Re: Goldsand Beach~Harvest Festival

by **Leanan** Sat Jan 10, 2015 1:39 pm

Snaketwist tended the fire, shivering a little. The coldness of the night was starting to be felt. Tidemist had been wise to go look for more wood, he thought. He was seldom out this late at night, being more of a morning person. He had a lot of thoughts to occupy his mind, and most of them were going over what he had said to Tidemist, and wondering what she thought of it, or if she thought of it at all. The fire was warm, but he could almost feel the weight of the darkness on his shoulders.

by **WolfCandy** Sat Jan 10, 2015 7:38 pm

"Woah," Tern began, quickly catching the mood change, "Be careful; if you take me any more seriously, you might turn to stone. While I would love to get to know your famiy more," he continued on, "I am not sure it would be fair to Oakroot. What would he say if the 'Great Tern' came swimming in and stole his niece and nephew from him? Perhaps I can be their aunt instead, I certainly have the feminine beauty for it," he winked.

Aware of Ridge's off mood, and sensing that playful banter might not be the solution, Tern halted their dance. He surveyed his surroundings, taking in all the excitement. He also caught Kaimeta's exit, recognition's flame burning hotter beneath his skin, and chose to ignore it. "Do you want to get some air?" he asked kindly, hoping maybe stepping away from everything might help his friend.

by **Ember Robinwood** Sun Jan 11, 2015 4:38 am

Ridge tried to smile at Tern's playful banter, but could barely get his lips to so much as twitch in a shadow of a smile. He glanced around when they'd stopped dancing. The fire suddenly felt too hot and too bright, his wolf instincts telling him to put distance between himself and the blazing flames.

"You know what, that would be great," Ridge said. All he wanted to do was get away. He also wanted to take Tern's hand, for them to walk away and escape somewhere, but that was selfish and impossible.

**Please forgive my dour mood, Tern,** Ridge lock-sent, his confusion and horribly knotted feelings leaking into the sending. There seemed to be a thousand emotions tearing through Ridge, threatening to overwhelm him.

--

**Sit,** Serpent Fang lock-sent to Brooksong with vague impatience. It was undeniable that the stars where innumerable here, stretching from horizon to horizon and completely un-obscured.

Serpent Fang waited for Brooksong to sit. It had been an order and not a request. He watched her, thinking about their earlier conversation about how anyone should protect their tribe. He'd essentially attacked Tern just moments afterward. He clenched his teeth, watching Brooksong through narrowed eyes. She had done nothing wrong and he wouldn't let himself hurt her, but that didn't mean he would be anymore patient with her.

by **Hail** Sun Jan 11, 2015 9:52 am

**I like the festival, although I probably scared one of the sea elves. I kind of looked like a wild animal when I got here.** Ash sends to Oakroot. She motions to her tangled hair and smudges on her clothes. **I forgot the time and when I realized I was late I didn't have time to clean up.**

As for the food, her stomach was full again but she prefered the food of her own tribe. **It's different, I'm not too keen on their fish though.**

Ash could smell the dreamberries on Oakroot and her nose slightly wrinkled. She didn't like things messing with her head, trying them once was more than enough to sustain her for a lifetime. Her tribemates however got quite entertaining after consuming them. Her head tilts back when Oakroot mentions the stars. To her they where just tiny flames high up in the air and much like the warm bonfire beside her, they had the same captivating effect. She answers Oakroot. **I would like that.**

by **Shinebright** Sun Jan 11, 2015 11:08 am

Oakroot was pleased Ash joined him. "I was late too. I had caught two quailles and prepared them in a firepit." He loved to cook, but quailles was kind of his specialty.

Hmmm, the wine wasn't doing much for him. Normally he didn't drink much, only ate Dreamberries when he needed to remember and drank the wine if the occasion was right. A festival usually meant he drank a jug or two, stumbled back to his den and passed out till the next evening. He wasn't alone in that, but he was known for his love for Dreamberries.

