Post by Therdde on May 31, 2008 1:21:46 GMT -5
Characters:
Ama – Female Cougar
Skelaghe – Female Wolf
Chesmu – Male Cougar
Ayashe – Female Cougar
Nium – Female Cougar
- Stone Formations -
Ah, what a gorgeous spring day, Ama marvels as she pads softly past the strange stone formations that rest near the borders of Amaranth. She's glad the winter weather has finally broken up, giving way to spring. Her fourth year of life is fast-approaching, and she'll be glad to spend here, in the cougar territory. And yet, at the moment, the cougaress is moving away from the territory -- just on a brief excursion. Her wandering nature keeps her from staying cooped up in the mountains for too long, though she's promised herself she's staying at Amaranth -- for good this time. The sun is warm on her back and life is blossoming around her. She sighs, contentedly. She's not hungry right now -- the rabbit she had earlier was enough for now -- so this "excursion" (or midday walk, if you'd prefer) is purely for her enjoyment.
The trip from the forest Skelaghe generally calls home to cougar territory is not a short one. She has not been travelling for very long today, though. She'd forgotten how spectacular the view of the sunrise from the mountain is, and after she watched it, she remained where she decided to rest last night for a while, just enjoying the feeling of the warm sun. She has been travelling just long enough today to realize that she does not recall the cougar territory as well as she thought she did. Regardless, she sees no problem with taking her time as she walks through the land. Her pace is casual, and though she keeps an eye out for any of the inhabitants of these lands, she's not really searching for them as actively as she might.
Ama isn't particularly searching for intruders. This is just a walk -- one she hopes will prove soothing to her mind and body. She's been taking it easy since she arrived here in the middle of winter. Perhaps she's been procrastinating a bit much, though -- she still hasn't sought out the shamaness to receive her marking for a second time. Well, she supposes that's all right as long as she doesn't run into the chieftain again... hey, is that... Ama takes a deep breath. She'd only caught the faintest whiff of it before, but now she's sure. Wolf! Her darkly-tipped tail twitches once. Wolves -- she's not terribly fond of them. But... she'd best be civil and find out why one would be so near Amaranth. It's what any sensible member of the tribe would do, surely. ...she does recall doing such things /before/... but I digress. The puma makes no attempt to move quickly or any more quietly than she already is, but rather proceeds in the direction that she believes the scent came from until a canine creature is within sight. "Hail, Wolf," she calls out as she comes to a complete stop, her head lifted and tail flickering as she waits for a response of some sort.
If Skelaghe were paying a little more attention, she might have noticed the arrival of the cougar, but unlike her scent, which would stand out, the scent of one female cougar does not. She does not notice Ama until the cougaress speaks, and at that point, Skelaghe stops walking, though she does turn to fully face Ama. Skelaghe’s ears are perked and her tail relaxed. With a pleasant tone, she replies, "Good day." The greeting comes with a slight bow of her head, but no term of address, as she usually prefers to avoid greeting others by their species name. She doesn't seem to take insult to her own, though, as generic as it is.
Ama's never been well-versed in the behaviors of other species. Or at least not with wolves and their kin: coyotes and dogs (she doesn't really count foxes -- they make better prey). She knows enough to know she doesn't particularly /like/ any of them. But Ama's a civil feline. She plays nice. Usually. But, despite the she-wolf's friendly-enough tone, the cougaress can't help but eye the wolf for a moment longer before deciding to smile. "Do you know where you are?" she inquires, her voice only just loud enough to carry over the several yards between them. She does not sound upset in the least bit: it's only a question, posed in a curious manner that may be called... "friendly."
"I do." Skelaghe remains where she is. Her voice is loud enough to carry easily, and her tone remains much the same. Still, she knows this particular cougar has no reason to know her. For one, all of the other cougars Skelaghe has met have had some marking or been very young. Best, then, to lay aside her potential concerns. "I told the chieftain over these lands I would be visiting this spring, and here I am." She has no intention towards being any threat, nor even really hunting the food that might be available here.
Ama quirks a brow, a little surprised by the response. "You... do?" The cougaress suppresses a smile, supposing she should be serious. This ruining her potential walk. Or maybe she's just /letting/ it ruin it... no need to do that. "Well... all right. This is Amaranth, of course," she says, just in case the she-wolf is, you know, /lying./ Just in case. That's when she really registers what's been said, and... she blushes. "Oh. So... you've met our chieftain. I'm sorry, I thought you might be ... " Lying. Ama blinks hard a few times, her tail twitching a little fast. "Who are you?" It comes off quickly and maybe a little rudely. She didn't mean to... but it does.
"My name is Skelaghe. And you are?" The shewolf does not respond to Ama's rudeness with any rude behaviour of her own. Her tone remains pleasant, her tail remains relaxed, and her ears remained perked forward. She understands security perfectly well, and that passing on news of a wolf who simply planned to visit 'sometime' in the spring wasn't high priority for anyone, especially since she remembers that the land was home to a great many cubs, the last time she was here. It has likely been a busy winter.
Maybe the she-wolf /is/ lying? Ama could just be gullible. But the cougar never thought of herself as such. And this wolf doesn't seem to mean any harm. For now. "My name is Ama," she responds habitually, her tail's swaying coming to a stop suddenly as a thought crosses her mind. She chances a glance at her shoulder -- unmarked as it is -- then back at the she-wolf, Skelaghe. "I am a member of the Amaranth tribe. Who have you come to see?" she inquires. Perhaps she can send them a message. Or... do something dangerous. Like escort the wolf.
