ORP - Why Then the Darkening of the Light?

Asha parked her furry butt the moment that Wisteria sent to them. She wanted very much to hear the tale of the first Lifemates. She had come to the grove hoping to find someone special. It might not be a lifelong bond, but she could happily ponder a season for the right mate. There was potential within her own coterie, but no one that she shared a special bond. Perhaps she would look after the story.

Not far, Abrazitos settled to listen. His eyes scanned the group of 'rhyn, and sucked back a growl when he saw Isadyn. By the Three Sisters, wouldn't that doe leave him be?! It had grown quite obvious to him that for some reason that ka'rhyn had chosen him and he was fairly certain that he didn't have much of a say in the matter. The Elders of his coterie were urging him to take her as a mate for now. He had declined politely, he hadn't ever planned to breed, much less with a crazy rainbow hued doe.

Isadyn spotted Asha, and knowing Abrazitos would be nearby, she searched until she spotted them. For the first time in her life, the doe shifted nervously. She would have to make her intentions clear soon, let him know that she wanted to have him as a mate, for at least this season, maybe longer. She drew in a deep breath, and her normal confidence flooded back into her frame, she stood up and walked toward her coterie mates.

The wind howled and the night lay dark upon the snow of the forest outside the Gloaming Grove where Wisteria dwelled. Within the protective arms of the ancient tree's draping branches the ti'rhyn gathered close together as the elder le'rhyn began to sing-send the Ballad of Toryn & Benele.


Hearts are want to change as so the Seasons were their way
Spring's eager hope gives way to Summer's passion
Autumn's gentle grace may fade to Winter's chilling cold
But some remain as strong as the Mountain's feet
And if the crystal call is found by those who yearn for harmony
Two such hearts may find another that will match their own...

While everyone gathered for the story, two others braved the wind and snow to find their way to the Wisteria tree and the Grove. The trees offered some shelter and at first it was only the scent of the sweet flowers of the Wisteria and the smell of other ti'rhyn that drew them through the cold.

As they moved forward they found they heard a mind voice sending a song, a story. The voice was pure magic to them both and they exchanged a look as they beat their wings a bit faster to find the 'rhyn that told the story.

They were surprised to find the tree; a tall, arching, glorious tree in full bloom, compared to the sleeping ones they had moved through to find this grove. But it wasn't just the tree that held them in awe, as they hovered at the edge of the grove, their eyes wide at the multitude of ti'rhyn gathered beneath the tree's branches. They shared another glance, and softly settled down, staying toward the edge of the grove.

She cuddled up closer to her mate, listening, quiet for the moment. There were ti'rhyn of every shape and color here, some with wings, some without, all kinds. She shivered and found her eyes locked on the dark one sitting beneath the tree - the one telling the story, who had only a single horn.

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The forest colored Ma'rhyn made his way stealthily throughout the frozen woods. He was careful to keep his pouch of carefully hoarded treasures from brushing against anything. Silence was his best friend and Invisibility was his buddy - at least while traveling.

The Grove was just ahead. The scent of The Wisteria wafted on the wind and into his face, along with the scent of a couple of 'rhyn (Tae'lyn and Myrth) he had never scented before, either individually or by type. As they came into view cuddled up together just outside the clearing the buck knew for sure he had never met any 'rhyn like them with their various glowing points and tuft-like wings.

The pair seemed uncertain. He eased his way closer. When he was sure his scent (of lavender and peppermint) was registering with the pair he made a gentle sound to further alert them to his presence.

*Greetings. My name is Teletz. You are new here to this part of the forest.* He saw no need to question the obvious. 'Rhyn such as these had never been seen here. *Welcome.*

She stepped closer. To him. Elija felt himself glow with warmth and he nodded as he listened to her speak. Her voice was lilting, saying more to him than his eyes ever could. 'Ah yes… I'm afraid I don't really have a Coterie. The two-legger canine doesn't let me out very often… He worries. So I sleep most of the day, while he is out, and then stay up and listen to the stars and the night-music while he sleeps…' He smiled a whispy smile, eyes distant. 'I adore the night.'

He heard the story-song begin as well, but thought nothing of it until the doe before him seemed to light up and asked him to accompany her over. For a moment he froze. Go… Over there? Into the crowd? For indeed a crowd had clustered even closer to the tree to better 'hear' the story. Even on the outskirts the thought of such a condensed crowd his heart beat faster, but with bodies pressing around him and the 'sound' of so many 'rhyn… He was terrified. But he looked at the doe, the first outside contact he had had since the bewitching hairless doe (whom he still could not help but look out for. She had stolen some part of him that day in the woods…) and he felt… Safe.