"Tonight we must celebrate, it is good that the two tribes are finally joining in festival. Much will change and I just hope for the better. We had a Recognition and it looks like some might be lovemates in the future, if they can set aside the fears they feel for not knowing were it will lead them." It had been a long time since he had a lovemate, the thought of his last lovemate made him sad. She had died in a huntingaccident when they were on one of his travels....
Again his mood darkened, he needed to lighten his mood again!

"Say, did you dance this night? The sand is cool now and they still play music. Care to dance with me?" He took off his boots, stood up, put his hands out to her and gave her his best smile, making it almost impossible to refuse!

by **Delhya** Sun Jan 11, 2015 2:38 pm

Brooksong walked over the short distance easily keeping her balance on the rocks and sat down. "Ohhhh, the view out here is really nice!" she spoke softly the gentle splashing of the water against the rocks almost muffling it. "I can't really remember the last time I was out this far." There was a cubbish excitement in her voice she could not conceal and her eyes drank in the view of the stars and the water.

She thought of when she was little and would come visit the beach with her father, though he never ventured far onto the water if at all. Tern was always the one who would take her out.

by **WolfCandy** Sun Jan 11, 2015 4:43 pm

Tern nodded, searching the crowd for the easiest exit. "Come on," he said softly once he decided a path. He was concerned for the wolf-elf, and was not quite sure exactly what was bothering him. Placing his hand on the small of Ridge's back so that he might keep the elf grounded, as well as to keep them from being separated, he guided Ridge away from the dancers.

**Everyone has those days,** he replied kindly, Ridge's sending making him more concerned. It was so packed with emotions, Tern found it hard to pinpoint the separate ones. The young elf was going through a lot.

"The trees, or the beach?" Tern asked once they were further away from the others.

by **Hail** Sun Jan 11, 2015 7:42 pm

Ash hesitated before taking his hand. Brooksong had tried to teach her to dance earlier but then the Howl started and the dancing had been forgotten. The moment Oakroot takes of his boots she wants to tell him to put them back on. She’s never been a graceful dancer and even as a cub she stood more on her sires feet than on the ground. ‘I did dance for a few moments, which is my longest time dancing without harming someone.’
‘A lot of people are pairing up tonight.’ She tells him. ‘And those who recognized aren’t the only ones who need to get their head straight on. The morning will tell who’s head is still lost in doubts.’
Ash had had the occasional love mate but it was never serious. The moment her heart threatened to take over her head she backed away. Much like dreamberries the last thing she needed were her thoughts being muddled. Ash caught Hailsong still snoring beside the fire. Laziest wolf ever.

by **Ember Robinwood** Sun Jan 11, 2015 8:10 pm

Ridge was grateful for Tern's steadying hand, but, at the same time, it seamed to sear the bare skin of his back. Part of him wished to melt into the sea-elf's touch, but another wished to shake off the guiding hand. He did neither, allowing himself to be steered through the crowd.

"It doesn't matter," Ridge said in a low, hollow voice. He truly didn't care if they stayed on the beach or ventured into the trees. He wanted to laugh at Tern's sending. Does everyone have days like today? Ridge thought, torn between laughing in exasperation and crying in frustration. No, they don't.

He settled with asking Tern, **How do you know?** His tangled emotions fighting with one another to be known, but getting knotted and jumbled horribly in the process.

--

Serpent Fang let out a huff, the closest sound to amusement or laughter that he would give. Brooksong may revel in the beauty of the stars, but they were distant and cold to him. He gave her a sidelong look through his matted hair. She had the eagerness of a guppy, but wanted to protect her tribe.

She was still young and had yet to suffer real loss. Maybe one day she wouldn't view the stars with such enthusiasm. Something inside Serpent Fang seemed to cringe and he frowned. What did it matter to him if she outgrew her guppy-like eagerness? It shouldn't, but at that moment another white haired stripling leaped to the forefront of his mind. Amber eyes bright like Brooksong's blue ones.

