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Post by Ladorak on Jan 6, 2011 23:03:20 GMT -5
Zephyr shrugged, figuring it was Luxe who would be the one to offer. Shame he wasn't sure what story to tell her. "I really don't care Jal Calone. Whatever story you want to tell me will fascinate me I'm sure. Though...I can think of maybe one." It wasn't that she was disinterested, but it was more like she really couldn't think of something. Though there was one thought.
"How about if you ever got back at your sisters for stringing you up in flowers and dancing around you? I believe you mentioned you had had no brothers, so what did you do to get back at those jills? I'm rather curious at this." she said, giving him a seductive and very inviting smile.
Her sleek head and white fur looked particularly stunning now, as the light caught it in just that certain way as to make her seem even more arrow-head like than before.
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Ladorak gave out a soft "zhp" as she wrapped her arms about his neck, smiling widely down at her as she named off everyone she wanted to exclaim this news to. Well at least she wasn't disappointed with the result. Ladorak himself had reservations, but he wasn't going to make those known to her. He still wasn't 100% positive she could remain true to him throughout their life, but he was only basing it on his past experience of her.
He loved her desperately, and had been in love with her since he had seen her that night at the ball. But what now? Could she love him as he loved her? Dealing with heartbreak was particularly difficult for him, and he wasn't sure he could survive a third. Of course...he could relapse into his past behavior after he'd had his first breakup...but he wasn't sure he wanted to carry that out again.
He let her back away and collapse back onto the bed, his cheerful disposition washing away only but for a brief moment or two as he got serious. He quickly concealed it again with a smile however. Walking over to check beside the bed, he shook his head. "I really need to learn the word for wine in their language. It seems they failed to provide my room with a bottle...so I could go down to the party and retrieve one if you like." he suggested, looking over at the door and then back to her as she lay on the bed.
He was feeling rather lazy though, and felt like lying down next to her, relaxing for a bit. But...he'd wait and see what she wanted. It might be good to go for a walk...clear his head. Though he could do that just as easily lying beside her as he could walking up and down the stairs.
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Caden was momentarily distracted by Zheep, and wandered over to him, looking out the window with him as he waited for Elliot to come up with a conversation topic. "It does look rather fun." he admitted to the weasel. He watched as the kit opened up the window a tad, but didn't push it all the way out. "Brrrr...you don't want to do that!" he exclaimed, closing the window again and latching it. "It'll get cold in here. Should save the cold for the outside." he was about to consider joining the weasel in doing so, almost forgetting about Selvis for complicated reasons.
He could get changed...or just go out nude to blend in well with the atmosphere. For some reason that appealed to him, though he couldn't explain why. As for Selvis, he hadn't entirely forgotten...but he'd allowed himself to wander because the weasel hadn't been exactly encouraging either. Well he had...but had chosen to not answer his clumsy question, and had instead gone with the idea of letting Elliot take center stage. It was complicated.
Caden looked down at the weasel, beginning to smile. "Why don't I go and get changed and..." he paused there, hearing Elliot suggest something to them. He glanced to where she was indicating, and he considered this a moment. An alcove? By another window? He bit his lower lip, pondering what to do...but knew he ultimately needed to be by his friends. He gave a single nod, and lead the way.
"We'll go outside later Zheep...not too much longer." he told the weasel as he walked a few windows down to the alcove. "OK...so here we are." he turned his attention back to Selvis. He had departed just as Miri had strolled up to Zheep, and now it seemed the young one would be occupied with her for the time being.
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Monty smiled at her reply. "It seems we'll both get used to this then." Monty was pretty good as was, not making many mistakes. He was rather graceful, and if he hadn't admitted his lack of practice, it might seem he was a natural at what he did. "I'd say I prefer these current circumstances now as well. I...wanted to ask you for some time though." he stated, speaking a bit lower now, and hoping to not ruin this evening with his straight forwardness.
"Well...no...it's best not to stir that up. Just wondering I guess a little about your past...what...ahem...forgive me. As said...it's not my place...at least not right now. What I can inquire about however...is this. What was life like growing up for you Sveltlana? Knowing you'd inherit a county someday? What...surrounded your circumstances of...I'll go ahead and ask it...becoming...the way you did. Don't misunderstand. I don't wish to judge...I'm merely curious is all. If you don't feel like answering tell me so, and I'll apologize at once and move onto something you'd enjoy talking about with me."
