Post by avalikia on Mar 30, 2010 3:26:03 GMT -5
Characters:
Niabi - Female Elk
Konachi - Male Wolf
Leilani - Female Elk
Setting:
Rippling Stream
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At last! Niabi sighs quietly to herself as one of her forelegs seems to brush up against solid ground for the first time in what seems like hours. She's not exactly sure how she got herself into this mess; she was walking up the bank when her feet slipped and she landed in the middle of a patch of deep, half-frozen mud. Having fought against it for far too long, she's completely exhausted and stops to rest, knowing that she'll need much more energy to pull herself out now that she's reached the edge. She's still in mud up to her belly, though the much caked up to her shoulders indicates that she was much deeper when she began. But still, she's well and truly stuck until her strength returns.
Konachi is padding along toward the river, going slow due to his messed up forelimb. As he gets closer he notices Niabi stuck, and pads over, stopping a respectable distance away. "Is there anything I can do to help you get out?" he asks standing on three legs.
Distracted by her predicament, Niabi doesn't notice the wolf until he speaks. She startles, which doesn't mean much since the mud prevents her from moving more than her head and neck without great effort, but as soon as the surprise wears off her expression turns into that same hard, suspicious look she gave him the day before. But internally, she's already resigning herself to her fate; she knew the moment that she got stuck that she'd be defenseless if a predator turned up, and here one is. But it seems like he plans on tormenting her a little first, though she's unwilling to play that game and says, mostly to herself, "Just long enough for you to get here, I see." Too tired to even think about putting up a fight, she sighs quietly to herself and rests her head on the solid ground in front of her, defeated.
Konachi repeats his question. "Is there anything I can do to help?" he asks, a friendly look on his muzzle
Eyes closed in exhaustion, the only sign that Niabi heard the repeated question is a flick of her ear in his direction. Since she doesn't expect to receive any help even if she answered, she doesn't see the point. It would be wasted energy. Instead she mulls over her situation, thinking about how if he'd shown up only a half an hour later she'd likely have regained enough strength to haul herself out, but right now it's hopeless. Funny how precise the mother's timing is. Obviously if the wolf wants a response from her, he'll have to try something else.
Konachi hmms "Do you want me to just leave you there?" he asks, "Or would you like my help?" he asks.
One eye opens at that question, but it's a moment before Niabi responds. "You expect me to believe that if I want you to go, you'd just go?" she asks, the skepticism obvious in her tone. She can't help but reject that thought off-hand; anything else is outside of her experience. Wolves try to eat her, and that's the way things are.
Konachi shrugs "Thats your decision to make, I'm just offering. I'll just take my drink and be on my way if you want."
Scoffing quietly at that answer, Niabi closes her eyes again. "It's cruel to mess with me like that," she replies, the tiredness evident in her voice. Why doesn't he just get it over with? She's quite certain that he will kill her, as she'd be no match for pretty much anything at the moment, even predators she hasn't feared since she was a calf. Even in his injured state it wouldn't be a problem, and how can he afford to pass up a free meal when he can't be sure of a hunt while he's hurt?
Konachi shrugs, "I'm not messing with you, I'm not hungry, I found food already, no need to kill you, besides I wouldn't unless I had a pack to feed, I couldn't eat you by myself, and that would be a waste."
"I've never seen that stop a wolf," Niabi says quietly, many ugly memories seeming to flash before her eyes, "And you can't have found much; I know much about your kind, and I know how hurt you are." Finally the thought does cross her mind that he may be telling the truth. It's fleeting, but she has noticed that he doesn't seem to be getting ready to come at her, and surely he's noticed that she's resting. Surely he knows that letting her rest for too long before attacking is a bad move, so what's going on here?
Konachi shrugs "I learned better. Killing unnecessarily is pointless. I've found food, and its been enough to keep me going." he says, sitting down as he maintains his distance. He can tell she has years of ingrained instincts and memories that are making her not trust him, he hopes to show her that he won't hurt her.
Finally lifting her head not that it doesn't seem to much of a strain to keep it up, Niabi's expression is tired as she looks at Konachi. Her thoughts slowed by the lack of energy, she takes her time before responding. "I don't understand you," she says, more than a little confused. Despite what he might say to the contrary, she's well aware of how valuable she would be dead to a wolf, especially given his current state. Not to mention that he got in that state by seemingly fighting off a cougar for her. Saying that she doesn't understand is an understatement.
Konachi hmms "Why would I want to kill someone I saved the day before?" he asks "I can take care of myself with out turning on someone I helped the day before. And if I cannot, then I'll will have to find other ways to make ends meet, if its my time.. then I'll go, knowing I didn't turn on my friends to survive."
Frowning at that explanation, Niabi tries to fit that into her understanding of the world. But it doesn't doesn't quite work. "I don't understand that either; I'm not your friend," she says, the confusion clear in her voice, "You're a wolf, I'm a deer. We're not meant to be friends in the first place. And if we were, then why me? Why not a rabbit?" There are just too many conflicting things about the whole concept in Niabi's mind.
