Post by Therdde on May 31, 2009 0:28:48 GMT -5
Characters:
Nium - Female Cougar
Kein - Male Cougar
- Wooded Terrain -
The sun is setting, and the unmistakable silhouette of Nium travels south home. By now, she's well into Amaranth territory, much to her relief. She's had a difficult four days of absence, no doubting that. A revelation and a discovery, a journey and and an arrival, a tribulation and a celebration. The huntress is slow and tired, but determined and very set on finding Kein. Nium is not too far away from screaming for his attention. She will hopefully tell the Chieftain all she knows, and then, Kein willing, she will rest.
Since Nayeli's return, Kein has spent much of his time with her. He has every intention of continuing to do so, but he still cannot abandon his other tasks. He has opted to patrol late in the day. Nayeli is sleeping. Kein will make a quick sweep of the norther border, then he will return to her. He has not reached his border yet, though... And nor will he, apparently, as when the sound of an approaching creature reaches his ears, he slows his pace, sniffing at the air to try to identify the creature, though it is only moments before Nium is within sight that he identifies her scent.
The cougaress' tired eyes are slow to react, and close occasionally. The sun, though rapidly dimming, was light enough to cause her head to ache. Due to this, Nium is rather close to Kein when she notices him. As her eyes point to him she stops, spooked to suddenly see anyone. "Kein!" It's exactly who she's been looking for this short time spent back in the Tribelands. A smile quickly appears on her face, something rather odd for her. "It's great to see you again..." She sits down as soon as she's within conversation distance.
Indeed, it /is/ good to see Nium again, to know she did not fare poorly in her trip, despite traveling alone. Upon seeing her, Kein also sits, and greets her with, "Likewise, Nium. I hope you enjoyed your journey." He does not intend to pry. Whatever she got from it, she got from it. Whatever she wants to share, she can.
Nium, there's that name again; the one that wasn't hers. It only refers to her. She's hesitant to share the story of her beginnings with Kein, but she's disgusted with "Nium". "I... Learned much, sir." She nods, hinting that her trip wasn't exactly "enjoyed". "It wasn't just a fortune teller. It was an entire group. They were... keeping the moon in the sky." Her head tilts back and forth, understanding the context of her sharing with Kein. "They had a spiritual... water... Kein, I saw my mother. She was there. I heard her voice, and saw her, but I think I was... dreaming." She struggles to explain it, her vocabulary unimpressive. "I was *not* sleeping, sir! My mother was there. She told me she isn't ashamed of me." All Nium can do is hope Kein follows along. He should know very well Nium came as a rogue when he was a cub. "Which... is why I want to tell you something that's very important to me." Her tone is adamant, though still noticeably tired, strained, and raspy. "My name isn't Nium. Nium is the name of a wolf who tore the hole in my ear."
Kein listens very quietly while Nium speaks. Everything she says... Well, none of it is what Kein would have expected. Still, he doesn't interrupt, and if he things some of what she says is doubtful, he doesn't show it. After all, his mate has only recently returned, and she has apparently had a vision or something as well. Though he truly does not remember the day Nium first came, he knows that she was not here when he was born, that she's a 'newer' Sister. If Nium expected him to judge her because Nium ws not her given name, though, no such judgment is forthcoming. "You're not the first one to take a new name." Ohanzee did. And some others... Some he would prefer not to think about.
"I am aware of that. And I regret taking a name, but... it was something that needed to be done." The puma takes several relaxed breaths, the energy that come from the surprise of finding Kein so quickly fades with the sun's last glimmer over the horizon. "As... you know I came from a long ways east of here. I imagine there must be many differences between tribes, names included. My name, that my mother gave to me, is Sweet Rain." She's relieved and proud to get that off her chest. "It's... different, from all of your names. And... It's what I want to be called... from now on out, sir. Nium is a disgusting name." Very understandable that she can be bitter from a wolf taking a piece of her ear off, presumably bullying the youth. Why did she choose to adopt that name then? Perhaps a story for another time. "The group... they called themselves the Merrymakers. They were... amazing. They could do *anything*. They seemed to know very much, I did learn, in part, what I wanted to."
