Dinner at the Dugans

[bookity101]

If you were to disembark from the H.M.S. Agemmemnon and take the path towards town, if you were to pass all the shops and the stalls, all the vendors and hawkers, you would find your way to a lane. If you were to follow this lane, you would find yet another turn down another lane lined with flowering trees and the clichéd white picket fences that surrounded houses that shared a wall and yard space. This neighborhood was filled with the upper middle-class folk. The local master blacksmith lived, along with other master level craftsmen. Several shopkeepers lived there, alongside some rather illegal but attempting to appear legal beasts. Not among the aforementioned group was the house of Edgar Dugan, Calgarian merchants rising star and husband of Janey McNamee-Dugan. And this aforementioned female was standing on her porch, sweeping, for at least the fifth time that day.

If you were to head inside the house, you would see the male of the house, Edgar Dugan. Working his way up the ranks, he now held a job working directly with getting supplies to Welkinite ships as they came through the Calgarian ports in and near Naples. If you were to see him now though, you wouldn’t see an up and coming merchant, no instead you would see a bemused husband, who was vainly trying to hide behind a newspaper. Though he had enjoyed watching his wife run herself dizzy, he was glad the job was almost done, she really needed to relax…

And if you were to allow your footpaws to take you on one more journey, through the pristine house you would find nary a sign of dirt as you left the drawing room and entered the kitchen, it was too fearful to stick around when Jane Dugan went on a cleaning spree. Through the kitchen and up a set of stairs, there was a hall way, with three doors. One was used as a large storage closet for all the linens and cloths that Janey was working on. One was the Dugans bedroom. The other was where Elle rested after hurrying off the ship, through the marketplace. Down both lanes, and through the cliché of a white picket fence and across the very very clean porch, through the drawing room and past the silent laughter of her cousin in law, through the kitchen and finally up the stairs to change into her dress and ready for the night.

"Elliot" had given "his" friends a note that he would bein hiding for a while as his paw was giving him some serious trouble, and to not look for him as he would be more than likely be asleep somewhere. The final lines were;

"....but don't feel bad that I'm not there, I spent a lot of time with my sister and cousin this afternoon... they drug me around shopping... all afternoon! Go have fun... I'm going to get some rest...

Signed,
Elliot McNamee

P.S. Don't play checkers with Elle if she offers, you'll lose. Maybe teach her chess... on second thought never mind, then she'll beat me at that too...

She fiddled with her hair for what seemed like the millionth time since she got there, hiding a yawn as she did so. After having to run all the way there, she was still getting her wind back. She had barely stopped moving since she arrived, and sitting down was the first time she actually paused long enough to look at herself. Janey had picked out the dress that she was now wearing. And it was the farthest thing from the slops. The sea green material with white hemming and stitch work across the bodice, it swept down to hit just above her paws, showing the simple deep brown leather moccasins. She looked up again at herself in the mirror. The dress was stunning, not that the female beech martin registered the fact. She simply was grateful to be in a dress and not those slops for one night. She glanced up at her hair, sighing as she moved to work on it again.

“Now if only my hair would cooperate…”...

+_+_+_+_+

Not many moments passed from this statement to when Janey looked up from her sweeping and raised a paw and smiled brightly greeting to those they were all waiting for;

“Hello there! I’m glad you could make it!”

[Carrow]

Cerinus Apodemus couldn't help but feel more than a little nervous about this. The invitation had been sprung on him, and even though he had readily accepted (as spending more time with Janey was just what he needed), the mouse couldn't ignore the fact that he had never been at anything like this before. It was hardly a formal dinner or anything of that sort, but the only only other exprience he'd had of eating with more than one person had been in the mess on the Agamemnon.

He also knew he was quite prone to moodswings even at the best of times, so was hoping fervently he wouldn't ruin the gathering for all involved. The rodent was wearing his best outfit. It was completely spotless and he thought it suited him rather well. The trademark white shirt was in pristine condition; the blue slacks likewise. He had also brought his birthday present along - just in case he might be asked to perform after they'd eaten, as unlikely as that seemed.

