Nium travels alone north and west, looking for this 'fortune telling'. Her chieftain, Kein, told there would be one or several beings able to foresee the future. Initially accepting as a duty to the tribe, Nium's own curiosity has pushed her further and further. The mammoth of a cougar travels slowly, head pointed toward the ground. Honestly, she's somewhat discouraged to be traveling alone. It isn't that it impedes her, Nium simply joined Amaranth when she did because she was sick and tired of journeying solo. For many years she traveled, leaving her own home for personal, and *very* private reasons. The morning sun has changed into one directly overhead, and not a cloud overhead. She walks close to trees as she can to provide herself with patches of brief shade as she walks. With only a *small* idea where she's headed, she adamantly presses forward.
Perhaps it is not Nium's fate to travel alone for too much longer. Zephyr is returning from another long trip, searching for things they need, when he spots a cougar below him. Even in the air, his keen eyes pick out the red markings on her fur, similar to those that were on the male he spoke to very briefly. With his beak just slightly opened in the closest approximation he has to a smile, Zephyr draws his wings in to dive for several feet before extending them again to level himself out, hovering still a good many feet above the cougar before he speaks. "You made it! The Merrymakers are pleased to greet the mountaindwellers from the south!" Zephyr is always happy to find another creature has decided to join them in their gathering, and he'd begun to doubt that any member of that cougar tribe would be coming to them.
Part unaware the bird is speaking to her, part lost in her own thoughts, Nium travels forward without so much as slowing down or offering a glance up at the falcon. Birds chatter loudly amongst themselves all the time, the Amaranth cougar doesn't believe this is any different. She wonders, expressionless, about what her brothers and sisters are doing at the tribelands. If she could have at least found anyone else, Nium would have gladly offered an invitation to come. Kestrels will have to do more work than that to get the huntress' attention.
Zephyr is ignored, and... Wait a second! He's ignored?! Well, that simply won't do. Zephyr would never admit to being an attention seeker... Mostly because it's very rare that he actually has to /seek/ attention. Where his bright colors fail him, when he wants someone's attention, his boisterous speech rarely does. Despite this, he is not without other ways to get this cougar's attention, and so he flies higher, flapping his wings rapidly to gain some distance from the cougar, before he dives again, this time directly in front of her and bringing himself much closer to the ground. Only once it looks like he is going to disappear into the fog, and likely crash into the ground below it, does he spread his wings again. A few moments after dipping into the fog, he rises out of it again, still with the approximation of a smile, looking to the cougar to see if he has her attention yet.
Snapped out of her thoughts, Nium stops instantly, lowering herself. Her eyes open wide as she realizes she's being attacked by a bird. It's happened before, unfortunately. She tries to continue forward, but is met with a smiling little bird in her way. Well, not *in* her way, but clearly trying to get her attention. The bird doesn't say anything, so Nium does first. "Yes?" It's simple, but that's all a Kestrel will get for swooping close to her. She decides to herself then, that if this bird starts to give her any grief about being to close to a nest or something, she will go out of her way to attempt to eat the bird. Needless to say, Nium isn't a big fan of birds, regardless of size or eating habits.
Zephyr has no intention of giving Nium grief... Well, not really, anyway. "Hello!" There seems to be no end to the kestrel's enthusiasm, despite the great many miles has has traveled today and the exertion that the two dives and his current hovering, just above the fog, require. He tilts his head to look at the red-marked fur on the cougaress before going on to say, "You come to us from the mountains, yes? Why else would you be so far from your home, if not to respond to our call for attendance to this celebration?"
Interesting, the bird notices and cares about the Amaranth markings. Well, at least he doesn't sound negative. And this celebration? Nium doesn't follow. "Celebration? ... I'm not interested." She sits down, calm, and willing to converse with this bird. "I heard there is fortune telling somewhere around here, bird. Do you know anything about that?" Nium shakes her head, getting her manners mixed up. Introductions, *then* questions. "Rather, my name is Nium, and you're right. I am from the southern mountains. Do you have a name?" Her deep, rich voice is loud, making sure the bird hears her loud and clear.