Sweet Rain? That's... Well, interesting, but Kein makes a special note of it. Why did she take, specifically, a name she hated from a wolf who hurt her? Kein can guess, but he doesn't ask. With a nod of his head, he says, "I am glad that you learned what you wanted to learn." Kein truly knows little of Paoro's life, and only superficially what she did. He can give Nium all of the advice he has, pass on to her any word of opportunities that may be worth-while, but most of learning to fill the role of the tribe's Shamaness will be up to Nium.
Sweet Rain, as she prefers, is very grateful for Kein's immediate acceptance, despite his probable questions. "The only Tribe member that ever took the time to hear about... my past was Chesmu." She lifts a tired paw and licks it, very close to bed. "I have something more important to tell you, sir." Sweet Rain makes sure she has Kein's attention and eye contact before continuing. "Young Ashen is safe and I know where he is."
Kein always enjoys hearing about Chesmu... Er, wait. No, he doesn't. Still, he keeps his admittedly short temper on a tight leash, at least long enough for him to hear what else she says, and for him to forget about his anger entirely. He knew Ashen was well. Nayeli said so. But... "Where is he?" There are a million more questions he could tack on to the end of that, but he stops there.
Sweet Rain shakes her head, regretful of what she said. "No, I know who he's with. Ashen is staying with a wolf named Skelaghe. She told me you knew her, and that she's been to the Tribe lands many times before." She tries to speak quickly to satisfy Kein's understandable need to have this information. "One of the Merrymakers, she *knew* Ashen was safe, and close to our lands!" All of this is starting to connect in her head. "Skelaghe, do you know her?" Suddenly doubt races in her mind and sends a chill down her spine, what if she just got tricked!? What if the wolf was lying entirely and Kein didn't have a clue what Sweet Rain is talking about!? Visible panic induces itself over the cougaress as she quickly looks behind her. If she has to, she will run back and hunt down the wolf.
Skela-... "I know her." Skelaghe?! That wolf... Before Kein can jump to any further conclusion, Kein asks, with a hard edge in his tone, "What is Ashen doing there?" Kein can guess. That's all he can do. With no knowledge about what passed between Ashen and Cael, his guess is very far off. What he does know is that his mate spent weeks alone while she was pregnant because a wolf he once allowed onto his lands has an Amaranth cub. That he had some of the largest fights he has ever had with his daughter because Skelaghe is keeping Ashen.
Sweet Rain lays down, losing a lot of steam. Moving so much mass in a day takes a lot out, especially if she hasn't eaten recently. "Skelaghe told me... She told me that Ashen was running away." She curses her memory under her breath. "Ashen is seeking refuge from something, she told me... that he wouldn't even tell her what was the matter." More and more Nium feels betrayed, and played. "She wouldn't take me to him, either... I was adamant in asking..." She sighs, shutting her eyes. "I should have forced my way more... I could have come home with Ashen this second. Ah."
Running away? Seeking refuge? All of this because he growled at the boy /once/? Kein's anger shifts, slowly, from Skelaghe to Ashen. Oh, how he would /love/ to show that boy what a male who is angry with him really looks like. Still, he doesn't take his anger out on Nium. "No. No, I didn't ask you to do that." Will /he/ even do it? He would like to. He would like to drag that boy back here and drop him off at the cave with a warning that he is not to so much as blink for a week.
"..." Sweet Rain nods, sitting up once more but still clearly exhausted. "You're right..." She passes an odd silence before speaking again. "Sir, that's all I know. I sincerely wish you or Ama could have come with me. Now, if you don't mind." Sweet Rain gives a small smile, but knows The Chieftan is probably not in the mood for pleasantries now. "I'm going to find a place here to sleep. Unless you want me to try to answer any questions, sir." Hopefully not, the poor cougar's wiped out and hungry.
"Of course I don't mind. Go on." For now... Well, if Nium had seen anything around the border, she would have told him, and for now... He's got more that will have to be discussed with Nayeli. Such as whether he will be leaving their home to track down those troublesome wolves and drag Ashen back here, or just telling Jinx about it and leaving it. Ashen is not his cub. Ashen is apparently well. And even if Kein were to drag him back, the boy would not be here for much longer anyway, so no matter how much he might wish he could teach Ashen a long-lasting lesson, it will probably never happen.
