Idlewild -- Logs

OOC notes: Since the last full-group session was wacky, with terrible lag for Lotte's player and Steven's player feeling quite ill, we're going to handwave Jonathan's Steven deciding to go off and look for Lotte. Lua has a request to make of Aiden, and the GM would rather arbitrarily say that Steven is elsewhere than arbitrarily include him without his player.

Lua leads Aiden quietly through the woods after they depart the outdoor tavern, saying only that she has a favor to ask of him. They emerge from the cool trees into the waterfall clearing, where the air is fresh and a pleasant thunder of falling-- well, landing-- water does not prevent normal conversation.

Lua is a dainty but not tiny lady at about 5'5", with clean pale skin and a shock of short silvery hair that could almost be rabbit-fur. Slightly elongated, sharply pointed ears do not quite hide in her two-inch pouf of soft hair. She has big, luminous silver-grey eyes that barely possess any color at all, but seem almost like moonstone in their pale gathering of the light. She is dressed almost head to toe in layers of thin, fine leather with ragged edges, mostly white and grey with a blue and lavender mottling like barbaric tie-dye, or camoflouge for a snowy, lumpy field at twilight. The overall effect is something between haute couture and an ambitious Renaissance Fair outfit by a well-meaning, treehugging fantasy reader. She wears a dark, braided leather thong around her neck, pulled through a small, pierced amethyst point.

Aiden is a slender male in his early twenties. He had shoulder-length dark blonde hair and green eyes. He is wearing hiking pants made of nylon that can be zipped off above the knee to become shorts. He has a pair of hiking boots on and a UNBC baseball cap on his head. He has a grey long-sleeved shirt on, with a green, short-sleeved "Parks Canada" T-shirt, complete with the simplified yellow beaver enclosed in a downward triangle that makes up the Parks symbol. He's wearing a backpack and his three-in-one jacket is currently strapped to the backpack. He's carrying a walking stick in one hand.

The air here is clear, unscented by flowers. It smells a bit damp and faintly mossy, though there is no moss in sight. The banks of the waterfall's 40-foot-wide pool are rock and lichen and mud, and the waterfall itself cascades down a huge, black-veined granite outcropping that must go at least 60 feet up. The falls have no visible source but the top of that immense boulder. Trees shoulder in closely around the rocky pool.

Aiden leans against his walking stick and looks at Lua with one eyebrow raised.

Lua turns to face Aiden when they arrive, toying with her backpack strap where it lies tight across one leather-clad shoulder. She looks faintly embarassed.

Aiden frowns, "What's wrong?"

The slim fey woman doesn't look Aiden in the eyes steadily as she talks, preferring to let her gaze wander across the area and occasionally return to him, or more often the ground. "My brother should be here with me to help with this, but as he is not, I need to ask you a favor, kinsman."

Aiden nods slowly at the uncomfortable woman. You're making me nervous, Lua.. "You've been very kind to me, Lua. If its in my power to help you, I will."

Lua looks Aiden in the eyes, now. "It's almost nighttime, Aiden. Nothing is exactly wrong, but I need your help to make sure it stays that way..." She smiles at Aiden's words and a faint pink colors her pale cheeks. "I would like us to be friends, kinsman. It's been a long time since I've had many. I am about to give you my trust. Will you hold my pack, please?" She unshoulders the thick leather backpack, and holds it out.

Aiden drops his walking stick to the ground and takes the pack that Lua offers him. "I'm not sure I understand, Lua.." He smiles. "But, friendship is something I'll happily give.."

Lua smiles a bit wryly. "I don't have time to help you understand, but my brother will explain if you ask, I promise." She starts to unfasten her shirt-lacings.

Aiden's eyes widen a moment, and he ducks his head so that the brim of his baseball hat is covering the lady up while she undresses.

The woman does not pause in her unfastening, but smiles a real smile, though Aiden's duck conceals it from his eyes if not his ears. Her voice is warm. "I accept your friendship, and give you mine, Aiden my far kin. When the sun rises again, I will need my clothes back."

Aiden nods his head, "Of course, Lua.. I'll keep them for you. Are you going somewhere?" And if you are, then why in the hell are you going naked?

The soft shushing sounds of supple leather sliding against itself and against skin come to Aiden's ears, as if the last of the fastenings are loose and Lua's leathers have slid to the rock.