He had read the note pawed to him by Elliot earlier with a more than a little disappointment evident on his face. He'd noticed the beech marten's limp, but had been hopinh that it wouldn't end up ruling him out of the dinner. However, this disappointment had soon been overcome by the fact that he knew Elle would be present. It was quickly approaching eleven months since he'd last seen her, and he was excited about meeting up with her again.

Selvis Frenata, meanwhile, knew EXACTLY why it was 'Elliot' was unable to attend. It was because, in reality, there was no Elliot McNamee. Only Elle. Since being told of her true identity in the mess all those months ago, the faithful mustelid had kept the secret as best he could. His striped shirt combined nicely with his grey pants, and his impressive tail flicked to and fro behind him as, alongside the mouse and his pine marten friend, Caden Fugate, he entered the Dugans' home.

Seeing Janey, Carrow smiled, relaxing a little when she addressed them, her clear tones making sure she could be heard by all. Selvis, Carrow and Caden were all great friends with 'Elliot', but it was well known amongst the rodent and longtail that the marten had affection for Elle. Carrow never saw *himself* as relationship material - or as much of anything, he had to admit - but he was pleased for his friend, and knew he'd be thrilled to see her.

"Hello, Janey," the mouse and weasel chorused, each as happy to see her as the other. Since she'd been introduced, everybeast had taken quite a liking to her. Carrow in particular. Now he was certain that Elliot had been influenced by Janey a little, because he could definitely see where the kind marten stripling had gotten his gentle and helpful demeanour from. "Y-you'll have to f-forgive me if I s-seem n-nervous...," the wood mouse added. "I've never done anything like this before..."

[Ladorak]

Caden was on something of a down note of his life. His stay in Naples had been anything but stress-relieving. He was still feeling the effects of how he physically looked, and how that affected others. He knew that Spender had called him a freak, and had broken his wrist for just such a reason. The things the ferret had said to him before their arrival here had caused a painful wrenching on his heart as an identity crisis had struck him.

It had caused him to draw in upon himself, and to stop sending letters to Elle. He had received a few letters from her inquiring after him, but he had never written back yet. And now he had been invited to dinner with her. He was dressed in some of the civilian clothing he had brought with him on the ship.

A red shirt was underneath a blue jacket that lay unbuttoned and open at the front. Blue pants completed the look, though Caden had left his flat cap back on the ship. He doubted he'd ever wear that thing again. Ladorak had bought it for him last year because none of the other kits in town had one, but now it seemed like everyone wore one. Carrow and Spender both had one, so Caden had come to the decision to not wear it anymore. When one was struggling with one's own identity, completely blending in was the last thing one needed.

Or maybe, conversely, completely blending in to be unnoticed by those around you was the way to go in his case. He had seen how that muscular otter had been put off by his appearance in town earlier today. Caden resolved to look in a mirror if this house had one...which surely it did, judging by its appearance. What did he look like? What did others see?

Ladorak was acting as chaperon, but he had no intention of sticking around for the dinner. He planned to spend it at the palace...alone. Molly Serra had left without him after all, and they had barely been speaking to each other the past few weeks. As far as the stoat Captain knew, it was over between them. He had no notions of a romantic candlelight dinner tonight anymore...it would just be him...on his own. The royal personages at the palace sure...but they would hardly be company. The only vaguely bright spot would be Lady Emma Hamilton's presence at the dinner...but Ladorak knew his heart wasn't with her, whom he had only just met today. Not to mention she was the ambassador's wife after all.

He wasn't sure where his heart belonged or where it had gotten to, but it most certainly was not resting within his chest tonight. "Hello Jis Dugan. About what time should I pick them?" he asked, giving her a cordial smile as he ushered the striplings on their way.

Caden walked into the house...or maybe a manor was a better term for this residence. His breath was taken from him as he gaped at the surroundings. It was far more luxurious than he had imagined. Supplying the Welkinite Navy was most certainly a profitable business it seemed. He couldn't think of Elle living here...such an upper class she came from, totally different from his own. Ladorak's house was nice...but it wasn't anything like this.

