Post by Bhaskar on Oct 1, 2010 23:13:59 GMT -7
As a note: This scene takes place after "I bring ill news," and "I haven't strayed into your territory, have I?" but before "What brings you to the home of the Ran Garjana?" It's technically unfinished, but I think it stands well enough in its current state.
Cast:
Gyarahabala (Elder Gray Wolf)
Bhata (Tiger)
Bhaskar and Lakshmi (Tiger, Golden Jackal)
------
Raging River
The river rages here over boulders in frothy rapids flowing from the west and rushing toward east. Its depth and powerful current make it dangerous for all but the largest beasts -- elephant, rhinoceros, water buffalo and guar -- even during the dry season. Regular monsoons cause it to swell regularly, leaving an exposed, vast bed of rock, boulder and sandbars during the dry season. The steep banks outside of this manage to contain most monsoons, held fast by tangly roots of teak, mango, tea, jambul and other trees and well-rooted brush. This east-west stretch of the river marks the northern edge of a rainforest which continues thickly south of here; not far from the river's edge into this forest lurks a massive Banyan tree, not tall but sprawling out over tens of meters. To the north, the trees are thinner and -- during an offshore breeze -- the stank of peat would indicate a marsh to the north. Downstream to the west, the river can be seen taking a bend southward (toward the southwest of here). A stream to the west and a near sub-horizon to the northwest would indicate a possible lake to the northwest.
------
Gyarahabala hobbles his way down the river bank, the old three-legged wolf finding himself thirsty. Something in the air he can't quite put a paw on has been disquieting of late, and for some reason the roar of the rapids here helps settle his mind. He laps thirstily, then stands quietly with his three legs soaking in the cool water and his ears the thundering white water.
The 'hero' tiger, as some think of him, is currently on the opposite side of the river. He seems exhausted, but shrugs it off, and suddenly takes a leap off a ledge into the raging river, so aptly named. He fights the current as best he can zig zagging his way through the rapids towards the bank. After a good battle with the river he manages to make it across and flops down on the bank panting heavily. Its always good to keep oneself physically fit. You never know when you might need that advantage. And well after what the tiger saw in those dark woods, something sinister is out there. Something that they all should take note of in these peacefull lands. It wasn't always that way, and it probably wouldn't always be that way again. Bhata paws at a flower sticking out of a rock crack in the riverbank and only then catches the scent of familiar creatures. o.o
Downwind of the others, moving silently and purposefully through the underbrush, are another tiger and a much smaller golden jackal. The constant din of the river muffles all sound, and the mud and water washes away a good deal of scent as well; and so Bhaskar and Lakshmi hunt by sight alone in this area. They aren't out for food. Instead they search for information, and what they've acquired has brought them east rather than south. Bhaskar's roving eyes are quick to sight the wolf--and quick to identify him as well. How many three-legged canines are there in this region of the forest, after all? However, shortly afterwards something large and striped plunges into the river a fair distance away, and any salutation they may have had for Gyarahabala is put on hold. Slipping through the trees, Bhaskar and his kol-bahl draw closer to the exhausted feline.
Gyarahabala was daydreaming, lost in thought listening to the river when his good friend crosses the river from the far side. He does not notice Bhata until he nearly finishes his crossing some distance downstream. Instantly, the wolf's contemplativeness dissipates and he wags, bounding excitedly on his three legs over to his large, younger striped friend's side. "Bhata!" he woofs happily, then spots Bhaskar and Lakshmi. Even before anything is said, Gyarahabala senses the purposefullness of the Do-Rhakanaa and understands, instantly, that they bore serious warnings. Could his nightmare of the Sakht Nakh rising from the dead be coming true?
Bhata can sense the Do-Rhakanaa as well, having helped them during the war, he has become familiar with their culture and ways over the moons and seasons since. They respect him, and he respects them. Its a mutual relationship, and while he's not an official member of the Do-Rhakanaa, he feels like one of them in a way. He notices Gyarahabala and instantly perks up, a big smile crossing his muzzle. "Gyara!" He calls out..."How you faring? Its been awhile, as I've been away on a spiritual journey so to speak. Its interesting when you go on a mission alone the things you think about." He then notices a familar face in the tiger Bhaskar. "Bhask!" He calls out and grins again. Its been at least a number of moons if not a full season since Bhata left on his spiritual journey which later turned into a mission to find out why furs had been disappearing after an eagle came to him and told him the news. This was all so strange, how could furs just disappear out of nowhere and not even see anyone who attacked them? Who was responsible for all this terror?" He stares at the flower for a moment, wishing that peace could last forever in these lands, but knowing it probably would not. Just then a gust of wind comes and snaps the flower off, causing the petals to blow away in the wind.
