Post by Therdde on Mar 1, 2010 9:14:46 GMT -5
Characters:
Crevan - Male Cougar
Kein - Male Cougar
- Stone Formations -
He sits on top of one of the large rocks of the formation, looking out with a glazed expression. In the period of time since his cubhood, the mountain has always been home, despite the few times he had left to find a new habitat. His brothers had come and gone as well, but it seemed, even with their (*cough*Cael's*hack*) unfortunate events here on the mountain, they'd always seemed to be capable of living perfectly well elsewhere. Crevan knew he could too, if he really tried. Every time he left, he knew he could make a living out there. But no, this was home. /Real/ home. And he always came back.
With the coming winter, one that promises to be the harshest Kein has ever seen, the chieftain has spent less and less time at the furthest borders of the territory he has held for nearly three years. He is far from old, but his has not been an easy life, and with each passing season, it is harder for him to maintain the territory he inherited, the territory he has fought for bitterly in the years since that one day when he insisted that Amaranth was no longer a place worth fighting for. Were it not for his youngest daughter's insistence on remaining out here, he would not even visit this area as often as he has, in the past weeks. That is what has him out here now. Their last meeting did not go well, and he is here, now, intending to extend an olive branch. If, that is, he can find her. It is not her scent he catches, first, but rather another one that he follows. His offspring, it appears, are beginning to return, and he finds himself glad of this, though as he approaches the younger male, his manner is far more reserved than when Aurora returned, a short while ago.
If his scent has extended as far as to attract his father's attention, Crevan is unaware. The smells in the near area are far too diverse for him to recognize immediately for the most part, and he is not concerned about his own at the moment. Cougars, yes, but some he doesn't remember as well. Intermingled, though, are those that once he was quiet familiar with. He can smell his father's musk in the air, as well as the faint scent of his siblings.. is that his mother as well? Has it been so long that he can't decide? Crevan closes his eyes, lifting his head to the sky and inhaling the air deeply, claws extending to bite into the rock sharply. Ahh, the sweet smell of cougar. Down, off the mountain, all you smell is wolf. Wolf, and deer. Reeking creatures, you find, once you've dwelled in their musk for season after season. Now he's sure he still has the smell lingering upon his own fur, and it makes him wrinkle his nose. Welcome home, Crevan, wolf-cat.
Before his son is even within sight, Kein lets out a chuff, announcing himself. Between the trees and stones in the area, it is easy to miss someone until right upon them. At least, that is true if his children have remained as stealthful as he tried to teach them to be, before sending them out into the world. Certain, Kein has never forgotten any of his own parent's lessons, and so while he is walking, he is always, in some part of his brain, conscious of how heavily his paws fall on the ground. Still, he is not trying to sneak up on Crevan, nor to frighten him.
Ah, Crevan is by no means forgetful of his father's instruction. Maybe a bit.. lacking.. now, but only because he is lost in recollection for the moment. When the old familiar sound of his father's introduction comes to his ears, Crevan's eyes open slowly, glancing in the announced direction with little alarm. He expected to see Kein sooner or later, after all. The son waits until the chieftain comes into view between the trees before lowering close to the stone on his belly and easing down the rock to land on his paws gracefully on the ground. Padding upon silent paws, Crevan approaches Kein, halting before reaching him, and offers a faint smile, and a brief greeting of ".. Dad."
When one of his daughters takes the place of his mate and chooses a mate of her own, will Kein be able to respond to that male with any of the deference that his sons, that Yuma, that Qaletaqa have all shown him? It is the sort of thing that has been on Kein's mind recently, and he is no more sure, now, that he will be able to that he has ever been, than he was the first time he left because he was certain that any attempt on his part to stay would result in bloodshed between him and the then-chieftain. The thought mutes his own smile, but his tone, when he speaks, betrays nothing but joy and pride. "Crevan. Welcome home, son." Kein, too, stops outside of touching distance, though barely.
Though he doesn't outwardly express his emotions too terribly extensively, Crevan's relieved. Sure, he didn't expect his dad to /kick him out/, but Crevan has to admit he's not an overly dedicated member of the tribe, from his random disappearances, and who's to say Kein would be somewhat.. unexcited about his return /again/? But good, at least the tone of his voice reflects none of that. Crevan's eyes glitter faintly as he nods, "It's been some time. Are things well..?" Last thing /he/ remembers was everything going on with Cael, and the trauma that came with that, as well as that female named Jinx, with the cub.. Ashen? Besides that, /things/ also includes hoping to hear anything about Nayeli.
