If only for a moment~ [open]

[Enduriel]

Strong pillars guided the golden massive of an animal through his territory, walking gracefully and yet judging each step accordingly. Some of his brethen seemed to glance at him passing, and he nodded his crown to them in greeting. They edged away from his shining form, and he did not blame them. Though there were many creatures who had some kind of fault with their normal blue-prints, Enduriel's ram horns had gotten him out of some tight places in the past. No qualm was gained from their sideways glances, he merely moved on, patrolling his borders.

Not much had happened since his father's foolish death. He had come here, claimed it as his own, against what his mother would have thought to be best. A herbivorous creature, defying the plans of nature for him to be the hunted and declaring himself the king of lands? Surely it would draw the attention of predators, though Enduriel found it hard to care. There were some, predators even as they were, that needed tending to. Even within a clan of hungry wolves and tigers, he was confident that he had the strength to fend of chaos, and keep a group under control.

Steely-gray sideways-split eyes surveyed the area, auds flickering to and fro. Surely there was a figure of interest who would want to join him, and not the mindless things that were wandering around his grazing grounds. Even so, he was comfortable with solitude; everyone would be left on their own eventually. There was no escaping that one cruel fact, and it was something he had grown accustomed to accepting.

Though not everyone need be alone until their end...



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[Eyeshimmer]

Eyeshimmer


Large snow-dyed paws carried the sand striped fae over the lands. Her pale seafoam green voids scanned the lands, looking for her next meal. As she was just one tigress, large game, such as deer and sheep was kind of out of the question. As she paced through the lands she’d just come too, Eyeshimmer’s round auds flicked back and forth as she kept moving at a leisurely pace. A tiny scrambling of feet along the mosses caught her attention and the tigress lay flat on her stomach and crept closer to the mole. When she was within pouncing distance, she sprang.

Her forepaws fell over the mole, and her claws sank in. The mole struggled a bit, but then it was still. Eyeshimmer removed her paws and sat up, after a moment, she started to eat her catch. With her hunger satiated for the moment, Eyeshimmer walked on for a short distance before stretching out her spine and muscles and then lying in a patch of sunlight. Eyeshimmer sighed and her sand-tipped tail twitched in her relaxation. Things were going well for the white tigress although she still wondered about Caimen and Auralee, she wondered where her siblings were.

As she drifted into a slight doze, she listened to the sounds around her and a soft smile curled on her lips. Her rounded auds flicked and then a sound of someone walking about caught her attention and she woke and stepped to the edge of the trees and her pale seafoam green voids scanned the surroundings. Then they fell upon quite the interesting being. A deer with ram-like horns. Interested, Eyeshimmer stepped out of her cover and cleared her throat gently. “Greetings. I bear you no ill will. I’m known as Eyeshimmer. May I be honored with the name of my acquaintance?” She asked and sat down her rounded auds, tipped toward the deer as she waited for a response.



Words~321
Speaking
Listening
Thoughts

[Enduriel]

Auds flickered as a tigress revealed herself. She called to him, assuring her goodwill, but no fear had shown on his face before her words. He was not of the more mindless of his kind, and though she was indeed a large beast, he was confident in himself. It was a comfort, though, to know she showed herself not wishing for conflict. The world needed more beasts like her.

A brief snort escaped his nares; there was one issue to consider. The snowy feline was upon his lands, his sanctuary. It was the only land controlled by a herbivore, so he could understand how it may be unpopular. "I am Enduriel, and these are my lands you tread upon. Have you reason for trespass or are you simply seeking a meal?" His tone was not scolding, or defensive. It was neutral sprinkled with a slight curiosity. Eyeshimmer could not have known these were his lands, or she would have recognized him as the leader. Though, he smelled no blood, so if she was present because of a need to sate her hunger, it was not apparent on the ground... yet.

Should her purpose be true and her belly empty, he would allow her a meal on his behalf. The gold-silver deer understood the need for food, and the differences between their kinds in what they must devour. His fields were particularly lush, with both meat and herb, so all could live together if an agreement was reached. However, this tigress' reason was till unknown to him, and he would judge carefully his next actions.



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[Eyeshimmer]

Her rounded auds caught the silver-gold deer’s lyrics as he spoke to her, I am Enduriel, and these are my lands you tread upon. Have you reason for trespass or are you simply seeking a meal? Eyeshimmer shook her head a moment and then answered the stag, “Forgive me sir Enduriel. I rarely hunt those of your species, plus, I have recently sated my hunger on a mole. I am actually on the hunt for a Clan to call home.” The white tigress said as she turned her pale seafoam green pools from the stag and allowed her gaze to drift over the lands before her.

