Elspeth

I pride myself in being reasonable, someone who isn’t about to dodge an issue when it is presented. In the Threshold, by way of goodbye, Thranduil had brought up “the Reaper” accompanied by this look as if he had just won a contest between the two of us. Honestly, my eyes rolled back so much in exasperation they practically did a backflip into my skull and came out the otherside.  I don’t even know where to start, really, but the implication that I was on anything resembling regular speaking terms with that odd creature that was lead in the Basin was laughable.

I think we all can attest to how well I handle the strange.

“Helovian culture,” I quickly explain to Leif - I’m not bothered by what our departed golden friend said but I’m not interested in dodging things, remember. “Occasionally involves giving pet names to those they consider noteworthy.” I beckon him to follow me, my voice clearly stating how ridiculous I found the entire practice. “The lord in the Basin is known as the Reaper though, honestly, that sounds like something a male would call himself as he tried to be intimidating.” As I pick my way through the forest, I pause - abashed as my words echo in my mind. “Sorry, no offense.”

Good job, Elspeth. As if cursing at him in the Threshold wasn’t enough.

As we made our way north, I occasionally tried to point out features and fumbled for the names of the places we passed. I soon abandoned this practice, however, when I realized I had no idea if what I was telling him was right or wrong. I was trying to remember what Calder and Zandora were teaching me the last time I made this trek and what little pieces I had picked up since then. Were we walking through the Thistle Meadow or the Whispering Field? There were thistles and the grasses did make a curious whispering noise with the wind moving through them, so it could be either one.

It seemed I would not be leaving Helovia today. I oddly felt a little better now that there was someone else who was arguably more out of place than I had been feeling. Hopefully everything I said about the Basin was going to prove true. It was safe. Probably a little bit safer than most places! For now, I kept my personal doubts under wraps.

The warm weather made the journey enjoyable and before too long we’re at the border of the Basin. “Well, here we are! We have to wait for one of the leaders of the herd to accept you, but I don’t think there will be any trouble.” I didn’t want to just, yell out without warning him so once I alerted him to this idea I whinny for someone, anyone (though hopefully someone I knew, the golden mare who welcomed me would be perfect).

As we wait, I should probably try to be helpful. “So, uh, do you have any questions? It might seem pretty daunting, but I'm still learning too so you're not alone.” I give him a small smile, trying to be encouraging. 

give me the sun that shone

Elspeth

A smile brightened my golden brown eyes as Leif mentioned how he should hold his tongue for his questions, and I was quick to shake my head and try to persuade him that method wasn’t likely to be the best. “That is true, you’ll pick up on things as you go… I’m still learning about Helovia myself, though, and I can assure you that I’d happily answer any questions you might have. It’s not easy, being a stranger. I’ve asked two others now whether they were gods since I arrived here, because their appearances were so strange to me, so anything you ask won't be so odd to me.” I punctuate this little story about myself with a light laugh, hoping he’d take heart in it. I may look more like I belonged here in Helovia but it was still different. It still wasn’t home. I was an outsider looking in and I had not yet decided whether I wanted to stay like that or not.  

At his question about whether it was easy to live with horses - I frown a little. Not in reaction to the words, of course, but in concentration - it was not something I had ever been asked before and I wanted to give him as honest of an answer as I could. “I don’t think it’s too hard to live among horses… but I’ve never had to describe it before.” And then my smile gave way to a warm smile again. It was easier to try to be encouraging now that I had gotten over my shock, now that I was enjoying his easy company and polite questions. They gave me something to focus on and I couldn't believe how amazing it was to have even the illusion of being helpful. “Everyone keeps to themselves mostly, unless they want company. Occasionally there are meetings or gatherings where everyone in the herd gets together.”

Before I was able to answer his question about the antlers - which drew a wider smile from me - we were joined by Rexanna. I kept my gaze on Leif for a moment, gauging his reaction to get another horse and nodding infinitesimally to reassure him before my attention shifted. Rexanna was a beautiful sight, with her coat and chains, and the kindness she had showed me when I was new to the Basin (and still!) had eased my wariness about her appearance.

I was incredibly thankful that either the golden mare did not have the same reaction I did, or she was much better at hiding her emotions when confronted with the unusual.

Rexanna answered the question about the males, and I nod again - more noticeably this time - in confirmation before adding. “Normally we greet each other with simple words or by exchanging breaths, or bumping muzzles with those you know well.” In demonstration, I take a slight step forward and reach out my muzzle to Rexanna to demonstrate.

