Log file from Cutter.

1/31/2000 10:39:42 PM

Title: Leaving Again?

Characters: Suntop, Bramble and Cutter

Synopsis: Bramble wanders into LostHolt and regales Cutter and Suntop giving 
them a report of some of her time spent in the UnderWorld, worrying Cutter in 
the process. 


Base of the Lost Holt Father Tree(#765RJ)

A dense grove of grotesquely shaped trees dominated by one immense Grandfather 
of a tree whose age is no less great than its size.
It is obvious that the old tree has survived a terrible tragedy and you can see 
some of the scars left by the terrible blaze on the snow covered branches. Snow 
lies piled around the trees roots and in drifts around the Father Tree. Like old 
friends, the gnarled trees embrace one another, their many branches entwined and 
now snow collects atop them, occasionally crashing down to the ground below. You 
awaken in the cold winter night to the sound of cracking and snow falling, 
perhaps from branches above.

Some say that heat rises. It seems that Suntop hopes that as he sits on one of 
the lower branches, his knees tucked up to his chest and his back to the trunk 
of the tree. All wrapped up for the cold, not much of him is visible except for 
a few stray yellow curls and bright, yet distant blue eyes.

Cutter comes walking up the path from the south, having been hunting judging by 
the bow held securely in one hand, the quiver slung over his shoulder and the 
two rather wiry ravvits hanging from his belt. He catches sight of the fur bound 
bundle that can only be his son and calls out, "Ayooah, Suntop.. Comfortable up 
there?"

Suntop gives a slight start as he is awakened from his reverie. He shifts 
slightly, sending, ** As comfortable as can be, I suppose. But at least it's not 
wet. ** Not like it would be if he were sitting in the snow.

Cutter chuckles at that as Rainrunner comes bounding up the path after him. He 
catches the sound of paws crunching in the snow and neatly sidesteps the wolf as 
he skids past him. He aims a mildly amused glance in Rainrunner's direction as 
he brushes the snow off of a low root and sits down, "Nothing that a well aimed 
swipe won't take care of.." he sends, clearly in a good mood this evening.

Maybe he just wants to be contrary, but Suntop shakes his head, ** I'd still 
have to get my boots in the snow. ** Like that would hurt him.

Cutter chuckles as he sits down and begins to clean the ravvits with a well 
practiced hand.

Suntop leans forward a little, watching. Perhaps he's hungry? Or maybe it 
fascinates him? He knows how to do it, just prefers not too. ** Good hunting, 
then? **

Bramble walks out of the Father Tree.
Bramble has arrived.

Bramble trudges through the snow, half cursing it, half just glad to be out in 
it again. She heads towards the large tree, with the sign of elves about perhaps 
she can find someone who will help her get her bearings again.

Cutter's blade stills as he looks up and nods, **Not bad for the middle of 
whitecold.** he replies then lowers his gaze back to the ravvit. Once more his 
hand starts to resume it's skinning of the small creature but, at a warning 
'Whuff!' from Rainrunner, his head snaps up to regard the approaching stranger. 
He's on his feet in an instant, quite a feat for one so tall, and moving toward 
the far edge of the clearing with an expression that borders somewhere between 
curiosity and territorial.

Suntop turns at the feeling of an approaching elf. He's not usually this jumpy 
either, perhaps the dreams are setting his magic-senses on edge? That could be 
an explanation. As it is, he moves into a more maneuverable position...in case 
his father needs any help. But that's doubtful.

Bramble quite understands territorial feelings, she's had a few of them herself. 
She stops when the other elves notice her, putting out her hands. Her eyes widen 
a bit at Cutter's height, but then she's been surrounded by tall elves recently, 
so its not that shocking. ** Heyla cousins. **

Cutter eyes this new elf quietly for a moment before relaxing somewhat, crossing 
his arms over his chest and shifting his weight onto his left leg. "Ayooah, 
cousin.. What's got you wandering so far away from home?" he asks, offering this 
new visitor a lopsided, half-smile.

Bramble runs a hand through her short hair, and sighs, as she walks a bit 
closer. "Now that's a long story. And hopefully, I'm not that far away from 
home. One minute I'm out hunting, the next I woke up in the Underworld. This was 
just a bit disorienting, and now that up above ground again, I'm not exactly 
sure where I am."

The Underworld? That catches Suntop's attention. ** You were in the Underworld? 
** He starts to climb down from the branch he was perching on. ** Why? What 
happened? Are the others all right? **

Cutter's brows arch high at the mention of the place where Leetah, Ember and 
ShenShen are. "The UnderWorld..? Hmm.. It sounds like they must have been having 
a gathering and didn't bother to invite the rest of us..." he says with an 
almost amused chuckle though it doesn't make it to his eyes. Those bright blue 
orbs seem to narrow uncomfortably at the mention of that place. "You're in 
LostHolt.." he finally tells this new visitor.

Bramble grins wryly, "Apparently a few orders got crossed. They went looking for 
a red-headed healer, and not only found her, but a few other's besides. 
Apparently they didn't realize how many might fit the basic description they 
gave their scouts." She glances at Cutter, "I don't know that you would have 
appreciated the invitation I got. A drugged dart is not that much fun. But once 
they realized their mistake we were treated like honored guests...sort of."

Suntop moves a step closer to his father at the mention of a red-haired 
healer...his eyes widening at the mention of darts. Of course the image of a 
whole bunch of red-haired females all herded together is almost amusing. ** Why 
would they need a healer? ** His own bright blue eyes turn to the newcomer.

Cutter frowns at that, knowing now at least something of why Leetah left for the 
UnderWorld so quickly. He nods but, keeps to speech so that his thoughts don't 
carry over into his sends, "They hit you with a drugged dart? Didn't they ask 
you to go with them?" he asks, beginning to look more and more serious as his 
expression changes into thoughtful mode.

