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Post by greek101 on Apr 15, 2011 16:14:40 GMT -6
Flash. Flash. Flash. Colors streaked by as Streamlilly ran through Mossflower. Blacks, greens, browns, whites, and other colors of the spring vegetation melded into one large blur as her paws pounded the damp earth. Dew from the leaves above fell upon Streamlilly as she ran by. The long branches whipped Streamlilly's face, arms and legs, but she continued to run. She ignored the stinging slaps of the trees and brush, the ache of her legs, the screams of her lungs as she pushed onward, the sweat that dripped down her brow, but she would not stop. Streamlilly would not even stop for the tear that streaked down her face. She needed a break. She needed a break from it all. Yes it was true, Redwall was a beautiful place full of gentle creatures. It was also the place that she had found her brother! But Streamlilly needed to get a way for a while. She needed to be away from their judging eyes. Perhaps Streamlilly had just assumed too much. She thought that when she found her bother he would remember her. That he would have been waiting for her and happy upon her return. She thought that they could live in Redwall in peace. That she would be accepted and welcome. She thought she would have a home again. But that was not the case as Streamlilly quickly found out... Her brother didn't remember her, and a first it seemed like he was afraid of her. The creatures of Redwall also didn't like her. Many of them avoided her. Others gave her dirty looks, and some even would leave the room when she entered. And none of them spoke to her. If they did, it was short, brief, and to the point, like it pained them to talk to her and they wanted to say as little as possible. Streamlilly wasn't included. She was more alienated than she was when she was a captive of the vermin. So she left. In a note for Tirael in the infirmary while he was not there, Streamlilly explained that she needed sometime alone and was not going to be in the Abbey. However,she would return by nightfall. Streamlilly then left the Abbey. Waiting the shadows by the big Main Gate, Streamlilly slipped out when the door had been opened to let another creature in. She did not open the gate herself for she did not want to leave it unlocked when she left. Figuring that she was already suspicious in the eyes of the Abbey Dwellers, she didn't want to cause any more trouble. From there, Streamlilly ran. Where she was going, she had no idea. She simply ran. She ran to forget about the Abbey creatures' un-trusting eyes. She ran to forget the fact Tirael did not remember. She ran and ran and ran. The mid morning sun shone through the tops of the budding trees, glittering in the last of the morning dew. It was a beautiful spring day, after the cold nights of winter. How long the good day would last, no one knew, so every creature was out and about, enjoying the sun. Even the birds flew about, singing their hearts out to the gentle sun. Streamlilly ran, oblivious to the song, to the peace and the beauty of the day. Streamlilly was so oblivious, that she did not notice that she was approaching a river. She normally would have noticed, but she was too full of exploding emotions, that all else beside her pain was all a blur. So Streamlilly also did not notice that the diameter of the roots she was running over was getting increasingly bigger and bigger. She only noticed them when she slipped on some still wet grass, tripped on a rather large root, and tumbled rudder over whiskers into the river with a loud splash. The cold water shocked Streamlilly into action. Letting herself tumble about in the water, Streamlilly suddenly straighten out and glided to the surface of the water with all the elegance and grace of the true champion swimmers that otters are. Breaking the surface, Streamlilly coughed out the water that she inhaled when she hit the water. Once she regained her breath, Streamlilly glided effortlessly to the shore and rose out of the water. Streamlilly looked down at her wet attire, and sighed. Flopping down on her rudder, Streamlilly put her face in her paws and began sobbing. Her body hurt, her paw hurt from tripping, and her heart hurt. She just wanted the pain to stop. ((Ooc: Hope this is okay Skipp. Streamlilly ran into the River Moss right by Camp Moss, but she doesn't realize it.  And I left it also open to other can join if they wish.)) |
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Post by Treble Tiderunner on Apr 16, 2011 18:44:35 GMT -6
The winter season had not slowed the otters down much at all, there was still much adjusting going on as creatures and their families moved from place to place, finding and settling in the place they felt best suited them. A small town had grown in the region of Camp Moss, as those who didn’t care for either Redwall or the underground life (now that there was an option) gravitated towards the only home they had known for years. There was even a few families of vermin who had emerged from their own hiding and built in the new town.
Tampa had started coordinating this after the Final Battle only because her uncle could not, and this was the only way to keep him from attempting. Eventually, it had grown into a way to keep her occupied. The fierce ottermaid had had no other outlet besides war, and shaping her energy into something useful gave her things to occupy her mind and paws.
And then there was Tirael. She had seen little of him since his real sister had come-- their initial meeting had been chilled more by the fact that Tampa felt replaced and useless than by any resentment towards her vermin tendencies. And any interaction they had since had been short, Tampa seeking to avoid the maid as much as possible.
