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Post by spender on Jan 15, 2010 13:31:34 GMT -5
“I won’t be doing anything exciting in the coming year, if my aunt has anything to do with it."
"Isn't that a shame," said a dark figure leaning against the nearby column. Spender had overheard two adults -
"My, there's another one."
"Mm, another what, Fitzgerald?"
"Young lad. Barely more than a kit, I'd wager. They seem to be sprouting up all over the place. Mushrooms in the shadows, ahaha."
"Quite so, quite right. Pity the Captain who gets stuck with the most of them, eh?"
- and simply had to investigate. What kind of troublemakers would be around here, waiting to be put on a ship? The ferret was disappointed. Just some martenmaid, a boring old mouse, and a freak. Hardly anyone he would want to pal up with in his schemes.
Spender shifted slightly, sidling around the column to put himself in better view of the small group of youngsters.
"Pretty maid like you, not getting t' have any fun." The ferret's country drawl contrasted almost embarrassingly against the sultry tones of the others. "I were you, I'd ditch th' aunt ... in a ditch!"
Giving a short dook of a chuckle, Spender reached forward, brushing past Caden's shoulder, and shook the paw Elle had intended for Cerinus.
"I'm S-s-pender! S-s-so p-p-leased t' m-m-meet you!" He glanced at the poor mouse, sneering with his fangs.
As he withdrew, he tipped the glass in his other paw, splashing punch onto the floor in an attempt to wet the albino pine marten's clothing.
"W-w-whoops! Careful there, W-w-whitey. P-p-pink doesn't suit you."
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Post by Ladorak on Jan 15, 2010 16:28:25 GMT -5
"Ah yes, my superior officer is this Admiral over here, Samuel Hood. You may have heard of him or you may not have. Was in command of the Welkin battle line at St. Kitts, and served under such esteemed personages as the now late Admiral George Brydges Rodney." Ladorak was leading Luxe over to the old opossum now.
He was currently unaware of the kits' predicament at the paws of the stripling off to his right, but chances were if he took noticed they would quickly go south for Spender. "Admiral Hood!" he spoke up, getting the opossum's attention. Turning, the gray marsupial spotted Ladorak at long last.
"Ah, well there you are Fugate. Was wondering when you would be popping in. We've got a ship lined up for you at long last, and there's one for me as well I'm happy to see." He sniffed a bit, clearing his nose as looked over at the big ermine beside Ladorak.
"I"m glad to hear it! Have they settled on which one in particular?" Ladorak asked eagerly.
"That they have, but we'll be getting to that tonight at the ceremony. I'm going to sink my claws into you before Howe can gobble you up." Hood informed Ladorak, smiling now as the thought of serving in action with this mustelid crossed his mind. "So who is this?" he asked, indicating with his wine glass at Luxe.
"Ah yes, Admiral Hood, this is Jal Luxe Calone, the one I wrote to you about in terms of becoming the Armorer aboard my ship."
"Armorer? Oh yes! This is the fellow eh? Well how do you do then, how do you do?" Hood offered his paw, his blue uniform shifting slightly as he put his best leg forward and did a smart little bow as well. "Fugate has told me some about you. Heard you're a blacksmith and looking to become a full fledged Armorer aboard ship."
***********
Over in the corner where the youths were, Caden was in shock that some stripling would come out of nowhere and just start terrorizing their little get together like this. The interloper was large, big but not very muscular from what Caden could see.
The kit moved aside Spender entered the midst of their group, took Elle's paw, and began to mock Cerinus's stuttering. A sudden flair of envy built up inside the albino now when he noticed that this doofus ferret had actually TOUCHED Elle! Gritting his teeth, he didn't take too kindly to Spender's word to Cerinus either.
Maybe it was because he was used to being the dominant male in a group, or maybe it was because it was obvious that this stripling was being a jerk, but whatever it was Caden did not appreciate this intrusion. "Hey why don't you..." he was saying when Spender splashed the punch right down near his paws.
Jumping back, but not quite in enough time, some of the pink fluid stained a bit of the bottom of his pant legs. Rage burning in his pink eyes now, the marten realized that that whitey comment had been directed straight at him. Just like those other kits back from the harbor...calling him a freak, a mutant of some kind.....a monster.
Angrily lashing out, Caden shoved Spender backwards and faced him directly. "Here now! I'm giving you one chance to back off. I dunno who are you, but you've got till 5 before your snout's going to be shoved so deep into that punch bowl they're gonna need to paint your fur to retrieve it's natural color! Get lost!" he growled, his large ears flat now and the fur sticking out on end on his rather long tail.
He tried to get slightly in front of Cerinus too, as the mouse didn't seem like much of a fighter. Caden was a few inches shorter than Spender, and not nearly as big, but he was well toned for a kit his age. Sure he'd be helpless against any adult, but the marten figured he was at least a match for this stripling. His paws were already clenched into fists just in case, and he waited for any sudden moves on the ferret's part.