Aiden glances up from under the brim of his hat a little. Just to where Lua's knees should be, for now..

Lua's voice says, "I'm not going anywhere, but... you'll see in a moment, Aiden. The moon..." The rest of her voice trails off, and Aiden sees pale, very shapely bare knees, calves and feet in a pool of soft leather for just a moment.

Aiden swallows heavily at that. Great.. and me without my wolfsbane and silver..

Where Lua was, there is now a slim, medium-sized grey-silver greyhound with bright silver eyes. She stands about two feet high at the shoulder, and looks no worse fed than a normal pet; her leanness is clearly a species trait, not starvation. Her fine, dainty head looks around at the world, her slim tail is untucked, and her eyes are softly luminous. She wears a dark, braided leather thong around her neck, pulled through a small, pierced amethyst point.

The slim silver greyhound sitting on Lua's clothes tilts her head at Aiden and regards him with extraordinary silver eyes.

Someone is walking across the rock behind Aiden, with very faint steps.

Aiden jumps back a step, very nearly dropping the bag. He has to scramble a moment to catch it. "Holy shit.." he says it as the reaction sinks in, an involuntary expletive. Suddenly he stops, head cocked like he's listening and he whirls around to see who is behind him.

A tall, rather attractive young man with Lua's haircut in gold is standing several feet away, mouth twitching in a sunny smile, watching Aiden.

Aiden smiles a little tightly at the other man. Sneaking up on someone and scaring them half-to-death must be the local version of 'hello'. I wish they'd just say hello and do away with the sneaking. This must be the brother.. "Hi."

The new person has a very nice build, lean but with curves and hard planes in all the right places. This is especially obvious, since he's not wearing a shirt. His pants are supple, mottled leather in shades of bronze and golden and tan. He walks closer, unhurried. "Hi, Aiden. You're a lot more attentive this time, heh." He sounds perfectly delighted to see Aiden.

By Aiden's feet, Lua snorts and begins to delicately clean a paw.

Aiden smirks, "I'm getting more used to the local custom of sneaking up on people, I guess." He looks down at Lua.. then looks up at the brother. "Soleil, I presume?"

Soleil smirks a little back, and walks up to offer his hand, standing in easy striking range. "At your service. I see you've been included in the family secret; may I welcome you properly?"

Aiden takes Soleil's hand and shakes it. "I guess I have been.. Of course you can welcome me properly."

The golden-bronze man shakes firmly but not at all too hard, and his smile spreads warm as the sun coming out from behind a cloud at Aiden's words. "Splendid! Welcome, kinsman!" He moves in close enough for Aiden to feel his body warmth, and kisses him on both cheeks at that distance before wrapping him in a lingering hug.

Aiden seems a little uncomfortable at that, mainly because he wasn't expecting it. Lua didn't seem like a tactile person and he wasn't expecting it from Soleil either. He takes a moment to decide where to put his hands, but settles on the middle of the back, returning the Elf's hug.

Soleil's hands slide down Aiden's waist, perhaps accidentally, as he moves away again, and he whispers again in Aiden's ear as he goes, "Welcome..."

Aiden smiles, "Thanks, Soleil.."

The golden elf adds in a normal volume, "You can call me Sol." He grins, tilts his head, and flops down on the smooth rock beside the waterfall. "Did Lua explain?"

Aiden grabs Lua's clothes from where she left them. He folds them and sets them down on top of her backpack, before sliding his off and sitting on it. He shakes his head, "She said she didn't have time to explain, but that you would explain."

Sol snorts softly. Lua comes over to lie at Aiden's other side. Her brother says, "Kind of her. Hm. It's a bit of a story; feel free to ask questions. The short version is, we weren't born this way. It's a curse, but it's not contagious, don't worry."

Aiden leans down and scratches Lua behind the ears while she gets herself settled. "Cursed?"

The silver hound appreciates the tribute in a queenly manner, with every ounce of the dignity she had while elven.

Aiden grins at Lua.

Soleil nods, mobile face serious and still for a moment. "Our uncle didn't want us to have the succession, you see, so he hired out... he's a mediocre mage himself, so he had a contract put out on us by a better wizard. 'Something subtle,' I'm told he asked for, to put us out of the running-- couldn't kill off his entire family in one blow, after all, or more folks might object that there was something shady about the crown falling to the queen's brother when she never came back from hunting..."

