Post by Therdde on Aug 14, 2009 18:03:48 GMT -5
Characters:
Sweet Rain - Female Cougar
Skelaghe - Female Wolf
- Hilltop Vista -
It's been a long several days, but only because Sweet Rain takes her time traveling from point A to point B. The potential shamaness has noticed the tips of leaves are beginning to turn orange, the days are getting shorter, and the middays aren't as hot; the clear signs of seasonal shifting. It was during Autumn that she traveled the furthest, and is her prefered season. She sniffs at the trees; Sweet Rain is on the borders of the Ute clan territory. With her mind so full of thoughts, the usually focused cougar almost stumbled right into their lands, which isn't her intentions. As instructed from last time she met with the Alphaess, she will wait on just the outskirts of the territory. She draws in a deep breath of air and seats herself tall and proud. She is upwind, quite intentionally, and traveled all night to arrive just after sunrise. Patience is something Sweet has developed since starting her undertaking, this instance is no different. Surely she will be spotted and reported soon.
Skelaghe tries not to go too long between marking their borders. It's difficult to remember, at times. There is much more to being the female alpha than jsut caring for pups, though she really would love to spend her days doing nothing more than that. Nevermind that her pups are just starting to get to the age where they don't want her around all the time. It is not far past sunrise when Skelaghe catches a scent brought to her by the breeze. She recognizes it easily, and it is with a smile that she continues walking agaisnt the wind that brought her Sweet Rain's scent.
Sweet-Rain doesn't expect to be spoken to immediately, so she closes her eyes in an attempt to rest somewhat. She did travel through the night, after all. The morning breeze on her back feels very relaxing. This entire territory is relaxing, but living here, away from the mountains, would not suit the cougar so well. Various thoughts such as this preoccupy the visitor while waiting for any kind of recognition. Hostility shouldn't be expected, because she is just barely on the lands. However trespassing is trespassing, and not everyone takes that well.
Even if Sweet Rain had disregarded Skelaghe's wishes, she would not be met with violence. Not from Skelaghe. She will guard her family with every bit of strength she has, but despite the time she spends marking the territory at theirs, she would not fight over it. She would move her family before shedding blood over mere land, but hopefully, with the effort she puts into defining their territory, it will not come to that. Once the cougaress is in sight, Skelaghe barks out a greeting and continues to approach. Her tail is held high, but there is no mistaking the friendliness in her smile.
The aging cougar is spooked when the bark is heard off in the distance. It's a good sign though, it isn't a growl. Already it's turning out better than Sweet had expected it to go, even though she remembers the wolf as a distinctly welcoming and kind soul. She opens her eyes and stands, returning the greeting-at-a-distance. Sweet Rain still waits exactly where she is until the wolf is close enough to properly greet. Hopefully this can last through out the conversation.
The cougar's restraint shows a lot of respect, and Skelaghe appreciates it. Once she is close enough to speak comfortably, she stops walking. "Welcome. It is a pleasure to see you again, Sweet Rain." Skelaghe spent plenty of hours wondering if her wishes for Ashen to be left in peace would be granted, and longer still wondering if she should tell the boy that Amaranth cougars were looking for him. Now, some of those doubts are back, but she keeps them well-hidden. Surely if they were going to try to force him back, they would have done so long ago, so hopefully, this will be nothing more than a social visit.
Sweet Rain bows to the Alphaess of Ute and looks up again, smiling. She takes a quick look and sniff around before speaking, wondering if she's being followed by anyone for reasons such as protection. "It is nice to see you as well, ma'am. I come on my own behalf, just as a friend to a friend." She lets that sink in with her smile as she sits down again; just because Skelaghe is here so quickly doesn't mean Sweet still isn't tired. "First, how is your family? How are you handling this very hot summer?" The large puma can't imagine being up and about during a summer, at least not without being high in the mountains.
"My children grow a little more every day, and we are all enjoying the season." The pups never seem to overheat, and they gladly run her ragged, to the point where she can seem to do nothing but pant for hours, from time to time, but she would still have ti no other way. Skelaghe's voice is filled with pride and love, and after speaking, she sits. Of course, their first real challenge in caring for their pups will come along with the winter, but for now, she is confident in the ability of the very small pack to survive. "And the Amaranth? How is the mountain tribe faring?" She will not be visiting them for some time to come, if she ever does again. Her visits to the cougar tribe got her through some down periods in her life, but she has other things to occupy her time, now. Still, she is interested in their well-being.
"Amaranth is well, put shortly." Sweet Rain sits down after Skelaghe. "Kein and Nayeli had their second litter, two daughters. They're all doing rather well." The breeze picks up even more, rolling the waves of grass under them. "I am also learning to become the shamaness of the Tribe." She feels like adding something personal will help make this visit feel more friendly and less of anything else.
