Log Date: June 1994 In a send to the whole tribe, Rillwhisper stretches sleepily, and only a little grudgingly as she rouses herself earlier than she likes, to send to the tribe, summoning each by name. ** It is time for the council... come to the clearing! ** You head down the hill, and into the clearing. Clearing by the Old Willow(#123RHJ) This clearing, last among the trees before the land changes slowly to marshes, is dominated by an impossibly massive willow tree. Much of the ancient tree is hidden by its ever-blowing fronds, which veil it and the entire clearing in quiet, green-grey shadows. The air holds a rich mix of scents: water and wood, elf-scent and wolf-scent, earth and the occasional whiff of fire. The fallen log by the tree, the quietly gurgling 'fountain' off to one side, the willow's gnarled roots, and even the soft earth underfoot encourage one to sit and sing or speak or send... or just to watch and listen. The entire area is tinged with a gentle, subtle sense of magic and age, centered upon the giant tree. To the south, the land slopes gently uphill. A path runs from Sun-Goes-Up to Sun-Goes-Down, with the nearby marshes lying off in the former direction and the more secluded parts of the Holt in the latter. Just off to the northeast, past the fountain, is a small pond. Contents: Brightmark BlackhoofDEAD White Ears Splinterfire Foxfire No-fur Sopdoll Weeble Whitemask Hollow log Obvious exits: Hillside(S) Branch Path(W) Old Willow(SW) Copse(SE) Marsh(E) Pond(N) Trollkiller drops down from the branch above. Trollkiller Trollkiller is physically a throwback, an elf clearly half wolf in form. He is covered with grey fur from head to - yes, those are claws instead of feet. He needs and wears no clothing other than the occasional strap to hold carrying pouches. Splinterfire smiles quietly to Rillwhisper. Splinterfire Dark green eyes notice your gaze, and Splinterfire smiles briefly at you before returning his attention to the intricately shaped harp in his hands. The young elf has waist-length black hair that is held back by a leather headband. At each temple is a thin braid of hair which hangs down past his chest. Occasionally, he will absently flick one braid back over his shoulder, but the braid invariably returns. Splinterfire wears dark green leggings and brown boots. His upper body is covered with a deep green vest with streaks of gold in it. Brown leather armbands wrap his wrists, and he has a small silver sword at his belt. He is often found playing strange melodies on his mahogany harp in a quiet glade. From the branch above, Woodhawk climbs round from the side of the tree. Woodhawk(#45POUXe) Tall for a Wolfrider, and slim of build, this elf moves with an unconscious, noiseless agility that speaks of skill as a hunter. His thick dark auburn hair hangs in waves down just past his shoulders, and dangles in his gold-flecked brown eyes; his voice, both spoken and sent, is quiet and husky, as unobtrusive as his movement. A close glance and a sniff of him might catch a subtle yet palpable tang to his scent, a something that speaks of fire... He is clad in a high-collared, sleeveless tunic of dark reddish-brown, streaked golden in random spots along the shoulders, and laced shut at an angle down one side of his chest. On his feet he wears soft, low boots of the same gold. A streaked headband, colors reversed from his tunic, keeps his unruly hair out of his face. He seems alert and watchful of mood. Silversong locksends ** Would you like me there as well? ** No-fur smiles *Hiya mother!* No-fur This tall young elf seems not quite finished growing yet: he is slim, with a face that holds the freshness of youth, but his frame is also sturdy and broad-shouldered. His unkempt, silver-white hair falls in a thick tumble just past his shoulders, and in front, dangles often in his huge, twilight-purple eyes. He speaks and sends in a clear tenor. Dawn comes down out of the trees on the hillside. Dawn Dawn is slender and rather short, even for a wolfrider. Her narrow and slanted eyes are skyblue in a pale face dotted with freckles. Her rustcolored hair has grown long, falling down her back in wild curls. A pair of long black feathers are tied to the leather thong holding the hair out of her freckled face. In the bright spring day she is wearing trousers and a vest in a symmetrical patchwork pattern, as well as a hooded cape in many colors. Her clothes seem to have gotten rather tight around the middle lately. Dawn looks cheerful and perhaps slightly mischievous. Carrying: Wooden bracelet Pouch Comb No-fur sends openly ** And father. ** Rillwhisper smiles, as the tribe begins to gather, and she exchanges greetings. Brightmark smiles quietly, looking around. Woodhawk drops down from the branch above. No-fur sends openly ** And other father. :) ** Dawn smiles cheerfully as she hurries in from the direction of the wolf den. Silversong emerges from the trees by the nearby pond. Silversong waves, and she smiles. "Hi." Silversong Silversong is a young elf, appearing to be somewhere between fourty and fifty years of age, her manner shy and curious, her voice sweet and pure in the music that gives her part of her name. Her soft green eyes often dart about, taking in everything around her. Her face is framed by silver hair that falls over her shoulders, a stray snip of her bright tresses often passing in front of her eyes, causing her to reach up and brush it out of the way. She wears a simple pair of deerhide leggings in a nice shade of leaf green, as well as a dark green tunic made of soft leather. Around her waist is a leather belt with an attached herbal pouch, as befits her art as a healer. Covering her feet as she walks, are a pair of small brown leather slippers. A pair of soft leather bracers, dyed a subdued green as well, complete the ensemble. She notices your gaze, and smiles briefly at you, before returning to whatever she was going. But you notice her face often go distant, lost in memory, as she thinks about past times. Carrying: Pendant of Many Colors Leather Pouch You locksend to Silversong, Rillwhisper smiles, and nods to you. No-fur jealously guards his seat on the log. Mineminemine. Crystal arrives from the side of the Old Willow. Crystal A tall, red-haired, wolfrider, with a pair of cold, crystal blue eyes. He wears untanned leather leggings, reaching down to his knees, and a sleeveless leather jacket, also untanned. Something about him is out of order, and you suddenly realize what: He does not carry any weapon at all, most unusual for a wolfrider. He must have realized you're looking at him, as he looks at you, smiling bemusedly, his eyes somehow seeming to acquire a reddish glow. Brightmark looks up at Dawn's arrival.. and turns, running off, sendmumbling something about not being ready yet... Brightmark vanishes into the trees, going around the nearby pond. Trollkiller nuggles No-fur and Woodhawk, pulling Woodhawk along with him to sit respectfully beside his Chieftess. Woodhawk grins to No-fur as he drops down out of the branches in Trollkiller's wake. Rillwhisper nods approvingly at both her mates, and scans the clearing as the tribesfolk gather. Crystal's face speaks of a deep burning anger. Silversong frowns after her daughter, and shakes her head quietly, before taking her usual seat beside the Willow. No-fur clammors up beside Rill, TK, WH, etc. Likes it there better. Woodhawk's gaze trails after Brightmark, too, for a moment, but he sighs a little, and settles down. Rillwhisper glances around, tallying. ** Everyone else must still be asleep, or hunting, ** she sends dryly. ** Looked for Sweetleaf, but he's out cold. ** In a send to the whole tribe, Rillwhisper calls again, summoning the tribe to council.... Silversong looks over at Woodhawk, and gently pats the spot beside her, smiling invitingly at him. Rillwhisper grins faintly, and murmurs, "Wildoak is distant, but he comes as fast as he can. He will be here." Splinterfire sits, quietly leaning against Whitemask, looking about quietly. Woodhawk smiles to Silversong, already being snugged by Trollkiller, but he attempts to position himself judiciously between them. Crystal nods distractedly. Simmel arrives from the side of the Old Willow. Simmel The first impression you get of Simmel is a headfull of curly, reddish-brown hair, through which the tips of ears barely poke. Next, the tiny nose dotted with merry freckles. Combined with his colorful clothes and still slightly babyish features you might expect a playful cub...until you meet his eyes. Narrow, slanted, and a dark slate color they seem to weigh you, penetrating to your soul. Finally, he looks away, resuming his quiet task without deigning to look at you again. He appears to be 7 turns of the seasons. Carrying: Leather Vest Silversong chuckles quietly, and gently hugs Woodhawk. From the branch above, Autumn climbs out of Autumn's den carefully. Autumn drops down from the branch above. Autumn This young wolfrider is willow thin and almost silent when she moves. Her large, dark blue eyes, which seem to hold a knowledge beyond her years, gaze out at you from a face framed by her dainty pointed ears. Her leathers are a curious mixture of strips and drapings. Leather strips died the various shades of autumn cover her body. It's uncertain if more of her is covered or uncovered by them. Soft, luminous material from the sunvillage is tucked here and there to add more modesty to the outfit, and more allure. Her mass of hair is held away from her face by a strip of red leather worn about her forehead. Her skin is pale, showing only a slight flush of pink, and her hair is as fiery red as the colours of autumn leaves. Her hair falls to mid-back in soft curls. She still has much developing to do, though she's picked up on wolfrider ways easily enough. No-fur tackles Autumn. Simmel trip-traps into the clearing, up to his mother. ** Evening! ** Autumn oofs, being easily knocked down. No-fur drags Autumn over to where he's sitting with mother & gang. Rillwhisper watches Dawn's family begin to gather, and she nods again, waiting for Zalen's arrival. As Firestar's daughter arrives, she continues her approving expression, looking