Post by Chibiabos on Jan 13, 2010 20:30:45 GMT -5
Sloping Gradient
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A wide, rocky path leading down from the mesa to the greener foothills of the lowlands, sprigs of various plants and brush line the less-traveled edges of the pass. The gravelly dirt of the grade shows vague hints of various creature's pawprints, though most of them are obscured by the occasional breeze of wind rushing through the mountain. The slope curves gently with an equally smooth downgrade, making for an easy walk up or down the mountain. A crevice in the side of the mountain can be seen - if you're slender enough, you may be able to slip inside.
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Characters:
Scorch, lone cougress
Kein, Chieftan of Amaranth
Shade, daughter of Amaranth
Scorch has been staying in the open on the Sloping Gradient for several days since meeting Kasim. She has not even left to hunt anything big, though she did catch a rabbit earlier. The longer she has waited, the more pensive she has felt, but still she waits. A cougar tribe! So long has she heard rumors, but for all that time that's all she thought they were -- rumors. She wonders what has kept the Tribe busy for so long ... or perhaps this has been a test? She mrrowls now and then, though not in loud calls.
One of the children in his second litter has gone. None of the children from his first ever bothered to return for very long. For the last few days, on the mountain, things have been very quiet, and Kein has... rather enjoyed it. For just a few days, it was nice to worry a little less, stress a little less. It didn't really last, though, and now, Kein finds himself pulled to the border. He won't leave to follow Maul, but he wishes he could, to make sure she's all right.
Scorch encountered Maul just before she had left. Unfortunately, she was already set on her exit, and could not help the unknown cougress to acquaint with her parents, but at least they had a pleasant conversation before Maul had left the tribe's territory. She finally settles to an uneasy sit, in the middle of the open. She tries not to be impatient, but she has been here several days, and her mind cannot help but ponder ... surely, a powerful tribe should have greeted or driven her off by now?
Kein has not frequented this border since his children stopped using the birthing den. With Kein so reluctant to have any more children with any of the members of Amaranth, and no other breeding allowed, who knows how long it may be before it is again used? Still, he maintains his border enough to keep anyone from encroaching any further into Amaranth, and as he nears, he catches the scent of an unfamiliar female. Once he does, his pace slows.
Scorch's scent is very prevalant in the area, as she has not left for long, only briefly to hunt that rabbit and to drink, so her scent is very concentrated in the area. She curls her paws under herself in a lay, and looks around, up toward the dens. She notices that grass and greens have grown in the paths below them, indicating they haven't been used in some time.
Shade has busied many of her days with making rounds about the inner territory, mostly for the exercise. Staying in one place gets the young cougress edgy. Her path always, habitually, brings her back to this place. She no longer sleeps in the caverns, but she always finds herself back here regardless. As she rounds a boulder, her vision catches a stranger relaxing uncomfortably close to the den area. Though they have no offspring at present, Shade feels this is not right, and her ears recline back against her skull. The feline slinks out into view, eyes resting on the older female. "What is your business here?"
It does not take much longer for Kein to spot some female, in the distance. He might have held back a moment loner, but upon noticing his daughter slipping out from his cover, he is tempted to rush forward. He holds himself back, but only just. What better chance will he get to watch his young, but growing, daughter interact with a newcomer to the tribe?
Scorch remains in her posture. "I am Scorch," she says, "and I have been ... awaiting ... introduction with Amaranth since finding the scents of so many kindred cougars here four days ago, encountering one named Kasim whom said he would pass my name around and make it known I wish to meet with Amaranth, and, last night, one named Maul as she departed the tribe." She yields, seemingly submissively, to the younger female.
Shade doesn't like how the newcomer remains in a position of rest, as though she already belongs here. The youth stops a few strides distant from Scorch. "Really? I haven't heard anything about that." Never mind that she's been poking around the mountain on her own the passed several days and would not of had a chance to speak to Kasim. It's entirely within the realm of possibility that Scorch is telling the truth. On the other paw, Shade would rather hear explanations directly from the source. Her attention is jostled, however, when the other cougress mentions her sister. A twitch of some emotion plays on Shade's face, before she fixes herself back into the situation at present. "So you wished to meet this tribe... to what end?"