It looked quite lovely, lush shrubs and grass. Shimmer smiled and then looked over the herd of other deer in the lands before returning her gaze to the leader and dipping her head in a show of respect as she spoke once more, “If your Clan would have me, if it’s looking.” She told him then fell silent and tipped her auds back and forth before tilting them back at the stag and giving him a gentle smile. She wouldn’t mind living with this stag…if he would allow her to do so. She sat silently and waited.


Words~ 203
Notes~ Sorry it's a bit shorter this time.

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[Enduriel]

The stag listened intently to the carnivores' words, and nodded in indication that he had heard. He considered quietly the tigress and her intentions. There was not all that much to be told from her at the moment, for she had jumped right to the point. Pillars moved, approaching the feline slowly, albeit cautiously."This clan would have you." Enduriel's words stopped abruptly, without actually making a decision. The deer was carefully gauging the tigress' reactions, looking for anything that could possibly hurt her chances of entering his domain.

His crania tilted slowly down to her, putting them both on the same level, as he was approximately a foot taller than she. "Tell me of yourself, Eyeshimmer. Who are you? What brings you here?" Auds were directed right towards her, interest sincere. If he were to draw her into his ranks, he would need knowledge of who she was. What she was. Enduriel would not expect her to enter without some knowledge of himself as well; he thought himself an interesting creature for the clan that he ran, but opinions such as that were subjective to one's own views.

[Eyeshimmer]

Her snowy auds flicked forward as the stag spoke. This clan would have you. I soft smile flickered on the corners of her mouth. But his words just seemed to stop as the stag lowered his head to her level as he spoke again, Tell me of yourself, Eyeshimmer. Who are you? What brings you here? The tigress tilted her head and answered him. “What brings me here great sir is the fact that I was exploring these lands which I have called home for the past six months. I was just relaxing when I heard you…or perhaps one of your kind walking by.”

She told him and paused, rewetting her lips before speaking again, “As to who I am, my morals and alignment is Neutral Good. But I am not sure what else to tell you, I rarely hunt deer and deer-kind as I am only one tigress, I am sweet, kind and caring and will take any younglings under my wing, no matter what their species, I’m also very loyal and trustworthy to those I consider my friends and allies. What else would you like to know Enduriel sir?” Eyeshimmer asked and her rounded auds flicked toward him as she awaited his response.



Words~205

[Enduriel]

The stag was slightly irked by the tigress' first response. She had just been relaxing? Without permission, she had entered his lands, and sat down for a nap. A sigh of what might have been frustartion exited his nares, and he closed his eyes, reminding himself to have patience. Not all creatures felt that boundaries needed to be percieved, but ignoring such lines could bring ill will against the ignorant."Should you ever enter another's lands for any other reason, be sure to address your arrival first. If I were not understanding, I would punish you for your blatant trespass." His eyes opened again, a stern look harboring within them.

Her explanation of herself was just a brief synopsis, nothing too involved. She listed traits many of which were to Enduriel's liking, but he would not believe it was so simply because she stated it. They would need to get to know each other, as any leader should know his companions. It would come with time and her actions within the clan itself. "You will be welcomed in my ranks, Eyeshimmer, but please use more discretion in the future. I would not want anything to happen to you simply becaues you wanted to relax somewhere." He stode past her, nuzzling at an ear in acceptance of her. "Come, let us have a walk. You should tell me more of yourself; where do you hail from?" He paced slowly away from her, awaiting her presence beside him.

[Eyeshimmer]

She heard his slightly irritated snort and her auds went back a moment before coming back forward when he spoke again, Should you ever enter another's lands for any other reason, be sure to address your arrival first. If I were not understanding, I would punish you for your blatant trespass. Shimmer nodded her head and in answer to his stern look. Way to make a great first impression Shimmer. She scolded herself and then the stag spoke again.

You will be welcomed in my ranks, Eyeshimmer, but please use more discretion in the future. I would not want anything to happen to you simply because you wanted to relax somewhere. She dipped her head and felt her ear twitch a little as the stag accepted her and continued to walk past. Eyeshimmer got to her paws and started after him as she caught his words.

Come, let us have a walk. You should tell me more of yourself; where do you hail from? It wasn't to difficult to keep pace with the stag as they made their way through their homeland. "Somewhere far north from here. In a small grove of deciduous trees my dam settled for a small premade den in the side of a hill. It was there that she had me and my brother and sister. I was the middle cub. I helped my mother raise Caimen and Auralee."