Konachi hmms "because I met you before I met a rabbit. Hmmm... look.. The valley I came from was very sheltered from the outside world, very hard to get in and out of. As such my parents were not like wolves out here. My best friend growing up was a deer, we played together, and it was quite entertaining to our parents when he play hunted and he was the predator." He smiles a bit remembering those times. "But as such I grew up only hunting what I had two, and normally only the old or sick. I tried not to hunt the deer if I could, normally if we killed one it was on its last leg and asked to be killed, or died, and we were allowed to eat it."
Listening carefully, Niabi seems to be at a loss for a moment. It's certainly one of the stranger stories she's heard in her long life, and she'd hardly believe it if Konachi weren't telling it instead of killing her. "So..." she says, attempting to understand, "You're saying that you don't really see deer as food, unless they'd be pretty much sitting there uneaten otherwise?" Again, that's really hard for her to wrap her mind around, and if she were in any other situation she'd probably laugh it off as fantasy.
Konachi nods "Yes you could say that." he says, keeping a calm expression, trying not to smile. He can tell he has completely rocked her world. But every word of it is true. "I was taught to not be wasteful, I don't kill more than I can eat, and if I can get by with out having to kill something in its prime thats better. I go for the creatures that are old or sick, and not likely to survive anyway. The only time I'd kill something in its prime would be it it was in a hopeless situation, two broken legs for example.. something where it has no chance, and normally it would have to ask me before I would kill it."
Well, Niabi can understand the whole concept of not killing something if you don't have a use for it, but that doesn't apply to their current situation because even if Konachi couldn't use an entire deer right now he could probably use a part of one at least. It's that and the rest of it that seems so foreign to her. "You're very strange," she finally says, with a shake of her head. Feeling that some of her strength has returned, she twitches a little in the mud as she tests the strength of its hold on her. Just a bit more rest, and she's sure she'll be out. "This is a ridiculous situation," she comments quietly to herself.
Konachi hmmms "perhaps I could find a log or something to sink into the mud for you to push against." he says, though it would be very hard for him to move it. "And you aren't the first one who has told me I am strange." he says with a slight grin.
Frowning a little as she considers the offer, Niabi says, "Well, I've got my knee on something solid; probably an edge of this mud patch. I'd probably be able to get out of here now if I wasn't so tired; I think I've been here for a quarter sun. Just need a little more rest and I'll have it." Glancing behind her at the miserable place, she shakes her head. "Honestly, this sort of thing only happens to yearlings. I must not have been paying attention; I know the ground gets bad near the river this time of year." Now that she's come to terms with the fact that she's not going to be eaten, she actually looks a little embarrassed by the situation.
Konachi nods "Well everyone makes mistakes, no matter how old they are. I shouldn't have made the mistake of letting the cougar get at my foreleg, but I did, there was a simple move i should have used to stop him, but I didn't use it."
"I know," Niabi says with a nod, smiling slightly, "I'm not unfamiliar with fighting myself; that was an easy shot you missed. But, like you said, everyone makes mistakes." She pauses thoughtfully before adding, "I regret to say that we'd have probably been fine without the help; I'm an old hat at defending myself, and others. Once their cover's blown it's not that difficult. But I'm generally not against the idea of seeing predators hurt eachother, so I didn't stop you." She gives the wolf a half-smile that seems both grateful and even a little regretful as she scans over his injuries.
Konachi nods "I understand, I was simply doing what I felt was best. Besides I don't normally mind a little practice in fighting. I've never been injured this badly before however. But we must learn from our mistakes." he says.
Nodding to that, Niabi says, "I've had a little too much practice fighting. I mean, just look... oh, they're mostly covered in mud now." She frowns at her mud-caked hindquarters before turning back to Konachi, "Well, believe me, I've got a LOT of scars. Mostly from wolves, mind you. Though a few are from cougars. You should be able to see the one at the base of my neck; that's from a cougar." And indeed there is one, still impressively large even though it's quite old now. In fact, it's the only remaining evidence of an injury that nearly killed her.
Konachi nods "I see." he says, "Like I said, I didn't come from a very hostile environment... in fact if I hadn't befriended and old wolf, and later n old cougar who happened to move into our valley to live out there last few days. I probably wouldn't be here. I knew nothing about fighting, as I had no need to. I met those two, and they told me about the outside world, much to my parents dismay. They also trained me, teaching me everything I know about fighting, and a few other skills that have come in handy along the way. Thats the only reason I escaped when our valley was invaded by rogue wolves. I watched my friends and family killed... I happened to be returning from hunting... "he pauses for a moment. "I was all ready to rush down there, when I was reminded by my cougar friend, who showed up to stop me, that it was 8 to 2. So I ran.. and was tracked down by two wolves... but I didn't have any trouble dispatching them. I've been heading steadily south ever since.