Scorch says, "I ... would like to know ... what it would take, what I must do, what tests I must undergo for consideration of my membership to be possible. I would ... like to join Amaranth," she says. She remains squatting, pensive and uncertain. Social situations are not a cougar's meow, after all ... but Scorch hopes to change that, for herself. "I've never, before coming here, heard more than rumors about tribes of cougars. I am ... ill ... of the traditional, solitary life of cougar ... its full of empty survival and loneliness."
Shade licks her maw in consideration. It would not be in her nature to turn anybody away without good reason, is the decision were up to her. But she's simply a sister. Scorch, however, doesn't know that, and Shade uses it to her advantage to inquire further. "Tests? That all depends. Tell me, what have you endured to reach this place?" Inside, Shade is stunned at the idea that cougars elsewhere lived a lone existence; she'd known the closeness of Amaranth her whole life. Of always having a pair of eyes on your back, and somebody to feed you had you taken ill. "
Scorch thinks about it. "Nothing particularly of note ... I was born in a small canyon. My mother's territory bordered her three sisters ... it was somewhat crowded, not a lot of room to share hunting grounds, and my mother and her sisters were often bickering. I left, knowing it was already too crowded, and was not sure where I would go, exactly, nor what I would find. Territorial cougresses, packs of wolves who would love to prove their mettle against one of our kind ... I mostly cowardly avoided such conflicts, really, by changing my course or going a very long way around. I've been nothing but a wandering nomad, really ... and the longer I've been a lone nomad, the longer I've resented it. No one to sit and chat with but the wind who couldn't care less, no place I could settle and plan out having cubs of my own someday. Just ... existence and survival. And those aren't enough."
Shade's tail twitches at the tip, her gaze set firmly on Scorch as she speaks her history. She feels for the other cougar, if all she says is true. And while Shade is apt to believe her, she has to be sure. "And if we were to turn you away, what would you do?" She steps closer, sitting down before the newcomer and perking her ears forward. "Where would you go?"
Scorch mrrowls, "More aimless, lonely meandering, I guess ... until I meet my end in a bear's fangs, a wolf pack's thirst for glory, or ... by some sliver of a chance ... do find a scratch of land big enough to hunt in and settle as my territory, and /then/ hope a brave and decent male is not too far off." She sighs a bit sadly.
Shade looks away for a time, confused and unsure what to do. What would her father decide? The spirits help her, she doesn't want to turn this one away. "My last question would be..." She turns back to Scorch, her eyes deep and thoughtful. "What you feel you could bring to Amaranth. Skills? Stories? Wisdom?"
Kein is, so far, quite proud of his daughter. And, as the interview seems to be coming to a close, he begins walking forward again, slowly, so as to not interupt the newcomer's answer.
Scorch has been so hungry for company, her attention is a bit over-focused on the youth, and she fails to notice Kein's approach. "I'm not starving by any means," she smiles, "which means I am not lacking in our kind's ability to hunt. Having had to survive on my own, I have learned how to deal with packs of wolves, how to come out of a battle with a bear with one's hide still in one piece, and ... I've even learned a few tricks on not how to merely hide from large prey to hunt them, but how to actually attract them to a spot of my choosing."
Shade makes a mental note, if she ever gets that chance, to inquire further of these hunting techniques. She's not Amaranth's greatest huntress, even given her age. And she'd hate to give up additional guidance in that area. "Then perhaps it would be fair of me to say that it is not my decision. I will, however, present your case to--" A movement catches her peripheral. Recalling her father's lessons on being cautious at all times, her eyes and ears dart to the side, where she notices her father for the first time. Her eyes widen, conflicted between joy at his arrival and feeling rather sheepish with herself. How long had he been there?
Kein greets his daughter with a smile. It fades as he switches his gaze from Shade to Scorch, though. "To me. Hello. I am Kein, Chieftain of Amaranth." Though not smiling, he does not appear unfriendly, or aggressive. Even for a cougar, he is not very social, but he has learned when he must appear threatening and aggressive, and when he can relax a little.