Skelaghe never even got an opportunity to meet their first litter. She was gone before they had any cubs, and with children of her own, now... Still, new life is always good to hear about. "That's excellent news, Sweet Rain. On both counts." The shewolf will always love young of any species. With that in mind... "Ashen is also doing well." As well as can be expected, at least, given the circumstances.
Sweet-Rain smiles and inhales, wishing Ashen were home and at the same time respecting his wishes and wants. "I'm so glad to hear that." If Skelaghe didn't mention anything about his blindness, chances are it hasn't gotten any better. The puma couldn't thank the wolf enough for watching out for the boy. "I'm thirsty, would you take me to the river?" Not that she couldn't find it herself, but an escourt would be very much appreciated. By asking to spend more time such as that, it's clear that Sweet Rain would like to speak more. If Skelaghe doesn't want her on her lands, Sweet would understand and agree to just speaking here for as long as the wolf could find patience.
How long will it be before her pups even notice her absence? She normally spends a fair amount of time away in the mornings, so... "Gladly." It's said with a smile, and after speaking, she stands and turns to face the west. She does not begin walking immediately, though. She'll wait until Sweet Rain is by her side before she begins walking.
The giant stands up and walks up to and along side her friend. "It is very nice to hear how things are going well for you, ma'am." Sweet Rain isn't in any sort of rush today, even though Kein instructed her not to take too long. She catches a glimpse of the south and sees storm clouds starting to brew from upwind. She just never noticed it traveling this far north; it's probably raining and snowing on the mountains. Looking back to Skelaghe, she continues the conversation. "Anything else about Ashen? It's hard not knowing where he his or what he's doing."
Skelaghe keeps her pace slow and allows Sweet Rain to say all she needs to before she speaks. "Please. My name is Skelaghe, or Skel, if you prefer." There is no need for more formality than that. Yes, she is deserving of respect, but no more than anyone else is. "Ashen is growing, as children do. I should like to see him weigh more, but I don't think he'll be in danger over the winter." Not if she has anything to say about it. With her pups weaned, she would gladly give her life if it meant more food for those around her. "I don't suppose you know what happened to him, do you? I've tried not to pry, but I think I could help him better if I knew something more."
Sweet-Rain shrugs and shakes her head; either she doesn't know what happened to Ashen, or isn't telling. But Ashen seems to be doing just fine, and it's such a relief to hear it everytime. After a silence and some distance later, she visitor speaks again, with a smile returned to her. "A while back... Well, when we first met, actually, do you remember? The MerryMakers festival? We were about to head our different ways when Ashen was brought up, among some other things." She waits for visual confirmation from Skelaghe, making sure they were on the same page. "I pried harder than I should, and I know I was more hostile than I should have been. It was disrespectful. I apologize." She doesn't sound very grave or distraught, but she does sound sincere, and she hopes her friend picks up on that. "That's the biggest reason I came here, Skelaghe."
So, actually... The second time they met. Yes, Skelaghe remembers, just as she remembers the first meeting and the reason why she won't be the one bringing that up. "I am not fragile, Sweet Rain. I will not break." She's smaller than the cougaress, yes, and softer of voice, but there is plenty of strength in the alphaess. "You fought against it at first, but you /did/ accept my will, and Ashen's will, without resorting to force. I remember that, and I respect it." There's no doubt that Sweet Rain could overpower Skelaghe, but it did not come to that.
Skelaghe is certainly kinder and more patience than Sweet Rain. She vividly remembers that night, but not much for the rest of the day for some reason, where she was close to being pushed to physical means. Her own self-restraint prevented her from doing any such actions, but the fact that Sweet Rain was close to doing it, and Skelaghe forgives her means a lot to the shamaness. That was an interesting day and evening.
"I cannot claim to know the customs of your tribe well. As often as I visited the Amaranth... If I did anything, it was only to scratch the surface of the workings of the tribe. If there is one thing I know, one piece of advice I could give you to try to help you as Shamaness... It is only to listen with everything you have in you. Listen to the wind, and the trees, and the grass. Learn to hear what they are trying to tell you, and it will help you to guide the tribe members to what is best for them." The speech is impromtu and heart-felt. Skelaghe continues to walk as she gives it, and she keeps her gaze focused in front of her, but after speaking, she follows her own advice. She listens.
"...Thank you." Sweet Rain is in fact a great listener, it's speaking where she sometimes fumbles. She means well and only wants to help, but more often than not, she just listens to others. It's a quality reversed in quite a few. "I will." Sweet Rain can see the river now, it's the same river that runs along the eastern border of her lands. It's amazing how something so big can move so fast and be in so many places.