Serpent Fang shook his head, trying to rid the image. It wouldn't be like that. Brooksong was in no danger of losing her parents and suffering such a shattering event in her young life as Shoal had. Or so he hoped.

**What do you see, Brooksong?** He lock-sent suddenly. It wasn't exactly curiosity that was in his sending, it was something colder, sharper, but no less interested.

by **WolfCandy** Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:18 am

"The trees it is then," Tern decided easily. Maybe being near the trees would relax his friend. As he made his way towards them, he returned the sending. **It is life.** The sending was oddly simple and lacked the usual flourish of words. He did not want to be too specific, having no exact idea of what was troubling Ridge. Was it still Swirling? Hadn't Ridge put troubling thoughts of her behind him?

"Is this about Swirling?" he ventured carefully once they had reached the shelter of the woods. He watched the wolf-elf studiously, noting each movement.

by **Ember Robinwood** Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:38 am

Once in the shelter of the trees, Ridge drew away from Tern. He found a nearby tree where he climbed onto a low branch, about waist high. He sat with his back against the trunk, falling into a comfortable position with one leg drawn up to his chest and the other outstretched.

Tern's simple sending made something in Ridge twinge with annoyance. He didn't know why, but that kind of statement frustrated him. He sighed, looked through the branches out at the beach.

"Yes and no," he answered. He looked back at Tern and observed how the shadows played across his face. He took a deep breath before he began, "It's more than just her. It's something...else." He fought with himself for a moment before he decided to finally speak. "Tern, have you ever looked at someone and wanted so much more than you could have or than they could give you?"

Ridge studied Tern's expression as he spoke, unsure of what he was looking for.

by **WolfCandy** Mon Jan 12, 2015 3:10 am

As Ridge made his way up the tree, Tern admired his grace and ease. It was a small movement, but it seemed so natural and raw. Suddenly, the sea-elf felt as if he was intruding. But, he didn't look away; he rarely felt wrong intruding on something. Tern wondered if he looked as beautiful when he moved about the sea.

Tern considered climbing the tree to sit alongside Ridge, but quickly decided he would rather stand. He had never climbed a tree before, and did not need to make a fool of himself with his probably gangling climbing-legs. Graceful on sand or in water, perhaps, but in a tree? He did not want to find out.

Something else? The sea-elf wondered if he wanted to know what that something was. **Yes,** he answered in sending, knowing the truth of his statement would translate best through the pure touching of minds, **When I was younger, I had a lovemate. All I wanted was to recognize her. Of course, we cannot choose recognition.**

And now, with Kaimeta, he thought, I want her to be mine and mine alone, but even if she chose to be my lifemate, I could never have all of her. He remembered sadly that part of her already belonged to someone.

He chose not to share this, though, and spoke on about Ara instead. **Looking back now, I think focusing on that desire prevented me from wholly being with her.** He continued to search Ridge's expression and body language.

by **Ember Robinwood** Mon Jan 12, 2015 1:40 pm

Ridge nodded slowly. Tern had spoke of this lovemate very briefly earlier. He could feel the truth in Tern's sending, but it did nothing to aid his tangled feelings. His fingers twitched unintentionally at the similarities to his predicament, but also the differences. This wasn't helping.

Tern couldn't understand! Ridge looked away a little sharply, his expression hard. It wasn't often that he acted like this and he didn't want Tern to see his face as he fought his internal struggle. But, wait... Wasn't Tern feeling equally torn about Kaimeta? As the realization dawned, Ridge turned slowly back to look at Tern.