Aiden nods, frowning.

Sol says, "We are not a prolific race. Uncle was horrified when Mom had twins. He'd hoped she wouldn't spawn at all. I think that in a way, our existence forced his hand toward her."

The tawny elf sighs and shrugs. "Regardless. We were not fully grown when he hired his mage to curse us both-- we were meant to both become hounds, and never change back. We were young enough that we might not have understood why we'd suddenly changed, and panicked ourselves into running headlong into something that'd take us out for him, or wandered lost til we forgot who we had been.

Aiden nods, "He seems to have failed in both respects.."

Sol nods. "We were lucky. Mother wasn't blind. She'd hired us a guardian. Our keeper could not stop the spell Uncle bought, but she changed it enough-- we were not both afflicted at once, and the curse lifts at the touch of the right light.

Aiden nods, "You're lucky that they were able to change the curse.."

Soleil nods, and seems to shrug it off. "Yes. We've been running ever since, though. He struck Mother during the search party for us, or so I'm told. I have a few contacts left in court, but we daren't go back. We can't take the crown back alone, and too many people like Uncle's style these days."

Sol says, "At any rate... that's the story Lua promised you. If you're satisfied with our end of the tellings, I'd very much like to hear more of yours."

Sol reaches out to trace Aiden's stylized-beaver emblem with a warm, long finger. "Like... what's this? Your house sign?"

Aiden says, "I'm afraid my life story isn't nearly so interesting, Soleil." he follows Sol's finger. "Oh, it's not a house sign. That's the company that I'm working for. Parks Canada.."

The tawny elf wraps his tongue around it. "Parks Candada. Your ruler? Not a bad name. Has a certain flair."

Aiden says, "Canada.. it's the country that I'm from. Parks Canada are the organisation of the government that are responsible for upkeeping the national park and wildlife areas."

Soleil says, "Oh, your kingdom, not a person. I'm sorry." He looks contrite, with definite puppy-dog eyes. So to speak.

Aiden smiles. "That's okay. You don't have to apologise.."

Sol grins. "Kind of you. So, are you responsible for my kind of wildlife? I've always wanted a complaints department."

Aiden grins, "Well.. Not dogs, no. I'm working on a Tag-and-Release project to track the movements of a certain species of Fox that was reintroduced into the National Park some years ago."

Sol says solemnly, "I'd like it to rain on me less, and maybe have more nice, hot-- oh. Foxes, mm? I know a few. I wonder if you've met any of them; some folks have surely wandered through your area. A lot of people like to travel, much like you."

Sol tilts his head. "You play tag for a living? Odd."

Aiden says, "Well.. I didn't exactly intend to travel here.."

Aiden says, "It's not tag, like little kids play. We catch the foxes alive and put a little tag on their ears, which has a number on it, so that when we see them again, we know which fox of the population we're looking at and other information like, his health when we last saw him, where we last saw him. That sort of thing."

Sol watches Aiden thoughtfully. "No? What happened? I remember you said something to Lua, but I was busy being petted at the time. One definite advantage to that form." He blinks, at the tag definition. "Doesn't that hurt? I'm surprised they don't retaliate. Though foxes don't organize well, true."

Aiden shrugs a little. "I was brought here, I gather. I was out on the lake where I was camping, hoping to catch some fish so I could have a meal that was more fresh than what I brought with me. The boat rolled and I got pulled under. I woke up here."

Lua makes a small, possibly derisive noise at Sol's comment on petting.

Aiden grins, "I hope that the foxes know that we're doing it for their own good, even if it hurts them a little."

Soleil's eyes sparkle. He smiles, "Perhaps they do understand that some things hurt a little in return for a good effect, yes."

Aiden smiles. "We're doing it for their good. If we didn't care, we wouldn't be tromping through the backcountry for weeks, being eaten alive by the local insects and hiding in swamps to find them."

Soleil's chuckle falls between warm and heartlessly amused. "Ah, a common complaint of rangers. I'm glad to find you're a lover of such causes-- you'll fit in well here once we get you out of the peace zone and into the real world."

Aiden nods, "Lua explained that I might not be able to leave.."