He tried to breath deeply and hoped she wouldn't notice the almost hyper-sonic beating of his heart as he nodded once more. 'A-alright. I will s-sit with you…'

---

A silent yawn stretched Saluki's mouth wide, showing her sharply dagger'd canines. How boring. She held no faith with the concept of love, and shuddered at the thought of being eternally 'mated', being tied down in any way was repulsive to her. And so, while the others lent their full attention to the old Le'rhyn doe, she cast her gaze outwards, to the shadows.

She had already noticed the little white thing, familiar in the way that she had seen it curled inside the humanoid canid's coat once or twice, like a common house-pet. But he had never spoken to him, and it seemed a weak and uninteresting creature. Pointless. Another seemed to have approached the sad excuse for a rhyn anyway, so wasn't going to be able to amuse herself by tormenting him anyway! But, where before the shadowed treeline had been bereft of life and movement, there was now a… Ripple.

The warmth of life pulsed out there, a steady heartbeat… No, not one but three! She narrowed her eyes, then grinned to herself. There was something about this group. Like… A sound she could not hear, vibrating through the back of her mind without ever hearing it, or a scent that lifted her nose to the wind without being able to smell a thing. Something… New. Finally unfurling her wings she let from the branch and glided to the edge of the clearing, flapping only once, to land barely a metre in front of the group.

So. From only two of them came the strangeness, and it was reflected in their appearance. Like no other rhyn she had ever seen were these… The other was a ma'rhyn, a buck, boring and unimportant. But the two… Walking forward, she shed her invisibility like dust from her fur and spoke in a quiet voice, playful in the way a cat might toy with a mouse, not even glancing at the ma'rhyn.

'Well well. What have we here…?'

For her part, Wisteria took note of the two newcomers (Tae'lyn & Myrth). Indeed, the le'rhyn had felt them some distance off and the ancient tree that was the heart of her grove had passed it's own whispers to her as they had brushed in between it's branches. There was the briefest of pauses to her story-song as she sent them a warm welcome and an invitation to join them before she continued...

Toryn was a pu'rhyn with striking wings
of black and gold and red he gleamed
So often a deep and glorious song followed him through the woodland
Benele was a le'rhyn with brilliant horn
of white and silver and cream she shone
So quick was the woodland's love for her that blossoms bloomed as she passed

They met at the river bend by Kia's full light, with Jen & Tyris peeking past Mount Terreth
The glorious singing of the pu'rhyn caught the ears of the flower-keeper
The great verdant path of the le'rhyn's paws caught the eye of the song-weaver too
Through the whole of the morning they laughed and played
Through the day then and on into night...


Spring's eager hope gives way to Summer's passion
Autumn's gentle grace may fade to Winter's chilling cold
But some remain as strong as the Mountain's feet
And if the crystal call is found by those who yearn for harmony
Two such hearts may find another that will match their own...

Tae'lyn's eyes went wide as the Ma'rhyn (Teletz) came up to greet them. She had never seen anything like this male before and she was momentarily speechless. She noticed his scent and found it very nice. The young doe moved slightly toward the new male, curious of the antlers and spikes down the buck's back.

Hello. I am Tae'lyn. Her voice was soft, with a slight maternal sound, and sweet. What is happening here? Is it a special day? She asked.

While she was occupied with the ma'rhyn, Myrth looked over the gathering of ti'rhyn. He listened to the words of the elder, the lovely midnight-colored doe, as she finished the story. Something made him uneasy from the moment they stepped into the clearing, despite the welcome he had already begun to feel. It made his fur fluff out a bit and he stood guard next to his mate. He watched as a black as shadows, winged doe appeared. As she moved toward them his antennae began to glow a bit more brightly and intensified.

At the sound of her voice, he growled, a low, eerie sound came from him. What are you? His voice was deep for something his size, a voice that might speak to you in the dark, that would either comfort or terrify its receiver.

Beside him, Tae'lyn came to attention. She stared at her mate with a bit of confusion and then saw Saluki. Her own glow added to the light that Myrth already was emitting. She didn't growl, she just stared, ready to move if she needed to.

Arolaah had been listening to the story-song quietly from the edge of the gathered group. When the new comers(Tae'kyn & Myrth) came with their soft nearly silent wings, bright appendages and short furry tails she found herself quite distracted. At first she attempted to maintain focus on Wisteria's sending out of respect, but really, stories about life-mates where currently of little more than passing fancy to her and the two began to cause a stir simply by their presence and apparently different nature.

a black as shadows, winged doe appeared

The Ja'rhyn was beside them in a moment, her movement unseen but presence undeniable as she stood now betwixt Saluki and the pair. Not so much, between them as to one side, but well able to place herself in an intervening position with a single leap if needed.