Sweet Rain - Female Cougar
Skelaghe - Female Wolf
- Hilltop Vista -
It's been a long several days, but only because Sweet Rain takes her time traveling from point A to point B. The potential shamaness has noticed the tips of leaves are beginning to turn orange, the days are getting shorter, and the middays aren't as hot; the clear signs of seasonal shifting. It was during Autumn that she traveled the furthest, and is her prefered season. She sniffs at the trees; Sweet Rain is on the borders of the Ute clan territory. With her mind so full of thoughts, the usually focused cougar almost stumbled right into their lands, which isn't her intentions. As instructed from last time she met with the Alphaess, she will wait on just the outskirts of the territory. She draws in a deep breath of air and seats herself tall and proud. She is upwind, quite intentionally, and traveled all night to arrive just after sunrise. Patience is something Sweet has developed since starting her undertaking, this instance is no different. Surely she will be spotted and reported soon.
Skelaghe tries not to go too long between marking their borders. It's difficult to remember, at times. There is much more to being the female alpha than jsut caring for pups, though she really would love to spend her days doing nothing more than that. Nevermind that her pups are just starting to get to the age where they don't want her around all the time. It is not far past sunrise when Skelaghe catches a scent brought to her by the breeze. She recognizes it easily, and it is with a smile that she continues walking agaisnt the wind that brought her Sweet Rain's scent.
Sweet-Rain doesn't expect to be spoken to immediately, so she closes her eyes in an attempt to rest somewhat. She did travel through the night, after all. The morning breeze on her back feels very relaxing. This entire territory is relaxing, but living here, away from the mountains, would not suit the cougar so well. Various thoughts such as this preoccupy the visitor while waiting for any kind of recognition. Hostility shouldn't be expected, because she is just barely on the lands. However trespassing is trespassing, and not everyone takes that well.
Even if Sweet Rain had disregarded Skelaghe's wishes, she would not be met with violence. Not from Skelaghe. She will guard her family with every bit of strength she has, but despite the time she spends marking the territory at theirs, she would not fight over it. She would move her family before shedding blood over mere land, but hopefully, with the effort she puts into defining their territory, it will not come to that. Once the cougaress is in sight, Skelaghe barks out a greeting and continues to approach. Her tail is held high, but there is no mistaking the friendliness in her smile.
The aging cougar is spooked when the bark is heard off in the distance. It's a good sign though, it isn't a growl. Already it's turning out better than Sweet had expected it to go, even though she remembers the wolf as a distinctly welcoming and kind soul. She opens her eyes and stands, returning the greeting-at-a-distance. Sweet Rain still waits exactly where she is until the wolf is close enough to properly greet. Hopefully this can last through out the conversation.
The cougar's restraint shows a lot of respect, and Skelaghe appreciates it. Once she is close enough to speak comfortably, she stops walking. "Welcome. It is a pleasure to see you again, Sweet Rain." Skelaghe spent plenty of hours wondering if her wishes for Ashen to be left in peace would be granted, and longer still wondering if she should tell the boy that Amaranth cougars were looking for him. Now, some of those doubts are back, but she keeps them well-hidden. Surely if they were going to try to force him back, they would have done so long ago, so hopefully, this will be nothing more than a social visit.
Sweet Rain bows to the Alphaess of Ute and looks up again, smiling. She takes a quick look and sniff around before speaking, wondering if she's being followed by anyone for reasons such as protection. "It is nice to see you as well, ma'am. I come on my own behalf, just as a friend to a friend." She lets that sink in with her smile as she sits down again; just because Skelaghe is here so quickly doesn't mean Sweet still isn't tired. "First, how is your family? How are you handling this very hot summer?" The large puma can't imagine being up and about during a summer, at least not without being high in the mountains.
"My children grow a little more every day, and we are all enjoying the season." The pups never seem to overheat, and they gladly run her ragged, to the point where she can seem to do nothing but pant for hours, from time to time, but she would still have ti no other way. Skelaghe's voice is filled with pride and love, and after speaking, she sits. Of course, their first real challenge in caring for their pups will come along with the winter, but for now, she is confident in the ability of the very small pack to survive. "And the Amaranth? How is the mountain tribe faring?" She will not be visiting them for some time to come, if she ever does again. Her visits to the cougar tribe got her through some down periods in her life, but she has other things to occupy her time, now. Still, she is interested in their well-being.
"Amaranth is well, put shortly." Sweet Rain sits down after Skelaghe. "Kein and Nayeli had their second litter, two daughters. They're all doing rather well." The breeze picks up even more, rolling the waves of grass under them. "I am also learning to become the shamaness of the Tribe." She feels like adding something personal will help make this visit feel more friendly and less of anything else.
