Post by Etenia on Jun 23, 2011 12:45:14 GMT -5
Player Characters involved in this role play are:
Cliantha, Iktomi, Itzal, Orion
NPCs: Lots of Dogs, Racoons, and Geese
Chittering is heard at first then followed by honking, that is followed by snarls and barks. Well it was relatively calm but an ominous cloud above has brought in dozens of /pests/. The racoons are nipping at the heales of the dogs and the dogs are teaming together to keep the racoons at pay. Of course, there are geese that are in formation and landing with big squawks near the raucous land animals. The nips at the dogs and racoons to startle them each. An uneasy wind follows along with the animals that are bombarding the edge of herd land.
All the noise awakens Iktomi; the wee fox had been sleeping in a cluster of rocks and trees near the horse herd after spending an uneasy night atop Dandelion's back, and finally being set down on ground again. She pops her head out of the rocks to peer in the direction of.. what.. looks like a.. nasty cloud of chaos coming her way, and with a squeak of noise, and ears back, the little fox ducks back into the rocks, spins around a circle in panic, and then dashes out the other way, streaking through the grass to try and find a higher spot-- somewhere to climb up and out of the way! Luckily she finds the remains of a dead tree, and, with fox agility, she shoots up it awkwardly, hunching in the crook of the lone thick branch and it's connection to the trunk.
Cliantha hears the noise as well from the center of the herd. She trots down but not close enough to the chaos. A loud neigh with her front hooves up in the air ready to kick if needed. "Get out! Get out of here!" She musters up the loudest voice she can to scream it at the animals. "We will not be overrun from our home!" A little fear comes into her eyes as she looks about for any of the stallions. She sees none yet.
Ears lay back, and the little vixen squeaks nervously as Cliantha rears and calls out her decree, before she mumbles softly, "I don't think they hear you, ma'aam," as politely as she can, for Cliantha is a very very big horse compaired to her very very small self. Plus, the cacophany of bedlam is making her scared, too. She tries to scream out, "GO AWAY!" at all the loud, bitey snappy barky animals, but. Hooboy. She curls forepaws about the shakey branch she perches on, and hugs tight.
Cliantha blinks as she hears someone from a tree, a dead tree. "Oh! You're the one that was on Dandelion's back. Welcome." She frowns going all serious again as she approaches the fighting animals. They don't listen, just like Iktomi said. They don't even take note of Cliantha as they go on now with hisses and growls from the dogs. The racoons and geese all still attacking and running after each other. Clia shouts out, "Itzal! Orion!" She umms, "Virgil! Sunrise!" She moves a little closer to the nearest dog, about to flick her hoof at its behind.
Like the very littlest of little Whos, Iktomi just stares at the mess, and tries to attract their attention with a mighty yop: "Hey! Hey, uhm, please stop fighting, and uhm, what's going on!" She cries out, but is too small to really make much a dent. And she sure as heck isn't going down there to try and bite any of them or make herself known. Cliantha is the least at risk for being ripped to shreds if she does that.
What comes galloping in? Itzal! He comes quickly when he hears Cliantha and she is sure happy to have assistance! Clia follows Iktomi's words, "Stop fighting!" She stamps on the ground several times hoping that will shake them to pay attention to her. One geese from the far back closer to Itzal shouts back, "No room! No room at all to fly, to land, to bathe, to eat! No room!" Then the dog's growling in low voices, "Get out of our way! We belong here now!"
Ears near fold back into her head at all of this, and tail curlking tucked against her butt too. Iktomi squeaks softly, and, listening to them, she tilts her head, before she tries to order: "H-Hey! All of you, calm down! There's pleanty of space here for all of us, but if you keep trying to eat each other n' stuff all you're gonna do is like, hurt everybody and, uhm, stuff!" ... Really though, she's not sure WHAT to make of this. ".. Maybe they're all running from the monster?" She asks, of herself.
"The beast! The fire! Took everything and now they take our land!" The dogs growl again this time not waiting. They leap and attack the racoons with the geese all honking in unison very loudly, forming a circle around the two land fighting animals. Cliantha shouts back, "Head to the west and south of here! Head in those lands but not ours! We will not share!" standing her ground. She moves slowly over to Itzal for his strength.
Iktomi may be little, but as a famous song has said, 'never kick a dog because it's just a pup.' She closes her eyes, trying to think among all the nose, then announces, as loudly as she can, "If you all work togethe rinstead of fighting each other we could get your homes back!" eyes opening, as she watches them all.
None of the animals listen because one shouts. "Fire took it all!" the leader of the dogs shouts. Cliantha clarifies to Iktomi, "I think he means the same fire that scattered the herd I once belonged to. We didn't know how much of the animals it affected. We see it now." Her voice is calm and she tells the lead dog. "We will help you find new land where you are not crowded but crowding us here will only cause great strife for everyone. And likely many will be trampled on or attacked heedlessly." She awaits Itzal's response, but all she sees his him leaning his head down to give a nip to one of the geeze who flaps its wing. "Could have been a lot worse." Itzal warns her.
Scrunching her nose a bit, the little fox offers, "But things grow back in spring, don't they? Sure it's gone bow but uhm.. it should grow back, right?" as she winces at the loud dogs. Then she says: "And if you all gang up on the monster, you can fight it, can't you?" as she tries to reason. What the heck is someone her age doing, trying to reason with madness anyway? Who knows. Then, brightly, she adds, "And I'm sure if you all calm down there's a lot of places you cna live north of here!" She points a paw! ... eastward. Well. She'll get directions figured out some day.
Cliantha shakes her head a few times, "Not this kind of fire. It is all out but the damage is large, taking down a great many forest trees. I'm sure they all toppled over and it will take few seasons for life to start growing back there again, but not enough to sustain all that was scattered out." She has been thinking about this for sometime. The animals stop fighting for a moment when one realizes a stallion is watching. They do know the strength of them. The geese move away from Itzal and a few weak ones fly off without waiting for the rest.