Scorch's attention to Kein is only brought by the young cougress' more alert note. Even has her excitement has built over finding a cougar Tribe -- something along the lines of a Conquistador of old finally stumbling across the legendary El Dorado -- she cannot help but quiver a bit at the sudden appearance of the powerful male. "I am .. graced ... by your greeting," she says, slinking a bit. She does not know whether Kasim ever managed to make mention of her to his tribemates, nor whether the Chieftain had been observing her with Shade when she had introduced herself to Shade, and -- not knowing with certainty either case -- she introduces herself again to Kein. "I am Scorch," she says, "nomad and Vagrant. I met Kasim here, on this very spot, a few days ago ..." she says, hoping Kasim might have shared that rather important bit of information with his Chieftain.
Shade returns the smile. Her eyes briefly hold to his, searching for the approval that, at her age, she dearly longs for. As soon as he turns to Scorch, the youth pads over to her father, restraining herself from any acts of affection before a stranger. It's her turn to observe now, interested to see what happens. She'd not been present, as far as she can remember, when a new member was allowed in. Or sent away. In either case, she takes this for the learning experience it is.
Kein has not spoken to Kasim recently, and he makes no effort to hide that fact. "Kasim? Ah. Well,s hould you see him again, I would appreciate you passing on my greetings." Amaranth territory is large. So large that Kein can just barely travel the length of it in a single day. It would not be difficult for two cougars to miss each other for weeks on end. "I am pleased to mee you, Scorch, and welcome to Amaranth. This is my daughter, Shade."
Scorch dips her head in bow. "I am honored, Chieftain, and Shade," she says. "I was wondering ..." she starts, trying to swallow her obvious nervousness; she has never actually been this close to another cougar, except when getting chased out of another cougar's territory whose markers she had missed. "Does Amaranth accept newcomers, pledgelings?"
Shade nods respectfully back at Scorch, now that her name is given. Afterward, she sits back, listening to the exchange without any input for the time being.
"Amaranth is always open to females who mean us no harm. The final determination, though, is not up to me. I will tell my mate of you, or else our Shamaness. Until then, though, you are certainly welcome in our territory, Scorch." Kein, being as asocial as he is, seldom exercises his ability to offer permanent welcome. He always has figured that the Sisters of Amaranth are here for his mate's benefit, not for his.
Scorch bows her head. "I thank you, Chieftain, and hope I prove worthy of your mate or Shamaness' judgement and welcome." She sniffs at him, curiously ... again, she's never been this close to another cougar except her mother ... then realizes, a bit in fear, she may have broken some protocol. "I ... err ... sorry," she says. "Could I beg you to bestow upon me the story of the history of Amaranth?" she asks.
How much of it does Kein actually know? At least, how much, that he's willing to share with a newcomer? "My mate's grandmother, Paoro, brought the tribe here when she was very young, when her own mother was still young enough to be capable of such travel, in response to famine in the lands where they once lived. Since then, Amaranth has been here, on this mountain."
Scorch listens. "So ... four generations, counting Mall?" she asks.
Five, technically, if Donoma is counted but... "Yes. Four generations have spent most or all of their lives here." And to think, Kein had honestly considered moving them...
Scorch says with a smile, "I hope it can continue here for many generations more." She asks, "Is your mate about, or that shamaness you mentioned?"
"My mate and the Shamaness tend to be busy. I see them daily, though, and if they know you are here, they will look for you." Even with all but Shade gone, Nayeli and Sweet-Rain manage to stay very busy. Kein, certainly, will manage to fill his days, too, once he has had a couple weeks of relaxation.
Scorch asks, "How many are in Amaranth? I noticed, with kasim, that you are not the only male." That seems eminently strange to her, but of course one male couldn't possibly rule alone over a whole tribe. There must be some subordinates to him ... sons, pledgelings ...
"I allow Kasim here, as my late mother's mate. There is one other, unrelated to the matron's bloodline. His name is Qaletaqa." Kein allows them here, but he balks at giving either of them the marking that only the females and the Matron's children have. "My mate's sons and the other sons of Amaranth Matron will always have a safe place, though they do not actually remain here, along with ten, maybe eleven other females."
3 males, ten or eleven females, plus sons and daughters ... the thought of so many cougars calling one vast land home is marvelous to the cougress. Of course, she has no idea of the reality, internal bickerings or strife ... the whole thing is still but a dream to her. "Must be wonderful ... never having to be alone, that is," she remarks, glancing at the younger cougress.
