Post by Therdde on Dec 24, 2007 1:43:22 GMT -5
Characters (In Order of Appearance):
Therdde – Male Duck
Dichali – Male Bighorn Ram
Chesmu – Male Cougar
- Endless Prairie -
Having energy once again has felt positively amazing, after so long of being so ill. It is several hours before the mallard returns to the oasis where he left Dichali. Unlike mere hours before, he flies steady and straight, and he's in a better mood than he has been in ever since he returned north. The small duck lands on the ground, quiet gently and with none of that bothersome tumbling.
Dichali stands up as he is satisfied with his rest. "Therdde, welcome back," he greeted, "How was your flight?" He certainly seemed far more energetic than even the first time Therdde had saw him. Despite wanting to rest off the journey, he was now quite obviously healthy. He couldn't seem to stop moving around.
Therdde's tone is pleasant, like it hasn't been in some time, as he answers. "It was great. Glad to see you're feeling better as well." The mallard makes his way to a couple sage blossoms and uses his bill to remove them. No sense in not treating the lake he calls home most of the time, when he returns. "You ready to return to your family?" Therdde easily imagines the ram will be happy to get home himself.
Dichali nods and grins at the duck. "I think I'll duel several rams for no good reason," he states. He leans his head down to pick up some sage in well, JUST in case.
Therdde can't help but laugh as he hopes onto Dichali's back. He had rather gotten use to riding up here, and he doesn't particularly feel back about it, since Dichali's energy is back and his wings had just started to feel heavy from several hours of flying around. "You have got to be the feistiest herbivore I've ever met, Dichali."
Dichali grins yet again as he starts his trek back to the mountains. "Likely the strongest and handsomest too, right," the ram wondered curiously, "Cause that's how it usually seems to me."
Therdde laughs again. He had yet to see this side of Dichali, and he kind of likes it. It's nice to meet herbivores that can stick up for themselves in the face of danger. Therdde does it by staying in a place where most predators can't reach him. The approach of rams is entirely different. "I don't know about handsomest, but you're surely the cockiest." Therdde's tone is friendly, though, not at all judgmental.
The ram seems a tiny bit surprised by that. "Cockiest," he replied, "Well I wouldn't say /that/...I've not been proven wrong yet."
The youthful and, now, healthy duck is quick to speak again, to make sure the ram knows he meant no offense. "Nothing wrong with boasting of your capabilities. I didn't mean to put you off." There need to be more herbivore species that can do more than act meek and timid... Though, after this ordeal, Therdde no longer has quite the same view of carnivores as he once did, especially seeing Paoro's regret at eating a meal she needed when she thought it made the herbivores around her uncomfortable.
"Oh, yes, it's fine," Dichali replies as he yet continues his way to the mountains. Dich doesn't mind either... He's so set in his self importance that he didn't see that as insulting at all. Nope, it was just a case of not knowing...
Therdde drifts into silence. It feels good to be going home with his companion who started this long, arduous journey with him, and he has no doubt that he and Dichali will remain in contact, at least through the spring, summer, and fall months, given how close they live to one another.
Dichali will certainly keep in contact given how much he likes to wander around. He was totally serious about that duel thing too. It might actually give him a little humbleness if he gets his butt handed to him... Might being the keyword.
Therdde is still riding on Dichali's back. it was odd enough when they were ill, but to an outsider, it may just appear that the duck has gotten lazy and spoiled by his ram friend. That may well be part of the case, too. Therdde never would have worn himself out the way he did if not for knowing he's be travelling back to the mountains with his ram companion.
Dichali doesn't mind either. After all, it'd be hard to talk to Therdde if he was flying. Now he can run his mouth with ease. "So are you usually with other ducks," he wonders, "I know you were alone when I found you, but-"
Chesmu walks through the area. He's been thinking about what he's been through, in helping the others find a cure for their illness, and now the not-usually-emotional cougar finds himself feeling a bit unsatisfied it had to end this way. He plods along, almost feeling sorry for himself. But one thought rings true. Maybe now his wandering days have come to an end...
"The south is boring. I made my way north a little bit early, bored out of my mind and desperate for a change of pace." He's not cut out for heavy winter, but that doesn't change the fact that the territory where his flock generally rests for the winter is less than satisfactory for him. Ducks, by and large, are actually quite solitary creatures, forming no long-standing families or relationships. He just takes that to a bit of an extreme. Up ahead of them a bit, Therdde spots the male cougar, and it brings him mixed feelings.
"Oh," the ram replies, "I wish I could travel as far as you..." He pauses and peers curiously at the cougar before making his way closer to the big cat.