"Oh," Murmurs Iktomi, not quite sure what to say to that. She only recently learned Fire was NOT a Two-Legs only thing, after all, and that without Two-Legs, it couldn't be controlled. So this is kind of... new and worrying to hear, no less. She considers, still clinging to the tree, before she slowly starts creeping backwards, intent to come down so she can think. "Well... What if they go north? There's lotta land there isn't there? And the fire is south, so they'd be away from it. But.. If they stay here.." She looks up, and then says, "... If they stay here, they COULD maybe help fight the monster.."
Cliantha nearly chuckles but clears her throat instead. "Monster? You mean the large wild boar? Not sure how that became a monster, but we don't think there is only one of them out there. If they crowd here, fear can worsen the stay." She looks north and then east. "Someone will have to go scout ahead if those lands are not taken." The racoons chitter at the dogs, some being vicious by nipping at the hind legs. "We want our den back! The dogs raided it! Revenge!" words coming from some of the racoons. Itzal moves a little closer to the racoons now who seem to be the vengeful sort.
The large stallion is making his way back towards the herd, ears perking once he hears voices and catches the scents of different animals near by. Orion moves a bit quicker, troting up towards the group once he catches sight of them all. "Cliantha.. What's going on?" He questions, ears flicking forward while he eyes the dogs slightly, a faint snort escaping him.
The resurgance of chaos causes Iktomi to stop backing down from her perch in the tree and instead freeze where she is, shaking her head at the whole bickering lot, before she says, softly, "it's not the Doggy's fault, they didn't cause the fire, they were just looking for homes. And it's not the birdy or Kitty's faults either," she says, "if you all just calm down, we can get things fixed, I betcha. C'os Horses are ... like.. smart, yeah!" She then looks to Cliantha. "Miss Dandelion told me it wussa biiig monster that like hurted a horse."
Cliantha purses her lips and looks behind her, a little shake of her head. She hears her name though, "Orion! Itzal and I are trying to get these animals to stop fighting. They have lost their homes and now they fight. I've told them we'd help them find homes." She looks down at the three dozen or more of dogs, racoons, and geese still there. A few steps as she gets closer to the geese, "The skies are free to roam! Why do you come here?" So she waits for an answer. Several respond with, "No water of our own or to share with just the ducks. Overflowing with others in the water now." Some are calming down but the few that are very aggressive are at a standoff with opposing animals.
Orion maw twitches, ears flick forward and then back slightly, a soft nicker escapes him. "I see.." He offers while looking over the different animals here and lifts his head slightly. "There is a river some distance away.. It has some slow area and that could be a new home for the geese." This offered with a soft tone.
"H-yeah!" Iktomi says, perking at Orion's words, "There's a river. hat's where I was till I come this way to see what the interesting smell I smellt was. There's a few coyote dogs and a fox dog living there, but they're all very nice and I'm sure they wouldn't mind some birdies living there!" She grins, tail wagging slightly where it wants to be tucked against her belly. "And rivers lead to new places to live, too so the doggies and kitties could follow it!"
The dogs are the hardest to convince while the racoons are just filled with rage. "If a den was made for us again, we will go there. Else we will pursue these /things/." The racoon leader says the word 'things' as if it were slime. A few from the back of the dog pack starts to crouch. Cliantha sees this isn't getting anywhere but now she feels stronger with Orion added with her and Itzal, the little voice of Iktomi being a voice of reason that isn't heard. She says this firmly to the dogs, "There will be no fighting here now. You will leave our land and head eastward. Find that river and take it north away." She glances at Itzal and Orion as back up. Then a quick nod to Iktomi. "You'll make sure they find the river?"
isconnected.
Orion suddenly stomps a large hoof while eyeing the racoon's and dogs. "There is plenty of forest for the Racoon's.. As for the dogs there are wolves around, there best bet would be to move eastward so not to compete with the wolves. I don't think the wolves will take kindly to other canine being in the same area.." This said while he takes a few steps froward to stand further in front of Cliantha. "The forest is plentyful for the racoon, and there are plenty of areas for you to make a new den.. OR you can travel eastwards as well to find another place." He then offers a glance over to Cliantha, ears perking forward while nodding slightly.
A squeak! What?! Her? But they're all scary! Iktomi shrinks back against the tree, and mumbles, "But uhm.. Miss Dandelion said I shouldn't go somewhere because of the monster.. W.. Won't the Monster come with all this noise, too?" She gulps, "I mean, it woked /me/ up.. What.. uhm, what if it wakes the Monster up?" She asks, warily, eying the dogs and raccoosn, "And what if the kitties and doggies decide they uhm.. want to.. eat.. me..?"
Cliantha smiles slightly at Orion, "Thank you." she whispers to him. The racoon and dogs turn and see that the stallion from both sides are rather frightening! Itzal takes that as his cue and stomps on the opposite side. Each stomp he gets closer to the animals below. "You are warned! Now leave!" The geese frighten first and begin to flee with loud noisy honking. The racoons feel a bit more vulnerable now, standing still for a moment. Cliantha replies to Iktomi. "I don't think this will call the wild boar to us. I think it has it's own design. We just need to make sure our land isn't overrun right now. It won't help us move about if we are all crowded and the beast or beasts do come." She says cunningly, "It may like having us crowded together, more to eat, you know. More food for the crows afterwards." She squints pointedly at the dogs and racoons.
Orion offers a slight smile back to Cliantha and nods back to her before following forward as Itzal moves closer to the others. "You have free passage to leave the lands now.. If we find you still here we will take it further." This said with a faint tone, his tail lashing about as his head lowers and he snorts out towards the racoons.
"Crow? What's a crow? Is that anything like a cow?" Iktomi asks, as, momentarily, her natural curiosity exceeds her natural fear, and she half uncurls from her fearful position on the tree branch. But then she gulps at Orion's words, not thinking a'tall that any of the dogs or kitties or birdies will like that, before she slowly starts to creep down the tree again, claws crackling on the dead bark as she slides down-- only to lose her grasp a foot from the bottom and 'oof!' as she hits the ground in a tumble. "Immokay!" She yips, as she scrambles back to her feet from her back. And then gulps, looking at the .. mess of angry animals, before she lightly toe-steps out like a cautious kitten, tail fluffing erect over her back, before she points a paw. "The river is that way!" She points toward what she's sure is the familiar smell of water!