Shimmer paused here, thinking back to that time. "We lost our family then and Caimen and Auralee and I went our separate ways. I don't know where those two are, or what's become of them but I always keep hope that they are well, and still alive, somewhere out there. They're part of the reason that I have this mark on my left shoulder." Shimmer told him and then glanced down at the triquetra as she tilted her rounded auds toward the stag once more.



Words~ About 400 something

[Enduriel]

Enduriel nodded as the tigress told her story, absorbing every word. She was from further north, even further than the Tundra? He was unsure if tigers obtained winter coats, but if so, this feline must be one very poofy cat when the snows fell. It would be an interesting sight once the cold finally came.

There was something strange. This tigress had helped her own mother raise her siblings? Again, the stag was sure that large cats like tigers were singular in their ways of life, yet this one had remained with her parent. Certainly, if they had any children within the clan, she would be a very helpful denmother.

Eyes laid upon the symbol Eyeshimmer spoke of, and he eyed it curiously with his steely eyes. His auds flicked, expecting more story and elaboration. "Only part of the reason?" Enduriel himself was not exactly symbol-struck. True, his pelt made strange designs on itself the further down his back you looked, but they weren't symbols. They were simply little ornate wisps and curves.

He continued his stride, looking over at the others of his kind. With Enduriel around, they seemed less flighty around the tigress. However, they still moved themselves slowly away from them as they moved, making a sort of part in their herd. "Is it a painful memory?" He questioned, not wanting to pry too deeply into anguish. He wished not to cause his newest member pain from memories. Enduriel wanted to know this tigress as well as he knew himself if he was going to trust her with any responsibility.

[Eyeshimmer]

Only part of the reason? Is it a painful memory? Shimmer glanced at the stag and dipped her head briefly in response to his questions. "It's not so much painful as it is worrisome. Caimen and Auralee are most of the reason, but when the three of us finally went our separate ways I met a pair of sisters and lived with them for a while..." Shimmer paused a moment and glanced out at Enduriel's kin.

She smiled as they seemed to separate to allow them passage. Then she continued, "...but then we three ran into...issues and separating from them seemed the wisest choice. But this mark also keeps me assured that both Caimen and Auralee are alive and well...somewhere, as are the sisters. If any part of the mark fades, I'll know I have lost one of them." Again, Shimmer fell silent.

But this time she wasn't going to be saying much more on the subject. The mark on her should was good and bad at the same time. She sighed and looked to Enduriel again. "What else would you like to know sir?" She asked and tipped her round auds forward toward him waiting to see what else he wanted to know. She smiled and was glad that she had finally found home.

[Enduriel]

The stag absorbed the story about her symbol, and his eyes widened in legitimate surprise. Not many things of the normal nature could gain that reaction from him, and it often took something as mystical as the symbol Eyeshimmer possessed to do so. He already, silently, mourned the day that a part of the tigress' symbol faded, and a saddened look overcame his face. "Let us hope the day does not come when your symbol fades, Eyeshimmer." The stag vocalized, somewhat giving his condolences of owning the capability to access the knowledge simply by looking upon herself.

Eyeshimmer continued to ask what else he wished to know, and his mind continued to race about all of the things to ask. "I wish to know everything about you, Eyeshimmer. You are the first within my clan, and to properly grant you rank I must know of your personality and ethics. I cannot grant high rank to those who know not how to operate in the rituals of other clans. Perhaps it is you who should be asking me the questions now." Enduriel confessed, not wanting to discourage the feline. He could not speak highly mostly because of her blatant entrance into his lands; if anything, she would need educated on how to properly act should he need her to go to other clans to deliver messages or establish relations. She was all he had and that made the pickings slim. If he could not form her into a beta, he would have to continue looking.

[niyol]

This was supposed to be a tundra, and he has always pictured a tundra to be dead, barren, covered in snow and frost. Instead what he found was a beautiful place where hills seemed to stretch for miles and miles, lined with gorgeous foliage such as flowers and shrubs. Stone pillars lined the area, and there were even trees here and there, further setting the scenery. Niyol smirked mentally. Impressed by this he immediately decided that this place held a sense of calm in his eyes and that he enjoyed it. There was a soft breeze, conditions perfect for flying. His glide seemed a bit crooked. Sometimes to those watching him from below he would appear wounded but he has gotten use to it over the years and should not be underestimated. While he was not the most graceful flyer, often looked down upon because of it, he was just as dangerous as any raptor who would call this place home.

Ah, but it would appear he would have to earn the right to call this place home, should he decide to settle down here. Many scents lingered here but one of them struck out the most. It was that of a stag and judging by how the wind swept through the area the stag has already claimed this place much to the white owl’s dismay. However he was not deterred from having a look around as long as he remained in the air and minded his place in these lands. He knew that he could not just barge in, no, he was a creature who had respect for others as long as they gave him such in return. With a slight shift in the way he carried himself, he allowed the winds to announce his presence here in these strange lands to avoid trouble.

