[PRP] To the North (Flidais and Eldrin)

[StrawberryRoseTea]

It had been a long while since he had misjudged his timing so poorly. He had known the storm was coming,as they so often did in these parts of the mountains, but by his judgement he had still had enough time to make one last run to gather some food in case the blizzard lasted more than a day or two. Oh how wrong he had been. It had come up suddenly just as he was turning back toward the cave where he customarily took shelter. "At least on the bright side I got the food." He muttered to himself. The wind whipped his words away as soon as they barely crossed his lips. Making sure his cloak was still secured, aw dropped his head and walked into the pelting snow heading in the direction that he hoped his shelter lay.

He had nearly made it to his destination when before him he noticed a dark shape against the backdrop of flurried white. It gave him pause as he didn't know whether the family of Kalona he had robbed of its servant was still in the area or not. Holding perfectly so as not to draw attention to his own hide's disruption of the vista he watched the figure. Too small to be one of the Kalona. And whoever they were they seemed to be having trouble with the snow. Breathing again, El began to push his way through the snow to see who this stranger was.

What a surprise! As he drew nearer the vague shape began to resolve itself into a mare.
"Hello!" he called to her from some several feet away as he didn't want to startle her. "Are you alright? Do you have shelter?" She was obviously cold and ill prepared for the mountain winter but it never hurt to give anyone the benefit of the doubt.

xX Green Tea Tree Xx

 

[StrawberryRoseTea]

Eldrin shook his head to clear the snow from the fur around his ears and eyes. Silly mare coming out here with no plan and unprepared, he thought to himself. Of course he himself hadn't really been any better off the first time he wandered up this way. He had been lucky that time to find shelter. Which happened to be the cave he was staying in now presently. After hearing she had no plans it wasn't even a moments decision for him to come to the conclusion that he would offer her shelter.
"The only herd you'll find up this way would have taken you in alright. And never let you leave. Last time I was this way I helped a charming mare escape them." He had to shake the snow from his face again. The storm was still picking up in intensity, the snow falling thicker, the gust getting harder and more frequent. "I have taken shelter in a cave just ahead. There's room if you'd like to come with me."

Since she had moved closer he took the time he waited for her reply to study her better. He was interested to see that she was a cerynei like himself. The red of her coat stood out starkly against the snow in a most attractive way. Her eyes, what he could see of them, made a brilliant contrast that he found lovely as well. Sharing quarters with her while they waited out the weather would be no chore if she chose to follow. He was again thankful for his foresight to always over prepare while gathering food.

xX Green Tea Tree Xx

 

[StrawberryRoseTea]

Somewhere between being charmed by the way her eye lit up as she expressed her gratitude and watching her shiver in the wind and snow Eldrin found himself unsecuring his feather cape. Mindful of the satchel stuffed with food, he pulled the cape from his body and draped it around her shoulders. He just couldn't stand to see her so miserably unprepared and out of place.
"We don't have far to go." he reassured her, making sure to stifle the shudder that wanted to move through his body as the chill wind cut through his fur where the feathers had previously been protecting him. "I'll tell you all about Kally once we're out of the weather and warming up. We'll have plenty of time while we wait for the storm to pass, I'm sure. So long as you don't tire of my company."

He stepped out continueing forward making his strides smaller than he usually would at his traveling pace so as to break a better path for her to follow. He knew the cold was only temporary and that as soon as they reached shelter it wouldn't be long before they both were toasty warm again but that bitter wind sure did cut through one making you feel almost as though you'd never be warm again. As he traveled the last bit of ground up to the cliff wall that the cave opening was in he repeatedly glanced behind to be sure that the scarlet mare was still managing alright in the snow. "It's just in here!" He called over his shoulder as he ducked his antlers into the opening that would give them shelter.

After the initial opening the entrance curved sharply to the left where it opened up into a cozy little cave that was just big enough for the pair of them to share it comfortably. Not too far from the entrance was a little bitty pile of coals in what looked to be a regular fire spot. While small it kept the cave at a comfortable temperature. In the back corner was a pile of woven mats of some sort of praerie grass and a few roughly woven blankets. Eldrin stopped near the fire and dropped his foraging finds unceremoniously in pile on top of similar things. He began to absently sort through what was there to allow her time to take in the shelter and make herself comfortable. "I have enough bedding that we should be able to split it and still be comfortable. I have a friend who is particularly talented at weaving things and she wanted to be sure I didn't freeze to death up here." He commented with a chuckle.