He paused as he passed a gilded mirror in the hallway. Ah...here we go. He turned to face it, starting at his footpaws and lifting his gaze upward, slowly, until he reached his face. A slight gasp escaped his lips as he gazed back into his eyes. His pupils were so...pink...and the irises were a blood red, filled with a crimson tint that caused him to back up a step or two. He'd never really looked at himself fully in a mirror before...Helandria had no mirrors, and the ones in Ladorak's house hadn't been given much attention by him, as he really didn't play with the kits in town since they were few and far between. He had had no reason up until now to question his looks.

Shaking his head a tad, he turned away, frightened by his gaze. How could others even look at him? He was like some...creature from a nightmare. The troll that lived under the bridge and threatened to devour those poor goats. Was he really an angel with eyes like those? It was fine...his fur color, his look...everything...but those eyes. He quickened his pace, hurrying to catch up with his comrades.

[bookity101]

Janey smiled at Carrow, and then set her broom down carefully against the house so to not have it fall to the ground.

“There is nothing to be worried about mousey, come here.” She gently enveloped the young stripling in a hug, the scent of roses drifting around her and more than likely the whole hallway as it was filled with roses of every kind. Straightening, she then gave Selvis and Caden a brief, motherly hug before turning to Ladorak to answer his question.

“Oh, I would say any time after eight o’clock would be fine Captain. Dinner will be at six thirty and that should give them about an hour and a half to just chat and play. Though don’t be too worried about the time I’m certain we will enjoy every moment of their time.” She nodded her head in a regal manner, looking for the world that she was a princess instead of merchant’s wife. “If you are sure that I cannot persuade you to stay for dinner, then the rest of us shall proceed to the drawing room where Edgar and Elle should be waiting for us. “Another smile filled her eye’s, then she offered her paw to the mouse who she had noticed was more nervous than he needed to be and hoped the action would put him at ease.

Janey lead the way through the hall way, taking note of Caden’s pause to look in the mirror, but made no comment about it, thinking that he was simply checking his appearance, not freaking out about the color of his eyes, which Janey was actually quite fond of that eye color, though there was no way anybody in the hall with her could know as she had never mentioned more than her husband’s name to them.

“Edgar, would you put away your paper already, our guests are here.” Edgar Dugan smiled fondly at his wife, eyes sparkling behind his glasses. His dark blue suit coat and pants stood out in the room predominantly filled with soft browns and greens, but not in a bad way. In fact with his white fur, he looked rather dapper. His smile was broad as he approached the boys, his pink eye’s twinkling as he held out a paw, his Welkin colored a little by his Calgarian upbringing;

“Hello there, Elle and Janey have been in a tizzy all afternoon over this.” He looked over at them shaking their paws in turn as he guessed their names;

“You must be Selvis, and Carrow, and Caden.” Edgar winked at his fellow albino, the exact same eye’s that had stared back at Caden in mirror. Only these ones held a contentment that came from knowing exactly who he was. Of course, Edgar did have almost a decade on Caden, and Jane. Jane had definiantly helped out a lot. Maybe Elle would be able to help Caden out as well.

_+_+_+_+_+_+_

Elle nodded to herself. Finally, everything seemed ready. She had even put on some of Jane’s perfume to help mask her scent. Now she mostly smelled of flowers. Elle glanced at the mirror. Her hair finally sitting how she wanted it, half swept up into loose bun, half resting on her shoulders, and just a few wisps resting around her eyes. Yes, she was finally ready, at least as far as appearance went.

Elle took a deep breath, like a swimmer would before going for a long swim. She entered the drawing room from behind them, and listened to the greetings exchanged between her friends and Edgar, half-way wondering if she should have mentioned the Edgar was also an albino before they came over… She stood exactly in the light of the window, the light falling on her dress and her eyes, a sparkle found there that hadn’t been for some time. She casually leaned against the doorway, smiling as she softly called;

“Hello Sailors, how is life on the briny blue?”