He hoped she wouldn't take this personally. Or that it would dampen her spirits a bit. "Yes...let's try to enjoy our evening. If it's not going to help us do that...I'll gladly switch topics." he suggested quickly as an afterthought.
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Post by spender on Jan 7, 2011 7:20:56 GMT -5
"One?" Molly sat up, staring aghast. "One will not do. Two will not do. I require no less than... than... ten! And meringue. Lots of meringue. Two pounds of flour. A spare white linen sheet. And..." She stared at her paws, wiggling her claws as she counted. "Fi—sev—nine of those little cubes of cheese on sticks, and nine with olives."
She stood up again and began pacing the room, tail fluffed out behind her.
"If only I hadn't left so much luggage back on the ship... I could do with my red saddlepack about now... We'll have our own little party! But, no, yes! Wait. Hold on, my brain's gone all ermine. Ummmm."
Her eyes had gone crossed, as well. She stuck her tongue out, completing the look of a totally dumbed-out stoat.
"Yes! We should go downstairs and load up. You'll need help getting all that... and remembering it. Not that I'm any good at remembering right now. Teehee. Engaged!" she squealed. "I love that word! We're in an engagement! Send reinforcements! Tally-hooooo—Tally! I've forgotten about her! Oh dear..."
Daaaah. Latched again. No fair. No fair no fair no FAIR!
"Ugh," Zheep grimaced, settling back. He plopped his elbow on the arm rest of his chair and sank his cheek into his open paw, causing his face to melt about.
"Great," he sighed. He was so sure he'd got it, too. His claws had felt the other edge of the sill... if he just had a bit more time, he could have pulled himself out of the chair and out the window, and ploof! into the snow on the other side. But it was not to be. Foiled!
Heeeelllo, who was this? An avenging angel? Certainly an angel...
Zheep lifted his head off his paw, but his jaw didn't quite come along with the rest of his head, instead hanging down to his white-bibbed chest.
“And what are you doing little one?”
"Durhur," Zheep squeaked. Pretty weasel at twelve-o'-clock! Too old for him, but... so were all the pretty weasels. All the jills his age smelled funny and had cooties. But that was okay, because his cooties were more better and they came from the moon.
"I'm not little, I'm big and brave! Someday I'm gonna be a famous explorer with my own fleet of ships and we'll sail to the moon and Mars and Jupiter! Then you can marry me. But right now this window's locked and I want to play in the snow. I'd give you a biscuit but they're all gone, I'm not done eating mine, I bit around to make it look like a sheep, baaaaah."
He lifted his arms and placed his paws squarely on top of his helmet. (Somewhere, his beret had slipped off, revealing the cooking utensil in all its glory.) For no apparent reason, he gave it a few happy pitter-pats as he grinned up at Miri.
His half-eaten sheep-shaped biscuit lay forlornly on his lap blanket.
Enjoying...?
The concept was both strange and familiar. There were things she enjoyed, such as hugs, and warm food, and a warm bed. But an evening? Could that be an enjoyable thing? Night time? How was that any different than day time? It was darker and colder. That wasn't very enjoyable.
Tally stared blankly at the opposite wall, completely at a loss. How could this Carrow be interested in her? She was empty. Even her standard emotions had fled these past few weeks. She had nothing to fear, so she stopped fearing. She didn't know what to think, so she'd stopped thinking.
Molly had seen this emptiness, and given her advice to tame it: "This society, Tally, is a strange one. I don't understand it, myself. But I get along. The trick is to parrot those around you. Don't know what to say, how to act? You look around, pick up words. Look at the way beasts stand, how they move, and do what they do. It's... more complicated than that, really. But it will help. I can't be there to give you permission all the time. You need to act for yourself."
But what the stoat had failed to explain was what exactly a parrot was, or how to do it.
Tally's whiskers shifted as her nose scrunched and unscrunched once. She still couldn't think of anything to say, so she said nothing.
Her stomach, however, was quite capable of speaking for itself—something that she'd never learned to control.
Grblrgrrrroook.
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Post by Carrow on Jan 7, 2011 18:55:24 GMT -5
Selvis sighed softly to himself when he saw that Zheep had managed to distract Caden. He wouldn't have minded the Dibbun's antics if only for the fact the weasel was actually trying to talk with two very good friends of his and the Calgarian was getting in the way. He really wanted to speak with the pair, and didn't make a move towards the least weasel, figuring his pine marten friend could pawdle things on his own.