HoneyTeaTree

 

[StrawberryRoseTea]

Eldrin finished up sorting the various dried berries, roots and bark strips into their piles being sure each was arranged with the oldest of his finds on top so that it all remained relatively fresh as it was consumed. He mumbled a few words of gratitude under his breath for the little forest friends he had made the previously year who had so graciously shown and taught him where hidden food could be found in the inhospitable mountain winters. Even though he knew they couldn't hear him it still felt right to express his gratitude that he always seemed to have enough to share when situations called for it.

He watched her from the corner of his eye as she took in his little getaway home and felt a touch of pride as he watched her settle in and make herself comfortable. Though she had been unprepared for the elements up here she struck him as someone who could take care of herself and be comfortable anywhere. As she made her offer of assistance he gave her both of his eyes in respect and smiled. It seemed her morals were as strong as his own and he made a mental note to himself to explore her talents and knowledge to make sure there was indeed some way for her to help. Being used to being independent and self sufficient as he was it might take some doing but he'd be sure to figure something out.

"If there is anything I need I won't hesitate to ask." He assured her sincerely. He sensed that she was extremely capable and thought of how he had felt when he was in a similar situation back when he had taken his tumble down the cliff and found himself in another's care. It was always nice to be able to give back. On that thought he stirred the coal bed with a nearby stick held in his mouth before tossing anothe piece of fuel on it. He had to be careful about how much he fed his little fire or else it could make his little cave overwhelming warm. It really was a very nice spot if he did say so himself.

Satisfied that all was as it should be he settled down near the now cheerfully cracking fire. He put himself so that he was facing her and could meet her eyes as they talked.
"Ah yes, Kally." He began, smiling at her with pleasure that she had remembered his friend's name.

"Kasandra Lynn. I didn't so much save her as was just a stepping stone on her journey to save herself." His voices dropped a bit in tone becoming a bit rhythmic and intimate as he fell into story telling mode. "It was an evening quite like this one when I found this cave. I knew a storm was coming so I stockpiled some food and started my little fire with a trick I learned from an old medicine stallion that I met down in the more tropical climate." He knew that outside the sun was going down as he felt the warmth of the cave draw in and add atmosphere to his story. "I was sleeping fitfully, disturbed by the storm, when a ragged bony figure stumbled into my cave. At first I thought that maybe the legends of the lost ones that wander in storms devouring those they found were true and wondered if maybe I was about to meet my end." He paused for effect and the fire popped in perfect timing for drama. He had to stifle a chuckle at the perfectness of the timeing. "But then the figure collapsed, shaking me from my momentary anxiety."

"Concerned now I rose from my spot and went to investigate. What I found, much to my surprise and dismay, was a malnourished young mare." He stared deeply into Flidais' eyes, using his own to express exactly what a pitiful state Kally had been in. "For several days she drifted in and out of consciousness and I very carefully tried to get some nutrition into her. Sometimes her body would accept it other times it would not. The first time she fully regained her wits and control she stood and informed me that she was leaving back out into the storm. The mare was a survivor and not one to accept help lightly. There was also a haunted look in her eyes that told stories of running from something.

"Luckily I was able to convince her to stay until she was stronger, even offering to help her find her way out of the mountains. She of course declined my offer, I think she wanted to prove to herself that she was still her own person and still capable. We stayed here ping together until the first hint of spring melt. Then she was off. I advised she seek out my medicine stallion friend,as she talked of heading somewhere warm. I don't know if she ever did but someday I'll wander down in that direction and mabye find out." He smiled at he thought of perhaps finding Kally happy, healthy and thriving. " While she was here she was extremely private but I did eventually manage to get her story out of her.

" It happened that as a young foal her family was traveling through this area when they stumbled to close to the home of a cruel Kalona herd. Seeing the young strong filly they kidnapped her and raised her to be their servant. Barely caring for her enough to keep her alive and able to do the hard tasks they gave her. But despite that she seems to have maintained a wonderfully sweet attitude toward life." He nodded his head to himself.
"She's a good inspiration." He concluded his story.

"So what brings you out here, if I may ask?" He inquired truly curious, leaving unspoken his concern about her not having prepared properly. He also didn't want to dominate the conversation. He was genuinely interested in anything she had to say.