Such harsh words were spoken about the festival and the so called 'merry makers' that ran it by this particular creature, and yet here he was, going against his own predjudices just in order to see what was going on. A few days ago, the fox named Braxton had mentioned something about fortune telling, and with all the luck he had been having in finding does and his safety in general, the buck had to at least /try/ to join the festivities one more time. Perhaps it was just horrible timing on his part before, to arrive just at the time where a cougar was ready to feast on a deer.. and that raven.. that stupid raven just wanted to irk him. Maybe he would find only herbivores like him there this time? Not one for optimism, Roscoe broke yet another trend as he came upon the foggy path that he remembered so clearly from his last visit, and with his senses keen, regretted it almost immediately. The figure and scent of a cougar up ahead and the sounds of the kestrel. Furrowing his brows in irritated curiosity, the whitetail continued towards the small group with little noise accompanying him.
"Not... Interested? Why, of course you're interested!" If only Zephyr could land, rest as Nium does. If he did so, though, he would disappear into the fog, and most animals don't like speaking to disembodied voices. As such, he takes the only other option he has to rest his wings, flapping them a litte faster to gain enough altitude that he can land on the nearest, lowest branch to the cougar before he says anything else. "I, too, have a name, Nium. Many of them. The one you want, I think, is Zephyr, proud avian member of The Merrymakers!" With his attention so devoted to Nium, he does not recognize the approach of Roscoe immediately.
"Merrymakers...?" Nium is curious, yes, but not totally enthusiastic. She turns her head up slightly as Zephyr roosts. Kein told Nium about fortune telling, but nothing of a celebration or Merrymakers. "What are you celebrating, Zephyr?" She asks, sincerely not planning to stay around much longer to hear about a celebration of his eggs hatching or something. Her tone is not rude or sour, she just possesses an impatient air. At least the Kestrel isn't unpleasant to talk to.
His cloven hooves touch the ground for only a few more steps before his instincts kick in and he tenses up, but mentally shakes it off. Freezing like that is what /not/ to do in a situation like this. Not renowned for bravery, this particular buck once again breaks the stereotype and lifts one front hoof rather cautiously, emerging from the north border fully. Saying nothing, Roscoe keeps a wary eye on the predator, his ears focused mainly on the kestrel. This wasn't the same cougar that he had a run in with before; good. No dead deer around.. also good. Eyelids half open in a rather pompous fashion, the proud stag took a few more steps further, and "ahem-ed" in order to establish his presence. No polite introductions yet, for he had to be sure that everything was safe.
Eggs hatching would be an excellent reason to celebrate, and he's certain he could browbeat, er... sweet talk at least a few other animals into joining him for such a celebration. This is not the reason for their current celebration, though. Before Zephyr can answer the question, his gaze is drawn to the buck. With a nod of his head, he greets the newcomer briefly. "Welcome!" Then, his gaze snaps back to Nium, and he says, "We are celebrating the moon. She will be hiding from us in just a short time, and we must let her know that we appreciate the light and guidance she gives us." Still, no answer to Nium's first question, whether he knows anything of fortune telling, as there have been more interesting aspects of this conversation for the very small predator.
Well, isn't that just nice. Nium looks over to where Zephyr does as he extends a welcome she realizes isn't for her. A buck. Nium isn't concerned, nor does she act aggressively toward it. That wasn't her mission here. All she wants to know is what Kein told her about, and this kenstrel doesn't seem very intent on giving it out. THAT or Nium simply doesn't understand. "The moon..." She looks up at the sky, as if to see it now, but doesn't. "Huh."
No attacks? No threats of attack? Just a welcome and ..well, nothing. Not that he particularly cared either way. He wasn't the type of deer to converse with carnivores any how. He did however give a nod to the kestrel who welcomed him, though. "Thank you.." he says calmly, his voice deep and serious. Wary eyes still keen on the cougar's movements, he glances upward for just a moment to offer a polite grin to the bird, but then returns his rather insinuating gaze back to the big cat. Saying nothing more for the moment, he figures that watching the two for a few more moments would be a good idea.
Does the very fact that he knows, as certainly as his companions know, about the approaching eclipse prove that Zephyr has as much futuresight as any of them? Perhaps, but nonetheless, as the more interesting parts of the conversation fade out, Zephyr finally tells the cougar, "My own skill does not lie in seeing the future, but if that is the part of our celebration that interests you the most, I could certainly introduce you to one of us who has cultivated that skill, though she may ask for something in return for her services." Again, Zephyr looks to the buck. He does not recognize Roscoe as the snippy one from many days ago. They all look much the same, even with Zephyr's keen eyesight, and so, not knowing whether this buck knows anything of them, he says, "You will be safe in the lands further north, should you choose t'join us as well!"