Kein gives a slight nod of his head. "Most of the cougaresses here seem to like it." Like, for example, Shade, who he finally nuzzles lightly before looking back to Scorch. "As I said, you are most welcome here... But I should head back. I will let my mate know about you as soon as possible."
Scorch nods. "I would be grateful to make her acquaintence as soon as is convenient for her." She bows to the regal Chieftan.
Shade responds to her father's nuzzle. She'd been lost in thought, about the foreign concept of living alone, outside the safety net of her family. What kind of life was that? Did all other cougars, outside of Amaranth live the same way? Or are there other tribes, out there someplace? These are all answers Shade wants to find, but has no idea how she's go about doing that. Perhaps one day, when she's older.
Kein again nods. Nayeli has always enjoyed socializing, so he has to imagine that it won't be long before the Matron seeks out Scorch. After nodding, he smiles to both Scorch and Shade, then turns to head back further into the territory.
Scorch can't help but gaze at Shade, losing herself a bit with what having a daughter of her own would be like. She had no idea, prior to finding the actual border markers and encountering Kasim, that she had been getting close to a real, live cougar tribe. It had been so out of the blue for her. Just a few hours prior to crossing into Amaranth territory, she had begun to again feel forlorned that she might never find a place to rest and bear cubs of her own. And now ... here was a place where cubs were birthed in relative safety, in a community filled with enough cougars to send Grizzlies running and give the largest pack of wolves nightmares, no way they could contemplate attacking without a purely suicidal intention anyhow.
Shade stands up as Kein starts to leave. "Can we talk later?" She murmurs to him quickly, mostly as a warning that she would be seeking him out later. After her father is gone, she returns Scorch's gaze curiously. She could not fathom, at this time, what the older cougress would be thinking about. Shade has yet to entertain the thought of bearing offspring with any amount of seriousness.
Scorch looks after the Chieftain as he leaves. "Could you tell me about your mother?" she asks Shade. "Is there true harmony among the adult cougresses of the tribe?"
"My mother?" Shade's brow shifts. "She's kind, beautiful. I love her very much." The second question induces a careful pause in the youth. She glances back, where the peak of the mountain is visible. "That's how it's suppose to be." Shade wonders how to put it best, but she wants to prepare the other cougress should she be staying. "Sometimes there are rough times. Somebody will do something foolish, and things get shaken up. But that's why we have a Matron; to settle these things and help us back together again." Perhaps a slightly more idealistic view of how things work, but Shade likes to hold onto that image.
Scorch nods. "I ... hope I never do anything stupid or foolish that brings strife to the harmony ... but ... its hard not to lose myself now, before living in the reality of it, to avoid over-glamorizing it in my mind. I hope ... I hope I can earn the trust of the others in the tribe." She smiles and gives the younger cougress a soft gaze. "You have good friends though, in the tribe? Besides just your mother, I mean?" The cougress frets a bit, not having 'just your mother' to have sounded any way demeaning toward the beautiful young cougress' mother.
Shade smiles reassuringly. "It takes getting used to, I would imagine. But I'm certain you'll find a place here." When asked about friends, however, Shade's expression glazes over. "There's my sister." She comes to the dawning realization that although she was quite familiar with her brothers and sisters outside her immediate family, she'd never gotten to -know- them deeply and personally. This is something she had to remedy, forthwith, and Shade decides visiting each member of the tribe in turn. "I'd... like to think I'm the friend of everyone in Amaranth." She answers delicately. "I would do anything for anybody here, if I had to."
Scorch smiles. "You are a smart, sweet young lady. If I manage to earn my place here, I would be honored if I could be your friend," she says with a grin and ... for the first time in her life she has ever given one since she was a cub ... a purr!
So eager she must be for a friend, Shade speculates that this is a symptom of living a solitary life. "Thank you, the honor would be mine." She reciprocates the purr, not altogether aware of the significance it has for Scorch. "I'm glad to have met you. I need to take my leave for the evening, but I'll be in the area, to make sure nobody chases you out before you get a chance to petition your entry into our tribe."
Scorch bows to the daughter of Amaranth. "Pleasant day to you, Shade ... and thank you for granting me company."
