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"From Breasts to Babies"Place: Sylvan Glen - Forest Cast: DancingFingers, Igasho, Prying-Eagle, WhiteStar Scene: What begins as a simple conversation between friends soon becomes hilarity as Prying-Eagle joins company and wants to learn sign language from the near-deaf DancingFingers. Strange things happen when he attempts to mimic her signs.  Sylvan Glen - Forest It is a warm evening, the day's chores done. DancingFingers sits beneath a tree, dangling a piece of hide back and forth in front of Amoke as a plaything. The baby ferret is now three months old, and beginning to be more active. WhiteStar emerges from the trail leading to the east. Her hair is caught up and away from the grasping fingers of the baby she carries in her arms. Nearly seven months old, LifeGiver is becoming too much to carry all over the place. Dogging her heels is BoldMove, his black form growing rapidly as age brings him to nearly a half year. Star has been teaching him how to live as a wolf but he still prefers the company of Sylvans. Spotting DancingFingers, the wolf/sylvan approaches at an easy walk, LifeGiver babbling the entire time about inconsequential nonsense. It is Amoke who first notices the approach, attention caught by the familiar wolf's scent. She bounds up onto DancingFingers' shoulder, looking across at the trio and chittering softly, not realizing that her 'mother' won't hear her. "Chookma, Inkana," DancingFingers says with a smile. WhiteStar smiles softly as she settles down across from DancingFingers. Though she sets Giver down she keeps a watch on him and Bold as the wolf and the child make a line for Amoke. "Chookma. It was a wonderful day today, was it not?" DancingFingers smiles and nods. "I took Amoke out today and was trying to teach her to catch mice. She is still too little, but thought it was a wonderful game." The ferret hops back down her and toward the child and wolf. Mostly the wolf, as she's not all that familiar with the child's smell. WhiteStar nods her head in agreement. "BoldMove would rather play games with the prey than kill it himself. I'm not sure if he will ever make it outside the glen." The wolf in mention lifts one paw and stretches it to gently place it on the ferret's head. A play growl rumbles from the wolf and his other front leg drops, bringing him into a play bow position. DancingFingers watches the wolf carefully for a moment. The ferret is so small and the wolf, comparatively, so big. Amoke chitters and rolls over onto her back, tail wagging. BoldMove lowers his black snout to sniff at the ferret. He slants his gaze towards Star before bellying himself on the ground and rolling to his back. LifeGiver, recognizing the game, puts his hands on Bold's stomach and beats out a quick, vaguely gentle tune. Star just laughs. "Have you seen Soft-Feather around? I haven't seen him in a few weeks and I thought he might know what to do about BoldMove." DancingFingers frowns a little and shakes her head. "He has been keeping very busy; neve' at home long enough to catch, it seems. Because I've wanted to talk to him too. About students and...uh...other things." Amoke quickly gets back to her feet and quickly runs around, wanting to pounce BoldMove. As the baby plays drums on the bare belly of the wolf, BoldMove is open for the attack. He whines playfully and squirms beneath the child and the ferret. WhiteStar frowns thoughtfully. "Well," she says leaning back against a log, "That doesn't seem quite like him. If I see him I will tell him that you are seeking him. If you see him will you tell him the same?" DancingFingers smiles and nods. "If I get a chance, yes." Her face sobers for a moment. "Maybe he is just missing his mate and needs to be... away." WhiteStar squirms uncomfortably at the mention of a mate. Her eyes scan the glen almost as though she expects WildFire to leap from cover and surprise her with his presence. Her silence draws out as she searches every face in the glen. DancingFingers realizes that it was probably the wrong thing to say, and yet WhiteStar had said how it was uncharacteristic of Soft-Feather. Knowing what he already went through once, it was the only logical explanation she could come up with. WhiteStar huffs out a sigh when the search reveals no trace of her much-loved mate. Her eyes return to DancingFingers and though they are sad, there is a smile on her face, forced there to comfort her friend. "I'm sure that's it. Memories are the hardest to deal with when