Chesmu has been busy again with border patrol and worrying about Maulisho and her cubs. It's become almost an obsession for the Chieftain. Where did they go? Will they come back? What about his friendship with her? There's also a few other concerns on Chesmu's mind, not the least of which the scent the wind has brought to him. A wolf in Amaranth territory! That's not what Chesmu calls a good thing, though he usually treats it depending on the wolf's intentions. He is headed their way.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Ama." Proper introductions out of the way, Skelaghe finally goes on to answer Ama's question. "I am here not so much to visit anyone in particular, but to check in on the cubs that were born before the winter hit." What better reason to pay a friendly visit to a land she has been to before than to admire the young life in that land?
Visit? Young? Ama's eyes narrow suspiciously. Now, why would a wolf want to see the young of a puma other than to cause them /harm/? Ama has tried to get past her prejudice that wolves are savage, blood-thirsty canines but it doesn't always work. The cougar snorts softly then edges a little closer, not really sure what to make of this wolf. She wants to ask why, and she supposes she must have /some/ right to, this being her home and this canine being an almost-intruder and all that, but she doesn't. This doesn't /seem/ like a bad wolf, anyway. "All right. I... suppose I believe you," the puma says slowly, her tail-tip tilting to one side. "If what you say is true, I might escort you further into Amaranth. For your sake," if not for the sake of the little ones.
"Not without my permission you won't!" Chesmu says hastily before coming upon the wolf and cougaress. Bringing a wolf *deeper* into his territory? Oh no no no. Certainly not. "You'll do no such thing, Ama. This is not a territory meant to give tours to wolves, especially tours involving trips to see my cubs."
Skelaghe perks an ear and turns, slightly, so that she can spot Chesmu. Laid back as she is, she easily recognizes the unpleasant quality of the male cougar's tone, and being between the two of them is not a particularly pleasant position, and so she's reluctant to keep her back to either of them. She needs to be able to make a fast retreat, if it comes to that, and that won't happen if she can't tell what either of them are doing. She does recognize Chesmu, though, and so with another slight bow of her head, she greets him, simply, "Chief Chesmu." Perhaps, given a moment, he will remember her.
WOAH! Ama nearly jumps a foot in the air as a voice comes from /behind/ her! She's in trouble now! At once her ears flatten and she lowers her body to the ground, turning herself to look at ... the chieftain!? Oi. Her face /burns/ with yet more embarrassment as she casts a glare at the wolf. She's taking it out on poor Skelaghe. "I-I-I-" and she's stuttering. Embarrassed. And still un-marked. "M'sorrysirwon'thappen'gain," she mumbles quickly, head lowered. She /knew/ she shouldn't have believed the wolf... she wonders if she should... explain herself? Then she realizes that Skelaghe has greeted the chief ... by /name./ Thoroughly embarrassed and entirely unsure of herself, she backs away so that Chesmu and Skelaghe can have a look at each other.
Chesmu looks over at Skelaghe, then back over at Ama. "Don't fret too much over it. It is only important you realize that you shouldn't do this without making sure she is a friend." Chesmu looks over at Skelaghe again. "And she is certainly a friend. Greetings, Skelaghe. I imagine you are now on your way south?"
Skelaghe offers a pleasant smile as, apparently, it is not she who was out of line. Of course, she feels bad that Ama is in trouble for no worse a crime than believing her, and so despite the smile, she delves into a serious topic rather than answer Chesmu's easy question. "I assure you, chieftain, that she did not merely take me at my word. She was duly cautious." Defense noted, she /then/ addresses the question. "And, yes. Southward for the time being, but there is no hurry to it." In other words, she'd love to talk, if the chief is so inclined.
From the edge of the woods in the east, a slender figure slips through the thinning trees and begins the short trek up to the stone formations. Ayashe's tribal markings are faded, which suggests she hasn't checked in with the rest of the clan for some time. No big surprise there -- unlike her mother before her, the great Paoro, Amaranth's current matron prefers to keep to herself, hunting alone on the very fringe of her mate's territory. The only thing keeping her so close to the heart of these lands are her cubs, and even they do not see her as often as they probably should. As usual, she smells Chesmu before she sees him, though she chooses to maintain a leisurely pace rather than hurry to investigate the situation.
Even after she's told not to worry, Ama can't help but to lower her eyes. Even more so after Skelaghe /speaks for her./ Ama screwed up. She feels ashamed, both for believing she had the right to lead a /wolf/ into Amaranth, and for glaring at the she-wolf who just defended her. "Y-yes," she finally responds to Chesmu, then looks to the she-wolf, an apologetic look on her face. She's not so sure she could enjoy a walk now, even on a day as beautiful as this. So she promptly settles onto her haunches and pulls her paws and tail as close to her body as she can. She wants to shrink away for the moment and be unnoticed. Especially since, she recalls, she is /still/ un-marked, and fears the chieftain’s potential response if he should happen to notice Ama lack of that oh-so-important red dye. She really needs to find that shamaness...
"Don't look so sour, Ama." Chesmu says, "It's rather unbecoming." Chesmu smirks and looks over at Skelaghe. "There has been a question I have wanted to ask for some time, though it never seemed appropriate." Chesmu says, leading the conversation to something a little more pleasant. "What of your brother, Skelaghe? I would imagine you would be searching for him. Though I am not certain. I never had any siblings... that I know of." Unloving mothers are much like that, after all. "Or do you not wish to answer?"
