Post by Bhaskar on Oct 6, 2010 23:06:02 GMT -7
Cast:
Sri
Lakshmi
------
Pine Forest
Blanketing the lower slopes of the mountain, this stretch of ancient pines is but a fraction of their vast realm, which follows the foot of the mountain range far in the distance to the northwest. The wind here is strong and almost constant, the boughs of the trees swaying hypnotically with constant whirr and sigh. Adding their many voices to the timeless song of the pines are innumerable birds, most of which remain here year round. There is a smell and rumor of fire; indeed, surface fires (which the trees withstand) are not uncommon in this place, which prevents a great deal of undergrowth from forming. Though perhaps not as diversely as in warmer areas, a variety of herbs, fungi and occasional berry bushes can still be found here by those who know where to look, many of them unique to the area. At a higher altitude, this place is drier and cooler than the jungle. In the summer the climate here is temperate, while in winter this place sees its share of below-freezing temperatures, and snow is not uncommon.
------
Ah, spring! Usually he'd be searching out lovely smelling things (for a given value of lovely) to roll in, but instead he's just anxious. Sri has been displaying an unusual amount of what seems at first glance to be territoriality -- if he's not lookinbg for something to eat he's lurking around a self-imposed area in the pine forest, sniff-sniffing around patiently for tigers and other smells that might translate to threats to his babies. In short, he is a /trifle/ on edge.
Having followed Sri west from the arch, a golden jackal patiently trails him at a distance as he goes about his business. If the tigers haven't stayed put, they at least haven't followed her in turn. Good. Lakshmi says nothing for now, instead letting him satisfy himself that neither of the cats have been through here.
Sniffity-sniff SNIFF. /Good/. Sri whines unhappily anyway, and then after a moment's thought lets out a cooing contact-call for Chiti. Listens, ears cocked, body tensed. No response. Drat. He gazes back towards the stone arch and-- "Hello?" sharp. Suspicious.
The jackal makes no move to conceal herself, instead tipping an ear forward in greeting. Away from the commotion that had ensued upon the tigers' arrival, she finally identifies him. She thinks. And though their meeting was brief and ended in Sri taking his daughter and retreating from Bhaskar, it was friendly enough before then that she hopes he'll know she doesn't mean any threat. If she's got it right, anyway. Lakshmi sighs, the sound nearly inaudible, and steps out on a limb: "Sri?"
Sri 's pelt twitches and he snorts sharply, mouth opening, swinging around. "Are you /following/ me? You are, aren't you?" up goes the tail, and it bristles too as he growls -- this is quite a step back from the usual laid-back Sri. "I am /telling/ you it is really a terrible idea to live here, honest."
Apparently not. The ear she'd flicked twitches back, followed by the other, and it's clear that she's repressing another sigh. Lakshmi doesn't respond to the aggressive shift in his body language, instead keeping her own neutral. "Yes," she agrees, "I did follow you. I think that we need to talk--really, you ought to be speaking with Bhata, but I understand your reluctance. I'd hoped that you would hear me out instead."
Sri watches the jackal carefully, ears half-cocked. "Well, all right. I have pups." Pained. He's uncertain, saying it. "And I -did- hear that there have been disappearances. The former in confidence, you understand."
"I know you do," Lakshmi says quietly, dipping her long-muzzled head. "I /do/ understand your misgivings about this situation, believe me." She hesitates, glancing back over her shoulder. There's no alarm in the movement; she's simply checking the breeze for any indication that one of the cats has disregarded her request to allow her to do the talking. There's none, but she isn't terribly surprised. Bhaskar listens. "But let me explain, also, the extent of the situation down south," she adds as she turns back around. "There have indeed been disappearances in the jungle, likely caused by a tiger named Dushta. This tiger has rounded up several others into a clan known as the Ran Garjana," although she has reason to believe that the clan wasn't Dushta's to begin with, going off of the information Utkrosh had brought her, "and I have no inclination to believe that they will do nothing, if Dushta's behavior is any indication. This is why Bhata wished to move up north--he is a likely target for them, having some prominence in this area."
