OEH: Finding a New Home

Post by Wolfpath on May 25, 2017

**We?**, Wolfpath asked Blacksable, **I see only you..** She squinted her eyes, trying to see the other elf better. She noticed a small bundle. A cub, maybe? **I am called Wolfpath, Blacksable, my father's name is Soothtouch. He knows how to heal with herbs, if you need it.**

Soothtouch found some driftwood and reached out into the biggest log with his magic. He found dead wood almost impossible to work with, but somewhere inside the log, there still was some energy left that he could use and shape. He spread his hands and concentrated. Slowly but surely the wood began to bend and form, sprouting thin but strong branches that wrapped around the other pieces of of driftwood he had collected. Soothtouch felt his energy drain, living plants were so much easier, but he pushed himself until before him in the sand lay a raft. It was not beautiful nor would it last long, but it would be enough to get to Blacksable and back to the beach. 

A faint whistle allerted Wolfpath that her father had finished. Soothtouch was to tired to even send to her.


Post by Blacksable - Cat rider+her cub on May 26, 2017

The question was made the Lass smile. She looked down at Darkstar sharing the image of him she was seeing. **Yes, friend, my son. I would risk swimming the distance if not worried for his safety. He is dear child.** she sent in reply to Wolfpath. 

Then she shifted careful not to wake him and raised the child over her head to show his lump of leathers in her hands then lowered him carefully again to her side and the strap over her arm and head to secure him once more. 

**Good to meet you. Thank you, we may need his help to keep me making milk unless you have an animal with you he could nurse from?** She shared. faintly on shore, near the woods she could see a greenish-yellow glow with an elf form. This made her smile grow. She had missed seeing a magic user at work in all this time. 

Loosing her Cat rider magic was a blow, but walking again was a blessing. "As was giving birth, wee one." She nuzzled his nose for a second with her as she held him in her arms protectively. Darkstar fussed in his sleep rubbing his face with his fists then licked his lips and settled in again. 

As she looked up she faintly in the half light saw a small structure and the two around it. She did not hear the whistle due to the rolling waves low and mostly calm as they go past. 

She looked behind her to the sound and the the sun up, east and saw the skies were changing a bit brighter purple and red with some orange but far off. she stood up showing she was ready.


Post by Wolfpath on May 26, 2017

Wolfpath smiled in delight. She adored cubs! Her answer was filled with a feeling of pure joy. **We have no such animal, but surely Soothtouch can help.**, she assured Blacksable, **We will be with you shortly** Wolfpath had hurried over to Soothtouch. "Great work, father", she admired, "Do you feel strong enough to push it into to water?" Soothetouch took a sip of water from his waterskin. "My strength is returning. Give me a moment and I will be fine."

Soon after both elves were pushing the raft into the sea, struggling against the waves at first but soon they were able to swim next to it towards the sandbank on which Blacksable was waiting.


Post by Blacksable - Cat rider+her cub on May 26, 2017

In feeling such joy, Blacksable's mind came to ease. The hearing they were on the way and help was coming, she hummed with joy! She softly started to sing to Darkstar while they wait. 

Half way to her she could see them and waved stepping out waist deep into the water to meet the two half strangers. "It is a welcome sight to see the two of you!" She hugged them each. 

First Soothtouch and then Wolfpath. She was so happy tears were welling in her eyes. the tears stung a bit since she was so tired and dehydrated. But the joy of finding others was lifting her spirits high right now.

Post by Wolfpath on Jun 4, 2017

Wolfpath listened intendly to Blacksabre's story, as she paddled alongside the raft. On the other side she heard Soothtouch breathing hard and spluttering in the water. He had already been tired from forming the raft and must surely near exhaustion by now. 

**How?**, Wolfpath answered in sending, to prevent gulping up some of the salty water when talking, **There is a story the elders once shared, about a High One who ran with wolves to bring fresh meat to her people and teach them how to hunt... But I do not know much about it nor did my father, I think**


Post by Blacksable - Cat rider+her cub on Jun 4, 2017

Blacksable nodded, as she listened to his sending. She was seeing how he looked to be dragging in his efforts. 

"Please, let the roll of the tide take us in and though it may be a ways up the beach, you won't need to struggle so much. Please, come and sit. We will meet the dray sand soon enough. I think you for the raft, but come and share the ride." She motioned with one free hand to them each. 