you are faced with them every day." DancingFingers nods slowly, not having had a mate but for so long her father was her sole companion, and so after she died, memories were all she had. "I hope things get better soon." For both. WhiteStar tries to maintain the smile and succeeds; to a point. "My only real regret is that he never met LifeGiver." DancingFingers' eyes go to the baby and she simply nods before turning her gaze back to her companion. "He is a beautiful baby." At the mention of his name, LifeGiver looks up and around curiously. "Ay!" He calls out loudly before smacking the wolf again. BoldMove takes affront at this and scrambles to his feet, disturbing both the ferret and the child. With a cry, the boy falls back on his rear and wails loudly. Star reaches out and pulls him close to comfort the 'wounded' kid. "Sure he is, you don't hear him like this as much." DancingFingers chuckles softly and nods, emphasizing I don't hear him at all, Inkana, by responding in only signs rather than words. Amoke pounces back into her lap, and DancingFingers pets the baby's fur. At least with Amoke, she doesn't need to hear to know when the baby is in distress. WhiteStar blushes at her own faux pas and calms the child as smoothly as she can. When no waves of dissent mark the child she looks back up. "You are lucky then, I bet you sleep through his screaming at night." Coming from the waterfall, Igasho walks in the Glen. He notices the two women talking together, and decides to let them be. By this time of the evening, the man looks for a place to sleep. Slowing down his pace as he passes by DancingFingers and WhiteStar, he faces them, whispering a light, "Chookma." DancingFingers looks up, not in time to catch the greeting, though she offers one of her own. "Chookma." She nods to WhiteStar again. "I do, yes. Unless he is really loud and wakes Amoke." She grins. WhiteStar cuddles her babe for one last moment and sets him back on the ground to play with the black wolf. BoldMove leaps out of his skin as the stranger passes behind him. He bristles until a soft sound from Star reassures him. "Chinchookma," she says with a bow after the wolf returns to her side. He lays there now, no play, just watching the stranger. From the other side of the glen comes walking a young Sylvan man. Many of those among the tribes probably recognize him, even though he is one of those spending time in the city as well. A wanderer and explorer. Prying-Eagle is walking slowly, squinting his eyes slightly, as he holds a candle in one hand, and a map in the other.. "Could it be..." He shifts the map, and starts looking at some small notes instead, balancing everything in his hands and arms. It's a wonder he is able to keep everything there. His steps are taking him right towards the others, but he doesn't seem to notice yet, walking straight ahead, and avoiding every obstacle barely without looking at them. The trader sits down before the women, at such a distance as to not be seen as a threat by the wolf or anyone else. Looking at DancingFingers, he asks, "I came to see if BrownFeathers was around. I have another..." Igasho does not finish his sentence, for he has noticed a man coming in the glen. DancingFingers follows Igasho's gaze when he looks toward Prying-Eagle. Something about the man looks familiar, but she can't quite place him. "WhiteStar, this is Igasho," she introduces while signing. She will worry about the man with the candle if he comes close enough. Amoke stalks over to Igasho, sniffing. As the new Sylvan, a stranger to Star, comes closer LifeGiver (a child of around seven months) starts to babble again bouncing up and down on his well-padded rump. The closer the man gets, the more agitated the baby gets. Though it is excitement at the prospect of the candle and not fear. As Prying-Eagle steps that final step, his foot lands on the tail of a young black wolf. With a howling yelp, BoldMove launches himself to his feet, leaving a good chunk of tail feathers under the man's foot. He whines and slinks away towards DancingFingers for comfort because the strangesmellingtailstepper is next to Star. Prying-Eagle may appear absent at times, but his gaze is surprisingly sharp and alert as he looks up, hearing the child's growing wails. However, his timing is not always all that good, and the same pale greens soon widen considerably, and he looses both composure and footing as he steps on the wolf's tail. For a moment, it's almost as if time stood still. Every limb of Prying-Eagle is