Sri follows the jackal's gaze, nose twitching. "So when he moves here, you're telling me, that will only bring /them/ here as well, and it wasn't /just/ him, either. It was your tiger too." There's a whine underlining his words. "Not to mention, I don't know how close the -other- disappearances were to here to start with, so he might be out of luck in any case -- you can't just come /barging/ in here--"
This time the jackal shakes her head. "No. I can tell you that, so far, the disappearances have been confined to that area. I can also tell you that I find it unlikely they will /remain/ confined to that area, whether Bhata resides here or not." How true her words are, even if she doesn't know it and won't for a while yet. "On the other hand, while they may see little benefit in coming this far north, they make it up this far eventually. One tiger may not be much of a deterrent to an entire clan, but his presence would draw most of the attention off of you and your family, would he not?" Using Bhata's ability to play meatshield as a bargaining chip. Very compassionate, Lakshmi. She hasn't addressed Bhaskar's presence yet, but she's probably getting around to it.
Sri turns his head to the side, thinking this over. "I suppose that's a point. But I'm not the only animal you'll have to ask -- I --" he grumbles, lifts his nose, gives voice to that where-are-you-I'm-here call again, tail whisking once or twice from side to side. But again: nothing. "When it comes right down to it, we can't stop you. But--"
That had been an issue that she was skirting around, at least for the moment--but when Sri brings it to light the jackal can do nothing except make a noise of assent. "It's true," she agrees, choosing her words carefully, "that he could plot out a territory here regardless of your opinion on the matter." Tigers are so much larger than dholes, after all. "But I could see to it that he doesn't, if his staying is contrary to your wishes." That's a laughable statement. A tiger is even larger than herself, given that Sri likely has fifteen or twenty pounds on her. Yet Lakshmi speaks with conviction: if he really wants Bhata out, she will make it happen. "I did hope that we could reach some sort of compromise, though," she observes a little more candidly. "It would be beneficial to himself and yours. I'll swear to you on his life that he wouldn't harm you or your children--my companion, Bhaskar, is Do-Rakhanaa and well capable of enforcing that." Things are just looking better and better for poor Bhata. First she says he'd be a larger target for any marauding Ran Garjana that might make it up here, and now she's giving promises on /his/ life. She doubts very much that Bhaskar would need to enforce anything, however. Nothing she's ever seen of Bhata has made her think he would even have the mental capacity, or lack thereof, to go around murdering puppies or smaller carnivores. But she isn't sure that assessment would count for much here, so she falls back onto the varga's rather strong-fisted reputation as arbiters.
Sri shifts uncomfortably, paw to paw. "Could you /really/?" his laugh is a brief yap, but his eyes are narrowed with interest. "But in any case, it's only that -- mmm." Grumble, and then a brief silence. "/His/ life, huh?" again that yap. "You're -interesting-, jackal. Do-Rakhanaa, though." Musing. "I don't know. We don't even know how long we'll be here, but -- I have to-- are your tigers just going to sit out there by the arch until I decide?" anxious.
The smaller canine smiles when Sri laughs, and although it's a small, faint expression her eyes gleam with amusement. "I could, and I do, and they will." She reconsiders after a moment. "They may move to hunt. But they will not set a foot in here. I--truthfully, Sri, I know that my word does not count for much, as we are strangers to each other, but if you are on friendly terms with the wolves here you may wish to speak to them. They can vouch for Bhata as well." They've history with him. They've history with Bhaskar as well, but his credentials are not in question, mainly because he doesn't intend to stay. Or should he? Lakshmi's ears perk with a sudden thought. "Bhaskar has no intention of moving in here along with Bhata, but we could stay for a time if you think that Bhata may need...supervision."
Sri wrinkles his nose. He's begun to relax now. "All right. Why don't the lot of you stay and I'll see if we can get in touch with the wolves. I haven't been in contact with any since we've been here but--!" he's actually actively perking up now! Sajala and Daya need playmates, and maybe the wolves will have pups--!
Lakshmi 's certainly glad of that! Perhaps the wolves' connection with Bhata, and Bhaskar's presence, will be able to change Sri's mind. She's spoken only the truth: having a grown tiger around could be protection, from other predators if not the Ran Garjana. It's worked extraordinarily well for her over the years. She smiles again, flicking an ear in acknowledgement, and steps back. "We'll try and remain by the arch, but we won't go far. Come and see us whenever you wish." And won't she be surprised when neither of the tigers return from what she'll assume, at first, to be a hunting trip. More relaxed now, she turns and heads back towards the edge of the forest.