Cliantha shakes her head to Iktomi, "Crows eat dead and decaying meat. The large boar will slaughter all of them very quickly leaving their dead bodies for the crows to enjoy." She squints her eyes at the lead dog and racoon. The lead racoon rallies his followers away towards the rivers. "Get to the river first! Make den near there!" Then the dogs scramble to follow away from Orion and Itzal but more northeast. They aren't hesitating after that last warning. Itzal snorts and neighs loudly with his chest puffed out and ready to scare them off more if they think to trail back around another way.
Orion smirks as he eyes the fleeing dogs and gives a half hearted chase which involves a good kick of his hooves in the air and a deep neighing to prove that he will follow through with that he said if he needs to. After making sure the racoon and the dogs are going he turns and trots back over to Cliantha and Itzal.
... And as soon as Raccoons, dogs, and geeze are gone, the little fox, twitching slightly, lets out a gasp of releif, then falls over, shaking. "Oh man, that was the scariest thing I ever saw in all my life!" Squeaks Ikotmi as she lays there on her side, before she absently notices a stray fluff of fur on one forepaw and begins picking at it with her snout. "I mean, I was sure they were like going to be all, 'rawr, no, we want to stay here!' and try to eat us allllll!"
Cliantha sighs softly and shakes her head, "They wouldn't have done that to us. I assure you that. Several kicks would have them likely down and likely dead." She grins at the young fox, "You were brave for what you did. You were frightened and yet you stood beside me to support me. Thank you. I'm Cliantha." She nickers in Itzal's direction and tells his name, "Itzal!" She waits for Orion to introduce himself formally. "There will be other scary things coming though. We were warned of this already. The large wild boar is an added danger."
Orion peers at the little fox curious like and looks amused. "I'm Orion.. An no, they wouldn't have gotten to far with eating us I promise you that." This said with a chuckle and slight shake of his head.
Ears twitching, the fox kit looks up, and smiles, tail thumping the ground like an eager puppy. "Oh, hi, I'm Iktomi. I been staying here c'os I wandered this way, and Miss Dandelion said it was too dangerous for me to go back to the fishy water because my Momma doesn't know where I am because Two-Legs are keeping her from coming to find me. So I promised I would stay here until she could take me there or a friend could take me, c'os she couldn't leave Strawberry here!" She moves to sit up, and then says, "You horses are HUGE! But very nice."
Cliantha smiles and chuckles softly, "Thank you! We try to be nice and fair to all." She glances at Orion, knowing his mother wouldn't be the case so much. "You're welcome here at any time. I don't think you'd ever cause trouble here. Plus, it seems that Dandelion is your surrogate mother until you can go back home." Itzal smiles but mention that he plans to patrol for a little while to make sure that the animals aren't coming back. "I'll stay close though. Not going too far."
Orion watches Cliantha and offers a soft smile nodding to her to show that he argee with what was said. A soft nicker escaping him. "Yes, your weclome to stick around little one. It won't be to hard to keep an eye on you at all."
"Nah, I'm too little to like do nuthin'." Grins Iktomi, with a light wag of tail. "Besides! There's flowers here! Flowers are yummy if I can't find fish. And sometimes I find worms and buggies!" She grins, tail wagging again like an overhappy dog. She then says, "Besides, the idea of a monster is scary. I mean, I've never seen a monster before but they don't sound nice at all, so they MUSt be scary because bad is scary and scary is always bad and-- Oo, look, a feather!" The vixlette, distracted by a feather left behind by the gaggle of gangster geese, pounces for it, trying to catch it with her mouth.
Cliantha laughs softly at Iktomi as she shakes her mane. She tells Orion, "Oh, I wanted to tell you, I found honeysuckles yesterday. I showed them to Itzal and put some in each other's manes. Plus put some in Strawbery's. He was strutting about so happily, modeling even." She just watches Iktomi though. "I think we should adopt her just as a mascot."
Orion ohs and chuckles softly while nodding. "Well that's good. Haven't found any of that in a while." His tail sways while a glance is offered back to the kit. "A fox for a herd mascot?" He grins. "Well that would be amusing as heck."
"Hah! I gotcha!" announces Iktomi as she pins the distracting feather between her paws, and starts chewing at the tip, tail wagging in the air over her back like a flag, oblivious to discussion of being a mascot, or even as to what a mascot is! She pops her head up though, feather in her snout, and beams, proud of herself, turning to march back over toward the horses with that ever familiar look of a kid who's drowning in 'hey ma look what i did!'. "Easy peasy!"
Cliantha dips her head near Orion's, "I'll show you where I found some soon." She giggles, "Indeed the mascot!" Yet, she praises the young fox, "You did wonderful at catching that feather! Why don't you give it to Dandelion and Strawberry?" She goes on to tell Orion, "The honeysuckle flowers were delicious and Itzal said they looked lovely in my mane."
Orion smiles and chuckles while watches the fox before glancing back to Cliantha. "Oh I'm rather sure they did look lovely in your mane." He offers while winking at her playful like. "An I don't mind the fox sticking around."
"Well of course I did, I'm gonna be the best catcher of things around evers," says Iktomi proudly, as she sets the feather down, and pins it beneath a paw. Then she flecks her tail and looks toward the horses proudly. Then she hmmms, and says, "Yeah, I think I'll do that.. but first I'm gonna go find me some buggies to eat." She waves her tail then trots off toward the rocks.
Cliantha laughs softly at Iktomi. Then she smiles at him, "Thank you. But you haven't seen them in my mane yet. Nice bright yellow flowers against my black mane. I like the contrast myself. Oh, I did mention they taste delicious." She sighs now. "I can't believe we had that much trouble with the dogs and racoons. What will come at us next. What if it is more than just a few dozen?"
Orion chuckles a moment and lifts her head. "Yes well.. That is true." He offers with an amused tone before a soft hum escapes him. "I think we will be able to deal with what else might come.. We will just have to work with one another like we did this time." This said while he leans out to nose at Cliantha's shoulder softly.