Skelaghe's... brother? Of course, she considered all of her former packmates as kin to her, but of the two males who accompanied her to these lands, neither were of direct blood, and the stories of both of them are not too pleasant, to this point. Her smile fades, but her tone remains light enough. "One of them has lost his way, and the other is just... Lost." She has done what she can to help, but the one thing she cannot do is wallow in the past. She can take the parts of it that are worth keeping, but she has to let go of the rest, and her former packmates do not seem so willing to do the same.
Ayashe slows, eventually coming to a stop not too far from the small gathering. She recognizes Chesmu and Ama at a glance, but the wolf -- Skelaghe -- is a stranger to her. This isn't the first time that one of her kind has crossed into Amaranth's territory, and in spite of her strong maternal instincts, the matron understands that the situation can't be as dire as it appears from where she's standing; there's no need for any bristling or lip-curling here if /Chesmu/ is at ease. "Who are you to judge what is unbecoming and what is not?"
Ama blinks awkwardly then lifts her head a little higher. Yeah. Easy for /him/ to say. Pfft. Good thing she doesn't know about what happened between him and Maulisho. If she did she'd be mad. But she doesn't, so she merely forces herself to sit up a little straighter. She doesn't like be told off. No one does. That's when, for a second time, a voice comes from an unrecognized source. Ama starts, then twists around to look at the cougaress that spoke. Ama's ears flicker as she recognizes this one as a member of Amaranth. The matron, she suspects. Ama lowers her head, then returns her attention ahead. She can feel her ears burning again, but she forces herself to look a little more confident than she feels.
Chesmu's ears lower a bit and he drops his head, turning it then to look over at Ayashe, his mate and the matron. Yikes. Does she even know about what's been happening? He's not sure. Seeing Ayashe is an event in and of itself for the Chieftain due to her rather solitary nature. Best not to bring it up now in front of a guest. "I am merely asking for her not to feel bad, Ayashe."
Skelaghe, too, turns to look at the most recent arrival. She remains quiet, for the time being, as this is another cougar she does not recognize, though she can guess who it might be, if her words cause Chesmu to trip over his. In the interest of being polite, though, she will give Chesmu a chance to introduce them or Ayashe a chance to introduce herself, rather than butting into their conversation.
"It is good to see you again, Ama," Ayashe intones softly as she mirrors the other female's gesture. Her green eyes flick briefly toward the chieftain, and he too receives a slight nod -- though it isn't clear whether she means to agree with or simply greet him. "Is our guest of the Lazuli pack?" she asks. "Or has Viridian finally sent one of its own to meet with my father's successor?"
The cougaress looks away, uncertainly, from her fellow cougars, and instead focuses her gaze on Skelaghe. Skelaghe is looking at Ayashe. Ama looks at Ayashe. Blinkblink. Ama isn't sure what to say -- this has ended up very awkward from her point of view. All she wanted to do was enjoy the nice spring day! Huff. Now she's sitting on her bump lookin' /stupid./ "A-and you," she responds to Ayashe's greeting softly, still stuttering slightly, though the heat is beginning to fade from her ears. Her eyes return to Skelaghe as the matron continues. Indeed. Who is this wolf /really/? Ama can't possibly look on the she-wolf too harshly now, though. Skelaghe /did/ rather defend Ama's position. Or something like that.
Chesmu can't help but feel a tad low in the conversation. 'My father's successor.' Not 'you' or 'Chesmu.' Ayashe seems cold to Chesmu in this moment and for a brief pause he almost swears its his own mother talking to him. He has to remind himself that Ayashe could never be as hateful as his mother, no matter how she treats him. He might want to ask about this disdain, however, if there is any. For now he focuses on Skelaghe and Ayashe's actual question. "N-neither." Chesmu starts. "This is a traveler, one I had the pleasure of meeting when she was on her way north." Chesmu shakes his head. "Ayashe, this is Skelaghe. Skelaghe, this is my mate, Ayashe, the Matron."
Skelaghe bows her head when the introductions are actually given, this time in the matron's direction. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Matron Ayashe." She doesn't contradict any of what Chesmu says. A traveler, yes, but she has been in these parts for over a year, now, and she does not imagine herself moving on anytime soon. All the same, she is not a part of either Lazuli or Viridian, nor does she imagine she ever will be, so traveler probably fits her as well as any other term would.
A wolf without a pack is something of a foreign concept to Ayashe, and the faintly bewildered expression on her face says more than any verbal backpedaling ever could. Don't look now -- her inexperience is showing. "My apologies, Skelaghe."
So. The she-wolf was telling the truth. Ama closes her eyes and sighs mentally. She remembers meeting someone long ago -- before she left Amaranth the first time -- who had spoken to her on the subject of wolves. Not all of them were bad, Ama knows. So, she supposes, this she-wolf is one of the good ones. One of the few, in Ama's opinion. Finally feeling she can "un-freeze" a little, the cougaress picks herself up and moves off a little ways so she can observe all three others. She'd rather be able to see everyone at once. Then she looks at Skelaghe closely. Ama probably owes the she-wolf an apology as well, but she's still a bit perturbed by her little... scolding.
When Skelaghe lifts her head, her expression does not reveal her to be upset. Her smile is a little thinner than usual, but the smile is there. It would take much more than an assumption that she is in a pack, or caution on the part of an inhabitant of these lands, for that matter, to make her feel as though she has been wronged. "There is no need for you to apologize, I assure you."