And then, at the question directed at me, I smile brightly. “Yes, this is Leif - I crossed paths with him in the Threshold and offered the safety of the Basin, like I had been.” I had never actually brought someone back to the Basin before which made me doubly thankful for Rexanna’s presence - she seemed to move so smoothly into the role of accepting someone. Hopefully that would be an ease on Leif as well.

More questions are asked - and I don’t add any more, out of fear of making things overwhelming. But I'm ready to answer any of his questions that I might be able to.

give me the sun that shone

Elspeth

I smiled warmly as Rexanna suggested touring the Basin as they talked - a much better idea than standing around at the entrance like I was intending to do! Once again I was thankful for her presence here, for her knowledge about the herd and welcoming new members. If it had been left to me, Leif and I might have lingered at the borders until we had both rotted away.

I fall into step with Rexanna, careful to make sure that Leif was coming along too. From our journey here I knew that we would have no trouble keeping pace with one another.

The golden mare by my side went on to explain the different ranks that were here in the Basin. In the silence that followed, it took me a moment to realize she had left it so that I might also answer his question. I quickly speak up to make up for the lapse, though I don’t have nearly as impressive of an answer as Rexanna. “I used to be a healer, before I came here. I gathered herbs and learned how to use them to aid members of the herd when they were injured or ill.” As always, remembering what I used to be - what I used to have - is a knife in my gut and heart. But, no, that’s not quite right because the pain is always there. The reminders of the loss simply refresh the wound.

This play of emotions, I know, will be clear to any that are watching my face - I’ve the worst poker face. And I can only hope neither will comment on it because I cannot begin to explain to them the meaning for it.

So instead I move on, offering a small smile to my companions. “I haven’t quite decided what path I will follow here in Helovia… there are more options than I am used to.” I had never heard of sneaks or crafters before coming here and had to admit I was impressed with how those odd ranks seemed to be so crucial to the herd functions. There was a crafter to weave blankets and other textiles to keep members warm during the cold months and thieves like Rexanna to gather information and, of course, steal when required.

“Did you live in a herd before you came here, Leif? Or were you on your own?” I find it curious that he had not had a job and though there are certainly more questions I would ask him, this seemed like at least somewhere to start.

Of course, as I thought about it afterward I realized that I shouldn’t be the one asking questions - Leif was the one that needed to learn more about us. It was too late to take it back now but I reminded myself to keep my curiosity in check for a little while longer.  

give me the sun that shone

Leif

Luckily, it seemed, that Rexanna was as patient as she was uniquely colored, for she did not seem to mind his incessant inquiries and uncertain gibberish. She went on to explain her own part in this herd, her own title and duty and what it entailed, and Leif listened with rapt attention, oval ears stationed forward to absorb every word, to learn as much as he could about this female not-horse. She was a Thief, the lead Thief, and gathered crucial bits of information for the leads of the Aurora Basin.

At the golden Thief's suggestion of touring the lands, Leif wasn't one to offer a protest. Rexanna and Elspeth were good company, or turning out that way, anyway, and he could think of no one else to show him around the fixtures of his new home, mostly because he had no one else to show him around. With a smile and a nod of his mighty antlers, the white stag fell into step with the two females.

The Elk's blue-green eyes roamed across the features of the valley as it dipped downwards from the entrance, opening up, absorbing it all and committing every rock, every brush, every noticeable feature to memory. When Rexanna's voice filtered up and across the sky, Leif looked back to the said woman, and like a sponge, absorbed her words.

Thieves, healers, crafters, scholars, and warriors. Literally everything for everyone, for every talent or ability. Well, almost... "So many choices," he murmured with a kindred, yet intrigued smile, clearly captivated, "How brilliant. Do you not have any singers?" And here, his expression turned somewhat wistful. "Elk are known for their abilities to sing long into the night." Not bragging, of course, but Leif enjoyed a good song as well as the next creature.

Regardless of the answer, the white bull was grateful for Rexanna's patience and that he wasn't required to pick a title right off of the get-go. He wanted time to learn more about this land, find his niche, so to speak, before finding a job. "When I decide upon one, I will let you know, Doe-Rexanna." From there, Leif's focus turned to that of the freckled female at his side, Elspeth, and listened with equal parts intrigue and captivation as she explained what she had done previously in her life.

