Post by Therdde on Jun 4, 2008 0:51:54 GMT -5
Characters:
Skelaghe – Female Wolf
Ahiga – Male Cougar
- Jagged Cliffs -
Skelaghe has never been to this particular area of the mountain before, and with good reason, it would seem. The ground is a little harder to navigate, and rough on the paws that are used to soft dirt, grass, and leaves. Still, when she was looking for a place to sleep away from deep Amaranth territory, it seemed a good bet, and as she walks through, she can only imagine the view of the sunrise that she'll have tomorrow. If it's half as spectacular as the view of the sunset that she's getting now, it'll be worth it. She is none too concerned with being quiet, and it would be easy to hear her coming.
Already occupying this spot is a large specimen of male cougar, laid out on his side on the flat, wind-blown surface of the drop-off. It would appear he's asleep -- or dead -- but any cougar a part of the Amaranth when it first started would recognize the now scarred face of Ahiga. It's been a long, long time since he last set paw in this territory, but here he is. In addition to the notches in his left ear and the gashes atop his head, he now has gashes on his muzzle that are much fresher, though healed. Upon hearing the noisy approach of the wolf, the cougar raises his head and peers at the canine. The rest of his body is soon to follow, slowly pushing onto his paws. His ears pin back defensively as he scans the horizon for signs of more wolves, but there appear to be none. "What do you want, wolf?"
Skelaghe pauses mid-step when she hears a voice from an as-of-yet unseen source. It takes her a moment of scanning the area in front of her before she spots the male cougar who has stood up. If she weren't so busy looking at the sky, she might have spotted him sooner. When she does, she lowers her paw that she had raised in the air to continue forward, but she moves no further. He doesn't look like he's in great shape, and she's not certain he's part of the tribe, so any statement that she has permission to be here might not hold any sway, so it would be best if she exercises caution. There is very little hesitation before she answers. "I was just searching for a place to sleep for the night."
There's a pause as Ahiga considers this, eyeing Skelaghe distrustfully. After a moment, he seems to relax just a little and settles himself onto his haunches, no longer in a prime position to pounce on the wolf. There's a soft grunt from him. "Why are you not sleeping with your pack?"
Skelaghe does not venture any closer to Ahiga, even as he sits down. She remains standing, but she does not appear prepared for any sort of combat, defensive or offensive. Skelaghe has been asked about her pack more times than she cares to count in the past few days, one time just hours ago, and this time she replies with a grin. "Why are you not with yours?" She only asks because the answer for both of them will be much the same. At least Skelaghe does not bother to assume things she can't possibly know about cougar culture.
When he had cubs and females to protect, Ahiga was wary of all wolves in his territory, wolf packs especially. Now, there is only one wolf, and he knows full well that he can kill a singular wolf. Skelaghe is not viewed as a threat, but that question gets a rather cold glare from the cougar. "Cougars," he grumbles, "do not have packs." He eases himself down onto his belly, then splays his hind legs out to one side, assuming a rest position. "You are either very brave or very foolish to wander so close to a clan's territory, especially alone."
"And neither do I." Not anymore, at least. Skelaghe finally sits. That this cougar knows that he is very near a tribe suggests he might be a part of them, lack of red markings aside. He wouldn't be the first Amaranth cougar she has met who hasn't had them. Continuing on, she says, "If I am either of those, it would be foolish, but I have had welcome in these parts for some time, now." Perhaps her first and second journeys here were foolish, but no longer.
That seems to surprise Ahiga, who regards the wolf for another beat. "Have you really? And who gave you such a welcome?" His tone is level and quiet neutral, displaying neither contempt nor malice. If anything, it is simply curious.
Skelaghe does not seem to be upset at playing twenty questions with this cougar. It's really a wonder that more of them haven't been so questioning, besides Ama and Yuma. Answering, again, with no hesitation, she says, "First Paoro, back when she was Matron, then Chief Chesmu, then Matron Ayashe." Three times, she has been welcomed onto Amaranth. Clearly, she should have no concern about walking through their territory.