sprawled out in some odd direction, before he lands on his rear in the grass. The papers and candle soon follow, the flame is snuffed, but not until it's set fire to a corner of the map. The curses he mutters are both creative and colorful, enough to make even the sailors of the most rowdy docks blush. He desperately lunges forward, batting with his hands at the fire, extinguishing it before it burns the whole thing up, but a good part of the map is now charcoal. He cries out slightly at the heat, but more in frustration. Igasho gestures for Amoke to climb on his lap, to avoid the whole commotion. A light smile on his face, he watches at the newcomer, and whispers, almost for himself, "I will not be the one to get in trouble tonight." And for once, the trader might enjoy seeing someone else dealing with an awkward situation. A startled ferret is most certainly not going to head toward a stranger for comfort. Amoke wants her 'mother,' quickly diving beneath DancingFingers' cloak to huddle close to her, trembling. DancingFingers automatically reaches out toward the wolf, but her jaw is dropped open in surprise at the whole commotion. "A'e you hu't?" she asks anxiously. Though likely any healer in the vicinity would have seen the mess and come to find out for herself. True to form, Quiet-Eyes, the tattooed Healer, rushes over at the wolfish squeal. BoldMove slinks over towards DancingFingers and tries to huddle behind her back with his head on her shoulder. Star looks up at Eagle and frowns. "Are you all right, stranger? Those burns could be painful?" Quiet-Eyes approaches the Sylvan first and offers a hand to him. Pale green eyes look up first at Dancing-Fingers as Prying-Eagle seems to recognize her. A faint smile tugs at the corners of his lips and then looks at WhiteStar, confusion and embarrassment taking over his features. "Look I'm sorry. I didn't see you until it was late.. I.. I was in the middle of a discovery. " He doesn't really sound shy or nervous, simply embarrassed. The words 'hurt' seem to suddenly register on him, and it's as if he didn't actually feel it until someone mentioned it. He winces and shakes his hand slightly and then stops it, holding it out. It's already getting red, and will have blisters soon. "I'll be fine.. I don't know how.. " He looks down at the partly ruined map and sighs, then looks at the nervous wolf, and sighs again. "Is he all right?" Igasho slowly stands, without any sudden movement so as not startle anyone, then heads toward the young man. As the trader stops near by the man, he takes time to look over him, leaving room for Quiet-Eyes to check on the man's blisters. "Chookma, I am Igasho," he greets, a smile creeping on his face. Then he notices the map, "Discovery, huh? Sounds interesting. May I ask what you were looking for?" DancingFingers nods to Igasho, trying to urge BoldMove back around to the front. "I think he's fine. Just sca'ed." She watches Quiet-Eyes do the healing, her eyes mostly on the faces of the men though, so as not to miss anything. The tattooed healer takes Prying-Eagle's hand and begins to work her magic. She does so in silence and it is easy to ignore her presence. Star gets to her feet slowly, "DancingFingers, would you keep your eye on LifeGiver? I'd like to check on BoldMove." The baby has begun to send up wails of sympathy for the frightened wolf and the wolf himself is cowering, tail tucked between his legs behind DancingFingers. At the urging, he moves more towards the front but his ears are back now and he's crouched low to the ground. Great. Once more he has to cause trouble. If he doesn't bring it with him, or get into it, he simply summons it out from nothing. Prying-Eagle sits down cross-legged on the ground and sighs quietly. He looks up in surprise as he notices the trader approach. "Chookma. I am Prying-Eagle," he says politely. But his eyes narrow slightly as he asks about the map. Suspicious? Well, it can't hurt now, can it? "It's a puzzle, really. Most think it's just a bunch of old, worthless relics, but I think otherwise." He watches the healer and keeps his hand still, even as he is looking at WhiteStar for a moment. DancingFingers receives another look from him, a bit less embarrassed, and more curious this time. "Dancing-Fingers?" "Worthless relics... for a discovery," states the trader, looking down at the map. But then, whatever he wanted to add, Igasho keeps for himself. The young man seems to know DancingFingers, so the puzzle will have to wait. Glancing at