[Ladorak]

Caden tried closing his eyes, so his friends wouldn't have to look at them, but he realized it was impossible to try and walk with your eyes closed like that, as he swiftly bumped into a table on the way into the study, and the albino was forced to abashedly reopen his pink peepers.

He found himself in a rather comfortable looking drawing room, and looked all about him, eyes scanning the room and taking it all in. They finally rested on the most interesting attraction however. Edgar Dugan looked...like him! Caden's breath caught in his throat, and he stared in awe at the approaching merchant. He had no idea that Janey's husband was well...albino!

He looked up at Edgar, shaking his paw a bit limply, as he was still in shock at this discovery. He got out a single nod, pink eyes wide in wonder. And he was...married? Caden swallowed hard, his world turning upside down...again.

Shaking his head as if he were in a dream, he felt his throat completely close at the sound of a voice behind him. He remembered that voice...even if it had been months! Yes! It was...her!

Turning around, Caden froze in place. Elle McNamee stood in the doorway, a nearby window's light framing her perfectly. She was dressed in a flowing green dress that looked remarkable on her, and Caden gulped again, caught completely off guard by how attractive the beech marten looked this evening. He hadn't been expecting it...maybe because he hadn't seen her in months. Whatever it was, it stole his breath away, and the albino found himself walking forward, shuffling his footpaws on the floor as he was drawn right to her as if she were a magnet.

His slow walking was even and very trance-like, and he stopped a few feet away from her. He couldn't help but to smile in a small and lopsided manner. "Elle...hi..." he said, greeting her a bit shyly. "Um...oh." He finally seemed to snap back to reality. "Sorry...I haven't been writing...I know..." he said, drifting his gaze downward before looking back up at her with a guilty expression.

[bookity101]

Elle couldn’t help but feel bad about making Caden feel awkward, but it couldn’t be helped… but what could be helped was the fact that he felt about writing, and about standing in front of her. Three quick steps and she had her arms around his shoulders, holding him tightly in a hug. After a few moments she whispered in his ear;

“Don’t worry about it Caden, Elliot explained most everything to me earlier.” She settled back down to a flat pawed stance, one paw on his shoulder, one resting lightly on his cheek. “You don’t have to explain anything, I’m just glad that you’re here.” Another bright smile and she glanced around her pine marten crush. “Are you really Cerinus?” Elle used the name the young mouse had been introduced as almost a year ago now.

“No you must be a look alike, Cerinus was much shorter and didn’t as many muscles as you do.” A teasing twinkle filled her eyes as she came to him for her hug. Squeezing gently as to not hurt his injured back, she pulled away and ruffled his ears fondly. “It’s so good to see you again Cer.” Straightening again she moved to the last member of the visiting trio.

“And you must be Selvis,” Because her back was to the other two, she felt fee to tip the older weasel a wink. “Elliot has written so much about you, I feel as if I already know you, you wouldn’t mind if I gave you a hug too… would you?” A slight smile accompanied her “request” and she tilted her head. Besides Edgar and Janey, he was the only other one who knew her secret, and hopefully Selvis could play along as well as he could keep a secret.

[Carrow]

Carrow did indeed comply with Janey's command, padding over to her and allowing her arms to close around him in a gentle hug. His sensitive nostrils noticed her pefrume, and he breathed it in, smiling as he became a little light-headed as a result. That scent... it was so sweet and comforting. Rather like Janey herself, he thought. She knows me well!

Selvis accepted his hug gratefully, smiling at the older beech marten, glancing quickly over at Carrow and noticing the rather large smile on his rodent companion's face. He really enjoyed the affection, it seemed. This was no surprise to the long-tailed weasel, though. As he had been filled in on (most of) Carrow's backstory, he knew precisely why he valued such treatment so highly.

The pair lined up either side of Caden as Janey led them through the hallway. Carrow could see that the albino marten was walking with his eyes closed. He wasn't entirely sure why this was, but, having seen his companion go through an existential crisis a short while back, could certainly make an educated guess - as there really was no other reason why he'd even be doing it. Damn it... why did he have to do that to himself?, he thought sadly.