A healer. The occupation, he thought, suited her more than perhaps she even knew, and as he watched her pretty face closely, the Elk couldn't miss the look of something that marred her expression. What it was, however, he couldn't place, nor would he try to. There was no reason to force his curiosity into her life. It seemed that his indecisive was common place, as Elspeth admitted that she also had yet to decide upon a job within the Basin herd.

Ah. Good. He had time, then.

Then, Elspeth voiced a question of her own, of his life before wandering into the Threshold of Helovia, and the stag's expression drifted into a face of blanched stalwart-ism, unable to hide the pain that shone in blue-green eyes. "I was on my own, yes, for quite awhile." It had been many years since he had lived in a herd, or called any other soul 'friend', but that wound still stung despite the many scabs that had since grown over it. "When I was but a young bull-calf, I lived in a herd with other Elk. Some had jobs, like your herd here, but they were somewhat different. In an Elk herd, we had our protectors, like your warriors, and our singers and storytellers, as well as shamans for healers." Or so he hoped. His memory of herd-life was fuzzy, even for his own kind.

He chuckled, a deep, guttural, throaty sound. "I always yearned to be a singer when I was a calf, like my mother. She taught me all of the songs that I now know. Perhaps if the situation ever arose, I could teach your herd about the songs of Elks."

From there he allowed his words to drift, focused once more on the land around them. "Are there places in this land that I should note? Certain places not to go?"

the white stag

Elspeth

“Thank you.” I smiled back at the golden mare, appreciating her words about how I seemed very “healer-ish”. Perhaps there was still a chance for me to pick up my lost trade. Although it was not to me, she brought up one of the time menders - mentioning Lena who I had met briefly in the hot springs with a group of the other mares in the herd. I make a mental note to go talk with her the next time I got a chance. Were any of the plants here in Helovia similar to the ones I learned when I was apprenticing? We were in the mountains, so it seemed likely - though the Basin was not nearly as green as the mountains of my old home.

When Leif mentioned singing I remember the deep, incredible call he had made back in the Threshold and wondered what it would be like to hear him sing. She hoped she would get the chance, one day. Another thing to remember for another time.

I listen with interest as the elk gave a little bit of insight into his history. It would seem that, on some level, herds of horses and elk functioned on the same basic level. “That’d be wonderful to hear your singing sometime, Leif.” I smiled brightly, glad that I got the chance to voice my interest in hearing it.  

More questions, Rexanna easily answering and pointing out the focal points of the herdland. I find myself looking as though I had never seen them before myself - but I have to remind myself that I didn’t received an official tour when I arrived. Rexanna had offered, of course, but I was dead on my hooves in fatigue and had promptly fallen asleep for longer than a day. “I don’t think there’s anywhere not to go,” My gaze flickered over to Rexanna to make sure that I got this part right. If there was somewhere that you were not supposed to go in the Basin, I didn’t know about it. “Like Rexanna mentioned there are some caves that most of the herd takes shelter in - especially during the winter.” Though I hadn’t been spending a lot of time in a cave myself, having found a comfortable spot beneath the stars. “So just be careful that if you pick one, it’s not already occupied.” I winked as I said it, a bright grin spreading back across my features. I couldn’t shake the thought that we were an odd trio but how comfortable I felt with them.

give me the sun that shone

Leif

It was odd, feeling so comfortable amidst Rexanna and Elspeth's company. They were going out of their way to ensure that he felt welcome, that he understood the layout of the land, that his questions were reasonable and not foolish or dumb in the slightest. For the first time in many years, perhaps the entirety of of his life, he was among others and having a genuine, comfortable conversation with them...

There was no running, no fighting, no hiding. Nothing of the way of life he had so grown accustomed to. Although strange, it was a welcome reprieve. Leif only hoped that it would last.

Lena is the name of the Aurora Basin's Time Mender, or their healer, and the bull does his best to filter that away with all of the other information that he has crammed within his skull, hoping that he could find her and learn about her own songs. Things would be forgotten, others would be remembered, but that was alright. If this was to be his home, then Leif knew he would recall it all sooner or later, regardless of if he remembered it now or not. Still, it didn't hurt to try.

Both of the female not-horses commented that they would enjoy hearing him sing sometime, and Leif felt blessed that they had not thought he was dumb, or naive. Perhaps, at a later time, they could all sing together.

