Post by Mythri on Nov 9, 2010 7:58:17 GMT -5
Cast:
Mythri, adult female cougar
Maul, adult female cougar
Scene:
It's not nearly as sheltered as the small cave had been, but knowing that her location was once again discreet and uncompromised, Mythri has done her best to make do. One of the larger pine trees that fell sometime earlier in the year has provided sufficient cover from the elements, trapping debris and snow and creating an effective windfall. The cougaress, currently resting in the small shelter, does not know how much longer it will be until her cubs are born. She can already tell that the weather is improving from day to day, and based on her current condition, it seems as though it could be any time now. The thought of being a mother is something she's dwelled on a lot to pass the time, and Mythri is confident that even though it will never be the same without Cael, she will do her best to continue as though she has his support and encouragement. It's what he would want--she's confident of that much, at least.
Maul is doing very little more than wandering aimlessly. It's what she spends most of her days doing, anymore. The girl feels rather uncomfortable any time she tries to stop, and even though she is fairly exhausted a lot of the time, that discomfort is enough to keep her from getting much rest. The feelings are not, thankfully, so severe as they were a few weeks ago. In time, perhaps they'll fade away once more, like they every time she has found or rediscovered her totem. For now, though, Maul is focusing very little attention on her environment as she wanders unwittingly towards Mythri.
Mythri never expected to remain undetected forever. When found by someone that gave cause for alarm, she would move again. A simple strategy, and one that will continue even after her cubs are born. Relocating them will be time-consuming and an extremely dangerous task, but such is life. She hears the approaching feline, but can't tell if her own scent has given her location away. Identifying the other is impossible at this point; assuming she remains undetected, Mythri will have to hope that it was not the matron or anyone that the matron may have sent out to find her.
Though Maul's eyes focus on only the things most immediately in front of her, so she doesn't spend her entire walk stumbling over things, she can do no such thing to block scents from drawing her attention, specially as she finds one that, though clearly foreign, is still somehow familiar. It causes the girl to stop walking and blink her eyes, which have grown dry over the course of her walk, before speaking. "Hello?" For one feeling so chased, so driven, she has little reluctance about announcing herself so openly. Even so, after speaking, she becomes a bit more wary, prepared for the possibility that she may need to run.
Mythri slowly gets to her paws, with the extra weight of the imminent cubs a mere variable that she's more than used to by this point. "What do you want?" she inquires brusquely, staring at the other feline. It's someone that's just familiar enough to where she feels as though she should know who this is, yet the other female isn't someone she immediately recognizes. Her tail twitches in slight agitation, and her claws are already extended, though it's doubtful that such a preparatory action could be seen at the distance between them. But it's possible.
Maul's eyes focus quickly on Mythri as the other female stands. There is enough distance between them that Maul does not immediately feel the need to back up, and in response to Mythri's less-than-polite question, Maul's tail flicks with irritation. "I could ask the same of you. What are you doing here?" Maul's place here is signified well enough by the marking on her shoulder. Mythri has no such marking, at least that Maul can see, and for that reason, she can't say she appreciates being greeted so rudely.
It is a moment of staring between the two females, and Mythri is the first to break the silence. "You have reason to ask, I'm sure, but so do I. Answer me, and I will do the same in turn." She was the first to ask, after all. The fact that she cannot place the other's face is irritating her. Even the voice sounds like someone she's spoken to before. Her hope is for the other feline to identify herself, saving Mythri the trouble of having to ask. Perhaps it's one of the Amaranth sisters who she met briefly during her last time here--one of the sisters who lived elsewhere other than the mountain, with infrequent visits here and there. That might explain the almost-recognition.
"I don't want anything." Maul's tail continues to twitch as she answers Mythri's original question, though she's clearly none too pleased about doing so. It is beyond her, even, why she stands here and continues to speak to the rude stranger when it seems a much more welcome idea to just leave. "I thought there was someone nearby. I was right." That's all the more there is to it. In some everyday ways, Maul is really not a complex creature. Of course, she makes up for that in other ways.
It seems a plausible enough reason for her; Mythri nods, then allows herself the luxury of slowly sitting down. So much more comfortable of a position, with the extra weight and all. "I was just resting here for the time being, using this fallen tree as shelter." Even at their distance apart, it shouldn't be too hard to see her pregnant condition. She regards the other feline warily. "I prefer to be alone, hence this choice of location." It's intended as a hint, even if none-to-subtle.
