Post by Therdde on Oct 30, 2008 22:07:37 GMT -5
Characters:
Kein - Male Adolescent Cougar
Nayeli - Female Adolescent Cougar
Wll-o-Wisp - Female Fox Squirrel
- Waterfall Pool -
Kein is more than happy to walk alongside Nayeli in comfortable silence. The silence doesn't last for very long, though. As they continue walking, the sound of crashing water grows. It is quite unlike anything Kein has ever heard, and it causes his pace to slow, especially since the waterfall is not yet in sight. He had fully expected to /see/ new things, but he had not expected to /hear/ new things, and perhaps the encounters with Azriel and that bird do have him a /little/ on edge. He still tries to hide any uncertainty he may be feeling when he glances to Nayeli.
It's as if she's hearing rain approaching, yet with a perfectly clear sky. Had they still been in Amaranth, Nayeli would have been worried about whether or not she was hearing imaginary noises, but she determined a long while back that once she took her first step into unknown territory, she was going to fully embrace the possibility that things would not be the same as they were in her homeland. If it sounds like rain without actually raining... she can just get used to this new phenomenon. Even still, she's carefully looking around, trying to find an actual source of the noise.
If it sounds like rain without it actually raining, Kein would probably never agree to live here. What would it sound like when it /is/ raining? Besides, there is something that is just plain different about it. Though he's pensive about what may be waiting for them, he continues walking. When it first come into sight, off in the distance, the waterfall is unrecognizable for what it is, at least to someone who had never seen one before, but as they continue and it becomes identifiable as water, Kein's expression slowly changes from concern to awe. He has never seen any constant water sources except for the well in Amaranth and the oasis in the desert. Nothing like /this/.
But as they get closer, Nayeli slowly realizes that it's not the sound of rain; it's far more of a thundering sound. It's like a constant clap of thunder, or a boulder tumbling from somewhere high up on the mountain. And when she sees the source, her eyes widen and her mouth opens slightly in disbelief. "It's /beautiful/!" she breathes, finally realizing that it's water. Lots and lots and lots of water. But where is it coming from, and where is it going? As the two cougars get even closer, she realizes that waterfall is supplying the large pool down at the bottom. But why isn't the pool filling up and overflowing? How does it all work? Despite her dislike of water, she has to admit that it /is/ quite a breathtaking and visually stunning environment.
Kein never disliked water, and months spent in the desert, where they could only travel as far as their thirst would allow them, at least comfortably, led him to really appreciate what it could offer, not only to drink but also to cool down. Not that he has any desire to cool down now, but he is easily as amazed as Nayeli is. There's so /much/ of it, endlessly falling from above, from the mountain. It can't come from anywhere within Amaranth. So where? He can't find it in himself to speak, not right away. It barely even registers that Nayeli has spoke, what she has said. He's not sure how to describe it. The word Nayeli uses, beautiful, fits. So does breath-taking.
Are they going to walk all the way to the edge of the pool? Or turn to the side and keep going to the north? Nayeli can't help but hope that Kein decides that it's okay to take another break from their traveling, if for no other reason than to indulge in some sightseeing. Who knows? This strange mountain of continually-falling water may be a common occurrence from here on, so maybe it's not that important to stop and stare at this one. But still.. she /wants/ to see it! It's amazing, it's new, and it's something so unlike anything she's ever seen before!
There is little chance that Kein could bring himself to pass this up, even if Nayeli wanted to. He can only /hope/ that there are more things like this ahead of them... Or else he may well want to return here, after they are all done exploring. It's close enough to their families. That much water has to attract the prey in the area, if only when they're thirsty. And it really is the most stunning landmark he has seen in a long time. His path does take him closer to the pool and the waterfall, and finally, he says, "I can't believe how big it is." Briefly, he remembers one of the first times he met Nayeli and they encountered the well, which he had been so convinced was just a really large animal's footprint. Did he tell her that, back then? He can't remember, but the memory brings a small smile to his face.
A quick flash of black and white darts through the trees near the waterfall, a peppery-furred rodent scurrying down the trunk of one to peer out at the surroundings beneath the branches. Spying two cougars along the rim of the pool at the base of the prominent waterfall, the squirrel is careful to determine that these two are, in fact, the pumas she's been sent to seek out -- such a mistake here could cost her life. They look like what Paoro described, but she can't be completely sure until she asks. Will-o-Wisp climbs down to the base of the tree, then approaches as near as she dares to the pair of predators before attempting to make her presence known. "Ah--hmm. Excuse me? Are you Nayeli and Kein?"