Cliantha swings her nose to gently nudge his ear. "And what if we are overrun by them? I'll have to tell the other mares though. If we stand as one, then we can push them back. We will have to tell others outside of the herd to scout out spots for new homes if we have groups coming into here."
You page, "He went on patrol to make sure the dogs didn't swing around from the other side of the herd territory." to Itzal.
Orion is quiet for a moment and soon takes in a soft breath. "I still feel that if we all work together then we will be able to push them back. If a whole herd sttand there ground it is possible I'm sure." A soft smile is seen. "We have to think positive.."
Cliantha nickers and nods, "Yes, you're right but I don't think the other mares will be able to quell their fears long enough to stand together as a group. We need to rally them to do so. We need to coach them to stay strong. I know Dandelion talks about the need for fear but I think she is so scare for herself and others that she has kept the little fox from going home. She means well but the little fox may be here for sometime, several months until the beasts are slain."
Orion is quiet for a moments, a soft sigh soon escaping him. "True.." This said with a soft murmur and he glances over the area. "That is true.. Perhaps if you talk to them and I will also talk too them as well." He looks back to Cliantha and offers a soft smile. "Think good thoughts, nothing negative alright? It will work out." He gives her shoulder another nosing and then turns to move towards the area after the dogs and racoons. "I'm going to make sure that group left the area. I'll be back soon."
Everything seemed to be clear; seems the dogs thougtht against a different approach and took to the hills. A great releaf that is, allowing Itzal to stop his gandering and return to the herd. A light trot carries him across the plains, eagered to see if everyone was alright or if by chance one of those dogs had managed to slip by his guard.
Cliantha watches Orion leave then sees Itzal return. "I'm drained, Itzal. I can't believe my luck today. I'm glad you were here. And that Orion came in too. That both of you helped to scare them away. Now we will need a new plan to handle situations like this. Something better than 'shoo'."
Itzal's arrival seems to be a quiet one as to picks up on Orions departure leaving Cliantha alone. It was good to see her alone, but he'd prefer she wasn't. Stepping in to join her he hmms. Shoo seemed work just fine he thought, then again its not like it was a horde of raving loonies. A nod given to Cliantha, Itzal smiles. "Good thing I didn't wondering off last night then huh." He chuckles some flicking his tail. "I'm sure we'll do just fine the next time they decide to show their faces here. I say we work more our strengths before trying to rid one another of ours fears. Knowing we have a firm standing point should help us considerably."
Cliantha nods to him slowly, "I just don't know if Dandelion will see her strengths at all. I want some way to help her understand that we will not be defeated. Encouraging words don't seem to help. I know it is her protective nature that comes out in her moods. I'm just not sure she will keep it together if we face that beast or a horde of refugees."
Itzal nods to this. "Then perhaps it is not words that need to be used on her. Maybe she needs to see it for herself the strength that we all have within us." He's seen it before where some dont believe untill they see it for themself and maybe, just maybe, Dandelion is one of those kind.
Cliantha leans her nose near his. "You may be right about her. We have to show her that we are strong. Seeing it for herself may be the only way because to tell her of the accomplisment tonight may not do the trick. When we see another horde come in, hopefully she will be with us to see us stop this horde."
Itzal smiles, "I hope so too. The less trouble we have in our own ranks, but more we can focus on whats out there." Easier said than done though right.
Cliantha asks him now uneasily. "You think I'm trouble, Itzal? I don't mean to be. I'm trying to help the herd but I feel at times I'm just too much trouble." She frowns, "I've thought at times to go away."
Itzal head shakes, "Not at all, Clia." He says brushes his nose against her. "Your trying to help, I see that. Everyone else will too if they dont already." Backing up to look at you he smiles. "Its not good to think that way. If you dont help then who will."
Cliantha tilts her head, "This is what the leads should be doing though. They should be out here dealing with the hordes and gathering us to show our strength to stand against the beast. Luna just says to stay together and wait. How is that motivating?" She is soothed however and her body relaxes.
Itzal sighs. "If that isn't what the leads are doing then perhaps the Dorado needs a new leader. Someone who is willing not just to keep everyone together, but to stand up and actually lead. Someone who isn't afraid to see what outs there and face it head on." He says with a snort.
Cliantha shakes her mane then nickers, "Yes, but I need to be smart about this, Itzal. I need to be smart and have plans set in place because else we can't show our strength. Of course, to stay calm. I'm getting better at handling this but I'm hoping I don't lose myself totally to this cause and forget to have fun otherwise."
Itzal head shakes. "You need to think more highly of yourself, Cliantha. Sure its good to make smart decisions in times like this but you shouldn't over think things. You'll get one of these if your not careful." He gestures to a scar of his. "Just be yourself, you'll see. Things will fall into place."
Cliantha nods at him, "You think just being myself will make me a good leader? Hard to have high confidence considering my cousin and her coyote friends." She rolls her eyes. "I hated that she was so jealous but I worry about that here now. Not sure why. I just do. I worry that I won't be smart enough to do good. I can't see I did good in Amber herd."
Itzal sighs and closes his eyes. "I do." Reopening them he says, "But you need to let go of the past. What you did or even what others did back then doesn't matter now. What matters is the safty of those here and now, those who depend on us for protection, and happiness." Looking out into the plains to the herd he nods. "Who cares about smarts when you cant even beleave in your own abilities. believe in yourself, thats all the goodness you need."
Cliantha gives a few little nods, "Just when Dandelion yelled at me." She turns her head again. "It hurt a lot and reminded me... Just was crippling. I didn't even know it was Luna who I was speaking to and she thought I should have known. I felt underminded for my efforts." feeling rather off balance.
Itzal looks back to you. "Letting one mare get to you like that..." Moving in closer he cant help but brush himself against her in comfort. "Your better than that. I know it."
Cliantha leans her head against his, "Thank you, that means a lot to me. It does. Having you and Orion has been a great support to me. A boost to my emotions. It will make me work harder for the herd." She asks, "Mind going with me to the river for a drink?"
Itzal is glad that just being here makes her appreciative; have confidence. He just needed her to show it now. A smile on his face he nods to her invite. "I never mind." He could use a drink and the company provided would just make it all the better.