Though Maul would be rather inclined to give into Mythri's wish, normally, she remains yet. "If you want to be alone, I think you've picked a very bad location. Perhaps something /outside/ of a cougar tribe might be a better bet. You do know you're in Amaranth, don't you?" Her father may have taken to letting females take up residence without so much as meeting them while he is focused on Nyssa, but the territory is still marked, so unless this female were deliberately ignoring it and incredibly lucky, there's no chance she could be quite that ignorant about where she is.
Another moment of staring, though this time it's because Mythri can't believe what she just heard. Did this other female seriously not understand what she meant? Her tone turns exasperated. "Thank you for the information, but yes, I knew that already. I prefer to be alone /within/ Amaranth." Finally, Mythri can't stand not knowing any longer. She lets her tone soften a bit, but not much. "Who are you, exactly? You look... familiar." The fact that the other cougaress hasn't said anything to indicate that she recognizes Mythri makes her wonder if she's just imagining things.
Maul continues to find herself irritated by Mythri's manner. Most of that, of course, may be because Maul often prefers to be alone, herself, but not all of it, she's certain. As she stands there, staring at the other female with her body language betraying her own irritation, it takes her a while to decide how she's going to answer. Finally, she says, "My name is Maul. This is my parents' territory."
Recognition finally sinks in, and Mythri knows that it's obvious in her expression and voice. "You were Cael's sister." All of the exasperation is gone, now, though her tone is still slightly cool. She remembers Maul at a much younger age and much smaller size, and realizes that's where the earlier confusion came from. Yes, she definitely remembers this cougaress now, and wishes even more that Cael was still alive and present here. The thought comes to mind that being Nayeli's daughter, Maul might have been sent to try and find her, but from what she's seen and heard thus far, Mythri doubts it.
Maul stares again for a moment before asking, "Who are you?" Of course, given mention of Cael, she suspects she knows, and while Nayeli certainly didn't send her here, Maul isn't pleased with that knowledge anyway. Perhaps she should have suspected sooner. Yes, she probably should have. After all, Mythri is no more kind now than Maul remembers her being.
Mythri looks away, shoulders slumping ever-so-slightly. "Mythri, daughter of Revan.." She falters, but then looks back at Maul with a level gaze. "Mate to Cael." She supposed that wishing he were here is irrelevant anyway, as were her mate still alive, they would have had no reason to leave their home to return to Amaranth in the first place. Regardless, even the brief mention of his name brings the all-too-familiar feeling of loss. "Before he died, he made me promise to return to his homeland and pledge my loyalty to his father. I have done so, and now await the birth of my first cubs."
At least Maul doesn't have to be surprised. She is not pleased, though. One would have to be blind to not see that. Displeased though she is, she does not go out of her way to be impolite. Not exactly, anyway. "Welcome back, Mythri. Daughter of Revan." That welcome is far from being warm and inviting, but what could she expect, honestly? After speaking, Maul turns. Mythri does not rank very high on the list of cougars with whom Maul would willingly converse.
"There's.. one more thing." Mythri has learned to hate the unknown, and this is one such time. "Cael also made me promise to tell you that should you ever need assistance in anything, I am yours to command." What sort of reaction will this bring? Disbelief? Scorn? Amusement? Anger? The cougaress still has her claws extended, and though she's hardly in the best of positions to fight, should the situation warrant, there's an instinctive readying of herself, brought on by numerous long hours of training. Unknown reactions are something she learned to fear from her father, and while Maul is hardly a comparison, some habits persist for a very long time.
Maul pauses in her retreat, though she does not turn to face Mythri again. After a brief moment of silence, the younger female responds, "I don't need anything from you." It's a cruel statement, and only a matter of time before Maul feels some sort of guilt over it. Right now, though, Maul is hurting considerably more than, to her, Mythri seems to be hurting, and the last one she is going to find comfort from is the one flesh and blood tormentor she had as a child. That in mind, Maul begins walking away right after she speaks. If Mythri has a response, Maul doesn't particularly care to hear it.
As the other cougaress begins walking away, Mythri simply nods, more to herself than to the other. She's fulfilled her promises to Cael, and that's all that matters now. It happened sooner than she expected, and certainly under circumstances that she had not foreseen, yet it did happen. Claws retract and muscles relax, and, as Maul disappears into the trees, she lowers herself back down onto her side, shifting to find a comfortable position. The question of whether or not this encounter will require her to relocate will be addressed, but for right now, Mythri decides to do something that goes against everything that she's been taught, yet something that at the present time, seems right. Her eyes close, and she does nothing except think about the past. About Cael, and the time they spent together. Short, and nowhere near the long lifetime she had hoped for, but a time that she'd give anything to live through again.