Nium doesn't even offer the buck a second glance. It isn't worth her time. However, Nium takes a step closer to the bird (though it is still above her head) when it mentions a companion with the knowledge she seeks. "... Something in return? Up north you said?" So now it seems the cougar is genuinely interested in this aforementioned celebration. Certainly though, she doesn't understand the meaning of it, she wishes to find out. The large puma hopes the bird could be more specific in directions, as Nium hasn't been specifically around here before.
The kestrel's offer of safe lands to the north is given a rather sarcastic smirk in response. "I know quite well that they are safe." he says, trying his best not to come off as rude, but his nervousness around the cougar quickly turns to fear, which then in turn transforms to hostile defense mechanisms, in this case, verbal. He tries his best to ignore the cougar as she was ignoring him, as he felt quite the same. The cat wasn't worth his time nor his trouble, and at least this Zephyr seemed like good company. Stepping cautiously around the cat, he came to reside beneath the tree that the bird was perched in, and looked up at him. "You mentioned fortune telling.. that is what I'm here for as well." he said with his eyes entirely open and aware now. "If not you, who gives these services?"
"Last I saw her, she was further to the north... Though I ought to warn you that hostility, verbal or physical, from herbivores will be met no more kindly than hostility from carnivores." Despite his small size, Zephyr /is/ a predator, and he would not see any of his predatory brethern made to feel uncomfortable for that, as the sarcastic smirk and snippy response from the deer marks him as one of those to automatically look down on predators for their biological need for meat. That's all he says in warning, though, before he hops off the branch to hover just a few feet off of the ground before saying, "Follow me!"
- Clover Lawn -
Slowly, calmly, never taking her eyes off of the falcon, Nium rises to her large paws. This is interesting, hey, this could even be fun. Though Nium, in all of her habitual stoicness, has a dull look about her. Her thoughts wander away from the prey and the bird momentarily, thinking about what a fortune teller even looks like, what would happen if Nium actually *knew* what was going to happen to her... and does she even want that? She debates it over in her head, it's full of thoughts. What kind of 'something in return' would this teller want? "Sir, why is the moon going away?" She asks, keeping up with the pace of the bird. Nium's glad this bird found her! Otherwise, she was planning on making a turn in the wrong direction unless something else guided her.
It seemed that his snippy attitude did in fact bother the kestrel, and for that he felt slightly bad. Not too much, since none of his hostility was really directed towards Zephyr, but more or less to the cougar who was paying him no attention. Following the predatory avian as he hovered away, Roscoe held his head higher and higher, walking with dignity in every step. Though his kind served as food for the cats, he was taller than the female feline, and was at least happy for that. Superior in one way or another. And it wasn't that he automatically hated predators because of their need to hunt; far from it. He understood that everything living in the forest needed death in some form; he massacred plants on an hourly basis! It was merely the experience he had here before that caused his sour mood. "My apologies." he offered the kestrel, and continued to follow him silently.
Zephyr does not fly so fast that it would be difficult to keep up with him as he weaves through, and sometimes circles, trees, nor does he fly so high that it might be easy to lose sight of him. He hears Nium easily, and says, "See! I told you that you were interested!" Again, Zephyr decides to address what is more interesting, and the apology does not interest him. It's not that he feels slighted, only that he would hate for anyone, predator or prey, to miss out because they are made to feel uncomfortable by another. "The moon will be hiding because she feels unloved. We must prove to her otherwise." As soon as he says that, they leave the trees behind them, and he spots the lynx off in the distance. With no trees to dodge and nothing to hide him from his followers, he flies faster, now, to close the distance between them quickly.
Nium picks up the pace as Zephyr does, attempting to stay only a short distance behind him. Her bulk, however, prevents her from being able to run too fast, or for long distances. "Unloved? .... The moon?" Like, the MOON moon? As in the thing in the sky at night? The trees disperse and grow further apart, making running easier. The buck, at this point, is entirely ignored. Nium will communicate with it should she ever need to, but hopefully that will not be the case.