"I know!" Nayeli agrees with a small laugh. She's seen a mountain of rock, and now she's watching a mountain of water! Only, it's moving at considerable speed and making a lot of loud noise at the same time. It's as if all the rain that could possibly fall during a storm is concentrated into this single cascade. She's perhaps so captivated by the sight that the sudden voice off to their side catches her completely by surprise. Reflexively, claws become fully extended as she whirls around. But it's not another predator. It's a tiny squirrel. Needless to say, that in and of itself is quite baffling--why would a squirrel actually approach them with the intent of conversation? But even more startling is the fact that it somehow knows their names. "I'm.. Nayeli.." she stammers, throwing a confused and surprised look at her friend, then looking back at the squirrel. What in the world...?
Sudden, but small. The voice that speaks to them, and even mentions their names, is unfamiliar, but it is most unlike the intimidating voice of Azriel, so Kein is not immediately alarmed, but he was not expecting the voice any more than Nayeli was, so his turning to face it is almost as hurried as the female cougar's. By the time he has spotted the source of the voice, Nayeli has already spoken, and Kein's eyes narrow slightly. He doesn't know if Azriel knew Nayeli's name, but the first thing he can think of is that this squirrel is trying to distract them. Why else could it be here, looking for them, specifically? And there is only one animal out here who knows their names /and/ wants them distracted, so though he answers very shortly after Nayeli, he does so while looking away from the squirrel, scanning the area for any threats. Just in case. "I am Kein. And you are?" There is suspicion in his tone, but no real threat or anger. Yet.
The squirrel sits up a little taller now, though it still keeps note of where the nearest tree is -- just in case. "I'm shamaness Paoro's familiar. You can call me Willow. She sent me to find you...she said to tell you she's back in the tribelands again and wishes to speak with you at your earliest convenience." Among the other grandchildren, surely, but there is apparently some emphasis here -- enough to send someone looking for them, at least. Its bushy tail flicks absentmindedly in the spastic way typical of ever-alert squirrels.
Nayeli has no idea what a 'familiar' is, but at the mention of Paoro, she feels a lot of the tension drain out of her. If Paoro sent this.. rather odd choice of a messenger, then surely they need to heed the request and turn back toward Amaranth. As much Nayeli would like to continue onward in their journey, a summons from the shamaness isn't something that one can easily dismiss. "Did she say why, or what she wanted to talk about?" Perhaps not something that she felt comfortable entrusting to a mere squirrel, but then again, maybe she did. And if they are going to turn around, Nayeli would like to know a little bit more as to /why/.
Paoro? The name is easily familiar, but it is not the name that Kein had been thinking of. He remains silent while Nayeli asks questions. There aren't any other questions that Kein would have asked... But he might have asked them with a great deal more emphasis, more distrust, whether he expected the squirrel to know the answers or not. After deciding that there is no one else very nearby, he looks back to the squirrel who introduces herself as Willow, but he keeps a little of his attention on their surroundings while he waits for Willow to answer.
Will-o-Wisp shakes her small head back and forth, tail flick-flicking about behind her. "No, she gave me no details. Just to find you and request that you return home as soon as you can so that she can speak with you," the squirrel explains, dark eyes flitting back and forth between the pair of much larger animals. She resists the urge to bound away as soon as possible, instead waiting to see if the two have any further questions for her.
There's just one immediate concern that Nayeli has, and it's one that probably would be best to voice to his ears only. With a simple nod in the squirrel's direction, she steps over to where she can whisper directly in Kein's ear. "It's your decision, but if we /do/ go back, how do we know that Chesmu won't attack you again?" Or for that matter, how do they know that this isn't a trap at all? Her father could have very easily sent this squirrel pretending to be from Paoro. It's not like he didn't know where they were headed, after all. But would he really do that? At one point in her life, Nayeli would have strongly argued against such a possibility. But now...? It's certainly something they'll have to consider.
Kein doesn't know if Azriel knew Paoro's name. Chesmu is not the only one who might have set a trap for them, and if... when... they return, he will certainly have to keep an eye out, the entire way there. But if he let fear guide them... They wouldn't be out here in the first place, would they? And if Chesmu does attack him again? Nothing short of his death or Nayeli or one of his family members standing directly in his path could keep him from making sure the former chieftain is destroyed when it is all over. With a deep breath, he says, "The Amaranth Shanamess would not ask us to return lightly." He feels it important to emphasize that Paoro has no authority over them, none except the ability she would have to come here and force them to do something, hence the use of her title rather than her name. "If we go there, it will be as her guests, and we would expect to be treated as such." By /everyone/, Chesmu most of all. He may be saying it to reassure Nayeli, but it is all said while he looks directly at Willow.
