Post by Therdde on Oct 2, 2009 17:01:25 GMT -5
Characters:
Nayeli - Female Cougar
Kein - Male Cougar
- Eroded Well -
Snow has this amazing ability to absorb sound, it seems. The crunching of the snow under Nayeli's paws sounds twice as loud as the sound of her crunching leaves. Snow continues to fall gently and lazily from the sky. Nayeli stops and slowly sits down, watching the snow fall. Only a rare few patches of tall grass peak from the snow's layer on the ground. She listens all around her, and hears additional pawsteps off in the distance. Assuming they come from her daughters, she doesn't bother looking behind her, at least not until they come closer. Nayeli adores the early winter: the way it looks, the way it sounds, the way it feels, and even the way it smells. She turns her head up into the sky, the snowflakes are large and easy to see falling on her. She smirks.
They're not from Nayeli's offspring, though. At least, not yet. Kein left the cubs sleeping happily in the warmth of the cave, with one of the tribe's other members watching over them as they rest. He hasn't had much time at all alone with Nayeli since Maul and Shade were born, and he was eager to take this rare opportunity. That accounts for his rapid pace as he catches up with his mate. He would like to talk to her about Maul, but there is something rather more important on his mind, first... Though, in a sense, it's also about Maul.
Nayeli does keep her attention on the pawsteps. Judging by steadiness and speed, she concludes it must be an adult. She stands and turns around. Though she can only see a profile through the light snow, she recognizes Kein when she sees her. Continuing her smile, she remains standing while waiting to meet him. It has been too long since she's been alone with Kein, and she wants to make the most out of it. She takes a few steps forward, then stops as Kein approaches. Nayeli nuzzles her loving mate. "Isn't it amazing?" She, of course, refers to the season and the dramatic effect it has on the landscape.
A few things in Amaranth have never changed. One of those things is Nayeli's love for snow. Ever since they were cubs, she has loved it. How could he possibly...? Pushing aside his doubts, he returns his mate's nuzzling. "Yes. It's beautiful." After answering, Kein takes a step back so he can look at Nayeli. He has begun to mention this to others in the tribe. It's time for him and Nayeli to speak about it seriously.
Sitting down, Nayeli can tell her mate has something to say. Not that she assumes it's anything negative, Kein always runs ideas by her. She brings her tail swishes from side to side slowly, making an indentation on the snow. "What's on your mind?" She asks in a simple way, not meaning to invoke anything.
Kein often shares ideas with Nayeli, yes, but he does not often go out of his way to avoid sharing them while around their children. Kein sits down and takes a deep breath before answering. "Before Ama left... I told her not to trust that we would still be here, on the mountain, when she had something to tell us." Or, rather, when a messenger sent by her had something to tell them. "I want to take our children somewhere safe, Nayeli. Just for a while. While they're too young to protect themselves." There. It's out there now, for better or worse.
It takes a moment before Nayeli realizes what a serious answer returned her casual question; Kein is out here to speak to her in private. "Oh." That's all she can manage to say for the time being. She knew times weren't great for the tribe now, but Kein really is taking it seriously. "Where...?" Needless to say, this is a big statement for her to hear, and she has a lot of questions, but this is the only one she can vocalize.
"I've been thinking of sending a messenger to Haze. If he is still near... I think it may benefit us to set up a temporary territory near him pack." There shouldn't be any other group, lupine or otherwise, too near Haze's pack, and since it would only be a temporary arrangement... Well, Haze wanted some form of alliance. If he still wants that, this could be a good start. It would allow the Amaranth a place to lie low for a time, while giving Haze's pack some added protection. It's Kein's first idea, but not his only idea, by any means.
Nayeli nods slowly, now starting to understand where her mate is coming from. "It's a good idea." She sounds hesitant to continue, but at least she sounds like she is for spending some time away in the name of safety. "But you're assuming Haze /wants/ company. There's always the chance he won't welcome us, right?"
Kein nods his head. And of course, if Haze doesn't want anything to do with this... Then they'll know how far Haze is, and isn't, willing to go in the name of friendship. "That's why I'll send the messenger first. If Haze isn't fond of the idea, then we'll discuss another place. After Ama sends us some news about where she and her sons are, probably, so we can know where not to go." It miht not be much, but it's better than just sitting around waiting for something to happen.
Nayeli hums, thinking to herself. She isn't fond of the idea of leaving their lands, but Kein seems rather sure of this plan. "What about everyone else in the Tribe?" It doesn't seem fair to leave them without a Matron and Chieftain. Her tail stops swinging behind her as she goes through many scenarios in her head.
