Synopsis: Flashfire heads up to the cliff and finds Ember there. The two have an argument and sort of a challenge that is but isn't, over Blue Mountain and who's to go. Neither of them could predict what ends up happening (and neither could their players!). Players: Flashfire (logger) and Ember. Logged: 3/27/00. Note: This is going to kind of be a spoiler, but soulnames show up in this log. If you already know them ICly, no worries. Otherwise, please remember that the knowledge of them is purely OOC. Thanks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Watcher's Cliff - Surface - Raft Holt The view from the top of the cliff is absolutely spectacular. Down below you lays a pool of water and the surrounding lush forests. It is an ocean of blues and greens, the color of water and the color of the wildlife blending in a brilliant harmony of color. The sounds of falling water blend with the sounds of wildlife to bring forth a brilliant symphony of sound. Water rushes from a stream in front of you down the face of the cliff to form the spectacular waterfall. The area here is full of life, lush grass surrounding you all the way to the water's edge. Trees and flowers are scattered about up here, lending more color to the whole scene. When the daystar is up the light from it and the mist from the waterfall create the image of a rainbow. The whole picture is one of peace and serenity, a perfect place for relaxation. When you are done relaxing you can even move to the edge of the cliff and jump down into the pool of water below, there is even a thick vine which you can swing yourself further out with. The water is deep enough to accommodate for the drop. For the less daring, the path back down the cliff is relatively easy and far less wet. Contents: Ember Obvious exits: Dive Path Down Some time has passed since Ember earlier wandered off into the bush and away from the others. Her route was circuitous, but it eventually lead back to the waterfall where the Lostholters had set their camp and, further, up the side of the cliffs to this spot. In fact, it is well into evening now and the stars are out. Ember stands on the edge of the cliff, gazing out across the sky. A tense scowl on her face as her eyes search the heavens, vainly, for any signs what for once would be, she hopes, a welcome arrival of a glider. Welcome arrival of a glider? Aside from perhaps Windkin (and things even seem a little strained with him right now), there's no Glider Flashfire would really welcome the sight of. There's still stuff happening down at the beach, but the wolfelf just can't bring himself to socialize with them now. How can one really loosen up when not one, but now two family and packmembers are missing? The wind is a bit too strong for scents to be picked up and it tugs at his fur a bit, but Flashfire's come up too, just to be by himself. But of course, he's not. Ember doesn't really need the wind to tell her you're there, now does she? Without actually turning around, she says softly, "Shade, Flashfire." Her tone is subdued, almost flat, mainly because it holds all the same emotions as your thoughts. Her arms are folded over her chest and she does not look away from her vigil. "There's still no sign of her." Flashfire's bare feet scuff the ground as he finishes his approach. Yeah, it doesn't take seeing him to actually know he's here, as far as Ember's concerned. There's probably some kind of link they're developing too, though not on the same level as Ember and Suntop, or Suntop and Flashfire. "Shade.." he returns, quietly. His eyes squint towards the skyline, a frown growing at the bad news. "I didn't think there'd be." "No." the firehaired chief's cub agrees quietly. "Neither did I." And there's a bleakness to her tone because of it. "Even if Shenshen did go willingly, Winnowill won't willingly give her up." She sighs and her arms fall from across her chest to her sides, one hand raising to rake through her hair. "Which means I have no choice but to go and face Her again." "No, she won't.." Flashfire murmurs, not trusing Winnowill to do anything like let Shenshen go without taking advantage of her or others. No doubt she'll be some sort of bait. "She'll expect someone.." he adds, hesitating to come any closer just yet. When Ember says she has no choice, he adds, "I'll be there, too." Ember knows Winnowill will be expecting someone. And knowing Shenshen, she'll tell Her exactly who to expect, too. So, Ember doesn't reply to that. Instead, she turns to face you, her hands again neutrally by her side even as her form seems to draw itself up and straighten. "No." she says again. Firmly. Eyes serious. "I want you to wait outside." Her jaw sets. She's not so foolish as to think you'll accept this without a protest. "I have /business/ to settle in there." Sar, you know. "And one of us needs to stay free... To find Suntop." You see? She actually /has/ been giving this some thought. It's not like she's being