DancingFingers, the trader waits to see if she recognizes the man. DancingFingers looks disconcerted as she is offered the baby. She takes him, of course, with a word of protest from Amoke who simply burrows further under her cloak. But the Sylvan holds the boy as if she's afraid of hurting him or something. "Of cou'se," she manages to murmur to WhiteStar. She's too busy looking at LifeGiver to catch Prying-Eagle's words. WhiteStar approaches the wolf and reaches for his face. With that between her hands, she draws him into her lap. Inspecting his wounded tail, she listens to Quiet-Eyes as the healer pats Prying-Eagle's hand and nods. "There you go, boy, be more careful with flame next time." With that said, she disappears into the darkness once more. Prying-Eagle looks down at his hand and blinks slightly again. Being one with the magic gift himself, he still always remains amazed when someone heals him like this. And this probably appears to be a young man who needs to be healed. Frequently. Every day in fact. "Tha--" He trails off as the healer has already departed, and gives his somewhat broad shoulders a shrug. "Well, thank her for me sometime," he addresses WhiteStar. He sighs and rolls the remains of the map and papers up, putting it in the bag. He doesn't seem too keen on explaining what it is to a complete stranger as Igasho yet. Running his fingers through his hair, he looks at DancingFingers again perhaps hoping for, or waiting for a response. "Dancing Fingers?" he tries again. Igasho notices as Prying-Eagle puts the map in his bag. Nope, DancingFingers didn't recognize him, for she didn't look at him when he spoke. The trader whispers to the young man, "Well, if you know her, you would make sure she looks at you when you talk." As he says that, there is a hint of suspicion in Igasho's voice, and his eyes narrows as he looks at the man. DancingFingers happens to be looking up this time when the men speak as she bounces LifeGiver on her knee. Surely if it's the wrong thing to do, WhiteStar will tell her. She smiles and nods at her name, laughing softly in that odd pitch of hers at Igasho's words. "Some people fo'get." Just like most people forget that she can see their words from a distance no matter the volume. WhiteStar nods her head that she will tell Quiet-Eyes thank you and watches DancingFingers bounce her son. An approving smile lights her face as she leans back with the wolf in her lap. Prying-Eagle seems to be a bit puzzled at Igasho's words. "If I didn't address her first, I wouldn't get her attention." He points out in turn to Igasho, studying him with his gaze for a while as he does. He adjusts the fasteners of his bag firmly. No, nobody is going to start digging in there without him noticing it. "I remember you, even though it was quite a while ago that we met. It was winter, back then. " He gives Igasho another suspicious look and moves the bag further towards his front instead. Igasho grins at the words from the young man. "Thank you for refreshing my memory, Prying-Eagle. I tend to forget... details," he adds, hopefully visibly enough for DancingFingers to read his lips. "But then, I suppose you did not make such an.. a remarkable entrance by the last winter." Looking down at the bag, he shakes his head, "Fret not, young man. No one here is going to steal anything from you." DancingFingers really hopes WhiteStar takes the baby soon, before he gets hurt or something. She's not used to babies. She chuckles softly at Prying-Eagle's words. Yes, it has been a long time since they've met, so she refreshes his memory. "If you don't get my attention fi'st," she cautions, "I will not hear you' greeting. Pe'haps we could move to the fire where we can all talk better?" The light is beginning to dim, and she will have need of the firelight soon. WhiteStar rouses herself from her stupor at that and gently sets the wolf back on his feet. The wolf slinks over to the edge of the glen, far away from the strangesmellingtailstepper. Star gets to her feet and reaches to lift LifeGiver from DancingFinger's lap. "I'll carry him over." Prying-Eagle looks at Igasho for a moment as if wondering whether the man had lost his wits or something. A somewhat irritated expression forms on his features, and he gives the man a quick, challenging glare before he returns his attention to DancingFingers, offering her his most dashing and winning smile. Well, if it's winning or not is hardly his choice to make, and it tends to take on a quality that would more fit a rogue