pleased as more elves arrive. Autumn is easily dragged as well. From the branch above, Firestar climbs out of Autumn's den carefully. Firestar drops down from the branch above. Firestar Sapphire blue eyes that twinkle like the stars meet your gaze steadily, a hint of steel in them at times. Her long red hair falls in riotous curls to well past her waist when unbound. She is a little shorter than the average wolfrider. Slendor and willowy in appearance, she nonetheless is tougher than she appears. A bit of Go-Back training can almost be seen in the way she holds herself. Often she can be found staring into a fire or at the stars. She has discovered her gift of Fireshaping and strives to learn the extent of her gifts and to control them. She seems mainly wary about using her power. Woodhawk nods cordially to Autumn, and he smiles to Firestar, as well. Silversong smiles warmly at Firestar's arrival. ** Hi, Starlight! ** No-fur considers having his way with Autumn now, and settles for just nuzzling her furiously. Rillwhisper's eyes brighten at Firestar's arrival, and she, too, smiles. Firestar nods to Woodhawk, smiling fondly at Splinterfire and Trollkiller, though she keeps to her shadowed spot by the trees. She turns her smile to Rill. Crystal wraps an arm around Acorn. Autumn smiles at No-fur, stroking his hair. Splinterfire smiles to Firestar and waves her over. Rillwhisper scans the assemblage of elves, flashing a warm grin briefly to young Simmel as the cub settles beside his mother. ** Well, then. Wildoak will come as quickly as he can. Dawn, shall I send for Zalen again, or do you wish to? ** No-fur mmmms, nuzzling in close to Autumn, slipping his arms around her. Firestar hesitates a few moments, then slips over towards Woodhawk. Firestar murmurs something to Woodhawk, then settles down next to Splinterfire. Trollkiller nuzzles Woodhawk a lot. Simmel settles, and waits a tad anxiously for his father. Silversong leans gently up against Woodhawk's side. Dawn closes her eyes, sending. Simmel can't resist a giggle, then stifles it and watches the others from his position by his mother. Rillwhisper stands in the center of the clearing, occasionally shifting from foot to foot as she waits for the last few elves to arrive. Curious wolves linger in the shadows nearby, indistinct shapes in the afternoon light. Dawn smiles. ** Zalens seems to be asleep..he will wake when he does. ** No-fur nuzzlenuzzlenuzzles Autumn. Dawn hugs her cub close, smiling. ** Your first council, cub.. ** Rillwhisper inclines her head to Dawn, and answers, ** When he arrives, please send to him of anything he missed. So, now then... ** She shifts her gaze to regard you all, and goes on, ** Let us begin the council. ** Simmel holds his breath, half expecting drumming or something dramatic to occur. Rillwhisper sends openly ** As you all have noticed, there are many elves in the world... and it grows increasingly difficult to guard a Holt and keep it safe when we cannot know what elves in the world are friendly, and what ones are not.... ** Crystal nods solemnly. Rillwhisper sends openly ** This is even without worrying about the war-drums of the Tall Ones, or what the trolls might do if they see an elf they do not like. Splinterfire in particular has worried to me that our Holt is not safe enough. I wish to know from all of you what you have to say of this. Splinterfire, will you please tell the Holt of your concern? ** Splinterfire says "Uhm." Splinterfire looks about, gathering his thoughts. Rillwhisper nods encouragingly; between Silversong and Trollkiller, Woodhawk shifts his attention to the young harper, waiting patiently for him to begin. Splinterfire says "We have had so many visitors lately. It's been . . . not very quiet or private here lately. I'm not really worried about our friends who visit causing us trouble, but with so much traffic, isn't it possible that five-finger hunting parties could follow them in here." From the branch above, Zalen drops lightly down from the upper branches. Zalen drops down from the branch above. Trollkiller waves at Zalen. Splinterfire says "Also, there are some elves that are not our friends. Tash was one. He knew where we were. The gliders know where we are. If something went wrong, we could all be easily found." Simmel jumps to his feet and waves to his father. ** Dad! Come sit with us ** Dawn smiles happily up at Zalen , cuddled up with Simmel. Autumn rests lightly against No-fur's side. Rillwhisper smiles quietly as Zalen arrives, and Woodhawk nods to him affably, though both the chieftess and the hunter are quietly solemn of expression as Splinterfire speaks. Zalen walks quietly over to Dawn and Simmel, idly wondering if anyone's going to do anything with the dead blackhoof. Crystal nods. ** Dreamthunder ** Splinterfire says "I want us to find a safer place. A sanctuary to go to and hide, if we need it. We don't need to _leave_ this holt, but I think we need a place where we can go if we must." Zalen sends openly ** I thought we agreed to find such a place over a shade of the moon-mother ago. ** Dawn considers this solemnly, patting the ground beside her as she looks up at Zalen. Silversong gently brushes her fingers over Woodhawk's back. Trollkiller licks Silversong's fingers when she's not looking. :-) Zalen sits beside Dawn and Simmel, smiling quietly at both. No-fur scritches Autumn's hair gently. Simmel gives a hug to Zalen, as the family group is re-formed. Rillwhisper answers Zalen, ** Indeed, cousin, the idea was mentioned. But many of our visitors have left... and so, I still wish to know from you all if you believe that this need still exists. If you do, then I wish to do something for it. Splinterfire, have you more to say? ** Silversong chuckles at Trollkiller. Dawn sends openly ** Where would this place be? Far away? ** Splinterfire says "I don't know. That's the basics. I don't thing the place should be far away. If we move the whole holt, everyone will just come looking for us. We should find a place near here, which we can have if needed, but still be able to live here as we wish." Woodhawk puts in, ** Can't go too far, else we'd be too vulnerable in the retreat. Bigger chance of getting spotted by whatever we'd be running _from._ ** Zalen says "We were thinking shaping a tree to live under the roots, out of sight if needed. It would have to be a little away from the swamp where the ground is drier." Dawn nods thoughtfully, and nudges slightly closer to Zalen. Splinterfire nods. "We'd all have to become much more watchful, and much more careful. Silversong nods quietly, thinking to herself. Rillwhisper, as she walks about slightly to assure herself of seeing and hearing everyone unhampered, sends, ** The first question is, still, do we need the shelter? Most of our Lostholt visitors, save for Tyleet and her cubs, have left. The humans' war-drums have not sounded in seasons, and no troll has ever been here. Not even the Chosen have appeared here for some time. ** Crystal locksends ** I couldn't find you before.. But Dreamthunder's been threatening Brightfall.. And any other cub who'd send angrily at him... ** Crystal growls softly. ** Dreamthunder. ** Zalen says "It wouldn't hurt to have a place. And if we didn't need it, chieftess, then it would be a boon." Crystal sends openly ** Dreamthunder threatened my soul-cub... ** Silversong looks up at Rill. ** Despite the Chosen not having come close to here in some time... It's not safe having them know. ** Dawn blinkblinks at Crystal, and holds Simmel tighter.. Rillwhisper nods as Crystal speaks. ** Speak, Crystal. Most of us have seen this DreamThunder, but tell us what happened. ** Splinterfire looks quietly to Crystal. Woodhawk's dark eyebrows go up, but he doesn't comment. Yet. Crystal sends openly ** He tried to convince Brightfall that Joy's bond-wolf should be killed.. Brightfall got angry... ** Zalen narrows his eyes and listens much more intently. Silversong frowns. Crystal sends openly ** He then threatened Brightfall... If Ynderra wouldn't have dragged him away, he'd have 'taught the cub a lesson'... As he says he will to any cub who sends angrily. ** No-fur growls a bit. Dawn sends openly ** I..do think this holt does not seem as safe as it once did..so many visitors. And..right now, I would like to feel safer. Does that one know where we are? ** Crystal sends openly ** I don't think he does.. But not sure for how long... ** Rillwhisper sends, her own eyes having darkened a bit at this news, ** He knows he is near a Holt but he has not come into the itchgrass circle. ** Silversong sends openly ** He knows the holt is near. He camps outside my tree, in the camp on the south edge of the marsh. ** Crystal sends openly ** I don't want him anywhere near the holt. ** Silversong frowns. ** I don't like him at all... he is too much like my mother is, ** she sends, absently voicing her thoughts aloud. Splinterfire tilts his head slightly, listening. Zalen says "If it came to it, we can all teach .him. a lesson." Woodhawk snorts faintly. ** He wouldn't get in without being spotted. ** Dawn tugs at a lock of hair. And smiles a little, peering up at Zalen. ** Scared intruders away before. ** Splinterfire says "Rill, you see, I think we've just been lucky so far. We may not have had problems before, but that doesn't mean that we won't ever." Crystal frowns. ** First he talked to Brightfall about hunting.. About catching this blackhoof.. Then, he started trying to concince him to kil Joy's wolf. ** Crystal sends openly ** HE doesn't NEED to get in.. HE's a powerful sender... ** Silversong nods to Splinterfire. ** Yes... we need to have preparations made *before* trouble comes here. ** Crystal grumbles under his breath. ** I told him he'd die if he'd as much as hurt any of the cubs. ** Autumn listens silently, with a thoughtful, hooded gaze. Crystal shivers slightly as he says this. No-fur plays with a lock of Autumn's hair, a worried look on his face. Rillwhisper glances at her mates, as Woodhawk's dark eyes have gone a little distant with memory. Woodhawk sends simply, ** Tash sent me dreams. ** Crystal nods to Woodhawk. ** I'm worried this one might do the same ** Dawn sends with convicition. ** Nobody will hurt my cubs. In flesh or in send. I say we make him go away. But I also think we should make a safe place. ** Zalen says a little more urgently, "But we know who he is, and where he is." Firestar growls suddenly, ** I'll kill him if he harms any in the holt. ** Silversong looks surprised at her Recognized. ** He did? ** Crystal nods to Dawn. Trollkiller looks worried at Firestar. Woodhawk nods quietly to Silversong, and sends to Rillwhisper, ** It is prudent to have a refuge, my chieftess. ** Dawn appears in total agreement with Firestar. No-fur growls a little more, pulling on a strand of Autumn's hair, staying otherwise quiet. Crystal seems to feel the same way. Rillwhisper scans the circle, waiting for other opinions. Her gaze falls on Trollkiller. Silversong frowns again, but wonders thoughtfully. Trollkiller blinks. *Um.