From: owner-lostholt-l@murkworks.net on behalf of Wolf031877@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, December 24, 1998 1:59 AM
To: lostholt-l@murkworks.net
Subject: [lostholt-l] [Log] Suntop Speaks Out (Part 2 of 2)


Part 2, yup yup.

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Suntop seems to say through clenched teeth, "I am not going to the Village. I
am going to the Palace."

Cutter snaps, "You don't understand!"

Clearbrook sighs and closes her eyes. "Suntop. What if the humans attack the
palace? Cutter is worried for you..."

Suntop seems on the verge of exploding as well. "Then explain it to me! I am
not witless, nor am I the cub you seem to think I still am." To Clearbrook, "I
know he is worried, but he cannot stifle me."

Flashfire understands Suntop may want to prove he's no cub any more, but he
doesn't understand why it's all contingent on when he goes to the Palace or
not. "Suntop..." he begins, before knowing what he's even going to say.

Cutter closes his eyes, and takes a breath. "Humans hunt, like elves. They
cannot find their food in the village. They will /leave/ the village, do you
understand? You may mean to go to the Palace, but they may be between you and
the place you want to go. You may find one hunting ... or he may find you.
Then what?"

Suntop answers, "Then I will hide, or I will fight. Father, you cannot keep me
here. If it is not for this reason, it will be for another. But I choose to
leave now." He is silent as he thinks a moment, "You lost a home once, yes?
Remember how that felt. I have just lost mine."

Nightfall's brow furrows and she inhales as if to speak, then closes her
mouth, frowns slightly, and leaves the answer for Cutter.

Cutter looks up at that, to study Suntop. He's silent a long moment, neither
sending nor speaking. When he does, it is as he turns his back on the mystic.
Lowly: "Then go."

Flashfire would do the same thing if he ran across a hostile human. But that's
not the point, is it? It's not about Cutter trying to 'keep' anyone here
either...is it? But in the end, Flashfire doesn't think one can really hold
back someone intent on leaving. He swallows at the way Cutter answers.

Nightfall's feet slide smoothly from the branch and she drops to the ground,
stepping to Cutter and holding out a hand. She remains quiet with her concern,
letting her expression speak volumes of caring for both Cutter and Suntop.

Suntop smiles a little, perhaps finding something humorous? "Father, I don't
think you understand. I am not asking your permission."

Clearbrook sighs and looks very very sad now.

Flashfire doesn't know what might be amusing about any of this, here. It
certainly isn't, to him. At a total loss for words, he just stands up and
tries to give Cutter some kind of supportive look and send, regardless of how
successful it is or isn't.

Cutter turns his head back over his shoulder a little, then reaches out to
take Nightfall's hand. It does not remain in his grasp. Rather, it's taken in
acknowledgment, and dropped again.

Nightfall squeezes Cutter's hand briefly, then looks at Suntop. Quietly, she
asks, "What are you asking for, then?"

Suntop frowns at a send and continues to look at his father. "...Yet you still
continue to give me orders." This seems to be much more than leaving to go to
the Palace now. "How long will it be, father, until you trust me as an adult?"

"Don't we all have to listen to orders?" Flashfire asks, whether anybody is
listening to him or not. Maybe he's missing the point.

That's it. Cutter rounds on Suntop. "To keep you /safe/, /cub/. To keep you
close, where we can protect you, where we can /care/ for you. The things I
tell you, /ask/ of you, are to keep you safe. To do my best not to /lose/ you,
Suntop." Huff. "Humans. Gliders. Underworlders. None of them are your friend,
Suntop. /None/ of them. But you want to be an adult. You choose the village
over the tribe. You've made your decision," he snarls, all tooth. "Now. Go."

Treestump walks out of the Father Tree.

Cutter is currently snarling at Suntop.

Flashfire is currently struck rather dumb by Cutter's words. He knew the
chieftain cared for everyone, but never heard it quite like that before. Wow.

Treestump appears at the mouth of the Father Tree quietly, arms folded over
his chest. His brows furrowed, he takes in the scene without a word.

Clearbrook is sitting among the roots and looks equal parts angry and sad.

Nightfall's face is a study of emotions, concern foremost. She stands quietly,
near Cutter, but watches Suntop's reaction.

Suntop visibly bristles, torn by the emotions he feels from his father and his
own. His voice starts of controlled, but intensifies gradually.
"I...choose...the village over the tribe?! What do I do here? In this tribe?!
There at least I may be able to do something but here...here I am useless!" A
dark hand slashes at the air, emphasizing his last words.

A dark wrinkle appears in Treestump's brow as he digests the scene playing out
in the clearing. The elder frowns to himself as he moves further out, then
around to take a place standing near Clearbrook.

Flashfire takes a couple steps closer to Cutter and Nightfall, but it's not
meant to be something like 'choosing sides.' "Suntop.." he begins, not sure
how it'll all come out. "It doesn't matter how much or how little you do here,
as long as you just help in some way. At least that's how I learned it." He
wonders how that'll be taken.