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A wide, rocky path leading down from the mesa to the greener foothills of the lowlands, sprigs of various plants and brush line the less-traveled edges of the pass. The gravelly dirt of the grade shows vague hints of various creature's pawprints, though most of them are obscured by the occasional breeze of wind rushing through the mountain. The slope curves gently with an equally smooth downgrade, making for an easy walk up or down the mountain. A crevice in the side of the mountain can be seen - if you're slender enough, you may be able to slip inside.
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Characters:
Scorch, lone cougress
Kein, Chieftan of Amaranth
Shade, daughter of Amaranth
Scorch has been staying in the open on the Sloping Gradient for several days since meeting Kasim. She has not even left to hunt anything big, though she did catch a rabbit earlier. The longer she has waited, the more pensive she has felt, but still she waits. A cougar tribe! So long has she heard rumors, but for all that time that's all she thought they were -- rumors. She wonders what has kept the Tribe busy for so long ... or perhaps this has been a test? She mrrowls now and then, though not in loud calls.
One of the children in his second litter has gone. None of the children from his first ever bothered to return for very long. For the last few days, on the mountain, things have been very quiet, and Kein has... rather enjoyed it. For just a few days, it was nice to worry a little less, stress a little less. It didn't really last, though, and now, Kein finds himself pulled to the border. He won't leave to follow Maul, but he wishes he could, to make sure she's all right.
Scorch encountered Maul just before she had left. Unfortunately, she was already set on her exit, and could not help the unknown cougress to acquaint with her parents, but at least they had a pleasant conversation before Maul had left the tribe's territory. She finally settles to an uneasy sit, in the middle of the open. She tries not to be impatient, but she has been here several days, and her mind cannot help but ponder ... surely, a powerful tribe should have greeted or driven her off by now?
Kein has not frequented this border since his children stopped using the birthing den. With Kein so reluctant to have any more children with any of the members of Amaranth, and no other breeding allowed, who knows how long it may be before it is again used? Still, he maintains his border enough to keep anyone from encroaching any further into Amaranth, and as he nears, he catches the scent of an unfamiliar female. Once he does, his pace slows.
Scorch's scent is very prevalant in the area, as she has not left for long, only briefly to hunt that rabbit and to drink, so her scent is very concentrated in the area. She curls her paws under herself in a lay, and looks around, up toward the dens. She notices that grass and greens have grown in the paths below them, indicating they haven't been used in some time.
Shade has busied many of her days with making rounds about the inner territory, mostly for the exercise. Staying in one place gets the young cougress edgy. Her path always, habitually, brings her back to this place. She no longer sleeps in the caverns, but she always finds herself back here regardless. As she rounds a boulder, her vision catches a stranger relaxing uncomfortably close to the den area. Though they have no offspring at present, Shade feels this is not right, and her ears recline back against her skull. The feline slinks out into view, eyes resting on the older female. "What is your business here?"
It does not take much longer for Kein to spot some female, in the distance. He might have held back a moment loner, but upon noticing his daughter slipping out from his cover, he is tempted to rush forward. He holds himself back, but only just. What better chance will he get to watch his young, but growing, daughter interact with a newcomer to the tribe?
Scorch remains in her posture. "I am Scorch," she says, "and I have been ... awaiting ... introduction with Amaranth since finding the scents of so many kindred cougars here four days ago, encountering one named Kasim whom said he would pass my name around and make it known I wish to meet with Amaranth, and, last night, one named Maul as she departed the tribe." She yields, seemingly submissively, to the younger female.
Shade doesn't like how the newcomer remains in a position of rest, as though she already belongs here. The youth stops a few strides distant from Scorch. "Really? I haven't heard anything about that." Never mind that she's been poking around the mountain on her own the passed several days and would not of had a chance to speak to Kasim. It's entirely within the realm of possibility that Scorch is telling the truth. On the other paw, Shade would rather hear explanations directly from the source. Her attention is jostled, however, when the other cougress mentions her sister. A twitch of some emotion plays on Shade's face, before she fixes herself back into the situation at present. "So you wished to meet this tribe... to what end?"