"They are. Your mother, as always, knows more than I, and you should make a point to visit her while you are here, but things are well." In Amaranth. What of outside? Kein shakes the thought away, at least mostly. "Will you be staying long, Crevan?" Nayeli will never complain about having her children close. Kein doesn't think Paoro would, either. But most importantly, though Kein would like to see his sons settle territory of their own and live happily with families of their own, he has lost enough of his own pride to be able to admit, to himself if to no one else, that he should like to have them here, just in case. Perhaps this winter more than any other, though, if it really is as bad as the early cold would seem to imply, there should not be too many threats coming from outside. It's hard to threaten a territory when you can barely keep yourself from starvation.
True.. the best way to check in on someone is to.. actually check in on them, aye? Crevan chuffs lightly, a chuckle at himself. "I'll have to see how Mom's doing, then. It's good to be back.. but I'm almost anxious about actually speaking with her again after so long. I hope you all don't think I meant to desert you." In all honesty, Crevan feels somewhat ashamed with himself. It was his desire to raise his own family, yes.. but for some reason females have been scarce.. few and far between. Or perhaps that's just what he likes to tell himself - he doesn't want to admit it's his fault that he can't find a suitable mate, eh? Perhaps. "I will be staying only for as long as is appropriate. I /do/ wish to spend some time with some old friends.." he smiles again, adding, "Including my siblings, of course.. Are any of them here at this time?" It suddenly occurred to him he has no idea where they might be by now.
"You haven't deserted us. You were meant to leave, to come into your own, and from what I can see, you did a fair job of that. I am as proud now as I have ever been to call you my son." Kein excels at being forever-serious, but after that statement, he finally manages a smile. "Aurora has recently returned to us, and Kaya has been around, as well. Cael was here only a few months ago, but I sent him out after your sister, and he has yet to return. You have two much younger sisters that I do not believe you've met, yet. Maul and Shade."
He shakes his head slowly, as if considering the names as he does. "I don't think I've met them, but I'd absolutely desire to, of course. I must meet my baby sisters." The glittering eyes disappear with the lifting of his cheeks as Crevan's grin widens at the appearance of Kein's elusive smile. "I'm glad to hear things have been going well. I've missed home," he chuckles again, lifting his eyes to the mountain's cliffs and hills that give Amaranth its distinct elegance. "I feel as though I've missed so much. Everyone.. I imagine they're so much older. It's just so strange.." The younger male's eyebrows raise in a hopeless expression. "I wish I had the gift that some have.. to be able to hold onto others for so long, and be able to connect again after a time as if nothing had changed. I do not want to feel as though I am a loner far from home, even once returned." He shakes his head, ruefully.
Has so much changed in the time Kein has been Chieftain? Was he not once perfectly happy to be the loner, even though he never left, so long as he had his mate? He keeps this thought, along with so many others, to himself. It might succeed in making his son feel better, or at least less alone, but Kein still has some pride, and he does not want their pity. Primarily because he is no longer quite so happy with feeling as though he does not truly know a single cougar within the tribe. Perhaps not even his mate. Certainly not his children. "You will never be an outsider here. Not so long as I'm around, and not so long as your mother is around. Do you understand?" And even when his mate is no longer the matron, he would surely fight until he had not an ounce of strength left, should the future chieftain ever attempt to prevent any of his sons, his mate's sons, from finding safe haven here.
A light sparkled in the young male's eyes once more. "I understand," he nods, the regretful tone in his voice nearly disappeared. He could say that he always knew that he'd be welcomed home, but he did not. He could require sympathy by insinuating that he's felt no love here whenever he's returned, but he always has. There is nothing more to say beyond this point, and he's grateful for that simple fact. He appreciates his family, including the ever welcoming extended family of brothers and sisters on the mountain. Crevan extends his neck in the silence, closing the small distance between them by touching his muzzle to the chieftain's lightly. It's not exactly a masculine gesture - it's the kind of affection the young cub would have made to his father long ago.. a movement to close a gap that's existed since he was here so long ago. Then he pulls back once more, a serious look upon his face again. "I should attempt to make my way further up the mountain before it gets too dark." A question of whether Kein has anything else to mention before he does so is implied, of course.
Kein has not touched one of his sons, in love or anger, since... Well, it has been nearly too long for him to remember. He didn't imagine he ever would again, but he appreciates the gesture more than he could ever let Crevan know. "Of course. When I see her, I will let your mother know that you've returned. And your siblings, as well." If Kein were to have his way, this would be Crevan's last night of peace before he has family members crawling absolutely all over him. And with that thought brings Kein's first desire to have cubs around, once more.
Crevan is the quiet, yet affection type, so while he'd never admit it, he'd /love/ having family smother him with love. <3 But as it stands, the male is perfectly pleased with a distant love of simply /knowing/, too. That works. So with the intention of heading up the hill, the cat inclines and dips his head to Kein in a farewell. "I will anticipate meeting with them. I'm glad to see you again. Have a good night.. Chieftain." He offers his dad one last smile, a softness in his eyes, before turning, beginning his evening climb up to meet with the rest of his family.
