28/02/2006
Rainbow Lake
Walks-Middle wanders on to Wendigo territory and makes her way toward the lake. The Child looks tired, tail drooping as she plods along, sniffing here and there. Eventually, she does pause to chuff a greeting, a general query as to who might be around.
Veronica emerges from the longhouse at a sprint, charging towards whoever made that sound with an expression of sheer joy. She slows herself a bit as she realises it's not exactly who she expected, then tumbles onto all fours. The cub looks pretty darn goofy as she takes her time shifting to lupus. Walks-Middle-rhya! she barks, prancing towards the Child of Gaia.
Walks-Middle perks her ears and looks toward the cub as she runs forward, some of the weariness fading away and replaced by amusement. Hello! she steps over to the cub, tilting her head. You are well?
Fledgling nearly falls over from wagging, lowering her head and bouncing here and there. I am well! I am well! I am having good dreams! Is Walks-Middle-rhya well? She lifts her head and chases her own tail a moment, before sidestepping around the Child of Gaia.
Walks-Middle flattens her ears at the mention of dreams, tensing slightly, but makes an effort to show that she is happy Fledgling is well. I will be well. I am trying to be well.
Fledgling's thumping tail slows. Walks-Middle-rhya is not well? She starts sniffing the Ahroun, not putting her nose too close. Her tail lowers, and her ears, everything back to her submissive posture.
Walks-Middle's posture slumps. Lonely. And bad dreams. But these things will get better with time. Pierces Ice-rhya said. And she has been working on figuring out the strange dream.
Fledgling pokes the Ahroun in the shoulder. Walks-Middle-rhya has Fledgling to bother her now, she points out, wagging a little again. Does not always have to be lonely. Will get better. I was lonely. Then Noisy Ghost came. There are worse things than being lonely. Like Noisy Ghost. The cub chuffs, her tail waving happily.
Walks-Middle snorts at that, but does look somewhat comforted. I am glad to have friends and a pack. Would be lonely forever without them. I miss having a tribe, though. But more will come. It will get better.
Fledgling bounces backwards, playfully. Great pack! Mighty pack! Strong bison-spirit! She feints back and forth, as though headbutting something, hard. Pierces Ice-rhya, strong, wise alpha! She stands proud for a moment, as she might imagine Jacinta posing. Scary, spooky Circle Keeper-rhya. She slinks back and forth, sniffing the ground, giving everything a funny look. Untangler-rhya, always poking and thinking. She stumbles a bit, sways her head as she's seen Horace do. And Walks-Middle-rhya, she finishes, bunting the elder with her nose, then dodging away. Little, and fierce, and funny. Good pack. Get better.
Walks-Middle lolls out her tongue as she watches and listens to the cub, amused and pleased. She straightens proudly at the mention of her own name, then dances to the side, tail wagging. Yes, yes! It is a good pack! I am pleased to be in such a good pack.
Fledgling chuffs, her tail swishing back and forth. Walks-Middle-rhya takes care of whole caern, she states admiringly. All tribes look up to guardian. All Garou know guardians are good and wise and glorious and honorable, she adds, skittering around in a circle as the elder wags her tail.
Walks-Middle looks pleased and flattered by the cub's statements, chuffing her agreement. Thank you. You are a wise cub. I will tell Pierces Ice-rhya you are. You are learning much?
Fledgling's tail flies. I am learning. Making friends with other cubs. Being good in the farmhouse, sleeping at the lake. I will meet Kaz-rhya soon, will be a better Galliard. She perks up even more (as though it's possible) then bounces in place. I have learned a dance! A human-tribe dance! From my ancestor! This may be the happiest day of her life, the way she's acting.
Walks-Middle looks impressed. Ears-rhya is a good Garou, good teacher. She tilts her head curiously. A dance? That is good! May I see sometime?
Fledgling wags and wags and wags some more, dropping into a happy playbow and chewing on an unfortunate stick. When I can do it right-just-right. It is a woman dance, and he was not good at the steps. It is simple, but not simple. There is bouncing. Up and down she goes again.
Walks-Middle wags her tail as well, picking up on the cub's enthusiasm. I look forward to seeing it when you get it right! I do not know any dances, but I can do leaps and jumps and rolls in homid.
Fledgling snorts overwrought, comic disbelief. Walks-Middle-rhya's people must have dances. For spirits and happiness and people and fun. And songs. Must have songs, too. And stories. Dances are stories, too. She gnaws on her stick. Walks-Middle-rhya just does not know them.
Walks-Middle droops in overdramatic disappointment. Yes, I do not know them. Then she brightens again. But I know stories! Stories from Guards-Flame the former Elder. I heard songs from her, too.
Fledgling perks up, practically vibrating. About Grandmother's Children-tribe? Walks-Middle-rhya, share stories, and I will make dances! Teach them to Walks-Middle-rhya, and then you have tribe-dances. She wags more, ever so thrilled with herself for thinking of such a wonderful idea.
Walks-Middle perks as well, blinking as she considers the proposal. Yes! she barks, dancing from paw to paw in excitement. I will share our stories for you to make dances! I like this idea. Very good idea.
Fledgling discards her stick with a chuff, and bunts Walks-Middle again, dancing backwards. Make dances of Walks-Middle-rhya stories. Big stories. Lots of glory. Big jumps, big arms. Fast, she says, already dodging back and forth like a fighter.
Walks-Middle chuffs her agreement, entering into her own playbow as she watches the cub, tail wagging. Yes, yes! Good stories. Will tell old stories and new stories. Good for your moon to know many tales. She tilts her head. I must ask Pierces Ice-rhya if she wants me to wait until after your Rite. Stories teach.
Fledgling thumps down to the ground as though she's suddenly died. I will wait. I will learn stories, be good cub, go on vision quest and become cliath. And then learn more stories and make dances. She can't help but wiggle again, then rolls back onto her feet.
Walks-Middle parts her jaws in a yawn. That is good, she chuffs, weariness creeping into her voice. Be a good cub, and soon you will be a good Garou. She flops down to the ground. Tired, not sleeping well... Is Pierces Ice-rhya nearby? Or has she gone to the bawn?
I find her every morning, the cub explains, padding in a circle around Walks-Middle. I leave her, after we run together. She is on the bawn most times. I smell her there, when I go in the woods. Not here now. Fledgling licks her chops, then gives a short, low howl. When there's no reply, she cocks her head to the Child of Gaia. No Pierces Ice-rhya here right now.
Walks-Middle rests her head on her paw. I will look for her there. I want to tell her my dream. She is wise and might have advice. I had done much head thinking since yesterday, but would like to see what she says. I should return to the woods soon.
Fledgling licks Walks-Middle's ear. Hunt with me first? See Pierces Ice-rhya with a full stomach, so only thinking of what she has to say? She shakes herself out, evidently very eager for a run.
Walks-Middle lifts her head to look up at the cub, considering. The rumble from her stomach makes the decision for her, however, and she stands. Yes, we will hunt. That is a good idea.
Fledgling wags her tail, backing off a few steps. There are rabbit-smells to the south, Walks-Middle-rhya, she suggests, craning her neck in that direction. Many, many.
Walks-Middle sniffs in that direction, ears forward. We will go south, she decides. With a glance at the cub, she starts off in search of prey.
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