Scorch says, "I ... would like to know ... what it would take, what I must do, what tests I must undergo for consideration of my membership to be possible. I would ... like to join Amaranth," she says. She remains squatting, pensive and uncertain. Social situations are not a cougar's meow, after all ... but Scorch hopes to change that, for herself. "I've never, before coming here, heard more than rumors about tribes of cougars. I am ... ill ... of the traditional, solitary life of cougar ... its full of empty survival and loneliness."
Shade licks her maw in consideration. It would not be in her nature to turn anybody away without good reason, is the decision were up to her. But she's simply a sister. Scorch, however, doesn't know that, and Shade uses it to her advantage to inquire further. "Tests? That all depends. Tell me, what have you endured to reach this place?" Inside, Shade is stunned at the idea that cougars elsewhere lived a lone existence; she'd known the closeness of Amaranth her whole life. Of always having a pair of eyes on your back, and somebody to feed you had you taken ill. "
Scorch thinks about it. "Nothing particularly of note ... I was born in a small canyon. My mother's territory bordered her three sisters ... it was somewhat crowded, not a lot of room to share hunting grounds, and my mother and her sisters were often bickering. I left, knowing it was already too crowded, and was not sure where I would go, exactly, nor what I would find. Territorial cougresses, packs of wolves who would love to prove their mettle against one of our kind ... I mostly cowardly avoided such conflicts, really, by changing my course or going a very long way around. I've been nothing but a wandering nomad, really ... and the longer I've been a lone nomad, the longer I've resented it. No one to sit and chat with but the wind who couldn't care less, no place I could settle and plan out having cubs of my own someday. Just ... existence and survival. And those aren't enough."
Shade's tail twitches at the tip, her gaze set firmly on Scorch as she speaks her history. She feels for the other cougar, if all she says is true. And while Shade is apt to believe her, she has to be sure. "And if we were to turn you away, what would you do?" She steps closer, sitting down before the newcomer and perking her ears forward. "Where would you go?"
Scorch mrrowls, "More aimless, lonely meandering, I guess ... until I meet my end in a bear's fangs, a wolf pack's thirst for glory, or ... by some sliver of a chance ... do find a scratch of land big enough to hunt in and settle as my territory, and /then/ hope a brave and decent male is not too far off." She sighs a bit sadly.
Shade looks away for a time, confused and unsure what to do. What would her father decide? The spirits help her, she doesn't want to turn this one away. "My last question would be..." She turns back to Scorch, her eyes deep and thoughtful. "What you feel you could bring to Amaranth. Skills? Stories? Wisdom?"
Kein is, so far, quite proud of his daughter. And, as the interview seems to be coming to a close, he begins walking forward again, slowly, so as to not interupt the newcomer's answer.
Scorch has been so hungry for company, her attention is a bit over-focused on the youth, and she fails to notice Kein's approach. "I'm not starving by any means," she smiles, "which means I am not lacking in our kind's ability to hunt. Having had to survive on my own, I have learned how to deal with packs of wolves, how to come out of a battle with a bear with one's hide still in one piece, and ... I've even learned a few tricks on not how to merely hide from large prey to hunt them, but how to actually attract them to a spot of my choosing."
Shade makes a mental note, if she ever gets that chance, to inquire further of these hunting techniques. She's not Amaranth's greatest huntress, even given her age. And she'd hate to give up additional guidance in that area. "Then perhaps it would be fair of me to say that it is not my decision. I will, however, present your case to--" A movement catches her peripheral. Recalling her father's lessons on being cautious at all times, her eyes and ears dart to the side, where she notices her father for the first time. Her eyes widen, conflicted between joy at his arrival and feeling rather sheepish with herself. How long had he been there?
Kein greets his daughter with a smile. It fades as he switches his gaze from Shade to Scorch, though. "To me. Hello. I am Kein, Chieftain of Amaranth." Though not smiling, he does not appear unfriendly, or aggressive. Even for a cougar, he is not very social, but he has learned when he must appear threatening and aggressive, and when he can relax a little.