In the midst of the grassy clearing, the fortune-teller in question is pacing to and fro, mentally mapping out the area for future plans and inspecting the small hole that Gully has dug into the ground in preparation for...something, only the Merrymakers know what. On one of her paths, movement in her peripheral vision catches her attentions, and the silvery-furred feline glances up, bobtail flicking about curiously behind her. Another odd bunch, which pleases her...though truly only the cougaress is new to her. She appreciates the difficulty of prey to cavort alongside their natural enemies, but those who have tried hunting on festival grounds despite their warnings have faced Luna's fury. "Welcome," she greets amiably when the trio is close enough to hear, settling down comfortably and casually onto her haunches.
In truth, Roscoe didn't much care if the bird accepted his apology or not. The point was that he did apologize, and as far as the other two knew, he was remorseful to a point. Maybe a bit, but not much. His memory of the dead deer served him well, and he had no reason to treat the cougar with kindness. She wasn't talking to him, anyway. Returning the favor, he remained silent for the length of the trip until he stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of the lynx. Another instinct that was polished by his mother and father; stop and observe. He remembered the lynx from before, but wasn't necessarily excited to see her. She had been with the murderous cougar, after all. Pushing those petty emotions aside, he let out a relieved huff of breath, and picked up the pace. The sooner he had his fortunes read, the sooner he could return home to his deer friends.
If Zephyr is friendly to strangers, then to his long-time companions, he is doubly so. One could only guess how enthusiastically he greets his sometimes-mate. As they reach the lynx, he falls to just a foot off the ground and flies around her a couple times before landing beside her, still with his beak slightly open when he's not speaking. He does speak, though, instead of leaving the others to introduce themselves. He waits until Nium and Roscoe are close enough to hear him easily, then says, "This is my friend and fellow Merrymaker, Sage. Sage, I would like you t'meet Nium and..." Well, not-Nium. The other one. A pointed glance is delivered to the buck as he realizes that Roscoe never did introduce himself.
Not even allowing time for the buck to introduce himself, Nium, the large cougar nods her head. "Nice to meet you, ma'am." She has seen lynx before, and simply by appearance alone, she liked them. Smaller cougars, in a way. Catching her breath as quietly as she can, the puma sits down in front of, but not too close to, Zephyr and Sage. Understanding this place and these beings show a lot of respect, she tries her hardest to make a good impression and abide by politeness, despite her tiredness.
Sage turns her icy blue eyes from Zephyr to the introduced cougaress and partially-introduced whitetail, nodding simply to each in turn. "The pleasure is all mine," she answers with a friendly smile. As none of the three has yet mentioned what they've come for in particular, the snowy-furred cat's brows lift in mild expectation, and she looks back and forth between the less familiar pair. "Well, what can I do for you this lovely afternoon?"
"Roscoe." he says in his deep, serious tone. "My name is Roscoe. Pleasure to meet you." Though in truth, he had already met her before. Given the circumstances though, perhaps another introduction was in order. With a forced grin, the buck tried to look happy.. he would hopefully get his fortunes read soon, and that indeed was exciting.. he just wished that he was in more suitable company. Zephyr and Sage didn't bother him, but the unfamiliar cougar's presence was just nagging at his instincts. Ignoring them further, he flicked his tail and took in a breath. "I heard that you were reading fortunes.. and I was interested in that."
Nium looks over to the buck in surprise as he submits a request about the fortune telling. That's precisely the reason Nium is here, too. She ponders on how far this information has spread. Maybe this is a lot bigger than she thinks. The cougar turns her head back to the Sage, hoping she could at least shed some light on this.
Sage shifts her forepaws in closer to her body as she nods in response to the buck's request, looking very much like an oversized, extra-fluffy housecat with her prim posture. "I am. Well," she clarifies with a little shake of her ruffed head, "I am attempting, as it is a matter of faith and trust on both ends. But what have you come to ask?"
With a blink, the buck turned to look at the cougar, as if the lynx had just asked a question that he didn't know the answer to. What did he come to ask? He didn't come with anything to ask, actually. Really, he thought that he would just show up and the fortune teller would.. tell him his fortune. Foolish on his part, but then again he had never had his fortune read before. "I've.." he started, and brought his lips back in a thoughtful pose. With a nervous chuckle, he finally admitted it. "I'm afriad I don't have anything in particular to ask.."