"It must be hard being a predator," Niabi muses, but she doesn't explain that before she starts into her own life's story; or at least a selected portion of it. If she told all of the interesting parts they'd be here all day. "I was taught to fight by my mother, who was taught by hers, and so forth. My birth herd was large; large enough that we were the primary food source of a pack of wolves," she begins. Is is any wonder that Niabi doesn't like them? "I learned the ways of your kind very well; if I hadn't, then I wouldn't be alive. When I was old enough I joined the guard - a group of the best fighters who intentionally place themselves between danger and the weaker members of the herd. Later, I was a loner for a year and a half; many wolves seem to think a lone elk is easy prey. And now I lead the Umber."
Konachi listens to your tale. "I can see why it must be hard for you to believe, and trust what I say to be true." he says. "I'll make sure to stay on your good side then.. or if I can't get on it... then not get on your bad side." he says.
That's a good question: is there a place on Niabi's good side for a wolf? She doesn't really know, if she's honest with herself. She wouldn't have believed that Konachi wouldn't attack her if it weren't for her present problem, or give him a chance to prove her wrong for that matter. "I think the mother wants me to trust you," she says, "That's the only reason I can see for this to have happened, anyway."
Leilani feels rather thirsty at the moment, so she finds herself wandering out to the stream. She blinks a bit when she picks up a pair of familiar scents as she comes closer to the edge of where the tree line fades into an open area around the running water of the stream. "Wouldn't have expected to find those two together again." She mutters to herself with a laugh. Then as she comes into view of them, her jaw drops a bit, noticing Niabi's predicament. "Niabi! What happened?" She cries as she comes running over.
Konachi nods, and if about to reply when he looks to where Leilani's voice comes from. "Niabi slipped into the mud." he says.
Head turning in alarm when she hears someone coming, Niabi is relieved that it's Leilani; the list of creatures that she feels safe around at the moment is rather short, so she's a little jumpy. However, her alarm increases when Leilani starts to rush over. "Wait, slow down!" she cries, "Watch your step; you don't want to join me, do you?" That's the last thing they need in this situation! Hearing Konachi's description of what happened, Niabi would surely be blushing if she could; it's true, but so undignified.
Leilani skids to a stop not a moment to soon, as even as she stops she feels her front hooves sinking into the mud and backs up till she feels the ground is solid. "Eww, wow, thats some nasty mud." She said with a distasteful tone, certainly glad she didn't fall in herself as she shudders even just thinking about trying to get all that mud out of her fur even if she ever got free. "Um, how can we help you Niabi? I mean, we can't just leave you here!"
Sighing both in relief that Leilani stopped herself and at the situation, Niabi says, "I'm just about out, I think. My knee seems to be on something solid; I'd try but I'm just so tired - it's taken me awhile to get here." In fact, if the mud on her side is any indication, it was halfway up her shoulder at one point. "Konachi's been keeping me company while I rest." And notably, Niabi's not staring at him suspiciously.
Leilani nods to Niabi, looking down at how she was sitting in the mud. "Ok, long as you don't slide back down..." She said as she bit her tongue for even mentioning that. Then finds herself blinking and looking over at Konachi, then back to Niabi, not detecting nearly as much distrust in the way she spoke of and looked at the wolf as before. "Well, that's good." She said with a smile, and, still thirsty, carefully made her way around the mud and over to the river's edge to take a drink.
Konachi smiles, "well I came for a drink originally, if you will excuse me for a moment." he says moving to go take a drink
When she sees Leilani's expression, Niabi gives a slightly confused tilt of the head. Konachi appears to not be attacking her when he's had every opportunity to do so, and she just can't argue with that, can she? "Oh, leaving me here all alone, are you?" she says, a small bit of humor in her voice. That's probably a good sign, though; she can't be feeling too bad if she can joke about it.
Leilani decides to play right along with Niabi's joke. "Yeah, you seem to have things handled and all, sounded like you felt you were almost out, so we'll just go take a walk and catch up with you later." She said trying to sound as serious as possible. She would let the statement stand for effect for a few moments, even walk away a bit, before looking back at Niabi and giving her a wink.
Frowning, but clearly amused, Niabi says, "It's a good thing I know you better than that." But she can't help but test the pull of the mud again, flexing her legs. Perhaps she can do it now? It's hard to say. She doesn't want to be stuck any longer than she has to, but if she tries too soon it'll probably end up be a lot of wasted energy. Sighing to herself, she decides to wait at least a moment longer, just to be safe. Joking aside, she feels very vulnerable in this position and she really doesn't like it.
Leilani takes a mischievous grin as she turns and walks back toward Niabi. "Do you now? You've only known me for scarcely a week. You sure you know me that well?" She asks with a clear tone of amusement in her voice, she almost can't hold back a giggle.