* Dawn shifts to take one of Zalens hand, pressing it hard. Trollkiller sends, *I think a hiding place would be a good idea, but needs to be someplace we never go except to check that it's still okay occasionally. If we go there a lot, it'll be easy to find.* Crystal nods. Rillwhisper inclines her head, then, and glances at No-fur and Autumn queryingly, her sharp gaze looking for signs of their own opinions. Trollkiller sends, *But I do _not_ like the idea of using it. This is our territory, we can and should defend it.* Zalen keeps his eyes like slits, but because he's thinking more than he's simply angry. Splinterfire glances to Trollkiller. "That, or possibly a place where some of actually go to stay for periods of time, taking turns gaurding, shaping and building something liveable and defensable. Silversong nods quietly, in agreement, her thoughts elsewhere, divided. Firestar forces herself to relax somewhat, and leans against Splinterfire, closing her eyes. No-fur sends openly ** I think we need to take care of the current problem.. Dreamthunder... And then worry about everything else. ** Crystal nods. ** We should chase this rabid elf off... ** Simmel stays closer to his parents than usual. Autumn looks thoughtful. ** Has anyone tried to Heal him? ** Silversong stands quietly. ** I'm going back up to sentry... ** Rillwhisper looks around at you all. ** Indeed, there are two problems here. What to do about this DreamThunder, and how to make a hiding place. ** Silversong hugs Woodhawk gently, and slips away. Silversong vanishes into the trees, going around the nearby pond. Rillwhisper, as Silversong stands, glances at her, and nods. Trollkiller crawls partly into Woodhawk's lap, now that it's not shared. Splinterfire hugs Firestar lightly, stroking her hair. "I don't mean to cause such disruption and division between us, but after the last Lost Holt visit, it's clear this is no longer necessarily a hidden holt. Woodhawk senses in a locksend, Silversong finds herself wondering out loud thoughtwise about Tash's sending dreams... Crystal nods to Splinterfire. Zalen says "It almost seems obvious that Lost Holt is no longer a hidden holt. Are we the only ones with this problem?" Firestar kisses Splinterfire's neck softly. Dawn strokes Simmels hair comfortingly with her free hand. Rillwhisper's mouth twitches faintly in a smirk as she continues, ** DreamThunder likes to say much about the Way, and while it is the way for wolves to drive off useless ones from the pack - we are not wolves. We are elves. And elves should not kill elves unless there is no other choice. ** Dawn sends openly ** Lostholt do not mind visitors so much, it seems..but..I would rather not have so many. ** Crystal frowns. ** Don't care what other holds do.. Want _us_ to be safe... ** Rillwhisper adds to Autumn, gravely, ** Do we know that this DreamThunder _needs_ healing? ** Splinterfire says "Perhaps not. But Lostholt must take care of their own. Besides with as many of Lost Holt knowing so easily where we are, who's to say that their Underworld enemies won't be soon to follow?" Dawn gives Rillwhisper a hesitant nod. Autumn drops her gaze. ** I just thought someone said he was rabid. Sorry...* Splinterfire hugs Firestar gently. Zalen scratches his ear and says slowly, "If we know what other holts do, we can see what works and what doesn't." Joy arrives from the side of the Old Willow. Rillwhisper raises a hand, and directs you all back to the topic at hand. She smiles a little to Autumn. ** Rabid perhaps in thought, but I haven't seen him with the foam-sickness. ** Joy hops in, "Hihi!" Simmel greets his sister and drags her into the family gathering. Zalen waves Joy over and motions her to be quiet. Joy fuzzles Simmel's hair and goes to hug mom and daddy. Joy oohs. No-fur nuzzles Autumn. Crystal frowns. ** Other holts are different from Willowholt.. Lostholt is much larger... Different. ** Zalen says "They are a holt, though, longer than this one. And they are like us in that they are almost all wolfriders. I just say we .can. learn." Dawn hugs Joy tight, and gives her a slightly worried look. Joy glances at Dawn and smiles. Crystal shakes his head. ** Is diferent from here. ** Splinterfire nods to Zalen. "It's good to keep in touch with them yes. I'm not suggesting we withdraw from the other friendly holts. But we need not invite them all into our sanctuary either. We could receive our friends here at Willowholt, and have another place that is only for us." Dawn sends openly ** Cub..is it true somebody threatened your wolf? ** Rillwhisper smiles briefly as Dawn and Zalen's whole family gathers, and goes on, ** Lostholt has more warriors than we do... but they also have no barrier about their Holt. Indeed, Zalen, we can ask them how they keep their intruders out. But from what I know, they, too, have a problem with it. In the times that Strongbow has been here, he has been angry about this. ** Zalen says, almost defensively, "Different doesn't mean you can't learn." Joy's eyes cloud over, "Uh..whaddya mean?" Crystal sighs softly, looking at Joy. Joy glances around, "What?" Dawn sends openly ** Crystal told us..somebody threatened Weeble. Is this so? ** Joy shrugs, "How would I know.." Joy glances around again, slightly nervous. Crystal sends openly ** Joy.. Don't worry.. Weeble's safe... ** Rillwhisper's attention shifts to the cub as her mother questions her. Joy looks to Crystal and nods slightly. Crystal looks up. ** We _have_ to do something... ** Dawn frowns faintly at Joy. Joy glances down at all the stares. Rillwhisper goes on quietly, ** But getting knowledge from Lostholt is yet another issue besides this DreamThunder. And he is more urgent, it would seem. ** Joy glances up at Dawn slowly. Dawn locks eyes with Joy. Zalen closes his eyes and lowers his head a little, talking quietly to keep his anger inside, "If he is consumed with the Way, then he would understand the law of territory." He looks up again, eyes on Rillwhisper. "Would he not?" Joy looks away from Dawn. Rillwhisper returns her gaze to Zalen, and answers him solemnly, ** He should. But he has not come into _our_ place. Our place is this Holt, and he is outside it. ** Joy mutters, "I'm fine, momma..." Zalen says "But he's in Silversong's place." Joy moves away from Dawn and goes to sit next to Weeble. Dawn blinks after Joy, startled. Joy seems to regard Weeble. No-fur looks at Joy, and pats his lap. Rillwhisper answers solemnly, ** Silversong has no wolf-blood, Zalen. Do you think he would respect her territory? ** Joy eyes No-fur, but doesn't move. She looks back to Weeble. Zalen says "Does he know?" Joy sends openly ** He is weak, you know.. ** Joy reaches out to pet Weeble.... Dawn murmurs.. "Scent..", still looking at Joy. Dawn sends openly ** Who is weak, cub? ** Joy says "Can't hunt...like a wolfrider should.." Joy motions to Weeble. Dawn sends openly ** But you take good care of him.. ** Woodhawk quirks an eyebrow at Rillwhisper, but doesn't speak. The chieftess continues, ** I think he does, yes, Zalen. ** She adds to Joy gently, ** Then you can hunt for him, cub. ** Splinterfire cocks his head slightly. "Silvie is capable of driving him away from her should she need to. If he is going to be here, better under obseveration, than with us not knowing where he is at all." Joy shrugs slightly, "I don't know how to hunt yet..." Crystal sends openly ** I don't want him anywhere near. ** No-fur doesn't, either. Joy sends openly ** Maybe he would be better off... ** Joy doesn't finish her thought, but still stares at the lame wolf. Dawn still watches Joy, faintly puzzled. Rillwhisper tells Joy unruffledly, ** Then it will be good for both of you to learn, together. ** She shakes her head, eyes still gentle as she regards the cub. ** There are more than enough of us to make sure he does not go hungry. ** Joy looks up at Rillwhisper, "But that's not suppose to be our way...we're suppose to be strong!" Crystal's eyes narrows. ** He's already hurting the cubs...