**Have you ever felt like you stood at the edge of a precipice?** He was silent for a moment, before giving a little more to his sending. He knew Tern would feel his feelings of guilt and betrayal. **There are so many options and so many things going on. You want something pure and innocent, but there's something else. Someone else. You feel torn so badly between the two, but you know that one of them could never love you and the other you risk betraying.**

by **WolfCandy** Mon Jan 12, 2015 3:15 pm

Although he missed the slight twitch of his fingers,-he was never the most observant, even when he tried-it was easy for Tern to notice Ridge look away. Slowly, he lowered himself to the ground and crossed his legs, feeling the need to do something with himself. When he caught the wolf-elf's gaze again, though, he was strangely relieved.

He listened carefully to the sending, somber stared. Inwardly, he reached out to Ridge. He sighed, guilty himself for what he would share. Ridge was so pure already, and Tern felt wrong compared to him. Ridge was so determined to be devoted to one elf off the bat, and Tern could not help but wonder if he should be ashamed at his past actions. **Honestly,** he began sadly, **No. Before Ara, I took advantage of all the options. There was no being torn between two elves. After her, well, no one came along that I wanted as much as her. After my father died, I was torn between Ara and my future lifemate, but that is not the same as what you say.**

**But, Ridge,** he quickly continued on, **What you speak of can still be pure and innocent. Love itself is pure and innocent. If you feel the blossom of it for more than one elf, then that is not your fault. Although I cannot directly relate to your situation, I know that I gave up one thing I loved for another, and I was able to move past it. In our separation, my love for Ara formed into a different kind of love.**

by **Delhya** Mon Jan 12, 2015 3:55 pm

Brooksong smiled and looked among the stars, "Well I can see the great owl to the north, he is always in the sky so is good to navigate by. The star that is his left eye is a hub star so all the others move around it." She started off with a easier to see one and locksent the image to Serpentfang so he come see what she spoke of.

Straystar made his way back to the festivities and snuck up behind Windgrace grabbing her from behind as she "Eeeped" and spinning around with her. "HAH! look what I have caught." he said putting her down. She smiled and bapped him on the shoulder for startling her. "Well aren't you playful tonight," she remarked with a smile.
He looked around he did not see Tern around the fires and there were only a few dancers here and there, but the music was still playing. "Shall we dance?" he said holding a hand out to her. They made their way out into the other dancers.

by **Leanan** Mon Jan 12, 2015 5:15 pm

Snaketwist stared into the dancing flames. He hoped Tidemist would be back soon. The fire would not last long without more wood. He shivered, feeling the colder air of the night.

Nearly all his life, he'd been in love with Tidemist. No one had ever occupied a place in his heart that could rival hers. He had had joinings of course, his share of pleasure-games when he was younger, but never any bond that merited the term 'lovemating'. Tidemist was everything he could wish a female to be, save one thing - she did not love him back. It was quite likely, he thought, that she did not even know of his love. And his shyness, his tongue knotting and senses addling in her presence, made sure she never would know of it.

by **Ember Robinwood** Mon Jan 12, 2015 5:26 pm

**How can it?** Ridge sent back a little sharply. He wanted proper answers. **How can it be pure and innocent to love more than one elf? What if it was you who was loved, Tern? You're dead set on having Kaimeta as your lifemate, but what if someone else loved you?** Ridge suddenly knew that he'd been too sharp and "spoken" too freely. He shouldn't have brought up Kaimeta or risk letting slip his feelings for Tern.

Ridge looked away, drawing both knees up to his chest and hugging them. The curled position was one he rarely assumed. He looked stare ahead, refusing to look at Tern. He was putting his friend in a precarious situation. He wanted so badly for Tern to reciprocate his feelings, but Tern was so set on Kaimeta, and only participial because of Recognition.

--

Serpent Fang followed Brooksong's gaze. He could see nothing in the stars, just cold points of light. He knew the star that acted as a constant, but not the others.