He was always about the winds; he lived by them. To him, the wind was the true messenger and was sensitive to even the slightest shift. Whether or not others understood the way he thought or felt the same way he could not say for sure, but there it was.

Hovering over the trees, he soon came across an interesting sight. There was a tigress speaking with a stag. To Niyol that did not seem like a good thing, red flags going up immediately. Were tigers not beasts who hunted stags and other herbivores? Sometimes large cats would even come after the white owl himself and miraculously he was able to elude their fangs. Was there about to be a fight in these lands? Perhaps they were hunter and hunted or perhaps they were fighting to see who would win these lands and claim them for their own? Lowering his altitude a bit more he circled around and landed on the branch of a nearby tree to eavesdrop on the conversation they were having. He was not out of sight, they could see him if they looked towards the trees. The owl’s brilliant white stood out a bit.

They seemed to be speaking of a clan, leading him to believe, from the sound of things, that this stag was the one who ruled these parts. He wished not to compete, but to learn. It was always better to join them then beat them as they always say. Watching from afar was more his style than leaping in and making friends; however that did not mean he was not friendly. A bird of prey he might be, as well as a bit of a trickster, but he was not without manners even if eavesdropping might be a bit rude. He was a guest here in these lands and he would be on his best behavior.

[Enduriel]

The winds blew in a strange fashion, causing the stag to adjust his position so to better see the area. When the ground yielded nothing new or interesting, his neck turned his vision to the sky. There, within it, was an owl, white as winter, observing the two clanmates. Enduriel deduced that the wind had been created by this fellow, his wings shifting the tides of air in greeting. The raptor seemed curious, and the deer was all for quenching curiosities.

Hail, stranger! He called, nodding up to the fowl. "I am Enduriel, leader of these lands. While I cannot rightfully say that the air is mine to command, we would know you, stranger." It was a small invitation of sorts. If he chose, he could fly away and move on to the next prettiest landmark on the Tundra. Or, he could stay and chat; perhaps he too would be interested in the clan. He would certainly be suitable for a spy. The stag glanced momentarily at Eyeshimmer, trusting that she would not try to eat their new possible ally.

[niyol]

From his spot high in the tree, the brilliant white owl nodded respectfully when Enduriel announced himself to be the leader. A bird could not smile like other animals could, but the attempt was still there, if one would look at him hard enough. Being welcomed brought a sense of comfort to Niyol, who had a small tendency to be a bit shy around strangers from time to time. In the presence of someone who was a leader that showed through a bit more than it usually would but in spite of that he still had a rather calm air about him. His posture was always relaxed, no hostility to be seen, showing the animals below that he was not threat to them or had the intention of becoming a threat to them. The white owl was simply a guest.

However, he could not lie he was a bit wary of the tiger he would not strike. She did not seem like she meant the stag any harm but only time would tell. Big cats always put the raptor on edge.

“Well, Enduriel, my name is Niyol,” he spoke in a calm tone, yet his voice didn’t quite seem to match him that well despite how well it carried. Crisp, clear, yet at the same time it was deep, alluring. “You have my gratitude, and I assure you that I have no intentions of bringing any trouble to your lands, hence my greeting needless to say. For the time being, I’m merely resting here. From what I have seen so far, this Tundra in general is a marvelous place, if I do say so myself.” He spoke truth. This land was quite wonderful and he was grateful that the stag was allowing him to rest here. Usually he would get chased out of somewhere if he stayed for too long or end up fighting with other birds because they had ‘claimed that resting spot first’.

[Enduriel]

Enduriel tested the owl's name on his tongue, and it sounded strange to him. He wondered momentarily if the white creature wasn't from the Tundra originally. But, then again, he was a bird, and birds could so easily go wherever they pleased. For now, the interesting raptor had decided to rest within one of the many trees that dotted his lands, and he was fine with this. Everyone needed to relax once in a while, and as long as he knew that the bird would not cause trouble within the land.

The stag glanced over to Eyeshimmer for a moment, surprised by her silence, but continued on with the conversation with the owl. "Indeed. It becomes a bit frigid, but make no mistake, there is life here and mystical occurrence as well." Enduriel lumped himself in with the mystical sort, having a second set of horns that normally belonged to another species of animal. He himself couldn't even explain why he was born with them, but regardless, they were there. "Tell me, what brings you here to the Tundra, Niyol? Wonderlust, I'd imagine?" The stag attempted to guesstimate at the bird's intentions, but Enduriel hadn't spoken to too many of the winged before.