From: owner-willowlogs-l@murkworks.net on behalf of Wolf031877@aol.com Sent: Saturday, December 12, 1998 2:07 PM To: willowlogs-l@murkworks.net Subject: [willowlogs-l] [Log] Another encounter with Tsoran Synopsis: Once again, Tsoran comes calling on Dusk, demanding to see Midnight. After a bit of rather tense sending between both, Dusk finally agrees - after Tsoran's promise that no attempts at making off with the cub will be made - to let him see Midnight, though the ability to trust him completely is lacking. Log cast: Dusk (logger), Tsoran, Midnight. Logged December 12, 1998. ------------------------------------------------------------- [Dusk is in Trollkiller's old den. NOTE - a small amount of locksending took place between Tsoran and Midnight. Those exchanges have been edited into this log with a note of [Midnight] before each one.] Tsoran locksends ** Ashte. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk's answer is a bit of time in coming, clouded by arousal from sleep. ** ..wha? ** Tsoran locksends ** I will brook no further delay in seeing my son. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk dodges, slightly. ** Or what? ** Tsoran locksends ** Are you denying me my right? ** You locksend ** He is asleep. Like I was, before you woke me up. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** A feeble excuse. I will see him, asleep or awake. ** You locksend ** You're free to come visit, Tsoran.. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** In the open. I do not trust you. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk sends guardedly. ** The feeling is mutual, Chosen. ** You sense in a locksend, Tsoran sends blithely. ** There is one of me, and a whole pack of you. What do you have to fear? ** You locksend ** I have my reasons, one of which includes the fact you treat me like you own me. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** Are you attempting to divert my attention? I have come for the child, not to discuss your feelings. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk's temper flares a moment. ** I am informing you of a problem of yours. I do not appreciate the way you treat me. I also have no desire for Midnight to be taken from his home to be raised in your dead Mountain. ** You sense in a locksend, Tsoran's send is faintly annoyed. ** Yes, so you have told me, repeatedly. Now, will you bring him here, or must I choose other means? ** You locksend ** I want your word that neither you nor anyone else you may have hiding somewhere will take him. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** Here and now, I will make no such attempt. Unless you annoy me further. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk insists, ** Your 'problems' with me are not the issue here. We're both elves in the end. ** You sense in a locksend, Tsoran's send is darker, and more angry. ** How long will you attempt to divert me? What are you up to? I warn you, if you do not comply with my wishes in this I will be most displeased. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk sends honestly. ** I'm up to nothing, past being fearful about your intentions for the son I birthed! You should remember where you are right now when you make your demands. ** She send-frowns, then decides. ** I'll bring Midnight by, but he'll stay in my arms. ** Tsoran locksends ** I will be waiting. ** [Dusk brings Midnight to a spot just outside the holt.] Dusk emerges from the holt, the sleeping Midnight safely in her arms. Wary of all this, she's made sure to notify others. Tsoran waits until Dusk appears to glide out of the shadows of a nearby tree. He scans the surroundings briefly himself, then lands in front of her. ** I'll tell you now, the others know I came to see you, and will stop you if you try anything. ** Dusk states, forced to stare up at Tsoran evenly. Subconsciously, she holds Midnight a bit closer as the Glider nears. Tsoran ------ Tsoran has the height, pale skin and slender build of a glider, and moves with a deceptive lazy grace. His eyes are a shade of grey that from a distance gives the illusion his eyes are white slits, almost luminous. He wears a tightfitting uniform, similar to that of the Chosen with two exceptions: It is made almost entirely in black, and there is a stylized silver rose embroidered onto the chest. His helmet and talonwhip both have a silvery sheen. Midnight -------- The newest member of the Willowholt, Midnight's name comes from the jet-black hair that sits atop his small head. Large blue eyes take in all that is to be seen around him whenever he's awake, and the average-sized cub can be seen clothed in earth-toned leathers of dark green and tan, usually wrapped further in a set of furs. When