or a crook, but yet has to grow into one. "That sounds like an excellent idea," he responds, and stands, offering to help the woman up even as he adjusts the bag over his shoulder. Igasho walks by the fire and, before he sits down, grabs a log from a nearby pile and puts it into the fire. That done, he sits down, stretching his legs. The challenging glare from Prying-Eagle, the trader didn't return. His face as emotionless as possible, Igasho sits down first. DancingFingers hands LifeGiver back to WhiteStar with relief. She shoos Amoke out from under her cloak, the ferret taking refuge in the cloak's pocket. The Sylvan doesn't really need a hand up, but since it is offered, takes it. "Thank you." She moves quietly, sitting on the ground with her back to the fire so that she will be able to see the three others clearly. WhiteStar settles herself and LifeGiver down against a log near the fire and to DancingFinger's right. Though at an angle where DancingFingers could see her. LifeGiver protests at being held on the lap but Star knows he'd be in the fire quick as snot. Prying-Eagle sits down on one of the logs, and is partly shadowed by DancingFingers as she is sitting with her back to the fire, the rest of him illuminated by the dancing flames. He runs his fingers through his hair, and takes a deep breath. Is it just him, or is there a lot of tension in this group of people? "I probably interrupted something, didn't I?" he asks, a bit hesitantly. By the grin on his face, the trader can relate to Prying-Eagle's wondering. And to make sure that the tension -- which Igasho helped raise, unwillingly -- the trader answers, putting the most honesty he can in his tone, "Not at all. And I am sorry if by words or manners I made you feel uncomfortable." Then, with genuine amusement, he adds, "I am not looking for trouble... for it keeps finding me no matter what." If there is tension, it is not coming from DancingFingers. Not since she gave the baby up, at least. DancingFingers shakes her head at Prying-Eagle's question and smiles at Igasho's comment, having just had that discussion with him the other night. Jump in the lake? she mouths silently. WhiteStar cuddles her protesting son and lifts a shoulder. "Tension?" Shaking her head, she rubs her cheek against the fuzz that covers his head. "I don't even need to find trouble," Prying-Eagle murmurs. "I am trouble." He looks up, and grins faintly, perhaps slightly sheepishly. "Or so people say at least." Igasho laughs out loud, the comment about the lake he got all right. No pool tonight, I promise, he mouths back silently. Then, turning slightly at Prying-Eagle, he smiles, as his gaze travels over the child on WhiteStar's lap, "As for trouble, we better not talk about it, for I am not sure you or I would win the contest." The trader winks at WhiteStar, as if to say that a baby might be a lot of trouble. DancingFingers chuckles softly at all the remarks. Well, that should at least dissolve any tension, shouldn't it? Her hands move quietly as she watches WhiteStar, perhaps explaining the joke. The other night he was trying to get my attention, and so jumped in the lake. So when he was feeling like he was making trouble a couple nights ago, I asked him if he should jump in the lake perhaps...and he did! WhiteStar chuckles as she reads the signs and signs back, or tries to before her fingers end up in Giver's mouth. I can't believe he... "...did that," she finishes out loud with a roll of her eyes. Pale green eyes curiously watch the language of fingers between the two moments, and Prying-Eagle could almost appear as if he were making mental notes, trying to learn what they were talking about. He seems a bit unsure of what to say, or who to address though, as he has no real business here, nor truly knows anyone. "Hey!" joyfully protests the trader, but he can barely restrain himself from laughing, as he figures DancingFingers just related one of his many incidents of stupid behavior. Glancing at Prying-Eagle, who stays quiet, he starts, "So.. is it the first time you come here?" Now, this should not sound like an inquisitive question, for the trader makes sure to add a smile to his asking. All he would have to do is ask, and DancingFingers would be glad to teach. She always speaks with words as well as signs, unless her hands are full, and many have been learning her silent language. Which, you have to admit, comes in handy sometimes. She laughs softly, only having revealed the jumping in the lake story. WhiteStar shifts