**You see all that?** He lock-sent, frowning. **What else do you see?**

He was genuinely interested. It also didn't hurt that he willed Brooksong to stay. Even if he didn't want to admit it to himself, it was relieving to have someone beside him who wouldn't judge him based on past experiences.

by **WolfCandy** Mon Jan 12, 2015 6:02 pm

The sharpness of Ridge's sending hurt a little, but he did not hold it against him. Ridge was hurting, and Tern wouldn't blame him for a little sharpness. He had acted out in much the same way when an elf had approached him when he was hurting.

**You cannot help your feelings. Love only loses its purity and innocence when it becomes a deception, or harmful action that is taken without a care for the harm it will cause. But where is your deception? Where is the harmful action? You obviously care deeply for the pain you might cause,** Tern sent. He sighed and leaned back on the ground, **I cannot give you any solid answer, Ridge, just my own thoughts on the subject. I do not know what the right answer is, I only know you can choose to either regard your feelings as dark and evil or as pure and innocent.**

He lifted his head with a start at the final statement. Suspected it? Maybe. But expected Ridge to hint at it? No. Had he noticed Ridge's blushes and flusters? Yes, but he had accounted it largely to the younger elf being unaccustomed to Tern's kind of behaviour.

He felt guilty. Was it wrong of him to continue as he usually did, despite those blushes and flusters? He couldn't help it. It was who he was, and he would be lying if he didn't admit that the naive reactions held some kind of allure that made him want to continue.

The mention of Kaimeta brought the burn of recognition back to life within him, and it mingled uncomfortably with the guilt. Is the hurt of recognition dulled, or has my tolerance for it merely grown? he thought for a moment.

**If it was me?** he thought for a long moment, wishing he could say he would abandon his recognized, say that part of him wanted to, but he knew he couldn't, **I do not know what I would do,** he confessed, **I have been living my life devoted to my future lifemate, and Kaimeta has not expressed an immediate desire to be that, but can I just abandon that idea? She said I had to win her heart. Do I not need to try? But she has also lifemated before, and in her heart, she is still lifemated to another. Should I still be devoted to her, even though I know this? I am not sure of anything.**

by **Shinebright** Mon Jan 12, 2015 6:15 pm

Dramaticly Oakroot raised his hands and looked up. "Only danced few moments? My dear Ash, I will show you and teach you how to dance!" He smiled from ear to ear, he would enjoy teaching her to dance!

He didn't go to the center of the dance-area, but stopped at the edge. He could feel Ash's relief. He took both her hands again and placed them on his shoulders. He was slightly aware of his scares again, but they never had bothered him.
"Now, close your eyes!" He knew she didn't expected that. "Hold on to me and close your eyes and try to feel the ritme of the music!"
Ash hestitated for a moment, but Oakroot was pleased she did listen to him.
"Do you feel the music inside you?" He asked, as he talk more softly. "Think of nothing else then the ritme of the music."

He started to send to her, trying to share with her how he expierenced music. **Notice how your heart is going in the same ritme as the drums?**

by **Hail** Mon Jan 12, 2015 7:38 pm

Ash’s gazed snapped back to Oakroots at the mention of teaching her how to dance. She much preferred people showing her how to dance than actually teaching her. She followed Oakroot anyway, knowing that once the storyteller had a yes he wouldn’t stop until she danced.
Even at the edge of the dance floor she felt like every pair of eyes was trained on her. It was why she preferred the woods over the beach, more shadows to hide in. Well, things could be worse, at least it wasn’t the middle of the dance floor. Too conscious about herself, she didn’t even notice the scars.

The last thing she wanted was to close her eyes but she obeyed. She sends to Oakroot. **If you drop me, I’ll bite.**

She had felt the music all night and the music wasn’t the problem, her body refusing to corporate with her mind was. The music filled her mind, hypnotizing her the same way fire did. She could hear the beat, both the music and her own heart. A slight frown appeared between her eyebrows as she tried to match Oakroots sending to her own. Their views were different but the core was the same.

by **Ember Robinwood** Mon Jan 12, 2015 8:22 pm

Ridge looked down at Tern where he sat on the ground, immersed in shadows. He regretted his statements and questions regarding Tern. He wanted his friend to win the heart of his Recognized so he could move on and be lovemates with her and have a cub, but his own desire flared. He closed his eyes, burying his face in his arms.