Oddly; she sent nothing to any of them, merely moved... and then stood... all glimmering iridescence and bright shining eyes, like a beacon or ward of light.

Before Teletz could send further greeting or explanation the malevolent presence (Saluki) appeared. Teletz had heard whispers of this one, but it was his first encounter the the being. He did not like it. A ripple ran down his body, stiffening the hairs along his spikes. Taking the steps necessary to bring himself abreast of the new pair (Tae'lyn & Myrth), he ducked his chin to present his many-tined horns to the intruder while his pheromones went into overdrive, filling the air with lavender and peppermint. There was nothing subtle about this scent. Not like before when it was just announcing his presence with a gentle tap on the shoulder.

The Ma'rhyn buck hadn't even gotten into position when he realized he wasn't the only one coming to the defense of the newcomers. Suddenly there was a glowing doe (Arolaah) along side as well. Where had she come from, he wondered. Time to ponder that later, for now the focus needed to be upon the malevolent one.

Abrazitos became aware of what was going on as Saluki appeared. He positioned himself to move with the most undetected advantage. The shadow doe was causing trouble again, though he wasn't yet sure how. She had simply moved forward and the grove had begun to glow at the edges. He heard the voice that growled and suddenly wasn't sure if even he really wanted to know what was on the other end of that voice. He stretched up, his front and middle set of forepaws held against his chest, his back paws firmly on the ground. He lifted his tentacles to better balance himself.

Isadyn had been watching the exchange between Saluki and whatever was back there. Her eyes shown in the growing light. She stood up, curious of what exactly was going on, when she saw Abrazitos stretch up to get a better look himself. Her eyes widened and she stared. He looked like a giant alien squirrel. Abraztios, She hissed. Get down? Whatever it is might think you're going to attack!

The many-limbed male stretched just a bit further, finally gaining a glance of the glowing couple beyond. He almost sighed at the sight of them, but dropped to all six paws as soon as he was satisfied. It wasn't hard to find a dark place to keep watch of the situation, even creep closer to get a better idea of what was happening.

A self-indulgent smirk lifted one corner of Saluki's mouth, exposing an elongated canine sharper to a razors edge. The reactions of the two, and aye even the horn'd buck, were just as she'd expected. Or they were, until the light that had been lingering around the strange 'antenae' of the two strangers rose from it's previous near-unnoticeable state to that of small fires roosted above their brows. Her grin stretched and grew until it was no longer an expression, but merely a contortion of the lips that showed every one of her curiously sharp teeth to their full potential.

'I am… Other. As are you, though your appearance makes that painfully obvious.' Her eyes flicked back to the odd lights as the word painfully dripped like acid from her lips. Her large, green-grey eyes were shadow'd with annoyance. This is what she got for socialising with her meals, she supposed.

The doe, too, had brightened her antennae, adding to her growing discomfort, and Saluki narrowed her eyes to send a sullen glare in the female's general direction. The edges of her very being seemed to hover of the edge of vision, the light sending calming vibrations through her physical body... Something her mind was instantly suspicious of, feeling her game turned against her.

Another glow, though this time not so much a physical light as merely something shining on an entirely subconscious level, blurred her vision from off to one side. She turned her head slightly, catching sight of the Ja'rhyn, then turned it to the same degree in the opposite direction. The doe didn't seem to present to much of a threat and she knew it, and though the male wouldn't be much better off in her view, he didn't seem to know it himself. The Ma'rhyn seemed intent of brandishing his blunt but nonetheless possibly painful horns in her direction, following the obtuse warning with the sudden, overpowering scent of… Lavender. Yes, and mint.

She sneezed, irritated and perversely angry at having one of her favourite senses so abruptly assaulted. Her anger touched on something… Someone else. The shadow cast behind her by the light of the odd'rhyn spread like an ink stain on the grass beneath her feet, stretching and changing, but only slowly, erratically… The corners lifted sleepily as though the shadow itself was burning the ground, but it left the green blades untouched, merely sending up tendrils into the air which quickly disappeared in the glow.

The strange phenomena didn't last long though. Despite her initial rebellious reaction to the scent, it's naturally calming effect prevailed and soon she felt her mind slowing while her senses, already on alert, sharpened further, though not in an unwelcome way... Closing her eyes for a fraction of a moment, she let her face fall into a more normal set.

Outside of the grove that the wisteria tree wove the winds howled on and the icy snow swirled. Inside was usually a much calmer place but in this moment, the energies threatened to create a storm of their own.