her shoulders and gently removes her fingers from Giver's mouth. The child babbles and bounces. The mother seems to be getting overwhelmed with his struggles in her lap. "I enjoy the silent language, I like understanding DancingFingers." "DancingFingers... How do you do that finger language?" Is that an indirect request for her, or WhiteStar to teach Prying-Eagle how to do the hand-talk? He shakes his head as he looks at Igasho. "No, I have been here many times. But I am a traveler, I rarely stay in the same place for very long at the time." Igasho nods, "Same here," he replies to Prying-Eagle, "Only I do not stay long, so people can forget my... you know, the trouble that follows me everywhere." Then, as he notices the baby fuss on WhiteStar's lap, he asks her, "Would you like me to take him for a while?" After all, a baby cannot do any harm. There should be no problem holding a child. Only the mother doesn't know the trader very well. Nonetheless, the offer seems sincere. Though WhiteStar doesn't know Igasho, she may have picked up that DancingFingers seems to trust him. As to Prying-Eagle's question, "It is easy. It is just another way of talking. The movements stand for ce'tain words or concepts. I can slow down, if you want to learn." WhiteStar shifts her child again and regards the trader warily. Her mouth pulls down into a frown, drawing her brows together as well. "All right," She says getting up to offer the child to Igasho. Prying-Eagle nods slowly to DancingFingers and his lips grow slowly into a more full smile, his features almost becoming excited. It's not something many get to see very often. "Would you?" He clears his throat, as to hide the excitement. "I mean, that would be excellent." He watches WhiteStar and Igasho for a moment, still aware of their interactions. Igasho carefully takes the child in his arms, placing his arm under the child's head for it to stay at a proper angle. Well, a little observation over the years taught the trader so far. Although he might not have learned that by his age, the baby might not need such precaution anymore. As to make WhiteStar feel more at ease, the trader finds a closer place to her to sit down. "I will be careful," he assures. DancingFingers has observed a lot of babies. She just wasn't normally allowed to touch them. She watches the movements for a moment before nodding to Prying-Eagle. "I will, yes." Of course at the moment, she doesn't have much to say. WhiteStar settles back down and leans back on her palms. "Thank you very much," she says to the trader as she forces herself to relax. Prying-Eagle 's tongue moves out slightly between his teeth in concentration as he looks down at DancingFinger's hands. "What do you mean with this gesture?" he asks, and tries to imitate one of the gestures she did not long ago. Only... that he does it just slightly wrong, turning it into something that would make most people blush furiously. Himself, he is blissfully unaware of this. Although Igasho is also interested in learning the fingers language, he doesn't dare leave the baby from sight for one second. Now, that is serious duty. Well, what women do with a child? Oh yes... Feed them. Nope, that Igasho won't do. Have him sleep! Yes! The trader slowly starts to rock gently, hoping the baby will fall asleep before he finds/grabs/pulls Igasho's long hair. DancingFingers hrms softly, wondering if he intends the sign he makes, or was trying to imitate one of hers. "That was breasts. Were you trying to make one of my signs instead?" Well, he did ask what the gesture he made meant, after all. WhiteStar bit her tongue at the sign as well as the description. She knew that. Clearing her throat, she turns towards Igasho to check on her son. At that exact moment GrabbyGiver reaches for the hair with a delighted chortle. "Breasts? Good... good. " Prying-Eagle doesn't seem to realize what he is saying until it's way too late, and his cheeks color, growing completely scarlet. "I mean... good, that you told me! That... that I probably tried to say something else! That was good.. not good as in the other thing.. Well, not that it's bad, good, but not as I--" He facepalms and gazes into the fire. Why can't he ever succeed, even remotely with anything social? Not wanting to jerk his head away as the baby grabs his hair -- for it would only make things more painful and probably scare the baby -- Igasho instead leans forward, to ease the pull on his hair. Mistake! "Hey... huh... stop that..." whispers the trader to the