He didn't want to get bogged down by his friend's gloomy condition, however, and so chose to make light of the situation. "Er, Caden?," he called softly, a small, mischievous smile playing around his lips. "What are you sleepwalking for? Seems an odd time to do such a thing, you know," he quipped, winking at Selvis. The weasel caught on, but said nothing, merely smiling at his friend's efforts.

He had his eyes closed. Those pink eyes that Carrow was actually rather fond of. He had come to realise that Caden's peepers were the mouse's favourite of his physical traits - with the snow white fur coming in a close second. He liked his companion's albinism, and it pained him to see the mustelid behaving like this. He could only hope he snapped out of it soon.

They strolled into the dining room, and Carrow's attention was caught by two things: one, the spacious drawing room into which he had just stepped, which he reckoned would have been able to fit most of his ENTIRE house in it; the second, the appearance of another albino marten, though this one was of course a beech. He looked rather dapper, and there was a certain gleam in his eyes that drew the mouse to him.

"Hello," Carrow said in his usual soft voice, feeling his nerves fade just a little more. "Yes, I'm the Carrow that Elle's no doubt told you of. If you're going to call me anything, I'd prefer it be that, though my given name's Cerinus." Cerinus, he thought. A good name. One I like... unlike certain others that have been used to refer to me in the past by... certain creatures...

"Delighted to meet you, Jal Dugan!," Selvis exclaimed cheerfully, his smile extending from ear to ear. He was surprised about the marten's albinism. It was the last thing he had been expecting, However, he was also slightly taken aback by the sheer cordiality of the creature. It was rather impressive. Selvis was of course cut from the same cloth.

The attentions of both the mouse and weasel were seized by a soft voice coming from the doorway. Selvis had heard this voice before, albeit briefly. He was a fine actor (indeed, that was another of his talents that he'd often displayed on Crittenden's streets), so he had no trouble feigning surprise when he turned around and saw her, his eyebrows rising as the sight of her, dressed as she was meant to be, caught him off guard.

He began padding slowly over to the beech marten, but Carrow was well ahead of him, breaking into a jog as he was simply overjoyed to see her again. "Is it really that hard for you to believe?!," he responded with his broadest smile. "Hi again, Elle! It's great to see you. I've missed you a lot," he said kindly, doing his best to meet her gaze, appreciative of the hug and the ear-ruffling. It helped to calm him further, but despite everything, Carrow wasn't yet completely at ease with all this. It was all so different to what he'd been used to - but he was sure Elle would soon sort him out.

Selvis patiently awaited his turn, and gave the marten a brief smile of his own. "Pleased to meet you. I've heard a lot about you from both Caden and Carrow since I joined up. They both speak quite highly of you, as I'm sure you'll be glad to hear. I greatly appreciate being given the opportunity to meet you in the flesh, as it were - and, a hug? Well," he chuckled, "far be it from me to refuse such an offer! Sure, go right ahead."

[bookity101]

Elle smiled and stood on tippaw to give him a quick hug, whispering in his ear;

“Thanks for everything Selly.” As she pulled away, a new light was in her eyes, one that hadn’t been there in almost three years, ever since Janey had left and she had been left alone. It had begun to come back when she met Caden and Carrow, then Selvis. She was coming into her own, here before her friends, and at sea. She was growing up, and becoming much more comfortable in her own skin. As Elle and Elliot.

Stepping back she moved to take Carrow’s paw, tugging him towards the kitchen, taking Caden’s paw as she passed, her energy sweeping around them in her excitement. Elle only moved to the kitchen because she had noticed Janey and Edgar head in just after she had started her hellos.

“Come on, the foods ready and it’ll be cold or Eddy will eat it all if we don’t hurry!”

“I heard that!” Elle giggled at the comical pout that was pulling Edgar’s snout into a frown. A muttered “I don’t eat that much.” Was heard from the head of the table where the Albino beech martin sat, Janey reached over and gently touched his paw, smiling a little with a mischievous glint filling her eyes..