"Of course, we'll bring them with us. If they want to come, and if they can agree... That safety has to be our main concern, for the time being." Kein let Malak and Revan get too close to Amaranth too many times. Nayeli was the one who paid for that, and after hearing from Moonseeker that Malak and Revan have something to do with Cheveyo... Well, he can't risk the idea that there is someone among them playing the role that Ama is currently playing for them.
With a quick nod, Nayeli's question is answered. She didn't believe Kein would abandon Amaranth's members, but the way he worded it threw her off. "If they agree..." She glances away from the Chieftan briefly. "Do you think someone won't agree?" Though she doesn't believe anyone would choose to stay if the Tribe left, perhaps her mate knows something that she does not.
That's not an easy question to answer. Not at all. It's not that he truly thinks that anyone would deliberately undermine his efforts, but... "For a long time, now, the Sisters have been used to doing as they please with little attention paid to the tribe as a whole. I'm not trying to take away their freedom... But when it concerns the safety of my family, while there remain unknown threats out there... We've had animals lead danger to our borders before. If we abandon these familiar lands... I couldn't abide by anyone leaving to create whatever trouble they wanted, only to bring it back to us." He is ever hesitant to attempt to enforce his will on the adult members of the tribe, but what they all do affects his ability to protect his daughters.
Honestly, Nayeli doesn't forsee any reason why any Sister would be opposed to leaving for a while. As long as it's for the good of the Tribe, right? "Okay... I understand." She sighs. "And I agree." Nayeli hasn't forgotten what has happened to her, not by any means. Another question comes to Nayeli: "Who did you have in mind to be the messenger?"
"I may just go myself. I think it may be faster." If only in the sense that... Okay, every sense. A bird may be faster, but if Haze had questions, or if Kein forgot to mention something... And besides, then Kein could start planning for his tribe immediately following the end of the conversation. "If you think you and the others could do without me for a time, that is."
"I'm sure we can, but hurry anyway." Nayeli stands again and moves forward to nuzzle her mate. She closes her eyes as she does so, thinking deeply about this decision to move from their native lands. This is a huge deal, and Nayeli isn't exactly happy about it, however she is always concerned for the safety of her family, her Sisters, and the tribe lands. "I'm going back to the den, love. Please come visit before you leave for Haze's territory."
Nayeli - Female Cougar
Kein - Male Cougar
- Eroded Well -
Snow has this amazing ability to absorb sound, it seems. The crunching of the snow under Nayeli's paws sounds twice as loud as the sound of her crunching leaves. Snow continues to fall gently and lazily from the sky. Nayeli stops and slowly sits down, watching the snow fall. Only a rare few patches of tall grass peak from the snow's layer on the ground. She listens all around her, and hears additional pawsteps off in the distance. Assuming they come from her daughters, she doesn't bother looking behind her, at least not until they come closer. Nayeli adores the early winter: the way it looks, the way it sounds, the way it feels, and even the way it smells. She turns her head up into the sky, the snowflakes are large and easy to see falling on her. She smirks.
They're not from Nayeli's offspring, though. At least, not yet. Kein left the cubs sleeping happily in the warmth of the cave, with one of the tribe's other members watching over them as they rest. He hasn't had much time at all alone with Nayeli since Maul and Shade were born, and he was eager to take this rare opportunity. That accounts for his rapid pace as he catches up with his mate. He would like to talk to her about Maul, but there is something rather more important on his mind, first... Though, in a sense, it's also about Maul.
Nayeli does keep her attention on the pawsteps. Judging by steadiness and speed, she concludes it must be an adult. She stands and turns around. Though she can only see a profile through the light snow, she recognizes Kein when she sees her. Continuing her smile, she remains standing while waiting to meet him. It has been too long since she's been alone with Kein, and she wants to make the most out of it. She takes a few steps forward, then stops as Kein approaches. Nayeli nuzzles her loving mate. "Isn't it amazing?" She, of course, refers to the season and the dramatic effect it has on the landscape.
A few things in Amaranth have never changed. One of those things is Nayeli's love for snow. Ever since they were cubs, she has loved it. How could he possibly...? Pushing aside his doubts, he returns his mate's nuzzling. "Yes. It's beautiful." After answering, Kein takes a step back so he can look at Nayeli. He has begun to mention this to others in the tribe. It's time for him and Nayeli to speak about it seriously.
Sitting down, Nayeli can tell her mate has something to say. Not that she assumes it's anything negative, Kein always runs ideas by her. She brings her tail swishes from side to side slowly, making an indentation on the snow. "What's on your mind?" She asks in a simple way, not meaning to invoke anything.