Sol says cheerfully, "We hire out as guides and guards to traders sometimes, when we want to see people or need money. You'd be welcome to join us..." He sobers a little at Aiden's words, and regards him seriously, warm eyes dimming. "Do you want badly to go home? If you're unhappy here-- not here in this little bland circle of Haasha's, but here in the wide here-- we will try to help you find your way back to where you'd rather be."

Aiden frowns, "I don't know yet, Sol. I've had everything that I knew to be 'true' turned upside down today.. I don't know that I'm ready to make that kind of decision yet."

Soleil's smile is cautious, but his orange eyes brighten like flame. He says quietly, "Then stay with us, and let us show you what there is to love here, while you gather your thoughts. We owe you a favor, after all... and you can learn a trade to follow here as well. Can you use a sword? Do you have any magic?"

Aiden nods. "I'm not going anywhere just yet and I'd love to stay with you two, if it's okay, of course. Trades.. Well. I use a sword a little bit, but I'm not terribly good at it. Took fencing as my requisite physical education class in University. I'm an amateur bowyer, though.."

Sol adds thoughtfully, "How about your companions? The others from your home? The fiery one fairly reeks of magic, and the dark one is steady. We could have not a bad group, with some effort, if they wanted to work for a living as protection while we guide... ah! We'll have to see your work. I can get you a sword, and possibly even the materials you need to show me your work. Lua's bow broke, she needs a new one soon."

Aiden says, "I'd be happy to try to make her one. I'm sure it won't be nearly what she's used to though.. " he pauses. "As for the others. I don't really know them that well.."

Sol grins, "In the absence of real swords, I think you and I have a date with some sticks in the near future... and Lua can show you her broken bow for a guide." He pauses and nods regarding the others. "They're lost too, though. As a ranger, do you not guide and caretake?"

Sol adds, "You all smell the same, to a degree. Lua thinks you may be related to each other."

Aiden grins, "I look forward to it, Sol.." He looks in the direction that Sol is looking and nods, "My specialty is animals, but I suppose I could give people guiding and caretaking a try. I'm not much of a leader.." He blinks and turns back to Sol. "Related.. closely?"

Sol pauses, and says, "Give me your hand a moment, please?"

Aiden holds his right hand out for Sol..

Sol flashes a grin, and leans over to take it in his own hand for a moment while he bends to smell the skin, then lightly tastes it with his tongue. He straightens, releasing it, and says simply, "Yes. I think that you share an ancestor, though you are more of our blood than they are-- perhaps three-quarters or more for you, and half for them. How, I have no solid answers."

Sol says cheerfully, "I do believe you have new cousins, or even sibs."

Aiden tightens up just a little at the lick, he was not expecting that. Inside his head, thoughts babble... "He just licked me. Oh my god.. he just licked me." "Damnit Aiden, concentrate, he's talking to you!" "I know he's talking to me, but he just licked me. It's not my fault I can't concentrate.. Right.. all internal voices, please, shut up. What did he just say?" "Something about siblings.." "Right.. yes.. What do we say back?" "Nod and say 'oh, strange'" "Okay, thanks.. now will you all pipe down, please?" Aiden nods. "oh. Strange that we'd all end up here at once."

Sol says, "I doubt it's strange at all, Aiden. If I were you, it would worry me intensely. Someone wants something from you all, and you don't know what."

Aiden nods, "Believe me, I've done nothing but worry since I got here."

Sol's hand finds Aiden's knee and squeezes gently, at the same time Lua's quiet but imperious silver nose pokes Aiden's other side. "Well, at least you don't have to worry alone, mm? You have common cause with them... and I do believe we've taken a liking to you. Even if you do taste a little funny." Sol winks.

Aiden can't help himself. He laughs aloud at that. "Thanks.. I think."

Soleil's eyes sparkle, looking straight at Aiden's. "Oh, any time, I assure you."

Soleil adds, "Besides, I think we can find you something to do besides just worry." He grins.

Aiden smiles at Soleil. "Thanks.. I'd like to do something besides worry."

Soleil's eyes sparkle, and he leaps suddenly to his feet, grabbing Lua's clothes and stuffing them in the pack with one arm while he offers the other to Aiden. "Well then, I'm your man. Let's go find some good sticks, and I'll chase you around the meadow a bit to help you forget. It never hurts to get a little exercise, and you did say you fence..."

Lua snorts quietly, and follows.

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Last modified: 2001-Jun-12 14:20:21

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