Scorch's attention to Kein is only brought by the young cougress' more alert note. Even has her excitement has built over finding a cougar Tribe -- something along the lines of a Conquistador of old finally stumbling across the legendary El Dorado -- she cannot help but quiver a bit at the sudden appearance of the powerful male. "I am .. graced ... by your greeting," she says, slinking a bit. She does not know whether Kasim ever managed to make mention of her to his tribemates, nor whether the Chieftain had been observing her with Shade when she had introduced herself to Shade, and -- not knowing with certainty either case -- she introduces herself again to Kein. "I am Scorch," she says, "nomad and Vagrant. I met Kasim here, on this very spot, a few days ago ..." she says, hoping Kasim might have shared that rather important bit of information with his Chieftain.
Shade returns the smile. Her eyes briefly hold to his, searching for the approval that, at her age, she dearly longs for. As soon as he turns to Scorch, the youth pads over to her father, restraining herself from any acts of affection before a stranger. It's her turn to observe now, interested to see what happens. She'd not been present, as far as she can remember, when a new member was allowed in. Or sent away. In either case, she takes this for the learning experience it is.
Kein has not spoken to Kasim recently, and he makes no effort to hide that fact. "Kasim? Ah. Well,s hould you see him again, I would appreciate you passing on my greetings." Amaranth territory is large. So large that Kein can just barely travel the length of it in a single day. It would not be difficult for two cougars to miss each other for weeks on end. "I am pleased to mee you, Scorch, and welcome to Amaranth. This is my daughter, Shade."
Scorch dips her head in bow. "I am honored, Chieftain, and Shade," she says. "I was wondering ..." she starts, trying to swallow her obvious nervousness; she has never actually been this close to another cougar, except when getting chased out of another cougar's territory whose markers she had missed. "Does Amaranth accept newcomers, pledgelings?"
Shade nods respectfully back at Scorch, now that her name is given. Afterward, she sits back, listening to the exchange without any input for the time being.
"Amaranth is always open to females who mean us no harm. The final determination, though, is not up to me. I will tell my mate of you, or else our Shamaness. Until then, though, you are certainly welcome in our territory, Scorch." Kein, being as asocial as he is, seldom exercises his ability to offer permanent welcome. He always has figured that the Sisters of Amaranth are here for his mate's benefit, not for his.
Scorch bows her head. "I thank you, Chieftain, and hope I prove worthy of your mate or Shamaness' judgement and welcome." She sniffs at him, curiously ... again, she's never been this close to another cougar except her mother ... then realizes, a bit in fear, she may have broken some protocol. "I ... err ... sorry," she says. "Could I beg you to bestow upon me the story of the history of Amaranth?" she asks.
How much of it does Kein actually know? At least, how much, that he's willing to share with a newcomer? "My mate's grandmother, Paoro, brought the tribe here when she was very young, when her own mother was still young enough to be capable of such travel, in response to famine in the lands where they once lived. Since then, Amaranth has been here, on this mountain."
Scorch listens. "So ... four generations, counting Mall?" she asks.
Five, technically, if Donoma is counted but... "Yes. Four generations have spent most or all of their lives here." And to think, Kein had honestly considered moving them...
Scorch says with a smile, "I hope it can continue here for many generations more." She asks, "Is your mate about, or that shamaness you mentioned?"
"My mate and the Shamaness tend to be busy. I see them daily, though, and if they know you are here, they will look for you." Even with all but Shade gone, Nayeli and Sweet-Rain manage to stay very busy. Kein, certainly, will manage to fill his days, too, once he has had a couple weeks of relaxation.
Scorch asks, "How many are in Amaranth? I noticed, with kasim, that you are not the only male." That seems eminently strange to her, but of course one male couldn't possibly rule alone over a whole tribe. There must be some subordinates to him ... sons, pledgelings ...
"I allow Kasim here, as my late mother's mate. There is one other, unrelated to the matron's bloodline. His name is Qaletaqa." Kein allows them here, but he balks at giving either of them the marking that only the females and the Matron's children have. "My mate's sons and the other sons of Amaranth Matron will always have a safe place, though they do not actually remain here, along with ten, maybe eleven other females."
3 males, ten or eleven females, plus sons and daughters ... the thought of so many cougars calling one vast land home is marvelous to the cougress. Of course, she has no idea of the reality, internal bickerings or strife ... the whole thing is still but a dream to her. "Must be wonderful ... never having to be alone, that is," she remarks, glancing at the younger cougress.
