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 Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:08 pm
Though it was not yet that late, already the sky was darkening, changing what, in the summer would have been a bright sky, into one riddled with the beginnings of stars. She enjoyed watching the sky, especially at dusk, and sometimes would look for the first star to make a wish on. It was rather difficult at times, as the change from day to night made the stars simply melt into the sky. So she had to be careful. And another thing she had to be careful about...were those outriders. For Aithne, surprise surprise, was once again a little distance from Home Oak. Not quite so far as she sometimes went, on account of it getting darker and all, but still farther than most of the hinds dared go. No doubt if one of them found her they would inquire as to exactly why a sensible hind such as herself would be out so far from the safety of Home Oak, and was she lost and wouldn't she just love to be accompanied back by such a strong and handsome stag that would protect her from the scary creatures of the night.
Which of course was the worst possible fate she could imagine. Really, being escorted back to Home Oak, as if she weren't capapble of walking herself or something? Or perhaps her sense of direction was just so bad that she absolutely had to have an outrider with her to make sure she didn't walk into a tree or something? Yes, those trees could be pretty deadly sometimes, what with standing still there and all. Trecherous, really. She glanced at the tree to her left, and voiced her thoughts aloud. "Well, don't worry, I'm sure I could handle you. As long as you play fair and don't pull anything tricky. Because then I'd simply be helpless, and who knows what would happen?"
Her irritation with the actions of the stags was probably a mixture of how their brains worked around Anlach, and how stir crazy she was starting to feel. Lately, it had seemed she couldn't stop thinking about what was out there, and the more she thought of it, the more she felt that pull in her chest, the longing to break free. What she needed was something totally different from anything to do with adventures or mountains that could distract her. She needed something that would put it out of her mind, at least for the time being.
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Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:37 pm
A light chuckle came from behind Aithne as someone approached, "Having conversations with the trees are we?" It was not mocking, just amused. Perhaps that nightmare would come to pass.. or would it? Out of all the outriders, Brychan probably understood the wander lust of Telyn and her friends the most. His pelt reminiscent of the night sky itself, making him quite recognizeable as he came up towards Aithne.
He was on patrol as usual, and wasn't entirely surprised to find her here. "I don't suppose I have to ask why you're out here." He glanced towards the forests and mountains beyond their borders. An ear flicked and he looked back to the hind. While he wasn't as pushy as other outriders might be, he did worry for the safety of the hinds, especially those closest to him.
Anlach was certainly nearly upon them, and Brychan even wasn't without its effects. But as larn was setting in, he was tired enough to not let it effect him too much. A long day of patroling helped to quell the raging hormones.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 4:51 pm
A voice startled Aithne out of her contemplation of outriders, and she jumped in surprise. Outriders! And speak of the devil...she turned around to face the starry pelted stag that had happened upon her. At least it was Brychan! She wouldn't really want to be caught by some other stag she'd never met before, talking to a tree and staring off at the mountains no less. Wouldn't that just be a great way to say 'I'm perfectly sane and capable!' And at least Brychan should understand why she liked to be here, closer to the edges. Maybe not necessarily approve, but at least he respected her dream.
"Yes actually, they make quite pleasant company, as long as you aren't looking for them to talk back. Because if they did that, I'd be a little worried." She said casually, as if there was nothing unusual about talking to trees. She gave a small grin at his next question, fairly rhetorical, because what she was doing was fairly obvious to those that knew her. And Brychan knew all too well what she was thinking. "Well I suppose you could ask, but it'd be about as useful as me asking you the same." Which of course would have been equally as redundant considering he was obviously on patrol. Anyone out here would have to be on patrol. Or, you know, admiring what it might be like outside the herd, but since that group was fairly small, she was going to stick to her 'outriders only' theory. And she supposed Brychan could have been doing that, but then again, the thought of Brychan sighing whistfully as he gazed off to the mountains seemed so out of character she would have giggled, had he not been standing right there.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 5:48 pm
An amused smirk appeared on Brychan's face at Aithne's reply, glancing up at the tree that she had supposedly been talking to upon his arrival. "I think I would be a bit worried, myself." Although some would probably worried at the idea of a hind talking to a tree in the first place! The outrider then laughed at her following words, "I suppose that's true. I'm actually taking a break. I could use some company if you don't mind that is."