Sri
Lakshmi
------
Pine Forest
Blanketing the lower slopes of the mountain, this stretch of ancient pines is but a fraction of their vast realm, which follows the foot of the mountain range far in the distance to the northwest. The wind here is strong and almost constant, the boughs of the trees swaying hypnotically with constant whirr and sigh. Adding their many voices to the timeless song of the pines are innumerable birds, most of which remain here year round. There is a smell and rumor of fire; indeed, surface fires (which the trees withstand) are not uncommon in this place, which prevents a great deal of undergrowth from forming. Though perhaps not as diversely as in warmer areas, a variety of herbs, fungi and occasional berry bushes can still be found here by those who know where to look, many of them unique to the area. At a higher altitude, this place is drier and cooler than the jungle. In the summer the climate here is temperate, while in winter this place sees its share of below-freezing temperatures, and snow is not uncommon.
------
Ah, spring! Usually he'd be searching out lovely smelling things (for a given value of lovely) to roll in, but instead he's just anxious. Sri has been displaying an unusual amount of what seems at first glance to be territoriality -- if he's not lookinbg for something to eat he's lurking around a self-imposed area in the pine forest, sniff-sniffing around patiently for tigers and other smells that might translate to threats to his babies. In short, he is a /trifle/ on edge.
Having followed Sri west from the arch, a golden jackal patiently trails him at a distance as he goes about his business. If the tigers haven't stayed put, they at least haven't followed her in turn. Good. Lakshmi says nothing for now, instead letting him satisfy himself that neither of the cats have been through here.
Sniffity-sniff SNIFF. /Good/. Sri whines unhappily anyway, and then after a moment's thought lets out a cooing contact-call for Chiti. Listens, ears cocked, body tensed. No response. Drat. He gazes back towards the stone arch and-- "Hello?" sharp. Suspicious.
The jackal makes no move to conceal herself, instead tipping an ear forward in greeting. Away from the commotion that had ensued upon the tigers' arrival, she finally identifies him. She thinks. And though their meeting was brief and ended in Sri taking his daughter and retreating from Bhaskar, it was friendly enough before then that she hopes he'll know she doesn't mean any threat. If she's got it right, anyway. Lakshmi sighs, the sound nearly inaudible, and steps out on a limb: "Sri?"
Sri 's pelt twitches and he snorts sharply, mouth opening, swinging around. "Are you /following/ me? You are, aren't you?" up goes the tail, and it bristles too as he growls -- this is quite a step back from the usual laid-back Sri. "I am /telling/ you it is really a terrible idea to live here, honest."
Apparently not. The ear she'd flicked twitches back, followed by the other, and it's clear that she's repressing another sigh. Lakshmi doesn't respond to the aggressive shift in his body language, instead keeping her own neutral. "Yes," she agrees, "I did follow you. I think that we need to talk--really, you ought to be speaking with Bhata, but I understand your reluctance. I'd hoped that you would hear me out instead."
Sri watches the jackal carefully, ears half-cocked. "Well, all right. I have pups." Pained. He's uncertain, saying it. "And I -did- hear that there have been disappearances. The former in confidence, you understand."
"I know you do," Lakshmi says quietly, dipping her long-muzzled head. "I /do/ understand your misgivings about this situation, believe me." She hesitates, glancing back over her shoulder. There's no alarm in the movement; she's simply checking the breeze for any indication that one of the cats has disregarded her request to allow her to do the talking. There's none, but she isn't terribly surprised. Bhaskar listens. "But let me explain, also, the extent of the situation down south," she adds as she turns back around. "There have indeed been disappearances in the jungle, likely caused by a tiger named Dushta. This tiger has rounded up several others into a clan known as the Ran Garjana," although she has reason to believe that the clan wasn't Dushta's to begin with, going off of the information Utkrosh had brought her, "and I have no inclination to believe that they will do nothing, if Dushta's behavior is any indication. This is why Bhata wished to move up north--he is a likely target for them, having some prominence in this area."
