The Coastline (The new Holt)

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IC: J'ayaram was looking down at his shadow. His heart throbbing in his chest at his loss for what to say. There they are, standing there speaking to him and he is not speaking a word yet. He shook his head, with a sigh, and raised his head to the one that just spoke to him.

How he is seeing three elves, yet, one was not like the others. He blinked a moment and tilted his head raising his fingers to his lips in awe of the Maiden with the most odd body half he had ever seen. He giggled slightly so the others could not hear right off.

Listening still, he took a step forward a bit and stopped. He turned his head to look behind him to make sure all was safe and looked back to the other three.

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IC: J'ayaram, in seeing the Maiden with pale hair and dark skin look at him with sadness....no, that was fear he suddenly recalled. His eyes widened and he stepped back. Why was she afraid of him. He still did not yet reply and slid his double tipped spear into his belt carefully and centered himself to relax.

He was, in his own mind, telling himself if they wanted to attack, then it would already be at hand. Just to be sure though, he quickly glanced behind himself once more to make sure it was him and not something frightful beyond him the Maiden was viewing. He sighed with relief and became calm once more. This was too much for his normally quiet heart.

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IC: At the Odd one's words, J'ayaram smiled blushing. This one seemed to have everything in her to cheer his old bones up and make lite his heart. With her words, the Tall male stepped forward more to Ophistha, feeling at ease the nearer to her he came. about five steps and stopped to become part of the circle. A grin of insecurity and shyness on his face blushing too visible to all seeing him.

J'ayaram looked to Ophistha reaching a hand to her shoulder. Lock sending to those in the circle. ~**I see you all now. I was worried you were all imagined. Too long have I been without near a sight of any but animals or humans. So, alone was I, I even told myself your sending were but imagined voices from faded memories. AH!...I am filled with such relief you are all real! You are alive and well, so it seems!**~ He cheered laughing for a moment.

"I am J'ayaram. It is good to meet all of you. Yes, I glide pretty well, but will tire long before a bird might." He looked to the tanned one beside Oakroot seeing her weariness same as her wolf, he figured.

"I mean no elf harm ever. I will never harm one of my own kin. My spear is for protection and hunting. It too will not bring you harm. Why do you fear me Maiden?" A look of compassion and genuine concern on his face and in his bold golden eyes.

He left his hand absentmindedly on Ophistha's shoulder. "May I stay here with you all, if okay? Are there others?" he saw his hand still on her shoulder and moved it to his hip.

**Calm brother.** She sent to Breakneck. This was becoming quite the eventful day. The wolf snorted at the flying new comer lowering his hackles. But her own uncertainty would not allow him to completely relax. She felt Oakroot's firm grasp around her filling her with all the warmth and courage she needed. It occurred to her now that their was an immense age difference between herself and the others... she began to feel like a cub. In her insecurity Oakroot had all of the sudden seemed so wise, so strong and steadfast like his namesake. She was happy she had met him first, before the others. The prospect of herself, a lone cub now belonging to some ragtag- makeshift tribe of five elves was almost dizzying. She'd been alone for so long and before that there were only her parents.

She searched her memory. This was difficult as her wolf blood urged her to live in 'the now'. But vague tales from her pureblooded mother had sparked her mistrust of the flying elf. She looked over his tall form he was possibly a good three or four hands taller then her! But she imagined that if he'd wished them harm his thin frame would not hold well against her, her wolf, and her mate. Yet she knew not to underestimate him. Bird bones... she thought and chuckled to herself. Ophistha on the other hand those tentacles would be a problem if the sea elf wished them harm. But she sensed a kindred soul in her. She'd been alone a long time like herself. Perhaps she was of her mothers tribe? But that question would have to wait.
This J'ayaram had sent and there was only what seemed to be cheerfulness in it. After all no elf could lie in sending, could they? His words also relayed his demeanor. There was no reason to believe he meant harm. Hyakurin preferred to send but because of Ophistha's difficulty with 'mindtalk' she choose to speak.