Kein often shares ideas with Nayeli, yes, but he does not often go out of his way to avoid sharing them while around their children. Kein sits down and takes a deep breath before answering. "Before Ama left... I told her not to trust that we would still be here, on the mountain, when she had something to tell us." Or, rather, when a messenger sent by her had something to tell them. "I want to take our children somewhere safe, Nayeli. Just for a while. While they're too young to protect themselves." There. It's out there now, for better or worse.
It takes a moment before Nayeli realizes what a serious answer returned her casual question; Kein is out here to speak to her in private. "Oh." That's all she can manage to say for the time being. She knew times weren't great for the tribe now, but Kein really is taking it seriously. "Where...?" Needless to say, this is a big statement for her to hear, and she has a lot of questions, but this is the only one she can vocalize.
"I've been thinking of sending a messenger to Haze. If he is still near... I think it may benefit us to set up a temporary territory near him pack." There shouldn't be any other group, lupine or otherwise, too near Haze's pack, and since it would only be a temporary arrangement... Well, Haze wanted some form of alliance. If he still wants that, this could be a good start. It would allow the Amaranth a place to lie low for a time, while giving Haze's pack some added protection. It's Kein's first idea, but not his only idea, by any means.
Nayeli nods slowly, now starting to understand where her mate is coming from. "It's a good idea." She sounds hesitant to continue, but at least she sounds like she is for spending some time away in the name of safety. "But you're assuming Haze /wants/ company. There's always the chance he won't welcome us, right?"
Kein nods his head. And of course, if Haze doesn't want anything to do with this... Then they'll know how far Haze is, and isn't, willing to go in the name of friendship. "That's why I'll send the messenger first. If Haze isn't fond of the idea, then we'll discuss another place. After Ama sends us some news about where she and her sons are, probably, so we can know where not to go." It miht not be much, but it's better than just sitting around waiting for something to happen.
Nayeli hums, thinking to herself. She isn't fond of the idea of leaving their lands, but Kein seems rather sure of this plan. "What about everyone else in the Tribe?" It doesn't seem fair to leave them without a Matron and Chieftain. Her tail stops swinging behind her as she goes through many scenarios in her head.
"Of course, we'll bring them with us. If they want to come, and if they can agree... That safety has to be our main concern, for the time being." Kein let Malak and Revan get too close to Amaranth too many times. Nayeli was the one who paid for that, and after hearing from Moonseeker that Malak and Revan have something to do with Cheveyo... Well, he can't risk the idea that there is someone among them playing the role that Ama is currently playing for them.
With a quick nod, Nayeli's question is answered. She didn't believe Kein would abandon Amaranth's members, but the way he worded it threw her off. "If they agree..." She glances away from the Chieftan briefly. "Do you think someone won't agree?" Though she doesn't believe anyone would choose to stay if the Tribe left, perhaps her mate knows something that she does not.
That's not an easy question to answer. Not at all. It's not that he truly thinks that anyone would deliberately undermine his efforts, but... "For a long time, now, the Sisters have been used to doing as they please with little attention paid to the tribe as a whole. I'm not trying to take away their freedom... But when it concerns the safety of my family, while there remain unknown threats out there... We've had animals lead danger to our borders before. If we abandon these familiar lands... I couldn't abide by anyone leaving to create whatever trouble they wanted, only to bring it back to us." He is ever hesitant to attempt to enforce his will on the adult members of the tribe, but what they all do affects his ability to protect his daughters.
Honestly, Nayeli doesn't forsee any reason why any Sister would be opposed to leaving for a while. As long as it's for the good of the Tribe, right? "Okay... I understand." She sighs. "And I agree." Nayeli hasn't forgotten what has happened to her, not by any means. Another question comes to Nayeli: "Who did you have in mind to be the messenger?"
"I may just go myself. I think it may be faster." If only in the sense that... Okay, every sense. A bird may be faster, but if Haze had questions, or if Kein forgot to mention something... And besides, then Kein could start planning for his tribe immediately following the end of the conversation. "If you think you and the others could do without me for a time, that is."
"I'm sure we can, but hurry anyway." Nayeli stands again and moves forward to nuzzle her mate. She closes her eyes as she does so, thinking deeply about this decision to move from their native lands. This is a huge deal, and Nayeli isn't exactly happy about it, however she is always concerned for the safety of her family, her Sisters, and the tribe lands. "I'm going back to the den, love. Please come visit before you leave for Haze's territory."