Into the Forest {Open}

[Amundara]

The woods would have confused, trapped, any traveler or intruder. They had a mystic quality for that, almost as mystical as the residents who resided deeper inside. But for those very same residents, navigating through was as simple as walking on a straight line. At least it was for this elder elf. Gracefully she moved across the large roots and around the thick, twisted trunks. At her side her feline companion accompanied her with an equal amount of grace.

Now the question was why she was there. To hunt? To move to a different realm? Neither, the elf woman just wanted some peace and quiet away from the bustling home of the Faerie and elf. At times, all the excitement and young life made her realize just how old she was. Even her feline companion seemed to share her empathy for the aging elven woman.

Quickly she and the ocelot made their way through the forest until they reached a river. One of the old woman's favorite spots. Her feline companion leapt ahead, taking her place on a large root while Elswyer herself plopped down on some soft soil next to the tree. She wore leather armor today so hadn't needed worry about getting dirty.

[rain]

Dire was practicing jumping between trees. He was getting pretty good at it. He could just push off with a light step on one of the tree's upper limbs. A great continuation of a great day.

Earlier that day he had helped a family of squirrels gather nuts. He wasn't really sure why he did it, but it was fun. He got to pick up whatever nuts were scattered around. After that, he had gathered little sticks for beavers. It amazed him how well he could tell what the animals wanted without really being able to communicate with them.

While he was lost in thought, Dire came to a river. The next tree was to far away and he didn't notice until he had already jumped. He spotted a young woman below him. "Wathc out!" he yelled, but he flew over her and landed in the river. There was a giant splash upon impact.

[Amundara]

Elswyer had found herself lying in front of the river before long, enjoying the quiet relaxation. Her ocelot, Kahja, had come to join her. The small-dog sized cat made herself comfortable just next to the elf, her head resting on El's lap. In return Elswyer stroked and scrathed the feline. The loud purr emnating from the ocelot showed just how satisfied she was. What a pampered kitty Kahja was.

Right as El had made a yawn she heard a vioce call out to her in warning. Instantly the elf's instincts forced her to jump back, away from the river. Kahja doing the same in record time. A large splash signaled that whoever warned her had apparently missed landing on her by quite a long shot. With a curious look El made her way to the cool waters, Are you alright?

[rain]

Dire's head came up from under the water. He looked up at El. "I'm fine," he said, "I'm glad I didn't land on you." He smiled. Today was still a great day! THe water was cool and refreshing, perfect for cooling off after a nice day of fun work. "I can't believe you're not in this water, it's wonderful," Dire told her.

[Amundara]

Elswyer couldn't help but chuckle softly when the boy popped up from river. He didn't look nearly as miserable as she thought he might've. He seemed fine despite his landing, that was a good thing. She moved in toward the water to try and help him out but instead he seemed happy to be in the water. What an odd fellow he was. I'm afraid I like the sound of water more than being in it. El admitted, But I suppose a small soak might do me some good. Kahja moved to join her partner but was halted by El's signal to stop. Despite being a cat, the ocelot was very loyal and very obediant. Much like wolf companions of her other fellow elves.

She was almost as deep in as he was when she suddenly dived under the water. Her body glided smoothly and almost fish-like to where he was. A small smile decorated her face as she popped back up. Water splashed this way and that. This is a nice temperature for the river this year. She admitted, I'm not suprised you want to stay in.

[rain]

Dire watched the ocelot obey her mistress' command. He had never seen such a well behaved cat of any kind. When the woman popped up next to him, it surprised him, but he was able to keep it off his face. "It is nice in here," he smiled, "What type of cat is your companion?"

[Amundara]

Elswyer was drifting in a cirlce around the other elf. Somehow she recognized him but she just couldn't place it... Oh well, she might remember sooner or later. Most likely later. Everything usually came back to her later. She dunked her head once to move her hair away from her eyes when she heard his question. Ah yes, my Kahja is an ocelot. They're usually solitary felines but Kahja is a special one. She replied, in the distance Kahja let out a harsh roar-like meow almost as if in agreement. Do you also have a companion yet or are you still looking for your wild partner? She asked.

[rain]

"Still searching. I feel almost like all of them could be my companions though. Just today I helped a family of squirrels and a family of bievers," Dire said. He let out a little sigh. He had yet to meet his perfect companion. They were all very friendly, but he didn't know any that were friendly enough.

Dire started swimming in circles along with El. He didn't really know what else to do. He shook his head. He was too young to think about this. "How did you come across Kahja?" he asked.

[Amundara]

El listened intensly but her face remained calmed and relaxed. It was true that it seemed like all animals were like the life-long partners like Kahja was. She could tell by his explanation however that he was still very young. Far younger than she was, that was for sure. But it was still calming to know that the elven youths still treasured helping the residents of the forest. Truly heartwarming.