Brychan folded his legs beneath him and settled on the grass to rest. It was proving to be one of those long days, and he was glad to take a breather. Especially in the company of a hind. After all.. he talked to plenty of stags all year around, but most were getting busy with Anlach and had their thoughts elsewhere. That didn't mean he was immune to it though.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:23 pm
Seeing him lie down, she did the same, choosing a spot with the least amount of prickly grass she could find. This was getting far more difficult these days as the grass died and turned yellow, leaving only the inflexible spikes that poked up out of the ground. Why couldn’t they just stay green all year round? Wouldn’t that save her just a ton of trouble scraping off bark in winter? But it was not to be, and the grass showed no sign of obeying her wishes. After frowning at the blades distastefully, Aithne turned her attention back to Brychan. At least he was interesting to talk to, a nice change from the usual blather that she consented to speak about only because there was nothing else she could talk about.
“Of course, I could probably use the company myself. I mean, company itself is in abundance back where most of the hinds graze, but sometimes the quality leaves something to be desired.” She said with a dry laugh. Which was true, she really didn’t care to spend her time there if she could help it. Of course, once and a while she would entertain herself with the stories of the other hinds about who’s stag said what, and who’s fawn saw a fox, and who wasn’t speaking to whom. But the majority of the time she found it a little tiring, that they could all stand there, grazing blithely and chattering away about such superficial things. Especially when there was so much more out there that they didn’t know, hadn’t seen, couldn’t do. Didn’t they ever wonder what it would be like to climb a mountain, to travel to a distant land, to see all the sights that Rannoch had seen? She had brought the subject up once, and only once. For the others had just stared at her with the polite, glazed look one adopts when someone is talking about something completely uninteresting or irrelevant.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 10:25 pm
Ah yes.. she had the same kind of mentality as Telyn indeed, it only became more obvious the more time that Brychan spent speaking with Aithne. He chuckled lightly, before lowering his head to n** a few blades of browning grass and to chew on them thoughtfully. He wasn't a hind, so he couldn't quite relate, but not all of the stags in the herd were really all that fun to talk to either. Then of course, there were the troublemakers, like Waoki. As much as he despised that young stag, he did make life interesting atleast.
"Why not spend more time with Telyn? You two seem to get along well, she speaks highly of you." He knew that Aithne had gone to visit his favored hind, he'd caught a glimpse of them speaking while on patrol, and was glad they finally had met up again. There were so few that Telyn could relate with, and well... the more friends she had the better. Although, he figured that would also likely lead to a larger group effort to escape the herd and so forth. But that's not something he cared to dwell on.
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:19 pm
She nodded at the suggest, she was certainly planning on spending more time with Telyn, especially since like minds were such a rare thing. Which was part of the problem. "Of course, I'm definately going to spend more time with Telyn, she's wonderful. I found her a couple days ago thanks to your tip actually," she said with a smile, making reference to the fact that it had been Brychan who had told her where she could usually find Telyn. After all, since they were the types that usually hung around the fringes, finding each other wasn't always simple. "And your daughter too, she's very pretty too. I saw your son, but very briefly, he sort of took off after some imaginary creature fairly shortly..." She almost laughed as she thought of him, he was cute, and so full of energy! A little gullible, but perhaps that was just curiosity.
"But still, it would be nice if there were a few more hinds that I could speak freely with. I mean, everyday chit chat is okay some of the time, but well...you know what I mean." And she thought he did, he understood that she craved conversation that was a little more...what was the word...stimulating perhaps. It didn't necessarily even have to be about what was outside the herd, but so much of the conversation that took place in the large circles of hinds seemed so repetitive. The same thing repeated a hundred times, just change the names and the places. It got a little dull. Brychan probably knew a few outriders who were not the most interesting to talk to as well, she imagined not all of them could be.
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:37 pm
He would have to agree, yes, there were many Outriders that he didn't particularly care to have conversations with. Spartacus for one.. while a good outrider, wasn't exactly the type to chat with. But there were few, and Brychan occasionally liked to brag about his children and hinds. Some of the stags were probably tired of that as well. Aheh.