Ayashe blows a soft snort of approval through her nostrils. "If Chesmu has not already given you free passage through these lands, then you may have it. A lone wolf is no threat to Amaranth." But Amaranth is definitely a threat to a lone wolf -- let there be no mistake. Ayashe's tone is friendly enough, but her stiff body language makes the underlying message clear: don't do anything to make me regret this decision.
Well. Now the wolf doesn't even /need/ an escort. Ama lowers her head again. This whole situation has been thoroughly embarrassing. Didn't matter that it was a lovely spring day. Ama's pretty sure it's been /ruined./ Nonetheless, she sighs softly and looks at the she-wolf. Ama supposes it takes a special sort of wolf to get that kind of permission. Or maybe it doesn't. Though she doubts every wolf gets permission to enter Amaranth. Ama looks towards Ayashe, the one who has given that permission, then back to the wolf. Skelaghe doesn't look like anything spectacular to Ama. "I apologize for doubting your words so much earlier," she says at long last, her gaze lingering on the wolf a moment longer before Ama stands up a little awkwardly. She may still go on a walk. Besides. She's still a little concerned about not having gotten that mark yet...
Chesmu can't speak for Ayashe, but he is rather tolerant of others on the territory once he is assured there won't be any trouble. "She won't be any trouble, Ayashe, I can promise that. As I said, she is a friend of mine." Chesmu thinks about what time he has lost on his border patrol for this little chat. He realizes he might have to put more time in marking the territory to compensate, especially if it means reassuring Ayashe. He says nothing else for now. His mind is still focusing on Ayashe. Does she know what he has done? What he is punishing himself for?
Skelaghe isn't sure whether she could say such an offer has ever actually been extended to her. She knows she was well-received by the former matron of this territory, as well as by Chesmu, and as with most species besides wolves, she has a tendency to assume she is welcome unless told otherwise, a tendency that has gotten her in trouble in the past. Addressing the higher ranking of the female cougars first, after Chesmu speaks, she replies with another respectful bow of her head. "I appreciate that offer, Matron, and let me assure you that it will not be taken lightly." With that, she raises her head to look at Ama. "You were doing your duty to your tribe. I could ask you to do nothing else and still honor the acceptance I have been granted here."
Yeah. She should get out of here. Ama turns to leave, but pauses as the she-wolf speaks to her in turn. The cougaress hesitates, glances at her shoulder, still un-touched by the dye that should be there. Speaking of duty to the tribe... heh. She needs to find that shamaness. She nods to the wolf, then regards her leaders silently for a moment before bowing her head to each in turn. "I... I shall take my leave of you for now." Unless they try to stop her. In which case, she supposes she would... or pretend she didn't hear them.
Trying to listen and watch from a distance away, the physically large cougar named Nium lies on a boulder. She can see fine, an interesting sight it is, but listening is proving a bit difficult of a task. Her tattered ear is significantly less able to hear as well as her healthy one. Nium can pick up the voices of several different beings, but everyone is speaking rather softly now, and she can no longer figure anything out in their conversation. Looking right at her, Nium is oblivious to the Matriarch of the tribe's presence. Nium presses her front paws against the stone and lifts her upper body until she is sitting up.
Chesmu calls after Ama, "Take care of yourself, Ama." Chesmu says, then looks over at Skelaghe. "It is good to see you again. Tell me, if you can, if you have seen Maulisho on your way?" Chesmu isn't entirely sure if Skelaghe knows Maulisho. One way he can make Maulisho stand out is obvious. "She would be travelling with her cubs."
Skelaghe watches as Ama heads off and looks back to Chesmu, for the first time since she started talking to the matron and Ama. "I have not seen any cubs since arriving on the mountain. Something I hope will be remedied soon. However, it is probably time for me to take my leave as well. I am sure I'll see you again over the next few days. Farewell Chief Chesmu, Matron Ayashe." She intends to leave Amaranth territory to go hunt, no matter how well she is received here, but she also plans on sticking around the mountain for a few days. And she will keep an eye out for any cougaress with cubs, since Chesmu has mentioned it.
After self deliberation, Nium slides off the rock. Second thought, she stops and sits down again. The rock was her vantage point, she couldn't see the group as well anymore. She can't hear excellent, either. Third thought, she slowly begins heading over to the cougar he recognized as Chesmu. If Nium had to pick one cougar to call "friend", it would be Chesmu. Treking tall so she would be noticed, and not spook anybody who didn't know her, Nium doesn't need to say anything.
The mention of Maulisho earns Chesmu a narrowing of the eyes from Ayashe, though she says nothing that might confirm or deny his fears that she knows about what transpired between them. Instead, she simply flicks her an ear. "Farewell, friend wolf." It's too late to catch Ama, but even if it wasn't -- Chesmu has said good bye for the both of them. As Nium makes her approach, she dips her head by way of greeting.
Chesmu looks over at Nium as she approaches. Now how long has she been there? Though a friend, Chesmu would also have to describe Nium in one word, "Odd." But in a good way. More surrounded of mystery. Her movements, actions and thoughts are such that Chesmu wonders what is going on in that mind of hers. "Hello, Nium. I trust you are well?"
Skelaghe heads towards the southeast as she removes herself from the group, a little too soon the be introduced to another of the cougars of the tribe. There will be plenty of time for that in the days to come.