Selvis had gone with the albino's suggestion because he had wanted to spare Caden's blushes, even a little. He hadn't been expecting him to be so sheepish when putting his question to him, instead preferring to let him settle first before he did anything. He saw now that it was unfair to put him on the spot like that if he wasn't used to such treatment.
He wanted to ease his friend into it, so if Elle needed to lead to make him feel more comfortable asking questions, then so be it. Neither would have 'centre stage'; the longtail treated all his friends equally of course. He heard the beech marten's request, but, unable to resist a spot of mischief, waggled a paw in his ear.
"Eh, what's that you say? Can't hear you at all!," he exclaimed, winking slyly at her. Breaking out into a smile, he nodded briefly. "Good suggestion actually. Really wouldn't mind a spot where I don't have to raise my voice or shout to be heard. I'm not used to either of them, see." He really wasn't. Though quite softly spoken, Selvis had a strong voice that carried quite well, which meant he didn't have to resort to either as often as other creatures did.
"And yes, of course: Carrow should be able to find us from where he is. I don't want anybeast getting lost after all. The place has certainly filled up since we've been standing around and talking, anyway." Moving over to the spot beside the window, the mustelid quickly glanced behind him, and through the assemblage he could just about make out the form of Zheep. He was talking to a weasel Selvis had seen before, around the ship, but whose name he couldn't place.
Good. No distractions for them now. He smiled at the pair. "They do indeed. How will I begin? Well, I'll start by telling you something I only learned a few weeks before I left the ship. I was an only child, but that isn't the way things should have gone. I should have had a sibling - a sister. Mum miscarried, however: it was stress-related. She dislocated her shoulder in an accident around the same time Dad lost his job. This would have been... early 1770, so I've been told, at least. She couldn't pawdle those two combined, and she lost the unborn kit. It was a shame, but things righted themselves for them in the end.
"I've also been told that the house I lived in was only occupied by my parents the year before I was born. They wanted to get a bigger place now that Dad - Trelio - was on a steady income - and they managed to purchase the very same house that your artist portrayed, Caden!" His smile widened as he glanced in Caden's direction. That present would indeed be treasured. "Granted, it looked quite different back then; they had had a portrait painted themselves of the old house, to preserve it, and Mum - Briga Corvius - showed it to me when I was younger.
"Dad's always been the breadwinner for us. Mum didn't want to work when I was around. Didn't feel comfortable hiring someone to look after me either, for some reason. So we stayed together. Dad got involved in business and was soon spending more time away than he was at home... don't think I've seen him in three years. He keeps in touch through letters, though... which reminds me I haven't been doing so, what with everything that's gone on since I left. I should rectify this... but I'm getting off the point. Anything else you might like to know?," the longtail asked hopefully, liking the feeling of being able to speak so freely.
--
Carrow was slightly disappointed that his potential new friend hadn't said anything in response. He inwardly hoped he wasn't doing anything wrong, or seeming to overwhelm her with his words. Could something be keeping from her from speaking somehow? he thought. Oh... but I don't know what else to talk to her about! Ohhhhh...
It was all the wood mouse could do to keep from wringing his paws in embarrassed frustration, but then he heard the sound of Tally's stomach rumbling and his eyes brightened a little. "You'd like something to eat, wouldn't you? Truth be told, I'm a little hungry myself. How about we go and see what we can find?," he suggested, hoping she would want to accompany him.
She looked very fragile. In fact, in her Carrow could see more than just a little of himself. This realisation made the rodent determind to succeed with her. He wanted so desperately to be her friend that he wasn't going to give up on her no matter what happened. He didn't give up on the beasts he liked, nor the ones he cared for.
There were four creatures he really cared for in his life. Three (unknown to him) had moved away and were now listening to Selvis speak; the other was miles away in Welkin... hopefully still alive and well. Four months was such a long time to wait for a response after all, and while he had never seen Archie in anything less than the best of health (considering her circumstances), nothing could ever be ruled out...
There seemed to be a possibility, however remote at that moment, of a fifth entering that circle. Carrow cared for Tally, sure enough. He tried to show it in the best way he could manage, as always. Not even in a romantic sense; he wasn't anywhere near thinking about that. Just to have another friend did he promise to make the effort with her. He could tell that deep down she wanted company, and he wanted to be that company rather terribly right now.
