From: owner-willowlogs-l@murkworks.net on behalf of Wolf031877@aol.com Sent: Monday, April 05, 1999 12:08 PM To: willowlogs-l@murkworks.net Subject: [willowlogs-l] Dusk Stands up to Tsoran - 4/4/99 Passing this along, because I think it's important that the rest of Willowholt is aware of this. I'm wondering how it will affect Willowholt's hospitality towards Tsoran. Dusk ===================== Tsoran locksends ** Ashte. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk allows you to wait a moment or two after a hint of initial startlement. ** Hello again, Tsoran.. ** You sense in a locksend, Tsoran sends calmly. ** It is spring. May I enter the holt? ** You locksend ** Yes..if you wish. ** to Tsoran. [Dusk goes out to the clearing.] Clearing by the Old Willow Here in the heart of the Willowholt, the air is thick with the scents of the Newgreen -- regardless of season. Green growing things crowd the clearing, from the myriad bright 'mushrooms' hiding among tall shoots of grass, to dreamberry bushes sandwiched between the trees, to the mighty, massive 'Old Willow' that dominates everything in sight. A fallen 'log' under the Old Willow's branches provides a place to sit; a gurgling 'fountain' provides a constant song of water. Amidst the almost overwhelming weight of Newgreen scents, the air, to elfin senses, is alive with magic. Immediately to the northeast, overlooked by the mighty willow, lies a small pond; to the southeast, south, and west, paths to the Holt's more secluded parts; to the east, the distant marshes. A soft breeze blows, filling the morning air with the scent of green growing things. The sun is high in the warm spring skies. Contents: Tsoran Sela Seedling Prowlfar Fallberry Obvious exits: Branch Old Willow Hillside(S) Path Starwillow Copse Marsh Pond Sela is perched on a limb and immediately darts from it. Sela sends openly ** Tsoran! ** Tsoran turns his attention from Sela to Dusk as the latter enters. Tsoran smiles faintly to Dusk. ** Hello again, Dusk. Where is my son? ** Dusk makes her way out of the old willow shortly after being sent to by Tsoran, her eyes on him. ** He is out, right now. ** Tsoran says softly. "At least he is no longer asleep whenever I arrive. I assume that is progress." Tsoran sends openly ** I will wait for his return, then. ** Dusk eyes her Recognized momentarily, silent again before answering him. ** He sleeps when he decides to, really. And he is off being shown bits of what it is to be a Glider. As you felt he should learn. ** The last few words hold an edge to them. Sela lowers her head. Tsoran glances over to Sela briefly before returning his regard to Dusk. ** That is good. I look forward to seeing how he has progressed. ** ** I think you will see he can learn Glider ways just fine, without being subjected to Winnowill's ways, inside the Mountain. ** Dusk smiles at Tsoran thinly, still very much uncomfortable with the prospect of Midnight going to Blue Mountain. Tsoran walks lightly over to Dusk, leaning down a bit to put a finger under her chin. ** Ah, but there we disagree. You cannot truly be a glider without knowing Blue Mountain. ** Sela drifts back to press her cheek against a nearby tree. Dusk's eyes glance past Tsoran to make note of Sela, wondering what the long-time guest is thinking of all this. She allows her head to tilt back to look up at Tsoran after that. ** Midnight is already part-Glider. That is part of his blood, and he will always have it regardless of whether he ever sees the inside of Blue Mountain or not. ** Sela closes her eyes, reluctance written in every gesture as she leans against the tree for strength. Tsoran murmurs. "Will he, now." He raises his voice a little. "What do you think, Sela? Can one properly be a glider without Blue Mountain?" Sela's voice is soft "There are many degrees of being a glider." Dusk injects her own opinion in the matter. "Are the Gliders that live here not 'true' Gliders to you, Tsoran?" Tsoran watches Sela. "Living outside changes an elf. They gain other priorities. Can a wolfrider be a true wolfrider if they have forgotten what you call the Way?" Sela opens her blue eyes, sorrowful "But what if you are neither? Or both? There are many here like that, whose hearts beat not in the rhythm of the wolf or the Mountain...." "Maybe not all of us do follow the Way," Dusk admits, though she can't really think of any examples that come to mind. "But that doesn't un-make them a Wolfrider." Tsoran smiles smoothly to Dusk. "Then you really should not worry about Midnight visiting the Mountain." Dusk's eyes narrow faintly as she looks up at Tsoran, still. "I'm not worried about him visiting, so much as I'm worried about the influences your chief would attempt to force upon him. I don't understand how you can follow someone like her so blindly." Strong words... Tsoran says "How can you understand, when your mind is closed?" Sela murmurs "But there are no trees in the Mountain..." Tsoran says "Of course there are. Of rock and metal, far more durable than these