The size thing was making him a bit unsettled, but you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at him. If blows were traded....Caden only hoped he'd get the better of it.
***************
As this was going on, the Right Honorable Montegu Sylver was entering the party as well. He had access to all of these function, being a sort of minor noble, though without an actual title. Wearing his traditional green cape with matching vest and pants, a top hat completed the getup.
His cane thumping on the carpeted floor, the least weasel looked about him, trying to spot Ladorak. Tonight was a night of firsts it seemed, and the detective was looking to make a proposal to Fugate. He easily spotted him, his eyes sharp and keen like that, but they also caught sudden movement in the darkened recesses of the hall as well.
Say wasn't that Fugate's ward? Shoving a ferret? Hmm....an altercation? The weasel decided to watch this development rather than making straight for Fugate instead. A single white scar ran down the mustelid's face, giving him a bit of an out of place if not slightly dignified look. It ran from his left eye up to his forehead, and was in fact the Sylver birthmark. All Sylver's had it.
Walking in Ladorak's direction, the sleuth nevertheless kept his eyes on the group of young ones off to the side, getting close to the beverage and nourishment tables to see if he could hear anything worthwhile.
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Post by Carrow on Jan 15, 2010 18:37:01 GMT -5
Cerinus furrowed his brow, wondering about this newcomer. He seemed like quite an aggressive type, certainly from his build, yet whether the ferret was merely joking around, or actually intending to cause trouble, the rodent didn't yet know.
However, the youngster was grateful all the same for Caden's protection. The pine marten certainly seemed rather peeved at this deliberately inflammatory behaviour, and while the mustelid wasn't exactly spoiling for a fight because of this incident (quite unlike Spender, it must be said), he knew, as Cerinus did, that the wood mouse was the weakest creature in the group by far.
Nevertheless, the mouse tried to make light of the situation. He couldn't disguise his timid nature, but peeked out from behind the pine marten kit, and spoke, doing his utmost to be friendly. "Er, hi there, Spender. You seem to be in rather high spirits, heheh. Pleased to meet you."
Offering his paw to the ferret, the rodent smiled at him. There couldn't possibly be any way he could offend the mustelid through his actions for where he was standing, but he had to be on his guard nonetheless. Spender was quite the little firebrand it seemed.
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Post by spender on Jan 16, 2010 13:19:27 GMT -5
Spender took the shove well, smiling pensively. If any adults had seen that, it would be Caden, not he, who took the fall. He had only just accidentally spilled his drink; distracted by a lovely beech marten!
The ferret shrugged and held his paws out. His smile turned into a sad, unconvincing frown.
"I am lost!"
Oh dear oh dear oh dear, this one wanted to fight. This was good! ... and bad. Spender, as a rule, did not fight anyone his own size. He usually went for bigger prey, where he could dodge in and out of range, or taunted smaller creatures.
"Er, hi there, Spender. You seem to be in rather high spirits, heheh. Pleased to meet you."
Spender ignored the mouse's paw. He tilted his head at Cerinus, and then said quietly:
"I'd be careful, I were you, mouse. Hangin' about with animals like these... Hasn't anyone told you? Mustelids used t' eat mice! Hah!"
With that last "hah!" Spender turned his attention back on Caden. The pine marten seemed a little distracted from Spender's comment. Reaching out, he took a swift pawful of whiskers, and yanked, pulling Caden's marten's muzzle forwards - to where Spender's other paw had the now-empty glass waiting to make contact.
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Post by Carrow on Jan 16, 2010 18:35:16 GMT -5
What the hell is this creature actually trying to do here?, Cerinus thought. Yes, I may be timid as the day is long, but come on! I'm not *that* easily scared, I know that at least.
"They did, did they?," the mouse replied, playing the ferret at his own game. "Well, seems like that's rather a habit that's fallen out of practice. Least among pine martens, anyways."
This was quite the subtle insult, and if the rodent had to be honest with himself, he was thinking that Spender would probably miss it. Whereas Cerinus made up for his lack of brawn with brains - and a sharp tongue that he could well use whenever he had a mind to - it was vice-versa with the aggressive mustelid.
Of course, if he *did* catch it, Cerinus could fully expect to wake up an hour later with a crowd around him, but the mouse had other reasons for his jibe, as he had spotted what Spender was really up to. Much rather than halt it himself - for he could never physically do that noo matter how brave he felt at the time - he needed to provide a slight distraction, even if it meant that he now became the target of Spender's scorn.
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Post by bookity101 on Jan 17, 2010 0:30:16 GMT -5
Luxe followed behind Ladorak, staying out of the way of the beasts around him, something the big blacksmith had become a master at even with his size.