--
Sveltlana sighed. Not because she was exasperated that Monty should even dare to ask her such a question - and really, if she had been angry she wouldn't have had the heart to show it in her current state, to anybeast... much less him. It was more because she didn't speak much about this as a rule. His query didn't bother her, though, and she smiled a tiny bit as she contemplated her response.
"It's really no problem, Monty. Granted I don't talk about my past all that much - but I think you should know. How can I refuse you? You're doing nothing wrong by being curious. In fact, I rather like that you're interested in discussing such things. To be honest, had I thought you'd even bring this up I would have been in disbelief - like you wouldn't seriously want to bring that up.
"I'm quite surprised, I must admit, but like I said, it's perfectly alright. Knowing I was promised the county one day... realising at an early age that you would probably one day be in such a powerful position really wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I eventually became tired of the elegant lifestyle creatures such as those in my family had no choice but to lead... I needed excitement.
"I fell in with a crowd whom I thought were just what I needed to give my life the spark it desired... they were none too fond of the rule of law, and naive as I was, I went along with everything they did. Gradually I found I enjoyed their lifestyle. It made me feel quite... powerful, I have to admit, and I enjoyed that sensation of power. Real power... not the sort I knew I would have but remained tantalisingly out of reach..."
The lemming Countess frowned, filled with regret. It was a decision that had changed her life... and had come to ruin it. "I turned to criminal activity for this very reason, and now it's gone and gotten me stuck in this rotten situation. I think I should take time to myself from tomorrow onward... a few days to get my act together and see what my next move should be. At least I'm not going to give up hope... I don't think that's my style... admittedly I've never been faced with adversity like this before, but even still..." Her short tail swayed a little bit in admiration as she studied Monty's moves. He knew what he was doing. False modesty, she thought, that's all that had been.
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Post by bookity101 on Jan 8, 2011 10:52:08 GMT -5
Luxe laughed outright at the memories she called to mind. As he took a breath to begin telling her however, he found himself nudged from behind since he wasn’t standing square; he stumbled forward, barely managing to dodge around his companion. And when he turned to find out who had stumbled into him, he found a drunken native of Florence who was in no way able to respond in anything but mumbling and bumbling his way around the table. Huffing slightly to himself, he offered his arm to Zephyr saying;
“Let’s go over by the wall, less beasts to bump into there.” His face quickly became more jovial as he pushed what had happened out of his mind.
“Now, let me see, you certainly now how to pick them Zephyr.” And he launched into an explanation of his family dynamic, well at least the one he shared with his sisters. One, or all of them, would pull a prank on one of their siblings, or find a way to trap them into to doing something out of character for that sibling to do. Like being the “Flower King of the Meadow”. His smile grew impish as he said;
“The pay back for that particular embares, involved a rather intricate set up…” And with great enjoyment, he proceeded to explain how he, for an entire day, had made his sisters miserable.
“It started simple, some slimy moss in their wash basins, and buckets of water over their doors.” His grin widened even more. “The best part of the day was that Mom was making sugar cookies… My sisters absolutely love Mom’s sugar cookies. And mom only made them once a month or so… It took half of my savings, but I bought enough ingredients to make two batches instead of just one.” He shook his head chuckling as the memory became more vivid as he retold it. “Mom made her cookies, just like she always did. And I made a batch alongside her… only I replaced the entire sugar amount Mom said to put in to mix, with salt… and I sprinkled salt on top instead of sugar…. The best part is, at this point, my sisters would always steal a cookie before supper. So instead of putting Mom’s cookies where she always left them to cool, I hid hers and put mine there. And when the girls took a cookie outside to their normal spot, I was waiting.” A brotherly style wicked grin covered his snout as he recalled their faces when they had bit into the cookies.
“They didn’t speak to me for a week.”
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Miri smiled down at the happy little beast. He didn’t seem to be the type of creature who let anybeast tell him sailing to the moon was a tad on the crazy side… but he was young yet, plenty of time to grow up. And since she really had nothing better to do… Playing along with his little fantasy might be fun. She leaned down a little bit to get a better look at his ‘sheep biscuit’, and indeed it looked a little bit like a half formed sheep.
“All right then, big brave adventurer, how do you intend to sail to the moon and back?”