Skelaghe never even got an opportunity to meet their first litter. She was gone before they had any cubs, and with children of her own, now... Still, new life is always good to hear about. "That's excellent news, Sweet Rain. On both counts." The shewolf will always love young of any species. With that in mind... "Ashen is also doing well." As well as can be expected, at least, given the circumstances.
Sweet-Rain smiles and inhales, wishing Ashen were home and at the same time respecting his wishes and wants. "I'm so glad to hear that." If Skelaghe didn't mention anything about his blindness, chances are it hasn't gotten any better. The puma couldn't thank the wolf enough for watching out for the boy. "I'm thirsty, would you take me to the river?" Not that she couldn't find it herself, but an escourt would be very much appreciated. By asking to spend more time such as that, it's clear that Sweet Rain would like to speak more. If Skelaghe doesn't want her on her lands, Sweet would understand and agree to just speaking here for as long as the wolf could find patience.
How long will it be before her pups even notice her absence? She normally spends a fair amount of time away in the mornings, so... "Gladly." It's said with a smile, and after speaking, she stands and turns to face the west. She does not begin walking immediately, though. She'll wait until Sweet Rain is by her side before she begins walking.
The giant stands up and walks up to and along side her friend. "It is very nice to hear how things are going well for you, ma'am." Sweet Rain isn't in any sort of rush today, even though Kein instructed her not to take too long. She catches a glimpse of the south and sees storm clouds starting to brew from upwind. She just never noticed it traveling this far north; it's probably raining and snowing on the mountains. Looking back to Skelaghe, she continues the conversation. "Anything else about Ashen? It's hard not knowing where he his or what he's doing."
Skelaghe keeps her pace slow and allows Sweet Rain to say all she needs to before she speaks. "Please. My name is Skelaghe, or Skel, if you prefer." There is no need for more formality than that. Yes, she is deserving of respect, but no more than anyone else is. "Ashen is growing, as children do. I should like to see him weigh more, but I don't think he'll be in danger over the winter." Not if she has anything to say about it. With her pups weaned, she would gladly give her life if it meant more food for those around her. "I don't suppose you know what happened to him, do you? I've tried not to pry, but I think I could help him better if I knew something more."
Sweet-Rain shrugs and shakes her head; either she doesn't know what happened to Ashen, or isn't telling. But Ashen seems to be doing just fine, and it's such a relief to hear it everytime. After a silence and some distance later, she visitor speaks again, with a smile returned to her. "A while back... Well, when we first met, actually, do you remember? The MerryMakers festival? We were about to head our different ways when Ashen was brought up, among some other things." She waits for visual confirmation from Skelaghe, making sure they were on the same page. "I pried harder than I should, and I know I was more hostile than I should have been. It was disrespectful. I apologize." She doesn't sound very grave or distraught, but she does sound sincere, and she hopes her friend picks up on that. "That's the biggest reason I came here, Skelaghe."
So, actually... The second time they met. Yes, Skelaghe remembers, just as she remembers the first meeting and the reason why she won't be the one bringing that up. "I am not fragile, Sweet Rain. I will not break." She's smaller than the cougaress, yes, and softer of voice, but there is plenty of strength in the alphaess. "You fought against it at first, but you /did/ accept my will, and Ashen's will, without resorting to force. I remember that, and I respect it." There's no doubt that Sweet Rain could overpower Skelaghe, but it did not come to that.
Skelaghe is certainly kinder and more patience than Sweet Rain. She vividly remembers that night, but not much for the rest of the day for some reason, where she was close to being pushed to physical means. Her own self-restraint prevented her from doing any such actions, but the fact that Sweet Rain was close to doing it, and Skelaghe forgives her means a lot to the shamaness. That was an interesting day and evening.
"I cannot claim to know the customs of your tribe well. As often as I visited the Amaranth... If I did anything, it was only to scratch the surface of the workings of the tribe. If there is one thing I know, one piece of advice I could give you to try to help you as Shamaness... It is only to listen with everything you have in you. Listen to the wind, and the trees, and the grass. Learn to hear what they are trying to tell you, and it will help you to guide the tribe members to what is best for them." The speech is impromtu and heart-felt. Skelaghe continues to walk as she gives it, and she keeps her gaze focused in front of her, but after speaking, she follows her own advice. She listens.
"...Thank you." Sweet Rain is in fact a great listener, it's speaking where she sometimes fumbles. She means well and only wants to help, but more often than not, she just listens to others. It's a quality reversed in quite a few. "I will." Sweet Rain can see the river now, it's the same river that runs along the eastern border of her lands. It's amazing how something so big can move so fast and be in so many places.