Drawing her story-song to a end perhaps a little early, Wisteria's sending became a shield to the smaller 'rhyn who were gathered. Any of those who had seen less than one season found their minds filled with a lilting melody of raindrops on leaves and rustling grasses. A soothing peaceful serenade washing over them.

Arolaah watched with her bright eyes. There was very little that would draw her into the mix aside from a life on the edge of turning and she doubted, with so many present, such would occur, but it was better to be close enough to keep an eye on things.

The scent of the Ma'rhyn's pheremones filled her with a pleasant feeling of peace and a little shiver ran through her fur as the details of all around her took on a higher level of crystaline refinement.

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(Dreamwalk written by Starwind and posted with permission)

The twins had been silent and still, listening raptly to Wisteria's story, their attention fetched by her beautiful telling of it. Their entrance to the grove earlier had been in starke contrast, with the twins bouncing gleefully over each other in a game of leapfrog. They had not spoken with any other ti'rhyn, interested more in the warmth of the glade than any companionship.

Bambu, however, was feeling a bit sleepy now. Even though some new ti'rhyn had joined the throng at the tree, Wisteria's story kept up, and Bambu found herself getting just as sleepy as she did when Wahmenitu told stories. Pampu headbutted her, silently but playfully, and she started awake, trying to shake off the stupor, but she succumbed to it again, quickly... her head fell softly into her waiting paws, and she began to emit a soft snore.

It was then that Wisteria's song-story ended, as the adults in the grove began to stir. Pampu watched the goings-on intently; she tried to ignore the new tune the elder le'rhyn had taken up, shaking her head in dissatisfaction. She peered at Bambu, seeming suddenly a mix of curious and concerned but refraining from waking her.

~~~

Most of the dream journies encountered so far had been fields of green and scampering through fallen leaves. Snow-scapes to slide down or salt cliffs to scramble over. All in all; most dream jouries took place in various areas of the Gia's Paw Isles, just... in the Dreaming version of them.

This one was different.

Even from the start it had been strange. The ground under-paw had been smooth like stone but not cold or warm as it should be. Instead it was tepid and gave no feedback of an inner crystalline matrix. It was instead dull and nearly lifeless. The light in this place, wherever it was, cast a white-blue glow and if it were not for the canopy covering that blocked it, the dream walker's eyes would be hurting, of that they were certain. A small circular cushion of some similarly synthetic but softer material was located at the back of the capsule and the front of it was open, where that light shone.

When bravery bolstered them enough (or perhaps it was curiosity; who can tell sometimes?) they stepped forward to look out of the alcove.

All around were other alcoves like this one. Some of them contained animals that looked similar to a Ti'rhyn. Others were empty and still others held animals that looked nothing at ALL like a Ti'rhyn. Some even resembled something closer to a wilvern. All seemed content enough to be together in this place however and that in and of it's self felt odd to the dream walker.

Then the Ranger came in. At least, it looked like a Ranger, two legged and tall wearing fabrics not of this world. But there was such anger and frustration in it's presence and immediately it came around into the area the capsules faced and snarled at a large highly scaled 'rhyn who cowered at it's feet. Much gesturing and yelling and several thrown test-tubes later it shoved the heavily scaled one aside with a foot and began to search inside each and every capsule with a large rough hand. One... by one... by one... it came closer and closer tot he capsule the dream walker was in... until at last it was there and a dark face with feverish bright eyes and a cruel mouth was staring right. into. their eyes!

"Oh ho ho! What have we HERE!" a harsh voice boomed in and over the dreamwalkers form and one of those big hands reached for them...

~~~

Bambu felt a spear of pain pierce her consciousness and she squealed. She awakened to Pampu staring down at her, with one of her ears in her mouth, teeth clamped shut, eyes wide with innocence.

You were kicking me, she countered, suddenly defensive, before adding, and you looked kinda scared.

I was, Bambu admitted with a deep heave of breath. Her fur seemed discheveled and matted with sweat, even though she'd been asleep a relatively short period of time.

Abrazitos crept forward a bit further, gaining ground toward the glow. First he saw a Ja'rhyn (Arolaah) that he wasn't familiar with and sent her a quiet question, What has Saluki done this time?

Tae'lyn placed herself between her mate and the black doe. She looked back to find a shining Ja'rhyn doe had joined them. She acknowledged the other doe with wide eyes and thanks. Already she felt that maybe these new 'rhyn could be friends.

She turned back to Saluki and gathered herself up. As she took a deep breath, the scent of lavender and mint seemed just a bit stronger and she felt herself relax. Behind her Myrth had stopped growling, but the glow coming from him stayed the same.