Luxe took the offered paw. "I'm feeling very good thank you," he reached up with a paw and pulled on his collar, "A tad out of my comfort zone, but fine thank you." He smiled as he dropped both paws back to his sides.
Yes Sir, I'm looking forward to going to war to help out my country," He smiled slightly. "And I must say that sailing beats walking any day." ** Elle stood back, not wanting to get pulled into the confrontation. She rolled her eye’s, not that she would be noticed by anyone, ‘cept maybe the ferret, and he was distracted by Caden. Oh bother, she she sighed, now they were fighting!
Elle caught on faster than about the comment Cerinus made, and if this turned ugly and or noisy. Aunt Bera was going to be on her in a flash. Moving faster than the boys would be able to, she yanked back Spendor’s smallest claw, pushed Caden backwards as he struck her as the hot headed type.
“Cerinus, NOT helping here…” She dropped Spender’s paw.
“Look Spender right?” She moved back a pace, dropping his paw as she did so “None of us need to be getting in trouble here.” She cast a glance around for her aunt. 'Specially not me.. no sign of her, thank goodness.
“There’s a lot more to do here than get in fights, so please just leave us be.” Elle’s paw flew up to her mouth, she had just done all that, not just thought it threw, in fact she was treating them like she did her cousins. Not good, ‘If Aunt Bera catches me talking like this, she is going to tan my hide three ways from Monday…’ Elle threw another nervous glance around the room, her hair flying over a shoulder as she did so. ‘Please don’t be around… please’
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Post by Ladorak on Jan 17, 2010 1:25:00 GMT -5
Caden was suddenly pulled by his whiskers towards the glass. He had a split second to react. It would be the most painless for him if he suddenly inflicted a quick strike on the gut of the ferret, thereby knocking the wind out of him and forcing him to let go. After that...Caden would use his own momentum and ram himself into the ferret and push him against the table, making sure his back would be pinned....and then a knee in the groin, a few socks to the face....
It would be over quickly...until Elle decided to intervene. A flash of brown fur was all Caden could catch right as his fist swung, Spender wasn't helping himself by pulling Caden towards him...but that was just one thing Caden had learned to use to his advantage. His opponent's own momentum against them.
Unable to stop himself in time, Caden instead swung upwards, knowing he had a very narrow window to do this with. What had Helandria said? Right where the wrist connected to the finger! If he was ever grabbed, especially by the whiskers, a quick slap to this sensitive area would cause the grip to slide off in a motion that lasted less than a second.
Whacking Spender's wrist, Caden was freed. Just in the nick of time too, for he was pushed back by Elle, who now had a hold of Spender's smallest claw. The albino checked to make sure his whiskers were all there. But thankfully, by smacking Spender's paw up and not back, he had spared them. That and they were greasy. Greasy whiskers were harder to yank unless you had them by their roots.
Huffing a bit now, the marten stood back, listening to Elle speak. It was a voice of reason, and rather melodic. Now that he wasn't directly in a fight......Caden was thinking of the consequences of getting into a brawl here. Ladorak....it might look bad on him....or even worse, the ermine might be disappointed with him. He was trying to teach him that conflict was rarely the solution to things. So far he wasn't doing a very good job at applying it...but maybe he could tonight. Maybe he could draw the line here.
"Spender listen to her. We weren't looking to start anything with you." Caden spoke up. "This whole thing is stupid. Just get out of here." he said, wiping his snout now as his whiskers felt a tad odd. They were still in there, but had been yanked, so of course Caden was feeling them right now.
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Post by Carrow on Jan 17, 2010 16:13:57 GMT -5
Cerinus stepped out from behind Caden, as he had something to add to the discussion. Even though he knew he may well be leaving himself vulnerable by addressing the aggressive ferret in such a way, some things he just had to say. The young mouse piped up, feeling a little braver now. He knew that Spender could wipe the floor with him if he so wished, but he had stood enough of him.
"Caden's right. We're not looking for any trouble, Spender, so why bother trying to start anything with us? Find some other creatures to pick on if you must, but though you have set the bait, we none of us are going to bite. Either be sociable or take your business elsewhere. I'm not trying to provoke you or anything, just saying that it really wouldn't be worth your while trying to start something."
There... he'd said what he felt he'd needed to. The mustelid's swagger and attitude were quite starting to get on his nerves at this point. Hah, the simpleton's probably going to take offence at that, the rodent thought. Well, he can honestly knock me into the middle of next season for all I care. I've suffered so many psychological blows in my lifetime that a few physical ones aren't going to make any difference...
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Post by spender on Jan 19, 2010 0:09:00 GMT -5
"Fine..." Spender grunted.