Ama – Female Cougar
Skelaghe – Female Wolf
Chesmu – Male Cougar
Ayashe – Female Cougar
Nium – Female Cougar
- Stone Formations -
Ah, what a gorgeous spring day, Ama marvels as she pads softly past the strange stone formations that rest near the borders of Amaranth. She's glad the winter weather has finally broken up, giving way to spring. Her fourth year of life is fast-approaching, and she'll be glad to spend here, in the cougar territory. And yet, at the moment, the cougaress is moving away from the territory -- just on a brief excursion. Her wandering nature keeps her from staying cooped up in the mountains for too long, though she's promised herself she's staying at Amaranth -- for good this time. The sun is warm on her back and life is blossoming around her. She sighs, contentedly. She's not hungry right now -- the rabbit she had earlier was enough for now -- so this "excursion" (or midday walk, if you'd prefer) is purely for her enjoyment.
The trip from the forest Skelaghe generally calls home to cougar territory is not a short one. She has not been travelling for very long today, though. She'd forgotten how spectacular the view of the sunrise from the mountain is, and after she watched it, she remained where she decided to rest last night for a while, just enjoying the feeling of the warm sun. She has been travelling just long enough today to realize that she does not recall the cougar territory as well as she thought she did. Regardless, she sees no problem with taking her time as she walks through the land. Her pace is casual, and though she keeps an eye out for any of the inhabitants of these lands, she's not really searching for them as actively as she might.
Ama isn't particularly searching for intruders. This is just a walk -- one she hopes will prove soothing to her mind and body. She's been taking it easy since she arrived here in the middle of winter. Perhaps she's been procrastinating a bit much, though -- she still hasn't sought out the shamaness to receive her marking for a second time. Well, she supposes that's all right as long as she doesn't run into the chieftain again... hey, is that... Ama takes a deep breath. She'd only caught the faintest whiff of it before, but now she's sure. Wolf! Her darkly-tipped tail twitches once. Wolves -- she's not terribly fond of them. But... she'd best be civil and find out why one would be so near Amaranth. It's what any sensible member of the tribe would do, surely. ...she does recall doing such things /before/... but I digress. The puma makes no attempt to move quickly or any more quietly than she already is, but rather proceeds in the direction that she believes the scent came from until a canine creature is within sight. "Hail, Wolf," she calls out as she comes to a complete stop, her head lifted and tail flickering as she waits for a response of some sort.
If Skelaghe were paying a little more attention, she might have noticed the arrival of the cougar, but unlike her scent, which would stand out, the scent of one female cougar does not. She does not notice Ama until the cougaress speaks, and at that point, Skelaghe stops walking, though she does turn to fully face Ama. Skelaghe’s ears are perked and her tail relaxed. With a pleasant tone, she replies, "Good day." The greeting comes with a slight bow of her head, but no term of address, as she usually prefers to avoid greeting others by their species name. She doesn't seem to take insult to her own, though, as generic as it is.
Ama's never been well-versed in the behaviors of other species. Or at least not with wolves and their kin: coyotes and dogs (she doesn't really count foxes -- they make better prey). She knows enough to know she doesn't particularly /like/ any of them. But Ama's a civil feline. She plays nice. Usually. But, despite the she-wolf's friendly-enough tone, the cougaress can't help but eye the wolf for a moment longer before deciding to smile. "Do you know where you are?" she inquires, her voice only just loud enough to carry over the several yards between them. She does not sound upset in the least bit: it's only a question, posed in a curious manner that may be called... "friendly."
"I do." Skelaghe remains where she is. Her voice is loud enough to carry easily, and her tone remains much the same. Still, she knows this particular cougar has no reason to know her. For one, all of the other cougars Skelaghe has met have had some marking or been very young. Best, then, to lay aside her potential concerns. "I told the chieftain over these lands I would be visiting this spring, and here I am." She has no intention towards being any threat, nor even really hunting the food that might be available here.
Ama quirks a brow, a little surprised by the response. "You... do?" The cougaress suppresses a smile, supposing she should be serious. This ruining her potential walk. Or maybe she's just /letting/ it ruin it... no need to do that. "Well... all right. This is Amaranth, of course," she says, just in case the she-wolf is, you know, /lying./ Just in case. That's when she really registers what's been said, and... she blushes. "Oh. So... you've met our chieftain. I'm sorry, I thought you might be ... " Lying. Ama blinks hard a few times, her tail twitching a little fast. "Who are you?" It comes off quickly and maybe a little rudely. She didn't mean to... but it does.
"My name is Skelaghe. And you are?" The shewolf does not respond to Ama's rudeness with any rude behaviour of her own. Her tone remains pleasant, her tail remains relaxed, and her ears remained perked forward. She understands security perfectly well, and that passing on news of a wolf who simply planned to visit 'sometime' in the spring wasn't high priority for anyone, especially since she remembers that the land was home to a great many cubs, the last time she was here. It has likely been a busy winter.
Maybe the she-wolf /is/ lying? Ama could just be gullible. But the cougar never thought of herself as such. And this wolf doesn't seem to mean any harm. For now. "My name is Ama," she responds habitually, her tail's swaying coming to a stop suddenly as a thought crosses her mind. She chances a glance at her shoulder -- unmarked as it is -- then back at the she-wolf, Skelaghe. "I am a member of the Amaranth tribe. Who have you come to see?" she inquires. Perhaps she can send them a message. Or... do something dangerous. Like escort the wolf.
