From: Wolf031877@aol.com Sent: Sunday, March 07, 1999 8:08 PM To: rayek@murkworks.net Subject: Flashfire & Tsoran, Dusk & Tsoran 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 DarkWing Prowlfar Fallberry Obvious exits: Branch Old Willow Hillside(S) Path Starwillow Copse Marsh Pond Type 'willowhelp' for Willowholt-related commands. Tsoran floats down from Darkwings back. And hovers in mid air, watching Flashfire. "Well, well." Flashfire is simply lounging around out in the clearing. Tsoran would probably be the last one he'd expect to see here, but the recognition is definitely there. His eyes first widen in surprise, then narrow quickly. "You." Tsoran smiles faintly, floating down. "I could say the same. How interesting, two wolf-elves in the same place." Flashfire's just a visitor here now, but he doesn't need to explain that part. Seems that right now, the clearing is otherwise empty. "What do you want." he says, upper lip curling. Tsoran looks disdainfully at Flashfire. "Shall I take it this place has a new chief, now? Did you defeat the yellowhaired chief in combat, or however you savages do these things?" Flashfire manages to hold back a growl, for the moment. Tsoran certainly doesn't leave him very comfortable. "No." is all he says. Tsoran says "Then it is none of your business, furry one." Flashfire flashes teeth briefly, and murmurs, "You better not start any trouble here, because you'll be sorry if you do. Others will come." Tsoran locksends ** Not brave enough to challenge me on your own, I take it? ** You locksend ** I'll protect myself if you try anything. <> ** to Tsoran. Tsoran murmurs. "Such a brave little wolf." "I haven't forgotten you," Flashfire answers back, stance firm. "And I'm not going to let you intimidate me." Tsoran's eyes glitter briefly with what might be amusement. He leans down over Flashfire, reaching a pale hand down to pat his head. "Perhaps I can inspire better emotions in you, this time." To his credit, Flashfire doesn't flinch or cower, or run away. But he doesn't particularly enjoy Tsoran's patting of his head, either. Oh, he /might/ if someone else is doing it, but not this one. Tsoran (or perhaps the wolf-elf) is fortunate claws don't lash out and cut up the Chosen's arm. "What are you talking about?" he asks through gritted teeth. Tsoran smiles slowly, deliberately. ** Joining with a furred partner is such an amusing novelty. Perhaps I should attempt it with a male, as well. ** Flashfire's eyes narrow rather quickly at that one, and this time, he growls. ** Try it if you like hurting. ** Tsoran is definitely amused, now. ** That is also an entertaining variety, though perhaps too sophisticated for you, youngster. ** ** I'm not a cub any more. ** Flashfire sends back, staring up at Tsoran. Well, he's got the stance of someone who may challenge another... You sense in a locksend, Tsoran sends with dark warmth. ** Care to prove it, my furry friend? ** You locksend to Tsoran, Flashfire's own sending is heated and admittedly, leaning towards a more feral side just now. ** Any time, Chosen. ** Tsoran locksends ** That will prove interesting. After I have gotten reacquainted with my other furry friend(mate). Do stay around. ** Tsoran glides up into the tree. Flashfire snarls, shaking a bit with anger, unsettled by Tsoran's words and mere presence. After the Chosen leaves, he darts off into the woods, for now. You locksend to Tsoran, Flashfire doesn't answer you back, aside from there being a notably stronger 'wolfen'..persona to his whole being right now. It's angry and unsettled, and he's not quite sure just what to do now. [Meanwhile, during his encounter with Flashfire, Tsoran also sends to Dusk, who's in her den.] Tsoran locksends ** Ashte. ** You locksend ** (No matter how many times you suddenly call for her like that, it still, somewhere, surprises her.) ..Tsoran? ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** It is spring, Ashte, and I desire to see my child. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk mulls quietly. ** Ours, remember... ** You sense in a locksend, Tsoran sends smoothly. ** Of course. ** You locksend ** Give me a few moments, please. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** Granted. ** You locksend ** (After a few minutes) All right, I'm almost ready. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** So am I. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk wonders, ** Is something going on? ** Tsoran has arrived. Dusk is just about to walk out of the den with Midnight when Tsoran shows up. "I said I was on my way, Tsoran." Tsoran says "So you did, Ashte. But I prefer to get reacquainted in... private." "Well..you're here now. I did not expect you back again so soon." Dusk answers. But..it's been a while since the Chosen's last visit. Tsoran says "A year, Ashte, as always." He looks down at Midnight. "Only a year." Dusk shakes her head slightly. "Time doesn't mean much to me, you know." Midnight's resting in her arms, stretching a little. Tsoran kneels to touch Midnight's hair gently. "Hello, little one. Do you remember me?" Midnight's eyes open a bit, and he looks at the tall Glider. His head bobs in a nod, and he speaks. "You're my daddy." he says. Tsoran smiles faintly. "Very good, Midnight. Did you open your box, yet?" Dusk shakes her head, answering instead. "He's forgotten about it, I think." Midnight confirms that with a nod. Tsoran says "Time enough for that." He smiles at the child, then looks at Dusk again. "There are others like him, you know. At the Mountain." Where evil thoughts will be put into Midnight's head? Dusk frowns, not too much. "I'm sure." Tsoran murmurs. "He has so much to learn. Has he shown any signs of gliding, yet?" "A little bit, actually.." Dusk admits. Not enough to be concerned about Midnight floating off somewhere yet, but enough to keep an eye on him that much more. Tsoran smiles proudly. "Good. Very good. Will you show me, child?" Midnight grins up at Tsoran's own smile. "Nope!" he answers. Tsoran raises an eyebrow at Dusk. Dusk shrugs her shoulders at Tsoran. ** I didn't do anything. ** she sends, to the Chosen. Tsoran sends openly ** Perhaps that is the problem. ** Tsoran looks thoughtfully at Dusk. ** He doesn't want to float right now. I don't see how that is a problem. ** Dusk answers. Tsoran locksends ** I have agreed to leave him here, on the condition that he is trained as a glider should be by the other gliders present. If I find him raised as a disobedient outsider instead... ** Midnight looks between the pair. They've got to be sending, but at least Dusk's aren't open sends. You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk frowns in her send. ** Not all Gliders here are loyal to your Mountain and chief. He is being raised as any other would be raised, here. If he wants to shun your ways, that's for him to decide. ** Tsoran locksends ** Hardly a fair choice possible, when all he knows is what he hears from those hostile. I do not like this. Not at all. ** You locksend ** Would it be a 'fair choice' if all he knew was what he heard from those inside your home, too? ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** The fair thing would be an equal share. One year with me, one with you. ** You locksend ** If that winds up being how it goes, I wish to.. (she pauses, making sure she's /really/ about to say this) ..visit him there, as you visit him here. ** to Tsoran. Dusk is really not very keen on the idea, though. Not at all. You sense in a locksend, Tsoran answers promptly. ** Agreed. ** You locksend ** (And why wouldn't you agree?) I haven't, yet, though. I'll need to talk to the others first. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** This is a matter for Midnight's parents. If you wish to bring your tribe into the argument... consider the consequences if I should choose likewise. ** You locksend ** Of course I'm aware of the consequences. Are you? (She doesn't seem to think it's a big danger) ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** What would you do if your tribe refused you, Ashte? ** You locksend ** If they refused me? ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** If they told you Midnight may not go to Blue Mountain. Would you let them keep him here? Against my wish? ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk probably would..the closeness of the holt is important to her. On top of that, she doesn't /really/ want Midnight in the Mountain. Not at all. ** I don't know, right now. ** Tsoran locksends ** I will give you until I leave to decide. Then Midnight will come with me. ** Dusk doesn't accept nor dispute Tsoran's words, but does at least nod slightly. You locksend ** And how long will you be here, this time? ** to Tsoran. Tsoran smiles down at the child again. "Well, then. Tell me what you have been doing, Midnight." Tsoran locksends ** As long as is necessary. ** You locksend ** And what happened outside? I heard growling before you came up. ** to Tsoran. Midnight looks up at Tsoran again and frowns slightly. "Listening to Wayfound talk too much." Tsoran says "And who might Wayfound