"If you were that cruel, I'm sure I'd have noticed by now," Niabi responds, with a bit less humor. To simply leave a fellow elk stuck like this, barring an attack by a large predator, would be terrible. Why, until she's out something the size of a fox could hurt her, and it would be no trouble for Leilani to give her that level of safety. Seeing Konachi heading off, likely to rest, Niabi calls out to him, "Please don't go too far." Once she's out of this mess she'll need to talk to him.
Leilani nods and finally lets out a small chuckle. "Yeah, your right, I'm just giving you a hard time. I would not wish the fate of being left alone stuck in the mud on any but my worst enemy." She takes a moment to look Niabi over, noting all the mud on her fur and the look of the muck she's standing in. "How long have you been stuck like this anyway?"
Glancing up at the sun, Niabi says, "Well, about a quarter sun, I'd say." Yes, it's definitely been awhile, long enough for her to tire herself out a couple of times, actually. But now her energy seems to be at a good level. "I think I'll try it now..." she says, only giving that small warning before she presses her knee hard against the firm bit of earth she found. And fortunately, it seems to hold. Using it to pull her other foreleg forwards, she finds a solid place to rest it. Breathing hard at the effort, she pauses. Now for the hard part...
Leilani looks on with bated breath as she watches her try to get out of the mud finally. "Come on! Your almost there!" She calls out with an encouraging tone.
Focusing as much strength as she can, Niabi pushes hard with her forelegs, attempting to pull her hind legs out of the muck. It's slow, and takes entirely too much effort, but eventually they come free as she inches forwards onto solid earth with her knees. Collapsing in a heap when her hind hooves come into view, Niabi lays there sprawled out for a moment before she gathers her legs underneath her. She doesn't attempt to stand, as she's just used up what energy she managed to gather, but at least she's out now. "Finally," she says with a satisfied sigh.
Leilani looks positively relieved to see Niabi manage to get out of the mud, and quickly moves closer to nuzzle her a bit. "I don't think I can even imagine how tired you must be right now."
With mud and dirt caking her fur and the mud already starting to dry, Niabi shivers slightly. She'll need to get it washed off and get her fur dry before sundown or really risk her health, but for the moment she's just too tired. "I think having a calf is easier," Niabi comments after she's had a moment to catch her breath. At least that requires one great effort; getting out of the mud required a few.
Leilani chuckles and lays down next to Niabi to keep her company till she recovers enough to try and wash all the mud off, which she would happily help with despite her misgivings about mud and deeper water. "Perhaps it was more like having twins..." She wondered, having heard the elder in her birth herd mention having twins earlier in her life.
The idea of having twins brings a different thought to Niabi's mind, "Oh, I don't know how whitetails manage. They can have three... One is hard enough." By which she means the pregnancy, the birth, and the raising of them afterwards. Twins among elk are practically unheard of, and for that Niabi is grateful. When Leilani lays down, Niabi reaches over and lays her head on her herdmate's back; being this tired seems to have made her shameless.
Leilani nods and chuckles a bit. "Don't know how you even keep track of three once they can all walk. The elder in my birth herd said she had twins just once when she was in her prime, though one of the calves died a couple days after birth. She said that in hindsight, she was glad it happened that way." She smiles warmly as she feels Niabi's head on her back and just continues to lay there with her. "So, are you warming up to Konachi?"
Well that's an interesting why to phrase that question! "Well..." Niabi says, completely unsure how to answer that. "Well he didn't eat me," she finally answers, as that's the only aspect of her relationship with the wolf that she's certain of. "He's a rather strange wolf," she adds after a moment more of thought, "I really don't know what to make of him."
Leilani chuckles at her response, then nods at her description of him. "Strange indeed, particularly if everything he told me is the truth. He told me that he was actually friends with a deer up north while he was growing up. Said they were together all the time except when he went hunting, they played together and everything. Quite unusual I must say."
Looking up at Leilani thoughtfully, Niabi says, "This isn't the first time I've heard a wolf say something like that. However..." she sighs and frowns, "I'll bet you anything that's the first time it's been true. Some wolves will say /anything/ in order to get you to put your guard down. Remember that." Her frown increases as she considers Konachi, "But he didn't harm me, when he had every reason to do so." A small part of her almost wishes he had; even if that meant her death, at least it would have made sense to her. Instead she's living in confusion.
Leilani nods. "Yeah, stuck in the mud like that it would have been all to easy for him to kill you, but he didn't, he just laid here and stayed with you huh? He is certainly an odd wolf, though I'm not going to complain if there is one less wolf out there thats trying to get us..."
"I'm not either," Niabi says, though there's still a frown on her face. It just doesn't make any sense! "Still, I wouldn't want him too near the herdlands - I suppose he's worth some trust, but perhaps not total trust. It's all so confusing to me." Feeling somewhat better, she lifts he head again, only to shake it, "I think the mother's playing some sort of a joke on me." That'd explain a lot, anyway.
Leilani nods, looking up into Niabi's eyes once more as she lifts her head up again. "It is confusing isn't it, and your probably right that we shouldn't just open up our trust to him completely and give him the tour of the lands."