The mention of Paoro sparks something in the male's eyes -- recognition and perhaps even pain. Ahiga goes very quiet, then licks his chops and glances off into the distant horizon. "You have seen Paoro?" he asks in a low voice.
Finally, the answer to this question takes a little longer, as Skelaghe looks over the male cougar. Her voice is considerably more solemn, as serious as she ever gets when she answers. "Not for a few seasons, but she is still well." Surely she would have heard if she wasn't, right? Chesmu would know that Skelaghe would want to know, wouldn't he? Skelaghe may have only met the former matron once, but she will grieve when Paoro dies. Indeed, even the thought that she might have missed it is upsetting, and she makes a point to tell herself she will have to find and speak with Paoro before she leaves the mountain.
The more Skelaghe speaks, the lower Ahiga's gaze drops until he's finally staring at the ground between his forepaws. He was afraid of hearing such news. But if Paoro hasn't been seen, that doesn't necessarily mean she is dead, right? After all, Ahiga is likely considered dead by any and all of the Amaranth, and yet here he is. "I see," he rumbles. "And Matron Ayashe?"
It takes Skelaghe a moment to realize why the male cougar seems crestfallen. The second she does, she starts speaking very quickly, all but ignoring his question. "Nonono. /I/ haven't seen her, but I've only been in the mountain for a few days, now." All of the other cougars of the tribe would have known that, and she wasn't thinking. She can't help but feel guilty, now, that she might have instilled in him some doubt that a cougar he cares about is well. She doesn't apologize, though. Rather, she emphasizes, "Both Ayashe /and/ Paoro have plenty of spirit left in them, I assure you." And if she's lying, boy will she have words for Chesmu, for not telling her about Paoro.
Relief creeps into Ahiga's expression at the clarification. He closes his eyes and releases a quiet sigh, then lifts his gaze again to level it on Skelaghe. "I see." This one sounds a lot less sorrowful than the last 'I see'. There's still hope. "Tell me of Chief Chesmu."
"He and Paoro traveled together to find the cure for the illness that destroyed my pack. Once they found it, he returned here, and Ayashe chose him as the new chief." Skelaghe pauses just long enough, to take a breath, then begins making, perhaps, too many assumptions for her own good, all based on his reaction to the idea that Paoro might have passed on. "He and Ayashe have blessed you with four beautiful grandchildren."
Whether or not they are too many assumptions, they are at least correct. The corners of Ahiga's mouth pull upward slightly in a smirk. "Then you know who I am, wolf? You were here after my time."
Skelaghe shakes her head slightly. "I do not know your name, but I heard of Paoro's mate, who nobly left to protect his family from the disease plaguing him and who never returned, and I saw the look on your face when you thought I meant Paoro had not been seen at all for seasons." The pieces were not too difficult to fit together, and now, maybe, she can actually give that noble cougar in her story a name. It would have been tactless to bring it up with any of the members of Amaranth while he was missing, but here he is, in the flesh.
There's a low chuckle from the cougar. Who knew that he would be so highly spoken of in his absence? Then again, he never expected to return here. He had expected to die. "I am that cougar," he utters. "I am Ahiga. I was once chieftain of the Amaranth, before the disease." But then the wolf already knew that, obviously. "It is good to hear that it has done well in my absence."
"And is your absence over?" Skelaghe's tone makes her real question easy to determine. Why is he here and not further into the territory, with his family? She can remember hoping that Ahiga would return, because if anyone Skelaghe knows, however slightly, deserves to be happy, it is certainly Paoro. Besides, enough animals lost their mates to that dreadful disease. It would be nice to see to it that one couple is finally reunited.
Ahiga lays his chin over one foreleg with a low sigh, half-closing his eyes. He looks very tired, very worn, but then he's been traveling for quite some time. It took him a while just to remember everything about his life here, and even then, there are patches that are missing. "Perhaps. There is a new chieftain now, and we are not like wolves. No matter what I might have once done here, I am a foreign male now, and I should be surprised if I am welcomed back." But he would obviously like to see Paoro again.