"My mother warned of elves that could travel like birds without wings. They came from a mountain. Some rode giant birds while others flew like yourself..." She looked J'ayaram in his golden eyes, the color not unlike her own good eye. "My mother had magic though in truth I can not recall what that was. She did not use it. She said that those with magic were in danger. There were those that sought to manipulate magic... Did you come from the mountain?" She was inquisitive but not accusatory. To both the new comers she said, "You are free to come and go as you like. Neither I or Oakroot own this land, you are most welcome to use it. Provided you treat it well, it will provide and take care of you." In her heart she hoped her tree would stay private. But she had no control over the comings and goings of another.

When Oakroot suggested a meal. She agreed and smiled. "Oyster's? Oh sly one?" She whispered somewhat loudly to her lovemate. An aphrodisiac to lighten her spirit. She wrapped her fingers in Oakroot's and brought his hand to her lips. "Perhaps a song? Do either of you know a melody?" She did not wait for their answer and began to hum a tune of the forest.. a sound that the trees had taught her themselves.

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i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/aschoonheim/Oceans%20Edge/Oakroot%20Avatar_zps6beff0nw.jpg May 7, 2017 10:10:59 GMT -4 Oakroot said:

"Well! It seems this cove is going to be a home to more and more elfes and something tells me more are on their way. I's say this is cause for a good meal.... don't you think?" Oakroot knew sharing food was good for bonding, if only to make his Love get more relaxed around J'ayaram. "Maybe a fresh fish and perhaps some.... oysters? And we should think of a way to reach out to your friend on the island, it won't be long before the sea will retract and the path to the mainland has surfaced again." He looked at Ophistha while saying that and then to Huyakurin to see what she felt about his idea.

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IC: J'ayaram smiled to Oakroot with a nod. "A meal sounds good to me." The floater replied simply. For some reason J'ayaram did not feel scared or worried for himself around the Wolf or the tanned maiden. He was so pleased to be with other elves and has never met one that would let harm come to him before, and these folks seemed respectful even if a bit cautious.

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May 8, 2017 20:19:50 GMT -4 Hyakurin said:

**Calm brother.** She sent to Breakneck. This was becoming quite the eventful day. The wolf snorted at the flying new comer lowering his hackles. But her own uncertainty would not allow him to completely relax.

She felt Oakroot's firm grasp around her filling her with all the warmth and courage she needed. It occurred to her now that their was an immense age difference between herself and the others... she began to feel like a cub. In her insecurity Oakroot had all of the sudden seemed so wise, so strong and steadfast like his namesake.

She was happy she had met him first, before the others. The prospect of herself, a lone cub now belonging to some ragtag- makeshift tribe of five elves was almost dizzying. She'd been alone for so long and before that there were only her parents.

"My mother warned of elves that could travel like birds without wings. They came from a mountain. Some rode giant birds while others flew like yourself..." She looked J'ayaram in his golden eyes, the color not unlike her own good eye. "My mother had magic though in truth I can not recall what that was. She did not use it. She said that those with magic were in danger. There were those that sought to manipulate magic... Did you come from the mountain?"

She was inquisitive but not accusatory. To both the new comers she said, "You are free to come and go as you like. Neither I or Oakroot own this land, you are most welcome to use it. Provided you treat it well, it will provide and take care of you." In her heart she hoped her tree would stay private. But she had no control over the comings and goings of another.

When Oakroot suggested a meal. She agreed and smiled. "Oyster's? Oh sly one?" She whispered somewhat loudly to her lovemate. An aphrodisiac to lighten her spirit. She wrapped her fingers in Oakroot's and brought his hand to her lips. "Perhaps a song? Do either of you know a melody?" She did not wait for their answer and began to hum a tune of the forest.. a sound that the trees had taught her themselves.

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J'ayaram saw the two fussing over the wolf. He stepped back and laid on the ground facing up before the wolf and it's Mistress showing his throat and mewling in submission. "Odd I know but puppies like it. I had a puppy hound once. I thought this might ease your wolf better.