Mythri, adult female cougar
Maul, adult female cougar
Scene:
It's not nearly as sheltered as the small cave had been, but knowing that her location was once again discreet and uncompromised, Mythri has done her best to make do. One of the larger pine trees that fell sometime earlier in the year has provided sufficient cover from the elements, trapping debris and snow and creating an effective windfall. The cougaress, currently resting in the small shelter, does not know how much longer it will be until her cubs are born. She can already tell that the weather is improving from day to day, and based on her current condition, it seems as though it could be any time now. The thought of being a mother is something she's dwelled on a lot to pass the time, and Mythri is confident that even though it will never be the same without Cael, she will do her best to continue as though she has his support and encouragement. It's what he would want--she's confident of that much, at least.
Maul is doing very little more than wandering aimlessly. It's what she spends most of her days doing, anymore. The girl feels rather uncomfortable any time she tries to stop, and even though she is fairly exhausted a lot of the time, that discomfort is enough to keep her from getting much rest. The feelings are not, thankfully, so severe as they were a few weeks ago. In time, perhaps they'll fade away once more, like they every time she has found or rediscovered her totem. For now, though, Maul is focusing very little attention on her environment as she wanders unwittingly towards Mythri.
Mythri never expected to remain undetected forever. When found by someone that gave cause for alarm, she would move again. A simple strategy, and one that will continue even after her cubs are born. Relocating them will be time-consuming and an extremely dangerous task, but such is life. She hears the approaching feline, but can't tell if her own scent has given her location away. Identifying the other is impossible at this point; assuming she remains undetected, Mythri will have to hope that it was not the matron or anyone that the matron may have sent out to find her.
Though Maul's eyes focus on only the things most immediately in front of her, so she doesn't spend her entire walk stumbling over things, she can do no such thing to block scents from drawing her attention, specially as she finds one that, though clearly foreign, is still somehow familiar. It causes the girl to stop walking and blink her eyes, which have grown dry over the course of her walk, before speaking. "Hello?" For one feeling so chased, so driven, she has little reluctance about announcing herself so openly. Even so, after speaking, she becomes a bit more wary, prepared for the possibility that she may need to run.
Mythri slowly gets to her paws, with the extra weight of the imminent cubs a mere variable that she's more than used to by this point. "What do you want?" she inquires brusquely, staring at the other feline. It's someone that's just familiar enough to where she feels as though she should know who this is, yet the other female isn't someone she immediately recognizes. Her tail twitches in slight agitation, and her claws are already extended, though it's doubtful that such a preparatory action could be seen at the distance between them. But it's possible.
Maul's eyes focus quickly on Mythri as the other female stands. There is enough distance between them that Maul does not immediately feel the need to back up, and in response to Mythri's less-than-polite question, Maul's tail flicks with irritation. "I could ask the same of you. What are you doing here?" Maul's place here is signified well enough by the marking on her shoulder. Mythri has no such marking, at least that Maul can see, and for that reason, she can't say she appreciates being greeted so rudely.
It is a moment of staring between the two females, and Mythri is the first to break the silence. "You have reason to ask, I'm sure, but so do I. Answer me, and I will do the same in turn." She was the first to ask, after all. The fact that she cannot place the other's face is irritating her. Even the voice sounds like someone she's spoken to before. Her hope is for the other feline to identify herself, saving Mythri the trouble of having to ask. Perhaps it's one of the Amaranth sisters who she met briefly during her last time here--one of the sisters who lived elsewhere other than the mountain, with infrequent visits here and there. That might explain the almost-recognition.
"I don't want anything." Maul's tail continues to twitch as she answers Mythri's original question, though she's clearly none too pleased about doing so. It is beyond her, even, why she stands here and continues to speak to the rude stranger when it seems a much more welcome idea to just leave. "I thought there was someone nearby. I was right." That's all the more there is to it. In some everyday ways, Maul is really not a complex creature. Of course, she makes up for that in other ways.
It seems a plausible enough reason for her; Mythri nods, then allows herself the luxury of slowly sitting down. So much more comfortable of a position, with the extra weight and all. "I was just resting here for the time being, using this fallen tree as shelter." Even at their distance apart, it shouldn't be too hard to see her pregnant condition. She regards the other feline warily. "I prefer to be alone, hence this choice of location." It's intended as a hint, even if none-to-subtle.
