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Date Posted: 21:07:42 06/05/02 Wed
Author: Rhowe'non
Subject: ~*~

Some distance from Birch Glen, Rhowe’non leaned against the smooth trunk of a towering alder tree, trying to take comfort from the familiar feel of the bark. Surely, she was insane; surely, she was not about to do what she thought she was about to do; surely she had not just made up her mind to visit the newborn Plenyts in Birch Glen and try to Bond… There was no way, no way at all, and she would wind up driven from this new refuge as she had been driven in her youth from the troupe, from her mother, from her life… Given, she had not wholly enjoyed that life, but it had been all she had. And now, here she was, finally settled in a new place, with new people whom, if they did not entirely understand, at least respected her odd quirks. And now she was risking it all, or so her mind fancied, for an unattainable dream, the yearning to be bound eternally to another soul, to understand that bond between Dwi and Wytti… She was insane, oh yes, for why else would she be doing such a thing?

Yet whilst her mind wandered, nervous and afraid, her body moved without her bidding – unbinding her moon ridden hair and tossing the jade hued vine to one side, allowing her waist length tresses to cascade about her shoulders; Brushing the twigs and leaves from her moderately elaborate costume of swirling greens and blues; Stashing her dagger in an alcove for later retrieval (it would not do to bring a potential weapon into the presence of those whom she wished to impress); Slinging the sack containing the freshly killed pair of rabbits over her shoulder. Snapping back into the preparations mentally as well as physically, she quickly checked over her appearance in her head, looking over her new outfit with moderate pride. It had taken her quite a long time to make this one, and although it was not exactly convenient for tree climbing purposes, while on the ground it was perfect. The material was well woven and fine – it had cost her more than she had been quite willing to part with, but there was no choice, for she needed such fabric if she was to avoid being forced to stop every few steps to untangle herself. The dye job was magnificent, and the weaver had been unwilling to part with the closely guarded secret of how it was done, thus leaving Rhowe’non to wonder how it was that she had so flawlessly combined the various shades. It was a bit low cut for her liking, but she had needed to conserve material, and the seamstress whose advice she had gotten on the design had suggested that it would add to the otherwise "bland" design. Not that it was at all bland in her own mind. The sleeves, though long to protect from biting insects and whippy boughs, flared so as to allow air to pass through and cool the arms, and although it was rather dress-like in appearance, it conveniently consisted of layered strips of cloth from mid-thigh downwards so as not to obstruct movement. In any other area, such an outfit might have appeared strange, but in such a region, and in combination with her own, queer hair and eyes, it fit perfectly. With a last, brief prayer to the Goddess, the Dwi stepped back onto the path, walking swiftly but silently towards the Birch Glen. The young mother is Cariad and her bonded is Jallya, the father is Llynmynydd and his bonded is Terrun, she reminded herself. Don’t forget.

The ribbon-like strips fluttering about her legs like small birds fussing over their young, Rhowe’non finally reached the entrance to the grove. She took a deep breath, then stepped inside. She nearly froze with surprise.

She had no idea that the Plenyts would be so, so… Cute was not really accurate, for it was more than that. They were adorable as all young creatures were, of course, but even as tumbling, enthusiastic youngsters they showed many signs of growing into magnificent… She ceased to attempt to describe it. And then, as she looked towards the center of the clearing, her breath caught in her throat. Were these the parents, then…?

A dark, vibrant red pelt, as soothing to the eyes as rich velvet, offset by the deepest platinum eyes she had ever seen in her life. And by her side, a large, magnificent green and gold male, with eyes the color of coruscating copper. Feeling intensely overwhelmed, she bowed, then caught sight of the four Dwi behind them. Jallya and Terrun, and two others… Perhaps they, too, are hoping to bond? Or merely visiting?

"Greetings, all of you. I’m Rhowe’non." She turned to the two Wytti, smiling, her nervousness evaporating at the sight of the marvelous creatures. "Cariad and Llynmynydd, is it not? Your children are … words cannot describe them. My profound congratulations to both of you." She took off her leather sack, and produced the two rabbits. "I am certain you can hunt quite well on your own, but these two hopped across my path on my way here, and I had my slingshot with me, so…" She shrugged, still smiling. "I figured I would bring them to you, in the off chance that you would want them." Rhowe’non set them down on the sack, leaving them easily accessible to the two Wytti, yet protecting them from the ground and the small insects which dwelled there. "Do you mind if I visit you and your young for a brief time?"

She then sent a smile in the direction of the four Dwi. "Jallya and Terrun, correct? I am afraid I have not met you in the past, but I hope to perhaps get to know you at least marginally in the future." Turning to Shak and Niira, she added, "I am afraid I do not know your names. My sincere apologies."

The young woman felt far more comfortable around the members of her own kind when there were few of them, and when they were in the company of Wytti. She sat down, and tucked her knees beneath her chin, merely watching the antics of the young Plenyts. One, a solid silver-gray Fach with startling gold eyes, caught her attention, and Rhowe’non watched in adoring amusement as the rambunctious female antagonized one of her siblings, an almond hued Bach.

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