Will-o-Wisp quickly nods to Kein. "Of course. I will make your wishes known to the shamaness herself upon my return, and let her know to expect you soon." With that, the fox squirrel, considering her job done, turns and darts over to the tree she descended from, scrambling up the trunk and into the safety of the thick branches overhead once again. A flicker of white among the rustling leaves, and she's gone again.
Expect to be treated as guests? She's Paoro's granddaughter, and sister of the Chieftain! And yet.. she's no longer a member of Amaranth. It's not really until that moment that it hits home. She's not a Sister anymore. Just a wandering cougaress with no place to call her home. It sounds so depressing to state it like that, which is why she prefers to consider herself as simply on an exploratory journey with her best friend. They're not homeless so much as just trying to find a good territory to claim. Semantics, perhaps, but necessary to keep optimistic. And as she watches the squirrel disappear from sight, she remains motionless, now deep in thought. This changes everything. It was rather frustrating to have delays in their journey, especially unwelcome ones like having to deal with Kein's real father or that crazy raven, but.. this? This is completely different. Well. Time to discuss. Nayeli turns to face her friend, looking relatively uncertain. "So..." she begins, not really sure what to say.
It's a weird feeling. There have been a few times since they left that he wished he could return, wished he could take comfort in having his family's experience and support to help them. Now that it looks like they're really going to return, though... He's not sure he wants to. With Nayeli's warning about Chesmu, his thought about Azriel, and the uncertainty about what Paoro could want... What could be important enough that they should return just days after they left? And what if... What if something happened to Mom, Kasim, or Pelutho, something really bad, and /that's/ why they're being called back? And what could he really do about it, except for be upset? They have just found the most amazing thing he has ever seen, they have dealt with two unpleasant confrontations in a manner he would view as at least a little bit admirable... Didn't they earn the right to just enjoy this, right here, a little bit, before having to deal with the next thing? When Nayeli speaks, he forces himself to take a deep breath. "If that squirrel is going to be telling her to expect us soon, we probably shouldn't delay it too long." Which is hard, when he feels like curling up here with his friend, staring at the waterfall, and relaxing before moving forward to face whatever may be next.
How long is 'too long'? The squirrel /did/ say that they were requested at their convenience, didn't she? That doesn't necessarily mean sprinting back as quickly as they're able to. If it really was a time-critical issue, Paoro would have sent a messenger with more speed than a squirrel. Even a songbird would have been able to find them quicker. "Yeah. We can probably stay here for a bit longer, though, and then head back." Now that they're finally here at this environmental marvel, Nayeli has no desire to leave. And determined to enjoy whatever little time they have left here, she turns back to look up toward the top of the waterfall, watching the ever-present flow of water crashing down toward the pool.
Kein doesn't know whether he expects Nayeli to be more eager to return than he is. She was every bit as eager to leave. Probably a fair bit /more/ eager to leave. It was one of her relatives who asked that they return, though. Either way... He's kind of grateful for what she says... And moments after she does, he follows her suit, turning to face the waterfall. It hasn't lost any of its beauty in the time since they first saw it, and he smiles lightly. "Maybe a nap, at least, before we start back." They won't be able to make the entire journey without sleeping. What difference does it make if they sleep now or sleep when they're closer to Amaranth, and what difference does it make if they just spend a little while lying down, taking in the sights, and maybe talking a little before they nap?
A nap? That sounds good, but... She swats at Kein with a paw, giggling. "You really think we could sleep with all this noise?" It's like a thunderclap that got stuck and isn't able to finish! Nayeli is pretty sure that they could fall asleep eventually, especially if they were tired enough. But in the meantime, there's nothing to prevent them just enjoying the wonderful view, perhaps lying side-by-side down at the pond's edge? She's still a little uneasy about the sheer volume of water there, but it's not going to /attack/ her or anything.
Kein grins when Nayeli swats at him, doing nothing more than ducking back slightly. Her paw still grazes him, but it wouldn't have hurt, even if he had remained still. Unlike last time, he doesn't pretend to fall over. "I think /I/ could nap even if it were a lot louder." He does walk to the very edge of the pond, but he doesn't lie down immediately. Rather, he just lowers his head to get a drink. There was the rain when Azriel came, but Kein didn't drink much from the puddles it left, so he's thankful for this chance to slake his thirst. Then, after drinking, he finally lies down, but despite what he says, he has no intention to sleep immediately.