Bramble shrugs, "I think they got a little carried away. Not all of us were 
drugged. But they also 'invited' some desert elves and one ended up rather 
heavily drugged because she resisted. The ones in charge weren't exactly happy 
with the outcome. Especially once a couple of us woke up. As to why they needed 
a healer, one of their 'ladies' had need of one. It was never really explained 
to me why. Although it did appear as if someone had attempted to brand her, 
maybe that was way they wanted a healer. There were a lot of strange 
undercurrents down there that I had a hard time picking up on."

Suntop doesn't like the idea of his sister, mother, or aunt down in the 
Underworld...not one bit. ** Are they letting the others come back to the 
surface as well? ** Such as, when is he going to see his family again?

Cutter's brows draw further down as he queries, "They were just taking elves 
from the surface, no matter if they wanted to go or not?" He glances worriedly 
at Suntop and then to Bramble. "Could you find your way back to where they left 
you?"

Bramble nods, "Some of us yes. I certainly saw Firestar and Sandstorm brought in 
unconcious. But I don't think Leetah and Ember were, since they seemed a bit 
shocked at the condition of the rest of us." She gestures southwards, sort of, 
"The gate's back thataways."

Suntop locksends ** Father...should we? <<It could bring about some...nasty 
repurcussions>> **

You locksend ** I don't know about you but, I'm not letting them stay down there 
any longer. <<determined>> ** to Suntop.

Suntop locksends ** Should I fetch my knife? **

Cutter's brows dip into a stormdark scowl as Leetah and Ember are mentioned. 
"Ember told me they were going but, she didn't say why." His gaze travels in the 
direction of the gate and he notes the footprints that Bramble has left behind 
herself in the snow. Maybe they'll lead back to the gate if the UnderWorlder's 
haven't already erased the trail.. He glances toward Suntop, deep worry and 
anxiety flashing in his eyes, as they share a private send.

Suntop's eyes raise to meet his father's, his concern growing as they send to 
each other. Perhaps, if he tries hard enough, he could 'feel' out the gate...for 
they must close it with magic or it could be seen, yes?

Bramble finally makes the connection, but then no names have really been 
mentioned yet, and she wasn't quite herself back when the introductions were 
made underground. "They were fine when I left. We've all been staying with lady 
Ieyl, who is fairly nice, at least on the scale of elves I met down there."

Cutter nods in Suntop's direction as he turns back to Bramble with a raised 
brow, "You're certain that they were unharmed?" he asks as he settles his hands 
against his hips in an almost leisurely gesture though it's clear that he's 
anything but relaxed at the moment.
Suntop is already getting an intent/distant look, as he tries to concentrate on 
finding where the gate may be. Does Bramble look like she trudged far in the 
snow? He pushes his dream-concerns away and works solely on trying to find where 
his kin might be. Let his father do the interrogation.

Bramble nods firmly, "All of us were treated well, aside from a few insulting 
comments. And those were mostly for those of use who weren't expected. Being 
needed for something, I'd imagine they'd be treated pretty well."

Cutter frowns and looks as if he could pull one of Treestump's 'Hrumph's' as he 
gives a glance to Suntop and shakes his pale-maned head. Once more he turns to 
regard Bramble with a hint of a smile, "Hopefully they have been.. or else.." he 
mutters before finally realizing that he has yet to obtain this stranger's name, 
"Who are you, cousin?" he finally asks before adding, "I'm Cutter, chief of 
LostHolt.. and this is Suntop." The last bit is said quietly so he doesn't 
disturb Suntop's efforts.

Bramble's smile is a bit strained, its been a difficult last week or so. "I am 
Bramble, of the Gathered."

Suntop thinks he may have something. His eyes come back to 'now' and he looks up 
at his Father, nodding to Bramble as she introduces herself. ** Did you want to 
go to the gate? ** he sends gently.

Cutter glances to Suntop and nods, **We will soon, I need to talk to Strongbow 
and Treestump first.** he replies, looking as grimly decisive as that send 
sounded. He glances back to Bramble with a serious expression, **You're welcome 
to stay here and rest before heading back to the Gathered. It is whitecold and 
the hunting will be difficult.**

Bramble nods quickly, "I wouldn't bregrudge a spare den for a night or two. I 
didn't sleep well underground, the air didn't smell right." And neither did the 
elves. "But my family will be as worried about me as you are about yours. So I 
won't impose on you to long"

Suntop will sleep in Ember's den to free up the Visitor's one for Bramble. He 
shakes his head once, trying to clear the magic pull now...but at least he has 
an idea of where the gate is. He looks to Bramble once more, ** Is the healing 
done? ** If so, why aren't they back yet?

Bramble shakes her head, "I don't know. The unexpected guests were housed 
seperately from the expected ones at first. The healing might have happened 
then. But it didn't happen after we were moved into Lady Ieyl's house." She 
chuckles "Lord Malandor didn't quite know what to do with a couple of angry 
spitfires."

Cutter seems to have some bit of comfort in that but, then again, he remembers 
what he heard about the raid and he knows he doesn't trust those tall ones as 
far as he can throw them. He nods at Bramble, "Thank you, cousin. Let me show 
you where the visitor's den is.." he say as he turns toward the father tree.

Bramble stiffles a yawn, "Thanks, I'm about to fall face first into the snow."

Suntop crosses his arms at his chest, perhaps in an effort to keep a little 
warmer as he watches Bramble being shown to the dens. He's tempted to send to 
Ember or mother or Shenshen to see if they are indeed all right...but the last 
time he sent to the Underworld wasn't pretty. But he would know if anything 
happened to Ember, right?

Bramble heads off to the visitor's den whereever that may be.