Qeya River metiche

maybe @Senka? <3

qeya river was colder in the summer than to which she had grown accustomed, and so silvertongue spent some time shivering in the high reaches. she acclimated slowly, and then hardly noticed at all. her body grew rangy with the uneven terrain, and she learned to hunt the tall grasses for as many different birds as she could find. the children sprang up and no dismal thing touched their world. the river was as quiet as their lives, and silvertongue chafed a little under the unending peace, ironic in her trepidation.

when she did not keep herself busy climbing, she found a great relief in the cold waters. this became like a ritual. clamber the cliffs until her body begged for relief. then soak until she thought she might freeze to death!

it was what she was on her way to do now when she spotted them.

small and silvers befitting the cool climate. three-legged but no less strong looking. senka chuffed a low and inviting sound as she meandered a path towards the winding river.

well. she definitely had a type. the woman senka was taller than silvertongue, driven from icewater and greystone. muscles moved smoothly beneath her pretty pelt. the vice only allowed herself a look that was an appropriate length, then waved her tail in a lazy arc. "you are senka? i am silvertongue." her eyes glowed. "have you been climbing all this time?"

i am. wren had mentioned a silver and now senka guessed that this might be her. so she kept her looks polite and dared not linger too long.

not all the time, there was a humorous shimmer like fish scales beneath her words. i go soak after climbs. interested in joining? no pressure, but she figured if the woman had the free time, there would be no better way to bond than ice water.

"i am." it had been a long while since silvertongue found unsurety in how her missing leg might come off to another. but she crested the ridge of snow with a ready grin, eyes dancing. "how do you like the river, amiga?" there was more to learn about this senka, and she was ready to know.

it tests me, but the grin on her face said this was not bad. i want to learn the land like it is me. she felt confident that in time she would. that the cold waters would be her blood.

why pick this as home?

no judgement, only a bright curiosity as they walked along.

silvertongue paused, hiding her unsurety with a charming grin. "i am certain you will soon be able to map all these places, and share your knowledge with us." should she tell the story of their relocation? senka was the only one among them who did not know. "we were from a valley where a bad man once roamed. this place is far from there. safe. quiet." did the tall woman appreciate the remoteness in the way silvertongue had not quite learned to adore?

her cheeks flushed!

senka was a hardy kind, but not outright savage. young children need that for first milestones. safety. it reminded her how the woman might band together back home, to tend to the children as a village when times were hard.

the children never understood these things until they became older.

the cliffs and lake block off the river's back. we watch the hills and meadows, we will be safe. perhaps it might bore the silver woman to hear such strategic talk, but senka hoped to provide comfort with this too.

"already they roam as far as they are able," silvertongue purred, and had she a fan she might have snapped it now to the open air, covered the simper of a smile. "we are lucky to have such a ranger among us. i will wait for any reports you might bring." flirtation? perhaps lightly, though such things were gilded now into every gesture of her being.

confusion blossomed and swirled like churning ice waters. the warmth of whatever this was felt like danger! disservice too!

where would you send a ranger at your service? in such a simple question she looked for assurance, appraisal, approval. to be given a task and complete it might secure her rise in this...overwhelming comfortable place.

so sorry i let this get out of date! we can continue or fade <3

"as high as she might go," silvertongue declared. "into the forests where i have seen white deer walk." and though she meant it practically for the good of their hunts, she could not help but wonder how fierce and lovely senka might look at such heights, a reflection upon the strength of the river.

im happy to continue, even if it's just for some whimsical fun in between all our other shenanigans in QR <3

had senka ever looked upon a white deer? she found now that she must. if only, if only to bring back the words of one to silvertongue.

and would you have a ranger retrieve the furs of one?

it was harmless, it was all pretend. she imagined herself hunting it. how long would one have to clean the fur off after such an endeavor?

<3!

"i might," she said with a flash of white teeth and a genuine light to the glassblue eyes. "but truly, i want only to see the ranger back, safely." that too the truth, though senka might be glorious indeed, stained in blood and bearing the pelt of some magick creature.

i am no ranger worth much if i cannot return, too.

it is a boyish glimmer to her features now. the desire to boast a bit in favor of flaunting for another. after all, she had presented herself as a ranger and guardian. defender of borders and eyes beyond their claim.

she would be a liar if she could not do either.

i am always willing to gather anything you might ask after. even if only desired by whims, it does not matter.

at last, there it was; an answering. silvertongue laughed gently, closing their distance with only a single step more. her eyes were alight. "then i will seek you out when i have a whim." dangerous; dangerous; silvertongue moved aside and walked onward. "when did you first become a ranger, senka? i want to hear this story."

i'm sorry i took forever ;; shall i set her free to live in her current timeline?

whims.

senka knew her head certainly filled with plenty already! yet she had not been made to answer the whims of herself, but the yearnings of others. orders, directions, they were all the same. things to be guided by.

i will tell you, not many knew, but silvertongue could. she should.

content was she to tell her of cold, mountainous lands. where rangers were born for otherwise they might be lost to the cold heights. how senka was no different and her mother had been strong enough to make sure she had bore no weak children.

what a beautiful way to say that <3 we will let them both live now

"and i will wait." it was no small tragedy that this would not be a memory preserved by silvertongue's mind, later to be addled. but for now she would carry the ranger in her sights, allowing herself to appreciate strong beauty if it was from silent distance.