Nayeli pads toward the water's edge as well, mimicking her friend as she leans down to quench her own thirst. She can't resist the temptation to shake her head and send droplets of water from her whiskers toward Kein, but then she settles down from her playful mood and lies down next to him, watching the waterfall across the length of the pond. She's also not in any particular hurry to fall asleep, so if Kein wants to talk at all, she's all for it.
Kein lets out a brief, complaining mrow when Nayeli shakes the water from her wiskers onto him, and when she lies done, he bumps his nose against her shoulder in 'retaliation'. Then he turns his own gaze back to the waterfall... And he says one of the first things he thought of, besides how magnificent it all looks. "I wonder if anyone lives here yet." It's not that he's eager to end their journey. He said they weren't going to stop at the first nice place they found. Besides, he has yet to see or smell even anything so large as a rabbit. He just figures that it might be something to think about, a place to start off the list of potential territories he imagines they'll develop.
Nayeli pffts, bumping her nose back against Kein. "Of course someone lives here!" Her voice gives the impression that the answer is so obvious, Kein shouldn't even have had to ask. After waiting a second for Kein to puzzle over who she's referring to, she finally giggles and exclaims, "/We/ live here now, of course! It's all ours!" At least for right now. It'll cease to be their territory the moment they leave tomorrow, heading back to Amaranth, but for now, they can certainly enjoy the solitude. With a mischievous grin, Nayeli gently bumps her head into Kein's shoulder again. "That means that any more squirrels need to address you as /Chieftain/, y'know!"
Kein always knew that they wouldn't be able to leave whatever territory they established for a while, for the chance of losing it. What she says, though, when she finishes speaking, causes him to grin. Sure, for the evening, he can claim this area as his. His and Nayeli's, that is. His tone is amused when he replies, "And you as Matron." Because she will be. He didn't invite any other female to come exploring with him. He invited /her/, and anyone else who can't accept that certainly won't have his permission to live wherever he settles down.
Her as Matron? Hah! Well.. maybe by technicality, if he's the Chieftain of their miniature territory. "If you insist," she replies with a chuckle. "Though I'd prefer to just be your friend, rather than anything else." She certainly plans on doing that, regardless of whatever title they want to jokingly give each other. There's a few more things to think about, such as who else will live in their eventual /real/ territory. Other cougars? /Are/ there any other cougars out there? Or at least where they're going?
The Matron is the Chieftain's mate. Or the other way around. Obviously, there is an exception with Amaranth right now, but... Either way... Is she saying she /never/ wants to take it that far, or is he just getting hung up on names? Or... Does she think he'll find someone better suited for the position? Impossible. Even if there are cougaresses who are more confident, who believe in their ability to lead more than Nayeli does, which Kein isn't sure he would ever admit... He can't imagine that he would feel towards them even remotely what he feels towards Nayeli. And so, with a hint of seriousness in his tone, he says, "I do insist... But we can still play and do everything that friends do."
It's mostly just a dislike for the formality of the title, and even some of what the position represents. It's not that Nayeli is against responsibility or leadership, but she would prefer not to think about such things. She was just teasing Kein with his own title, though she supposes that they do need to discuss aspects of territory and leadership and all that. Does he want to start another tribe? Does he want just the two of them to live alone somewhere? Hmm. "Okay," she agrees, "I'll be your Matron then."
Kein smiles and nuzzles against Nayeli, then turns his attention back to the waterfall. Maybe, after they visit Amaranth... They'll take a slightly different path, and then when they're done, if they don't find a better place, they can return here. Or maybe they'll just return here so that they can take a look around the surrounding area more. He'll have plenty of time to think that through, at least, so he pushes it from his head, for now.
And who knows? There might be more waterfalls out there, somewhere, so there's nothing to say that they would have to come back to this one. If Kein even /wants/ to live near a waterfall. Nayeli certainly would, but it's ultimately her friend's decision. As she's told him before, she's just happy to be with him, wherever that will be. And as if to emphasize her thoughts, she gives him a nuzzle and smile in return.
Kein purrs softly as Nayeli returns his nuzzling and spends a while thinking. From right here, by the very edge of the water, the sound is a little loud. Nothing he couldn't sleep through, once getting to sleep, but still loud enough that sleeping here every night probably wouldn't be a good idea. Even tonight, it's probably not a good idea, but he doesn't have any desire to move right now. From a distance away, though, so the sound isn't so loud that it would mask something coming? Then he could definitely consider it soothing, something he could easily get used to. Like sleeping next to Nayeli. Slowly, he stretches out, but he doesn't try to continue the conversation. If she has something she wants to say, he'll talk, but for now, he's content to daydream.