Indeed, the approaching duo look quite serious. Neither of them speak until they've drawn nearer; then Bhaskar returns the other tiger's salutation, his voice raised to carry across the roar of the water nearby. "Bhata. Gyarahabala." To the old wolf he bows his head deeply, and Lakshmi, coming to a halt next to Bhaskar, dips hers as well. Afterwards, his gaze returning to Bhata, the Do-Rakhanaa looks his wet fur over. One ear tips back. "Ananth and the others may not even need to get the jump on you if you keep doing that," he adds, sounding quite deadpan given that he's all but shouting over the river, and comes forward to try and help Bhata up. "I'm glad that I've found you both. I have troubling news to pass on."
Gyarahabala holds taut and silent. Like Bhata, he is not a member of Do-Rakhanaa, but their lessons on balance was a cornerstone of the cooperation and alliance that had undone the Sakht Nakh, setting aside feuds, squabbles and plain speciesism as an unnatural alliance of tigers had required a coming together of mortal enemies to balance them out. There can be only one bit of troubling news that could perturb a follower of Do-Bhagavaana so: A new growing imbalance in the world. The sense of terror and helplessness he felt in Vijayi's jaws when he had slain cubs returns to Gyarahabala, blended with the taste of tiger blood from those the wolf had personally vanquished in the final fight. Neither was pleasant, but they were the beginning and and -- until now -- end of a journey for the wolf. His blood was not his own; when the Do-Rakhanaa helped unite the many species, his blood no longer even belonged exclusively to his pack. He knew, before Bhaskar and Lakshmi related the details, that serious duty again lay before him yet again.
Bhata is assisted up by Bhaskar and shakes off his dripping fur. He shrugs. "Never hurts to be in top shape you know, while I have many friends, I have an equal number of enemies out there, somewhere. I have to be ready and in top condition." He listens for a moment, and nods at the comment from the tiger. "Aye, I have some news as well, I found some unsettling things on my journey through the forest." He replies. He smiles at the jackal making sure the jackal remembers him as a friend and all. He then glances into the water for a moment and flexes his claws a bit, seeing their reflection, reminding him of the past, and what he did. To kill one's own family to be responsible for such a thing, hit him quite hard, leading to the need for him to go on that spiritual journey alone. In fact when Gyara and Bhaskar, insisted on coming with him, he flat out refused, no, this was something he had to face alone. To fight his inner demons alone. But when that eagle had come one day and told him some unsettling news of furs disappearing in the woods, he had a journey, a mission with more purpose. He had to figure out what was going on. And he had, well, sort of. It was not going to be pleasant news at all. Still, there were so many questions than answers. Why all of this all of the sudden, why now?
When Bhata shakes his fur off, the other tiger steps back away from him. Several droplets of water find their way onto his fur regardless, and Bhaskar licks his nose, then begins to groom his fur dry. "I can tell you precisely where your enemies are located at the moment," he replies between swipes of his tongue. "I take it that you've been investigating the disappearances to the south, in the jungle. I wouldn't be surprised if the information we both have is connected." He's quiet for a minute, getting his thoughts in order as he cleans his pelt. "There appears to be a clan of tigers forming in that area--Utkrosh brought them to my attention, as well as their names and descriptions. From what she's told me, they don't mean well for anyone outside of themselves. Among them was Ananth." Here he looks to Gyarahabala, his face unreadable save for a trace of tension on his brow, and, finally, Lakshmi speaks as well. "There may be others from the Sakht Nakh in their ranks," she says. "Even if there are not, one may be enough to turn their ire on all who opposed Vijayi back then. Failing that--if you wanted to send a message of fear througout the region, would you not make an example out of heroes from that war? I'm sorry, Sahaasi. Be alert."
Gyarahabala snorts. "Your father was right ... we should have killed them all. We thought we should be merciful ..." He shakes his head. "That final battle was a bloody affair. It was not an easy victory, even with all the numbers we had." He snorts and looks to Bhata. "We need to keep you safe. I ... know very badly how you feel ... not a hero at all ... but you have an importance. Regardless how you, I, or others actually in that fight feel, so long as you are alive, hopes and spirits will be high and so it is of utmost importance that we keep you alive, my young friend. I will stay by your side, without fail, so long as I still draw breath, Bhata," he vows.
