11-03-02 @ 11:25 am EST

All right. You want to see how bad my Manitou Island fiction was when I was first starting out? This here is one of my very first stories from the first set called The Legends Of Manitou Island, written around when I was in junior high. The characters are familiar, but the story is...well...it's...well...just see for yourself. And don't say I didn't try to warn you.

Stick-in-the-Dirt's three daughters were named, from oldest to youngest, White Deer, Lily Flower, and Little Dove. His wife was Blue Sky. [Note: Not anymore it isn't--according to "Unleashed," it is now Rain-On-The-Leaves, and I don't know why she's even mentioned, since she's dead!] Every day they went about their usual tasks, doing this and that. [Note: Apparently I knew a lot about the everyday tasks of the natives, hm?] One day Lily Flower went to Stick-in-the-Dirt and told him of a handsome brave, White Coyote, who she had been meaning to marry. Stick-in-the-Dirt, Blue Sky, and Little Dove congratulated her, but White Deer stood in the shadows, jealous. She suddenly jumped out and shouted, "You thief, you coward! [Note: "You WHORE!!" *cough* Sorry.] You steal the one I plan to marry. I won't give you my consent. Let Ocryx kidnap you, let Mitchi Manitou tear you limb from limb! I don't care. I'll find someone better than White Coyote!" And she ran away.

"Let me talk to her," Little Dove said, and followed. A while later she returned, saying, "She needs to be alone."

White Deer ran to a cave now hidden. There was a stone door. Knowing that Silver Eagle Feather's son, the younger Ocryx, lived here, she knocked and waited.

[Note: o_O; ]

After a minute the door opened and the young Ocryx peered out. "Yes?" he said rather uncertainly, seeing the beautiful maiden standing there. [Note: *hurkkakkgakkukkhh!!*] The only other women he'd seen were his mother and the Manitou woman. [Note: By "the Manitou woman," I assume I meant Old Mother Manitou, of course.]

"My name is White Deer. I am one of Stick-in-the-Dirt's daughters. Right now I am looking for a husband. You seem nice. Why couldn't you marry me?"

[Note: Damn, she's a fast worker, isn't she?]

The young Ocryx's eyes opened wide with surprise. "But you are an Indian and I am an Ocryx! Stick-in-the-Dirt would never allow me to marry you!"

"I don't care about Father's consent. I meant to marry White Coyote but Lily Flower took him from me. He was a strong and handsome brave. With some eagle feathers and a necklace you would be strong and handsome, too."

[Note: "Why, thank you very much, young lady...I think..."]

The Ocryx covered his nose. "Look at me--I'm part rat, part snake! I'd never fit in! The people would kill me before I even got to the camp!"

White Deer put a hand on the young Ocryx's arm and said, "If you're denying being handsome, you're wrong. I think you are very handsome. [Note: Thus sayeth the lady who only stopped by because her first choice was already taken!!] Wolves represent nobility, eagles represent bravery, snakes are intelligent, and even rats show that we are industrious and can be tricky, as all animals show. Wouldn't you at least come to the camp with me?"

The Ocryx looked a little worried, but said, "Alright, I'll go with you, but let me warn you! Stick-in-the-Dirt will be terrified and so will the tribe!"

White Deer payed no attention. They made their way to the camp. When the people saw the Ocryx, some hid their faces, some hid themselves, and some got their weapons.

"Pa-kau, stop!" White Deer cried. [Note: That was like the only Ojibwa word I knew...] "This is not the Ocryx you think he is. This Ocryx is good! He is a shaman [Note: WHA?] and I want him for my husband!"

"Kau-win, no!" Stick-in-the-Dirt quailed, hiding. [Note: Um, okay, that was like the only TWO Ojibwa words I knew...] "All Ocryxes bring trouble. That evil demon and the female did, and so will this one! He is trying to trick us!"

[Note: Do they have something against verb contractions here?]

During this, Little Dove noticed that Ocryx [Note: I call him Ocryx in here but I obviously mean X!] was edging back into the forest, terrified. She said, "Father, look at him. Surely he isn't like the Ocryx who wanted to marry me. [Note: See "Return To Me" for info on that!] This one is good. Isn't he the one raised by Old Mother Manitou?"

Stick-in-the-Dirt now recognized him, and said, "If you are really the son of Silver Eagle Feather, then I suppose you can marry my daughter. [Note: Being related to that Silver Eagle Feather sure has its advantages, hey!] Just be careful to keep her away from Devil's Lake!"

[Note: I'm currently writing a completely DIFFERENT series of events leading up to how X'aaru and Stick met...so please disregard this tripe!]

"You needn't worry," Ocryx replied. "I can't go there because I can be killed by the other Ocryx. But she may still live here. I will live nearby, and when your tribe is in danger, I will help you."

So Silver Eagle Feather, Black Elk Horn, Old Mother Manitou, Stick-in-the-Dirt, Blue Sky, Lily Flower, White Coyote, Little Dove, the tribe and the chief, Old Yellow Turtle, gave their consent, and White Deer married the Ocryx. And there are two stars in the sky that represent the happy couple. If you look carefully, you may see them.

[Note: Stars? Ahm...I...oh, never mind.]

And so there is the story of how White Deer cowed poor X'aaru into marrying her. Which, THANK GOD, does NOT happen in the current storyline.

Tar for now...