She loved Tirael, and she sometimes-- no, nearly always-- had seen him as her blood brother. For the past thirteen years, she had protected him and fought with him, all the normal interactions of a pair of siblings who loved each other yet at times found themselves at odds. She’d wanted him to have the best, to be happy where she had not been.
And so because she believed he deserved better, she left him with his true sister. For who could want a mere adoptive sibling over real family?
Tampa had spent the better part of the day feeling sorry for herself in this way, for no other reason than she had woken in a sour mood, inexplicitly grumpy and down for no apparent reason. She walked towards the river now, as she often did when requiring time to think. Her ears turned, focusing on the sound of sobbing. Unable to repress her curiosity (for she was not good at comforting crying creatures, and so wasn’t motivated to help in that way) she turned, altering her course for that strip of the riverbank.
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Post by greek101 on Apr 17, 2011 19:54:19 GMT -6
Streamlilly struggled to contain her tears, but she could not. Sopping wet, in both physical an emotional pain, Streamlilly wasn't sure how much more she could take.
She just wanted to be alone....
However, it seemed that would not be the case...
As she struggled to wipe her tears with a trembling paw, Streamlilly's ears flickered. A noise. She heard a noise. Somebeast was watching her, just off in the trees.
Knowing full well that all of her weapons were still in lock-up at the Abbey and that she was in no condition to fight, Streamlilly groped about on the bank side with her left paw.
"Whoever ye are...." Streamlilly called out in a choked voice. Her paw closing into a fist around a well sized rock. "Leave me...ALONE!"
Streamlilly chucked the rock at the noise. She knew that the throw was way off. In fact, she heard her rock hit a tree with a loud THUNK. She really didn't want to hurt anyone.
She just wanted to be alone.
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Post by Treble Tiderunner on May 9, 2011 10:40:59 GMT -6
"Whoever ye are...." Streamlilly called out in a choked voice. Her paw closing into a fist around a well sized rock. "Leave me...ALONE!"
Well, that was unexpected. What could Raja, or was it Lily? Either way, Tampa couldn’t see any reason for the maid to be crying. She had her brother, and a place to stay, a place that held no horrifying memories for her as they did for Tam.
THUNK.
Tam didn’t bother moving, the creature wasn’t even attempting aim, and the rock hit a tree in a direction completely opposite from Tampa. She continued standing there, not being able to totally suppress a feeling of satisfaction with the other’s pain. She was not unsympathetic, but there was some satisfaction knowing that the creature who had torn her world apart just as she’d gathered it back together was crying. And Tampa was just that little bit vindictive.
Just then Tampa’s eyes widened as a sudden thought struck her, and she was out of the shrubbery in a flash, paws reaching for the other otter, to get her to face her. “Is he alright!?” She demanded, the only person she knew who might cause this otter to cry, so far as she knew the only one who she cared for, was Tirael. And that scared Tam, that something might happen to her brother.
“What did ye do to my brother!” She demanded, irrationally assuming that any mishap would have been the assassin’s fault.
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Post by greek101 on May 10, 2011 20:23:01 GMT -6
Scrubbing at her eyes with her damp paws, Streamlilly tried to clear her vision, but it wasn't much use. If her tears didn't continue, the water that dripped down her water slick fur did.
She wanted to be able to be alert, just in case the stranger in the bushes decided to come closer. There was a death warrant out for her. Anybeast who had seen the posters could be after her.
However, sitting on a bank, completely soaked, trembling, tears in her eyes, Streamlilly knew she was completely exposed. And from what she could hear, the creature was advancing on her suddenly.
“Is he alright!?”
A pair of strong paws spun Streamlilly around. Blinking rapidly to clear her vision, Streamlilly looked up into the eyes of an otter. And she knew this otter. It was Tireal's sister. His adoptivesister. What was her name again? Oh, yes. Tampa.
“What did ye do to my brother!”
Streamlilly's eyes widened. "What?...W-w-what are you talking about?" Still in Tampa's grip, Streamlilly did not struggle physically, but did struggle to find the otters that explained her shock at the question asked.
"T-Tireal is fine. I d-d-didn't do anyth-th-ing!" Streamlilly tried to control her breathing, in order to calm her tears, but Tampa's sudden questioning didn't help her emotional imbalance.
((Ooc: Grrr...Again I leave a post feeling discontent...Sorry if it's not too good.))
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Post by Treble Tiderunner on May 15, 2011 17:09:21 GMT -6
Tam scowled at Streamlily, her eyes fierce. She had no sympathy for her, not when Tirael was in danger. He’d better not be dead! She feared she might kill this otter herself, no, she knew she’d kill anyone, do anything, for her brother. It was part of being family.