He chuckled, nodding as she mentioned that she'd found Telyn. His eyes brightening a little at the compliment she gave about his two he had with Telyn. "Thank you.. and yes, that's Islwyn. He's recently been inducted into the Corps, and he's proving a challenge to discipline." Of course, a Corps member or an Outrider had to have discipline... they wouldn't just run off and do whatever the heck they wanted. They had duties to tend to, to ensure the safety of the herd, and Islwyn needed to understand this. It was his natural place in the herd.
"Well.. I'm sure there's other hinds out there that you can identify with. Rhomae, after all, gets along with Telyn, and I'm sure you might like her as well. She happens to be in my harem as well, so she and Telyn talk often." He paused for a moment, "Which I suppose leads to another subject... Anlach. Its practicly upon us... many of the stags are restless and some have regrouped their harems."
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:55 pm
Yes, she could see how that little black and grey mess of energy and limbs might have trouble settling down into the routine and disciplined life the corps led in preparation of becoming outriders. "I'm sure he'll get better with time though, I mean, once he settles down a little and adapts, he'll probably make a good outrider. He's got a lot of spirit." Which was a good thing, after all once he learned how to balance his fun with his work, or perhaps learn to see his work as fun, he'd be just fine. At least he wasn't lazy, those were the worst types, the ones unwilling to do anything.
"Rhomae...yes, I think Telyn's mentioned her before. I'd certainly like to meet her then, after all I'm sure if Telyn likes her I will to. Telyn's got good taste," she said with a teasing smirk. Which was true, and if Rhomae was of the same sort of thinking that her and Telyn were...well she could see that going places. Literally. Though, she didn't say that part out loud.
"Ah yes, Anlach," she muttered vaugly, thinking a little about this. Anlach, an interesting time to be certain, more busy than any other time and really not ideal for thinking about going anywhere, especially considering all the stags who were claiming hinds...and.. wait huh? Brychan was the one who had brought it up, not just the stray musings of her mind. Which, would not be that odd save for the fact he was talking to her directly about it. But then, she shouldn't assume anything. Of course, talking as if she was actually aware of it instead of just muttering something might help. "Yes," she began again. "I've noticed many of the stags gathering their harems again." She left it at that, not really sure of what she should say on the matter.
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 10:09 pm
The stag nodded his agreement in regards to Islwyn, "I think so as well, it will just take some time. He's still got a bit of growing up to do." Just as long as that energy and enthusiasm of his could be correctly channeled, Islwyn would make an excellent outrider he thought.
Brychan lifted a brow and laughed at Aithne's next words. "I would hope she had good taste." The stag now smirking as well as he cast a sideglance in her direction, "Since I would hope that would include me as well." If Telyn was willing to stand with him, over any other stag, then surely that must say something, right?
An ear turned as he seemed to notice Aithne's slightly changed demeanor at the mention of Anlach. "I should be doing the same shortly. I have many fine hinds already, but I was hoping to add a few more." He watched her out of the corner of his eye, gauging Aithne's reactions to what he was saying. "Infact, I was hoping you might join them and stand at my side this Anlach as well." Aithne seemed like a perfect candidate... for Brychan had admired her before Telyn was even brought up between them... plus, he was certain she'd get along with Telyn and Rhomae. He would like to keep hostilities to a minimum if at all possible.. and well, Aithne was a find hind in and of herself. "I would be honored if you would."
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 9:21 pm
Ah, so he had asked her! She was pleased, and if deer could blush, she would have. But they didn't, so neither did she. And she had been right about it, though she had been unsure at first, wondering whether it was just another topic of conversation, or something more. She found herself fairly pleased that he had asked, she liked Brychan, he was easy to talk to, something that, being who she was, didn't happen a lot of the time. Not to mention, she was sure she would get along quite well with the others in his harem. Telyn for sure, and, Telyn had mentioned Rhomae as well, someone who's thoughts were similar to theirs.