Crevan - Male Cougar
Kein - Male Cougar
- Stone Formations -
He sits on top of one of the large rocks of the formation, looking out with a glazed expression. In the period of time since his cubhood, the mountain has always been home, despite the few times he had left to find a new habitat. His brothers had come and gone as well, but it seemed, even with their (*cough*Cael's*hack*) unfortunate events here on the mountain, they'd always seemed to be capable of living perfectly well elsewhere. Crevan knew he could too, if he really tried. Every time he left, he knew he could make a living out there. But no, this was home. /Real/ home. And he always came back.
With the coming winter, one that promises to be the harshest Kein has ever seen, the chieftain has spent less and less time at the furthest borders of the territory he has held for nearly three years. He is far from old, but his has not been an easy life, and with each passing season, it is harder for him to maintain the territory he inherited, the territory he has fought for bitterly in the years since that one day when he insisted that Amaranth was no longer a place worth fighting for. Were it not for his youngest daughter's insistence on remaining out here, he would not even visit this area as often as he has, in the past weeks. That is what has him out here now. Their last meeting did not go well, and he is here, now, intending to extend an olive branch. If, that is, he can find her. It is not her scent he catches, first, but rather another one that he follows. His offspring, it appears, are beginning to return, and he finds himself glad of this, though as he approaches the younger male, his manner is far more reserved than when Aurora returned, a short while ago.
If his scent has extended as far as to attract his father's attention, Crevan is unaware. The smells in the near area are far too diverse for him to recognize immediately for the most part, and he is not concerned about his own at the moment. Cougars, yes, but some he doesn't remember as well. Intermingled, though, are those that once he was quiet familiar with. He can smell his father's musk in the air, as well as the faint scent of his siblings.. is that his mother as well? Has it been so long that he can't decide? Crevan closes his eyes, lifting his head to the sky and inhaling the air deeply, claws extending to bite into the rock sharply. Ahh, the sweet smell of cougar. Down, off the mountain, all you smell is wolf. Wolf, and deer. Reeking creatures, you find, once you've dwelled in their musk for season after season. Now he's sure he still has the smell lingering upon his own fur, and it makes him wrinkle his nose. Welcome home, Crevan, wolf-cat.
Before his son is even within sight, Kein lets out a chuff, announcing himself. Between the trees and stones in the area, it is easy to miss someone until right upon them. At least, that is true if his children have remained as stealthful as he tried to teach them to be, before sending them out into the world. Certain, Kein has never forgotten any of his own parent's lessons, and so while he is walking, he is always, in some part of his brain, conscious of how heavily his paws fall on the ground. Still, he is not trying to sneak up on Crevan, nor to frighten him.
Ah, Crevan is by no means forgetful of his father's instruction. Maybe a bit.. lacking.. now, but only because he is lost in recollection for the moment. When the old familiar sound of his father's introduction comes to his ears, Crevan's eyes open slowly, glancing in the announced direction with little alarm. He expected to see Kein sooner or later, after all. The son waits until the chieftain comes into view between the trees before lowering close to the stone on his belly and easing down the rock to land on his paws gracefully on the ground. Padding upon silent paws, Crevan approaches Kein, halting before reaching him, and offers a faint smile, and a brief greeting of ".. Dad."
When one of his daughters takes the place of his mate and chooses a mate of her own, will Kein be able to respond to that male with any of the deference that his sons, that Yuma, that Qaletaqa have all shown him? It is the sort of thing that has been on Kein's mind recently, and he is no more sure, now, that he will be able to that he has ever been, than he was the first time he left because he was certain that any attempt on his part to stay would result in bloodshed between him and the then-chieftain. The thought mutes his own smile, but his tone, when he speaks, betrays nothing but joy and pride. "Crevan. Welcome home, son." Kein, too, stops outside of touching distance, though barely.
Though he doesn't outwardly express his emotions too terribly extensively, Crevan's relieved. Sure, he didn't expect his dad to /kick him out/, but Crevan has to admit he's not an overly dedicated member of the tribe, from his random disappearances, and who's to say Kein would be somewhat.. unexcited about his return /again/? But good, at least the tone of his voice reflects none of that. Crevan's eyes glitter faintly as he nods, "It's been some time. Are things well..?" Last thing /he/ remembers was everything going on with Cael, and the trauma that came with that, as well as that female named Jinx, with the cub.. Ashen? Besides that, /things/ also includes hoping to hear anything about Nayeli.