Cliantha, Iktomi, Itzal, Orion
NPCs: Lots of Dogs, Racoons, and Geese
Chittering is heard at first then followed by honking, that is followed by snarls and barks. Well it was relatively calm but an ominous cloud above has brought in dozens of /pests/. The racoons are nipping at the heales of the dogs and the dogs are teaming together to keep the racoons at pay. Of course, there are geese that are in formation and landing with big squawks near the raucous land animals. The nips at the dogs and racoons to startle them each. An uneasy wind follows along with the animals that are bombarding the edge of herd land.
All the noise awakens Iktomi; the wee fox had been sleeping in a cluster of rocks and trees near the horse herd after spending an uneasy night atop Dandelion's back, and finally being set down on ground again. She pops her head out of the rocks to peer in the direction of.. what.. looks like a.. nasty cloud of chaos coming her way, and with a squeak of noise, and ears back, the little fox ducks back into the rocks, spins around a circle in panic, and then dashes out the other way, streaking through the grass to try and find a higher spot-- somewhere to climb up and out of the way! Luckily she finds the remains of a dead tree, and, with fox agility, she shoots up it awkwardly, hunching in the crook of the lone thick branch and it's connection to the trunk.
Cliantha hears the noise as well from the center of the herd. She trots down but not close enough to the chaos. A loud neigh with her front hooves up in the air ready to kick if needed. "Get out! Get out of here!" She musters up the loudest voice she can to scream it at the animals. "We will not be overrun from our home!" A little fear comes into her eyes as she looks about for any of the stallions. She sees none yet.
Ears lay back, and the little vixen squeaks nervously as Cliantha rears and calls out her decree, before she mumbles softly, "I don't think they hear you, ma'aam," as politely as she can, for Cliantha is a very very big horse compaired to her very very small self. Plus, the cacophany of bedlam is making her scared, too. She tries to scream out, "GO AWAY!" at all the loud, bitey snappy barky animals, but. Hooboy. She curls forepaws about the shakey branch she perches on, and hugs tight.
Cliantha blinks as she hears someone from a tree, a dead tree. "Oh! You're the one that was on Dandelion's back. Welcome." She frowns going all serious again as she approaches the fighting animals. They don't listen, just like Iktomi said. They don't even take note of Cliantha as they go on now with hisses and growls from the dogs. The racoons and geese all still attacking and running after each other. Clia shouts out, "Itzal! Orion!" She umms, "Virgil! Sunrise!" She moves a little closer to the nearest dog, about to flick her hoof at its behind.
Like the very littlest of little Whos, Iktomi just stares at the mess, and tries to attract their attention with a mighty yop: "Hey! Hey, uhm, please stop fighting, and uhm, what's going on!" She cries out, but is too small to really make much a dent. And she sure as heck isn't going down there to try and bite any of them or make herself known. Cliantha is the least at risk for being ripped to shreds if she does that.
What comes galloping in? Itzal! He comes quickly when he hears Cliantha and she is sure happy to have assistance! Clia follows Iktomi's words, "Stop fighting!" She stamps on the ground several times hoping that will shake them to pay attention to her. One geese from the far back closer to Itzal shouts back, "No room! No room at all to fly, to land, to bathe, to eat! No room!" Then the dog's growling in low voices, "Get out of our way! We belong here now!"
Ears near fold back into her head at all of this, and tail curlking tucked against her butt too. Iktomi squeaks softly, and, listening to them, she tilts her head, before she tries to order: "H-Hey! All of you, calm down! There's pleanty of space here for all of us, but if you keep trying to eat each other n' stuff all you're gonna do is like, hurt everybody and, uhm, stuff!" ... Really though, she's not sure WHAT to make of this. ".. Maybe they're all running from the monster?" She asks, of herself.
"The beast! The fire! Took everything and now they take our land!" The dogs growl again this time not waiting. They leap and attack the racoons with the geese all honking in unison very loudly, forming a circle around the two land fighting animals. Cliantha shouts back, "Head to the west and south of here! Head in those lands but not ours! We will not share!" standing her ground. She moves slowly over to Itzal for his strength.
Iktomi may be little, but as a famous song has said, 'never kick a dog because it's just a pup.' She closes her eyes, trying to think among all the nose, then announces, as loudly as she can, "If you all work togethe rinstead of fighting each other we could get your homes back!" eyes opening, as she watches them all.
None of the animals listen because one shouts. "Fire took it all!" the leader of the dogs shouts. Cliantha clarifies to Iktomi, "I think he means the same fire that scattered the herd I once belonged to. We didn't know how much of the animals it affected. We see it now." Her voice is calm and she tells the lead dog. "We will help you find new land where you are not crowded but crowding us here will only cause great strife for everyone. And likely many will be trampled on or attacked heedlessly." She awaits Itzal's response, but all she sees his him leaning his head down to give a nip to one of the geeze who flaps its wing. "Could have been a lot worse." Itzal warns her.
Scrunching her nose a bit, the little fox offers, "But things grow back in spring, don't they? Sure it's gone bow but uhm.. it should grow back, right?" as she winces at the loud dogs. Then she says: "And if you all gang up on the monster, you can fight it, can't you?" as she tries to reason. What the heck is someone her age doing, trying to reason with madness anyway? Who knows. Then, brightly, she adds, "And I'm sure if you all calm down there's a lot of places you cna live north of here!" She points a paw! ... eastward. Well. She'll get directions figured out some day.
Cliantha shakes her head a few times, "Not this kind of fire. It is all out but the damage is large, taking down a great many forest trees. I'm sure they all toppled over and it will take few seasons for life to start growing back there again, but not enough to sustain all that was scattered out." She has been thinking about this for sometime. The animals stop fighting for a moment when one realizes a stallion is watching. They do know the strength of them. The geese move away from Itzal and a few weak ones fly off without waiting for the rest.