Kein - Male Adolescent Cougar
Nayeli - Female Adolescent Cougar
Wll-o-Wisp - Female Fox Squirrel
- Waterfall Pool -
Kein is more than happy to walk alongside Nayeli in comfortable silence. The silence doesn't last for very long, though. As they continue walking, the sound of crashing water grows. It is quite unlike anything Kein has ever heard, and it causes his pace to slow, especially since the waterfall is not yet in sight. He had fully expected to /see/ new things, but he had not expected to /hear/ new things, and perhaps the encounters with Azriel and that bird do have him a /little/ on edge. He still tries to hide any uncertainty he may be feeling when he glances to Nayeli.
It's as if she's hearing rain approaching, yet with a perfectly clear sky. Had they still been in Amaranth, Nayeli would have been worried about whether or not she was hearing imaginary noises, but she determined a long while back that once she took her first step into unknown territory, she was going to fully embrace the possibility that things would not be the same as they were in her homeland. If it sounds like rain without actually raining... she can just get used to this new phenomenon. Even still, she's carefully looking around, trying to find an actual source of the noise.
If it sounds like rain without it actually raining, Kein would probably never agree to live here. What would it sound like when it /is/ raining? Besides, there is something that is just plain different about it. Though he's pensive about what may be waiting for them, he continues walking. When it first come into sight, off in the distance, the waterfall is unrecognizable for what it is, at least to someone who had never seen one before, but as they continue and it becomes identifiable as water, Kein's expression slowly changes from concern to awe. He has never seen any constant water sources except for the well in Amaranth and the oasis in the desert. Nothing like /this/.
But as they get closer, Nayeli slowly realizes that it's not the sound of rain; it's far more of a thundering sound. It's like a constant clap of thunder, or a boulder tumbling from somewhere high up on the mountain. And when she sees the source, her eyes widen and her mouth opens slightly in disbelief. "It's /beautiful/!" she breathes, finally realizing that it's water. Lots and lots and lots of water. But where is it coming from, and where is it going? As the two cougars get even closer, she realizes that waterfall is supplying the large pool down at the bottom. But why isn't the pool filling up and overflowing? How does it all work? Despite her dislike of water, she has to admit that it /is/ quite a breathtaking and visually stunning environment.
Kein never disliked water, and months spent in the desert, where they could only travel as far as their thirst would allow them, at least comfortably, led him to really appreciate what it could offer, not only to drink but also to cool down. Not that he has any desire to cool down now, but he is easily as amazed as Nayeli is. There's so /much/ of it, endlessly falling from above, from the mountain. It can't come from anywhere within Amaranth. So where? He can't find it in himself to speak, not right away. It barely even registers that Nayeli has spoke, what she has said. He's not sure how to describe it. The word Nayeli uses, beautiful, fits. So does breath-taking.
Are they going to walk all the way to the edge of the pool? Or turn to the side and keep going to the north? Nayeli can't help but hope that Kein decides that it's okay to take another break from their traveling, if for no other reason than to indulge in some sightseeing. Who knows? This strange mountain of continually-falling water may be a common occurrence from here on, so maybe it's not that important to stop and stare at this one. But still.. she /wants/ to see it! It's amazing, it's new, and it's something so unlike anything she's ever seen before!
There is little chance that Kein could bring himself to pass this up, even if Nayeli wanted to. He can only /hope/ that there are more things like this ahead of them... Or else he may well want to return here, after they are all done exploring. It's close enough to their families. That much water has to attract the prey in the area, if only when they're thirsty. And it really is the most stunning landmark he has seen in a long time. His path does take him closer to the pool and the waterfall, and finally, he says, "I can't believe how big it is." Briefly, he remembers one of the first times he met Nayeli and they encountered the well, which he had been so convinced was just a really large animal's footprint. Did he tell her that, back then? He can't remember, but the memory brings a small smile to his face.
A quick flash of black and white darts through the trees near the waterfall, a peppery-furred rodent scurrying down the trunk of one to peer out at the surroundings beneath the branches. Spying two cougars along the rim of the pool at the base of the prominent waterfall, the squirrel is careful to determine that these two are, in fact, the pumas she's been sent to seek out -- such a mistake here could cost her life. They look like what Paoro described, but she can't be completely sure until she asks. Will-o-Wisp climbs down to the base of the tree, then approaches as near as she dares to the pair of predators before attempting to make her presence known. "Ah--hmm. Excuse me? Are you Nayeli and Kein?"