“Just keep telling yourself that dear, perhaps our guests will believe you.” Another smile and wink accompanied these words as Edgar fake a glare at his mate. Laughing, she stood and moved towards the kitchen.

“I’ll be just a moment, Elle, why don’t you get everyone seated.” Elle grinned again, her white teeth flashing against her brown fur;

“Sure thing Janey. Selvis.” She dropped Carrow’s and Caden’s paw to guide the tall weasel to his chair at the walnut table.” You’ll sit, here, opposite Janey, an’ Carrow..” She hurried back to the mouse, tugging him gently to a seat on the opposite side of the table. “You get to sit in this chair, in between me and Janey” She stopped next to the chair the mouse would occupy, one that had been padded with a pillow just in case his back still was hurting. “…And Caden you will sit here…” She took hold of the young albino’s forearm to take him to the chair by Selvis. “… And I’m here.” She placed both paws gently on the chair at the end of the table, directly across from Edgar. Smiling once more, she nodded to herself.

Everything was perfect. Her friends were here, the table looked amazing with its white linen tablecloth and china dishes. The silverware gleamed in the light from the chandelier and the food was going to be amazing!

_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_

“I’m going to go check and see if Janey needs any help. Be right back!” Edgar shook his head at the two energetic females in his life. .. not that he would change them for the world.

“Well, congratulations lads,” He took a sip of the wine in his glass, though each of the young beasts had water in theirs. “I don’t think I’ve seen Elle this energized since she helped me convince Janey to marry me.” A twinkle filled his pink eyes as he looked over the bunch of young sailors before him. Catching the eye of Caden for a bit longer than the other two. Elle and Jane saw something in this lad, and he would like to know what it was, if he ever got the chance. Setting his glass down he, broke eye contact with Caden and turned to Selvis;

“So tell me Selvis, how does a Ferlusan end up in the Welkin army?”

_+_+_+_+_+_+_

Elle peeked into the kitchen, watching as Janey supervised the last of the trays of food to be taken out. The Dugans didn’t have a giant household staff, but they did retain a cook and two serving maids. And Edgar’s pawservant who had been attached to his father’s staff long before Jane even came to Calgary.

“Everybody seated Elle?” Elle nodded to Jane as she moved out of the way and opened the door for the servers. Smells drifted out of the kitchen, as they brought in the first course. Plates were placed in front of everybeast after Jane and Elle took their seats. Elle glanced around, hoping that all of her friends would like the soup filled with various fresh vegetables and small chunks of chicken topped with fresh basil. Fresh bread was placed on the table in easy paw reach of every one. Elle glanced around, taking in the faces around her as Edgar spoke up;

“Well every one, please enjoy.”

[Carrow]

Selvis smiled. Aha, he thought, so *that's* another reason why she offered to hug me! The weasel returned the embrace, his long tail swaying gently to display his pleasure at this gesture. She looked pleased about this, and who could blame her? Leading two lives was probably more stressful for her than most anybeast could imagine, but she seemed to be pawdling it extremely well, and that was enough for Selvis.

The weasel grinned as the bubbly beech marten took the paws of his companions and took them to the kitchen. She was rather excited about this. He was too, and he could see that his companions were of like mind, even if the mouse still hadn't settled completely. Knowing as he did the circumstances in which he had grown up, the longtail knew precisely why the field mouse felt a little out of place. If he needed to speak to him about it, he would. Carrow didn't need to feel uneasy here. None of them did.

Carrow grinned at the exchanges between Elle, Edgar and Janey, realising that they all got on very well together. This was quite a good sign as he knew that the dinner would be served in a relaxed atmosphere, and if there was anything Carrow needed - apart from the company of his closest friends - it was some time in which to relax and unwind a bit. Their visit to Naples hadn't gone anywhere near as smoothly as he had been hoping after all.

He stood still for a moment after Elle released her hold, surveying the table and licking his lips. He didn't know about any other beast, but he was absolutely starving! While his appetite came and went at times, there was nothing he could immediately think of that could possibly deter him from eating at a time like this. He was sure Janey and co. would have done their best for this occasion, and thinking of this made his stomach gurgle a little.