"Oh," Murmurs Iktomi, not quite sure what to say to that. She only recently learned Fire was NOT a Two-Legs only thing, after all, and that without Two-Legs, it couldn't be controlled. So this is kind of... new and worrying to hear, no less. She considers, still clinging to the tree, before she slowly starts creeping backwards, intent to come down so she can think. "Well... What if they go north? There's lotta land there isn't there? And the fire is south, so they'd be away from it. But.. If they stay here.." She looks up, and then says, "... If they stay here, they COULD maybe help fight the monster.."
Cliantha nearly chuckles but clears her throat instead. "Monster? You mean the large wild boar? Not sure how that became a monster, but we don't think there is only one of them out there. If they crowd here, fear can worsen the stay." She looks north and then east. "Someone will have to go scout ahead if those lands are not taken." The racoons chitter at the dogs, some being vicious by nipping at the hind legs. "We want our den back! The dogs raided it! Revenge!" words coming from some of the racoons. Itzal moves a little closer to the racoons now who seem to be the vengeful sort.
The large stallion is making his way back towards the herd, ears perking once he hears voices and catches the scents of different animals near by. Orion moves a bit quicker, troting up towards the group once he catches sight of them all. "Cliantha.. What's going on?" He questions, ears flicking forward while he eyes the dogs slightly, a faint snort escaping him.
The resurgance of chaos causes Iktomi to stop backing down from her perch in the tree and instead freeze where she is, shaking her head at the whole bickering lot, before she says, softly, "it's not the Doggy's fault, they didn't cause the fire, they were just looking for homes. And it's not the birdy or Kitty's faults either," she says, "if you all just calm down, we can get things fixed, I betcha. C'os Horses are ... like.. smart, yeah!" She then looks to Cliantha. "Miss Dandelion told me it wussa biiig monster that like hurted a horse."
Cliantha purses her lips and looks behind her, a little shake of her head. She hears her name though, "Orion! Itzal and I are trying to get these animals to stop fighting. They have lost their homes and now they fight. I've told them we'd help them find homes." She looks down at the three dozen or more of dogs, racoons, and geese still there. A few steps as she gets closer to the geese, "The skies are free to roam! Why do you come here?" So she waits for an answer. Several respond with, "No water of our own or to share with just the ducks. Overflowing with others in the water now." Some are calming down but the few that are very aggressive are at a standoff with opposing animals.
Orion maw twitches, ears flick forward and then back slightly, a soft nicker escapes him. "I see.." He offers while looking over the different animals here and lifts his head slightly. "There is a river some distance away.. It has some slow area and that could be a new home for the geese." This offered with a soft tone.
"H-yeah!" Iktomi says, perking at Orion's words, "There's a river. hat's where I was till I come this way to see what the interesting smell I smellt was. There's a few coyote dogs and a fox dog living there, but they're all very nice and I'm sure they wouldn't mind some birdies living there!" She grins, tail wagging slightly where it wants to be tucked against her belly. "And rivers lead to new places to live, too so the doggies and kitties could follow it!"
The dogs are the hardest to convince while the racoons are just filled with rage. "If a den was made for us again, we will go there. Else we will pursue these /things/." The racoon leader says the word 'things' as if it were slime. A few from the back of the dog pack starts to crouch. Cliantha sees this isn't getting anywhere but now she feels stronger with Orion added with her and Itzal, the little voice of Iktomi being a voice of reason that isn't heard. She says this firmly to the dogs, "There will be no fighting here now. You will leave our land and head eastward. Find that river and take it north away." She glances at Itzal and Orion as back up. Then a quick nod to Iktomi. "You'll make sure they find the river?"
isconnected.
Orion suddenly stomps a large hoof while eyeing the racoon's and dogs. "There is plenty of forest for the Racoon's.. As for the dogs there are wolves around, there best bet would be to move eastward so not to compete with the wolves. I don't think the wolves will take kindly to other canine being in the same area.." This said while he takes a few steps froward to stand further in front of Cliantha. "The forest is plentyful for the racoon, and there are plenty of areas for you to make a new den.. OR you can travel eastwards as well to find another place." He then offers a glance over to Cliantha, ears perking forward while nodding slightly.
A squeak! What?! Her? But they're all scary! Iktomi shrinks back against the tree, and mumbles, "But uhm.. Miss Dandelion said I shouldn't go somewhere because of the monster.. W.. Won't the Monster come with all this noise, too?" She gulps, "I mean, it woked /me/ up.. What.. uhm, what if it wakes the Monster up?" She asks, warily, eying the dogs and raccoosn, "And what if the kitties and doggies decide they uhm.. want to.. eat.. me..?"
Cliantha smiles slightly at Orion, "Thank you." she whispers to him. The racoon and dogs turn and see that the stallion from both sides are rather frightening! Itzal takes that as his cue and stomps on the opposite side. Each stomp he gets closer to the animals below. "You are warned! Now leave!" The geese frighten first and begin to flee with loud noisy honking. The racoons feel a bit more vulnerable now, standing still for a moment. Cliantha replies to Iktomi. "I don't think this will call the wild boar to us. I think it has it's own design. We just need to make sure our land isn't overrun right now. It won't help us move about if we are all crowded and the beast or beasts do come." She says cunningly, "It may like having us crowded together, more to eat, you know. More food for the crows afterwards." She squints pointedly at the dogs and racoons.
Orion offers a slight smile back to Cliantha and nods back to her before following forward as Itzal moves closer to the others. "You have free passage to leave the lands now.. If we find you still here we will take it further." This said with a faint tone, his tail lashing about as his head lowers and he snorts out towards the racoons.
"Crow? What's a crow? Is that anything like a cow?" Iktomi asks, as, momentarily, her natural curiosity exceeds her natural fear, and she half uncurls from her fearful position on the tree branch. But then she gulps at Orion's words, not thinking a'tall that any of the dogs or kitties or birdies will like that, before she slowly starts to creep down the tree again, claws crackling on the dead bark as she slides down-- only to lose her grasp a foot from the bottom and 'oof!' as she hits the ground in a tumble. "Immokay!" She yips, as she scrambles back to her feet from her back. And then gulps, looking at the .. mess of angry animals, before she lightly toe-steps out like a cautious kitten, tail fluffing erect over her back, before she points a paw. "The river is that way!" She points toward what she's sure is the familiar smell of water!