"What?...W-w-what are you talking about?" Still in Tampa's grip, Streamlilly did not struggle physically, but did struggle to find the otters that explained her shock at the question asked.
“Don’t lie to me!” Tampa growled, her voice dangerously low, her eyes bright and focused. “You better not have done anything to hurt him, little scum, or I’ll--”
"T-Tireal is fine. I d-d-didn't do anyth-th-ing!"
Tampa tightened her grip, her eyes searching Streamlily’s for any sense of deceit. Finally she let the other otter maid go, walking away. She stared at the river, fists clenched. She didn’t know what to feel now. Obviously she couldn’t leave Tirael to his…real sister. Not if she reacted like this. But what else could she do?
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Post by greek101 on May 16, 2011 20:21:37 GMT -6
Streamlilly winced as Tampa's grip tightened. Was she going to kill her? Tampa had that look. She would be willing. If Tirael was hurt, she would be willing. Streamlilly looked deep into Tampa's eyes. Would she believe Streamlilly's words?
It seemed that Tampa did, or at least was going to hold it off as she let go of Streamlilly. Streamlilly spun, following Tampa's movements as she stood by the river, fists clenched.
Scrubbing her eyes with the back of her paw, Streamlilly got to her footpaws. Her knees were still shaking, but she was able to stand. She needed to do this. If she didn't, she would have an enemy forever.
"Tampa..." Streamlilly took a step forward. "Thank you. Thank you for being a better sister for Tirael then I could ever...have been.... or ever will be..." More tears began to flood Streamlilly's eyes.
((Ooc: Egh short. ))
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Post by Treble Tiderunner on Jun 18, 2011 21:48:48 GMT -6
((this is abhorrently late, and you may certainly tell me to hurry up and post, because clearly this is abhorrently late, and I apologize for that and that I completely spewed Tam's inner fears all over the page. Careful, don't slip.))
I left him alone, what must he think of me?
Tampa had plenty of things on that list, it was exhaustive, and probably longer than he would have made it. Nevertheless, it flowed in a litany through her mind. Why was she so restive? Why was peace so hard? She had been working her entire life for this. She had wanted this, so badly. So why wasn’t it enough?
"Tampa..." Streamlilly took a step forward. "Thank you. Thank you for being a better sister for Tirael then I could ever...have been.... or ever will be..."
“No… ” Tampa’s frame shook, violently but briefly. She held herself very still after that, staring into the answerless depths of the river. “I-I left him. He looks at me and he asks me not to leave, and I promise, but I leave anyway. I lied and told him I would never let harm come to him, that I would protect him and teach him to protect himself. I fool myself and say he’ll always be young, and innocent, and trusting.” A tear slipped down one furry cheek, and her muscles cramped with tension. She remained unmoving.
“But he grows up, and I’m so proud of him, but war is all I know, and I leave. I leave and let him believe they made me a slave, and then I break free the slaves and he learns it was all a lie.” Was that where she lost him? No, but it started the downward slide. Her voice became more bitter as she continued. “And then they take him from me, enslave my little brother, who looked at me as a child and told me to never leave him.” Her voice was low and becoming ragged.
“And Skipper nearly dies, and they return Tirael to us, I had to rely on a ferret,” she nearly spat, not because of the creature’s species, but because he did what she should have done, “and he withdraws, and when he looks at us and when he walks by us, I can see he’s already lost us. Skipper’s not even dead yet and he wishes he were alone, thinks that we would prefer him gone.” Her cramped muscles spasm and she trembles, looking blankly into the water.
“No… How can he think that? How can I be his sister and he think he’s better off alone?”
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Post by greek101 on Jun 27, 2011 18:10:15 GMT -6
“No… ” Tampa’s frame shook, violently but briefly. She held herself very still after that, staring into the answerless depths of the river. “I-I left him. He looks at me and he asks me not to leave, and I promise, but I leave anyway. I lied and told him I would never let harm come to him, that I would protect him and teach him to protect himself. I fool myself and say he’ll always be young, and innocent, and trusting.”
Streamlilly remained silent while Tampa talked. She noticed how tense Tampa was. She was forcing her body to be still while she spoke, but she could not stop the tear that streaked down her fur.
“But he grows up, and I’m so proud of him, but war is all I know, and I leave. I leave and let him believe they made me a slave, and then I break free the slaves and he learns it was all a lie....And then they take him from me, enslave my little brother, who looked at me as a child and told me to never leave him.”
Tears started to race down Streamlilly's cheeks with fervor now. Oh, Tirael! Oh, Tampa! If only she had come back sooner!