transient things." Tsoran waves at the nearest tree. "Closed? To Winnowill?" Dusk answers quietly. Well..of *course* she is. She's afraid of that one. "Can you understand our desire to avoid that place?" She all but scoffs at Tsoran's latest. "Trees of rock and metal?! Give me these living ones any day!" Tsoran says "You may have them. Midnight, however, should know his true heritage." Dusk crosses her arms, standing firmly in place. "He is learning his true heritage, here. He is learning Wolfrider and Glider ways, both." Tsoran says "Your glider ways, or mine?" Tsoran points to Sela. "The outside corrupts. Sela and Zalen, do you think either of them are like the gliders of the Mountain?" Sela straightens a bit ** I was never like the gliders of the Mountain. I was raised in the trees and sky. I love my kinfolk, but I am not as they are... and never was. ** "Ours, of course." Dusk admits freely. There's no attempt made to lie and tell Tsoran they're teaching Midnight how to be cold, cruel, and lifeless. "*You* believe the outside corrupts. The *rest* of us actually living here, you'll find don't agree with you. Sela and Zalen are not like you or those in your place, and I have to say I'm happy for that. At least they're strong enough to have wills of their own." She grits her teeth as she communicates her words, something of a temper beginning to flare. Tsoran locks eyes with Dusk. Tsoran locksends ** Do you doubt my will, Ashte? Perhaps a demonstration is in place. ** Dusk's own stare right back. You locksend ** So be it. ** to Tsoran. Sela shivers a little and darts up to settle on the safety of a branch, veiled by newgreen leaves. You sense in a locksend, Tsoran's send has stayed at a polite level so far, warm and dark as velvet. Now, there is a heat and sting to his thought, as of a fire catching. You locksend ** (Immediately, Dusk makes an effort to block your sending, or deflect it as she can. She has powerful sending magic herself, but it may not be enough) I won't let you control me, Tsoran.. (The words come out a bit strained) ** to Tsoran. Dusk's lip twitches, then a couple fingers. But, she stands her ground. You sense in a locksend, Tsoran's words insinuate themselves into your mind. ** Such firm opinions, on a place you have never known. But you should know me by now, /Ashte/, and my mind. If you do not... learn now. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk's will is strong, but perhaps not strong enough to fight off your words and your send-touch. She falters slightly as you use her name on her. ** Get..out of my head, Tsoran. I am not yours to boss.. ** Tsoran touches Dusk's cheek lightly, still locksending. Sela watches the twosome from up in the tree, eyes wide and fascinated. Tsoran locksends ** Oh, but you are mine, /Ashte/, in all ways that matter. ** Dusk's form becomes more rigid as she seems to resist Tsoran even visibly, not just mentally. A growl rises in her throat. You locksend ** No. (It is a simple word, one meant to defy..for all the good it may do her.) No..! I am /nobody's!/ Not yours, not Winnowill's, or anybody else's! (Again, she falters, trying to fight you with all she has) ** to Tsoran. You sense in a locksend, Tsoran's soft whisper is a caress, backed by the threat of searing, heat-less fire. ** You are mine, as I belong to Lord Winnowill. Do you doubt my will, still? ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk tries to 'run' from the threatening fire, the constricting sendings that seem to prevent her from doing so. ** ..not..yours. You don't..own me..Tsoran. ** Try as she might, she doesn't have enough to fend you off. Not this time. Tsoran's eyes glitter coldly as he looks down at the struggling Dusk. Dusk shudders, that growl cutting off to be replaced by a sound of discomfort. Her hands reach out to grab for Tsoran's - not to throw him or bend them behind his back - but as if to prevent herself from stumbling. She is losing. Tsoran catches Dusk's hands, pale fingers wrapping around them and trapping them. You sense in a locksend, Tsoran's dark presence is everywhere, overwhelming, invasive... and then, suddenly, the pressure is released and you are free once more. Sela misinterprets the gesture and swoops down and catches for Dusk. You locksend ** (As soon as the pressure is gone, Dusk's mind seeks to recover from the barrage, weary for the time being, but otherwise intact.) ** to Tsoran. Dusk's body seems to release all the pent-up rigidity it'd previously held inside as suddenly, she sinks down to her knees, hands still caught up in Tsoran's icy grip. Her head turns slightly to one side, like a gesture of submission. Showing throat. Sela stops short and glides away, realizing her protection of Tsoran was unnecessary. Tsoran whispers softly. "Not this time, Dusk." With that, he releases her physically, as well. Dusk's hands press against the ground to prevent her from falling, and she backs away slowly. Tsoran..wins, this time. But still, she will not accept that she 'belongs' to him in any