Looking around it looked like it would be a nice day. "I like this..raft, you called it? It is far better than my floating leaf idea." She mused at herself.


Post by Wolfpath on Jun 5, 2017

**That's a good idea**, Wolfpath sent. She let go of the raft and swam to the other side. **Let me help you, father** She supporter Soothtouch, while he clambered on the raft, labouring for breath. Wolfpath shook her head, "If Blacksabre hadn't said anything, you would have just gone on, wouldn't you?", she muttered, sounding angry, "Please father, take care of yourself for a change. I can't bear to thought of losing you too."


Post by Soothtouch on Jun 5, 2017

"S-sorry... cub...", Soothtouch panted, as he laid on the raft. Wolfpath climbed on board aswell, effortles. When Soothtouch had caught his breath, they were near the shore again. "Oh yes", he spoke, remembering Blacksabre's question, "A raft indeed. Unfortunately, I did not get a good look at your floating leaf. Could you tell me more sbout it?"

Post by Wolfpath on Jun 20, 2017

"Trade?", Wolfpath shook her head and chuckled, "Don't be silly. Keep your rations, we have plenty. We share. I'll hunt for fresh meat later, when we need it." Soothtouch opened another bag and took out pieces of roasted tubers. "They taste quite pleasant and sweet", Wolfpath explained, taking one and chewing on it. "Meat is best though." "Sure, but you need your vegetables too", Sootthouch said, sounding like he had repeated this very often already. Wolfpath stuck out her tongue. "Yes father", she said, mockingly obedient. "Oh you insolent child you", Soottouch answered, rolling his eyes but grinning. They had had this discussing ever since Wolfpath had been a wee lass and today it was more making fun of eachother than anything serious.


Post by Blacksable - Cat rider+her cub on Jun 22, 2017

Blacksable gave pause "...." She was stunned. It was the Catrider way to share or be shunned. She quirked her brow and left the food anyway. She said nothing more on the matter. She felt ashamed and embarrassed at the same time for not understanding the situation of customs with these new comers. 

She shook her head and shifted becoming more comfortable in the sand with Wolfpath and looking over the food, she smiled taking a few items trying to not eat too fast and choke. She drank from the water skin now and then as well. "This is delicious, Thank you Wolfpath." 

Blacksable had to look twice at the odd plants, but then recalled her Plant shaper friend told her of some roots she could eat. "I think I might recognize one or two of these and you cook them? Hmm, I would like to try them when you are done. They smell good." She said touching one with her fingers then sniffing the scent from her fingertips.

She smiled at the calm and newness surrounding them. "This....this place...I did not stay too long before. Not long enough to understand how plentiful it is. I hope to learn more from you and your Sire." She stated as she admires the view and observes their surroundings.

AS the father and Daughter play at bickering, Blacksable grins, taking one of the tubers thaat are done being roasted and has cooled in the pile Wolfpath took one from. "Mmm! This is better ~ somewhat ~ than meat. I do not mind it at all, hehe." she ate happily enjoying the meal and the company. 

"We Catriders eat raw foods and we cook them too, sometimes or smoke the meat. This is very good cooked. I am enjoying it very much! YUM!"


Post by Soothtouch on Jun 22, 2017

Soothtouch noticed Blacksable's discomfort, but as she did not say anything on the matter, nor did he. It wasn't always necessary to say things out loud, not everything needed to be talked about.
"I'm glad you like the food", he said in stead, "You are welcome to stay. We'll teach you what we can and what you want." "And teach us what you know!", Wolfpath added, "I like to know more about your people, the Catriders."


Post by Blacksable - Cat rider+her cub on Jun 23, 2017

"MMM! Good, I do, very much!" She said nodding while chewing. She smiled. "Yes, Thank you. I am happy to stay and share customs. seems we have some in common and some things are dissimilar too. We can learn from each other." She agreed. 

"Ah, well..." She gave it some though as she finished chewing and after taking a drink of water from the water skin, she answered, telling a story of her peoples. "Long long ago, my Folk walked the hot lands like this, but hotter and more sand." She reached to the sand grasping a hand full and held it out to the pair. She let it sift through her fingers and then dusted off her palm. 