he's not making a racket, he seems more adorable than words can express. Dusk ---- Of average height, this lithely muscular elf wears no clothes, save a broad green band of soft leather that hangs over her right shoulder and splits in three further down: One band passing over her left breast, one below it, and the third curving down to her waist. The band is used for the sheer joy of decoration against the rusty fur that covers her from head to toe, streaked darker down her back and darker still around the clawed nails that grace both hands and feet, while turning paler against her belly, soft and well-groomed. Her headfur more closely resembles hair, twining down wildly, swept back from delicate, fine-tipped ears. Lupine eyes, no longer cub-round, are yellow, spring-green irises standing out against the shade. She is 46 turns old. Tsoran stops right in front of Dusk, indeed forcing her to all but lean backward if she wants to see eye to eye with him. He does not watch her, however, but the child in her arms. Not replying to the send, he extends a pale hand towards the boy. Midnight rests asleep in Dusk's protective embrace, impervious to the hand of his father that extends towards him. Dusk's eyes, rather than staying on Tsoran's face, instead shift down to watch that hand carefully. This isn't comfortable for her at all. She finds it terribly hard to trust the one she Recognized. Tsoran touches the dark hair gently, then runs a finger down the child's cheek. Midnight wears something of a smile, which widens slightly at the soft touch. Dusk sends tentatively, eyes flicking up towards Tsoran again. ** He's..beautiful, isn't he? ** [Midnight] You sense in a locksend, Tsoran's send is wordless, a silent 'nudge', a soft insinuation to wake you up without drawing attention to the act. With a bit of a yawn, Midnight seems to start to come around, though sleep doesn't leave him just yet. His head turns towards Dusk. Tsoran keeps a light touch to Midnight's face as he answers Dusk's send. ** Yes. Yes, he is. ** Dusk holds her breath a moment longer than is normal before letting it out, inhaling again. She nods, watching Midnight now. ** Ours..by our Recognition. It's why he's..so nice to look at.. ** [Midnight] Tsoran locksends ** No. Don't look at her, look at me. ** Tsoran smiles faintly, watching the child again. [Midnight] You locksend to Tsoran, Midnight sends something of a wordless question at the suggestion, mentally tired. Midnight lifts a small fist to rub around his eyes, blinking them slowly in the light that filters through. ** What do you..think about him, Tsoran? ** Dusk wonders, trying in vain to hide the apprehension she still feels. [Midnight] Tsoran locksends ** I would like to see your eyes, child. Will you look at me? ** Tsoran sends openly ** How can I make a judgement on one I have only known for a few heartbeats? At least he looks like a true elf. ** Midnight yawns hugely for one of his small size, looking up to Dusk with a smile that widens at the sight of mother. Then, at some apparently private request, he turns his eyes towards Tsoran. Dusk sends, ** What are you attempting to suggest? ** She may have the fur of a wolf, but she is no less an elf than any other. [Midnight] Tsoran looks at you. [Midnight] Tsoran locksends ** Hello, little one. I am Tsoran. Do you know me? ** [Midnight] You locksend to Tsoran, Midnight says nothing, but does send something of a confirmation to the question. Tsoran sends calmly. ** I am pleased the true blood has proven stronger than the tainted one. It would have been distressing to have found something...furred. ** Dusk sends, just as calmly (though more forced), ** Furred or not, he would still be ours. My son, and your son. ** Tainted..pah. Midnight blinks blue eyes at Tsoran, a stranger of sorts to him, but not totally. He at least knows Tsoran. Someone must have told him of his father. Tsoran regards Dusk, a faint look of speculation in his eyes. Then he smiles (now there's a sight) and indicates his agreement. ** Yes. Our son. The best of us both. ** [Midnight] Tsoran locksends ** You are too young to have been corrupted, yet... Will you come to me, little one? ** Only time will tell what of Dusk Midnight will take after. For the time being, most strangers might think the little one a Glider fledgling. She sends wordless agreement to Tsoran's words, a bit unsettled by his smile. Tsoran locksends ** May I hold him, Ashte? ** [Midnight] You locksend to Tsoran, Midnight doesn't exactly know what it would mean to be corrupted, but anyway. He seems to mull the question over. You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk's initial answer is a mix of fear and apprehension - no worded answer just yet. Midnight