** Zalen stands suddenly, voice raised, "This is enough! He .is. on our territory, and he .is. doing us harm. It is not to be!" Rillwhisper's green eyes are unwavering. ** There is strength in caring, Joy. There is strength in loving what is bonded to us. ** Dawn's eyes narrow. ** I never told you that, Joy. ** She looks over to Zalen. Joy glances at Dawn, then looks down again. Dawn stands as well, more slowly. Rillwhisper's gaze goes up again, and she looks at Joy's parents. ** Again, tribe, what will we do? I have heard it said, 'drive him off', and I have heard 'heal him'. What say you? ** Autumn sits silently, not claiming any inate understanding of the Way. Joy glances at Dawn. Crystal stands with Dawn and Zalen ** Don't want him anywhere near ** No-fur sends openly ** Drive him off. ** Dawn's eyes flash. ** I want nobody near to threaten my cubs, or their wolffriends. I say drive him away. ** Acorn stands with Crystal, agreeing. Splinterfire says "Can he be healed? Just because his. . . way. . . is not the Way we know doesn't mean that he is sick. He could just be wrong." Simmel stands up, with his parents, and looking anxiously at his sister. Woodhawk sends tersely. ** Aye. We do not know that DreamThunder is sick. But we do now that he is dangerous. Drive him off. ** Joy looks down again, burying her face in Weeble' fur. Dawn goes pale, then red, at a send. Splinterfire nods then. "Drive him off." Dawn sends openly ** Joy..Tell the tribe what you just told me. ** Joy sighs deeply, head still buried. Crystal looks at Joy, worriedly... Rillwhisper lifts a hand for silence, then, to let the cubling speak. Dawn's hand closes on her small bone knife, her stance tense. Joy sends openly ** I..met an elf who told me that I should tear Weeble apart cause he was lame...and that I needed to learn to hunt, and that mommy was a bad mommy..cause she hadn't taught me yet... ** Woodhawk frowns. Crystal trembles in rage, seems about to storm off, but is held by Acorn. No-fur growls. Joy sends openly ** I'm sorry...I didn't mean to... ** Crystal sends openly ** This has already gone _WAY_ too far.... ** Zalen breathes deeply, his shoulder rising and falling with the intensity. ** I think, Chieftess, that your tribe has made its say. ** Splinterfire says softly to Joy. "Not all wolves hunt, Joy, nor all elves. The yearling wolves often stay at the den to watch after the cubs while the others in the pack hunt. Hunting is not all there is to the Way." Acorn looks down at Joy, sends softly ** Isn't you, Joy.. Don't worry... ** Dawn lets go of the knife again, and slowly moves over to Joy, kneeling to hug her close. ** Love you, cub..do not worry. ** Rillwhisper pulls in a slow breath, and glances at Dawn and Zalen before sending softly to the cub, ** You, cub, have nothing to be sorry about. ** Then, her eyes flash as she addresses you all, ** Well, then. We will have to shove the Way down his throat. I am chief, and I will tell him to go. ** Joy returns the hug, tightly. Crystal nods to Rill. Joy glances up at No-fur and wipes her eyes. Woodhawk sends promptly, ** You will do so with my arrows to guard you, Chieftess. ** No-fur motions Joy over. Crystal sends openly ** We'll all stand with you, chieftess... Who knows what he might do... ** Joy looks at Dawn, half-smiles, and moves over to sit in No-fur's lap. Dawn holds Joy close, and looks up to her chief. ** With the whole tribe behind you. **. She stands again, letting Joy go over to No-fur. No-fur puts his arms around Joy, holding 'er tight. Zalen turns slowly and catches Joy as she moves, a hand on her shoulder. Joy looks up at Zalen. Rillwhisper inclines her head levelly to the elves here, and waits for everyone to settle again before she goes on. Woodhawk leans back against Trollkiller, going silent agin. Dawn sits down again, slowly, and pulls Simmel close again. Joy blinks at Zalen, seemingly slightly confused. Joy's eyes light up knowingly, and she hugs Zalen before going to No-fur. Trollkiller nibbles Woodhawk's neck. No-fur nuzzles and snuggles Joy. Zalen sits down again, looking down at his hands and a bit bashful about it. Dawn smiles softly at Zalen. Zalen smiles gently. Rillwhisper sends openly, ** We will NOT go now, in the heat of anger - but we will go soon, and calmly. In the meantime, I want every one of you to keep watch for this DreamThunder, and to tell our visitors to stay away from him. ** Trollkiller nods. Dawn strokes Simmels back comfortingly. Crystal frowns... Crystal then nods ** He was trying to goad me into anger before... Yes, we should wait... ** Dawn sends openly ** ** Crystal sends openly ** I'll guard. ** Splinterfire looks down for a moment. "So DreamThunder is settled then. But he has not been our only danger." Rillwhisper looks around at you all. ** When it is time to challenge him, we _must_ be calm, or else we will be easier to hurt. ** Woodhawk, as Rillwhisper speaks, nods quietly. Rillwhisper sends openly ** Splinterfire, indeed, I think we will have to make a safe place. We will talk about that, now. Zalen, you said before that you would scout... have you seen any place which might suit us? ** Zalen says "There are some large trees a small ways south of here, but I haven't noticed three or four close enough together." Splinterfire says "In my travels of the past, I know that there are more heavily wooded areas in hills north of here. Firmer ground, large trees. Maybe some good caves. Caves would be safer than many places." Dawn thinks.. ** Swamp, to the north..unless it is far north? ** Joy snugs No-fur and goes to sit with Simmel. Rillwhisper sends openly ** If we go north of the river, that is where the humans live. A safe place should not be made near the humans. ** Zalen says "We will keep looking to the south, then." No-fur awwks, and waves bye to Joy. Joy puts her arm around Simmel and snugs him. Crystal frowns. ** Isn't there a good place near the river, anywhere? ** Dawn sends openly ** Perhaps..along the path to the river..away from hub? ** Simmel snugs Joy back. Dawn hugs both her cubs, now they are in reach. And looks much happier for it. Rillwhisper nods thoughtfully, and goes on, ** The wood extends somewhat towards Sun-Goes-Down before giving over to the Wolfhaven country. That is closest, I think. ** Rillwhisper drops OOC to ask, then, if she should go ahead and build something that would be a 'safe place', or if she has volunteers to aid her in doing so. [Some commentary not immediately relevant to the discussion has been deleted in this OOC part of the log, in order to cut down on spam.] Dawn OOC agrees to both :) Rillwhisper OOC thinks that the easiest way to do this would be to extend the Willowwood territory, if the Willowholt builder has quota for it. Does this sit well with everyone? Any alternate suggestions? Crystal agrees with Rill.. But maybe have another exit to the river to the south or something? Dawn thinks extending would be best, yup..not crossing public terrain to get there :) Rillwhisper doesn't think our 'safe place' should be north of the river. Remember that we are south of the river, and that the humans are on the other side. You say "Still, we can have an exit to the river from this place. :)" Dawn nods at Rill :) Rillwhisper OOC updates Splinterfire to let him know that we are currently discussing how to build the 'safe place'. Proposal on the table is for a private part of the Willowwood, perhaps west of here, south of the river. To be done by the Willowholt builder. Votes, folks? Splinterfire nods to Rill. "Sounds good to me Rill. I'm willing to rebuild some of those more pleasant Vale areas I did for Valdemush for us to use if you don't mind me taking a bit of OOC time to do so (over the course of a few weeks). Splinterfire smiles to Dawn. "I did some damned good building and descing for a mush that got killed. I was rather fond of several of the descs and would like to see them used somewhere, someday. Stormwolf arrives from the side of the Old Willow. Zalen says "I don't see the problem of just digging some holes under some large trees." You say "On the other hand, in the interests of mminimizing discussion about this in favor of the IC stuff, we could also perhaps discuss this in +mail or email? Unless you all would rather speak about it now?" Dawn says "Yup..simple will do, this being emergency backup holt." Stormwolf gah. He shows up for the OOC stuff, and the OOC stuff is over. Splinterfire had done that too, Zalen. :) With his old building. It'd be nice to repeat the stunt. Dawn says "Oh, let us brainstorm now, Rill...I get too much +mail already." Zalen thinks the +mail/email spam would be worse than coming up with an even slight idea now. Dawn says "We are OOC, Stormy :)" Simmel snugs Stormwolf OOC. There. Dawn nods at Zalen.. "Finding a nice, dry piece of land and digging in sounds nice.." Stormwolf wonders if someone could clue him what was decided, in the vain hope that perhaps he can use this as a hook to get Stormwolf back in play. Rillwhisper is pretty open to any ideas and is still logging. Zalen says "And not that I have a problem, but then no one would have to worry about falling out or remaining unseen. Few people look for elves under roots." Rillwhisper will email you the log, Stormwolf. :) Dawn giggles at a whisper..Lets take over the Troll tunnels! Simmel tries to summarize. "A bomb shelter is going to be built." Simmel says "As an alternate place to move to, since too many elves know of this place." Rillwhisper likes Zalen's idea of hiding under trees, and figures that our Holt treeshapers, as well as Seasprite if we can convince her to do rockshaping for us, would be useful in constructing the shelter. Stormwolf used to live under a tree. Splinterfire says "I too. A combination tree and cavedwelling would be very nice." Dawn ponders..right, we have a rockshaper around, too.. Simmel says "We do?" Rillwhisper's proposal on the table therefore involves someplace a little ways west of here, and south of the river. Likely to involve both treeshaping and rockshaping work, and hiding 'under' trees. Alternate suggestions, folks? Dawn giggles. Hum..southwest and roots sounds fine with me! Rillwhisper notes to Simmel that Seasprite, one of the Holt visitors, is a rockshaper. Simmel ohs at the chieftess. Stormwolf thinks if the visitors build the backup holt, then won't a lot of people know about it? Which kind of defeats the purpose? Dawn says "Point to Stormy, really.." Dawn says "This should be a tribe only thing, for now?" Splinterfire says "I don't think Seasprite is a visitor. She's OOCly planning to become part of the tribe." Simmel says "ICly, she's now a visitor. Isn't the new place being built IC?" Trollkiller said that before. We can't use this place if we expect to use it as a retreat-of-last-resort... Stormwolf ah. Then you should find some reason why you absolutely positively have to have a rockshaper to build the new place, to help hook her into the tribe. Crystal slips down the path around the Old Willow. Simmel hms. We have a lot of rock under the rocks? Simmel uh, under the trees as well. Rillwhisper can think of a few reasons, offhand. E.g., just in case we can't find any trees with sufficient space under them, or with holes that need to be enlarged, or what have you. Treeshapers can't make dirt move, at least not directly. Splinterfire says "I think there's been some IC talk of her thinking of joining us already, yes?" Simmel says "Rockshapers can shape dirt?" Dawn has