"Many decided they wanted a land more hearty and headed where the green growing things are. But this too left them wanting more, more struggle, the life was too adaptable to them. Too easy to live. They wanted more of a challenge but with a weather compromise and took to trek more north to the frozen mountains. This suited them. We had Fire Magic and we had Soothing magics too, many with varied forms of this magic and we settled to make a home. The mountains held another life other than trees that stay green. Felines roamed the cliffs, Stags and Rams, Birds and Fish and so on. The hunting was hearty, but the land always offers a challenge to getting food, going any distance or making a life." 

She shot her claws into the sand ground before her making sure to not to wake the baby. She set her son onto the sand while telling her tale. "We knew of a time or hot sand, forest and now the cold ways of life and death in this new land. 

"Our fellow predators with long fangs and claw seemed just as curious of us as we were of them. They attacked now and again testing our nature, ways and deference. The (Leopards) Smaller thicker spotted coat Cats were more wary of us and so, we left them be. But the Long tooth cats wanted to be close as kin and we learned from them and they from us. We grew so skilled as a Pride we all became one with the hunt and living together." 

She reflected a moment thinking fondly on her family and Pride as a whole. "The Felines, once accepted as their kin, would bring us kills! We thought it was strange at first so we sent out our best scouts to observe them. There were eating a (moose) Bearded long leggs with antlers and so they have plenty. They wanted to share their goods with us for being so good to them. We chuckled over this one but loved the reason behind it. We started to share meals with them." 

Fights would break out between the cats and us when some have more than others and those with more would not share. This was mainly in times of famine and frost. A time so cold it hurt to breath and all food, even roots were rare to find. The hungry fought with the ones with plenty to share. Our Elders took to meet and from that they decided If balance helped with love and peace, then greed was meaning a shun was to occur for a designated time. Normally the time between moons. This was our law to keep order. Most fallow the law and life is good there." She smiled. 

"The cold can make you sick or take the weak though, so, not all days or nights are song and merriment. As I think...it is all over, I have seen from my long trek." She cast her eyes to the sand where she had let the sifting sand land and then struck with her claws. She looked sad, but not. She sighed and raised her face to the other two. "Sorry, I miss my home. They do not yet know of lil Darkstar. I often wonder what they would think and how they would spoil him." She giggled amused at the thought. 

Post by Soothtouch on Sep 29, 2017

Soothetouch smiled and reached out his hand to gentle touch Blacksable's shoulder. "I speak for both of us", he said, nodding to Wolfpath who nodded in return. "You are welcome to stay with us for as long as you like. We like the company." "We do", Wolfpath confirmed.


Post by Blacksable - Cat rider+her cub on Sep 29, 2017

Blacksable let the words sink in, the words and faces and even the eyes of both of them as he spoke...and her agreeing nod... He took a deep breath, held it and then let out a relieving sigh, to her surprise. 

"Heh...I never really thought much over the idea of finding a home besides my own Pride lands. The Frozen mountains are what I have known for so long, but now..." She looked down at her cub, and as she did, gravity took over and the tears in her eyes spilled over onto the sand. 

Shaking her head, she raised a hand to her mouth, shaking her head once more, as she cast her eyes over the face of her wee cub who was smiling up at her peacefully. She chuckled a bit quick bit then raised her gaze to the two close to her. "It feels wonderful, unimagionable to be around good elves again. I think crossing paths with you two was a blessing I was not ready for, yet, am more thankful for than I know how to express. Thank you so much for having us as company at your camp and thank you for the invite to stay with you on your trek. We are looking forward to it. She smiled. Not minding the joyful tears. As her son held her fingers in his palms, she smiled back at him wagging her fingers as play and he cooed and giggled happily at the playful movement of the fingers in his tiny hands. 

She reached over to Soothtouch to hug him and then to her daughter, Wolfpath too. Sort of like Twister since her son has her fingers hostage at the moment. As she sat back in the wallow in the sand where she was sitting before, she grinned. 

"I feel lighter, Thank you for everything. Since he was born...I...It's just he and I except when we met the Plains runner. He was a good Lad, but left all too soon to get close to him. I have regretted that. But, while he was there, with us, he told me much about plants and roots and the movements of land and water ways like rivers and streams. But he had a place to be and left one clear day to go that direction, I decided to go the other. I like having you two around as company as well." 

she went back to eating as her son started to nod off a little. It had been a long trip for him too and he did not like the wobbling of the sinking water leaf (leaking boat) they had used to cross the vast deep. He liked this solid land thing much better. Well, Darkstar seemed more happy to be on land anyhow. Blacksable mused in thought.