continues to look up at Tsoran, then back to Dusk, then to Tsoran again. He shifts slightly in mother's arms. Tsoran holds out his hands to Midnight, and looks at Dusk, locksending again. Tsoran locksends ** He will come to no harm. ** Dusk wants to trust Tsoran, and believe his promise. The first step comes in making an effort to believe Tsoran wouldn't hurt the one he had a part in creating. Silently, though not at all comfortably, Dusk offers Midnight to the Chosen, to be held by the father. You locksend ** I..will trust you... ** to Tsoran. Tsoran takes Midnight somewhat awkwardly, but with care. He raises the child up high, holding him above his head. ** There. What do you think of that, child? ** Tsoran locksends ** ** You locksend ** ... ** to Tsoran. Midnight is lifted high, higher than Dusk would be able to because of her shorter stature, at least. He lets out something of a giggle. Dusk swallows once, her arms wrapping around herself in something of a self- hug, unable to ease her concerns just yet. High Ones, let her not be making a mistake in this... [Midnight] Tsoran locksends ** The height does not frighten you. If only I could know that you would glide, as well. ** [Midnight] You locksend to Tsoran, Midnight sends something of a nod to the words - to what part, though? He's been around the taller elves in the Willowholt, and been lifted high before. It's nothing terribly new to him. Tsoran releases Midnight. Tsoran watches as the child remains hanging in midair, apparently buoyed by the Chosen's magic. Dusk ulps, arms releasing quickly to catch Midnight should he fall. ** ! ** When he doesn't..she bites at her lip, wondering what Tsoran's up to. Midnight eeps, floating on the cushion of air provided by Tsoran, and an initial look of fear passes. [Midnight] You locksend to Tsoran, Midnight sends the sense that, perhaps, he might be ready to go back to Dusk's arms again. [Midnight] Tsoran locksends ** I will see to it that you do not have time to learn to fear the floating, child. By all means, return to your mother now. ** Tsoran lowers Midnight, without touching him, into Dusk's arms. Dusk accepts little Midnight back and cradles him close to her again, a sigh of relief escaping her. Whatever Midnight just felt seems to pass as soon as he's safe in Dusk's arms again. Tsoran locksends ** There, that wasn't so bad, was it? ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk can't do anything but admit, ** No..no, it wasn't.. ** That discomfort still remains, however. Tsoran considers Dusk and Midnight thoughtfully for a moment. Then he goes down on one knee to be more of a level with Dusk. Midnight snuggles against Dusk. Tsoran locksends ** It is indeed a fine child we have. Keep taking good care of him, Ashte. ** Dusk watches Tsoran with something of a question in her eyes, before blinking at his privately-sent words. You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk sends, after a moment of surprise passes at the words to her ** I..agree. And I will..thank you. He has a good home here. ** Tsoran smiles again. Then speaks out loud. "Ah, yes. I nearly forgot." He reaches into his sleeve, bringing out a small silver object hidden there. He offers it to Dusk. Dusk raises an eyebrow at the object. "What's this?" she asks, shifting Midnight over to one arm, extending her freed hand, tipped with claws. Tsoran deposits the silver object in Dusk's hand, still warm from the contact with his skin. It is revealed as a stylized bird, with a small loop where a chain or cord might be attached. "For him. It would please me if he wore it." Curiosity grabbing him, Midnight eyes the object, and decides to reach a hand out towards it. "Oh..I.." Dusk begins, looking down at the bird. "I see..like on his clothing, maybe. He is part-Glider, after all.." She allows Midnight to see what it is, but refrains from letting him hold it yet, lest he damage it. "Later, Midnight.." Tsoran brushes his fingers along the underside of Dusk's arm after he gives her the bird, then rises to his full height again. "He should know pride in his heritage. In all of it. Don't you agree?" Tsoran steps away. Dusk glances at Tsoran's hand as the fingers tickle the fur over that arm, something of a soothing feeling coming from it. "A..all of it, aye..both Glider and Wolfrider. You know Gliders live here too..they can teach him some of your ways." Tsoran murmurs. "I know. Take care... Ashte." With that, he rises into the air and glides away. Dusk and Midnight both watch Tsoran glide off, then the mother's eyes shift back down to those of her son, whom she draws closer to him again in a hug. Sending word to the rest of the tribe that the encounter went well, she returns to her den to rest once more.