Skelaghe knows that Maulisho and her mate were welcomed onto the land. She also knows that Maulisho, at least, was forced off by Chesmu's actions. In all likelihood, her mate was, too. So Ahiga may be right, but Skelaghe couldn't care less if Chesmu would welcome him. This may be one more area in which she shouldn't be meddling, but she can't help it. Her voice every bit as solemn as it was when she first spoke of Paoro, she says, "I can broach with subject with Chesmu for you, if you'd like... Or I could simply seek out Paoro and tell her where she can find you. She would be glad to see you again, Ahiga." Assumptions again, but, as always, Skelaghe is fairly certain she's correct.
"I would be glad to see her again." Ahiga releases a quiet purr to punctuate the sentence, the faintest hints of a smile pulling at his muzzle once again. "If you can find her and bring her here, I would be in your debt." As for Chesmu, he doesn't appear to want to make contact with the new chieftain. Not yet. It is his mate that he wishes to see most of all.
Skelaghe gives a nod to Ahiga and stands. She may have come here with an interest in sleeping, but she knows how long it has been since Paoro and Ahiga have seen each other, and she does not want to be the one to delay that further. With a faint smile, she says, "I will return as quickly as possible." It probably won't be tonight, but soon, she tells herself.
"I shall remain here for as long as I am able." Which could mean for as long as he remains undiscovered, or for as long as the hunting will allow. Possibly both. Either way, Ahiga is in no hurry to leave. "Thank you, wolf . . . I do not know your name." 'Wolf' usually sufficed before, but Skelaghe has been very kind, and it wouldn't do to continue calling her 'wolf'.
Skelaghe forgot to introduce herself? That may well be a first, but she was so caught up in everything that was said previous to now. With a bow of her head, she says, "My name is Skelaghe, and you are welcome." After all, if he had seemed reluctant, she probably would have insisted. She /wants/ to do this. Perhaps she considers it some small step towards paying Paoro back for her selflessness. After speaking, she turns to head further into Amaranth.
Skelaghe – Female Wolf
Ahiga – Male Cougar
- Jagged Cliffs -
Skelaghe has never been to this particular area of the mountain before, and with good reason, it would seem. The ground is a little harder to navigate, and rough on the paws that are used to soft dirt, grass, and leaves. Still, when she was looking for a place to sleep away from deep Amaranth territory, it seemed a good bet, and as she walks through, she can only imagine the view of the sunrise that she'll have tomorrow. If it's half as spectacular as the view of the sunset that she's getting now, it'll be worth it. She is none too concerned with being quiet, and it would be easy to hear her coming.
Already occupying this spot is a large specimen of male cougar, laid out on his side on the flat, wind-blown surface of the drop-off. It would appear he's asleep -- or dead -- but any cougar a part of the Amaranth when it first started would recognize the now scarred face of Ahiga. It's been a long, long time since he last set paw in this territory, but here he is. In addition to the notches in his left ear and the gashes atop his head, he now has gashes on his muzzle that are much fresher, though healed. Upon hearing the noisy approach of the wolf, the cougar raises his head and peers at the canine. The rest of his body is soon to follow, slowly pushing onto his paws. His ears pin back defensively as he scans the horizon for signs of more wolves, but there appear to be none. "What do you want, wolf?"
Skelaghe pauses mid-step when she hears a voice from an as-of-yet unseen source. It takes her a moment of scanning the area in front of her before she spots the male cougar who has stood up. If she weren't so busy looking at the sky, she might have spotted him sooner. When she does, she lowers her paw that she had raised in the air to continue forward, but she moves no further. He doesn't look like he's in great shape, and she's not certain he's part of the tribe, so any statement that she has permission to be here might not hold any sway, so it would be best if she exercises caution. There is very little hesitation before she answers. "I was just searching for a place to sleep for the night."
There's a pause as Ahiga considers this, eyeing Skelaghe distrustfully. After a moment, he seems to relax just a little and settles himself onto his haunches, no longer in a prime position to pounce on the wolf. There's a soft grunt from him. "Why are you not sleeping with your pack?"