"I know!" Nayeli agrees with a small laugh. She's seen a mountain of rock, and now she's watching a mountain of water! Only, it's moving at considerable speed and making a lot of loud noise at the same time. It's as if all the rain that could possibly fall during a storm is concentrated into this single cascade. She's perhaps so captivated by the sight that the sudden voice off to their side catches her completely by surprise. Reflexively, claws become fully extended as she whirls around. But it's not another predator. It's a tiny squirrel. Needless to say, that in and of itself is quite baffling--why would a squirrel actually approach them with the intent of conversation? But even more startling is the fact that it somehow knows their names. "I'm.. Nayeli.." she stammers, throwing a confused and surprised look at her friend, then looking back at the squirrel. What in the world...?
Sudden, but small. The voice that speaks to them, and even mentions their names, is unfamiliar, but it is most unlike the intimidating voice of Azriel, so Kein is not immediately alarmed, but he was not expecting the voice any more than Nayeli was, so his turning to face it is almost as hurried as the female cougar's. By the time he has spotted the source of the voice, Nayeli has already spoken, and Kein's eyes narrow slightly. He doesn't know if Azriel knew Nayeli's name, but the first thing he can think of is that this squirrel is trying to distract them. Why else could it be here, looking for them, specifically? And there is only one animal out here who knows their names /and/ wants them distracted, so though he answers very shortly after Nayeli, he does so while looking away from the squirrel, scanning the area for any threats. Just in case. "I am Kein. And you are?" There is suspicion in his tone, but no real threat or anger. Yet.
The squirrel sits up a little taller now, though it still keeps note of where the nearest tree is -- just in case. "I'm shamaness Paoro's familiar. You can call me Willow. She sent me to find you...she said to tell you she's back in the tribelands again and wishes to speak with you at your earliest convenience." Among the other grandchildren, surely, but there is apparently some emphasis here -- enough to send someone looking for them, at least. Its bushy tail flicks absentmindedly in the spastic way typical of ever-alert squirrels.
Nayeli has no idea what a 'familiar' is, but at the mention of Paoro, she feels a lot of the tension drain out of her. If Paoro sent this.. rather odd choice of a messenger, then surely they need to heed the request and turn back toward Amaranth. As much Nayeli would like to continue onward in their journey, a summons from the shamaness isn't something that one can easily dismiss. "Did she say why, or what she wanted to talk about?" Perhaps not something that she felt comfortable entrusting to a mere squirrel, but then again, maybe she did. And if they are going to turn around, Nayeli would like to know a little bit more as to /why/.
Paoro? The name is easily familiar, but it is not the name that Kein had been thinking of. He remains silent while Nayeli asks questions. There aren't any other questions that Kein would have asked... But he might have asked them with a great deal more emphasis, more distrust, whether he expected the squirrel to know the answers or not. After deciding that there is no one else very nearby, he looks back to the squirrel who introduces herself as Willow, but he keeps a little of his attention on their surroundings while he waits for Willow to answer.
Will-o-Wisp shakes her small head back and forth, tail flick-flicking about behind her. "No, she gave me no details. Just to find you and request that you return home as soon as you can so that she can speak with you," the squirrel explains, dark eyes flitting back and forth between the pair of much larger animals. She resists the urge to bound away as soon as possible, instead waiting to see if the two have any further questions for her.
There's just one immediate concern that Nayeli has, and it's one that probably would be best to voice to his ears only. With a simple nod in the squirrel's direction, she steps over to where she can whisper directly in Kein's ear. "It's your decision, but if we /do/ go back, how do we know that Chesmu won't attack you again?" Or for that matter, how do they know that this isn't a trap at all? Her father could have very easily sent this squirrel pretending to be from Paoro. It's not like he didn't know where they were headed, after all. But would he really do that? At one point in her life, Nayeli would have strongly argued against such a possibility. But now...? It's certainly something they'll have to consider.
Kein doesn't know if Azriel knew Paoro's name. Chesmu is not the only one who might have set a trap for them, and if... when... they return, he will certainly have to keep an eye out, the entire way there. But if he let fear guide them... They wouldn't be out here in the first place, would they? And if Chesmu does attack him again? Nothing short of his death or Nayeli or one of his family members standing directly in his path could keep him from making sure the former chieftain is destroyed when it is all over. With a deep breath, he says, "The Amaranth Shanamess would not ask us to return lightly." He feels it important to emphasize that Paoro has no authority over them, none except the ability she would have to come here and force them to do something, hence the use of her title rather than her name. "If we go there, it will be as her guests, and we would expect to be treated as such." By /everyone/, Chesmu most of all. He may be saying it to reassure Nayeli, but it is all said while he looks directly at Willow.