“And Skipper nearly dies, and they return Tirael to us, I had to rely on a ferret,...and he withdraws, and when he looks at us and when he walks by us, I can see he’s already lost us. Skipper’s not even dead yet and he wishes he were alone, thinks that we would prefer him gone.”
Streamlilly watched as Tampa began to tremble again. She wanted to go support her, but looking down at her own wobbling knees, she wasn't sure that was the best idea. Instead, she simply wobbled over next to her and stood, still wet, beside Tampa and stared into the flowing water with her.
“No… How can he think that? How can I be his sister and he think he’s better off alone?”
Streamlilly shook her head as her tears caught in her whiskers. "That's where you're wrong." She continued to stare at the rippling water. "He still wants you....Alot more than he wants me..."
Choking up, Streamlilly had to pause for a moment, clearing her eyes of their tears she continued. "He still doesn't fully believe me, and I would too if I were in his position. I terrify everyone I meet, if not they want to kill me, assassins and headhunters follow in my wake, and no one trusts me. Not to mention I abandoned him! You were at least there Tampa! He at least knew you were there, so that if he needed you he could run to you! I wasn't there! I should have been! I should have...."
Streamlilly sank to the ground again beside Tampa. She covered her tearing face in shame as her rudder wrapped around her knees that were sunk into the wet bank sand. "Trust me Tampa....He thinks of you more his sister than I...."
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Post by Tirael on Jul 18, 2011 20:55:30 GMT -6
Dear Tirael,
I won't be in the abbey today. Don't worry, I just need some time alone to think. I should return by nightfall.
Your si Streamlily
After rereading the note for at least the tenth time, Tirael folded and stowed the piece of parchment back in the pouch hanging from his belt. He'd discovered it after eating breakfast with Rhyse--one of the few breakfasts he'd taken in public for weeks. What was written in the message was disconcerting enough, but it was what was between the lines that so concerned the otter--having seen the sort of misery Streamlily displayed in front of him, he could only imagine what she would succumb to alone.
So, determined not to allow her to suffer by herself, Tirael had packed together a nice lunch from the remnants of breakfast, grabbed a staff, and struck off into the forest after her. It was, at best, a disaster: only once he'd walked for a few minutes had he realized that he didn't really know what direction his sister had gone. His meager tracking skills were of little help, and only a desire not to return empty-pawed, or at least to only do so after apparent effort, kept him from turning around right then and there.
The only real landmarks Tirael knew of were Mosstown and the river; figuring he would head for the first and then stick to the latter, he headed off with a renewed sense of purpose. His search of the town proved fruitless, so he proceeded along the River Moss. It was at this point, as he tucked away the note, that he heard noise. Gripping the staff (he was not going to be captured AGAIN), he advanced slowly, peering through the foliage with narrowed eyes.
Slowly, as he approached, indistinct feminine voices became more recognizable--and when he realized one of them belonged to Tampa, he perked up excitedly. While she wasn't the sister he'd intended to find, he'd been wanting to visit her for days; as much as he didn't want to put off finding Streamlily, he was too happy to see Tampa. Upon seeing the former, his satisfaction grew. Apparently, he'd solved two problems at once.
Only when he emerged from the treeline did the full extent of the situation become clear, however. The smile quickly dropped off of Tirael's face, replaced by confusion and disbelief. Glancing between the two females, he furrowed his brow and asked, "Um...what?"
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Post by greek101 on Jul 20, 2011 19:50:23 GMT -6
Still on the ground, Streamlilly wiped at her tears with her wet paws. She had held all of her emotions in for so long. Her guilt, her tears, her pain, she let it all out on Tampa which made her feel even worse. Now she felt guilty for forcing Tampa to listen to all this and make Tampa feel bad.
"I-i-i.I'm sorry Tampa..I just...."
Glancing between the two females, he furrowed his brow and asked, "Um...what?"
Jerking her head, Streamlilly met the eyes of Tirael. Why hadn't she heard him? She should have? Were her senses weakening? Or was it the fact she couldn't stop sobbing?
Whatever the reason, Streamlilly's eyes dilated, her ears flicked back and she flushed. "Tirael!" She looked away. Why was he here?? She didn't want him to see her like this! She was sobbing her eyes out, she was sopping wet, she was anything but a good, sane sister.
Jumping up, shaking all over Streamlilly stammered. "I-i-i..I should go..." Streamlilly wanted to sprint off into the woods or dive into the water, but her legs would not move. Her knees shook violently, but they would not bend. All she could do it stare at the ground in shame.
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And I left it also open to other can join if they wish.))