HoneyTeaTree

 

[StrawberryRoseTea]

As Eldrin wove Kally's story he carefully watched Flidais so as not to miss a single one of her reactions. The firelight dancing over her face had him nearly as enraptured in her as she was in his story. When she had been startled by the fire and was able to make light of her reaction it had nearly made him lose the thread of the story, as he wanted to chuckle with her at how they were enjoying the atmosphere. She was the perfect audience and he felt obligated to continue his telling if solely for the pleasure of watching her enjoy it.

When the story had come to an end and she spoke those words of respect to him he almost gave her a demure response but was stopped short when something about the way she spoke of destined meetings stopped him. He had quickly recovered to ask the questions about her instead and waited patiently and raptly while he watched her face as she gathered her answers. He was always fascinated to hear the stories of others, especially with such a large portion of his own missing.

He nodded, smiling, as she talked of her forest home. He had been through places like it on his wanderings. The way she spoke of it with love put a pang of loneliness in his chest, a longing for a permanent home that he knew his restlessness would never let him have. He squashed the feeling and continued to listen intently to her as she spoke of spirits and being guided by them.

The concept being put so blatantly was foreign to him but as he continued to listen to her, and did a little thinking on the subject himself, it didn't seem that implausible. However the idea of following something so esoteric into something so dangerous as a mountain winter still made him nervous. On the other hoof, did he himself not do something similar and far less sensible in picking a direction and wandering where the trails took him?

He gave his head a minuscule shake to clear it and followed her gaze to the fire as she spoke of me of hearing her spirits even now. As he stared with her into the embers, seeing the light dancing mystically in her eyes from the corner of his own he felt that he could almost hear the whispers she spoke of. It entranced him and he listened to the rest of her story caught in the spell woven by her soft voice and the entrancing flame. He looked up to meet her gaze and returned her smile with a genuine smile of his own.

"Greater meaning of meeting. . . Guided by the spirits of earth and nature... " He murmured to himself mulling the ideas over as he arranged his thoughts and questions for her. Hoping that he could convey his honest interest without making an a** of himself. He decided to start with something he had a better grasp on, "Herbs and ingredients for salves? Are you a healer for those near your home?" , despite himself he tacked on, "Do your spirits aid you in healing?"

He shook his head at himself and gave a little laugh. "I apologize. I've never heard anything of spirits or guides before." At least not that he could remember he added silently to himself. "Would you tell me more? Do they constantly guide your life or just important things, such as destined meetings. " He smiled at her conveying that he didn't think it was necessarily a bad thing to be guided into such. "Can others be guided without being known? How does one learn to hear the spirits, or is it inborn?" He firmly closed his mouth after that as he realized he was bombarding her with questions. Still, he was unconsciously leaning in toward her, intent on catching any information she might be willing to give him on the matter. He was a little confused at why it mattered to him so much, nothing had caught his attention so thoroughly before.

WC: 679

HoneyTeaTree

No worries! I Understand the whole time thing all too well. Sorry it takes me so long to respond sometimes too X3

 

[StrawberryRoseTea]

Eldrin listened intently as Flidais answered each of the questions he had posed to her. His eyes never left her as she patiently explained her beliefs to him. He nodded to her in respectful acknowledgment that she did all of her healing on her own. He was briefly curious if she would be willing to share any tidbits that could help with unforeseen circumstances in the future. He tucked the thought away for later consideration. He was still fascinated by the subject of guiding spirits.

While she spoke he soaked up every word. He also couldn't help but notice the way she seemed to almost glow as she spoke passionately about her beliefs. He considered that it could have been just the firelight but that didn't seem quite to fit. That little realization made him wonder if perhaps that little nudge to believe something other than what was most logical was the beginning of awareness of spirits. Or perhaps it really could have been just the spell woven by close quarters and firelight.

"Stories of trees . . . Whispers on the wind . . ." He repeated her words quietly to himself. There was something just on the edge of his consciousness that was silently insisting to be be noticed. Remembered. He stared into her eyes, watching the shadows and light catch. Then it finally clicked. All his wandering alone. Seeking storms and high places. " I think," he began slowly, " I understand." He smiled. "I may have even been hearing your . . . The" he corrected, "spirits without even realizing it. Or having a name for it at least." Encouraged by his discovery he continued. "You're right about so many having a disconnect with nature. I often receive odd looks or remarks about some of my habits. I never really understood why someone wouldn't want to spend quiet time alone. With trees. With storms."

