Cat Elf Encampment

Rain seems to fall more and more with each passing day, and you know soon the rainy season will start anew. A soft sweet decay lingers softly in the scents you pick up here in the fast moving air. The scourge of the changing seasons calls, and it's vanguard melts the away the dry season right before your eyes.
The leaf-filtered light sifting down from the midnight sky sharpens the shadows in the Cat Elves' encampment to razor-black borders, and the blue and red halos of moonscend bathe the shapes of the tents and shelters with eerie shadows.

Mother moon is waning half and Child moon is new here at the beginning of summer.

The chieftain of the Cat Elves works over the fire pit and begins to work with a few dried sticks and striking stones. After a few attempts, Kaer is rewarded for his work with a low warm burning fire.

Yuki pokes her head in towards to look. "Whatcha doin?"

YUKI

Tallish, with a bright, smiling face, Yuki is somewhat plain. Her most noticeable feature is the bright hazel of her eyes that changes with her mood. She has curly auburn hair that reaches just below her shoulders, a stubborn set to her jaw and a mischeivious glint to her eye. She wears a light leather short-tunic, tied just below her bustline, and comfortable, light short-breeches. She sometimes wears sandals tied with leather thongs, but prefers to go barefoot most of the time. She is a very quiet walker, and quite fast when running.

The sun starts to dip low in the sky, casting a long orange cast across the sky. What can be seen is clear, not a cloud to be seen. The wind is strangely still too. Despite any attempts to the contrary, it just feels like SOMEthing is in the air tonight.

Kaer looks up from the fire, a smile creasing his dusky face. ** Heyla Yuki, ** he offers cheerfully, setting aside the striking stones and carefully adding brush and kindling to the growing fire. ** I decided to start the fire tonight myself, rather than call one of the sentries to do it. ** He chuckles, looking out towards the darkness. ** Alons needs to pay attention to what is going on outside the Encampment, in any case. **

Yuki nods and sniffs the air. **Smells...odd...tonight.** She smiles and scoots closer to the fire. **I was going to go wandering, but something isn't right. Ah well.**

Kaer finishes with the fire, its size only about a third of what the well-used fire ring can contain, and settles back on a large, flat stone. He nods, well-used to the keen instincts of his tribemates in testing the environment around them. ** There have been a few more rains this turn than last, ** he admits with a smile for the kit to bely any concern the chieftain might have for such a season.

Yuki lifts an eyebrow, suspecting he senses more than just the weather, but leaves well enough alone. She moves herself a bit closer to Kaer, hopefully to snuggle up against his side. **I was going to just stay in the tree, but I couldn't bring myself to do so. I don't like not being where I think the action's going to be.**

The orange glow starts to fade, just as the first faint BOOM of skyfire can be heard. The rain is far off, but the thunder can still be heard and seen even here.

Kaer chuckles, shaking his sandy-brown mane in amusement at the kit's bold words. ** It looks to be a hot season ahead... definitely not a time for lingering in the trees. ** He pats Yuki's shoulder, picking up a dried, gnarled branch with his other hand and poking the fire idly.

Yuki jumps. **Erk! I hate that boom!**

As the last remnants of daylight fade, the jungle is occasionally illuminated by the skyfire, followed a few moments later by distant skybooms.

Kaer rubs the side of his nose good-naturedly. ** Even when you were born, Laenya used to say that you did not care for loud noises. Be thankful that you were not born in the north, where they have more noise than one would care for. Then again, perhaps you would turn out with deaf ears as they do. **

Yuki shakes once, her eyes looking like a cat that's looking for a rock to dive under. **Yes, well...I suppose it just goes to show that I was meant for the jungles.**

Again the jungle canopy is lighted up by the flash of Skyfire. Before the Skyboom can be heard, another flash and... Someone standing on the edge of the fire light.