Kein gives a slight nod of his head. "Most of the cougaresses here seem to like it." Like, for example, Shade, who he finally nuzzles lightly before looking back to Scorch. "As I said, you are most welcome here... But I should head back. I will let my mate know about you as soon as possible."
Scorch nods. "I would be grateful to make her acquaintence as soon as is convenient for her." She bows to the regal Chieftan.
Shade responds to her father's nuzzle. She'd been lost in thought, about the foreign concept of living alone, outside the safety net of her family. What kind of life was that? Did all other cougars, outside of Amaranth live the same way? Or are there other tribes, out there someplace? These are all answers Shade wants to find, but has no idea how she's go about doing that. Perhaps one day, when she's older.
Kein again nods. Nayeli has always enjoyed socializing, so he has to imagine that it won't be long before the Matron seeks out Scorch. After nodding, he smiles to both Scorch and Shade, then turns to head back further into the territory.
Scorch can't help but gaze at Shade, losing herself a bit with what having a daughter of her own would be like. She had no idea, prior to finding the actual border markers and encountering Kasim, that she had been getting close to a real, live cougar tribe. It had been so out of the blue for her. Just a few hours prior to crossing into Amaranth territory, she had begun to again feel forlorned that she might never find a place to rest and bear cubs of her own. And now ... here was a place where cubs were birthed in relative safety, in a community filled with enough cougars to send Grizzlies running and give the largest pack of wolves nightmares, no way they could contemplate attacking without a purely suicidal intention anyhow.
Shade stands up as Kein starts to leave. "Can we talk later?" She murmurs to him quickly, mostly as a warning that she would be seeking him out later. After her father is gone, she returns Scorch's gaze curiously. She could not fathom, at this time, what the older cougress would be thinking about. Shade has yet to entertain the thought of bearing offspring with any amount of seriousness.
Scorch looks after the Chieftain as he leaves. "Could you tell me about your mother?" she asks Shade. "Is there true harmony among the adult cougresses of the tribe?"
"My mother?" Shade's brow shifts. "She's kind, beautiful. I love her very much." The second question induces a careful pause in the youth. She glances back, where the peak of the mountain is visible. "That's how it's suppose to be." Shade wonders how to put it best, but she wants to prepare the other cougress should she be staying. "Sometimes there are rough times. Somebody will do something foolish, and things get shaken up. But that's why we have a Matron; to settle these things and help us back together again." Perhaps a slightly more idealistic view of how things work, but Shade likes to hold onto that image.
Scorch nods. "I ... hope I never do anything stupid or foolish that brings strife to the harmony ... but ... its hard not to lose myself now, before living in the reality of it, to avoid over-glamorizing it in my mind. I hope ... I hope I can earn the trust of the others in the tribe." She smiles and gives the younger cougress a soft gaze. "You have good friends though, in the tribe? Besides just your mother, I mean?" The cougress frets a bit, not having 'just your mother' to have sounded any way demeaning toward the beautiful young cougress' mother.
Shade smiles reassuringly. "It takes getting used to, I would imagine. But I'm certain you'll find a place here." When asked about friends, however, Shade's expression glazes over. "There's my sister." She comes to the dawning realization that although she was quite familiar with her brothers and sisters outside her immediate family, she'd never gotten to -know- them deeply and personally. This is something she had to remedy, forthwith, and Shade decides visiting each member of the tribe in turn. "I'd... like to think I'm the friend of everyone in Amaranth." She answers delicately. "I would do anything for anybody here, if I had to."
Scorch smiles. "You are a smart, sweet young lady. If I manage to earn my place here, I would be honored if I could be your friend," she says with a grin and ... for the first time in her life she has ever given one since she was a cub ... a purr!
So eager she must be for a friend, Shade speculates that this is a symptom of living a solitary life. "Thank you, the honor would be mine." She reciprocates the purr, not altogether aware of the significance it has for Scorch. "I'm glad to have met you. I need to take my leave for the evening, but I'll be in the area, to make sure nobody chases you out before you get a chance to petition your entry into our tribe."
Scorch bows to the daughter of Amaranth. "Pleasant day to you, Shade ... and thank you for granting me company."