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Elle followed Selvis and Caden to the alcove she had pointed out, trying to get her shipwrecked thoughts back in order. Nothing was making sense right then, but she tried valiantly to keep up with what Selvis was saying. And learned some new things about the weasel that she wouldn’t have... but still… she didn’t think she could keep up the charade much longer. Her 14 birthday was looming, at least in her mind. It wasn’t for another five months… but that was the deadline she had set for herself, all the time ago when she decided to tell Caden and…
“Hey Selvis, umm, ack. Excuse me for just a second Caden.” Elle brought a paw up to her forehead, switching to Ferlusan for just a moment. She knew it was rude to talk in a language that everyone didn’t know when you were in a group… but she needed to ask Selvis something without Caden knowing about it.
“Do you have any idea how Caden would react to my…My secret?”
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Post by Carrow on Jan 8, 2011 11:20:04 GMT -5
Selvis was slightly taken aback by Elle's sudden decision to address him in his native lanaguage. It was the last thing he had been expecting her to do, but when he figured out what the beech marten was trying to ask him, he realised that it had been a very good idea to do such a thing. The weasel shook his head. It might not have been what she wanted to hear, but he had to be honest.
You did not usually go around keeping massive secrets from your friends for a year after all. Selvis wouldn't possibly be able to judge the potential reaction that revelations of this magnitude might receive from the pine marten, especially because he was well aware that the pair were romantically interested in each other. He had to admit that that particular factor made things one hell of a lot more difficult for him.
He spoke, sounding quite certain about what he was telling her, but as he understood what this might potentially be leading up to, his heart sank in his chest. Neither did he have any idea what repercussions there could be from Elle's admission. Now he was wishing he hadn't been burdened with her secret because he was afraid the news that he had been informed first, albeit by complete accident, might be taken the wrong way...
"No matter how well I've come to know him over the last six months, I wouldn't be able to guess for the life of me how he would react to hearing about your secret. If you have to tell him, I'll come clean and admit that you told me first, by chance rather than design. I don't want to keep that from him if you feel you need to finally get it off your chest."
It could be noted by Elle that Selvis hadn't referred to Carrow at all. The mustelid had to be honest and concede that he thought the mouse had enough on his plate at this particular moment. At the very least he was sure he would need to wait until the rodent was finished with Tally before breaking the news to him, if he wanted to tell him at all. There was no question about it: he had been a bag of nerves when he'd left them, and in light of his emotional state, which these days was fragile at best, Selvis wasn't overly keen to go there... especially if his night didn't end well...
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Post by Ladorak on Jan 8, 2011 14:58:45 GMT -5
Ladorak laughed a little at her display. "Take it easy...take it easy darling. I can't imagine what you really need all of those items for...but I'm not one to question you...unless of course your ermine brain is getting all scrambled." he said, eyes shining now as he studied her from behind his spectacles. "Now let's just think here...we'll go down...gather up what we need and take it up here. I might see what Admiral Hood wanted as well, since he seemed bent on telling me about our upcoming operations. Come on then...this way."
He led the way over to the door, propping it open with his paw and ushering her out. "And try not to...oh whatever, you can tell whoever you like. I just don't want to get roped into all these pleasantries for once. I mean believe me...I'm prouder about this than I've ever been, but a tad nervous as well. Oh...it sends shivers down my spine. I'm engaged! Again!" he exclaimed to the empty hallway.
He walked swiftly toward the stairs, a lone servant or two staring at him as he bounded down the steps in his naked footpaws. Like Monty, he saw little need for shoes indoors. The only time he'd wear them was on the deck of the ship...far more things to stub your claws on after all. "Oh yes...Molly dearest." he turned around to look at her at the bottom of the opulent staircase. The Grand Duke and his wife were nearby, so he kept his voice down as he walked out into the crowd with her. "Do you want kits? I have Caden of course, but well...kits would be something to consider. I'm always at sea now, and we probably couldn't raise them on board. But then again, if we had an actual base in these parts to sail to that didn't take a week or more to reach...it'd be easier on me and you. And of course there's the whole matter of giving them an education or not...and ack. Listen to me...now I'm the one turning into an overexcited ermine. You'll have to forgive me on this one darling. I'd better slow myself down so you can keep pace."
He was drifting over to the food table now, taking note of Admiral Hood's position in relation to his own, and keeping his ears peeled for her response.