"They are. Your mother, as always, knows more than I, and you should make a point to visit her while you are here, but things are well." In Amaranth. What of outside? Kein shakes the thought away, at least mostly. "Will you be staying long, Crevan?" Nayeli will never complain about having her children close. Kein doesn't think Paoro would, either. But most importantly, though Kein would like to see his sons settle territory of their own and live happily with families of their own, he has lost enough of his own pride to be able to admit, to himself if to no one else, that he should like to have them here, just in case. Perhaps this winter more than any other, though, if it really is as bad as the early cold would seem to imply, there should not be too many threats coming from outside. It's hard to threaten a territory when you can barely keep yourself from starvation.
True.. the best way to check in on someone is to.. actually check in on them, aye? Crevan chuffs lightly, a chuckle at himself. "I'll have to see how Mom's doing, then. It's good to be back.. but I'm almost anxious about actually speaking with her again after so long. I hope you all don't think I meant to desert you." In all honesty, Crevan feels somewhat ashamed with himself. It was his desire to raise his own family, yes.. but for some reason females have been scarce.. few and far between. Or perhaps that's just what he likes to tell himself - he doesn't want to admit it's his fault that he can't find a suitable mate, eh? Perhaps. "I will be staying only for as long as is appropriate. I /do/ wish to spend some time with some old friends.." he smiles again, adding, "Including my siblings, of course.. Are any of them here at this time?" It suddenly occurred to him he has no idea where they might be by now.
"You haven't deserted us. You were meant to leave, to come into your own, and from what I can see, you did a fair job of that. I am as proud now as I have ever been to call you my son." Kein excels at being forever-serious, but after that statement, he finally manages a smile. "Aurora has recently returned to us, and Kaya has been around, as well. Cael was here only a few months ago, but I sent him out after your sister, and he has yet to return. You have two much younger sisters that I do not believe you've met, yet. Maul and Shade."
He shakes his head slowly, as if considering the names as he does. "I don't think I've met them, but I'd absolutely desire to, of course. I must meet my baby sisters." The glittering eyes disappear with the lifting of his cheeks as Crevan's grin widens at the appearance of Kein's elusive smile. "I'm glad to hear things have been going well. I've missed home," he chuckles again, lifting his eyes to the mountain's cliffs and hills that give Amaranth its distinct elegance. "I feel as though I've missed so much. Everyone.. I imagine they're so much older. It's just so strange.." The younger male's eyebrows raise in a hopeless expression. "I wish I had the gift that some have.. to be able to hold onto others for so long, and be able to connect again after a time as if nothing had changed. I do not want to feel as though I am a loner far from home, even once returned." He shakes his head, ruefully.
Has so much changed in the time Kein has been Chieftain? Was he not once perfectly happy to be the loner, even though he never left, so long as he had his mate? He keeps this thought, along with so many others, to himself. It might succeed in making his son feel better, or at least less alone, but Kein still has some pride, and he does not want their pity. Primarily because he is no longer quite so happy with feeling as though he does not truly know a single cougar within the tribe. Perhaps not even his mate. Certainly not his children. "You will never be an outsider here. Not so long as I'm around, and not so long as your mother is around. Do you understand?" And even when his mate is no longer the matron, he would surely fight until he had not an ounce of strength left, should the future chieftain ever attempt to prevent any of his sons, his mate's sons, from finding safe haven here.
A light sparkled in the young male's eyes once more. "I understand," he nods, the regretful tone in his voice nearly disappeared. He could say that he always knew that he'd be welcomed home, but he did not. He could require sympathy by insinuating that he's felt no love here whenever he's returned, but he always has. There is nothing more to say beyond this point, and he's grateful for that simple fact. He appreciates his family, including the ever welcoming extended family of brothers and sisters on the mountain. Crevan extends his neck in the silence, closing the small distance between them by touching his muzzle to the chieftain's lightly. It's not exactly a masculine gesture - it's the kind of affection the young cub would have made to his father long ago.. a movement to close a gap that's existed since he was here so long ago. Then he pulls back once more, a serious look upon his face again. "I should attempt to make my way further up the mountain before it gets too dark." A question of whether Kein has anything else to mention before he does so is implied, of course.
Kein has not touched one of his sons, in love or anger, since... Well, it has been nearly too long for him to remember. He didn't imagine he ever would again, but he appreciates the gesture more than he could ever let Crevan know. "Of course. When I see her, I will let your mother know that you've returned. And your siblings, as well." If Kein were to have his way, this would be Crevan's last night of peace before he has family members crawling absolutely all over him. And with that thought brings Kein's first desire to have cubs around, once more.
Crevan is the quiet, yet affection type, so while he'd never admit it, he'd /love/ having family smother him with love. <3 But as it stands, the male is perfectly pleased with a distant love of simply /knowing/, too. That works. So with the intention of heading up the hill, the cat inclines and dips his head to Kein in a farewell. "I will anticipate meeting with them. I'm glad to see you again. Have a good night.. Chieftain." He offers his dad one last smile, a softness in his eyes, before turning, beginning his evening climb up to meet with the rest of his family.