Chesmu looks up and over to the ram and duck. What are they still doing here, he wonders. "Get lost along the way? What are you two still doing here?" He imagines they haven't decided where to go, or they really did get lost. Creatures are all so funny like that. Unless they wander like Chesmu does, where 'lost' merely means 'gone another way.'
"We decided not to head back to the mountains immediately. What about you?" Therdde's tone with Chesmu remains civil. They're far from being friends, sure, but it's also a long way from when they started, when he treated the male cougar with nothing but distrust... For good reason, at the time. But things have changed, as they have all had to work together on repeated occasions.
Chesmu looks at the ground. "I don't really have a home. I always wandered, never settled." He considers what irony this is. A cougar should have a home. A place to belong. "A tribe... or a home. Maybe I'll stay here in these lands."
Therdde hopes to the ground to allow Dichali to go find some water after the trek through the desert to return to more familiar territory. He might trust Chesmu more. He might not. After all, now that he's well, he could be in the air and out of harm's way in a very short time. Remaining more somber than he was when conversing with Dichali, he says, "Regardless of what you decide... We appreciate the help you gave, Chesmu." Sure, the male cougar did a few very stupid things. But, without him, Paoro may well have starved to the point of not being able to carry on. Chesmu played his part, and everything turned out well.
Chesmu had hoped someone might have stopped to thank him. Even he realizes he's made more than his fair share of mistakes. "Interesting how something like a disease can bring a haphazard group of creatures together for the sake of survival." He looks at Therdde now, instead of the ground. "Even a cougar who was not sick, who could have taken an opportunity for a meal, even. I learned a lot more about myself on this quest of ours."
Therdde laughs at what Chesmu says. The duck has to agree... And even he, who is not large on forming any long term ties to any creature, feels some regret as he has parted ways with the people he has met and with whom he has formed strong bonds during this journey, through the need to cooperate to get the job done. "I think a lot of us have learned some things. Hopefully for the better." As much as Therdde wished to see Chesmu trampled from time to time, he now really wishes this cougar well... As long as it isn't at the expense of someone he knows, and though he would never say as much.
Chesmu nods, then looks around. "Maybe I should call this place my home." he says. "I'm sure it could use a cougar or two." Nice atmosphere, at least as far as Chesmu is concerned it is a nice atmosphere.
Therdde gives the cougar a nod. "Failing that, you could always return to the mountains. Maybe seek out Paoro. She might be willing to allow you to live with her tribe... Once you learn to control that mouth of yours." Despite the words, Therdde's tone is quite jovial. Now that they aren't all in fear of their lives, if they don't find a cure, none of his feelings towards Chesmu are hostile. Just conflicting.
Chesmu chuckles a bit. "Paoro probably has her paws full. She's important, where she comes from." he says. "Who knows, maybe I could form my own tribe here if a female were to stumble by." Now that sounds appealing to Chesmu.
Therdde nods again, following it up by saying, "I wish you luck with that. Just avoid the nearby horses, at least for a couple of months." Chesmu will deal with his mistakes, as everyone has to, Therdde included. The duck's most recent mistake, flying north sooner than he should have, resulted in him getting very ill, with multiple ramifications. No matter how boring his winter territory becomes in the future, he may just stick it out, having learnt that lesson.
Chesmu chuckles again. Sound advice, after how he offended the stallion of the horse herd. One shy step and he's probably be one flat cougar by the time they are done with him. "Good advice." Good indeed. "So you're headed for the mountains?"
"Yeah, at least for now. I don't always stay there through the warmer months. Once fall rolls around, especially, I'll likely be down here in the lowlands more often." The lake in the mountain is his preferred territory, but female ducks are far more plentiful down in the valley when mating season rolls around in the fall. "Hopefully by then I'll see you in a much better position than your current one."
Chesmu hopes he can find himself in that plentiful position. A mate... or mates would be ideal. His own group. Yes. That is just what Chesmu wants. "Yes, hopefully so. And I'll be sure no one will hunt you if I am in that 'better position' considering how you've helped."
Therdde is a little bit surprised at how far Chesmu has come during this journey, but that doesn't make him any less grateful. With a short laugh and a joking tone, he says, "As if any of them could catch me. I appreciate it, though, Chesmu." The mallard glance north, towards the water where Dichali was headed earlier. With a deep breath, he says, "I ought to get back on my way. We've been gone a long time, and I'm sure Dichali's family will be glad to have him back. Good luck, though."
"Farewell." saith the cougar, who gives the duck one of his rare smiles. "Until we meet again, Therdde."
Therdde returns the cougar's simple farewell quickly before taking off to head north. Yes, they'll meet again. Therdde has no doubt about that.