Chesmu has been busy again with border patrol and worrying about Maulisho and her cubs. It's become almost an obsession for the Chieftain. Where did they go? Will they come back? What about his friendship with her? There's also a few other concerns on Chesmu's mind, not the least of which the scent the wind has brought to him. A wolf in Amaranth territory! That's not what Chesmu calls a good thing, though he usually treats it depending on the wolf's intentions. He is headed their way.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Ama." Proper introductions out of the way, Skelaghe finally goes on to answer Ama's question. "I am here not so much to visit anyone in particular, but to check in on the cubs that were born before the winter hit." What better reason to pay a friendly visit to a land she has been to before than to admire the young life in that land?
Visit? Young? Ama's eyes narrow suspiciously. Now, why would a wolf want to see the young of a puma other than to cause them /harm/? Ama has tried to get past her prejudice that wolves are savage, blood-thirsty canines but it doesn't always work. The cougar snorts softly then edges a little closer, not really sure what to make of this wolf. She wants to ask why, and she supposes she must have /some/ right to, this being her home and this canine being an almost-intruder and all that, but she doesn't. This doesn't /seem/ like a bad wolf, anyway. "All right. I... suppose I believe you," the puma says slowly, her tail-tip tilting to one side. "If what you say is true, I might escort you further into Amaranth. For your sake," if not for the sake of the little ones.
"Not without my permission you won't!" Chesmu says hastily before coming upon the wolf and cougaress. Bringing a wolf *deeper* into his territory? Oh no no no. Certainly not. "You'll do no such thing, Ama. This is not a territory meant to give tours to wolves, especially tours involving trips to see my cubs."
Skelaghe perks an ear and turns, slightly, so that she can spot Chesmu. Laid back as she is, she easily recognizes the unpleasant quality of the male cougar's tone, and being between the two of them is not a particularly pleasant position, and so she's reluctant to keep her back to either of them. She needs to be able to make a fast retreat, if it comes to that, and that won't happen if she can't tell what either of them are doing. She does recognize Chesmu, though, and so with another slight bow of her head, she greets him, simply, "Chief Chesmu." Perhaps, given a moment, he will remember her.
WOAH! Ama nearly jumps a foot in the air as a voice comes from /behind/ her! She's in trouble now! At once her ears flatten and she lowers her body to the ground, turning herself to look at ... the chieftain!? Oi. Her face /burns/ with yet more embarrassment as she casts a glare at the wolf. She's taking it out on poor Skelaghe. "I-I-I-" and she's stuttering. Embarrassed. And still un-marked. "M'sorrysirwon'thappen'gain," she mumbles quickly, head lowered. She /knew/ she shouldn't have believed the wolf... she wonders if she should... explain herself? Then she realizes that Skelaghe has greeted the chief ... by /name./ Thoroughly embarrassed and entirely unsure of herself, she backs away so that Chesmu and Skelaghe can have a look at each other.
Chesmu looks over at Skelaghe, then back over at Ama. "Don't fret too much over it. It is only important you realize that you shouldn't do this without making sure she is a friend." Chesmu looks over at Skelaghe again. "And she is certainly a friend. Greetings, Skelaghe. I imagine you are now on your way south?"
Skelaghe offers a pleasant smile as, apparently, it is not she who was out of line. Of course, she feels bad that Ama is in trouble for no worse a crime than believing her, and so despite the smile, she delves into a serious topic rather than answer Chesmu's easy question. "I assure you, chieftain, that she did not merely take me at my word. She was duly cautious." Defense noted, she /then/ addresses the question. "And, yes. Southward for the time being, but there is no hurry to it." In other words, she'd love to talk, if the chief is so inclined.
From the edge of the woods in the east, a slender figure slips through the thinning trees and begins the short trek up to the stone formations. Ayashe's tribal markings are faded, which suggests she hasn't checked in with the rest of the clan for some time. No big surprise there -- unlike her mother before her, the great Paoro, Amaranth's current matron prefers to keep to herself, hunting alone on the very fringe of her mate's territory. The only thing keeping her so close to the heart of these lands are her cubs, and even they do not see her as often as they probably should. As usual, she smells Chesmu before she sees him, though she chooses to maintain a leisurely pace rather than hurry to investigate the situation.
Even after she's told not to worry, Ama can't help but to lower her eyes. Even more so after Skelaghe /speaks for her./ Ama screwed up. She feels ashamed, both for believing she had the right to lead a /wolf/ into Amaranth, and for glaring at the she-wolf who just defended her. "Y-yes," she finally responds to Chesmu, then looks to the she-wolf, an apologetic look on her face. She's not so sure she could enjoy a walk now, even on a day as beautiful as this. So she promptly settles onto her haunches and pulls her paws and tail as close to her body as she can. She wants to shrink away for the moment and be unnoticed. Especially since, she recalls, she is /still/ un-marked, and fears the chieftain’s potential response if he should happen to notice Ama lack of that oh-so-important red dye. She really needs to find that shamaness...
"Don't look so sour, Ama." Chesmu says, "It's rather unbecoming." Chesmu smirks and looks over at Skelaghe. "There has been a question I have wanted to ask for some time, though it never seemed appropriate." Chesmu says, leading the conversation to something a little more pleasant. "What of your brother, Skelaghe? I would imagine you would be searching for him. Though I am not certain. I never had any siblings... that I know of." Unloving mothers are much like that, after all. "Or do you not wish to answer?"