But of course, it would be rather boring just to accept outright now wouldn't it. So she pretended to debate it in her mind, tilting her head to the side and letting out a thoughtful "Hmmmm." A few moments later, and she spoke up. "Well, I suppose your proposition may interest me. I mean it's a difficult descision, what with the multitude of stags with inflated heads prancing about." Those stags were just they type she had avoided previous Anlachs, whisking herself away to a secluded corner of the herd where she had succeeded on avoiding being noticed by any of them. "But, I suppose if you would be honoured, then I would be equally as honoured to stand with you." It was true, Brychan was a fine stag, none could deny that. And luckily he came with a brain too.
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 9:32 pm
He quietly and patiently awaited her responce. A brow lifted and an amused smirk on his face as she seemed to ponder his proposition. He gave a short laugh at the mention of stags walking around with inflated heads. It was true, some thought too much of themselves... but that was part of Anlach sometimes as well. But different hinds found different qualities and thus different stags, attractive. He seemed to be a lucky one though, for he had a decent amount of hinds... but there was no reason not to ask a few more.
Ears tilted forward as she continued, with the ending of her last sentence being an acceptance. Brychan grinned, "I am very pleased to hear that I meet your standards." He bumped her with his muzzle in a playful fashion.
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Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:36 am
She nuzzled him back playfully. "And I'm happy I meet yours." That would have been a shame if not now wouldn't it? Something like 'oh gee Brychan, despite the fact that you're probably the best stag I've come across, there's no way I'd join your harem.' Well that would have been a little stupid. And luckily Aithne wasn't, or at least didn't consider herself to be stupid. She didn't think others did either, though there were some others that she would perhaps classify as such. Not to their face, but silently to herself. Which brought her to wonder, Brychan had other hinds, two she knew of for certain. But if there were any others, she'd like to know a little of what they were like before she met them. Never a good idea to start of saying something one of them might find offensive now was it?
"So then Brychan, tell me. How many hinds in your harem? Telyn I know well, Rhomae I've heard of. Any more? Five? Ten? Please don't say there's more than thirty because then I'll have no hope at all of distinguishing any of them." She said it teasingly, she had no idea how many Brychan had claimed. But then, he was a fine stag, a royal too, and really if he wanted a hind, there probably weren't altogether too many stags that could defeat him. And she couldn't really imagine too many hinds that wouldn't be happy to join his harem. This thought pleased her too. She was now in the harem of one of the best stags in the herd! Ha, and she hadn't even done any outrageous flirting either.
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Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:46 am
Well yes... he would have been more than a little disappointed if she had said something like that, or had just turned him down flat. They seemed like a good match, and what with Telyn already being in his harem... it was kind of a no brainer really. Plus, Aithne was very attractive, there was no denying that. Brychan would have been crazy not to notice her! Well he did, and that's what led to all of this in the first place.
The stag blinked and tilted his head at her question. The other hinds in his harem? Well it was a perfectly good question, that she had more than a right to know about. He laughed, "No... not nearly so many. You would be the fourth. The only other you don't know of is Loreena, and she was the first in my harem. I have one daughter with her... but I haven't seen either of them in quite some time I'm afraid. She looks a little bit like you... a red coat, but with white stripes under her eyes."
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:55 pm
Ah, okay, well that was rather a relief. She had had no idea how many hinds Brychan had. and was rather not looking forward to memorizing names and faces of a whole bunch of them. Hmmm, so then Telyn, Rhomae, Loreena, and herself. Wherever Loreena happened to be. Still, she would like to meet her. Though, Brychan had said Loreena looked like her. Hopefully not too much like her. Aithne enjoyed being an individual, she didn't really facy looking to much like someone else. She considered this, and decided that even if she did look similar...well it didn't really matter. Her personality would probably stand out in a crowd anyways. Though whether or not that was a good or bad thing she hadn't yet figured out. Depended on who you asked, she supposed.
"I see...so what are they like? I mean, besides Telyn, obviously. But Rhomae and Loreena." She asked because, well, she wasn't always the best hind for throwing herself out there and making friends with absolutely everyone. Hopefully Brychan didn't have any hinds in his harem that Aithne wouldn't be able to stand. But, since she was part of his harem now, she should probably at least try making friends with the other hinds. And Telyn had managed alright...hadn't she? Well, she hadn't really said but it couldn't have been that bad or else she was sure she would have heard of it.
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