Niabi - Female Elk
Konachi - Male Wolf
Leilani - Female Elk
Setting:
Rippling Stream
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At last! Niabi sighs quietly to herself as one of her forelegs seems to brush up against solid ground for the first time in what seems like hours. She's not exactly sure how she got herself into this mess; she was walking up the bank when her feet slipped and she landed in the middle of a patch of deep, half-frozen mud. Having fought against it for far too long, she's completely exhausted and stops to rest, knowing that she'll need much more energy to pull herself out now that she's reached the edge. She's still in mud up to her belly, though the much caked up to her shoulders indicates that she was much deeper when she began. But still, she's well and truly stuck until her strength returns.
Konachi is padding along toward the river, going slow due to his messed up forelimb. As he gets closer he notices Niabi stuck, and pads over, stopping a respectable distance away. "Is there anything I can do to help you get out?" he asks standing on three legs.
Distracted by her predicament, Niabi doesn't notice the wolf until he speaks. She startles, which doesn't mean much since the mud prevents her from moving more than her head and neck without great effort, but as soon as the surprise wears off her expression turns into that same hard, suspicious look she gave him the day before. But internally, she's already resigning herself to her fate; she knew the moment that she got stuck that she'd be defenseless if a predator turned up, and here one is. But it seems like he plans on tormenting her a little first, though she's unwilling to play that game and says, mostly to herself, "Just long enough for you to get here, I see." Too tired to even think about putting up a fight, she sighs quietly to herself and rests her head on the solid ground in front of her, defeated.
Konachi repeats his question. "Is there anything I can do to help?" he asks, a friendly look on his muzzle
Eyes closed in exhaustion, the only sign that Niabi heard the repeated question is a flick of her ear in his direction. Since she doesn't expect to receive any help even if she answered, she doesn't see the point. It would be wasted energy. Instead she mulls over her situation, thinking about how if he'd shown up only a half an hour later she'd likely have regained enough strength to haul herself out, but right now it's hopeless. Funny how precise the mother's timing is. Obviously if the wolf wants a response from her, he'll have to try something else.
Konachi hmms "Do you want me to just leave you there?" he asks, "Or would you like my help?" he asks.
One eye opens at that question, but it's a moment before Niabi responds. "You expect me to believe that if I want you to go, you'd just go?" she asks, the skepticism obvious in her tone. She can't help but reject that thought off-hand; anything else is outside of her experience. Wolves try to eat her, and that's the way things are.
Konachi shrugs "Thats your decision to make, I'm just offering. I'll just take my drink and be on my way if you want."
Scoffing quietly at that answer, Niabi closes her eyes again. "It's cruel to mess with me like that," she replies, the tiredness evident in her voice. Why doesn't he just get it over with? She's quite certain that he will kill her, as she'd be no match for pretty much anything at the moment, even predators she hasn't feared since she was a calf. Even in his injured state it wouldn't be a problem, and how can he afford to pass up a free meal when he can't be sure of a hunt while he's hurt?
Konachi shrugs, "I'm not messing with you, I'm not hungry, I found food already, no need to kill you, besides I wouldn't unless I had a pack to feed, I couldn't eat you by myself, and that would be a waste."
"I've never seen that stop a wolf," Niabi says quietly, many ugly memories seeming to flash before her eyes, "And you can't have found much; I know much about your kind, and I know how hurt you are." Finally the thought does cross her mind that he may be telling the truth. It's fleeting, but she has noticed that he doesn't seem to be getting ready to come at her, and surely he's noticed that she's resting. Surely he knows that letting her rest for too long before attacking is a bad move, so what's going on here?
Konachi shrugs "I learned better. Killing unnecessarily is pointless. I've found food, and its been enough to keep me going." he says, sitting down as he maintains his distance. He can tell she has years of ingrained instincts and memories that are making her not trust him, he hopes to show her that he won't hurt her.
Finally lifting her head not that it doesn't seem to much of a strain to keep it up, Niabi's expression is tired as she looks at Konachi. Her thoughts slowed by the lack of energy, she takes her time before responding. "I don't understand you," she says, more than a little confused. Despite what he might say to the contrary, she's well aware of how valuable she would be dead to a wolf, especially given his current state. Not to mention that he got in that state by seemingly fighting off a cougar for her. Saying that she doesn't understand is an understatement.
Konachi hmms "Why would I want to kill someone I saved the day before?" he asks "I can take care of myself with out turning on someone I helped the day before. And if I cannot, then I'll will have to find other ways to make ends meet, if its my time.. then I'll go, knowing I didn't turn on my friends to survive."
Frowning at that explanation, Niabi tries to fit that into her understanding of the world. But it doesn't doesn't quite work. "I don't understand that either; I'm not your friend," she says, the confusion clear in her voice, "You're a wolf, I'm a deer. We're not meant to be friends in the first place. And if we were, then why me? Why not a rabbit?" There are just too many conflicting things about the whole concept in Niabi's mind.