heard none. Hum..seems she want to join cause of Silversong, but Silvie doesnt live in the holt? Stormwolf says "Dirt is just powdered rock. Well, kind of." Dawn was wondering about that :) Zalen says "Well, we can start until she's a part of the tribe." You say "This has already been an issue discussed, Dawn." Dawn says "Well, we can dig. Like wolves :)" Zalen says, un-wolf-like, "I'll use a shovel." Stormwolf thinks making significant underground chambers is pretty difficult without magic. Rillwhisper repeats, yet again, "Are there any alternate suggestions to the proposal I have on the table? Noted about needing a good IC reason to hook Seasprite into it... and I'll work on that... it may be that we could use the Holt treeshapers to _start_ the place and then let Seasprite work on it once she is considered Tribe." Stormwolf says "You'd need either a rockshaper to make the walls firm, or a treeshaper to extend roots to make supports." Zalen says "The latter was my thought." Zalen says "Or trolls to make it work, but we don't have those." Dawn says "Roots sounds good..treeshaper could do some work with that, if we build in soil rather than rock." Stormwolf says "Then you'd need to remove the dirt. Which would take a long time, and you'd have to put the dirt someplace." Zalen says "So?" Zalen so's to Stormwolf's voiced concern. You say "But the point of going more west was to get firmer ground, 'cause it's rather marshy here." Stormwolf says "Lotsa work. For a bunch of little elves, it'd probably take... well, a real long time." Zalen says "Again: So?" Stormwolf says "A rockshaper could do it in a week, and you wouldn't have a big dirt mound to give your presence away." Dawn says "We have time :)" Simmel asks "For a lot of wolves? One can really *dig*--down 6 feet in one evening if he wanted." Dawn says "Earthshaper?" Dawn giggles..and ponders. Stormwolf can't picture the wolves being conscripted as labor for this project, really. Zalen says "So don't use wolves." Zalen says "Well, not a lot of wolves. Use them 'til they figure it's pretty silly." Dawn says "Earth is no problem, anyhow...We are not building huge chambers here, as I imagine it." Stormwolf says "You need enough space to hold 25 odd elves and their bondbeasts." Dawn thinks wolves will find it fun to dig..to a point. Simmel says "Wolves dig dens. Find an old den and expand it?" Splinterfire says "I don't think we need to worry about not having a rockshaper. The issue is just making it look ICly pretty, how we get the rock shaper." Dawn says "Also a thought.." Zalen says "I know I don't see this as a large archetectural feat. Elves don't think that way. It would be started and 'grow' from there." Stormwolf thinks it's probably reasonable to start on it, then go "Hey, this is taking a long time" and go find a rockshaper. Zalen thinks that whatever happens, happens, as per how elves behave. Zalen says "At least how per wolfriders." Splinterfire says "It would be good to see the building take time IC. For one thing, then we'd have time OOC to do a nice job on it." Zalen says "And that any real consideration for a rockshaper won't stop them, except for making some kind of vague effort to get one." Simmel asks "Is the den going to be in or out of the itchgrass circle?" You say "This 'safe place' would be outside the itchgrass circle, but would probably have some sort of hidden network of branches to get there." You say "The itchgrass circle right now only goes round the Holt proper." Zalen thinks now that we have a vague idea to move on and let it, too, grow? (Please?) Rillwhisper nods. You say "Okay, going IC again." Autumn grabs the large low branch and swings upward. From the branch above, Autumn swings up and settles among the willow fronds. Trollkiller nibbles Woodhawk. Rillwhisper, as the decision for the making of the refuge is made, now surveys you all again. ** I was going to speak of some of our visitors, but this is difficult to do, without Silversong and Brightmark here. For now, I will say this: that Seasprite and Thistlemane still are within the Holt... ** Rillwhisper sends openly ** Seasprite came looking for Silversong... and indeed, Silversong herself has been round the Holt much more often, and doing things such as sentry watch. I wish to know from all of you... whether Silversong would be welcome as Tribe. I mean to ask her this myself, if you all will support me. ** Woodhawk at that quirks a grin, enough of an answer from him. Splinterfire says "I've always thought Silversong *was* tribe." Trollkiller blinks. *Again?* Simmel half expects Silversong's tree to be moved inside the holt. Splinterfire shrugs. "She is really. When you think about it. Besides, she did say she was back to stay for good this time." Rillwhisper smiles to Trollkiller. ** She never really has thought of herself as of the Willowholt. But I think it is time to make the offer again to her. ** Her gaze swings round the circle. ** What say the rest of you? ** Joy pipes up, "I like her." Splinterfire says simply, "Of course." Trollkiller snugs against Woodhawk. *Woodhawk's recognized? How could I say no?* Firestar smiles, suddenly, fond. ** Only if she can get pregnant, and me wounded and we can argue over who gets to save Woodhawk this week. ** Woodhawk smiles to Trollkiller, and fuzzles his headfur. Splinterfire smiles and hugs Firestar once again. Rillwhisper laughs brightly to Firestar, and Woodhawk winks at the younger firestarter. Splinterfire says "Always Woodhawk this and Woodhawk that." Splinterfire grins. Rillwhisper looks to Dawn and Zalen, for their verdicts? Zalen shrugs slightly. "I thought that she was one of us, too. It would not be a change." Crystal arrives from the side of the Old Willow. Firestar turns and kisses Splinterfire firmly. ** Mmm. But it's you I take to my furs, love. ** Splinterfire blushes just a little bit and kisses back. Dawn smiles, and nods. ** She is tribe, by me. ** Simmel goes along with whatever his family wants. Rillwhisper smiles to you all, and nods, then. ** When she is done with the watch, I will therefore ask her. Now... I want to know if any of you have other things which need to be said in the council? ** Zalen says, with a chipper grin, "Dawn's having another cub." Simmel looks at his mother's rounding form. "She is?" Crystal grins softly to Zalen and Dawn. Splinterfire blinks. "Another? You're to have four of them now?" Woodhawk glances up into the branches where Silversong retreated, and then looks back with a grin to Zalen. Crystal hrms. ** Acorn might, too... ** Zalen says "Three." Simmel snugs Dawn. Another brother or sister to be! Crystal smiles happily. Autumn drops down from the branch above. Joy smiles, "Sister.." Splinterfire ohs, then. "I guess I've already heard the news of the third. I thought you meant another another." Rillwhisper's green eyes turn warm as she smiles at Zalen and Dawn. ** You two carry the tribe's renewal, it would seem, yet again. ** And she looks with startled pleasure to Crystal. ** She is? ** Splinterfire says "Acorn too? Wow." Crystal grins. ** Well.. We talked Blythe into helping... ** Zalen chuckles quietly. "Cheater." Autumn crouches silently beneath the branch. Crystal chuckles to Zalen. ** Hey.. We can't all get as lucky as you did.. ** Trollkiller shakes his head. *Cubs everywhere... what times...* Dawn blushes happily, and snugs all around. Firestar smirks faintly. ** And not a one of them that can compete with Trollkiller for energy. ** Crystal then frowns. ** Is one reason for not wanting dreamthunder near... ** Rillwhisper nods earnestly to Crystal, and sends, ** All the more reason to make sure the Holt is safe from _any_ danger. Cousins, are there any other things which need saying in the council? ** Trollkiller sends, *I don't know about _that_ - I've only got the one, for all my practicing.* Trollkiller giggles. Dawn shakes her head, still blushing faintly, and hugs Zalen again. Splinterfire giggles lightly at Firestar. "Actually, rather amazing there aren't *alot* of little Fuzzy cubs running around here." Rillwhisper flicks a grin at Trollkiller, as Woodhawk murmurs to him, "And you're not getting a cub out of me, Fuzzy... " "Or me!" pipes up Splinterfire. Joy sends openly ** I just turned 9.. :) ** Joy shrugs and smiles. Firestar smiles lazily and nibbles on Splinterfire's fingers, eyeing Trollkiller. Trollkiller sighs, holding Woodhawk's arm. *I know...* Crystal chuckles softly. Splinterfire tsks Joy and says, "Eight and one. You been hanging out with hoomans?" Trollkiller giggles at Splinterfire. *On _that_ front, we should count ourselves lucky!* Trollkiller throws a little piece of bark at Splinterfire. :-) Dawn giggles at Splinterfire. Joy makes a funny face at Splinterfire. Crystal chuckles, wraps his arms around Acorn, happily holding her close. Rillwhisper chuckles to you all, and at the lack of response to her last question, she scans the surrounding trees, which have grown darker and more shadowed as twilight falls. ** Well. If no one else has anything to voice in the Council, I think I will say this, because I think Dawn forgot... there is another new person staying with us, who is special to Dawn. Would you like to speak of him, cousin? ** Joy blinks and grins, clapping her hands, "Nightdancer!" Dawn nodnods, and leaps up! Dawn sends openly ** Oh, yes! Nightdancer, my Father! He is alive..and here. ** Woodhawk blinks, and then grins to Dawn. Crystal's eyes open wide. He smiles at Dawn. ** Oooh! Very happy for you! ** Dawn pauses to send.. Simmel nodnods. ** And he tells stories! ** Splinterfire blinks watching Dawn. Dawn smiles. ** He will come, so you can meet him... But until then: ** Dawn's eyes sparkle. ** At the last Howl, I told how my old holt burned..when I was very little. I thought them all dead, except for my Mother. ** Rillwhisper grins a little, nodding quietly to Dawn, having already heard this tale. Crystal smiles softly, even though some pain shows in his eyes. Dawn's send sparkles briefly with flames, and the silhouettes of burning trees against the night sky. Dawn sends openly ** But he is not..he was away, chasing a stubborn tree-horn far from the holt, when it burned. ** Dawn