Of course the silly creatures had to go and stick up for one-another. Pack animals! The kits in the country had been easier targets. Sociable! That was what was considered fun in this place? Sitting around and talking? Where was the excitement? Where was the danger?
And just what had the mouse been insinuating in his retort? Spender wasn't sure. The deft sting of high society's underpawed sniping was lost on him. it sounded more like a jibe against the martens, to his ears. Only a lesser species would lose the old habits that kept them alive in the wild...
Fates, his paw hurt. Rubbing his wrist and gently tweaking his pinky-claw, the ferret's stance drooped.
"Yeah, I see how it is," he muttered, his voice low enough the others would need to strain. "You prissy snob-nobs just want t' flounce in your fancy clothes an' gossip..."
Louder, he said, "Fine. Fine. You don't want me. Fine." He looked up and glared at all three of them. Cerinus and Caden, he would get back, somehow. Elle... well, he had some standards. He would not hit a lady. (His sisters, of course, were not ladies.) But he could do the next best thing, and spread rumours. That would be fun. Teach her to stick up for others! Huh.
Something struck the ferret, then, as he turned to find a group more inclined to scatter. What had the mouse said? Caden...
It was hard to forget albino pine martens. Especially ones that your parents kept reminding you had been your "best friend when you were little tykes"... although in truth, Caden and Spender had met on very few occasions, mostly on each-other's birthdays, at parties with other kits abound. But a name and legacy such as Caden's was something that had stuck fast in Spender's striped head.
"Oh," he said, turning back to the group. He looked the albino in the eye. "Heard from your mother lately, Whitey? Or is she still runnin' about on rooftops killin' her own soldiers? Oh, 's right. She's dead. Well, then."
Grinning nastily, the ferret turned and stalked off before a reply could be given without them having to shout.
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Post by Ladorak on Jan 20, 2010 0:09:01 GMT -5
((One thousandth post! Woo!))
"Hahah! Yes it sure does!" Hood laughed shortly, waving a claw at Luxe and nodding in a knowing way.
"Aye, nothing beats a gigantic warship conveying you to this port or that port. Far better than walking. Who wants to be a mud slogging paw soldier anyways?" the ermine said with a click of his teeth. "Take my word for it Jal Calone. It's a different experience than the one you're used to I'm sure, but anyone can adapt."
"Good to hear that you want to serve your country as well. It seems we might be up against a real challenge this time. Though if we can tip Ferlusan into joining things, we'll be on incredibly good pawing." the opossum Admiral commented, more to himself than for Luxe's benefit. "Well an Armorer is quite the valuable asset to the crew. In charge of anything metal on board the ship. It'll be not much different from your previous job on land, and better pay I take it." Hood had read Luxe's file, or at least what Ladorak had submitted to him on the subject. "If you're a tad out of your comfort zone well that's fine, I can't imagine anyone is truly comfortable at one of these things...unless they really devour these galas like sustenance." the opossum murmured, rolling his eyes. He knew the type.....it often times scared him in all honesty.
What was the point of a being a gaudy party beast? Was far better to take pleasure in the few parties you'd have when you did make port, and then get back to your job when it called.
*************
Caden's pink eyes were facing the ferret's. He had spun around, just as he was about to leave. What now? Wasn't he scampering back to the play room? As far as Caden was concerned, it was where this brute belonged.
But then Spender said something.....odd. His mother? How did Spender know his mother? But wait! Spender!? Why was that name suddenly so familiar to him now....where had he met this ferret before? The Imperium? It...had to have been. But where? He could remember...vague flashes...but they were almost nothing in his memory now.
Killing soldiers...her own soldiers? Just what was he implying? Most of his mother's facts had been kept from him by Ladorak. The two had never had a heart to heart conversation about her yet....but Caden had been able to pick up on things. Things that suggested that perhaps his mother wasn't such a great marten after all. But he had heard nothing about the Platycodon, and even Ladorak hadn't brought that to light yet.
And so Spender's comment was rather lost on the albino at the moment. "What?" he asked, but Spender had turned and walked away. What had he just insinuated about the marten's mother? "Hey!" he called out after him. "What did you mean?" he asked, moving forward a bit, but not getting too close and keeping a good distance for now between the ferret and himself. If needed he'd floor this stripling if push came to shove, but presently Caden was just confused. Killing her own soldiers? Who was Spender anyway?
He felt his pulse quicken a bit, unsure if he wanted to hear what this ferret had to say, but his curiosity was getting the better of him now, and thus he found himself shuffling forward, against his better judgment.
********
Montegu Sylver was still watching the proceedings with the youths. He had visually located Ladorak, but figured the ermine was busy for now. Besides this little altercation was a bit more fascinating to the weasel detective at present.
He'd monitor things from the other side of the confections table, keeping a distant watch on things to see how they developed, at least until Fugate became available.
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