obstinant just to be bossy. Shenshen's probably yakked Winnowill's ears off by now, most likely. Hopefully she hasn't been shut up in some way. But Flashfire..he can't just let Ember do this alone. Or even with Skywise and maybe Windkin as well. "I can't wait outside, Ember..Shenshen and I may not always get along, but I can't just stay outside and not know what's happening. She's my family now, too." he says. But..what -about- Suntop? How can he argue that point? "I know." Ember says, crossing to you now and laying a hand on your shoulder. She actually very much resembles her father just now. Except that there's Leetah in her eyes. "And I'll find some way to get her out of there." Even if she has to trade herself to do it. "But /someone/ has to be outside to get Father and Mother. And the others." Like Leetah /isn't/ going to want to help retrieve her sister from the Black Snake! "And I don't want you anywhere near where Tsoran can get to you." There, the truth comes out. Is it possible Flashfire knows a bit of what's in Ember's head, not said? Maybe he just figures he knows what she'd do to get Shenshen out. "Whoever goes..we're all leaving. Nobody's staying." he answers, ducking his shoulder from the hand there, mood darkening somewhat. "Let Windkin stay out..let him go tell mother and father. He can fly there fast.." Besides, Windkin doesn't want to go back there so soon, right? But he takes Ember's protective words the wrong way, scowling briefly. He doesn't want to lash out at her, but something's..there. "I can handle Tsoran!" he blurts, whether it's true or not. "I'm not a weak little cub any more! I know how to take care of myself!" Even if he still manages to get into his fair share of trouble. Ember blinks, a little taken aback. "It has nothing to do with how strong you are." She returns quickly. "Or how well you can take care of yourself." Her concern quickly rises, as does the tone of her voice. "That's not the point, Flashfire! I don't want you in there! I don't want you anywhere near him!" "Well, I don't want you anywhere near Winnowill!" Flashfire barks back, hands clenching to fists as he starts to overreact (starts to?). "She wants to hurt you too, like he wants to hurt me. You want to put an end to this, and so do I..I'm not going to hide from him any more," he growls, tired of being intimidated by the Chosen, tired of running and hiding. Time to take a stand. "And I want him..for taking Shenshen from us." Doesn't look like he's willing to listen to the reason and sense Ember's throwing out there... "The goal," Ember says firmly, her own fists balling and eyes beginning to flash with awakened chiefliness, "is to get ShenShen out. That's /it/. Forget about revenge. They're going to want enough of it and I /will not/ let them do that to us again. You're staying out, Flashfire. And that's final." She sets her jaw and sets her stance definitely. Fists rest on her hips. "I /have/ to go in. I'm acting as chief." So, no arguments, fuzzy! Okay..so maybe some form of revenge is on Flashfire's mind. It shouldn't be, though. Should it? He initially flinches at Ember's firm and stern tone, eyes flickering away briefly. He's most always showed throat whenever someone higher than him in the pack has exerted his or her authority and dominance. But..not this time. Not yet, at least. His eyes dart back up and meet Ember's, a defiant look to them and in his stance. "How do -you- expect to get her out with what Tsoran said about Sar? You don't have to do this by yourself..I'm going with you." You locksend to Ember, Flashfire adds in, emotional, ** I can't stay outside and not know how you are! ** "I don't know how I'll get her out." Ember says fiercely in return. "But I /will/ get her out." She meets your gaze levelly, the fire in her eyes bright as a myriad of her own emotions run through her mind. "I have made my peace with Sar." she says. "And nothing She", the word is fairly spat in reference to Winnowill, "can do to me can change that." You sense in a locksend, Ember's mind almost automatically returns to yours. ** I can't do what I'll need to do there and worry about what they'll do to you, too! ** Flashfire's yellowed eyes don't waver from Ember's, the sign of a wolfen challenge evident. "You may have, but that doesn't mean they have. The Snake would bring it up again if she wanted to, just because she could!" But what's going to happen? Is he going to continue to disobey, or back down from big sis? You locksend to Ember, Flashfire can't hide the fear he has towards your well-being, nor does he try to. Of course, yours may well be even more for him. ** Then don't worry..! ** As if that's going to happen. ** I want us to go there together..I can't lose you, too! ** Echoing that, Ember? Ember's jaw clenches, torn between the wolfen need to respond to the challenge and a sister's need to reassure her brother. "She can bring it up all She wants!" Ember snaps. "It won't change things! Sar's