sends openly ** And returning to the dying embers..he did much as we did..fleeing the pain of the lost holt. ** Dawn sends openly ** But as my Mother brought me to the Vastdeep to flee the danger she suspected..my Father fled away from the hubstar..to the distant jungles. But of this, he will tell you himself. ** Dawn looks over towards the darkening line of trees. Dawn sends openly ** A hand of days or so ago..I went fishing, with Zalen. And there he found me, by the river. He recognized my scent, after all these years.. ** [As Dawn speaks, NightDancer arrives.] NightDancer NightDancer is a pale, handsome elf with fine, narrow features. Deep grey eyes rest under heavy, dark eyebrows and peer through thick strands of hair that borders on blue, so black is it. The length of his hair is caught back in a beaten silver ring at the nape of his neck, falling down between his shoulderblades to brush at the center of his back. High cheekbones angle down to a sharp chin, giving him a hard, predatory look. He stands small and slender, his frame barely four feet, but well and strongly muscled. He wears simple leathers of dark grey; a long tunic comes down in deliberate ragged edges to his upper thighs, where boots the same shade meet. A wide, black belt holds the tunic close to his waist, and around his upper left arm is a wide, delicately stitched armband. In these leathers he blends easily with the shadows. Zalen leans back and ruffles Simmel's hair lightly. Dawn smiles over to Zalen happily. ** I did not know him at first..I only remembered somebody immensely tall, with black hair..and he was not so tall, anymore. ** Dawn giggles, peering down at her cubs. Dawn sends openly ** Suppose that changes.. ** Crystal smiles to Nightdancer Rillwhisper sends, ** Well, he is welcome to come and introduce himself to us. ** Woodhawk echoes Rillwhisper's sentiment in his own send, and she continues, gesturing at the carcass neatly placed off to one side, ** We even have food, for the Howl. ** Joy says "Grandpa!" Dawn brightens as NightDancer approaches from the dark trees. ** Father.. Welcome, to the howl. ** Joy jumps up and hugs Nightdancer. NightDancer grins as he comes in. **Heyla, Joy.** He scoops her up in a hug, and beams at Dawn. NightDancer winks solemnly at Simmel while he's at it. Autumn regards NightDancer in her usual silence, with a thoughtful steady gaze. Zalen chuckles quietly. Woodhawk sends cordially, ** Welcome, cousin. ** Simmel copies Joy's actions, even though his hair's still sticking up funny from Zalen's ruffle. Rillwhisper, with this, looks around at you all. ** I think this is the signal for the Howl to begin. ** Dawn hugs NightDancer as soon as he is free.. ** I have told some of the story..you must tell more, when the Howl proceeds. Tribe, this is NightDancer, once known as Branchjumper.** Dawn pulls Nightdancer over to her little family group, and settles for the Howl to start. NightDancer smiles around at everyone, nodding and blinking and sending hellos. He looks a bit overwhelmed. Dawn giggles, and stagewhispers. "That is Trollkiller..you will, hm, get to know him. " Seasprite emerges from the nearby copse. Seasprite Seasprite is the former chieftess of the Sea Elves. She has left her tribe to search out life on her own. Seasprite is shorter than average for a sea elf, with shortly cut blonde hair. Her eyes are hazel, tending towards blue. She is very slim for an elf, even more than normal. Seasprite is wearing a green outfit. It consists of a raggedly cut top and semi-skirt. On her belt, Seasprite has sheathed a dagger made of whalebone. She also carries a spear, whose tip is also made of polished whalebone. Seasprite sends openly ** Hello there. ** Zalen rolls his eyes. Dawn waves to Seasprite cheerfully. Rillwhisper smiles, and her eyes brighten as the evening falls. Sunset still casts glimmers of pale color between the branches, and the wolves that linger about the Holt grow in visible number. Dawn folds her face into solemn folds, nodding to Zalen. Zalen smiles slightly teasingly. Rillwhisper inclines her head as the Sea Elf emerges from the trees - and sends, ** Cousins, DreamThunder may be near, but there are more of us than there are of him - shall we howl, then? ** Crystal hrms?, then ohs, and is dragged off by Acorn. He grins ** Later... ** NightDancer smiles up at Seasprite, and snuggles down with her family. Dawn snugs Zalen happily. Trollkiller looks innocent. Dawn tries to curb her giggles, snuggles in with her family, and listens to Rillwhisper.. Firestar disbelieves Trollkiller's look of innocence. Seasprite smiles Rillwhisper tilts back her head, and _howls_... clearly, brightly, letting the song ring through the darkening evening. Zalen jumps a little. Dawn pats Zalens hand lightly, eyes glittering. Woodhawk's voice slips into the Howl... and slowly, the gathering wolves join in, as their nightly song is augmented by the voices of the elves. Simmel looks up at Dawn for the signal. Firestar kisses Splinterfire's cheek, then slips into the shadows. Dawn waits for the elder elves to join..then raises her voice as well, howling a joyful howl. NightDancer smiles, his eyes brightening, and he joins in the howl, softly. Dawn nudges her cubs :) Trollkiller howls loudly, not so much elder as that... :-) Joy glances up at Zalen. Rillwhisper sends, as she howls... to share with those in the tribe who do not feel the pull of the wolf-blood. Her send is warm, and bright with a sense of tribe-bond, of Holt and home and kinship. Zalen is just watching, smiling quietly, his eyes wide and joyous. Joy looks at Simmel. Autumn grabs the large low branch and swings upward. From the branch above, Autumn swings up and settles among the willow fronds. From the branch above, Autumn scrambles up into Autumn's den. Sweetleaf emerges from the willow tree. Joy glances at Zalen again and bites her lip. Rillwhisper spins briefly, dramatically, catching you all with her gaze as she sends, ** We Howl this night for the bonds of blood and tribe and Holt... for coming cubs, and for blood-bonds lost and found again. We Howl for all elves here, of whatever bloods - for we _all_ are elves, and that is the finest joy of all. ** Seasprite smiles softly at the others in the howl. She begins to add her voice to the howl, but not with a wolf howl like the wolfriders. Instead, her high-pitched voice mimics the call of the waveriders, her equivalent of the wolf in her blood. Dawn nudges her cubs again :) Simmel starts howling, joining into the cacophony of sound. Joy sighs softly and immitates Simmel, joining in. Sweetleaf howls softly, with a sound like wind through the branches. Rillwhisper flashes a bright smile to her brother Sweetleaf as his tall figure comes into view, and continues, ** We Howl to celebrate celebrate what we are... where we have been... and where we go. Howl with me, cousins! ** Joy glances up at Zalen. After a moment she smiles and her howling stops. Trollkiller howls again, long and clear... From somewhere distant, a marsh bird's cry rings out into the evening. Dawn raises her voice briefly as the bird cries :) "AYOOOOAH!" Ynderra emerges from the willow tree. Ynderra Ynderra has grown and changed into adulthood..at least in body. The lines of her childish body have been replaced with curves, and there is a bright new sparkle to her eyes. Her curly, raven-black hair falls to her waist, and she has tied it back in a ponytail. A pert feather hangs from a small braid by her gracefully pointed ear. High cheekbones, her mother and granddam's legacy, make her deep blue eyes a bit more slanted. Her leathers are light brown, and fit to her curves snugly, rather making her resemble her grandmother Nightfall. A bow is strapped to her back, and a brightmetal blade hangs at her hip...she looks quite the young huntress. She moves silently, with assurance, a Wolfrider at home in her domain. Carrying: Battered raven pendant necklace Ynderra glances at you, with a sparkle in her eye...better watch out! Zalen smiles at Joy and caresses her hair, quite happy. Brightfall emerges from the willow tree. Brightfall A young elf who had just traded the round features of his cubhood for the angles of adolescence. Clad in a brown leggings which lace up the sides, his leathers are constantly stained and dusty from his treks into the brush in search of ravvits and other small game. A braided belt holds a sheathed knife and his pouch of treasures, everything from a river-smoothed rock to a collection of healing herbs from his parents. He had fine, dark red hair, like shadows in deep summer, and a strip of ravvit-hide can do no more than loose the battle of keeping it out of his soft brown eyes. These eyes are filled with a shy intelligence, showing the promise of the handsome adult he will grow into with time. Carrying: Moonprowler pouch(#4946V) knife Brightfall blushes ** Umm.. Heyla... ** Ynderra slips in, wowing at the number of elves. Dawn lets the howl die out, and smiles cheerfully at the elves summoned by the noise. Ynderra smiles..shyly for her.. Trollkiller giggles. *The bird are howling, now?