Eclipse Event Stories (NOT CANON)

Nerissa had managed to talk sense into the angry Mayur with the snipe and lay down next to the Tatra he had attacked earlier. He was obviously scared, had his muzzle burrowed underneath his paws and didn't dare to look up. The Mayur grunted a polite goodbye towards the storm colored jill and disappeared into the forest. Once the tail of the attacker had left he sight and the rustling of the leaves stopped, she turned towards the hob with the shoulder mane and softly touched his back with her paw to get his attention.

«He's gone, you're safe now.» He raised his head, but didn't look around. Instead his ears twitched and turned towards the jill with the calm voice and he began to smile. «Thank you, I don't know what I would've done without you.» «You're welcome, dear. I couldn't just watch him treat you like that. Do you mind me asking what he wanted?» The stranger shook his head, not to dismiss her request but as an answer. «I really don't know what his intentions were. He rambled on about my eyes and how 'freaky' they are.» Only then did Nerissa notice the red tinted eyes of the hob besides her. She never judged others by their looks, so she didn't even notice until then that they seemed to have an eerie glow and the pupil was very bright, indicating the brown Tatra was blind. «That brute clearly had no signs of respect or compassion. He should've helped you if anything.» «Well, he didn't need to, as the great mother sent you to help me.» «What are you gonna do now? Maybe I should join you to make sure you get home safely. It's getting late and the Mayur might still be around.» «I would enjoy that very much, thank you! And to make up for the troubles, I will bring you to my mother and gracious leader, who will surely show her thanks properly as well!» She swished her paw through the air and shook her head. «No no, don't worry about it. I would never expect anything in return for saving someone from being attacked unfoundedly. Or for helping you find your way back for that matter.» «Still, you deserve something for your kindness. And I'll really enjoy the company anyway! The way is not too long but it's always nicer to share stories along to spend the time.» Nerissa smiled and nodded. «I definitely agree with that.»

The two Tatras have been walking through the forest for a while. The air was getting colder as a fresh breeze arose and went through their thick fur. But they hardly even noticed as they were too invested in talking to each other. Nerissa found out the Tatra was not only the son of a tribe leader, but also that it was quite a large tribe living amidst a huge, hollow tree. He told her his name was Minas and that he had been blind since he was born, like all other members of his tribe. The storm colored jill wasn't sure whether to attribute that to some genetic defect or a wrathful curse. Anyway she was still impressed that a tribe full of blind Salikos could grow so strong and large. She was never one to judge other by first impressions and knew Minas was perfectly capable of sustaining himself, yet she couldn't deny the feeling inside her that she had to help him, no matter what. Nerissa really enjoyed the trip together and was getting very excited to see the great tree and it's leader and tribemembers. When they finally arrived at the foot of the massive plant, she couldn't help but stare up at it, fascinated by its size, that was towering over all other trees of the forest around. When they reached the entrance, Minas walked up to two guards, positioned on either side of the gap in the bark. They were also Tatras with shoulder manes and seemed rather stern and unapproachable, but that would be the features that guards of a great tribe would need to have. On their back sat large birds with glowing red eyes, just like the ones that had been wrecking havoc over Ibea, yet they didn't seem hostile and remained calm as the two travellers walked up closer. The guards were obviously blind as well, their pupils bright and eyes bright red as well. The jill felt a cold shiver down her spine, but became rather disappointed at herself for feeling that way towards strangers she didn't know anything about. She brushed those thoughts aside and convinced herself that despite their appearance, they were surely nice Salikos if she'd get to know them. The brown Tatra beside her stopped in front of the guards and talked to them with serious, proud voice. «Tell everyone I'm back and that I brought a visitor.» His ear twitched towards her. «She has saved my life and deserves a rewards for that. I want her to meet mother.» One of the guards nodded shortly and the bird flew up to the crown of the tree, as if it had understood to bring the message to someone, somewhere.

Together the two of them stepped into the hollow tree, but just before the darkness swallowed them, Nerissa turned her head and looked around the outside. A few more Tatras of the tribe were out and about, all accompanied by birds and seemingly very busy with their daily tasks. She turned back to Minas who had started walking up a ramp inside the plant, which was winding up the side of the bark, reaching higher and higher endlessly. Nerissa caught up to him and slowed her pace again, looking around in awe. «So this is where you all live?» «Yes. It's wonderful, isn't it?» «It is! Seems like a beautiful place to live. So at one with nature and everyone around...» «You sound like you have problems with your own tribemates?» «No no, it's not like that. But this just seems so...orderly and well structured. Like everyone has their duty and fulfills it and everyone holds together. Of course my tribe does that as well, but we rather...survive every day and every problem that arises, rather than actually solving it. It's just...I don't know how to say it...so wild, you know?» «I see. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable with that question.» «It's alright. I really love my home and all of my friends and family. But this here feels different somehow.» He nodded and his tail twitched for a second, then he stopped and Nerissa noticed another Tatra was running after them and, out of breath, stopped before the two of them. It was a pretty, orange colored female with a blossom in her mane. She gave a short bow towards Minas and began to speak. «There you are! I'm glad to see you're back fine, Minas! And mother too of course. But I'm afraid your friend will have to wait till tomorrow to meet her.» «Thank you for the information, Ren.» He nodded and looked towards the blue jill, his eyes staring right through her. «I still have some business to attend to, is it fine for you to wait here until tomorrow? I promise you won't regret it.» «Of course, I'd be honored.» «I will check on you later then, please feel right at home and rest a bit. Ren here will show you your den for the night.» And with that he left, continuing his walk upstairs. The jill turned towards Nerissa and smiled, her blind eyes staring into the void just like Minas' did, but she still had a kind and polite appearance and demeanor. The outsider knew immediately that she'd get along with the other female well. «Please follow me, we have a great nest for you to spend the night.» She followed the kupfer colored jill a bit farther up, past many holes in the bark, covered by plants like moss and ivy that kept her gaze from looking inside, but she assumed there were many dens for the warriors and apprentices inside. At one of the holes Ren turned off to the side and stepped through the curtain, leading Nerissa inside. The place seemed really comfy and nice, some light trickling in from holes in the walls, giving her the opportunity to look outside and see how high she'd gotten. In the middle of the room was a blanket of leaves and feathers, creating a soft looking nest and Nerissa noticed suddenly how tired she'd gotten from the journey. With a loud yawn she walked towards the spot and sat down, while Ren was watching her calmly. «I see you are tired already so I'll leave you to rest. I'll bring you some food and water later when you're awake again.» With another bow she said goodbye and stepped out of the den. Nerissa lay down and wanted to think about all that had happened that day, but drifted off to a calm sleep too quickly.