dead. /I/ killed him." And even if she has made peace with him and been forgiven, that fact does still sting somehow. She purposely cut away half her soul that day. "I can't deny it and I can't change it. But he has forgiven me. And I don't care if Winnowill /ever/ does! But, Shenshen went with Tsoran while /I/ was supposed to be in charge. So /I/ have to do this. And High Ones curse any gliders that get in my way!" Tsoran included. You sense in a locksend, Ember's need to reassure you can be clearly felt through her send, even as the words pour out of her mouth. Her send back to you is fierce and protective. ** You /won't/ lose me, Flashfire <> ** she sends. ** You'll /keep/ me from getting <>! ** If you're outside, then she has a "safe" place to send her thoughts when the time comes. (Oops. Did she just throw a curve at you again?) Yeah! That's what Flashfire wanted to hear. Perhaps it's a remnant of the bad things he picked up from the GoBacks, for he smacks a fist into his hand, making a *smack*. "Good! Don't let them stop us!" Us? But the brief excitement sours again as he won't let Ember just accept full responsibility for what happened. "I was there too..I don't care if you were in charge of us. I couldn't stop him either, and neither could anyone else! It's not your fault, so this isn't your duty to get her out on your own!" Or with Skywise. Or Windkin. You locksend to Ember, Flashfire falters a beat at that one. -Keeping- Ember from getting lost? Him? How? What if she can't send to him outside? Then what? At least inside, they'd be able to talk without sending. He embraces the protectiveness and the desire to see him unharmed, but can't just stay behind. ** I..I have to go..with you..! ** he stumbles. Ember gives up on vocal words. ** No! ** she returns strongly, all the emotions involved in that send. ** Please, Flashfire! Listen to me! ** Hard to say if this is a wolf-challenge any more or not. ** If I... ** She falters because of how unthinkable the thought really is to her. ** If I can't get back out, I need to know that you can. That at least one of us is going to reach Suntop. And Mother. And Father. And everyone else. ** Even so, there is the thought of Windkin and Skywise. Is she going to have to fight like this with them, too? ** You have to be /free/! ** ** But..but -why?- Why do you have to be so stubborn and do this alone? You can have help! We'll be stronger with more of us there! ** Flashfire protests, gesturing with his hands out from his sides. ** Don't even think it..you -will- get out, and anyone else that goes with you! ** But how can he argue with the logic? Ember's right...he lets out a strained whine of frustration, not even caring about his own well-being. He wants to help more than just staying outside to pass on the bad news in case something goes wrong. ** Ember.. <> ..I'm..I'm tired of not being able to do more. I want to be stronger, like you.. ** Ember stops. There is no send. No words. Nothing. Then, her expression moving through a myriad of emotions, from frustration, to concern, to empathy. All of those emotions remain fixed on her face and in her eyes and she lets out a half-growl, half-groan, reaching out to grab your shoulders again and draw you into a rough embrace. ** You are strong, Flashfire. ** she sends softly, in the end. ** <> ** As for the challenge, Flashfire's eyes break off after his admission, body staying rigid and firm except for his head turned to the side. He half expects you to be upon him now, chiding him for his foolishness and convincing him to show throat. But he looks confused when all he's met with is silence, glancing back at you slowly. Then, the embrace. It catches him off-guard, such that his arms are pinned to his sides, head turned cheek to bosom. Strong..he is? Then he, too, continues to hold silent at the last part, only venturing with an answer after a few more seconds float past. ** Then..then tell Windkin to go tell mother and father. Let me come with you..stand up to them with you..together. <> ** It takes a while sometimes, but even Ember can be reminded that her Father's strength is in their family. And so is hers. She lays her forehead against yours, her eyes closed for a moment as she sighs shortly. When she opens her eyes again, despite how close they are to you, they glitter. "Alright." she whispers. It's certainly not her showing throat instead. It's her finally figuring out that maybe you had a valid point. "Together, then." Ember locksends ** <> ** Flashfire can't ignore that you also had a number of valid points as well, but this time he wasn't going to take no for an answer..though he nearly did cave in a few times. He turns his head to look up, his own eyes a little wet..maybe that adds to the bit of glittering in his as well. He knows you didn't show throat, though. It..wasn't about that. "Aye..together. We'll look out for each other," he promises, fighting a lump threatening to form in his