Braxton is on a walk. He has decided that it'd be good to get some exercise, despite being a new father he knows he still needs to get out a bit now that he's reaching an advanced age. He's also thinking maybe the Merrymakers might have some other activities.
Nium, still deadly serious and surprised the buck came for the identical reason, steps forward. "I do, ma'am...." Her voice, though rich and strong, is perhaps less than confident in talking to the fortune-teller. "I -uh- well... I'm trying to learn to medicine... as well as anything I can." Nium sits down again. "I wasn't aware of any... celebration going on here. My cheiftan, Kein, told me of a fortune teller I could find north. And here you are." She isn't great with words or vocabulary, that much becomes rather clear. "I just want to learn anything I can, from anybody who can spare the time. I want to help my tribe more than I can, which isn't much to begin with."
Sage chuckles as well, though certainly not in a mean-spirited way. She wouldn't be a Merrymaker if it was, would she? "Don't worry, you're certainly not the first. Come here, and bow your head...let me see what secrets your eyes hold." This may be a tall order for the proud buck, lowering himself to the eye-level of the smaller predator -- but the lynx isn't likely to break her own sacred vow. While the buck no doubt mentally prepares himself for such an act, Sage turns to Nium, tufted ears pricked alertly as she listens to the cougaress' own request. "Medicine? Well, that's not something I hear often...and admittedly, a little more involved than a simple question-and-answer session. What exactly are you wanting to know?"
It certainly was refreshing to be in the company of the lynx. From his last brief encounter with her, he remembered that she wasn't the one he wished to get away from. It was the other cougar and the raven that made him flee the scene. With a nod, the buck bent his front legs at the knees, and then sat himself down on the ground the rest of the way. Now lying down, he was at the eye level of Sage, forgetting about his need to keep a princely stature at the moment. He tilted his ears backwards nervously, and blinked once or twice, not knowing if he needed to do anything else besides that or not.
Braxton spots that same lynx and decides maybe she can tell him all the kinds of activities he can do, preferably with his mate and hopefully before too long, kits. "Hello, over there!"
Nium watches closely, the interaction between the whitetail and the lynx. It's an odd sight by anyone, Nium can't help but almost feel uncomfortable. Words fail to surface to her mouth, and she doesn't come up with an answer for Sage. What *is* it she wants to know? Nium herself isn't even totally confident she has an answer for that. She does understand what she wants to learn is more in depth than what word of mouth can pass on. Perhaps it was a mistake to come up this far expecting to be taught anything. Nium shouldn't be wasting time here, she should be looking for Ashen. And-- Nium is caught off guard when Braxton calls out. She doesn't reply to him either.
Sage's tufted ears swivel back at the sound of another hello, glancing back briefly to note that it's presumably the same fox that she met only a couple of days prior. As he's already gotten his own fortune-telling done and these two visitors have not, the fox will simply have to wait until she's no longer occupied. There's only so much Merrymaking she can do at once. Since the cougaress has fallen strangely silent in response to her question, Sage simply focuses all of her attention on the whitetail buck in the meantime. Her eyes focus closely on his own, perhaps a little unnerving to be stared at so intently by a predator less than a foot from his face, even if his kind isn't her usual prey. The pale blue irises glaze over, her feline pupils narrowing to slits before widening again, blinking away the brief self-induced trance. "You need not be so anxious, forest walker, nor so boastful. Pride serves for naught in the face of danger. Instead, let your demeanor and your earth-given image speak for you, with your inner strength displaying to others the impressive title that you so desperately seek." She pauses briefly, before adding: "I hope that answers your unspoken questions, my friend."
Watching Sage 'work' is always interesting, and Zephyr has spent many hours doing just that, either from nearby or from afar. As Gully and Sage have been making preparations in this area, though, Zephyr still has things to do. With Sage, Nium, and Roscoe all occupied, Zephyr hops a couple steps away before taking to the air and flying away along the same path the fox took away after his brief visit.