Skelaghe's... brother? Of course, she considered all of her former packmates as kin to her, but of the two males who accompanied her to these lands, neither were of direct blood, and the stories of both of them are not too pleasant, to this point. Her smile fades, but her tone remains light enough. "One of them has lost his way, and the other is just... Lost." She has done what she can to help, but the one thing she cannot do is wallow in the past. She can take the parts of it that are worth keeping, but she has to let go of the rest, and her former packmates do not seem so willing to do the same.
Ayashe slows, eventually coming to a stop not too far from the small gathering. She recognizes Chesmu and Ama at a glance, but the wolf -- Skelaghe -- is a stranger to her. This isn't the first time that one of her kind has crossed into Amaranth's territory, and in spite of her strong maternal instincts, the matron understands that the situation can't be as dire as it appears from where she's standing; there's no need for any bristling or lip-curling here if /Chesmu/ is at ease. "Who are you to judge what is unbecoming and what is not?"
Ama blinks awkwardly then lifts her head a little higher. Yeah. Easy for /him/ to say. Pfft. Good thing she doesn't know about what happened between him and Maulisho. If she did she'd be mad. But she doesn't, so she merely forces herself to sit up a little straighter. She doesn't like be told off. No one does. That's when, for a second time, a voice comes from an unrecognized source. Ama starts, then twists around to look at the cougaress that spoke. Ama's ears flicker as she recognizes this one as a member of Amaranth. The matron, she suspects. Ama lowers her head, then returns her attention ahead. She can feel her ears burning again, but she forces herself to look a little more confident than she feels.
Chesmu's ears lower a bit and he drops his head, turning it then to look over at Ayashe, his mate and the matron. Yikes. Does she even know about what's been happening? He's not sure. Seeing Ayashe is an event in and of itself for the Chieftain due to her rather solitary nature. Best not to bring it up now in front of a guest. "I am merely asking for her not to feel bad, Ayashe."
Skelaghe, too, turns to look at the most recent arrival. She remains quiet, for the time being, as this is another cougar she does not recognize, though she can guess who it might be, if her words cause Chesmu to trip over his. In the interest of being polite, though, she will give Chesmu a chance to introduce them or Ayashe a chance to introduce herself, rather than butting into their conversation.
"It is good to see you again, Ama," Ayashe intones softly as she mirrors the other female's gesture. Her green eyes flick briefly toward the chieftain, and he too receives a slight nod -- though it isn't clear whether she means to agree with or simply greet him. "Is our guest of the Lazuli pack?" she asks. "Or has Viridian finally sent one of its own to meet with my father's successor?"
The cougaress looks away, uncertainly, from her fellow cougars, and instead focuses her gaze on Skelaghe. Skelaghe is looking at Ayashe. Ama looks at Ayashe. Blinkblink. Ama isn't sure what to say -- this has ended up very awkward from her point of view. All she wanted to do was enjoy the nice spring day! Huff. Now she's sitting on her bump lookin' /stupid./ "A-and you," she responds to Ayashe's greeting softly, still stuttering slightly, though the heat is beginning to fade from her ears. Her eyes return to Skelaghe as the matron continues. Indeed. Who is this wolf /really/? Ama can't possibly look on the she-wolf too harshly now, though. Skelaghe /did/ rather defend Ama's position. Or something like that.
Chesmu can't help but feel a tad low in the conversation. 'My father's successor.' Not 'you' or 'Chesmu.' Ayashe seems cold to Chesmu in this moment and for a brief pause he almost swears its his own mother talking to him. He has to remind himself that Ayashe could never be as hateful as his mother, no matter how she treats him. He might want to ask about this disdain, however, if there is any. For now he focuses on Skelaghe and Ayashe's actual question. "N-neither." Chesmu starts. "This is a traveler, one I had the pleasure of meeting when she was on her way north." Chesmu shakes his head. "Ayashe, this is Skelaghe. Skelaghe, this is my mate, Ayashe, the Matron."
Skelaghe bows her head when the introductions are actually given, this time in the matron's direction. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Matron Ayashe." She doesn't contradict any of what Chesmu says. A traveler, yes, but she has been in these parts for over a year, now, and she does not imagine herself moving on anytime soon. All the same, she is not a part of either Lazuli or Viridian, nor does she imagine she ever will be, so traveler probably fits her as well as any other term would.
A wolf without a pack is something of a foreign concept to Ayashe, and the faintly bewildered expression on her face says more than any verbal backpedaling ever could. Don't look now -- her inexperience is showing. "My apologies, Skelaghe."
So. The she-wolf was telling the truth. Ama closes her eyes and sighs mentally. She remembers meeting someone long ago -- before she left Amaranth the first time -- who had spoken to her on the subject of wolves. Not all of them were bad, Ama knows. So, she supposes, this she-wolf is one of the good ones. One of the few, in Ama's opinion. Finally feeling she can "un-freeze" a little, the cougaress picks herself up and moves off a little ways so she can observe all three others. She'd rather be able to see everyone at once. Then she looks at Skelaghe closely. Ama probably owes the she-wolf an apology as well, but she's still a bit perturbed by her little... scolding.
When Skelaghe lifts her head, her expression does not reveal her to be upset. Her smile is a little thinner than usual, but the smile is there. It would take much more than an assumption that she is in a pack, or caution on the part of an inhabitant of these lands, for that matter, to make her feel as though she has been wronged. "There is no need for you to apologize, I assure you."