baby. "No... shuuhh... no crying... just... just... no pulling hair, hey?" Too bad the trader is too busy to follow the whole conversation, for he surely would have added to it. On the other hand, the cold water of the pool is not that appealing and he better not join the conversation at this point. DancingFingers laughs softly, covering her hand with her mouth. She doesn't seem offended at all, and that's a good thing, don't you think? She repeats the sign, correctly. "It means trouble." Her eyes dance with ill-concealed humor. WhiteStar tries valiantly to restrain herself but the mix of her child and the trader and the sign language faux pas bursts her into loud giggles. It takes quite some time for Prying-Eagle to regain his composure, and the red stain on his cheeks seems to be there to stay. And even though his eyes were not wandering where they shouldn't before, he seems to make a very clear point to not look anywhere near DancingFingers' chest. Silly man. Despite his embarrassment, he tries to conceal it with humor, and first does the sign for 'breast,' then points at his mouth, and makes the sign for 'trouble.' "I got in trouble for saying that," is his conclusion to that little sentence, and he offers the woman a rather sheepish grin. He shoots WhiteStar an amused, humorous but dark look as he hears her giggle. Igasho reaches for his vest pocket, hoping to find something to distract the baby from his hair. Lucky day! Holding a strand of leather before the baby's eyes, the trader waves it to make the baby find another object of interest. "Lookie, baby," he whispers softly. "Oh, what is it? Oh, it's just for you to.... awwww...." Another pull on his hair, but then the baby seems to finally notice the strand of leather. DancingFingers flushes though as her first interpretation of Prying-Eagle's remark was something a bit different. "Uh, well, perhaps." Amoke has been watching the proceedings from the safety of her pocket, and finds that strand of leather very interesting. In fact, it looks just like the one DancingFingers was holding out for him to play with earlier. Out of the pocket the ferret bounds, quickly making for Igasho and the toy. WhiteStar chuckles at the attempt to entertain her child. "You might as well let him pull, he'll be back at it in a moment." Perhaps? Uh oh.. Prying-Eagle did something wrong again? Especially as he notices her blush. "Well.. I thought.." He clears his throat and sits up straighter in an attempt to regain composure again. "I did it wrong again, didn't I?" he finally concludes in a rather wry, self-mocking tone. "Perhaps it would be bre-- I mean best if I leave this be for a while." By the Holy Earth Mother, run away from here Prying, quickly. Just as Igasho is occupied with the baby, Prying-Eagle seems occupied by tying himself completely into knots. Igasho turns very briefly to look at WhiteStar, his mouth forming a silent, "Oh" as he realizes that she knows better. But then, he notices Amoke running in his direction and wonders why... Oh, the strand! Not thinking about it, the trader throws the strand of leather, not bothering to see where it lands, as long as it lures the ferret away. And thus the hair-pulling game resumes, while Igasho sends silent vows to have his hair cut short. Amoke pounces on the leather, attacking it as if it were a nice juicy mouse. DancingFingers briefly puts her hand over her mouth again, restraining a laugh. "No, you did it right that time. Uh, but I really wouldn't put those two signs together again if I were you. You don't need to go." WhiteStar crosses her legs again and smiles at him. "He's trouble. Beyond a doubt. Perhaps we shall change his name to LargeTrouble?" "I am called TauntingBear by some," Prying-Eagle fills in, and winces at the prospect of being called LargeTrouble." How is he ever going to be able to make any contacts with that sort of name? He grins somewhat embarrassedly at DancingFingers again. "I will remember not to," he promises, as he runs his fingers through his hair. The trader found that WhiteStar was right about the baby preferring hair. Submitting to the pulling game with a low sigh, he nonetheless raises his head to join the conversation. "What was that first sign, yet?" he asks, as he tries to keep a stern face. DancingFingers chuckles softly and nods, arching a brow as Igasho asks specifically for the sign. She does, however, repeat it. Her eyes seek out Amoke, and the ferret runs over to her lap with the leather. BoldMove finally approaches the