Nium - Female Cougar
Kein - Male Cougar
- Wooded Terrain -
The sun is setting, and the unmistakable silhouette of Nium travels south home. By now, she's well into Amaranth territory, much to her relief. She's had a difficult four days of absence, no doubting that. A revelation and a discovery, a journey and and an arrival, a tribulation and a celebration. The huntress is slow and tired, but determined and very set on finding Kein. Nium is not too far away from screaming for his attention. She will hopefully tell the Chieftain all she knows, and then, Kein willing, she will rest.
Since Nayeli's return, Kein has spent much of his time with her. He has every intention of continuing to do so, but he still cannot abandon his other tasks. He has opted to patrol late in the day. Nayeli is sleeping. Kein will make a quick sweep of the norther border, then he will return to her. He has not reached his border yet, though... And nor will he, apparently, as when the sound of an approaching creature reaches his ears, he slows his pace, sniffing at the air to try to identify the creature, though it is only moments before Nium is within sight that he identifies her scent.
The cougaress' tired eyes are slow to react, and close occasionally. The sun, though rapidly dimming, was light enough to cause her head to ache. Due to this, Nium is rather close to Kein when she notices him. As her eyes point to him she stops, spooked to suddenly see anyone. "Kein!" It's exactly who she's been looking for this short time spent back in the Tribelands. A smile quickly appears on her face, something rather odd for her. "It's great to see you again..." She sits down as soon as she's within conversation distance.
Indeed, it /is/ good to see Nium again, to know she did not fare poorly in her trip, despite traveling alone. Upon seeing her, Kein also sits, and greets her with, "Likewise, Nium. I hope you enjoyed your journey." He does not intend to pry. Whatever she got from it, she got from it. Whatever she wants to share, she can.
Nium, there's that name again; the one that wasn't hers. It only refers to her. She's hesitant to share the story of her beginnings with Kein, but she's disgusted with "Nium". "I... Learned much, sir." She nods, hinting that her trip wasn't exactly "enjoyed". "It wasn't just a fortune teller. It was an entire group. They were... keeping the moon in the sky." Her head tilts back and forth, understanding the context of her sharing with Kein. "They had a spiritual... water... Kein, I saw my mother. She was there. I heard her voice, and saw her, but I think I was... dreaming." She struggles to explain it, her vocabulary unimpressive. "I was *not* sleeping, sir! My mother was there. She told me she isn't ashamed of me." All Nium can do is hope Kein follows along. He should know very well Nium came as a rogue when he was a cub. "Which... is why I want to tell you something that's very important to me." Her tone is adamant, though still noticeably tired, strained, and raspy. "My name isn't Nium. Nium is the name of a wolf who tore the hole in my ear."
Kein listens very quietly while Nium speaks. Everything she says... Well, none of it is what Kein would have expected. Still, he doesn't interrupt, and if he things some of what she says is doubtful, he doesn't show it. After all, his mate has only recently returned, and she has apparently had a vision or something as well. Though he truly does not remember the day Nium first came, he knows that she was not here when he was born, that she's a 'newer' Sister. If Nium expected him to judge her because Nium ws not her given name, though, no such judgment is forthcoming. "You're not the first one to take a new name." Ohanzee did. And some others... Some he would prefer not to think about.
"I am aware of that. And I regret taking a name, but... it was something that needed to be done." The puma takes several relaxed breaths, the energy that come from the surprise of finding Kein so quickly fades with the sun's last glimmer over the horizon. "As... you know I came from a long ways east of here. I imagine there must be many differences between tribes, names included. My name, that my mother gave to me, is Sweet Rain." She's relieved and proud to get that off her chest. "It's... different, from all of your names. And... It's what I want to be called... from now on out, sir. Nium is a disgusting name." Very understandable that she can be bitter from a wolf taking a piece of her ear off, presumably bullying the youth. Why did she choose to adopt that name then? Perhaps a story for another time. "The group... they called themselves the Merrymakers. They were... amazing. They could do *anything*. They seemed to know very much, I did learn, in part, what I wanted to."