be?" "Rillwhisper's cub," Dusk answers. Tsoran locksends ** Ah, yes. A rather interesting encounter with that other furry elf. ** Tsoran says "The chief? How interesting." Tsoran considers. "I do believe I saw a very young one briefly when I was last here. Too young to talk, surely?" You locksend ** With father? (Then she remembers some of Lostholt is still here) Or..Flashfire? ** to Tsoran. Midnight pipes up again. "That's her. She talks too much." Dusk nods quietly to both the Glider and their son. Tsoran locksends ** Yes, that is the one. Lord Winnowill has done good work on him. Most... amusing. ** Tsoran says "How interesting, child. What do you talk about?" Tsoran folds down to sit on the ledge. More comfortable than kneeling. You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk's send-mood discolors at that. ** She changed him? <> You didn't hurt him did you? ** Tsoran locksends ** And spoil my Lord's efforts? Certainly not. ** Midnight shrugs at the question. "She does most of the talking. I don't listen to her a lot." Tsoran holds out his hand to Midnight. "Come here, child, and tell me more." You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk doesn't seem to like this news a whole lot. ** I'll have to talk to him about this later. He's nice, and I don't want you messing with him. ** Tsoran locksends ** Nice. Mmm. Are you joining with him? ** You locksend ** That is none of your business. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** But such an intriguing thought, sweet Ashte. ** Dusk sets Midnight down and lets him go over to Tsoran, should he wish to. The cub instead sits down, glancing between the two elves. You locksend ** What are you getting at? ** to Tsoran. Tsoran looks up at Dusk, calmly. Tsoran locksends ** You really are rather slow of mind at times. No matter. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk objects to that. She certainly isn't dumb. ** I don't know what goes through your strange head, Tsoran. ** Tsoran locksends ** Then perhaps it is time you learned. ** Tsoran says "Child, why don't you go play with your friend, now? I will speak with you later." You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk admits, ** I'm not so sure I /want/ to. ** Tsoran locksends ** You should not cherish your ignorance, Ashte. Come here. ** Midnight can live with that. "Okay..see you later mommy." As more of an afterthought, he looks back at Tsoran. "And daddy." He can sense the discomfort in Dusk, and he believes it's being caused by Tsoran. But, he takes off, heading out of the den to find others. Dusk turns away from Tsoran, her back to him. Tsoran smiles after the child, then regards Dusk's back. Tsoran locksends ** Ashte. ** Dusk shivers faintly, arms hugging close to herself at the sensation contained in the sending, along with her soulname being said, yet again. You locksend ** What..? ** to Tsoran. Tsoran says softly. "Come here." You sense in a locksend, Tsoran's mental touch constricts, more weight on your soulname as he repeats. ** Come, Ashte.** "I don't want to, Tsoran," Dusk whispers. You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk flinches, wishing not to give in at the manipulation of her soulname. ** Let me be, Chosen.. ** Tsoran locksends ** No. Not Chosen, here. Tsoran. It is time for you to remember the difference. ** You locksend ** What difference is there? You're Tsoran, of the Chosen. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** Tsoran of the Chosen would not have asked you for leave to take Midnight back, Ashte. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Dusk supposes there's a point to that. ** Aye.. ** Still, though, Dusk stays put, an attempt of sorts to show she's not just someone for Tsoran to intimidate. Tsoran smiles faintly at Dusk's back. Perhaps it is not such a bad thing for Midnight to take after this one. The cloying touch of his send fades away. Dusk lets out a breath, still unsettled by that smothering send of Tsoran's, his picking at her soulname. But she 'wins' this one, able to refrain from giving in to what Tsoran wants. Tsoran unfolds from the ledge, going to the exit. ** Very well, Dusk. The choice, as ever, is yours. ** ** I..know. I'll talk to you again later? ** Dusk replies, looking over her shoulder. Tsoran sends openly ** We will speak. ** Tsoran has left. After Tsoran departs, Dusk shakes her head slowly, feeling too much weight on her shoulders right now. For the time being, she tries to relax, sitting down on a pile of furs, then curling into them, Midnight safe elsewhere.