Will-o-Wisp quickly nods to Kein. "Of course. I will make your wishes known to the shamaness herself upon my return, and let her know to expect you soon." With that, the fox squirrel, considering her job done, turns and darts over to the tree she descended from, scrambling up the trunk and into the safety of the thick branches overhead once again. A flicker of white among the rustling leaves, and she's gone again.
Expect to be treated as guests? She's Paoro's granddaughter, and sister of the Chieftain! And yet.. she's no longer a member of Amaranth. It's not really until that moment that it hits home. She's not a Sister anymore. Just a wandering cougaress with no place to call her home. It sounds so depressing to state it like that, which is why she prefers to consider herself as simply on an exploratory journey with her best friend. They're not homeless so much as just trying to find a good territory to claim. Semantics, perhaps, but necessary to keep optimistic. And as she watches the squirrel disappear from sight, she remains motionless, now deep in thought. This changes everything. It was rather frustrating to have delays in their journey, especially unwelcome ones like having to deal with Kein's real father or that crazy raven, but.. this? This is completely different. Well. Time to discuss. Nayeli turns to face her friend, looking relatively uncertain. "So..." she begins, not really sure what to say.
It's a weird feeling. There have been a few times since they left that he wished he could return, wished he could take comfort in having his family's experience and support to help them. Now that it looks like they're really going to return, though... He's not sure he wants to. With Nayeli's warning about Chesmu, his thought about Azriel, and the uncertainty about what Paoro could want... What could be important enough that they should return just days after they left? And what if... What if something happened to Mom, Kasim, or Pelutho, something really bad, and /that's/ why they're being called back? And what could he really do about it, except for be upset? They have just found the most amazing thing he has ever seen, they have dealt with two unpleasant confrontations in a manner he would view as at least a little bit admirable... Didn't they earn the right to just enjoy this, right here, a little bit, before having to deal with the next thing? When Nayeli speaks, he forces himself to take a deep breath. "If that squirrel is going to be telling her to expect us soon, we probably shouldn't delay it too long." Which is hard, when he feels like curling up here with his friend, staring at the waterfall, and relaxing before moving forward to face whatever may be next.
How long is 'too long'? The squirrel /did/ say that they were requested at their convenience, didn't she? That doesn't necessarily mean sprinting back as quickly as they're able to. If it really was a time-critical issue, Paoro would have sent a messenger with more speed than a squirrel. Even a songbird would have been able to find them quicker. "Yeah. We can probably stay here for a bit longer, though, and then head back." Now that they're finally here at this environmental marvel, Nayeli has no desire to leave. And determined to enjoy whatever little time they have left here, she turns back to look up toward the top of the waterfall, watching the ever-present flow of water crashing down toward the pool.
Kein doesn't know whether he expects Nayeli to be more eager to return than he is. She was every bit as eager to leave. Probably a fair bit /more/ eager to leave. It was one of her relatives who asked that they return, though. Either way... He's kind of grateful for what she says... And moments after she does, he follows her suit, turning to face the waterfall. It hasn't lost any of its beauty in the time since they first saw it, and he smiles lightly. "Maybe a nap, at least, before we start back." They won't be able to make the entire journey without sleeping. What difference does it make if they sleep now or sleep when they're closer to Amaranth, and what difference does it make if they just spend a little while lying down, taking in the sights, and maybe talking a little before they nap?
A nap? That sounds good, but... She swats at Kein with a paw, giggling. "You really think we could sleep with all this noise?" It's like a thunderclap that got stuck and isn't able to finish! Nayeli is pretty sure that they could fall asleep eventually, especially if they were tired enough. But in the meantime, there's nothing to prevent them just enjoying the wonderful view, perhaps lying side-by-side down at the pond's edge? She's still a little uneasy about the sheer volume of water there, but it's not going to /attack/ her or anything.
Kein grins when Nayeli swats at him, doing nothing more than ducking back slightly. Her paw still grazes him, but it wouldn't have hurt, even if he had remained still. Unlike last time, he doesn't pretend to fall over. "I think /I/ could nap even if it were a lot louder." He does walk to the very edge of the pond, but he doesn't lie down immediately. Rather, he just lowers his head to get a drink. There was the rain when Azriel came, but Kein didn't drink much from the puddles it left, so he's thankful for this chance to slake his thirst. Then, after drinking, he finally lies down, but despite what he says, he has no intention to sleep immediately.