Post by Wolfpath on Oct 4, 2017

Wolfpath had hugged Blacksable back, warmly, just as Soothetouch had. "Rest now", Wolfpath said. "Perhaps later you and I can hunt for fresh meat. I have seen ravvit tracks not far from here, earlier. Father can take care of the cub."


Post by Soothtouch on Oct 4, 2017

"Well now", Soothetouch said holding up his hands. "Not so fast, my cub." Wolfpath looked at him questioningly. "We have just met and perhaps Blacksable doesn't feel comfortable yet, to leave her precious cub with me. Don't push her into something she might not feel well with." 
Wolfpath let her head hang in shame. "I apologize", she said with sincerity, "I spoke too hasty, as my sire says."

Post by Soothtouch on Oct 7, 2017

With a content smile, Soothetouch watched the others fall asleep. It had been a good day. Faith had let them to cross paths with Blacksable and her child. He pondered, what would have happened if they hadn't? No, better not think on it too long. Carefully, Soothetouch settled his weary bones against a treetrunk. He was tired, but he would keep watch as he had promised. And he knew Stalker, Wolfpath's ever vigilant wolffriend, would do the same. Eventhough he appeared to sleep deeply now, his ears moved and reacted to even the slightest sound.


Post by Blacksable - Cat rider+her cub on Oct 8, 2017

Several hours later, it was nearly sundown as Blacksable woke to her cub cooing and starting to fuss for a meal and hide change. 

She helped him into her arms and let him feed, then after, she changed his hide, setting it aside and cleaned him up a bit before adding a clean hide. She then tied him back into his oiled sling and onto her back as she nudged Soothtouch. 

**I am going to go clean his soiled loin pelt at the shore. I will be right back, and will keep in view. Thank you for the time to sleep. It was a good one. I feel much rested.** She sent to him openly as she stood to dust the sand from her clothes and then headed to the shore.


Post by Soothtouch on Oct 13, 2017

**Take your time**, Soothetouch answered with a gentle smile, **We will stay right here** He turned his head to watch Wolfpath. She was stirring in her sleep, close to waking.


Post by Blacksable - Cat rider+her cub on Oct 13, 2017

As Blacksable stood up, dusted herself off,Babe in one arm securely, she walked by Soothtouch patting him on his shoulder. **Thank you for keeping watch. If you need a break or company, let me know** She paused a moment to take off her boots and clothes. As she go into the water. It was strange feeling safe all of a sudden, but it was a welcome feeling.

she held her cub, letting him feed on her breast from the sling while she stood in the water washing out the remains of what she buried of the Cub's waste in his loin cloth. She turned back to shore to lay it out and went back into the water. 

It was a mix of warm and cool in the waist deep depth she was standing in. With her night hones sight she could see some jelly fish and some silvery fish and two star fish, she of course had no idea what these things were, but she knew enough to sift her feet away from them. 

After a while, she had enough of observing the waves and the creatures under them. She just needed time to take it all in. Over two years she had been traveling alone, mostly with just the cub in toe. AS she gathered her things she smiled seeing something odd flapping about! 

**You seeing this?! eh...am I seeing this?! Oh! It's a leather walking stone! There are many too!** "Hehehe" She mused excitedly but trying to be quiet. Sea turtles had hatched and were making their way to shore.

Post by Soothtouch on Oct 28, 2017

Soothetouch picked up the little one he had helped to get out of it's egg. "Come on, little water pebble. To the sea you go!" He carried it a little way off the shore. As he lowered his hands in the water, the frantic flapping stopped for a moment when the turtle first made contact with it's natural habitat. Then it started swimmingm swift and graceful. 

"Do you need help standing up, with all those water pebbles?", he asked when he came to where Blacksable was sitting in the sand amidst many water pebbles.


Post by Blacksable - Cat rider+her cub on Oct 29, 2017

Seeing Wolfpath nearly loose her hold on one, Blacksable started to help, but soon saw she had it undercontrol. "Good save. You are a nimble maiden for sure." Happy to have Soothtouch and Wolfpath with her at the shore, she smiled. 