Yuki shudders again, then sniiiiffs the air. She almost appears to have ears, as her head swivels slowly to regard the figure in the firelight. **Who is that, Kaer?**

** And happy we are to have yo... ** Kaer begins to send when his senses pick up the presence of another being on the edge of the circle, the faintest rasp is all that is heard as the chieftain of the Cat Elves is on his feet in the next instant, his right hand now covered by something that catches the edge of the fire's light.
With a faint rasp, Kaer slides his silvery claws over his hands.

...nine inches of razor-sharp brightmetal glitters from the back of his hand.

Yuki crouches behind Kaer's legs, something all kits usually learn to do when situations like this arise. And while she's not a kit anymore, she's close enough, and doesn't have her cat with her...bad thing, that.

The figure takes a step forward then collapses onto it's hands and knees. Lothar has definately seen better days. His clothes are ripped and worn thin from much travelling, and he's looking like he hasn't eaten for awhile. Beside where he kneels, a rustling in the bushes can be heard.

LOTHAR

     This elf's black hair seems to have a mind of it's own, going wherever it pleases despite the grey headband attempting to control it. With an almost seeming jealosy of their matching darkness, a shock of his hair falls over his face in an attempt to hide his coal-black eyes. His body is lean and lanky, and has a weathered look to it.

     On his back he wears a light grey vest, left open in the front, exposing his tanned chest, giving proof that he has spent much time in the open sun. He wears baggy, black shorts, cut off just above the knee, and black leather boots with grey tie-laces.

** ALONS! RAEL! ** Kaer sends loudly to the sentries out at the perimeter of the Encampment, torn between frustration that a stranger could enter the Cat Elves' home so easily and concern for the obvious condition of the visitor. Making sure that Yuki is not holding onto him, he bounds over the rock, cutting over one edge of the fire in a sprint and reaches Lothar's side within seconds. He doesn't recognize the figure at first, holding his right hand in a loose defensive clench while reaching for the figure with his left.

Lothar skitters backwards, suddenly full of energy. He looks at Kaer... or at least tries to. His focus is a bit hard to keep once Kaer stops moving... He reaches to his hip, for a familiar weapon that's no longer there. ** Ki.. Ki... Cat... must find... ** The sending is strong, the source behind it is what falters. From the bushes emerges a large , fairly young female black panther, standing beside Lothar protectively.

A few seconds later, two figures come crashing through the bushes off to the side from the main path and come running up to the chieftain and the strange figure. Alons, the taller of the two, turns pale at the sight of the intruder, and Rael, looking once at Kaer's face with a sickly smile, runs a nervous hand through his fine black hair as he tries to think of an excuse, ANY excuse.

Yuki stands, curious, to peer at the new person without actually getting too close.

Lothar skitters further away from the growing crowd, now holding a non-existant weapon in his hand defensively. Obviously he's not quite all there mentally. The Panther, young tho she is, tries to stand over Lothar protectively.

Yuki smiles gleefully. **Kitty! He has a kitty!**

Kaer frowns slightly in recognition at the thin face, ** Where...?? ** he sends in confusion. The sight of the panther emerging to stand next to the figure interrupts his pondering, his attention turning to the two sheepish sentries. He sends, ** All right, all right... go fetch some food and herbs, make yourselves useful. ** He dismisses the two and turns his attention back to Lothar.

Rael ducks his head in quick assent, plucking at a gaping Alons' sleeve to drag him off east through the Encampment, towards the herbalist's tent.

Lothar snaps his head and looks at Yuki, sending a quick (albiet over-powered) send-probe at the young kit.

Yuki yelps and skitters back, holding her head. **Hurt...ow...!**

At Yuki's cry, Kaer growls menacingly and brings his right hand up, the metal claws sprouting from his muscled arm glittering. Then he blinks, peering hard at Lothar's face, ** No... cannot be... haven't seen him in turns..... **

Lothar tries to skitter back from Kaer some more, too bad there's a tree there. He holds his weaponless holding hand out at Kaer, trying to fend off the elf ** Kiera... must find Kiera.... Cat Elves.... Must get home. **

The young panther, Troubleseeker, looks between Kaer and her bond-friend, not sure what to do anymore. Kaer seems less hostile now but...