* Dawn giggles merrily. Rillwhisper's send shimmers as it touches all in the Holt... celebrating the wolf-blood that has come from many parts of the green growing places... and the knowledge of the old ways and words brought by Zalen. She grins and howls again as some of the Holt visitors venture into view... and as the tribe Howls, the familiar litanty of the chief-singing rings through the night. Zalen leans forward a bit, still smiling and still watching. Brightfall blushes softly, just stands there, unsure what to do. Ynderra's smile brightens at Rill's send...and she sits down, pulling Bright down next to her. Timmain, mother of all... Timmorn Yellow-Eyes... Rahnee, the She-Wolf... Prey-Pacer... Two-Spear... Huntress Skyfire... Freefoot.... Redbear.... Brightfall blushes softly at Ynderra. Dawn joins the chant, hugging her cubs tight as she does. NightDancer listens, quietly, eyes bemused. Sweetleaf continues his sister's sending....Sunflicker....Birch....Rillwhisper. Brightfall watches curiously. Ynderra leans her head on Bright's shoulder. Brightfall lightly blushes, but doesn't seem to mind. Brightfall suddenly looks at Joy and Weeble, and frowns slightly. And even with these, there are sends to acknowledge the chiefs who have led other places where those of the Tribe once were. None are forgotten, in the unity of the Howl... and, as the chant reaches its end, Rillwhisper sends, ** Let us Howl this night, and share stories... and songs... to be Tribe, and to take joy in those bonds which make us so. Ynderra's sister Myriel and Brightfall have brought us meat... let us share in this gift, too! Who will make a story for the tribe? ** Ynderra beams at Brightfall, and for her sister. Dawn pokes Joy! Brightfall blushes softly at the acknowledgement. Dawn sends openly ** Joy has a story! ** Joy eeps and whats? NightDancer smiles encouragement. Joy blinks, "Oh, yes!" Brightfall smiles softly at Joy. Woodhawk grins, and flicks out a blade to make work of the carcass, which has already received some attention. He starts offering portions out, and with a quiet smile curving his lips, gives the first portion to little Weeble. Joy looks to Rill. Rillwhisper smiles, and grins to the cub. ** Tell your story, cubling. ** Weeble wurfles and chomps up the meat happily Trollkiller locksends to Woodhawk, ** Good. ** Joy grins happily and hops up, looking much like DAwn. Dawn grabs some meat, licking her lips, and shares it with Simmel as she looks at Joy..and listens. Joy scrambles up the log and sits upon it. Zalen watches, leaning back on his arms and admiring his daughter. Woodhawk locksends to Trollkiller, ** ** to Trollkiller. Joy says "Once upon a moon..." Joy says "Or two.." NightDancer smiles. Rillwhisper sits, as Joy begins her tale, and smiles to Woodhawk approvingly, even before he gives her a choice portion of the tongue of the kill. Joy smiles slightly, "The wolf's bark could be heard for miles as the packs gathered for meets, just likes this one here..." Dawn smiles happily around the meat, offering tiny morsels to Simmel and Zalen, alternately. Simmel nibbles on the morsel, trying to make it last longer, as he listens intently to Joy. Zalen eats sparingly of the uncooked meat. Joy says "Although, the wolves were not the only ones that wuold gather. The large, powerful trees also barked, by scritching thier branches together" Joy says "However, one sad day, the trees (They were very snooty trees), decided they were the better barkers...and wanted the wolves to stop." Joy says "There was almost a great big war...between the trees and the wolves..." Woodhawk locksends to Zalen, ** ** to Zalen. Joy says "But a great and powerful man....named Simmel the Wolflord thought of a better solution." Joy smiles and winks at Simmel. Dawn giggles! NightDancer grins. Dawn hugs Simmel happily. Rillwhisper grins at the thought of the trees barking, and glances at Sweetleaf. Sweetleaf smiles amusedly at the cub. Brightfall chuckles softly, watching/listening. Joy says "He said 'We will have a contest...whoever can bark the longest, can keep the bark.'" Ynderra grins more than a little.. NightDancer grins widely, leaning forward a bit to listen. Joy says "Both sides agreed...and so that fateful day came. The trees, primming their branches, the wolves preparing as well." Zalen listens quietly, intently. Sweetleaf leans back against the willow's trunk. A pale green glow comes from his hands, and the willow's branches rustle. Joy says "They met on a cloudy day, wind howling. The trees on one side, the wolves on the other. At Simmel's command, they both began to bark as loud and hard as they could." Joy says "This went on for many many days..." Ynderra glances at Sweetleaf. Joy says "Both sides grew weary, but yearning to win this challenge.." Brightfall glances at Ynderra. Brightfall blushes softly. Joy says "The branches wore down, the throats of the wolves began to bleed..." Joy says "But eventually, the strength of the wolf shone through...as the trees started to bow down, one by one." Sweetleaf smiles absently at Ynderra. Joy says "Simmel proclaimed that the wolves had won the challenge...and to this day, no walking creature has ever heard the trees bark, only the wolves." Joy smiles and stands, taking a bow while on the log. Brightfall smiles brightly! Zalen sends openly ** Awwoo. ** Ynderra grins at Joy, eyes sparkling! Joy smiles brightly and nods to Rillwhisper, hopping down. Joy goes over to Simmel and sits. NightDancer grins. Joy smiles at Zalen. Joy seems to have put everyone to sleep. Zalen thinks Joy has stunned everyone with vocal prowess. Dawn giggles, and hugs Joy! Seasprite smiles Dawn sends openly ** What a nice story! Simmel, did you hear? You were in it.. ** Simmel peels off a little bit of tree bark and attempts to make it 'bark' at Joy. :) Trollkiller smiles. **That was definately a nice story.** Joy laughs at Simmel! Brightfall nods. The branches' rustle crescendoes into a pattering like applause :) Joy giggles. Ynderra glances at Sweetleaf, and grins.. Dawn smiles happily at Sweetleaf, and hugs Joy again. Rillwhisper chuckles both at the cub and at Sweetleaf, and sends appreciation of the tale. ** Worthy of dreamberries, Joy! ** She winks and adds to her brother, ** I hope you brought some. I didn't think I'd wake you up. ** Ynderra looks at Brightfall, and checks to make sure no one's watching.. Zalen's eyes suddenly light up as a thought flares behind him. "Oh!" He stands. Zalen flies up. Joy blinks as daddy flies away. NightDancer blinks, too, shaking his head a bit. Zalen glides down from above. Zalen floats back in, upside-down. Dawn looks at Zalen in anticipation.. Rillwhisper blinks after Zalen, but waits to see what he forgot. Woodhawk gives a ? sort of glance to Trollkiller, and then looks up again as Zalen returns. Brightfall blushes deeply at Ynderra! Ynderra grins at the glider's antics.. Zalen flips back rightside-up and settles back down, a small drum folded between his legs. Sweetleaf smiles indulgently at Rillwhisper, and says aloud, "Of course; what's a howl without a dreaming...?" Trollkiller locksends ** ? back ** Rillwhisper grins as Zalen floats back into view, and smiles as she notices what he carries. Sweetleaf takes a little, dried, red something from his pouch, looking at it thoughtfully.... You say "Or music!" Zalen runs his fingertips quickly atop the drum, caoxing a quick 't-k-tum-t-tum' out of it. Woodhawk grins and says to Sweetleaf, "You've got as many dreams in you as turns of the seasons, old branch." Sweetleaf's eyes glow greener, and the dried berry puts forth a tentative green shoot... Ynderra watches intently. Dawn smiles eagerly as Zalen starts playing, and Sweetleaf does his thing.. ** Berries and dancing..two of my three most favorite things to do :) ** Rillwhisper smiles, and sends, ** Who will make the next tale? You ones who visit the Holt... have you tales to share? ** Zalen starts to say something and just elbows Dawn. But only in the most loving manner. Ynderra flushes.. Sweetleaf lowers the new plant to the ground by the willow's roots. It digs in at once, growing, sending out green leaves and shoots like the swaying of flames in dry wood. Brightfall blushes! Zalen watches the plant's growth and continues to beat a lazy rhythm, catching the sudden spurts of new leaves or limbs with stacatto raps. Zalen sends openly ** I wonder if our visitors are working on being as dark as the sunfolk. ** Ynderra looks confused. Brightfall blushes even deeper! The dreamberry plant sends out a spray of long white buds, which quickly flower and fruit, deepening to dark, bright red berries. Rillwhisper smiles... charmed by seeing visible new evidence of her brother's power, rich with the vitality of the Newgreen. She grins warmly to Brightfall... and swings her gaze round the circle to regard each of her tribefolk. "Any tales, then? For it looks like we won't lack for berries... " Zalen lets loose a triumphant tap-tap-tap! as the barries pop into existance. Dawn oohs softly at the plant..swaying slightly to the music. Sweetleaf smiles, shaking back his long pale hair. Brightfall's blush slowly start to fade, now that people no longer look at him. Dawn peers at her father.. Rillwhisper's gaze turns to Nightdancer as well, and she says to that elf, ** Have you tales to share with us, wanderer? We'd like to get to know the elf that Dawn calls Father. ** Her send is welcoming. NightDancer blinks at Dawn, and then at Rillwhisper. ** Me? ** He chuckles softly. ** My story... ** Dawn smiles, touching her fathers arm. ** A short one..of..my family, perhaps? Before the burning? ** Woodhawk turns his attention to the newcomer, while diverting a brief appreciative send to Sweetleaf. The firestarter doesn't actually take any of the berries, but he admires the magic nonetheless. NightDancer sends, a bit uncertainly, totally unused to being the center of attention like this. He smiles a bit at Dawn, and then nods. ** Yes.. ummm... ** Dawn keeps casting glances over to the berries.. NightDancer sends openly ** There were two hands and one of us, at the start. A tiny holt, very quiet, and far from any humans... ** Ynderra snuggles up to Brightfall. Woodhawk curls a lean arm about Trollkiller, while Rillwhisper attentively listens to Nightdancer. Brightfall blushes softly at Ynderra. NightDancer smiles absently, eyes growing dreamy as he remembers. ** My lifemate WildWind bore two cubs in her lifetime, first a daughter who eventually became known as WindDream, and then, much later, little Dawn... ** NightDancer blinks, and laughs. ** Not so little anymore, I suppose. ** Dawn giggles at Nightdancer. NightDancer glances at his daughter with a smile before continuing. ** By the time Dawn was born, there were only a hand and two of us...WindDream had left to follow a storytelling call, and there had been deaths... ** Dawn munches more of the meat, nodding slightly to Zalen. Sweetleaf plucks a handful of berries from the dreamberry bush and eats them. A slow and dreamy smile crosses his face.... Rillwhisper tilts her head briefly as a question seems to cross her gaze, but she holds it, regarding Nightdancer curiously. Ynderra holds out a hand to Sweetleaf. Brightfall looks at the berries, curiously, and plucks one for him and one for Ynderra. Dawn smiles up at Zalen, and peers over to the Dreamberry bush... Sweetleaf takes the young huntress's hand. NightDancer smiles, steepling his fingers. ** Dawn was born to a great deal of happiness. It had been ...