Konachi hmms "because I met you before I met a rabbit. Hmmm... look.. The valley I came from was very sheltered from the outside world, very hard to get in and out of. As such my parents were not like wolves out here. My best friend growing up was a deer, we played together, and it was quite entertaining to our parents when he play hunted and he was the predator." He smiles a bit remembering those times. "But as such I grew up only hunting what I had two, and normally only the old or sick. I tried not to hunt the deer if I could, normally if we killed one it was on its last leg and asked to be killed, or died, and we were allowed to eat it."
Listening carefully, Niabi seems to be at a loss for a moment. It's certainly one of the stranger stories she's heard in her long life, and she'd hardly believe it if Konachi weren't telling it instead of killing her. "So..." she says, attempting to understand, "You're saying that you don't really see deer as food, unless they'd be pretty much sitting there uneaten otherwise?" Again, that's really hard for her to wrap her mind around, and if she were in any other situation she'd probably laugh it off as fantasy.
Konachi nods "Yes you could say that." he says, keeping a calm expression, trying not to smile. He can tell he has completely rocked her world. But every word of it is true. "I was taught to not be wasteful, I don't kill more than I can eat, and if I can get by with out having to kill something in its prime thats better. I go for the creatures that are old or sick, and not likely to survive anyway. The only time I'd kill something in its prime would be it it was in a hopeless situation, two broken legs for example.. something where it has no chance, and normally it would have to ask me before I would kill it."
Well, Niabi can understand the whole concept of not killing something if you don't have a use for it, but that doesn't apply to their current situation because even if Konachi couldn't use an entire deer right now he could probably use a part of one at least. It's that and the rest of it that seems so foreign to her. "You're very strange," she finally says, with a shake of her head. Feeling that some of her strength has returned, she twitches a little in the mud as she tests the strength of its hold on her. Just a bit more rest, and she's sure she'll be out. "This is a ridiculous situation," she comments quietly to herself.
Konachi hmmms "perhaps I could find a log or something to sink into the mud for you to push against." he says, though it would be very hard for him to move it. "And you aren't the first one who has told me I am strange." he says with a slight grin.
Frowning a little as she considers the offer, Niabi says, "Well, I've got my knee on something solid; probably an edge of this mud patch. I'd probably be able to get out of here now if I wasn't so tired; I think I've been here for a quarter sun. Just need a little more rest and I'll have it." Glancing behind her at the miserable place, she shakes her head. "Honestly, this sort of thing only happens to yearlings. I must not have been paying attention; I know the ground gets bad near the river this time of year." Now that she's come to terms with the fact that she's not going to be eaten, she actually looks a little embarrassed by the situation.
Konachi nods "Well everyone makes mistakes, no matter how old they are. I shouldn't have made the mistake of letting the cougar get at my foreleg, but I did, there was a simple move i should have used to stop him, but I didn't use it."
"I know," Niabi says with a nod, smiling slightly, "I'm not unfamiliar with fighting myself; that was an easy shot you missed. But, like you said, everyone makes mistakes." She pauses thoughtfully before adding, "I regret to say that we'd have probably been fine without the help; I'm an old hat at defending myself, and others. Once their cover's blown it's not that difficult. But I'm generally not against the idea of seeing predators hurt eachother, so I didn't stop you." She gives the wolf a half-smile that seems both grateful and even a little regretful as she scans over his injuries.
Konachi nods "I understand, I was simply doing what I felt was best. Besides I don't normally mind a little practice in fighting. I've never been injured this badly before however. But we must learn from our mistakes." he says.
Nodding to that, Niabi says, "I've had a little too much practice fighting. I mean, just look... oh, they're mostly covered in mud now." She frowns at her mud-caked hindquarters before turning back to Konachi, "Well, believe me, I've got a LOT of scars. Mostly from wolves, mind you. Though a few are from cougars. You should be able to see the one at the base of my neck; that's from a cougar." And indeed there is one, still impressively large even though it's quite old now. In fact, it's the only remaining evidence of an injury that nearly killed her.
Konachi nods "I see." he says, "Like I said, I didn't come from a very hostile environment... in fact if I hadn't befriended and old wolf, and later n old cougar who happened to move into our valley to live out there last few days. I probably wouldn't be here. I knew nothing about fighting, as I had no need to. I met those two, and they told me about the outside world, much to my parents dismay. They also trained me, teaching me everything I know about fighting, and a few other skills that have come in handy along the way. Thats the only reason I escaped when our valley was invaded by rogue wolves. I watched my friends and family killed... I happened to be returning from hunting... "he pauses for a moment. "I was all ready to rush down there, when I was reminded by my cougar friend, who showed up to stop me, that it was 8 to 2. So I ran.. and was tracked down by two wolves... but I didn't have any trouble dispatching them. I've been heading steadily south ever since.