He let the wolf sniff and take a good sense of himself and did not move till he was given the okay to. He reached up petting the wolf at the scruff, then rolled off to the side to get back to his feet. He shook his hair mostly free of the sand and smoothed and patted the sand from his favored robe.

At Hyakurin's words, suddenly J'ayaram felt uneasy and turned slightly away looking a the wake in the shallow surf with a heavy heart and lack of recollection on the matters of which she was speaking and it embarrassed him.

He had forgotten so much in the wilderness and he felt shame for letting such memories go. He wanted to cry. Another thing he rarely ever would do. He distracted himself. Turning back to look at the beautiful tanned Maiden. He did not know really how to respond.

Looking a bit on the lost side he started to speak, still unsure in his words but then Ophistha spoke and he gladly just skipped answering whatever he was going to fumble through to Hyakurin.

He was not meaning to disregard her question, but he really could not say the answers.He knew this would not be a very good impression for her from him. He decided he would have to make it up to her somehow.

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Ophistha still touched her temple. She was happy, but confussed. The sending the new one made didn't help. She had forgotten about sending, hadn't had a use for it in eons.
**..see you ... ...worried ... imagined. Too long ... a sight ... ... alone was I ... faded memories. AH!... are all real!** She only picked up bits and pieces, it was strange to hear someone else in her head.
"Please... no mindtalk... is... is too ... is too long since done that." She pleaded to the others.

"Is one other on my island, but can not come here until is ready with Hoppy Hooves and till land is freed from the salty water. Other then you I not seen others, but...." She didn't want the other to laugh at her.
"But... in dreams there are others.... they live in darkness.... under the black ground?" She hoped she made sense and to clarify she pointed to the mountains behind them.

She smiled at J'ayaram. "Ophistha is friends to who wants to be her friend!"

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J'ayaram bit his lip, he was not good at this it seems. He blushed embarrassed at his mistakes. "Dearest apologies, hmm, I have not been with others in too many turns and winters. So long I have wanted to see others of the High Ones off spring, but it seems I am doing things wrong. I did not...Not mean to. He turned away again. When he turned back, he looked right at Hyakurin, hurt in his eyes. I grew up with humans. My Parents gone, in a storm and after that, it was just humans. It was fine for a time. My home place....I do not recall. It was far away. And then the storm came and the last tribe of humans we traded with..." (He shook his head trembling.)

"They found me and looked for months for my parents, never finding them. I gave up on them ever returning. The humans found out I have Fire magic and treated me as a Fire spirit but later on new generations sprang into power and became a ruler and my magic was my curse. Soon enough, one Ruler wanted me as a slave. He said I was a ageless God of flame and to become a God he wanted me to...." He shifted his eyes to the wat3er again.

"He wanted me to bond to his daughter and have a child. An offspring. I did not know how that could happen. She had a lover she kept a secret. She and I were friends. Some time past and no child. Her Sire grew furious with me and we fought, but he was stronger and faster. I used my magic but when he moved out of the way his...my dear friend was always so kind and gentile with all things and I...his daughter was on fire. I tried to recall the flames to me, but I was scared and in shock!"

He paused to swallow roughly as his emotions dried his throat. "Then, as she screamed and ran the room was in a blaze. He ran after her shouting to his soldiers to hunt me down and kill me. It was night and I flew off into the darkness floating till I could not any longer and in the trees I hid for days. The trees are safe. The trees kept me safe. Sometimes a cave was discovered and I hid there."

Those watching could see J'ayaram was reliving this as he was telling it as if he was watching a video of the appalling scene before his very eyes. He raised his fingers to his mouth and locksent to Oakroot and Hyakurin the flashes of what he shared. He wanted them not to remember, but to know he was telling the truth. "Magic is not a curse, but a blessing. It is others that don't have it that want it and they are bad, not magic. I still do not remember my home, or what it looked like. I was too young."