Cast:
Gyarahabala (Elder Gray Wolf)
Bhata (Tiger)
Bhaskar and Lakshmi (Tiger, Golden Jackal)
------
Raging River
The river rages here over boulders in frothy rapids flowing from the west and rushing toward east. Its depth and powerful current make it dangerous for all but the largest beasts -- elephant, rhinoceros, water buffalo and guar -- even during the dry season. Regular monsoons cause it to swell regularly, leaving an exposed, vast bed of rock, boulder and sandbars during the dry season. The steep banks outside of this manage to contain most monsoons, held fast by tangly roots of teak, mango, tea, jambul and other trees and well-rooted brush. This east-west stretch of the river marks the northern edge of a rainforest which continues thickly south of here; not far from the river's edge into this forest lurks a massive Banyan tree, not tall but sprawling out over tens of meters. To the north, the trees are thinner and -- during an offshore breeze -- the stank of peat would indicate a marsh to the north. Downstream to the west, the river can be seen taking a bend southward (toward the southwest of here). A stream to the west and a near sub-horizon to the northwest would indicate a possible lake to the northwest.
------
Gyarahabala hobbles his way down the river bank, the old three-legged wolf finding himself thirsty. Something in the air he can't quite put a paw on has been disquieting of late, and for some reason the roar of the rapids here helps settle his mind. He laps thirstily, then stands quietly with his three legs soaking in the cool water and his ears the thundering white water.
The 'hero' tiger, as some think of him, is currently on the opposite side of the river. He seems exhausted, but shrugs it off, and suddenly takes a leap off a ledge into the raging river, so aptly named. He fights the current as best he can zig zagging his way through the rapids towards the bank. After a good battle with the river he manages to make it across and flops down on the bank panting heavily. Its always good to keep oneself physically fit. You never know when you might need that advantage. And well after what the tiger saw in those dark woods, something sinister is out there. Something that they all should take note of in these peacefull lands. It wasn't always that way, and it probably wouldn't always be that way again. Bhata paws at a flower sticking out of a rock crack in the riverbank and only then catches the scent of familiar creatures. o.o
Downwind of the others, moving silently and purposefully through the underbrush, are another tiger and a much smaller golden jackal. The constant din of the river muffles all sound, and the mud and water washes away a good deal of scent as well; and so Bhaskar and Lakshmi hunt by sight alone in this area. They aren't out for food. Instead they search for information, and what they've acquired has brought them east rather than south. Bhaskar's roving eyes are quick to sight the wolf--and quick to identify him as well. How many three-legged canines are there in this region of the forest, after all? However, shortly afterwards something large and striped plunges into the river a fair distance away, and any salutation they may have had for Gyarahabala is put on hold. Slipping through the trees, Bhaskar and his kol-bahl draw closer to the exhausted feline.
Gyarahabala was daydreaming, lost in thought listening to the river when his good friend crosses the river from the far side. He does not notice Bhata until he nearly finishes his crossing some distance downstream. Instantly, the wolf's contemplativeness dissipates and he wags, bounding excitedly on his three legs over to his large, younger striped friend's side. "Bhata!" he woofs happily, then spots Bhaskar and Lakshmi. Even before anything is said, Gyarahabala senses the purposefullness of the Do-Rhakanaa and understands, instantly, that they bore serious warnings. Could his nightmare of the Sakht Nakh rising from the dead be coming true?
Bhata can sense the Do-Rhakanaa as well, having helped them during the war, he has become familiar with their culture and ways over the moons and seasons since. They respect him, and he respects them. Its a mutual relationship, and while he's not an official member of the Do-Rhakanaa, he feels like one of them in a way. He notices Gyarahabala and instantly perks up, a big smile crossing his muzzle. "Gyara!" He calls out..."How you faring? Its been awhile, as I've been away on a spiritual journey so to speak. Its interesting when you go on a mission alone the things you think about." He then notices a familar face in the tiger Bhaskar. "Bhask!" He calls out and grins again. Its been at least a number of moons if not a full season since Bhata left on his spiritual journey which later turned into a mission to find out why furs had been disappearing after an eagle came to him and told him the news. This was all so strange, how could furs just disappear out of nowhere and not even see anyone who attacked them? Who was responsible for all this terror?" He stares at the flower for a moment, wishing that peace could last forever in these lands, but knowing it probably would not. Just then a gust of wind comes and snaps the flower off, causing the petals to blow away in the wind.