"It must be hard being a predator," Niabi muses, but she doesn't explain that before she starts into her own life's story; or at least a selected portion of it. If she told all of the interesting parts they'd be here all day. "I was taught to fight by my mother, who was taught by hers, and so forth. My birth herd was large; large enough that we were the primary food source of a pack of wolves," she begins. Is is any wonder that Niabi doesn't like them? "I learned the ways of your kind very well; if I hadn't, then I wouldn't be alive. When I was old enough I joined the guard - a group of the best fighters who intentionally place themselves between danger and the weaker members of the herd. Later, I was a loner for a year and a half; many wolves seem to think a lone elk is easy prey. And now I lead the Umber."
Konachi listens to your tale. "I can see why it must be hard for you to believe, and trust what I say to be true." he says. "I'll make sure to stay on your good side then.. or if I can't get on it... then not get on your bad side." he says.
That's a good question: is there a place on Niabi's good side for a wolf? She doesn't really know, if she's honest with herself. She wouldn't have believed that Konachi wouldn't attack her if it weren't for her present problem, or give him a chance to prove her wrong for that matter. "I think the mother wants me to trust you," she says, "That's the only reason I can see for this to have happened, anyway."
Leilani feels rather thirsty at the moment, so she finds herself wandering out to the stream. She blinks a bit when she picks up a pair of familiar scents as she comes closer to the edge of where the tree line fades into an open area around the running water of the stream. "Wouldn't have expected to find those two together again." She mutters to herself with a laugh. Then as she comes into view of them, her jaw drops a bit, noticing Niabi's predicament. "Niabi! What happened?" She cries as she comes running over.
Konachi nods, and if about to reply when he looks to where Leilani's voice comes from. "Niabi slipped into the mud." he says.
Head turning in alarm when she hears someone coming, Niabi is relieved that it's Leilani; the list of creatures that she feels safe around at the moment is rather short, so she's a little jumpy. However, her alarm increases when Leilani starts to rush over. "Wait, slow down!" she cries, "Watch your step; you don't want to join me, do you?" That's the last thing they need in this situation! Hearing Konachi's description of what happened, Niabi would surely be blushing if she could; it's true, but so undignified.
Leilani skids to a stop not a moment to soon, as even as she stops she feels her front hooves sinking into the mud and backs up till she feels the ground is solid. "Eww, wow, thats some nasty mud." She said with a distasteful tone, certainly glad she didn't fall in herself as she shudders even just thinking about trying to get all that mud out of her fur even if she ever got free. "Um, how can we help you Niabi? I mean, we can't just leave you here!"
Sighing both in relief that Leilani stopped herself and at the situation, Niabi says, "I'm just about out, I think. My knee seems to be on something solid; I'd try but I'm just so tired - it's taken me awhile to get here." In fact, if the mud on her side is any indication, it was halfway up her shoulder at one point. "Konachi's been keeping me company while I rest." And notably, Niabi's not staring at him suspiciously.
Leilani nods to Niabi, looking down at how she was sitting in the mud. "Ok, long as you don't slide back down..." She said as she bit her tongue for even mentioning that. Then finds herself blinking and looking over at Konachi, then back to Niabi, not detecting nearly as much distrust in the way she spoke of and looked at the wolf as before. "Well, that's good." She said with a smile, and, still thirsty, carefully made her way around the mud and over to the river's edge to take a drink.
Konachi smiles, "well I came for a drink originally, if you will excuse me for a moment." he says moving to go take a drink
When she sees Leilani's expression, Niabi gives a slightly confused tilt of the head. Konachi appears to not be attacking her when he's had every opportunity to do so, and she just can't argue with that, can she? "Oh, leaving me here all alone, are you?" she says, a small bit of humor in her voice. That's probably a good sign, though; she can't be feeling too bad if she can joke about it.
Leilani decides to play right along with Niabi's joke. "Yeah, you seem to have things handled and all, sounded like you felt you were almost out, so we'll just go take a walk and catch up with you later." She said trying to sound as serious as possible. She would let the statement stand for effect for a few moments, even walk away a bit, before looking back at Niabi and giving her a wink.
Frowning, but clearly amused, Niabi says, "It's a good thing I know you better than that." But she can't help but test the pull of the mud again, flexing her legs. Perhaps she can do it now? It's hard to say. She doesn't want to be stuck any longer than she has to, but if she tries too soon it'll probably end up be a lot of wasted energy. Sighing to herself, she decides to wait at least a moment longer, just to be safe. Joking aside, she feels very vulnerable in this position and she really doesn't like it.
Leilani takes a mischievous grin as she turns and walks back toward Niabi. "Do you now? You've only known me for scarcely a week. You sure you know me that well?" She asks with a clear tone of amusement in her voice, she almost can't hold back a giggle.