Cliantha shakes her head to Iktomi, "Crows eat dead and decaying meat. The large boar will slaughter all of them very quickly leaving their dead bodies for the crows to enjoy." She squints her eyes at the lead dog and racoon. The lead racoon rallies his followers away towards the rivers. "Get to the river first! Make den near there!" Then the dogs scramble to follow away from Orion and Itzal but more northeast. They aren't hesitating after that last warning. Itzal snorts and neighs loudly with his chest puffed out and ready to scare them off more if they think to trail back around another way.
Orion smirks as he eyes the fleeing dogs and gives a half hearted chase which involves a good kick of his hooves in the air and a deep neighing to prove that he will follow through with that he said if he needs to. After making sure the racoon and the dogs are going he turns and trots back over to Cliantha and Itzal.
... And as soon as Raccoons, dogs, and geeze are gone, the little fox, twitching slightly, lets out a gasp of releif, then falls over, shaking. "Oh man, that was the scariest thing I ever saw in all my life!" Squeaks Ikotmi as she lays there on her side, before she absently notices a stray fluff of fur on one forepaw and begins picking at it with her snout. "I mean, I was sure they were like going to be all, 'rawr, no, we want to stay here!' and try to eat us allllll!"
Cliantha sighs softly and shakes her head, "They wouldn't have done that to us. I assure you that. Several kicks would have them likely down and likely dead." She grins at the young fox, "You were brave for what you did. You were frightened and yet you stood beside me to support me. Thank you. I'm Cliantha." She nickers in Itzal's direction and tells his name, "Itzal!" She waits for Orion to introduce himself formally. "There will be other scary things coming though. We were warned of this already. The large wild boar is an added danger."
Orion peers at the little fox curious like and looks amused. "I'm Orion.. An no, they wouldn't have gotten to far with eating us I promise you that." This said with a chuckle and slight shake of his head.
Ears twitching, the fox kit looks up, and smiles, tail thumping the ground like an eager puppy. "Oh, hi, I'm Iktomi. I been staying here c'os I wandered this way, and Miss Dandelion said it was too dangerous for me to go back to the fishy water because my Momma doesn't know where I am because Two-Legs are keeping her from coming to find me. So I promised I would stay here until she could take me there or a friend could take me, c'os she couldn't leave Strawberry here!" She moves to sit up, and then says, "You horses are HUGE! But very nice."
Cliantha smiles and chuckles softly, "Thank you! We try to be nice and fair to all." She glances at Orion, knowing his mother wouldn't be the case so much. "You're welcome here at any time. I don't think you'd ever cause trouble here. Plus, it seems that Dandelion is your surrogate mother until you can go back home." Itzal smiles but mention that he plans to patrol for a little while to make sure that the animals aren't coming back. "I'll stay close though. Not going too far."
Orion watches Cliantha and offers a soft smile nodding to her to show that he argee with what was said. A soft nicker escaping him. "Yes, your weclome to stick around little one. It won't be to hard to keep an eye on you at all."
"Nah, I'm too little to like do nuthin'." Grins Iktomi, with a light wag of tail. "Besides! There's flowers here! Flowers are yummy if I can't find fish. And sometimes I find worms and buggies!" She grins, tail wagging again like an overhappy dog. She then says, "Besides, the idea of a monster is scary. I mean, I've never seen a monster before but they don't sound nice at all, so they MUSt be scary because bad is scary and scary is always bad and-- Oo, look, a feather!" The vixlette, distracted by a feather left behind by the gaggle of gangster geese, pounces for it, trying to catch it with her mouth.
Cliantha laughs softly at Iktomi as she shakes her mane. She tells Orion, "Oh, I wanted to tell you, I found honeysuckles yesterday. I showed them to Itzal and put some in each other's manes. Plus put some in Strawbery's. He was strutting about so happily, modeling even." She just watches Iktomi though. "I think we should adopt her just as a mascot."
Orion ohs and chuckles softly while nodding. "Well that's good. Haven't found any of that in a while." His tail sways while a glance is offered back to the kit. "A fox for a herd mascot?" He grins. "Well that would be amusing as heck."
"Hah! I gotcha!" announces Iktomi as she pins the distracting feather between her paws, and starts chewing at the tip, tail wagging in the air over her back like a flag, oblivious to discussion of being a mascot, or even as to what a mascot is! She pops her head up though, feather in her snout, and beams, proud of herself, turning to march back over toward the horses with that ever familiar look of a kid who's drowning in 'hey ma look what i did!'. "Easy peasy!"
Cliantha dips her head near Orion's, "I'll show you where I found some soon." She giggles, "Indeed the mascot!" Yet, she praises the young fox, "You did wonderful at catching that feather! Why don't you give it to Dandelion and Strawberry?" She goes on to tell Orion, "The honeysuckle flowers were delicious and Itzal said they looked lovely in my mane."
Orion smiles and chuckles while watches the fox before glancing back to Cliantha. "Oh I'm rather sure they did look lovely in your mane." He offers while winking at her playful like. "An I don't mind the fox sticking around."
"Well of course I did, I'm gonna be the best catcher of things around evers," says Iktomi proudly, as she sets the feather down, and pins it beneath a paw. Then she flecks her tail and looks toward the horses proudly. Then she hmmms, and says, "Yeah, I think I'll do that.. but first I'm gonna go find me some buggies to eat." She waves her tail then trots off toward the rocks.
Cliantha laughs softly at Iktomi. Then she smiles at him, "Thank you. But you haven't seen them in my mane yet. Nice bright yellow flowers against my black mane. I like the contrast myself. Oh, I did mention they taste delicious." She sighs now. "I can't believe we had that much trouble with the dogs and racoons. What will come at us next. What if it is more than just a few dozen?"
Orion chuckles a moment and lifts her head. "Yes well.. That is true." He offers with an amused tone before a soft hum escapes him. "I think we will be able to deal with what else might come.. We will just have to work with one another like we did this time." This said while he leans out to nose at Cliantha's shoulder softly.