The rodent blushed, but he couldn't contain his anticipation of the meal so there really was no need for him to feel embarrassed. He watched as Selvis was led over to his designated seat. The weasel, meanwhile, was quite pleased with the seating arrangements, even more so when he learned that Caden would be sitting next to him. The marten was great company, but then of course this was something he already knew. He was also aware that he might be able to assist the marten in settling in a little more.

He took his seat, smiling at Janey as he caught her eye, complimenting her on her work. "Nicely done," he said gently in his lightly accented Welkin. "I'm glad you did all this for us," he murmured, relaxing into his chair. It had been a long day, but the mustelid was only a tad tired. All he knew was that he needed to get off his paws for a while, andnow he had the opportunity, he was going to rest for a bit, knowing he'd feel more energetic after the meal.

The mouse stripling was guided to his seat by Elle, and he was also content with how things had worked out. He enjoyed the company of both beech marten jills, and he quite liked the fact that he was able to sit between the pair. He noticed that his chair had a pillow on it, and he squeezed Elle's paw affectionately. "Aw, thanks! You really didn't have to, you know. It's not all that bad right now - but I suppose it'll help." He took his seat, smiling widely now, his ears twitching.

Selvis's ears were doing exactly the same thing as Edgar addressed him. "How, do you ask? Well, I met Carrow, Caden and Elliot a few months back, and I had been planning to join the Welkin navy anyway, but I realised that I had other reasons to join - namely those three creatures, who are all great friends of mine. I didn't want to lose them so soon after meeting them, so they really helped me make up my mind. I know things haven't been too rosy between Welkin and Ferlusan - and indeed, this alliance of theirs seems strained at best - but, well, as Carrow would say, in for a penny, in for a pound." He winked at his mouse friend, chuckling to himself.

Both mouse and weasel were surprised to see the first course brought out so soon, but both were of the opinion that it was for the better, as famished as each other at this point. Carrow picked up his spoon and began dealing with the soup. He smacked his lips appreciately. "I'm sure we will, Edgar!," he exclaimed after his first mouthful. "This is very good." Thoughts of Archie flashed through his mind as he continued eating steadily. Her food had always been good. He hadn't eaten anything like this in a while, and he was grateful to the Dugans for presenting him with such fare.

[Ladorak]

In spite of how low he was feeling, the marten couldn't help but to let a smile fleck his features as Elle stroked his cheek. He perked up, his ears standing up rather than flopping on his head. Oh Elle...if only I could tell you how I feel...

The marten felt like it was a gesture he would remember, and remember he would, when she brushed his cheek a few weeks later off the coast of Sardinia after their first battle. He gazed after her departing form with a dreamy smile on his face, sighing happily but then suddenly caught off guard by her sudden yanking on his arm as she insisted they all sit down.

Caden was seated next to Selvis, and Elle and Edgar were at the head of the table at each end respectively? He couldn't be positive, because Elle darted off to the kitchen like a streak of lightning, gone in an instant. Caden was left uncomfortably alone, and his terrible coyness caused him to shift in his seat, particularly when he felt Edgar's pink eyes upon him.

Gulping, the albino met the other albino's gaze, studying the pink eyes of the older marten and feeling himself wilt under them. Jeez! He must cut such a horrible impression! Caden nervously looked away, feeling terrible for doing that. Why hadn't he smiled? But then again...Edgar hadn't smiled at him. It was just...so awkward. Is that what I look like? Caden wondered. I look so...well...he looks dignified...but also very serious...and those eyes. Caden couldn't help but to wonder if others thought he was scary looking.

He stared down into a sort of stew that was set down in front of him. It smelled very good, though he wasn't a huge fan of vegetables, despite Ladorak insisting he eat some from time to time, though he knew it wasn't needed. Picking up his spoon, he decided to sample it. This was probably more of a Carrow dish if anything, and the marten found it wasn't bad. Could be better with more meat, but wasn't bad.

It was his first time in Calgary, but he was finding their palate to be decent. He stayed silent, wanting to let Selvis share his experiences and background with them.