"Oh, yes, um, here, I would like that." She said as she took the pelt carefully in both hands bringing the ends together. Reaching out to Soothtouch, she smiled, easing up to her feet. 

She let go and held the bag out a bit to open it making sure the wee walking pebbles inside were safe. She held the bag out to Soothtouch and Wolfpath.

"Here are some more. I see you both have some too, hehehe. Soothtouch, just one nest had so many come out of it?! Amazing and strange to witness, hehe." Blacksable mused as she stood by her friends reaching into the make shift bag taking one at a time to let it go softly and careful in the water. 

"Whatamzing creatures and so harmless too. Merry part and though our friendship was all too brief, I wish you all well on your quest!" she giggles waving and standing bent over watching. 

After a bit, she could not see them any longer in the water and sighed. "I never thought that would happen, how fun! I like this new land and it's wonders. A good omen for finding a new home, I'd say, how about you two?"


Post by Soothtouch on Dec 3, 2017

Soothetouch smiled and nodded. "New life... it is always a miracle to witness and yes, I too think it is a good omen. A home waits for us here. It won't be far, I'm sure." He looked around, startled, when he heard Wolfpath gasp and chuckle.


Post by Wolfpath on Dec 3, 2017

"I think there's another nest ", Wolfpath announced, "Are these little ones all in the water?", she asked, "Then we can go and help the others!"

Post by Wolfpath on Jan 12, 2018

Wolfpath's eyes shone. "The Go-Backs must be a fearless tribe!" She grinned. "We never met them nor other elves, but I would sure like to meet the Go-Backs! Fighting and having fun too! Sounds great to me! But fighting trolls? Why?" She looked at Blacksable for an explanation. "A few trolls lived near our holt", she said, "We traded with them. There never were much problems.", she shrugged.


Post by Soothtouch on Jan 12, 2018

~**I have always adored the little ones**~, Soothetouch answered with a gentle smile, **~There's not much that's better then a wee ones cuddle**~ He glanced at Wolfpath, his eyes filled with love for his cub, ~**Well do I remember when she was a mere cub. Always too busy too go to sleep, but she loved to cuddle so I just held her until she slept. Cubs tend to calm down when I'm around, or so they say.**~


(Ooc: I'm glad there we can look the sending code up, can't remember it well yet either)


Post by Blacksable - Cat rider+her cub on Jan 14, 2018

Blacksable mused with a smile, listening to Wolfpath. She was so young. "They are fierce by nature. they love to sing and dance and roll in the furs before and after battles with Trolls. My Pride would trade with them now and again, but it has been more rare of late for some reason ((OOC: She has been trekking so long...need to figure out if she knows about the Palace being found or not)).

Well, they just always have. I do not know. They say it's for their way to go back to the Palace, but they have been fighting for so long. The Trolls there are as warrior like as the Elves. We stay hidden and keep clear of their feuds. 

Life is hard enough without fighting over homes left by the dead and dreams of glory over a foe." she paused a moment, looking down at her own feet as a sea pebble went flapping over her sandy toes. She wiggled them playfully at the wee thing, then looked back to Wolfpath. "Hehe, it's not for me, at least." 

She listened and smiled in surprise. "Oh?! Good trolls? I've never heard of one." She giggled shrugging in return and shook her head. she glanced over to Soothtouch with Darkstar and smiled warmly. It is the first time since the raft at least that a male has held cub, since that Planes runner she traveled with that helped her birth him, she reflects fondly.

Blacksable blushed with a growing grin. ~**I look forward to those times. It gives me great comfort to have you both here. Darkstar is a good boy, not ever complaining much even when food is sparse. It looks like you do have a soothing touch with him, for sure.**~ "She teased, but meant what she said. she looked over to Wolfpath. He has done well with raising you as well." Slight tears in her eyes. she was so happy. 


Post by Wolfpath on Feb 10, 2018

Wolfpath reflected on what Blacksable had told. “I’m not sure of it would be something for me either, the life of a warrior.”, she said, “But it does sound very exciting.” She smiled warmly back at Blacksable when she giggled. “And I have never heard of bad trolls, but one should always be weary when trading with them. They will always try to get the best out of evert deal.”