"If you were that cruel, I'm sure I'd have noticed by now," Niabi responds, with a bit less humor. To simply leave a fellow elk stuck like this, barring an attack by a large predator, would be terrible. Why, until she's out something the size of a fox could hurt her, and it would be no trouble for Leilani to give her that level of safety. Seeing Konachi heading off, likely to rest, Niabi calls out to him, "Please don't go too far." Once she's out of this mess she'll need to talk to him.
Leilani nods and finally lets out a small chuckle. "Yeah, your right, I'm just giving you a hard time. I would not wish the fate of being left alone stuck in the mud on any but my worst enemy." She takes a moment to look Niabi over, noting all the mud on her fur and the look of the muck she's standing in. "How long have you been stuck like this anyway?"
Glancing up at the sun, Niabi says, "Well, about a quarter sun, I'd say." Yes, it's definitely been awhile, long enough for her to tire herself out a couple of times, actually. But now her energy seems to be at a good level. "I think I'll try it now..." she says, only giving that small warning before she presses her knee hard against the firm bit of earth she found. And fortunately, it seems to hold. Using it to pull her other foreleg forwards, she finds a solid place to rest it. Breathing hard at the effort, she pauses. Now for the hard part...
Leilani looks on with bated breath as she watches her try to get out of the mud finally. "Come on! Your almost there!" She calls out with an encouraging tone.
Focusing as much strength as she can, Niabi pushes hard with her forelegs, attempting to pull her hind legs out of the muck. It's slow, and takes entirely too much effort, but eventually they come free as she inches forwards onto solid earth with her knees. Collapsing in a heap when her hind hooves come into view, Niabi lays there sprawled out for a moment before she gathers her legs underneath her. She doesn't attempt to stand, as she's just used up what energy she managed to gather, but at least she's out now. "Finally," she says with a satisfied sigh.
Leilani looks positively relieved to see Niabi manage to get out of the mud, and quickly moves closer to nuzzle her a bit. "I don't think I can even imagine how tired you must be right now."
With mud and dirt caking her fur and the mud already starting to dry, Niabi shivers slightly. She'll need to get it washed off and get her fur dry before sundown or really risk her health, but for the moment she's just too tired. "I think having a calf is easier," Niabi comments after she's had a moment to catch her breath. At least that requires one great effort; getting out of the mud required a few.
Leilani chuckles and lays down next to Niabi to keep her company till she recovers enough to try and wash all the mud off, which she would happily help with despite her misgivings about mud and deeper water. "Perhaps it was more like having twins..." She wondered, having heard the elder in her birth herd mention having twins earlier in her life.
The idea of having twins brings a different thought to Niabi's mind, "Oh, I don't know how whitetails manage. They can have three... One is hard enough." By which she means the pregnancy, the birth, and the raising of them afterwards. Twins among elk are practically unheard of, and for that Niabi is grateful. When Leilani lays down, Niabi reaches over and lays her head on her herdmate's back; being this tired seems to have made her shameless.
Leilani nods and chuckles a bit. "Don't know how you even keep track of three once they can all walk. The elder in my birth herd said she had twins just once when she was in her prime, though one of the calves died a couple days after birth. She said that in hindsight, she was glad it happened that way." She smiles warmly as she feels Niabi's head on her back and just continues to lay there with her. "So, are you warming up to Konachi?"
Well that's an interesting why to phrase that question! "Well..." Niabi says, completely unsure how to answer that. "Well he didn't eat me," she finally answers, as that's the only aspect of her relationship with the wolf that she's certain of. "He's a rather strange wolf," she adds after a moment more of thought, "I really don't know what to make of him."
Leilani chuckles at her response, then nods at her description of him. "Strange indeed, particularly if everything he told me is the truth. He told me that he was actually friends with a deer up north while he was growing up. Said they were together all the time except when he went hunting, they played together and everything. Quite unusual I must say."
Looking up at Leilani thoughtfully, Niabi says, "This isn't the first time I've heard a wolf say something like that. However..." she sighs and frowns, "I'll bet you anything that's the first time it's been true. Some wolves will say /anything/ in order to get you to put your guard down. Remember that." Her frown increases as she considers Konachi, "But he didn't harm me, when he had every reason to do so." A small part of her almost wishes he had; even if that meant her death, at least it would have made sense to her. Instead she's living in confusion.
Leilani nods. "Yeah, stuck in the mud like that it would have been all to easy for him to kill you, but he didn't, he just laid here and stayed with you huh? He is certainly an odd wolf, though I'm not going to complain if there is one less wolf out there thats trying to get us..."
"I'm not either," Niabi says, though there's still a frown on her face. It just doesn't make any sense! "Still, I wouldn't want him too near the herdlands - I suppose he's worth some trust, but perhaps not total trust. It's all so confusing to me." Feeling somewhat better, she lifts he head again, only to shake it, "I think the mother's playing some sort of a joke on me." That'd explain a lot, anyway.
Leilani nods, looking up into Niabi's eyes once more as she lifts her head up again. "It is confusing isn't it, and your probably right that we shouldn't just open up our trust to him completely and give him the tour of the lands."