He did not know what the others thought of any of this. J'ayaram, for one felt numb and alone at the moment. His pain has never been shared with anyone. He just never allowed himself to ever forget what he did out of fear and pain. He never wanted to let that happen again. "I use those memories as a reminder of what magic can do if the user is scared. I will not ever let it happen again. I am sure now, you, Maiden have much to dislike about me." He said to Hyakurin.

He looked at the three and started to walk off. He wanted to take back the last moments he just shared. Was it better to not let them know him? He shook his head not knowing the answer to that either. He crossed his arms looking down as he slowly walked down the beach looking at the sand while he listens to the birds. He was past the pain of that night, just numb to it by now he had relived it so many times in his thoughts.

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((OOC: Hyakurin If you think the rolling over and showing throat to your wolf is stupid, please let me know and I will remove that part. It seems strange to me and not quite likely of a graceful elf, but If Cutter were a Tall elf, he would not hesitate, I bet, just to put a wolf at ease, What do you think?))

Hyakurin stoped her song. "Ophistha perhaps we can teach you the mindtalk again. I prefer it because it is safe and can be used even if we are apart." She smiled at her.

Hyakurin looked to the mountains. She then looked at Oakroot... her dream... Nectar's dream... The bug had disappeared perhaps it had gone to the mountain. She hoped it would one day return safely and the new elf Jolt, who she had yet to meet, could be removed from her cocoon. ((OOC: From the Facebook post Jolt has been placed in wrapstuff for unknown reasons and Nectar has vanished. I just wanted to reference it to get it out of the way. So we can continue this role play without having to work around it.))

What did Ophistha mean? Oakroot felt as her mother did?

"Food it is then!" Her gut grumbled at the persistent talk of it. "My gut agrees!" She placed her hand on her stomach and giggled. Even Breakneck began to calm. He knew that when there was talk of food he would not be left to fill his gut on his own. "Perhaps I can dive with you, Ophistha? I can swim quite well even with these two legs." She giggled again. "You must move like an arrow through the waters!"

Hyakurin was stunned at the tall elf's actions! She clapped her hands together bringing them to her smiling mouth in approval. He showed throat! Breakneck snorted in indifference. The two new elf's, though odd, could be tolerated. Perhaps eventually friends? The wolf had even grown fond of Oakroot though he took much of Hyakurin's attention. The old wolf huffed his approval. Shaking the scruff of his neck and plopping down into the sand at Hyakurin's feet. "Though Breakneck is an old wolf he is fiercely loyal and his teeth and claws still sharp. But my brother should cause neither of you any trouble."

Hyakurin ran to catch up to J'ayaram and wrapped her arm around his. He was even taller then Oakroot! He felt firm but somehow softer then Oakroot... and completely different from Ophistha's tentacles. She grinned at the thought of them. It occurred to her how small she was amongst the others. Though it caused her no shame. For a moment she felt like a cub and was reminded of how her parents once seemed. She then realized she was at least as tall as her father but still not of a height with her mother and never would be. She urged J'ayaram to turn and face the group. "I am sorry I have judged you harshly. I fear my mother's blood has caused my distrust. Your past is your own. I will not judge you for it. My own past causes me much pain but also much joy. Wolfriders," She smiled in adoration at Oakroot. "should live in 'the Now'. Oakroot has taught me much in our time together. Life can be sweet." She looked at Ophistha and then J'ayaram. "Like dreamberries! The more the merrier!" She opened the satchel at her side presenting a small handful of the plump ripe berries and offered them to the others. Though she felt strange having been a loner for so long. What would it be like with so many new faces? Best not to worry... she thought. "As for humans, I've never met one. In truth I was taught to stay hidden from them lest I find myself on the point end of their spears." She closed her eyes sticking her tongue out the side of her mouth in a faux death. Then opening one eye slowly to see their reactions. Then composing herself. "But as I've recently heard there are good and bad. And as there are no humans here they are not a concern." Her gut growled again... "but this greedy gut of mine is!"

She laughed and ran back to Oakroot grabbing his hands and twirling around him. She felt elated and now at ease.