Tentatively, Ridge sent to Tern, allowing his own doubts and hesitation to be felt, letting his friend know that this was just a suggestion, **Could you take on a lovemate while to tried to win her heart? Yuou don't know how long it will take and perhaps it could ease the desire of Recognition?**

Ridge couldn't bare to look at his friend while he sent. Despite the face that his face was buried in his arm, his face burning with embarrassment and humiliation.

by **Delhya** Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:08 pm

Brooksong eagerly pointed out two more constellations one towards the middle of the sky and the other nearer the horizon. "Well there is the plains cat chasing a branch horn there," she pointed out the main stars centered across the middle "and then that line of zig zagging stars near the water, the is a tree serpent that supposedly lived in the Skynest Holt where my tribe came from before they found a home here after many turns on the open plains. Father says it was supposed to be pretty big and it squeezed it's prey until it stopped moving."

by **Shinebright** Tue Jan 13, 2015 4:54 am

Oakroot saw and felt her more relaxed. To him dancing had everything to do with being relaxed and being able to let go. He knew Ash had problems doing so, felt being watched whenever she was out the covers of the trees.

He slowely moved his hands to her hips. **Now slightly move your hips one side to the other and back.** He was being serious and in his sending he let her know this. **Keep your eyes closed and step with one foot to the side and step back again. Do that with your other foot as well, repeat this.** It was the simple basic movement, the start of every dance.
**Yes, you are doing great! Now pick up the pace to follow the music!** He followed her in movement and speed.

He reached for her hands which were still on his shoulders.
"Now we dance! Open your eyes and look only at what we do!" He almost whispered too soft, but he knew she could hear him, as she did what he asked.

He smiled at her, she had, like most of his tribe, a natural grace to her. **This will be the only time you can look at our feet when we dance. I will step with one foot backward and back again and repeat it with my other foot. You must follow by stepping forward. Ready?**

by **Hail** Tue Jan 13, 2015 9:49 am

Well, sidestepping at least prevented her from stepping on Oakroots toes. Following his instructions was easy but she couldn’t shake the prickling sensation that others were watching her. Her grey eyes opened, trained on her own feet. A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

**Are you sure this is the only time I can look at them?** There was a hint of alarm in her sending, but most of it was just nerves.

Back at the Evertree, when there was a gathering she was just fine with howling. That she could do. Her gaze shifts to Oakroots feet matching his steps.
Her shoulders tense, her eyes narrow. Dancing is supposed to relaxing, a celebration. She takes a deep breath, inhaling the familiar scent of her tribe mates, the sea elves and the bonfire. Among those she also picks up on the familiar smell of her wolf. Dancing is no different than running through the woods. Only instead of dodging branches and roots she’s dodging Oakroots toes.

by **Ember Robinwood** Tue Jan 13, 2015 3:13 pm

Serpent Fang followed Brooksong's gaze, frowning. She could see all that in the stars? Despite being able to see none of it, it was interesting that should could get all that from a few twinkling lights. He looked back at her, thinking.

She could tell so much from the stars, she no doubt could hunt and fight as well. He could catch fish and fight, determine the best places to fish, and mend nets, but it was very different from the ability to survive beneath the trees and read the stars.

Serpent Fang looked back at the dark water. Their lands met at the beach, the SeaFolk utilized it more, though. What else did the young wolf-elf know.

**Is there anything else you see?** He lock-sent. He was calmer now, able to push back some of his anger and shame. Interested at the things Brooksong had been told about the plains, he watched her more closely. **What have your kin taught you about the plains and these giant cats and tree serpents?**

by Sponsored content