Sri follows the jackal's gaze, nose twitching. "So when he moves here, you're telling me, that will only bring /them/ here as well, and it wasn't /just/ him, either. It was your tiger too." There's a whine underlining his words. "Not to mention, I don't know how close the -other- disappearances were to here to start with, so he might be out of luck in any case -- you can't just come /barging/ in here--"
This time the jackal shakes her head. "No. I can tell you that, so far, the disappearances have been confined to that area. I can also tell you that I find it unlikely they will /remain/ confined to that area, whether Bhata resides here or not." How true her words are, even if she doesn't know it and won't for a while yet. "On the other hand, while they may see little benefit in coming this far north, they make it up this far eventually. One tiger may not be much of a deterrent to an entire clan, but his presence would draw most of the attention off of you and your family, would he not?" Using Bhata's ability to play meatshield as a bargaining chip. Very compassionate, Lakshmi. She hasn't addressed Bhaskar's presence yet, but she's probably getting around to it.
Sri turns his head to the side, thinking this over. "I suppose that's a point. But I'm not the only animal you'll have to ask -- I --" he grumbles, lifts his nose, gives voice to that where-are-you-I'm-here call again, tail whisking once or twice from side to side. But again: nothing. "When it comes right down to it, we can't stop you. But--"
That had been an issue that she was skirting around, at least for the moment--but when Sri brings it to light the jackal can do nothing except make a noise of assent. "It's true," she agrees, choosing her words carefully, "that he could plot out a territory here regardless of your opinion on the matter." Tigers are so much larger than dholes, after all. "But I could see to it that he doesn't, if his staying is contrary to your wishes." That's a laughable statement. A tiger is even larger than herself, given that Sri likely has fifteen or twenty pounds on her. Yet Lakshmi speaks with conviction: if he really wants Bhata out, she will make it happen. "I did hope that we could reach some sort of compromise, though," she observes a little more candidly. "It would be beneficial to himself and yours. I'll swear to you on his life that he wouldn't harm you or your children--my companion, Bhaskar, is Do-Rakhanaa and well capable of enforcing that." Things are just looking better and better for poor Bhata. First she says he'd be a larger target for any marauding Ran Garjana that might make it up here, and now she's giving promises on /his/ life. She doubts very much that Bhaskar would need to enforce anything, however. Nothing she's ever seen of Bhata has made her think he would even have the mental capacity, or lack thereof, to go around murdering puppies or smaller carnivores. But she isn't sure that assessment would count for much here, so she falls back onto the varga's rather strong-fisted reputation as arbiters.
Sri shifts uncomfortably, paw to paw. "Could you /really/?" his laugh is a brief yap, but his eyes are narrowed with interest. "But in any case, it's only that -- mmm." Grumble, and then a brief silence. "/His/ life, huh?" again that yap. "You're -interesting-, jackal. Do-Rakhanaa, though." Musing. "I don't know. We don't even know how long we'll be here, but -- I have to-- are your tigers just going to sit out there by the arch until I decide?" anxious.
The smaller canine smiles when Sri laughs, and although it's a small, faint expression her eyes gleam with amusement. "I could, and I do, and they will." She reconsiders after a moment. "They may move to hunt. But they will not set a foot in here. I--truthfully, Sri, I know that my word does not count for much, as we are strangers to each other, but if you are on friendly terms with the wolves here you may wish to speak to them. They can vouch for Bhata as well." They've history with him. They've history with Bhaskar as well, but his credentials are not in question, mainly because he doesn't intend to stay. Or should he? Lakshmi's ears perk with a sudden thought. "Bhaskar has no intention of moving in here along with Bhata, but we could stay for a time if you think that Bhata may need...supervision."
Sri wrinkles his nose. He's begun to relax now. "All right. Why don't the lot of you stay and I'll see if we can get in touch with the wolves. I haven't been in contact with any since we've been here but--!" he's actually actively perking up now! Sajala and Daya need playmates, and maybe the wolves will have pups--!
Lakshmi 's certainly glad of that! Perhaps the wolves' connection with Bhata, and Bhaskar's presence, will be able to change Sri's mind. She's spoken only the truth: having a grown tiger around could be protection, from other predators if not the Ran Garjana. It's worked extraordinarily well for her over the years. She smiles again, flicking an ear in acknowledgement, and steps back. "We'll try and remain by the arch, but we won't go far. Come and see us whenever you wish." And won't she be surprised when neither of the tigers return from what she'll assume, at first, to be a hunting trip. More relaxed now, she turns and heads back towards the edge of the forest.