Cliantha swings her nose to gently nudge his ear. "And what if we are overrun by them? I'll have to tell the other mares though. If we stand as one, then we can push them back. We will have to tell others outside of the herd to scout out spots for new homes if we have groups coming into here."
You page, "He went on patrol to make sure the dogs didn't swing around from the other side of the herd territory." to Itzal.
Orion is quiet for a moment and soon takes in a soft breath. "I still feel that if we all work together then we will be able to push them back. If a whole herd sttand there ground it is possible I'm sure." A soft smile is seen. "We have to think positive.."
Cliantha nickers and nods, "Yes, you're right but I don't think the other mares will be able to quell their fears long enough to stand together as a group. We need to rally them to do so. We need to coach them to stay strong. I know Dandelion talks about the need for fear but I think she is so scare for herself and others that she has kept the little fox from going home. She means well but the little fox may be here for sometime, several months until the beasts are slain."
Orion is quiet for a moments, a soft sigh soon escaping him. "True.." This said with a soft murmur and he glances over the area. "That is true.. Perhaps if you talk to them and I will also talk too them as well." He looks back to Cliantha and offers a soft smile. "Think good thoughts, nothing negative alright? It will work out." He gives her shoulder another nosing and then turns to move towards the area after the dogs and racoons. "I'm going to make sure that group left the area. I'll be back soon."
Everything seemed to be clear; seems the dogs thougtht against a different approach and took to the hills. A great releaf that is, allowing Itzal to stop his gandering and return to the herd. A light trot carries him across the plains, eagered to see if everyone was alright or if by chance one of those dogs had managed to slip by his guard.
Cliantha watches Orion leave then sees Itzal return. "I'm drained, Itzal. I can't believe my luck today. I'm glad you were here. And that Orion came in too. That both of you helped to scare them away. Now we will need a new plan to handle situations like this. Something better than 'shoo'."
Itzal's arrival seems to be a quiet one as to picks up on Orions departure leaving Cliantha alone. It was good to see her alone, but he'd prefer she wasn't. Stepping in to join her he hmms. Shoo seemed work just fine he thought, then again its not like it was a horde of raving loonies. A nod given to Cliantha, Itzal smiles. "Good thing I didn't wondering off last night then huh." He chuckles some flicking his tail. "I'm sure we'll do just fine the next time they decide to show their faces here. I say we work more our strengths before trying to rid one another of ours fears. Knowing we have a firm standing point should help us considerably."
Cliantha nods to him slowly, "I just don't know if Dandelion will see her strengths at all. I want some way to help her understand that we will not be defeated. Encouraging words don't seem to help. I know it is her protective nature that comes out in her moods. I'm just not sure she will keep it together if we face that beast or a horde of refugees."
Itzal nods to this. "Then perhaps it is not words that need to be used on her. Maybe she needs to see it for herself the strength that we all have within us." He's seen it before where some dont believe untill they see it for themself and maybe, just maybe, Dandelion is one of those kind.
Cliantha leans her nose near his. "You may be right about her. We have to show her that we are strong. Seeing it for herself may be the only way because to tell her of the accomplisment tonight may not do the trick. When we see another horde come in, hopefully she will be with us to see us stop this horde."
Itzal smiles, "I hope so too. The less trouble we have in our own ranks, but more we can focus on whats out there." Easier said than done though right.
Cliantha asks him now uneasily. "You think I'm trouble, Itzal? I don't mean to be. I'm trying to help the herd but I feel at times I'm just too much trouble." She frowns, "I've thought at times to go away."
Itzal head shakes, "Not at all, Clia." He says brushes his nose against her. "Your trying to help, I see that. Everyone else will too if they dont already." Backing up to look at you he smiles. "Its not good to think that way. If you dont help then who will."
Cliantha tilts her head, "This is what the leads should be doing though. They should be out here dealing with the hordes and gathering us to show our strength to stand against the beast. Luna just says to stay together and wait. How is that motivating?" She is soothed however and her body relaxes.
Itzal sighs. "If that isn't what the leads are doing then perhaps the Dorado needs a new leader. Someone who is willing not just to keep everyone together, but to stand up and actually lead. Someone who isn't afraid to see what outs there and face it head on." He says with a snort.
Cliantha shakes her mane then nickers, "Yes, but I need to be smart about this, Itzal. I need to be smart and have plans set in place because else we can't show our strength. Of course, to stay calm. I'm getting better at handling this but I'm hoping I don't lose myself totally to this cause and forget to have fun otherwise."
Itzal head shakes. "You need to think more highly of yourself, Cliantha. Sure its good to make smart decisions in times like this but you shouldn't over think things. You'll get one of these if your not careful." He gestures to a scar of his. "Just be yourself, you'll see. Things will fall into place."
Cliantha nods at him, "You think just being myself will make me a good leader? Hard to have high confidence considering my cousin and her coyote friends." She rolls her eyes. "I hated that she was so jealous but I worry about that here now. Not sure why. I just do. I worry that I won't be smart enough to do good. I can't see I did good in Amber herd."
Itzal sighs and closes his eyes. "I do." Reopening them he says, "But you need to let go of the past. What you did or even what others did back then doesn't matter now. What matters is the safty of those here and now, those who depend on us for protection, and happiness." Looking out into the plains to the herd he nods. "Who cares about smarts when you cant even beleave in your own abilities. believe in yourself, thats all the goodness you need."
Cliantha gives a few little nods, "Just when Dandelion yelled at me." She turns her head again. "It hurt a lot and reminded me... Just was crippling. I didn't even know it was Luna who I was speaking to and she thought I should have known. I felt underminded for my efforts." feeling rather off balance.
Itzal looks back to you. "Letting one mare get to you like that..." Moving in closer he cant help but brush himself against her in comfort. "Your better than that. I know it."
Cliantha leans her head against his, "Thank you, that means a lot to me. It does. Having you and Orion has been a great support to me. A boost to my emotions. It will make me work harder for the herd." She asks, "Mind going with me to the river for a drink?"
Itzal is glad that just being here makes her appreciative; have confidence. He just needed her to show it now. A smile on his face he nods to her invite. "I never mind." He could use a drink and the company provided would just make it all the better.