When he asked how she came across Kahja, El's mind swam through the endless pieces of her memory. It was a memory that she would always remember despite the many others that bore too many holes to recall. I met dear Kahja when I was in the human world. I was traveling around the continents of that world when I stumbled upon her as a mere kitten whose mother fell prey to human hunters. A sad sight but also a happy memory since that was the moment I first met her. Afterward I raised her and before I knew it she I had a bond stronger than any other. Elswyer smiled at the sweet memory, A bit of a common tale, no? She chuckled softly before adding, Even if you don't have your partner yet, you still have much time to find them. After all the spirit will always remain the same. That was her belief anyway. A belief that somehow managed to stay with her from birth all the way to now.

[rain]

DIre stopped circling and just treaded water. The awful memories he had. "I don't know that I have that much time. If my parents ever find me, my time will be up," he said with tears in his eyes. Dark beings don't like those that aren't like them. Especially the ones that betray them. There was a soft plink when his tears hit the water of the river, but he didn't notice.

[Amundara]

They swam around a bit more times before the sound of the other stopped. The water flowed against something solid which signaled that he had stopped. She could feel the air grow dreary. His words struck her like a hammer. There was definitely a familiarity in that story as it had not been the first one she heard. El stopped her drifting and looked at the young elf. Now she remembered who he was. Dire, child of two dark elves and yet a child of light. Its not your parents' decision of how long you survive. Its your own strength and determination that'll help you survive. She said with an unemotional voice, almost like as if she were reading it out of a book.

She looked at the young Dire, Well lets not dwell on gloomy matters, the sunlight won't last. Instead I think I would like to see just how strong the young Dire has gotten over his short existence. After that she was already swimming to the shore where her Kahja waited patiently.

[rain]

Dire wiped the tears out of his eyes and swam to shore. He wasn't sure what to expect, but it would probably be interesting. And anything that helped him forget his past was a good thing. He stepped out of the water and immediately got a chill. Being wet could be so awful sometimes. He moved his hand and all the water came off his skin and clothing and went back into the river. Now he was ready for whatever El wanted to do.

[Amundara]

As El met the shore, her ocelot came to greet her. The big cat let out a deep purr as the elven woman scratched the she-cat's chin. Thank you Kahja for waiting. She smiled and the ocelot let out a short mrow sound. It didn't take long for the old elven to get the water from her armor. One hand swept over the dark brown leather in fluid motion and the liquids followed. She aimed the direction around her body to gather all the liquid before aiming at the river where it flowed back in like a mini-stream.

She looked to her Kahja, the ocelot seemed to sense what she going to say and began to flick her tail in a playful motion. Lets see how the young are doing these days, alright girl? El bent down to whisper in the feline's ear. Another purr rumbled and the spotted cat butted her head against El's chin. Elswyer chuckled before getting back up to her feet. How 'bout we first warm up with a nice jog hm?

One would expect a jog to be on the ground and running but oh no. Not with this elf. No, Elswyer jump into the trees with a back jump. Her strong legs were like that of a jungle cat and could easily fling her farther than most. Her ocelot followed with an almost ninja-like grace. Lets see if you can keep up. She called, she turned and leapt from the lower branch to a nearby trunk of another where she bounced off and glided across yet another trunk to land smoothly on one of the higher, thicker branches. Kahja followed with equal and almost impossible equality. She held a quick smile before she was off, leaping from branch to trunk; going up and down but never once touching the ground. This was a basic test, a test of maneuvarability.

[rain]

Dire closed his eyes for a second and when he opened them, he jumped. He hit a trees trunk and pushed lightly off onto one of another one's lower branches. He then started moving forward and higher. He was really getting better at this, but he was going to have to watch where he was going. No need to land in another river.

He quickly caught up with El. He was just behind her so he wouldn't disrupt her leaps. With the wind in his hair and the feel of the forest all around him, he could only form one complete thought. Tree jumping was pretty fun.

[Amundara]

So the youngster was able to match her moves and what more he could match the speed she was at now. About half the elves around his age could do that and it looked like he was one of those. A good sign. A very good sign. El gave the boy a smile, So you can keep up. Well lets see what else you can do.

As if that was a signal, Elswyer's Kahja pounced of the path that her mistress ran and jumped higher, clawing markings into the trees before while dragging herself upward. As the feline moved like a shadow amongst the higest branches, a thin rain of leaves fell. With a grin El slapped a hand on the next tree she landed. Her focus of her elemental magic shifted the tree to twist and raise the branch she stood upon into middle of the fall of leaves. Make a storm. The ancient elf whispered and the leaves seemed to hear her words. Each individual glowed with a thin veil of green aura before twisting into a gentle whirl-wind of green. Gentle as it was it was blinding as both foliage and magical aura shrouded the ancient elf. Now, let me see how good your senses are. El's voice echoed somewhere within the natural illusion.