Sweet Rain? That's... Well, interesting, but Kein makes a special note of it. Why did she take, specifically, a name she hated from a wolf who hurt her? Kein can guess, but he doesn't ask. With a nod of his head, he says, "I am glad that you learned what you wanted to learn." Kein truly knows little of Paoro's life, and only superficially what she did. He can give Nium all of the advice he has, pass on to her any word of opportunities that may be worth-while, but most of learning to fill the role of the tribe's Shamaness will be up to Nium.
Sweet Rain, as she prefers, is very grateful for Kein's immediate acceptance, despite his probable questions. "The only Tribe member that ever took the time to hear about... my past was Chesmu." She lifts a tired paw and licks it, very close to bed. "I have something more important to tell you, sir." Sweet Rain makes sure she has Kein's attention and eye contact before continuing. "Young Ashen is safe and I know where he is."
Kein always enjoys hearing about Chesmu... Er, wait. No, he doesn't. Still, he keeps his admittedly short temper on a tight leash, at least long enough for him to hear what else she says, and for him to forget about his anger entirely. He knew Ashen was well. Nayeli said so. But... "Where is he?" There are a million more questions he could tack on to the end of that, but he stops there.
Sweet Rain shakes her head, regretful of what she said. "No, I know who he's with. Ashen is staying with a wolf named Skelaghe. She told me you knew her, and that she's been to the Tribe lands many times before." She tries to speak quickly to satisfy Kein's understandable need to have this information. "One of the Merrymakers, she *knew* Ashen was safe, and close to our lands!" All of this is starting to connect in her head. "Skelaghe, do you know her?" Suddenly doubt races in her mind and sends a chill down her spine, what if she just got tricked!? What if the wolf was lying entirely and Kein didn't have a clue what Sweet Rain is talking about!? Visible panic induces itself over the cougaress as she quickly looks behind her. If she has to, she will run back and hunt down the wolf.
Skela-... "I know her." Skelaghe?! That wolf... Before Kein can jump to any further conclusion, Kein asks, with a hard edge in his tone, "What is Ashen doing there?" Kein can guess. That's all he can do. With no knowledge about what passed between Ashen and Cael, his guess is very far off. What he does know is that his mate spent weeks alone while she was pregnant because a wolf he once allowed onto his lands has an Amaranth cub. That he had some of the largest fights he has ever had with his daughter because Skelaghe is keeping Ashen.
Sweet Rain lays down, losing a lot of steam. Moving so much mass in a day takes a lot out, especially if she hasn't eaten recently. "Skelaghe told me... She told me that Ashen was running away." She curses her memory under her breath. "Ashen is seeking refuge from something, she told me... that he wouldn't even tell her what was the matter." More and more Nium feels betrayed, and played. "She wouldn't take me to him, either... I was adamant in asking..." She sighs, shutting her eyes. "I should have forced my way more... I could have come home with Ashen this second. Ah."
Running away? Seeking refuge? All of this because he growled at the boy /once/? Kein's anger shifts, slowly, from Skelaghe to Ashen. Oh, how he would /love/ to show that boy what a male who is angry with him really looks like. Still, he doesn't take his anger out on Nium. "No. No, I didn't ask you to do that." Will /he/ even do it? He would like to. He would like to drag that boy back here and drop him off at the cave with a warning that he is not to so much as blink for a week.
"..." Sweet Rain nods, sitting up once more but still clearly exhausted. "You're right..." She passes an odd silence before speaking again. "Sir, that's all I know. I sincerely wish you or Ama could have come with me. Now, if you don't mind." Sweet Rain gives a small smile, but knows The Chieftan is probably not in the mood for pleasantries now. "I'm going to find a place here to sleep. Unless you want me to try to answer any questions, sir." Hopefully not, the poor cougar's wiped out and hungry.
"Of course I don't mind. Go on." For now... Well, if Nium had seen anything around the border, she would have told him, and for now... He's got more that will have to be discussed with Nayeli. Such as whether he will be leaving their home to track down those troublesome wolves and drag Ashen back here, or just telling Jinx about it and leaving it. Ashen is not his cub. Ashen is apparently well. And even if Kein were to drag him back, the boy would not be here for much longer anyway, so no matter how much he might wish he could teach Ashen a long-lasting lesson, it will probably never happen.