Ayashe blows a soft snort of approval through her nostrils. "If Chesmu has not already given you free passage through these lands, then you may have it. A lone wolf is no threat to Amaranth." But Amaranth is definitely a threat to a lone wolf -- let there be no mistake. Ayashe's tone is friendly enough, but her stiff body language makes the underlying message clear: don't do anything to make me regret this decision.
Well. Now the wolf doesn't even /need/ an escort. Ama lowers her head again. This whole situation has been thoroughly embarrassing. Didn't matter that it was a lovely spring day. Ama's pretty sure it's been /ruined./ Nonetheless, she sighs softly and looks at the she-wolf. Ama supposes it takes a special sort of wolf to get that kind of permission. Or maybe it doesn't. Though she doubts every wolf gets permission to enter Amaranth. Ama looks towards Ayashe, the one who has given that permission, then back to the wolf. Skelaghe doesn't look like anything spectacular to Ama. "I apologize for doubting your words so much earlier," she says at long last, her gaze lingering on the wolf a moment longer before Ama stands up a little awkwardly. She may still go on a walk. Besides. She's still a little concerned about not having gotten that mark yet...
Chesmu can't speak for Ayashe, but he is rather tolerant of others on the territory once he is assured there won't be any trouble. "She won't be any trouble, Ayashe, I can promise that. As I said, she is a friend of mine." Chesmu thinks about what time he has lost on his border patrol for this little chat. He realizes he might have to put more time in marking the territory to compensate, especially if it means reassuring Ayashe. He says nothing else for now. His mind is still focusing on Ayashe. Does she know what he has done? What he is punishing himself for?
Skelaghe isn't sure whether she could say such an offer has ever actually been extended to her. She knows she was well-received by the former matron of this territory, as well as by Chesmu, and as with most species besides wolves, she has a tendency to assume she is welcome unless told otherwise, a tendency that has gotten her in trouble in the past. Addressing the higher ranking of the female cougars first, after Chesmu speaks, she replies with another respectful bow of her head. "I appreciate that offer, Matron, and let me assure you that it will not be taken lightly." With that, she raises her head to look at Ama. "You were doing your duty to your tribe. I could ask you to do nothing else and still honor the acceptance I have been granted here."
Yeah. She should get out of here. Ama turns to leave, but pauses as the she-wolf speaks to her in turn. The cougaress hesitates, glances at her shoulder, still un-touched by the dye that should be there. Speaking of duty to the tribe... heh. She needs to find that shamaness. She nods to the wolf, then regards her leaders silently for a moment before bowing her head to each in turn. "I... I shall take my leave of you for now." Unless they try to stop her. In which case, she supposes she would... or pretend she didn't hear them.
Trying to listen and watch from a distance away, the physically large cougar named Nium lies on a boulder. She can see fine, an interesting sight it is, but listening is proving a bit difficult of a task. Her tattered ear is significantly less able to hear as well as her healthy one. Nium can pick up the voices of several different beings, but everyone is speaking rather softly now, and she can no longer figure anything out in their conversation. Looking right at her, Nium is oblivious to the Matriarch of the tribe's presence. Nium presses her front paws against the stone and lifts her upper body until she is sitting up.
Chesmu calls after Ama, "Take care of yourself, Ama." Chesmu says, then looks over at Skelaghe. "It is good to see you again. Tell me, if you can, if you have seen Maulisho on your way?" Chesmu isn't entirely sure if Skelaghe knows Maulisho. One way he can make Maulisho stand out is obvious. "She would be travelling with her cubs."
Skelaghe watches as Ama heads off and looks back to Chesmu, for the first time since she started talking to the matron and Ama. "I have not seen any cubs since arriving on the mountain. Something I hope will be remedied soon. However, it is probably time for me to take my leave as well. I am sure I'll see you again over the next few days. Farewell Chief Chesmu, Matron Ayashe." She intends to leave Amaranth territory to go hunt, no matter how well she is received here, but she also plans on sticking around the mountain for a few days. And she will keep an eye out for any cougaress with cubs, since Chesmu has mentioned it.
After self deliberation, Nium slides off the rock. Second thought, she stops and sits down again. The rock was her vantage point, she couldn't see the group as well anymore. She can't hear excellent, either. Third thought, she slowly begins heading over to the cougar he recognized as Chesmu. If Nium had to pick one cougar to call "friend", it would be Chesmu. Treking tall so she would be noticed, and not spook anybody who didn't know her, Nium doesn't need to say anything.
The mention of Maulisho earns Chesmu a narrowing of the eyes from Ayashe, though she says nothing that might confirm or deny his fears that she knows about what transpired between them. Instead, she simply flicks her an ear. "Farewell, friend wolf." It's too late to catch Ama, but even if it wasn't -- Chesmu has said good bye for the both of them. As Nium makes her approach, she dips her head by way of greeting.
Chesmu looks over at Nium as she approaches. Now how long has she been there? Though a friend, Chesmu would also have to describe Nium in one word, "Odd." But in a good way. More surrounded of mystery. Her movements, actions and thoughts are such that Chesmu wonders what is going on in that mind of hers. "Hello, Nium. I trust you are well?"
Skelaghe heads towards the southeast as she removes herself from the group, a little too soon the be introduced to another of the cougars of the tribe. There will be plenty of time for that in the days to come.