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"Ha! Well, well, you were certainly the mischievous and vindictive type." Zephyr said, her eyes saying it all. They were eyes that appreciated him for being honest, and flashing at his playful vengeful streak. "I probably would have done the same...had I not of course been orphaned. I dare say it sounds like having siblings can be a fun time." she commented, moving with him over to the wall.
"Are you close with them then? Your sisters I mean. Have they all married into good families, or are some still single? It seems like their sparkling personalities would have no trouble in seeking out mates." she brushed and smoothed her headfur back a bit now, running her claws through her winter-white coat.
"And..." here she paused, looking up at him indirectly. "How about yourself? You ever been in love before?"
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Caden remained silent, listening to Selvis's story. His distance from before started to evaporate, and he found himself being drawn right in to Selvis's background and his past. He supposed he would have to tell the long tailed weasel some of his own stories someday, as he felt keeping it all inside him wouldn't be for the best.
He was a tad puzzled however when Selvis asked to be excused, and started conversing with Elle in what sounded like Ferlusanian. Technically it was Elle who started it. It seemed out of the blue as well, and he wrinkled his brow at the two of them curiously.
"Uh...what's going on you two?" the albino asked hesitantly after it seemed as if the two of them were finally finished speaking amongst themselves. "What's so secret?" he asked, smiling and looking from Elle to Selvis.
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"Oooh...a real thrill seeker you were back then. I like that." Monty informed the Countess. "You know...I've always been drawn to jills who have a darker streak within them...jills who seek out danger knowing it could potentially be harmful to them over time. There's just something about it...risk taking I suppose, that I admire. Of course...I don't condone darker actions. This crowd...must have been well off in a way. Which leads me to suspect they were bored with their lives, as I doubt you'd hang around street hooligans. So out of boredom, you turned to a life of crime...I see. You've had your eyes set on Slatlland's throne ever since it seems. Very ambitious aren't you?"
He asked that last bit rhetorically, as they both knew how ambitious she was. He harbored no ill will toward her however. Yes they had their clashes, but he was drawn to her as well...and they both knew that. "I'm surprised you aren't trying to scheme anything further in that regards. There might still be hope on that end you know. Their King was assassinated last year...wonder if you had anything to do with that." he was half-suspicious, but half asking seriously, and not in an accusing manner.
"Either way his son took the throne. So that settled that issue. Heard it was at a masquerade he was killed, of all things. We've been to one of those." he looked down at her and smiled. "I won't pry...don't worry...it's not my business. My business is helping you forget your worries and your troubles for tonight. I'm going to do this as much as I am capable of. So...I wonder if you're like me...both of my parents are dead, despite my young age. How about you Countess? Are your parents still alive, or have you since inherited their county?" he asked, swaying and moving with her through the crowded room as they continued their dance.
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Post by spender on Jan 9, 2011 7:24:28 GMT -5
Molly stuck her tongue out, grimacing. Pleasantries... oh, yes. Those bothersome things.
"On second thought," she murmured, "maybe we'll keep it a secret for tonight. It is a Christmas party, after all, not a stoat-engagement party. That can be tomorrow. All the more reasons for feasting!"
She almost tripped on the bottom stair as he asked about kits.
It was all she could do to keep her smile up. Kits... it wasn't like she had been trying to avoid them all this time. Nearly a decade with Lord Featherston had yielded absolutely nothing. Even this past year... Was it just her choice in males? Featherston hadn't had any kits with his wife, either... and Ladorak, none that she knew of with any of his past wives. So whose fault was it?
"Kits. Yes! Of course. As many as we can! I mean, for your salary. I wouldn't mind staying home to raise and teach them... I don't trust these schools Welkin has. Or whatever country we find ourselves in... Oh, and of course, there's Tally..."
Molly glanced over at the orange mouse, who seemed to be in a spot of trouble.
"I don't know what to do about her... She seems to have taken a shine to me, and after all she's been through, I don't feel well, just pawing her off to an orphanage or even somebeast else to be her caretaker... She's just so... awkward! I don't know anything about special needs beasts, but I do know how to deal with the culture shock she's going through right now... Do you think I'm good for her, Laddy? I mean... it's not like, if I were to raise her, I could do any worse... I couldn't do any more damage..."
The stoat bit her lip, watching the two young mice get nowhere in their conversation.
"Hold on, watch..." She scurried over to the mice.