Therdde – Male Duck
Dichali – Male Bighorn Ram
Chesmu – Male Cougar
- Endless Prairie -
Having energy once again has felt positively amazing, after so long of being so ill. It is several hours before the mallard returns to the oasis where he left Dichali. Unlike mere hours before, he flies steady and straight, and he's in a better mood than he has been in ever since he returned north. The small duck lands on the ground, quiet gently and with none of that bothersome tumbling.
Dichali stands up as he is satisfied with his rest. "Therdde, welcome back," he greeted, "How was your flight?" He certainly seemed far more energetic than even the first time Therdde had saw him. Despite wanting to rest off the journey, he was now quite obviously healthy. He couldn't seem to stop moving around.
Therdde's tone is pleasant, like it hasn't been in some time, as he answers. "It was great. Glad to see you're feeling better as well." The mallard makes his way to a couple sage blossoms and uses his bill to remove them. No sense in not treating the lake he calls home most of the time, when he returns. "You ready to return to your family?" Therdde easily imagines the ram will be happy to get home himself.
Dichali nods and grins at the duck. "I think I'll duel several rams for no good reason," he states. He leans his head down to pick up some sage in well, JUST in case.
Therdde can't help but laugh as he hopes onto Dichali's back. He had rather gotten use to riding up here, and he doesn't particularly feel back about it, since Dichali's energy is back and his wings had just started to feel heavy from several hours of flying around. "You have got to be the feistiest herbivore I've ever met, Dichali."
Dichali grins yet again as he starts his trek back to the mountains. "Likely the strongest and handsomest too, right," the ram wondered curiously, "Cause that's how it usually seems to me."
Therdde laughs again. He had yet to see this side of Dichali, and he kind of likes it. It's nice to meet herbivores that can stick up for themselves in the face of danger. Therdde does it by staying in a place where most predators can't reach him. The approach of rams is entirely different. "I don't know about handsomest, but you're surely the cockiest." Therdde's tone is friendly, though, not at all judgmental.
The ram seems a tiny bit surprised by that. "Cockiest," he replied, "Well I wouldn't say /that/...I've not been proven wrong yet."
The youthful and, now, healthy duck is quick to speak again, to make sure the ram knows he meant no offense. "Nothing wrong with boasting of your capabilities. I didn't mean to put you off." There need to be more herbivore species that can do more than act meek and timid... Though, after this ordeal, Therdde no longer has quite the same view of carnivores as he once did, especially seeing Paoro's regret at eating a meal she needed when she thought it made the herbivores around her uncomfortable.
"Oh, yes, it's fine," Dichali replies as he yet continues his way to the mountains. Dich doesn't mind either... He's so set in his self importance that he didn't see that as insulting at all. Nope, it was just a case of not knowing...
Therdde drifts into silence. It feels good to be going home with his companion who started this long, arduous journey with him, and he has no doubt that he and Dichali will remain in contact, at least through the spring, summer, and fall months, given how close they live to one another.
Dichali will certainly keep in contact given how much he likes to wander around. He was totally serious about that duel thing too. It might actually give him a little humbleness if he gets his butt handed to him... Might being the keyword.
Therdde is still riding on Dichali's back. it was odd enough when they were ill, but to an outsider, it may just appear that the duck has gotten lazy and spoiled by his ram friend. That may well be part of the case, too. Therdde never would have worn himself out the way he did if not for knowing he's be travelling back to the mountains with his ram companion.
Dichali doesn't mind either. After all, it'd be hard to talk to Therdde if he was flying. Now he can run his mouth with ease. "So are you usually with other ducks," he wonders, "I know you were alone when I found you, but-"
Chesmu walks through the area. He's been thinking about what he's been through, in helping the others find a cure for their illness, and now the not-usually-emotional cougar finds himself feeling a bit unsatisfied it had to end this way. He plods along, almost feeling sorry for himself. But one thought rings true. Maybe now his wandering days have come to an end...
"The south is boring. I made my way north a little bit early, bored out of my mind and desperate for a change of pace." He's not cut out for heavy winter, but that doesn't change the fact that the territory where his flock generally rests for the winter is less than satisfactory for him. Ducks, by and large, are actually quite solitary creatures, forming no long-standing families or relationships. He just takes that to a bit of an extreme. Up ahead of them a bit, Therdde spots the male cougar, and it brings him mixed feelings.
"Oh," the ram replies, "I wish I could travel as far as you..." He pauses and peers curiously at the cougar before making his way closer to the big cat.