throat as he slips his arms up to cling to you. You locksend to Ember, Flashfire echos the same, shaken a bit from the defiance but relieved to be going with you. Shenshen first..then Suntop. After all, they'd know if something -truly- bad happened to Suntop...right? You sense in a locksend, Ember sure hopes so... No. She's sure. They'd know. Ember holds you in the hug for a little longer until you've both had time to regain your equilibriums. "We'd best prepare, I guess." she says softly. "It's a long trek to the Mountain." And Aroree's long overdue. She lays her hands firmly on your shoulders, sharing strength. Flashfire needs that time to get his full composure back again..maybe you do, too. "Aye..we'll have to plan, this time..can't just walk up and demand to come in." As for long treks..he's had his fair share of them lately. He's made it so far, so why not another? As your hands settle on his shoulders, he tries to stretch up a bit..too short, though, so his hands go to your shoulders too, trying to make you lower just enough so that he can press his forehead against yours, shutting his eyes as he gives you all the support he can muster. ** <> ** Ember smiles as you sort of pull her down to your level. She bends slightly, touching foreheads again, even nodding slightly. "No. Can't do that. 'Sides, since she knows we're coming, we might as well be... cordial, neh? Show some... civility?" And, yeah. Now she even grins. Gonna put that Snake on Her ear, they are. Just wait and see. ** <> ** Flashfire can't help it. He didn't get the height in him, so he has to do it a little differently in order to be on the same 'level' as those taller than he is. Inhaling deeply, he attempts to prepare himself for what will probably be a difficult test for not only him but whoever goes in. "Civility..? We'll have to..try. Can't be baited like we were here..stay together.." If they don't fall prey to the mindgames, they might stand a better chance. Family is strongest, but let's face it - Winnowill could probably drop him with as little as a single mind-blast if she really wanted to. But really, there are only very few who can stand up to her that way. He holds tighter to you as his jaw locks, eyes still shut as he keeps the strength and feelings of family there, both sharing and accepting. But along with it, something more...him. A sense of him, as he truly is. ** <> ** Ember blinks a little. Her eyes soften, as does the rest of her expression. A warmth and a confidence flow from her, a total acceptance and reciprocation. ** <> ** comes the reply, willingly given as willingly received. In that sense that is her Name and her Self is all the fire of the desert and all the ferocity of the wolf. There's also that quietude that binds her, and no doubt you, to her twin. "Aye." she says aloud after several minutes, unwilling to break the sharing. "We'll stand against her together and we won't let ourselves be baited. It'll be different this time. We won't let them win." This time it will be different because they're more together now than they've ever been, to pull through this like they must. They will be strong, together, and together they'll make it. With Skywise and Windkin, with one of them, or with neither of them. Somehow, it will work. At least that's the best-case scenario. Let's not think about any other, neh? His eyes open to blink slowly at you, as if seeing you again for the first time, in a different way. ** Kai.. ** he repeats, letting your..self flow around him and soothe and comfort and fill as his own does the same, very strong in the wolf thanks to the tinkering of the Snake, but you can feel that which she couldn't rip out in his elfin side, still there, still strong. "Aye.." is all he answers with, but what else really needs to be said? Absolutely nothing. Ember does straighten now, again, looking down at you with affection and even pride in her eyes. ** Hrim ** She can feel how well it fits in you, the elf that remains a part of the wolf. She drapes an arm about your shoulder and turns to look out over the cliff again, towards the distant and still unseen Mountain, staring at the bird-forsaken sky and the stars twinkling beyond. At least, now, though, she knows she's settled. And that helps immensely. We'll deal with the mountain when we get there. Together. And right now, in spite of the recent (and probably upcoming) trouble, Flashfire is at peace with you, himself, everything. It's almost more..natural - no, it -is- more natural than how his soul-bond with Suntop came to pass. Suntop's was forced upon him by the dream-entity that sought to give Flashfire a means with which to take revenge on Suntop for it, but the wolfelf instead gave Suntop his own afterwards. As your arm goes around his shoulder, his own wraps around your waist, looking out at the sky that stretches ahead of them. Settled, yes. It's good that way. Right now, Now is all that matters. Let What Will Be come later.