"How about we go and see what we can find?"
Tally's tail quivered a moment, and slowly unfurled. Her eyes widened a little before she took control of her expression once more.
"C-could ve?" she squeaked, before clutching her snout with both paws and holding it closed.
She'd been watching the food table for some time. She'd never seen anything quite like it... all that food, for starters, and beasts just wandering over and picking out whatever they liked. It was possibly the most interesting thing she'd seen in her entire life.
But... was it for her?
She unclutched her mouth.
"Are ve... allowed?"
"Don't be silly," a voice said behind her. Molly grinned, clapping her on the shoulder. "Of course! Go eat, as much of anything you wish. Would you kindly?" she added. For some strange reason, that seemed to be the magic phrase with the mousemaid.
"Yes'm," Tally said, bobbing a curtsy before nervously tip-pawing her way across the room.
"Oh, and Tally? This young lad here, whatever he says goes, understand?"
"Yes'm!" Tally was too excited about the food to turn and bob again. Molly grinned and nudged Carrow along.
"Go get 'er, tiger. Er, mouse." Molly turned back to Ladorak. "How was that?"
“All right then, big brave adventurer, how do you intend to sail to the moon and back?”
Zheep nearly burst with pride.
"Moths! They can fly, and I can put them in jars. I need twelve moths, and the star from the top of the tree to give them magic, make 'em strong! My friend, Char, is the greatest thief ever. He's gonna steal a sailing ship and we'll put the moths on it and they'll fly it out of the ocean! You can be my first mate, I'm gonna be the Captain. Char can be a boat-swan. When you watch ships go away, they vanish. Char said they're falling over the edge of the world, but ours isn't gonna fall, it's gonna fly! I can fly, too, if I had my star. I had one before, but..."
Here Zheep stared at his footpaws peeking out from under his blanket.
"...but it wasn't the right kind of star after all. But that one! Up there!" he twisted around to point at the tree. "That one's big enough to make me fly. When my nanny takes it down for me, I won't have to sit in this chair any more. But waiting is boring, I wanna have a snowfight 'til then."
He slumped back, sighing.
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Post by Carrow on Jan 9, 2011 11:36:47 GMT -5
Carrow smiled again, patting Tally's paw in his usual comforting manner. "'Course we're allowed, Tally. There are no restrictions like that imposed on anybeast at a gathering like this. The food's all there, and you can come and go as you please, taking what you need if you're hungry," he told her, hoping he was doing a good enough job of putting her at ease, at least for this short while.
Tally seemed rather enthused by the prospect of some grub, he noticed, so the rodent added to his explanation. "We could go over there and investigate, and it looks to me that you want to get a bite to eat." He listened to the mousemaid's near-incredulous response. She wasn't used to any of this for obvious reasons, but the wood mouse was becoming increasingly confident in himself the more time he spent with her. She needed to be brought out of that shell of hers, even a little.
He was about to respond with something even more encouraging when the voice of Molly Serra behind him - one he barely recognised as he had only been near her once before, when they'd had a brief discussion as Caden lay in his hammock in the Sick Berth all the way back in August - made him turn his head. How'd she get here without either of us noticing her? he thought, shaking his head in disbelief.
He listened to the two converse, the stoat offering the nervous Tally some helpful advice. It broke Carrow's heart to see how subservient she had become. She thought she needed permission for almost literally everything she did... it was unsettling. The field mouse wasn't a persuasive creature, and he couldn't help but think that if Tally had been a weasel and Selvis had taken interest in her, he'd be doing a lot better. Note to self: ask him how in the hell he does it when you get the chance.
He let Tally gingerly go on ahead of him for a moment, when Molly's voice came again. He gave a slight sigh of relief as she suggested that the former slave listen to, and accept, any suggestions he might make. That made things a lot easier for him. He wanted to make the effort with her but was so nervous that he would gladly accept any help he got, from anybeast at all. Turning to Molly, he addressed her quite softly, scarcely able to believe she'd just lent him a paw. "Er, th-thanks. I really appreciate that!"