Chesmu looks up and over to the ram and duck. What are they still doing here, he wonders. "Get lost along the way? What are you two still doing here?" He imagines they haven't decided where to go, or they really did get lost. Creatures are all so funny like that. Unless they wander like Chesmu does, where 'lost' merely means 'gone another way.'
"We decided not to head back to the mountains immediately. What about you?" Therdde's tone with Chesmu remains civil. They're far from being friends, sure, but it's also a long way from when they started, when he treated the male cougar with nothing but distrust... For good reason, at the time. But things have changed, as they have all had to work together on repeated occasions.
Chesmu looks at the ground. "I don't really have a home. I always wandered, never settled." He considers what irony this is. A cougar should have a home. A place to belong. "A tribe... or a home. Maybe I'll stay here in these lands."
Therdde hopes to the ground to allow Dichali to go find some water after the trek through the desert to return to more familiar territory. He might trust Chesmu more. He might not. After all, now that he's well, he could be in the air and out of harm's way in a very short time. Remaining more somber than he was when conversing with Dichali, he says, "Regardless of what you decide... We appreciate the help you gave, Chesmu." Sure, the male cougar did a few very stupid things. But, without him, Paoro may well have starved to the point of not being able to carry on. Chesmu played his part, and everything turned out well.
Chesmu had hoped someone might have stopped to thank him. Even he realizes he's made more than his fair share of mistakes. "Interesting how something like a disease can bring a haphazard group of creatures together for the sake of survival." He looks at Therdde now, instead of the ground. "Even a cougar who was not sick, who could have taken an opportunity for a meal, even. I learned a lot more about myself on this quest of ours."
Therdde laughs at what Chesmu says. The duck has to agree... And even he, who is not large on forming any long term ties to any creature, feels some regret as he has parted ways with the people he has met and with whom he has formed strong bonds during this journey, through the need to cooperate to get the job done. "I think a lot of us have learned some things. Hopefully for the better." As much as Therdde wished to see Chesmu trampled from time to time, he now really wishes this cougar well... As long as it isn't at the expense of someone he knows, and though he would never say as much.
Chesmu nods, then looks around. "Maybe I should call this place my home." he says. "I'm sure it could use a cougar or two." Nice atmosphere, at least as far as Chesmu is concerned it is a nice atmosphere.
Therdde gives the cougar a nod. "Failing that, you could always return to the mountains. Maybe seek out Paoro. She might be willing to allow you to live with her tribe... Once you learn to control that mouth of yours." Despite the words, Therdde's tone is quite jovial. Now that they aren't all in fear of their lives, if they don't find a cure, none of his feelings towards Chesmu are hostile. Just conflicting.
Chesmu chuckles a bit. "Paoro probably has her paws full. She's important, where she comes from." he says. "Who knows, maybe I could form my own tribe here if a female were to stumble by." Now that sounds appealing to Chesmu.
Therdde nods again, following it up by saying, "I wish you luck with that. Just avoid the nearby horses, at least for a couple of months." Chesmu will deal with his mistakes, as everyone has to, Therdde included. The duck's most recent mistake, flying north sooner than he should have, resulted in him getting very ill, with multiple ramifications. No matter how boring his winter territory becomes in the future, he may just stick it out, having learnt that lesson.
Chesmu chuckles again. Sound advice, after how he offended the stallion of the horse herd. One shy step and he's probably be one flat cougar by the time they are done with him. "Good advice." Good indeed. "So you're headed for the mountains?"
"Yeah, at least for now. I don't always stay there through the warmer months. Once fall rolls around, especially, I'll likely be down here in the lowlands more often." The lake in the mountain is his preferred territory, but female ducks are far more plentiful down in the valley when mating season rolls around in the fall. "Hopefully by then I'll see you in a much better position than your current one."
Chesmu hopes he can find himself in that plentiful position. A mate... or mates would be ideal. His own group. Yes. That is just what Chesmu wants. "Yes, hopefully so. And I'll be sure no one will hunt you if I am in that 'better position' considering how you've helped."
Therdde is a little bit surprised at how far Chesmu has come during this journey, but that doesn't make him any less grateful. With a short laugh and a joking tone, he says, "As if any of them could catch me. I appreciate it, though, Chesmu." The mallard glance north, towards the water where Dichali was headed earlier. With a deep breath, he says, "I ought to get back on my way. We've been gone a long time, and I'm sure Dichali's family will be glad to have him back. Good luck, though."
"Farewell." saith the cougar, who gives the duck one of his rare smiles. "Until we meet again, Therdde."
Therdde returns the cougar's simple farewell quickly before taking off to head north. Yes, they'll meet again. Therdde has no doubt about that.