If he had hackles, they would no doubt be up on Cutter. The chieftain glares
at Suntop, unblinking, unflinching from his answer. Matter of fact, he doesn't
move much at all, other than to breathe long slow breaths that swell his
chest.
** Because you /choose/ not to be, ** Cutter erupts.

Suntop counters, "That is not true!" Another slash of the hand. "I nearly
drove myself mad trying to be one. Ask Ember, ask Flashfire. I had hoped that
it would have helped bring me closer to the tribe...closer to -you-!"

Flashfire only gets part of this exchange. What..a hunter? A Wolfrider? He
raises an eyebrow at Suntop's words, figuring it must be the latter.
Uncomfortably, he rubs behind his neck.

Clearbrook gapes at Suntop's newest outburst.

Treestump's hand is suddenly on Clearbrook's shoulder, squeezing it lightly.
Whether for her sake or his remains to be seen as the elder watches,
expression stoic.

Clearbrook moves her hand up to Treestump's. She looks up and shakes her head.
Clearbrook sighs. She glances over at Suntop again.

"You .gave. .up.," Cutter accuses, "and I forgave you. I wanted you here, I
wanted you close, Suntop, whether you can track with the rest of us, or know
the wolves as we do. I /wanted/ you /here/, and you? You throw old scents into
the wind to disguise your trail. Do you understand? Without the pack, without
the tribe there is /nothing/. If you want that nothing ... you've made your
choice."

Suntop can't quite believe what he hears from his father's mouth. "Gave up?! I
was being torn apart! Did you see that? Could you sense that? Were you pleased
that you then had a cub worthy of your sire? Worthy of Bearclaw?" As the words
issue from his mouth he realizes that he may have gone too far.

Flashfire visibly winces and backsteps at that one. Even he knows that's
probably crossing the line, and then some. . o O (Uh-oh...)

Clearbrook visibly winces.

Nightfall pales a bit, but remains steadily quiet.

Treestump's pained expression breaks out across his face. "Lad..." the elder
starts to say, starts to intervene, then stops himself, a line of worry
panning his eyes. He bites his lower lip to keep silent, blue eyes flickering
between father and son.

Clearbrook starts to send shakily. ** Cutter, please, he c-couldn't have meant
it.... << not really that certain>> **

Cutter's jaw quite literally drops open. For a moment. And then pure fury
creeps into his expression, moment by moment until he wears a mask of rage.
One step toward Suntop, and then another, movement restrained, and that
restraint requiring visible effort. Blue eyes blaze with sapphire fire, and
his lip curls again. Emotion is not trusted to send; he growls, thickly, "Get.
Out. /Now/."

Flashfire's amber-colored eyes widen to near-circles in size, a hand covering
his mouth as he swallows hard, a shiver passing over him. How did it ever
reach..this? How? High Ones..no way is he saying even a single word right now.

Clearbrook just sits there in shock.

Nightfall's jaw loosens and she steps back involuntarily, almost twisting to
physically show throat.

Flashfire's probably second-closest to Cutter, after Nightfall. He follows her
lead, taken a step further: he backs off, lying down to show his own throat.
Much like he did with the mother wolf the other night. Cutter. Big. Mad. Not
good.

For a moment it looks as if Suntop will disobey once more, but then a long,
sad, pained sigh escapes his lips and he lowers his eyes. Showing throat. He
knows that his last outburst was too much...went too far. His breath coming
shakily, he closes his eyes for a long moment, perhaps to try and hide the
sudden despair he feels at what he has brought about. Yet...it could be argued
that these feelings had to be let out sometime...if this is what happened in
the short time they were festering, imagine what could have happened in a few
more turns. Not meeting the eyes of the others gathered, he turns to leave the
Holt.

Treestump's eyes slowly close, his expression still pained, but old as well,
as if all his years weighed heavily upon him. A hand lifts to rest overtop
Clearbrook's, which in turn still rests over his on her shoulder. His eyes
open after a brief period of time, shifting to watch Suntop retreat, then
shifting again back to Cutter, dark.

Clearbrook gets over her shock, leaving a look of scorn for both father and
son. She, too, flashes the bare throat of submission, but it's more the token
submission of a wolf that doesn't want to interfere. Her hand tightens on
Treestump's again.

Nightfall watches Suntop, eyes flashing with concern, but makes no move.

You locksend to Suntop, Flashfire ventures forth with a send..to say it's
worried and concerned is a vast understatement. But there doesn't seem to be
anything he can find to put to words...

You sense in a locksend, Suntop seems to appreciate the gesture, but... **
Flashfire...you of all the tribe know what happens when a wolf challenges and
loses...** And that is all he sends.

You locksend to Suntop, Flashfire sends the effect of a faint nod - you can
sense just how shaken he is. This is similar to...yet different than a wolf
challenge. ** What..what will you do now? **

For one instant, anger drains away from the pale-haired chieftain, and his
shoulders drop. Blue eyes ease to normal, then widen faintly, and Cutter takes
a halfstep after Suntop. The movement is halted, then, and he whirls sharply
away from Suntop's retreat. Faced with those who watch, his gaze lingers on
each a moment, and then on none of them. Without saying a word, he uses those
too-long legs to carry him away from the tree.