He quieted himself back down. It was something for him to ponder more on his own time. The wonderful mare keeping him company should be where his thoughts were. He gave her a slightly embarrassed smile and decided to try a change of subject.
"Are you planning on staying in the mountains long? Feel free to take advantage of my little cave for as long as you need. When you do decide to head back to lower country I could accompany you if you wish." He reached his muzzle over to move another piece of wood into the fire. "Wouldn't want you to freeze on the way home after surviving this storm." He tacked on impishly.

HoneyTeaTree

 

[StrawberryRoseTea]

Eldrin nodded along with the mares profession to teach those who seemed in need of her beliefs.
"I agree with you. Many could benefit with a re-connection through nature. Especially with such a lovely teacher as you." He didn't even pause in his compliment of her, stating it as if it were merely fact. "I myself am grateful for your beliefs and willingness to share." He smiled at her. "I feel as though I finally understand the voice that has been echoing in my ears for some time. At least to enough of a degree to realize it is truly there and not merely some figment of guilt or imagination." He closed his eyes and shook his head a bit, his antlers throwing dancing shadows on the cave walls. "Not that I know anything that I should be guilty of." a bit of confusion colored his voice before he shook it off.

Her hum drew him to open his eyes and focus on her own, instantly mesmerizing him. He could have sworn he saw images dancing in the firelight reflected in her eyes. Things that represented the full range of anything any being could possibly experience in a single existence. Emotions. Failures. Triumphs. He rationalized that perhaps the storm and firelight could have been affecting him. That, along with the talk of spirituality. He hoped that he wasn't seeing things solely from the desperation of having something to cling to in his otherwise barren life and spirituality. But no! He himself had experienced much of which she spoke of even if he had been to self absorbed to listen to the whispers of the world around him. They were truly there. He was sure.

"I understand that." He commented on the mare's explanation of her wanderlust in response to his question. "Following spirits myself, or not, I always know when it is time to move on." He tried to lighten his own spirits with a smile at her. When she responded lightheartedly to his teasing he felt the heaviness of his own musing lift, leaving him to continue verbally dancing with her lightheartedly.

"I think you prepared just enough for your journey. Had you been any more or less prepared I wouldn't have had the pleasure of your company tonight." He couldn't help but stare as she continuously adjusted on the hard packed floor. " Do you need a mat?" he asked abruptly. Anything he could do to provide her comfort would please him at that moment. She had done something helpful to him. When she continued on speaking of not objecting to his company once she left the mountain he felt a lightness take root in his chest. Yes. This seemed right. Was this the spirits? He chuckled once again to himself. It seemed that once they had been mentioned they were everywhere if one sought them. Maybe. He would learn, now that he was aware, what was and wasn't his own beliefs/fears etc.

She spoke of repaying his generousness and he couldn't help but blush a little. It was second nature to him to help those in need or keep company with those that needed it. He hoped the firelight hid his reaction.
"I need no repayment other than what you've already taught me, opened my mind to." A thought suddenly struck him. This time he tried not to analyze it as being spirit sent or not. He tried to follow it naturally.
"Unless, " he paused, the thought bittersweet, " you would be willing to someday meet my daughter and share with her the wisdom you have shared with me." He gave a strangled laugh, " She obviously takes more after me than her mother. She wanders without really much of a direction. She is the joy of my heart but I would like to see better for her than my own directionless lifestyle being reflected in her." A true smile came over his lips and he seemed truly lighthearted. "Not that she's unhappy. I just have a feeling she could benefit from your teaching. As have I."

"But yes," he continued, smoothly switching subjects, "As long as you would have me I will stay by your side." He smiled quirky little smile, like a schoolchild first using recently learned knowledge. "Unless the spirits pull either of us away." A thought struck him. "If you would like, once the storm breaks I could teach you what I know of mountain survival. Though it's not much beyond finding a cave and making friends with the locals." he laughed at himself. "Do you know how to make fire? I only learned just before coming here for the first time. I wasn't very good at it until my life depended on it. If it turns out you know better ways than I, I am more than willing to learn,"

While Eldrin continued to try to keep up a conversation with the mare he felt his eyes grow heavy. Between the hypnotism of the firelight and the comfort of his company it was hard for him to keep awake. Add to that his day of gathering in the cold and it became a struggle, as the warmth and comfort enveloped him, to stay awake. He didn't want to disrespect the mare, or miss anything she had to say so he fixed his eyes on hers and clung to awareness.

HoneyTeaTree