They passed deeper into the valley, and the white stag followed Rexanna's gaze towards the lake in the distance, and like everything else, absorbs all of the information that he can. The lake never freezes. The hot springs are just behind it. Rexanna's own cave is located beyond that. They live in caves. He paused, a large oval ear quirked forward in confusion.

"Caves?"

They live in caves?

Pale lips pursed, brows furrowing over confused blue-green eyes. Like bears? Leif knew that bears lived in caves, and sometimes lions and cougars, but horses? Well, these were not-horses, and the mountainous region that they called home surely could suffer from cruel winters. Perhaps living in caves was the best way to ward off the frozen wrath of winter? Elspeth's additive only confirmed his wayward thoughts, and he offered the freckled woman timid smile, touched by her thoughtfulness.

"Huh." He chuckled, a deep rattling sound, but Leif nodded his tined head in the golden lady's direction. "I will do that. A cave for a home. How very bizarre." But his smile was of good, kindred nature, and not condescending. After all, he was the stranger here, and like all things, it would only take time for him to learn the ways of this land.

Rexanna went on, her melodious vocals keeping his attention as they continued their tour. The cave of the Haruspex was pointed out, as well as what a Haruspex was. A scholar. Interesting. The medic cave was beyond that, and Leif made a mental note to investigate it later and pay it a visit in hopes of finding this 'Lena'. Then, the crafter's cave, apparently home to a bull not-horse named Johnny. Rexanna's comment of how Johnny would be amazed to meet him took the stag by momentary surprise, but he covered it up with a shy smile.

"Perhaps I would," Leif stated humbly, head twisting about as he looked to each of the landmarks that Rexanna and Elspeth had pointed out, "It is so much to take in at once, I hope I don't forget any of it." Once more, he chuckled, shaking the massive twisting tines upon his brow. "The lake, the hot springs, the caves... The Haruspex, Time Mender, and the crafter, Johnny."

"I hope that I do not wander into the wrong cave. I do not believe anyone would enjoy an Elk traipsing into their home." But, should that happen, Leif knew to only apologize, blame his ignorance, and continue on his way. Twisting his gaze away from the land of the Aurora Basin, of his new home, the stag focused his earthly eyes onto the two forms of Rexanna and Elspeth. To them he dipped his head, always careful of his rack, and spoke as humbly and respectfully as he could manage. "Thank you for showing me about, as well as being so kindred and welcoming. I could not have imagined a more grand introduction into my new home. You two will be around, yes?" And here, the stag's expression turned somewhat pinched, as though Rexanna and Elspeth would disappear when they inevitably parted ways. "If I should wish to speak to you, I mean? You will both be able to be found here?"

the white stag

Elspeth

We three continue to wind our way through the Basin, making sure to hit all the main spots so that Leif can learn and see as much as possible with two guides. Or, really - one guide and then me, because I’m not really offering up much that is helpful about the Basin.

“Not all horses do.” I added, noting his bewilderment over the idea of caves. “But here in the Basin it’s wise to limit your exposure to the elements in the winter at night… we’re rather far north and the colder seasons don’t let you forget it.” Anyone want to venture a guess as to my least favourite season? It was cold, it was bitter, it had been when my family had died. “But the hot springs that Rexanna mentioned are a wonderful way to escape the chill.”

However beautiful the season was when I arrived in the Basin, I doubted I would ever be fond of it.

Leif expressed his hope that he wouldn’t forget all that he had learned today and I chuckled softly in response. “If you ever forget anything and have more questions, don’t hesitate to ask. It’s a lot to take in.” I cast him another encouraging smile, hoping that the gesture was not lessened by my frequent use of it. There just seemed to be a lot of reasons to offer him encouragement! It was supposed to get easier, or so I was told - assimilating into somewhere new. I had my doubts but perhaps Leif would find it easier than I would - perhaps he was more willing.

So when he asked whether we’d be around if he wished to speak to us, my answer followed smoothly after Rexanna’s. “Yes, of course.” Where else would I go? But I keep the ridiculous pang of despair out of my expression and voice, for once being somewhat successful. “You’re welcome to find me whenever.” It would be good to have more amiable company around the Basin and I would be happy to talk to Leif further. He had learned a lot about Helovia in the last little while but I imagined there would soon be a time when he had more questions.  

give me the sun that shone