Skelaghe does not venture any closer to Ahiga, even as he sits down. She remains standing, but she does not appear prepared for any sort of combat, defensive or offensive. Skelaghe has been asked about her pack more times than she cares to count in the past few days, one time just hours ago, and this time she replies with a grin. "Why are you not with yours?" She only asks because the answer for both of them will be much the same. At least Skelaghe does not bother to assume things she can't possibly know about cougar culture.
When he had cubs and females to protect, Ahiga was wary of all wolves in his territory, wolf packs especially. Now, there is only one wolf, and he knows full well that he can kill a singular wolf. Skelaghe is not viewed as a threat, but that question gets a rather cold glare from the cougar. "Cougars," he grumbles, "do not have packs." He eases himself down onto his belly, then splays his hind legs out to one side, assuming a rest position. "You are either very brave or very foolish to wander so close to a clan's territory, especially alone."
"And neither do I." Not anymore, at least. Skelaghe finally sits. That this cougar knows that he is very near a tribe suggests he might be a part of them, lack of red markings aside. He wouldn't be the first Amaranth cougar she has met who hasn't had them. Continuing on, she says, "If I am either of those, it would be foolish, but I have had welcome in these parts for some time, now." Perhaps her first and second journeys here were foolish, but no longer.
That seems to surprise Ahiga, who regards the wolf for another beat. "Have you really? And who gave you such a welcome?" His tone is level and quiet neutral, displaying neither contempt nor malice. If anything, it is simply curious.
Skelaghe does not seem to be upset at playing twenty questions with this cougar. It's really a wonder that more of them haven't been so questioning, besides Ama and Yuma. Answering, again, with no hesitation, she says, "First Paoro, back when she was Matron, then Chief Chesmu, then Matron Ayashe." Three times, she has been welcomed onto Amaranth. Clearly, she should have no concern about walking through their territory.
The mention of Paoro sparks something in the male's eyes -- recognition and perhaps even pain. Ahiga goes very quiet, then licks his chops and glances off into the distant horizon. "You have seen Paoro?" he asks in a low voice.
Finally, the answer to this question takes a little longer, as Skelaghe looks over the male cougar. Her voice is considerably more solemn, as serious as she ever gets when she answers. "Not for a few seasons, but she is still well." Surely she would have heard if she wasn't, right? Chesmu would know that Skelaghe would want to know, wouldn't he? Skelaghe may have only met the former matron once, but she will grieve when Paoro dies. Indeed, even the thought that she might have missed it is upsetting, and she makes a point to tell herself she will have to find and speak with Paoro before she leaves the mountain.
The more Skelaghe speaks, the lower Ahiga's gaze drops until he's finally staring at the ground between his forepaws. He was afraid of hearing such news. But if Paoro hasn't been seen, that doesn't necessarily mean she is dead, right? After all, Ahiga is likely considered dead by any and all of the Amaranth, and yet here he is. "I see," he rumbles. "And Matron Ayashe?"
It takes Skelaghe a moment to realize why the male cougar seems crestfallen. The second she does, she starts speaking very quickly, all but ignoring his question. "Nonono. /I/ haven't seen her, but I've only been in the mountain for a few days, now." All of the other cougars of the tribe would have known that, and she wasn't thinking. She can't help but feel guilty, now, that she might have instilled in him some doubt that a cougar he cares about is well. She doesn't apologize, though. Rather, she emphasizes, "Both Ayashe /and/ Paoro have plenty of spirit left in them, I assure you." And if she's lying, boy will she have words for Chesmu, for not telling her about Paoro.
Relief creeps into Ahiga's expression at the clarification. He closes his eyes and releases a quiet sigh, then lifts his gaze again to level it on Skelaghe. "I see." This one sounds a lot less sorrowful than the last 'I see'. There's still hope. "Tell me of Chief Chesmu."