Indeed, the approaching duo look quite serious. Neither of them speak until they've drawn nearer; then Bhaskar returns the other tiger's salutation, his voice raised to carry across the roar of the water nearby. "Bhata. Gyarahabala." To the old wolf he bows his head deeply, and Lakshmi, coming to a halt next to Bhaskar, dips hers as well. Afterwards, his gaze returning to Bhata, the Do-Rakhanaa looks his wet fur over. One ear tips back. "Ananth and the others may not even need to get the jump on you if you keep doing that," he adds, sounding quite deadpan given that he's all but shouting over the river, and comes forward to try and help Bhata up. "I'm glad that I've found you both. I have troubling news to pass on."
Gyarahabala holds taut and silent. Like Bhata, he is not a member of Do-Rakhanaa, but their lessons on balance was a cornerstone of the cooperation and alliance that had undone the Sakht Nakh, setting aside feuds, squabbles and plain speciesism as an unnatural alliance of tigers had required a coming together of mortal enemies to balance them out. There can be only one bit of troubling news that could perturb a follower of Do-Bhagavaana so: A new growing imbalance in the world. The sense of terror and helplessness he felt in Vijayi's jaws when he had slain cubs returns to Gyarahabala, blended with the taste of tiger blood from those the wolf had personally vanquished in the final fight. Neither was pleasant, but they were the beginning and and -- until now -- end of a journey for the wolf. His blood was not his own; when the Do-Rakhanaa helped unite the many species, his blood no longer even belonged exclusively to his pack. He knew, before Bhaskar and Lakshmi related the details, that serious duty again lay before him yet again.
Bhata is assisted up by Bhaskar and shakes off his dripping fur. He shrugs. "Never hurts to be in top shape you know, while I have many friends, I have an equal number of enemies out there, somewhere. I have to be ready and in top condition." He listens for a moment, and nods at the comment from the tiger. "Aye, I have some news as well, I found some unsettling things on my journey through the forest." He replies. He smiles at the jackal making sure the jackal remembers him as a friend and all. He then glances into the water for a moment and flexes his claws a bit, seeing their reflection, reminding him of the past, and what he did. To kill one's own family to be responsible for such a thing, hit him quite hard, leading to the need for him to go on that spiritual journey alone. In fact when Gyara and Bhaskar, insisted on coming with him, he flat out refused, no, this was something he had to face alone. To fight his inner demons alone. But when that eagle had come one day and told him some unsettling news of furs disappearing in the woods, he had a journey, a mission with more purpose. He had to figure out what was going on. And he had, well, sort of. It was not going to be pleasant news at all. Still, there were so many questions than answers. Why all of this all of the sudden, why now?
When Bhata shakes his fur off, the other tiger steps back away from him. Several droplets of water find their way onto his fur regardless, and Bhaskar licks his nose, then begins to groom his fur dry. "I can tell you precisely where your enemies are located at the moment," he replies between swipes of his tongue. "I take it that you've been investigating the disappearances to the south, in the jungle. I wouldn't be surprised if the information we both have is connected." He's quiet for a minute, getting his thoughts in order as he cleans his pelt. "There appears to be a clan of tigers forming in that area--Utkrosh brought them to my attention, as well as their names and descriptions. From what she's told me, they don't mean well for anyone outside of themselves. Among them was Ananth." Here he looks to Gyarahabala, his face unreadable save for a trace of tension on his brow, and, finally, Lakshmi speaks as well. "There may be others from the Sakht Nakh in their ranks," she says. "Even if there are not, one may be enough to turn their ire on all who opposed Vijayi back then. Failing that--if you wanted to send a message of fear througout the region, would you not make an example out of heroes from that war? I'm sorry, Sahaasi. Be alert."
Gyarahabala snorts. "Your father was right ... we should have killed them all. We thought we should be merciful ..." He shakes his head. "That final battle was a bloody affair. It was not an easy victory, even with all the numbers we had." He snorts and looks to Bhata. "We need to keep you safe. I ... know very badly how you feel ... not a hero at all ... but you have an importance. Regardless how you, I, or others actually in that fight feel, so long as you are alive, hopes and spirits will be high and so it is of utmost importance that we keep you alive, my young friend. I will stay by your side, without fail, so long as I still draw breath, Bhata," he vows.