Suntop does not look back as he continues out of the Holt, but his shoulders
are set tensely, as if it is taking a great effort for him to even move.

Violet has connected.

Nightfall does not meet Cutter's gaze when it sweeps around; rather, she keeps
her attention somewhere in between father and son.

You locksend to Cutter, Flashfire knows not how it will be received, but
despite his being quite shaken by all this, he attempts to send a wordless
sense of support and comfort. For whatever good it'll do. At least..he thinks
he understands..somewhere..how painful this probably is.

Violet comes into the area, rubbing her eyes... It's obvious she's been asleep
for a while now...

Cutter walks around to the back of the Father Tree.

Suntop walks away from the tree, back into the clearing that marks the
entrance to the Lost Holt.

You sense in a locksend, Suntop's send has some odd overtones...none of which
seem too healthy. ** I shall go to the Palace... **

Nightfall lifts her head, looking after Cutter, then Suntop, then quirks a
slight, somewhat macabre smile at Violet. Quietly, voice a bit husky, she
comments, "Suntop's ... leaving."

Violet blinks for a few times... "Oh? why? where is he going?"

You locksend to Suntop, Flashfire doesn't know what to do about that. He
really doesn't. ** I'm sorry..be careful.. ** It's as though he's not sure
he'll ever see you again.

Clearbrook rests her face in her hand. ** For the Palace. ** Keep it simple.

You sense in a locksend, Suntop sends a simple, ** Thank you... **

Violet furrows her brows.. "Why?"

Treestump's blue gaze shifts towards the new arrival, regarding her with some
level of curiosity that fades quickly as he looks down at his mate. Very
slowly he takes a seat behind her, arms wrapping around her waist. The elder,
for the moment, remains silent.

Flashfire sits up slowly after both Cutter and Suntop disappear, shutting his
eyes tightly. That was not..good. Not good at all. Perhaps it's time for him
to make himself scarce, too.

You sense in a locksend, Cutter makes every effort to not hear you. Certainly,
it will be clear that the attempt is not welcome.

Violet moves over and places her arm around Flashfire, knowing how close he is
to Suntop.. She looks at him for a while in muted silence....

Violet locksends ** Why? **

Nightfall moves the couple of steps and sets a hand lightly on Flashfire's
shoulder, offering comfort -- whether for him or herself is to be determined.

You locksend to Cutter, Flashfire senses this, and makes no further attempts
to bother you.

Flashfire doesn't look comfortable at all with anyone touching him or even
trying to comfort him. "Let me be.." he warns, slipping away from both Violet
and Nightfall to stand up and step away.

Violet frowns and looks up at Nightfall, shrugging her shoulders

You locksend to Violet, Flashfire doesn't answer, mainly because he's not much
able to form any words.

Nightfall nods, to Flashfire, then turns and leaps back up to the branch she
inhabited earlier, catching it with one hand and gracefully twisting to sit on
it.
Nightfall pauses thoughtfully, then moves further into the tree.
Nightfall walks up into the rough opening that leads into the tree.

Violet sighs and sits down, a bit lonely..

Treestump rests his bearded chin lightly on Clearbrook's shoulder if allowed,
gaze distant as he studies the ground at the foot of the Father Tree's roots.

Flashfire isn't sure if he'll even be seeing Suntop again. That was all
so..permanent, it seemed. Turning away from everybody else still gathered
there, he frowns, giving himself a self-hug as he moves off further, to be by
himself.

Clearbrook locksends ** We can always... always go visit him... **

Clearbrook closes her eyes, taking comfort in the nearness of her mate. At
least some things are still right.

Violet sighs and shakes her head back and forth..being the outsider here...
she feels like she's intruding in a family affair..and that seems to have her
nervous and edgy.

You locksend to Clearbrook, Flashfire is quiet a few moments, then admits, **
Aye..maybe. I hope. Sometime. **

You locksend to Suntop, Flashfire sends again, before you start to get too far
off. ** Maybe I..or some of us..will visit some time. **

You sense in a locksend, Suntop's send seems a little distracted. **
Maybe...yes. **

You locksend to Suntop, Flashfire sends the effect of a nod and a sigh, then
lets the send-connection fade away.

Violet stands and looks around...before blinking a few times... "I.. I'm
sorry... " She tries to console you all...before she turns to go back to her
tent.

Flashfire shakes his head slowly, padding back towards his own den.

You walk around to the back of the Father Tree.

You locksend to Nightfall, Flashfire isn't sure if he had anything to do with
your departure, and he's not entirely sure where you've went, either. But he
sends, mutedly, ** I'm sorry..just need to be by myself for a while. I didn't
mean to shun you. ** Just in case that has anything to do with it. ** I hope
everything will be all right. **

You sense in a locksend, Nightfall's departure had more to do with seeking out
Cutter than anything else. ** I wasn't sure. And ... I don't know how
everything will be. **

You locksend to Nightfall, Flashfire sends the effect of a nod and a thin
smile. ** Aye.. **

[With that, Flashfire retreats to his den and tries to rest a while, without
any success. Subsequently, he leaves the den and distracts himself for some
time by going out to be by himself for a while longer, in the forests.]