TailStompingFunnySmellingSylvan. His posture is rather scared, tail tucked and ears back. Star watches him with interest, ready to interfere if he should decide he's being threatened. Prying-Eagle shrugs his shoulders slightly at DancingFingers, but even as his blush starts to fade, his features seem brighter, and more alive. Slowly, his attention is drawn to the little wolf however, and he sighs softly. "It's all right," he says in a very soft, almost soothing voice. "I did not, and do not mean to hurt you." Igasho smiles at DancingFingers, the sign he cannot imitate since he gently rocks the GrabbyBaby. "I see," he says. "And what about..." The man thinks for a moment. "What about... baby?" His gaze travels on both the women, since they both know the language to some extent. DancingFingers watches the wolf quietly. As to the question about the baby, she simply makes a rocking motion, exactly as Igasho is doing now. WhiteStar mimics the gesture a second late. Her eyes and attention having been on the wolf as he sneaks towards Prying-Eagle. At the soft tone of voice and the apparently harmless posture the wolf puffs himself up until he walks straight, tail up, ears pricked forward and his hind end prancing in a race to catch his head as he wags his tail. Wounded tail, remember? A little whine and he's within reach. Carefully, Prying-Eagle reaches out with his hand, formed as a fist to not appear threatening, to let the wolf smell it and approach it on his own terms. As many other Sylvans, he appears calm and focused when it comes to things of nature, including its animals. The wolf will not scent any fear from him. He turns back to the others, and starts making a gesture to move his hands, then shakes his head to himself. Nuh uh. He is done with that for right now. From breast to baby, Igasho's mind easily finds a missing link between the words. By the motions the women showed for baby, the trader grins wide and keeps his mind in check. What he was to ask will probably stay forever hidden in his mind. Baby was so obvious, that what he had in mind would be as well. Although he doesn't blush, he decides to change topic. "So.... do you think I should get my hair cut?" he asks, smiling. DancingFingers furrows her brow at the question. "Why?" And even moreso, why would their opinion matter? Amoke brings the leather to DancingFingers' hand, apparently expecting her to join in this little game. She obliges by shaking the leather from side to side. WhiteStar blinks her eyes rather blankly for a moment. "Whatever for? Just tie it back and keep it behind you. He'll never see it." BoldMove explores hesitantly at first and then sniffs, then he dips his tongue out for a lick. Prying-Eagle chuckles softly to himself at Igasho's question. Himself, he tries to keep it decently short. More practical that way, isn't it? His lips curve upwards into a distant smile as he lets the wolf lick his hand, and soon reaches out to scratch him behind his ear. The trader refrains to laugh, "Yes, that was a... not so brilliant question." Looking away in the direction of the waterfall, he adds, "I feel as if the cold water is calling me." That, for those who have heard of Igasho's cold water ritual, would seems like an apologies for his mundane question about his hair. As things are, the trader only needs the baby to release himself on his lap, to call it a normal day in his life. DancingFingers laughs softly as cold water is mentioned. "I think it is a bit late for a bath." WhiteStar pushes herself to her feet with a laugh. "I believe it is time to get LifeGiver into bed. Thank you for holding him for me." Taking a deep breath, the young adventurer eventually makes his way to his feet, lifting his bag to his shoulder, the heavy contents almost making him sag for a moment before he regains his balance. Whatever it is he is carrying along with that map of his, it is heavy. "It's time for me to leave I'm afraid. I have a lot of studying to do. Chookma. " He bows his head to Igasho and WhiteStar, then to DancingFingers. "And you have to teach me more of that hand talk." He chuckles softly. "But you will have to show me before I try them myself this time." Igasho hands the baby to his mother. "My pleasure," he states, and is sincere. DancingFingers laughs softly and nods. "Calm trails," she tells Prying-Eagle and then WhiteStar. Her eyes then move to Igasho, since he's the only one left. Igasho nods to the young man, "Calm trails, Prying-Eagle." FIN
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