The large rounded ears of the deer swivel back as well at the sound of the familiar fox's voice, but he does not acknowledge the small mammal's presence at the time because of his occupied state. The lynx's icey eyes staring into his firey ones as she puts herself through what looks to him like some sort of trance. His bred-in nervousness causes his eyes to dialate greatly, but his logic and trust of this creature calms him, and his eyes slowly go back to normal. After her gaze was removed from his eyes, he blinked and gave her a curious look, anxious for what she had to say. She was spot on in her assessment of him; he was anxious, he was quite arrogant, and he certainly wanted to be respected. The buck stayed on the ground, happy with what Sage had told him, but a question did come to mind. A short one, that wouldn't necessarilly take any spiritual assessment.. but he didn't ask it. It seemed rude to him, and instead he just offered her a genuine smile. "Thank you very much for your insight." he said calmly and with real appreciation, beginning the short task of getting himself back up on his hooves.
The large cougar watches the methods of the Sage carefully, baffled by what she did, but amazed by result. Could the lynx possibly know where Ashen was? Nium dares not ask, but continues watching in amazement. Even a hint of a smile grows on her face, as she gathers what she's learned about the buck and puts it together with Sage's astute reading. This still doesn't deter her thoughts about Ashen though. Maybe the cub was just hiding somewhere, as a joke. For days? Nium watches the buck rise to his tall position, avoiding eye contact with the lynx, for fear she might be next. Honestly, that's intimidating to Nium, regardless of her confidence in herself and of Sage. A debate in her head rages on whether or not it would be rude to ask her if she knew were Ashen is or had some spritual insight or inclination to know where Ashen could be. And of course, there's the idea that Nium wishes to learn anything she can to help her tribe. She intentionally stares at the buck, just to avoid the feline Merrymaker.
Sage nods simply in response to the buck's spoken gratitude, then, despite all of Nium's mental wishes to the opposite, turns to face the silent female cougar. "Did you decide what you would like to ask me, Nium?"
First up were his hind legs, then his front legs. That was the order that he had to get up in, and it was quite embarassing, to him anyway. Realizing that even that kind of attitude was what Sage had mentioned to him, he forced a little chuckle, and shook off his pelt. His head raised high again, he nodded his growing antlers to the two felines, thanking the lynx again. "I cannot thank you enough, madam." said Roscoe, his eyes not nervous around her anymore. A few feet away as he passed the cougar, he nodded his head towards her also. "Good luck." he offered quietly. Though not arrogant nor boastful in his stance, the deer did have a grace to him as he walked away from the group, just naturally. Looking ahead towards the southeast, he began heading towards home.
The question is asked, and Nium is yet undecided. She looks at Sage, then to the dirt, then back. "Ma'am..." The cougar wonders exactly how many people have actually come through here if all she's seen is two others. Maybe they rest are somewhere else. "I learned a short while back... a cub, Ashen... is missing. I want to know where he is. Can you help me? Is he in danger? ... Am I asking too much?" The last thing Nium wants to do is offend a fortune-teller with her awkward questioning. Just as when he first appeared, the whitetail remains ignored by Nium as she presses to get her own questions answered. She disregards her initial reasons for coming here, learning, for attempting to know where Ashen is or at least confirm his safety.
Sage dips her head politely to the buck at his continued spoken gratitude, smiling faintly at the buck. "It was nothing. I hope it serves you well." At the other feline's question, however, her maw turns down in a slight frown. "That is a matter of divination, not simple fortune-reading, and so is not something I can answer so easily. I can certainly try...but it will take time and effort -- and not just my own." Something so in-depth will require Nium's assistance at the very least.
An attempt is all Nium can ask for. Zephyr did mention something about there being a possible requirement for Sage's services. The cougar wonders who else could help her; she assumes Sage is refering to another one of her Merrymakers. She isn't even sure of her definition of divination. Nium is not well-familiarized spiritually, she isn't even completely sure who her ancestors are, aside from her parents. She hasn't seen her parents since she was little girl, but that's another story. "Can I do anything to help?"
Sage nods, considering her options briefly, both to save time and still give as accurate a reading as she possibly can. "To the northeast of here, there is a single tree among the flat grasslands. Bring me a few of its fruits, and I will answer your questions the best I can."
Nium looks slightly dumbfounded, but she doesn't doubt Sage's abilities or methods. "Fruit?" She looks in the direction indicated by the Merrymaker and licks her lips. "How far away is it? -- Just so I know, I'll get it for you." Ambitiously, Nium stands up forgetting all else save for helping Sage and ultimately Ashen. Anxiously she waits for an answer on its distance. Even if this thing is days and days away, she will get it if it could help her find Ashen.