Nayeli pads toward the water's edge as well, mimicking her friend as she leans down to quench her own thirst. She can't resist the temptation to shake her head and send droplets of water from her whiskers toward Kein, but then she settles down from her playful mood and lies down next to him, watching the waterfall across the length of the pond. She's also not in any particular hurry to fall asleep, so if Kein wants to talk at all, she's all for it.
Kein lets out a brief, complaining mrow when Nayeli shakes the water from her wiskers onto him, and when she lies done, he bumps his nose against her shoulder in 'retaliation'. Then he turns his own gaze back to the waterfall... And he says one of the first things he thought of, besides how magnificent it all looks. "I wonder if anyone lives here yet." It's not that he's eager to end their journey. He said they weren't going to stop at the first nice place they found. Besides, he has yet to see or smell even anything so large as a rabbit. He just figures that it might be something to think about, a place to start off the list of potential territories he imagines they'll develop.
Nayeli pffts, bumping her nose back against Kein. "Of course someone lives here!" Her voice gives the impression that the answer is so obvious, Kein shouldn't even have had to ask. After waiting a second for Kein to puzzle over who she's referring to, she finally giggles and exclaims, "/We/ live here now, of course! It's all ours!" At least for right now. It'll cease to be their territory the moment they leave tomorrow, heading back to Amaranth, but for now, they can certainly enjoy the solitude. With a mischievous grin, Nayeli gently bumps her head into Kein's shoulder again. "That means that any more squirrels need to address you as /Chieftain/, y'know!"
Kein always knew that they wouldn't be able to leave whatever territory they established for a while, for the chance of losing it. What she says, though, when she finishes speaking, causes him to grin. Sure, for the evening, he can claim this area as his. His and Nayeli's, that is. His tone is amused when he replies, "And you as Matron." Because she will be. He didn't invite any other female to come exploring with him. He invited /her/, and anyone else who can't accept that certainly won't have his permission to live wherever he settles down.
Her as Matron? Hah! Well.. maybe by technicality, if he's the Chieftain of their miniature territory. "If you insist," she replies with a chuckle. "Though I'd prefer to just be your friend, rather than anything else." She certainly plans on doing that, regardless of whatever title they want to jokingly give each other. There's a few more things to think about, such as who else will live in their eventual /real/ territory. Other cougars? /Are/ there any other cougars out there? Or at least where they're going?
The Matron is the Chieftain's mate. Or the other way around. Obviously, there is an exception with Amaranth right now, but... Either way... Is she saying she /never/ wants to take it that far, or is he just getting hung up on names? Or... Does she think he'll find someone better suited for the position? Impossible. Even if there are cougaresses who are more confident, who believe in their ability to lead more than Nayeli does, which Kein isn't sure he would ever admit... He can't imagine that he would feel towards them even remotely what he feels towards Nayeli. And so, with a hint of seriousness in his tone, he says, "I do insist... But we can still play and do everything that friends do."
It's mostly just a dislike for the formality of the title, and even some of what the position represents. It's not that Nayeli is against responsibility or leadership, but she would prefer not to think about such things. She was just teasing Kein with his own title, though she supposes that they do need to discuss aspects of territory and leadership and all that. Does he want to start another tribe? Does he want just the two of them to live alone somewhere? Hmm. "Okay," she agrees, "I'll be your Matron then."
Kein smiles and nuzzles against Nayeli, then turns his attention back to the waterfall. Maybe, after they visit Amaranth... They'll take a slightly different path, and then when they're done, if they don't find a better place, they can return here. Or maybe they'll just return here so that they can take a look around the surrounding area more. He'll have plenty of time to think that through, at least, so he pushes it from his head, for now.
And who knows? There might be more waterfalls out there, somewhere, so there's nothing to say that they would have to come back to this one. If Kein even /wants/ to live near a waterfall. Nayeli certainly would, but it's ultimately her friend's decision. As she's told him before, she's just happy to be with him, wherever that will be. And as if to emphasize her thoughts, she gives him a nuzzle and smile in return.
Kein purrs softly as Nayeli returns his nuzzling and spends a while thinking. From right here, by the very edge of the water, the sound is a little loud. Nothing he couldn't sleep through, once getting to sleep, but still loud enough that sleeping here every night probably wouldn't be a good idea. Even tonight, it's probably not a good idea, but he doesn't have any desire to move right now. From a distance away, though, so the sound isn't so loud that it would mask something coming? Then he could definitely consider it soothing, something he could easily get used to. Like sleeping next to Nayeli. Slowly, he stretches out, but he doesn't try to continue the conversation. If she has something she wants to say, he'll talk, but for now, he's content to daydream.