Yuki sends openly ** He's...hurt in the head, Kaer. **

** LOTHAR. ** Kaer's send is incredulous, the chieftain finding it difficult that this poor, thin creature is the strong, sure hunter and warrior that had left many turns before. ** Lothar... you are home. Don't you recognize it? This is the Encampment.. this is the Forevergreen, our home. ** He takes a step forward, lowering his clawed right hand almost behind his back in a well-known gesture of peace. ** Lothar? **

Lothar fidgets, trying to focus on Kaer's form... his eyes are obviously glazed over (What little you can see behind that mane of hair). He looks unsure ** Kie... Kae... Kaer? **

Kaer nods reassuringly, slowly clipping his claws to his belt and drawing his arm out of them. ** Yes, Lothar. It is Kaer. You are home now. ** He holds out his left hand to the confused Cat Elf, aware of Yuki's pain but concentrating on first things first.

Lothar slowly looks at the proffered hand, before looking at his. For a long moment he doesn't move then he wiggles his fingers, as if realizing he's not really holding a weapon. Troubleseeker mrrrs? worringly as Lothar reaches out and takes Kaer's hand ** Home? **

Yuki shakes her head, most of the reaction pain fading as she systematically tests everything in her head.

** Home, ** confirms the Cat Elf chieftain, taking a few steps closer to Lothar as his right arm comes out to encircle the other's shoulders, helping to support his weight. His send is both joyful and serious, ** Welcome home, Lothar. **

Lothar clambers awkwardly to his feet, looks at Yuki then just collapses into Kaer's grip. He's obviously exhausted.

Yuki blinks. **He ok?**

Slinging one of Lothar's arms around his shoulder, Kaer hoists the other up and walks him over to the fire, careful not to make any sudden moves in front of the watchful panther. ** We'll see, kit. We'll see. ** he replies briskly, whistling across the clearing at a face appearing out of the tent on the far side.

Troubleseeker follows her friend, looking at Kaer warily. He seems willing to help. Ooh, a small elf.. She wanders over to Yuki and sniffs the kit.

After a few more minutes, Alons reappears carrying a large pouch constructed from leaves and sinew, the ragged edges of herbs and roots protruding from the top, and runs over to the fire, dropping the bundle near Kaer and Lothar. ** Rael will be coming along with the herbalist soon. ** he reports to the chief.

Yuki giggles softly and buries her face in the panthers neck. **Nice kitty. [warmth] I have a kitty of my own, but she's not here. Nice kitty.**

Troubleseeker fwomps down to the ground on her side, absently batting at the young kit. She keeps one eye on Lothar and Kaer as she does.

Yuki sends openly ** If any more herbs are needed, I can find them. I know where to find any herb! **

Lothar moans, the onset of a fever starting. He again tries to focus on Kaer ** Kiera? Milar? Where are my lifemates...? **

Kaer nods to the young Cat Elf, easing Lothar down onto a long log set at one side of the fire and poking at the bundle. He sniffs the air, inhaling the pungent scent of the herbs within ** Sweetleaves, good. Esor bloom... I don't think our visitor has a tummy ache, do you? ** he gently chides the young sentry. ** Spiceroot, good. Make sure we have plenty for tonight. **

Alons nods quickly, blushing visibly under his tanned skin at the faux pas in bringing the esor bloom. ** Yes, Kaer! I'll make sure we find every bit of spiceroot from here to the savannah! ** His green eyes slip sideways at Yuki's declaration, the corner of his mouth twitching as he tries not to show amusement.

Yuki sticks her toungue out at Alons. **I've probably seen more of the jungles than you, scaredy cat!**

Alons looks very tempted to answer the kit back in kind, but he doesn't dare after allowing Lothar to slip by him so easily. The fact that the visitor appears to be known to the chieftain may mitigate the circumstances a bit, but for now he is taking no chances.