Sage shakes her head. "Not far. Just to the north of the hill beyond here," the pale lynx answers, indicating the large mound rising behind her to the east with a gesture of her forepaw. "You can't miss it...it's the only one of its kind," she answers with a coy smile.
"Okay. Thank you, ma'am. I understand." Nium stumbles through sentances as she begins walking in the gestured direction with partial smile on her muzzle. "Don't go anywhere!" She picks up the pace to a speed just shy of a run. Nium is grateful it's daytime, otherwise a cougar running around at nighttime could cause trouble, and Nium didn't want to stir anything up if she's so close to help.
Running the entire distance there, it isn't a surprise when Nium is a bit winded carrying a large branch in her mouth at a slower pace up the hill. "Peezshh..." She hopes out loud, that the lynx has been patiently waiting for her return. It took a bit longer than Nium had originally hoped, but several attempts proved successful as she has the mentioned fruit on her branch, which bobs and licks the grass as it passes over. Nium speeds up as gravity helps her down the hill.
Sage merely kept herself occupied in the meantime while Nium was gone, her eyes closed as she sits on her haunches and quietly meditates, focusing herself for the coming task. A short while later, the cougaress returns (with a whole branch, no less), and once she's brought the tree's broken arm close enough, Sage picks off a couple of the crabapples dangling from it with her teeth, dropping them to the ground between her paws. One of these she starts to slice open from stem to base, working her claws into the fruit's flesh as she pulls it apart into two halves. The other is given the same treatment, though across the center of the small fruit instead; when the cores of both have been exposed, the lynx begins studying the assortment of seeds, taking note of their orientation, spacing, and number. After several quiet moments, the snowy-furred cat finally looks back up at the other feline. "He is alive, and not far from home. There is something else...but I cannot say exactly what. He is alive, as I said, but impaired in some manner," she explains, pointing out the few seeds that have been broken and split apart by the force of her slicing claws. She then lifts her paw to her blunt muzzle, licking away the bittersweet bits of fruit left on her claws. "I hope that helps."
Nium's eyes are wide an intrigued as the Merrymaker looks into the fruit to an extent the cougar can only imagine about. "Close to the tribe!?" She interprets the information as quickly as she can, too many ideas racing through her head now. "And...Impaired. Is he hurt?" Nium asks Sage, but realizes she told her all she could. Short of breath, the strong cougar sits down and huffs a few deep breaths of air. Looking first at the hill, then in the direction of home, she determines there isn't any chance she'd be able to make it back before nightfall. Nium bows deeply. "It does help, I believe. No, I *know* it does. Ma'am, I can't thank you enough for your insight and patience. I think... I'm going home." Yes, even after shortly arriving here. Though she remembers the birds words of celebration...
Sage says nothing while the cougaress reacts to her words, wondering briefly if the cub she spoke of is her own. Only speaking once Nium has settled down again, the lynx responds: "You're quite welcome, miss. And if you must leave, then so be it...though I can't think of a better way of repayment than to stay, at least until the morning, and show your gratitude by celebrating Luna's beauty with us. I am sure Zephyr wouldn't mind delivering the message to your family sometime within the next day as well, and likely doing so and returning quicker than you could arrive on your own."
Nium exhales slowly, considering Sage's offer carefully. At this point, she trusts the lynx completely, Nium has no reason to doubt anything she says. It only takes her a brief moment to decide it over. Nium would love to stay; she sick of walking. "I don't want to make Zephyr do anything for me, but if he can *promise* to deliver a message from me to Kein, and *ONLY* Kein... I'll stay the night, and part of tomorrow." Nium bites her lip, hesitant to trust someone she's only met for a short, short, period of time.
Sage smiles. "Well, I can't promise anything for Zephyr myself -- you'll have to ask him on your own." Besides, he'd probably know who this Kein is more than she would, seeing that he visited the various groups to be found around the area when they first arrived. "But we'd love to have you stay, regardless. I have preparations to finish, now, but I'm sure I'll see you around before you leave. Until then, keep well, Nium." With that, the lynx rises from her seated position, turning to trot up the hill to its apex, hoping to gather the rest of the Merrymakers together for a brief meeting before it grows too late.