** He pauses, and shakes his head. ** More turns than I can remember well, since a cub had been born to our little holt. She came early in the morning, I remember that, and her mother insisted she be brought up to see the sun rise... ** Zalen peers at the bush and a few berries make their way across the clearing and neatly into his hand. Sweetleaf smiles serenely at Ynderra. Ynderra's eyes are hopeful. Dawn smiles brightly at NightDancer at the explanation of her name..and oohs at Zalen! Dawn licks her lips slightly, eyeing the berries... NightDancer grins at Dawn. ** You screamed for the rest of the day. I think it hurt your eyes. ** Zalen says "She never grew out of her name? I thought most wolfriders did." Dawn giggles merrily, tousling Joy's hair. Dawn sends openly ** Nobody ever gave me a new one :) ** Woodhawk nods approvingly at the words about how Dawn was named, and Rillwhisper flicks Dawn a smile. Overhead, as the tale continues, the sky darkens in earnest, and stars begin to twinkle through the branches. The gathered elves exchange grins... as the tale continues and they 'eat dreamberries'.... NightDancer sends openly ** WildWind loved every minute of it. She insisted we call you Dawn, and then your hair came in red, and there was no doubt it was the right name for you. ** Dawn tugs at her hair, and looks down at Simmel, winking. Ynderra smiles at Sweetleaf, and slowly withdraws her hand... NightDancer's expression grows a bit more sober. ** Some two turns after Dawn's birth, there was a hard, bitter whitecold...I traveled far away to hunt for the holt...when I returned, I found nothing but ashes... ** You sense in a locksend, Windsinger sends quietly... Brightfall blushes at Ynderra! Rillwhisper's gaze briefly diverts, and she blinks off towards the marshes... Dawn oohs, growing more solemn. You locksend ** ?....! ** to Windsinger. You sense in a locksend, Windsinger chuckles softly.... Windsinger locksends ** It's just me... ** Ynderra nibbles on a berry tentatively.. Simmel is full, from the blackhoof meat. He doesn't want any dessert. Zalen juggles the berries in his hands imperfectly, sending them spinning all across the clearing. You locksend to Windsinger, Rillwhisper smiles. ** I remember you... hello... ** NightDancer frowns a little. ** I searched the area for anyone, and found no one. The ashes were fresh enough that the heat-scent covered the scent of survivors who had left the holt...but at the time, I simply believed them all dead. ** Zalen tsks once and bids the berries come back to him, then pays attention to the story. You sense in a locksend, Windsinger smiles... ** Dawn said that I should ask you if I may join you? ** Woodhawk gives Zalen a brief amused glance, but is serious-looking again when he looks once more at NightDancer. Dawn giggles happily. Rillwhisper sends to the whole tribe *I am sent to, tribe... Windsinger, do you remember him? He is in the marshes, and he asks to join the Howl.* Dawn then tries to concentrate on the story again. Zalen sends to the whole tribe *Who?* Dawn leans over to take Nightdancers hand.. NightDancer looks up, as if retracing his steps. ** I traveled to the south, and changed my name from Branchjumper to NightDancer. For many, many turns, I lived in the jungles beyond the mountains...healing, I suppose. I saw elves, a few times, slender cat-riders, but I avoided them. ** Dawn sends to the whole tribe *Oh, the wanderer..he has visited, before :)* Rillwhisper sends to the whole tribe *He is a healer of the Plainsrunners. I remember him.* Sweetleaf looks vaguely startled. **Oh -- the cat people....** NightDancer smiles softly at Dawn, squeezing her hand. ** Finally, it seemed time to return to the world...to seek out others again...and in doing so, I found a family that I never dreamed could be alive. ** Simmel stifles a yawn. Brightfall pops a berry, frowning curiously, then smiling softly... Ynderra eats another berry, slowly, savoring the taste.. In a send to the whole tribe, Rillwhisper, as Woodhawk and Trollkiller chime in with their assent, diverts her attention once more, cautioning Windsinger to be wary on the way in, of the itchgrass. Woodhawk offers to go escort the visitor in.... Brightfall sends openly ** Oh! Crystal lived with the catelves... Right? ** NightDancer smiles, and shrugs a bit. ** That's all, I think. ** Ynderra sends openly ** Kai's mother was a catelf.. ** Dawn tries to sneak a berry from Zalen..and leans over to kiss NightDancer on the cheek. ** And the family is so glad to have you here.. ** Zalen says "Who's Kai?" Rillwhisper grins to Nightdancer. ** I know Kaer, the Cat Chief. ** Zalen keeps his hand teasingly just out of Dawn's reach. NightDancer smiles and hugs Dawn, and then looks up at Rillwhisper. ** Truth to tell, I never did _meet_ any of them. ** Simmel yawns again and begins to fall asleep, leaning against Dawn. Brightfall frowns. ** Kai's my.. Hrm.. Soul-brother?? He's Crystal's cub, and I'm Crystal's soul-cub, so...? ** You locksend ** You may join us, surely. Woodhawk comes to escort you through the itchgrass circle... ** to Windsinger. Zalen says "What's a soul-cub?" You sense in a locksend, Windsinger nods quietly.. ** Thank you ** Rillwhisper nods sagely, and tells Zalen, ** Once, before you joined the Tribe, Crystal Recognized a Cat Elf named Jeela. Kai is the child of that Recognition. ** Windsinger appears from the nearby pathway. Windsinger enters silently. Windsinger enters quietly, accompanied by Woodhawk Ynderra looks up..and her eyes widen. ** Windsinger! ** Woodhawk returns with Windsinger behind him, and he smiles briefly to the healer as he returns to his place by Trollkiller. Trollkiller smiles as he grabs a handful of the berries, and he crawls the rest of the way into Woodhawk's lap. Brightfall sends openly ** My dad is Slystalker and my mom is Starshade.. And Crystal was Starshade's lifemate... ** Dawn shifts Simmel more comfortably on her lap, and tries for a berry again.. Windsinger chuckles quietly ** The same ** Brightfall watches Windsinger Simmel falls asleep, watched over by his parents. Rillwhisper nods again as Brightfall continues. ** Starshade lived here for a time, aye, before she passed on. ** Zalen says "So... what's a soul-cub?" Windsinger glances at Brightfall for a moment, thinking, and nods silently to Ynd Ynderra grins at Windsinger, eyes _very_ bright. Brightfall blushes softly, shrugs. ** I'm Crystal's soul-cub.. ** Rillwhisper considers, but it is Woodhawk who speaks up, smiling a little, "Someone who you love as much as a cub, I think, even if they're not your blood. I think No-fur'd be my soul-cub." Zalen keeps moving his hand slowly away from Dawn. Zalen says "Oh." No-fur straightens, and beams at Woodhawk, grinning from where he lounges against the log. Dawn frowns at Zalen..pinned by Simmel, as she is. And makes one more try! Brightfall looks at Windsiger with renewed interest. Windsinger looks about for a moment, and sits down under one of the trees, in a quiet spot Rillwhisper says back to Nightdancer, smiling, "Do go on... " NightDancer blinks. "What else would you know?" He smiles uncertainly. Zalen holds his hand in the air and smiles, eyeing Dawn. Dawn sends openly ** Simmel and Joy are my soul-cubs and heartcubs and anykind of cubs..Hey, no fair! ** Dawn frowns..and carefully moves Simmel over on Nightdancers lap, sending a distracted query to hold him. Dawn gets to her feet slowly.. NightDancer hugs Simmel happily. Ynderra leans agaisnt Brightfall's shoulder, eyes sparkling.. Brightfall hmms? to Ynderra. Dawn grabs Zalens hand! Ynderra gigles, watching Dawn and Zalen.. Dawn mockgrowls. ** Want! ** NightDancer grins. Ynderra sits half-up... Rillwhisper grins, then, and says to Nightdancer, "That _is_ a start!" She sweeps her gaze around the circle again, and sends, ** What more tales can be told, cousins? Or shall we simply howl, and make music, and dance? ** Zalen acks and clamps his hand closed, falling back a bit at Dawn's pressing. Windsinger smiles quietly Ynderra giggles, eyeing Brightfall. Brightfall hrms to Ynderra, then grins, pops another berry. Ynderra, not to be outdone, reaches for a third berry. Woodhawk flashes a smile to his chieftess, and sends wryly, ** I vote for the howling, my chief. ** NightDancer grins, speaking softly as he watches the youngsters. "You're going to regret that..." Trollkiller sends, "I vote for nibbling my chief!" Windsinger grins, and laughs quietly.... Dawn sends openly ** Dance! ** Windsinger sends openly ** I will when you do ** Ynderra pops the berry defiantly.. Brightfall frowns, picks another berry. Brightfall then grins, pops it! Trollkiller bounces over towards Rillwhisper and tackles her. Ynderra grins... Dawn pouts at Zalen...then slowly leans over and kisses him. Trollkiller tickles Rillwhisper. Zalen seems steadfast, but smiles. Ynderra rises... Rillwhisper oofs! and then giggles brightly as Trollkiller and she go rolling over and over in a tangle of arms and legs. Woodhawk watches, and grins, idly making tiny golden sparks flicker like music through the air. Brightfall giggles softly, then blushes. NightDancer laughs. Dawn keeps her hand lightly over Zalen's and starts to nuzzle him more closely. Ynderra grins..and darts off, weaving (still fairly skillfully) through the assembled elves.... Ynderra slips down the path around the Old Willow. Brightfall frowns, chases after ynderra, giggling. Brightfall slips down the path around the Old Willow. Trollkiller nibbles Rillwhisper. :-) Windsinger pulls his feet out of the way of anyone who happens to be coming by (rolling or otherwise) The laughter of elves ripples through the night... intermingled with the yurfs and whurfs of wolves as the bond-friends join in the displays of affection. Dreamberries are passed from hand to hand... and smiles and warm glances exchanged as the Howl becomes simple celebration of the joy of living.