"He and Paoro traveled together to find the cure for the illness that destroyed my pack. Once they found it, he returned here, and Ayashe chose him as the new chief." Skelaghe pauses just long enough, to take a breath, then begins making, perhaps, too many assumptions for her own good, all based on his reaction to the idea that Paoro might have passed on. "He and Ayashe have blessed you with four beautiful grandchildren."
Whether or not they are too many assumptions, they are at least correct. The corners of Ahiga's mouth pull upward slightly in a smirk. "Then you know who I am, wolf? You were here after my time."
Skelaghe shakes her head slightly. "I do not know your name, but I heard of Paoro's mate, who nobly left to protect his family from the disease plaguing him and who never returned, and I saw the look on your face when you thought I meant Paoro had not been seen at all for seasons." The pieces were not too difficult to fit together, and now, maybe, she can actually give that noble cougar in her story a name. It would have been tactless to bring it up with any of the members of Amaranth while he was missing, but here he is, in the flesh.
There's a low chuckle from the cougar. Who knew that he would be so highly spoken of in his absence? Then again, he never expected to return here. He had expected to die. "I am that cougar," he utters. "I am Ahiga. I was once chieftain of the Amaranth, before the disease." But then the wolf already knew that, obviously. "It is good to hear that it has done well in my absence."
"And is your absence over?" Skelaghe's tone makes her real question easy to determine. Why is he here and not further into the territory, with his family? She can remember hoping that Ahiga would return, because if anyone Skelaghe knows, however slightly, deserves to be happy, it is certainly Paoro. Besides, enough animals lost their mates to that dreadful disease. It would be nice to see to it that one couple is finally reunited.
Ahiga lays his chin over one foreleg with a low sigh, half-closing his eyes. He looks very tired, very worn, but then he's been traveling for quite some time. It took him a while just to remember everything about his life here, and even then, there are patches that are missing. "Perhaps. There is a new chieftain now, and we are not like wolves. No matter what I might have once done here, I am a foreign male now, and I should be surprised if I am welcomed back." But he would obviously like to see Paoro again.
Skelaghe knows that Maulisho and her mate were welcomed onto the land. She also knows that Maulisho, at least, was forced off by Chesmu's actions. In all likelihood, her mate was, too. So Ahiga may be right, but Skelaghe couldn't care less if Chesmu would welcome him. This may be one more area in which she shouldn't be meddling, but she can't help it. Her voice every bit as solemn as it was when she first spoke of Paoro, she says, "I can broach with subject with Chesmu for you, if you'd like... Or I could simply seek out Paoro and tell her where she can find you. She would be glad to see you again, Ahiga." Assumptions again, but, as always, Skelaghe is fairly certain she's correct.
"I would be glad to see her again." Ahiga releases a quiet purr to punctuate the sentence, the faintest hints of a smile pulling at his muzzle once again. "If you can find her and bring her here, I would be in your debt." As for Chesmu, he doesn't appear to want to make contact with the new chieftain. Not yet. It is his mate that he wishes to see most of all.
Skelaghe gives a nod to Ahiga and stands. She may have come here with an interest in sleeping, but she knows how long it has been since Paoro and Ahiga have seen each other, and she does not want to be the one to delay that further. With a faint smile, she says, "I will return as quickly as possible." It probably won't be tonight, but soon, she tells herself.
"I shall remain here for as long as I am able." Which could mean for as long as he remains undiscovered, or for as long as the hunting will allow. Possibly both. Either way, Ahiga is in no hurry to leave. "Thank you, wolf . . . I do not know your name." 'Wolf' usually sufficed before, but Skelaghe has been very kind, and it wouldn't do to continue calling her 'wolf'.
Skelaghe forgot to introduce herself? That may well be a first, but she was so caught up in everything that was said previous to now. With a bow of her head, she says, "My name is Skelaghe, and you are welcome." After all, if he had seemed reluctant, she probably would have insisted. She /wants/ to do this. Perhaps she considers it some small step towards paying Paoro back for her selflessness. After speaking, she turns to head further into Amaranth.