Though Maul would be rather inclined to give into Mythri's wish, normally, she remains yet. "If you want to be alone, I think you've picked a very bad location. Perhaps something /outside/ of a cougar tribe might be a better bet. You do know you're in Amaranth, don't you?" Her father may have taken to letting females take up residence without so much as meeting them while he is focused on Nyssa, but the territory is still marked, so unless this female were deliberately ignoring it and incredibly lucky, there's no chance she could be quite that ignorant about where she is.
Another moment of staring, though this time it's because Mythri can't believe what she just heard. Did this other female seriously not understand what she meant? Her tone turns exasperated. "Thank you for the information, but yes, I knew that already. I prefer to be alone /within/ Amaranth." Finally, Mythri can't stand not knowing any longer. She lets her tone soften a bit, but not much. "Who are you, exactly? You look... familiar." The fact that the other cougaress hasn't said anything to indicate that she recognizes Mythri makes her wonder if she's just imagining things.
Maul continues to find herself irritated by Mythri's manner. Most of that, of course, may be because Maul often prefers to be alone, herself, but not all of it, she's certain. As she stands there, staring at the other female with her body language betraying her own irritation, it takes her a while to decide how she's going to answer. Finally, she says, "My name is Maul. This is my parents' territory."
Recognition finally sinks in, and Mythri knows that it's obvious in her expression and voice. "You were Cael's sister." All of the exasperation is gone, now, though her tone is still slightly cool. She remembers Maul at a much younger age and much smaller size, and realizes that's where the earlier confusion came from. Yes, she definitely remembers this cougaress now, and wishes even more that Cael was still alive and present here. The thought comes to mind that being Nayeli's daughter, Maul might have been sent to try and find her, but from what she's seen and heard thus far, Mythri doubts it.
Maul stares again for a moment before asking, "Who are you?" Of course, given mention of Cael, she suspects she knows, and while Nayeli certainly didn't send her here, Maul isn't pleased with that knowledge anyway. Perhaps she should have suspected sooner. Yes, she probably should have. After all, Mythri is no more kind now than Maul remembers her being.
Mythri looks away, shoulders slumping ever-so-slightly. "Mythri, daughter of Revan.." She falters, but then looks back at Maul with a level gaze. "Mate to Cael." She supposed that wishing he were here is irrelevant anyway, as were her mate still alive, they would have had no reason to leave their home to return to Amaranth in the first place. Regardless, even the brief mention of his name brings the all-too-familiar feeling of loss. "Before he died, he made me promise to return to his homeland and pledge my loyalty to his father. I have done so, and now await the birth of my first cubs."
At least Maul doesn't have to be surprised. She is not pleased, though. One would have to be blind to not see that. Displeased though she is, she does not go out of her way to be impolite. Not exactly, anyway. "Welcome back, Mythri. Daughter of Revan." That welcome is far from being warm and inviting, but what could she expect, honestly? After speaking, Maul turns. Mythri does not rank very high on the list of cougars with whom Maul would willingly converse.
"There's.. one more thing." Mythri has learned to hate the unknown, and this is one such time. "Cael also made me promise to tell you that should you ever need assistance in anything, I am yours to command." What sort of reaction will this bring? Disbelief? Scorn? Amusement? Anger? The cougaress still has her claws extended, and though she's hardly in the best of positions to fight, should the situation warrant, there's an instinctive readying of herself, brought on by numerous long hours of training. Unknown reactions are something she learned to fear from her father, and while Maul is hardly a comparison, some habits persist for a very long time.
Maul pauses in her retreat, though she does not turn to face Mythri again. After a brief moment of silence, the younger female responds, "I don't need anything from you." It's a cruel statement, and only a matter of time before Maul feels some sort of guilt over it. Right now, though, Maul is hurting considerably more than, to her, Mythri seems to be hurting, and the last one she is going to find comfort from is the one flesh and blood tormentor she had as a child. That in mind, Maul begins walking away right after she speaks. If Mythri has a response, Maul doesn't particularly care to hear it.
As the other cougaress begins walking away, Mythri simply nods, more to herself than to the other. She's fulfilled her promises to Cael, and that's all that matters now. It happened sooner than she expected, and certainly under circumstances that she had not foreseen, yet it did happen. Claws retract and muscles relax, and, as Maul disappears into the trees, she lowers herself back down onto her side, shifting to find a comfortable position. The question of whether or not this encounter will require her to relocate will be addressed, but for right now, Mythri decides to do something that goes against everything that she's been taught, yet something that at the present time, seems right. Her eyes close, and she does nothing except think about the past. About Cael, and the time they spent together. Short, and nowhere near the long lifetime she had hoped for, but a time that she'd give anything to live through again.