way, shape, or form. Talek has connected. Tsoran watches Dusk back away, eyes narrow. Dusk gets back to her feet, diverting her eyes from both Sela and the tall Chosen. Instead of saying anything further, she opts to retreat to her den. Sela glides down and settles beside Tsoran, eyes lowered. Tsoran locksends ** Remember. I will wait for Midnights return. ** The pressure of an elf's weight on the branch above is announced with a faint creak. Talek's bright gray eyes peer down from above, narrowing faintly at the trio below before shifting to follow Dusk's retreating form. You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk still holds some form of defiance directed towards you. ** I heard you the first time..Tsoran. ** Tsoran's lip pulls up into the faintest shadow of a smile, and he says aloud to Dusk's back. "We will discuss the matter further later. In your den. In more... detail." Tsoran reaches out to take Sela's hand, half his attention still on Dusk. Sela has a defeated expression, but holds the hand willingly enough. "..." This time, Dusk doesn't say anything back. Then, she disappears into the tree. [Back to the den Dusk's using.] Talek has arrived. The faintest sound of knuckles rapping on the wood outside is followed by a tentative send. ** Dusk? Are you in here? ** Dusk's retreated to the relative safety of her own den, and can be found curled up in the niche that was made from the wall. Quietly, she answers the knock and send. "Yes." Talek hesitates, then looks inside, his face finally relaxing to betray his worry and unease. ** May I come in? ** "Come on in.." Dusk answers, words heavy with a sigh. Talek slips inside, casting a wary glance behind him before looking back to the fuzzy elf, frowning. ** I saw Gliders in the clearing... Are you all right? ** Dusk's answer holds a notable tone of unhappiness to it. "Tsoran. He's visiting again." The question goes unanswered. ** Yes. ** It's both agreement and acknowledgment, yet not a blend of the two. Moving forward, Talek hesitates a stride or two from her, frowning. He repeats quietly, ** Are you all right? ** Dusk shakes her head, sighing again. ** No. I'm not. Not right now. ** She frowns, sitting up though her eyes settle on her feet below her. ** He treats me like I belong to him, and I stood up to him this time. ** Talek reaches out shyly, pushing some redbrown hair from her eyes, despite the fact they're downcast. ** That's good. He needs it... ** ** He was too much for me, though. ** Dusk send-murmurs, eyes lifting at the fingers that brush at her hair. Talek blinks, his hand pausing over her brow, the faint frown on his face deepening considerably. ** What? Did he hurt you? ** Dusk's head leans against Talek's hand, if he'll support it. ** Nearly..he was, some. Like..burning a little, and holding my mind.. ** It's the best she can describe it. His hand unmoving except to brush his fingertips a bit, Talek nods, his gray eyes slowly widening. In a tone lower than his voice often is, he sends quietly, ** You need to tell Rillwhisper about this. This isn't right. ** Dusk sits upright a bit more at the suggestion, it having not come to mind as of yet in the aftermath of everything else. "You're right..I don't want him coming here any more, if he's going to treat me like he did. He told me I am his, like he is Winnowill's." She speaks aloud now, mind still recovering. Talek just nods, frowning at her. ** That's dungballs, ** he sends sourly, the hand on her brow shifting to appear on her shoulder, squeezing gently. ** Your not his. Not in the way he wants you to be. ** "Yes, I know. I told him so myself. That I'm not his, or anyone else's. But he doesn't listen." She moves closer to Talek, reaching for him to draw him into a hug. "We have to make him listen.." The taller elf returns the hug gently, slender arms enfolding the furry wolf-elf. ** You should have told someone sooner, ** he chides quietly, no real rebuke to his sending. ** Before it came to this. ** Dusk settles her cheek next to Talek's, needing this hug right now. "I would have..and I've talked to father before, but I didn't think it would come to this. I thought I could deal with him myself." Well, that was probably a mistake. Talek's nose wrinkles and he releases a sigh. ** Too late now, I suppose. Should have and could have don't mean anything. ** He turns his head just slightly, gray eyes studying her head of red-brown fur. ** Will he be here much longer, you think? ** Dusk's cheek rubs against Talek's, a gentle nuzzle of gratitude for his coming up to check on her. "You're right. Can't do a thing about the past." She recalls what Tsoran told her. "He said he's not leaving until he sees Midnight again. And Midnight was off with Zalen..I think." ** He asked me if Midnight was a good Wolfrider, ** Talek states quietly, tone a little uneasy. Dusk frowns. "No doubt looking for any excuse to claim Midnight belongs in the Mountain." Talek's lips form a rueful smile. ** I guess so. ** He shakes his head slightly, tightening the hug