Yes, we are Other, though to us everyone here is Other. This is not our home, and we wish only to join this gathering - to be out of the cold. Offer us no ill will, and we will offer none in return. She took a deep breath and further relaxed. What happens here, shadow one? Are we interrupting something important?

Myrth settled back. He looked to Teletz, I don't know you, but I must thank you for standing by us, he said softly. He turned also to the Ja'rhyn on his other side and gave her a 'rhyn smile, Thank you for sharing and adding to our light, I will remember your kindness.

Beyond them, toward the edges of the light, he noticed Abrazitos. He sniffed the air, but Myrth couldn't get much of a scent beyond Teletz pheromones. He whispered to the displacer 'rhyn, Greetings Other, I only wish to let you know that I'm aware that you are there.

She is simply being herself. Arolaah's response was matter of fact and un-tinged with emotion aside from a subtle reverence. This one(Abrazitos) was rarely seen.

There was little more to be said and indeed, the effect of the Ma'rhyn(Teletz)'s scent led to such awareness that every nuance of posture and expression spoke volumes more than it would have without.

For the time being Arolaah remained where she was but chose to settle into a sitting position; the level of tension had certainly lessened.

Saluki blinked at the two newcomers, annoyed at how the branch-horn'd buck had so meddled with her fun, then turned as she caught the scent of another Other'rhyn. This one she knew however, though the knowledge came mostly through others. Abrazitos, whose gifts were so similar yet so utterly different to her own.

He seemed separate from the situation somehow, but nonetheless it was for a good long moment that she looked with an unnerving level of interest of the many-limbed rhyn crouching at the edge of the circle of light.

Light which was still stinging her delicate eyes with the level of it's brilliance, she noticed with much-lessened aggravation. But, she decided to herself, if they were going to force her to 'relax', she may as well go along with it for now, and with a wide and suddenly disinterested yawn that showed of her surprisingly long canines she stretched herself out until she was all but reclining on the soft grass.

'I offer nothing, only seek entertainment for myself.' She grinned with her eyes half-lidded. 'And you are interrupting nothing so important that your entrance will not still divert all attending from what they are seeking...' Here she paused for a second, tail twitching with some unrecognisable emotion as she thought of what had come from her seeking.

'Did you not know? It is the season of eggs, and nests, and foolish trysts, and many have come here to seek out companions for the nights to come.' Her smile was both amused and disinterested, and she let her eyes close as though tiring of the topic in general.

As the tension settled in the grove, Wisteria let her shielding fall from the young ones and moved forward to greet the newcomers herself.

You are welcome here Tae'lyn, Myrth. her sending was direct to them but open for all to hear. Warmth may be found here though the Darkening Season surrounds us. Please be at one with our Coterie. She turned them to address the grove as a whole, These two have come to us seeking solace, may they be accepted as one of our own. her sending was warm with caring for all and her ultraviolet eyes shone brightly with intent. I am weary and must retire, but please enjoy the night, share with one another and perhaps we will all learn from them.

Once she had made this welcoming statement, the elder le'rhyn leapt to the base of the Wisteria tree whose name she bore and climbed through into her personal lair therein. A flitter of wings circled the tree as two or three phaefyr followed after her...

RP Rewards for this campaign are as follows...

CosmicDragon : 90 SA & 1 Fox-Tail Grass Plume

Faemien: 70 SA & 1 Tangle of Thread

Felicia Queens : 50 SA & 1 Pussywillow Twig

geob : 60 SA & 1 White Feather

Pristine : 10 SA & 1 Shed Snakeskin

(all items will be deposited over the next 24 hours)

In addition, all posts counts were given ticket places in a random draw for the following egg...

Quote :

List Randomizer

There were 28 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. geob
2. geob
3. geob
4. Felicia Queens
5. Faemien
6. Faemien
7. Faemien
8. Faemien
9. Felicia Queens
10. Faemien
11. Felicia Queens
12. geob
13. CosmicDragon
14. Faemien
15. Felicia Queens
16. CosmicDragon
17. CosmicDragon
18. CosmicDragon
19. CosmicDragon
20. CosmicDragon
21. geob
22. CosmicDragon
23. CosmicDragon
24. Felicia Queens
25. Pristine
26. geob
27. CosmicDragon
28. Faemien

Timestamp: 2010-05-14 21:51:55 UTC

Congrats geob! I'll transfer the egg to your Coterie gallery ASAP

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Just to make it official...
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Name : (TBA)
Keeper : Gail
Registrar : geob