Lothar closes his eyes for a moment, resting then opens them, a sense of focus within them. His sending is also a little clearer, tho it's obviously forced past the growing fever ** Kaer... where are we? **

Kaer waves his hand, ** Get going, Alons. We'll discuss this all later... and tell Rael that I will talk to him as well. Go. ** He unties the bundle, pulling out a handful of sweetleaves and bunching them up, so as to collect the sap in his hand and bring it to Lothar's mouth.

Alons sends openly, ** Yes, Kaer! ** and darts away, disappearing in between the tents.

Yuki sticks her tongue out one last time.

Kaer smiles gently at Lothar's fevered face, nodding slowly ** You are home, Lothar. You are in the Encampment. ** He dribbles some of the sweet, honey-like substance in his hands along Lothar's lips, instructing the other ** Now drink this, it will make you feel better. **

Lothar licks his lips, knowing this is meant to help him. He's calmed down considerably. Almost like waking up from a dream... ** Home? I finally made it home? Where are the others? My family? **

Kaer shhs quietly, shooting a stern look at Yuki to keep silent on THAT subject for the time being. ** All in good time, Lothar. Rest now, save your strength. You'll see the others when you get a little better. **

Troubleseeker clambers to her feet and walks over to look at Kaer curiously.

Yuki sends openly ** **He's ok, kitty.** **

Lothar looks at Kaer, as if not quite trusting him. With a sigh he leans back. ** I'm home... I'm finally home... ** He twists his head to look at Yuki, the elf present he doesn't recognize.

Kaer nods, smiling down at Lothar as the sweetleaves do their job in calming him down. ** We'll get you moved into an empty tent as soon as possible, Lothar. ** The curiosity gets the better of him, however, as he asks, ** It has been so long... where have you been? **

Lothar tears his gaze away from Kaer ** Eh? Oh... ** He sits up, fighting to keep from collapsing backwards. He takes a few of the sweetleaves and just munches on them ** I... it's... how long has it been? ** (OOC - about 60 turns)

Kaer shakes his head wearily, looking every one of his turns tonight. ** A long time, cousin. A long time. ** He manages a smile, indicating Yuki with a casual hand. ** This is Yuki, Lothar. She's Laenya's kit. **

Yuki smiles brightly. **Hiya!**

Lothar turns his gaze back on Yuki and nods. He looks down at the ground ** You remind me... of young Tarien... **

Yuki blinks. **Who's that?** she asks with a tilt of her head.

Lothar looks back up at Yuki then at Kaer ** I was... floating. I remember floating, then waking up with... webbing. I was covered in some sort of cocooon, and Troubleseeker was digging me out... **

Yuki blinks. **Sounds like one of those flutter things!**

Lothar sends openly ** Flutter? Yes... I recall fluttering things. Movement. But I was so tired.. so very tired. **

Kaer nods soberly, having become acquainted with preservers several hundred turns ago in his youth when he travelled more extensively up north. A number of sightings had been reported in the last decade or so... ** Preservers... that could explain his absence, if he had been wrapped by one such. **

Lothar continues on, oblivious to anything else ** I was looking... I don't remember for what. Tired, I was tired. I'd been searching for moons. I don't even remember how long. So sad... I recall... I was sad. Like I lost something. **

Kaer shhes Lothar, placing a comforting hand on his arm. ** Rest now, Lothar. It will all come back to you in time. For now, you are home and safe among your tribemates. **

Lothar looks up at Kaer, for the first time in many turns showing real emotion ** Where are my lifemates Kaer? I must know. **

Kaer keeps his expression neutral, only giving a slight shake of his head. ** They are... not here, Lothar. We will speak more once you have gotten well again. ** The last is given with a touch of command, combined with the chief's knot (which was not there when you left turns before) to give it the force of order.

Lothar frowns, his face resuming it's normal dour look ** Yes... Chief. ** He sighs and leans back, tho he doesn't sleep, not yet. he's too busy looking around the camp, and watching Yuki for some reason, a twinge of wistfulness in his eyes.

Yuki looks somewhat worriedly at Lothar and just shakes her head.

Troubleseeker lays down next to her elf-friend and closes her eyes, seeming awfully comfortable with the area.

[Scene fades out]