briefly. ** It'll be all right, Dusk. We won't let him take the cub away. ** Dusk's chin settles over Talek's shoulder, her own grasp on him firm. "I know..and yes, he has a right to see Midnight, but I'm afraid of what they'll do to him inside the Mountain." ** They won't do anything. We won't let them. ** Dusk mmmms quietly, an answer that's neither affirmative or negative. She does nod, at least. Talek hugs again, then pulls away, studying your face. Quietly, he reaffirms, ** We won't, Dusk. ** Dusk exhales slowly, looking at Talek's features for a moment, as if just studying them, to focus on something other than Tsoran. "I know..and he'll have to take me away to that awful place before I allow him to steal Midnight from us." Talek's lips form another rueful smile, breaking an arm away to brush the hair back from your eyes again, his sending littered with half-hearted humour. ** Let's hope it doesn't come to that. ** Dusk's just making a point, of course. She smiles back to Talek as he brushes at her hair again, finding the touch more comforting from anyone else other than Tsoran himself. "I know..I hope it doesn't either, but if I know him..I'd think he'll try something." ** Next time... Don't try it on your own, alright? ** Talek tries hard to keep his smile, but it inevitably forms a frown instead. ** We stand by you. ** "I would have, but it all just happened so quickly this time." Dusk explains as well as she can. "We were talking about the Mountain and the outside, as he calls it, and how he believes the outside corrupts. I didn't agree with him, and before I knew it, we'd locked eyes.." The rest is history. Talek blinks, his jaw going a little slack. ** You /Challenged/ him? ** he blurts incredulously, blinking rapidly. Dusk pauses at Talek's reaction to that. "Er..you could call it that, I suppose. He locked eyes with me and threatened me, and I looked back and told him 'so be it.'" Talek thought it was just an argument. But... ** Oh. Um. ** He blinks, brows furrowing. ** He won? ** Dusk's eyes shift lower again. "Ah..yeah..he won. Or could have, anyway. I didn't realize he was as strong as he is. He let me go, though." As if to make a statement, possibly. A sigh escapes without him realizing it. ** Oh, Dusk. ** Dusk looks back to Talek again, a questioning look on her face. Talek shakes his head. ** You really get into problems deep, don't you? ** It's a half-hearted attempt at humour, teasing gently. Dusk offers Talek a crooked grin, shoulders rising and falling in a shrug. She doesn't mind the teasing. "I guess it comes with Recognizing one of Winnowill's Chosen." ** Remind me never to do that! ** Talek's gray eyes sparkle dimly, his smile shadowed, but genuine. "If only it were that easy.." Dusk frowns mildly, shaking her head after that. "I find myself wondering why the High Ones chose us to Recognize..all the time." Talek's voice is soft, eyes unreadable. ** It doesn't care anything for the parents, Dusk. Only the child. ** Of course..of course it is. "You're right, Talek. You're right." Letting out a breath, she stretches. "And we must keep him safe." ** We will, ** Talek promises, tousling her head-fur a bit, forcing a smile. He sombers though, almost immediately. ** Evening's almost here. Do you want me to stay with you until it falls? ** Dusk mrrs, reaching out to mess with Talek's hair afterwards. Her smile is a little easier in coming, and she nods to the paler-skinned elf. "I don't mind. I don't think I'm going to allow Tsoran to den in here any more." The silver-haired elf emits a low, dry chuckle. ** I think that would be a good idea, ** he replies wanly. "So do I," Dusk states the obvious, seeking another hug from Talek afterwards. "So do I." Talek's arms enfold her amiably, snuggling her close. With a slight incline of his head, he considers, then asks quietly, ** How about someone else? ** Someone else..? Oh. Someone else being allowed to den in here, probably. Dusk nuzzles Talek again, rubbing fur to his cheek. "Like you?" A slight smile curls on his lips, the selfsame cheek flushing a little red. ** Maybe. ** "Then..I don't mind." Dusk answers, holding him close to her. And he's been a good cubsitter before, to boot. Talek is an elf of many talents? Laughing softly, he buries it in her headfur, a soft warmth forming. ** That's.. good. ** Dusk would agree. At least, when Talek holds her and is close to her, she doesn't feel like he sees her as more of an animal or beast, a feeling she gets from Tsoran frequently. ** ** She leans back a bit in the shaped niche, still holding Talek close. Talek falls back easily, wrinkling his nose faintly with a smile. A pale finger unlocks, stroking the curve of her chin lightly. With a soft sigh, he leans against her gently, gray eyes drifting to a slow close. Dusk's own eyes shut at the stroking underneath her chin, bringing a smile to her lips, it being something that helps settle and soothe her further. Gradually, she sleeps as well, and the two stay close for the duration of their slumber.