Then the stoat gave him a nudge (a literal one, as well as the verbal equivalent) to help him along a little further. It was gentle encouragement, the sort he liked. Knowing he had another creature in his corner (making a total of four at this stage) fired his determination, and he padded of to catch up with her. "That Molly's a nice creature, isn't she? She's the one that rescued you, y'know - we both have a lot to be thankful to her for," he said gently. His tail was up again, indicating how pleased he was with the fact he'd just been given tremendously helpful assistance. "OK, you can have anything you want from that table. Not that you need me to tell you or anything, but I'm just letting you know you don't answer to anyone anymore, alright?" It seemed she needed almost constant reassurance, as he had told her much the same things when he'd met her in Tunis, but Carrow didn't mind in the slightest.
--
"Ah, you admire my darker streak then, do you?" Sveltlana's dark eyes glittered, the lemming unable to suppress a smile. It spread slowly across her features, indicating she was absolutely thrilled with Monty's reaction. She honestly hadn't thought the upstanding weasel detective would have liked such a thing, but well, there was a first time for everything - as she knew.
She shook her head as she listened to him speak about the upheavals in Slattland. "Yes, it's true: I had such ambitions some time ago, but I would never have gone through with anything like assassinating a member of the royal family. The thing is, I've racked up quite an amount of notoriety in my time, as you can probably guess, and my ambitions have been no secret for quite a while now. So I wouldn't risk anything like that even if I wanted to.
"It's not worth skirting execution just for something like that. I would prefer to assume a powerful position through less potentially disastrous means as that. I know you weren't prying, Monty, I just felt I had to set the record straight. You'd have every right to suspect that I had a paw in such a thing, after all. I've done some terrible things in my life..." She shuddered, but perked up when she heard the mustelid change the subject.
She had settled in to the dance now, and it was helping her to relax and unwind about as much as she could under the current circumstances. "My parents are still alive... at least, the last I heard from them. When I did, thiough, it was with bad news. My father had taken ill." She sighed. "He'd been confined to bed for a few days. His immune system was down thanks to the cold weather we normally get back home, and he was rather sick. I do worry about him sometimes because it's become quite a regular occurrence. He can no longer pawdle that kind of weather. My mother remains much better at that."
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Post by Ladorak on Jan 9, 2011 13:11:19 GMT -5
Ladorak knew for a fact that he wasn't infertile. He had conceived by both his first and second wives, both ending in tragedy of course on a personal level for himself. But he proved he could most certainly do so. With Molly it had been different. He was now seriously considering having kits with her, now that it seemed like they'd be spending the rest of their lives together...but so far he'd had no luck. He suspected it was on her end...but perhaps they just might strike it fortunate at some point. They deserved it to each other after all.
He nodded as she mentioned Tally. Well...did they really need to take her in? But he realized that if she accepted him taking in Caden, he would probably have to oblige her on this bit. But Tally was close to the age she could take care of herself on her own...the only thing she really needed was an education, and Ladorak was giving Caden one through the ship's school system. He taught history and geography whereas the Schoolmaster pawdled everything else. But Caden was practically running his own life...and had been even before Ladorak entered the picture. He suspected Tally was different however.
He nodded again understandingly as she moved away to speak with Tally. It was at that moment that Hood chose to stride up to him. "Ah Fugate...you're free. Excellent..."
"I'm engaged sir..." the ermine stated, keeping his voice low enough so that only the opossum could hear.
"You're...what?" the opossum asked, shooting him a quizzical look.
"Aye...I proposed tonight...I love her. It won't interfere with my work...she's more willing than my second wife ever was to accept that. So don't worry...now what's my next assignment?" he glossed over the fact that he was getting married smoothly enough. He wasn't even sure of the date yet. He wanted to wait if he could...see if Molly really could stay with him consistently over the next few months.
"Erm...right. Well...we need a base Fugate. One that isn't Livorno, Naples or Gibraltar. They're too far. It takes a least a week to reach Livorno, two to reach Naples, and about as much or more to reach Gibraltar. We need a base that's a few days at most away from Toulon. Now that we were driven out of the harbor...we need something closer to our station. I'm thinking Personza."
Ladorak glanced around the room, nodding as if he were having a normal conversation. "Yes sir...Personza would work nicely."
"We've received an official request for help in expelling the Rosferians from the island from Paoli...the island's governor. He wants to set up an independent government...I see it as an opportunity to get our own people in charge. There are three ports still under Rosferian control that Paoli hasn't taken yet. San Fiorenzo...Bastia, and Calvi. We'd need to take all three to secure the island. I've already set things in motion for San Fiorenzo, so you don't have to worry about that. If you could help blockade Bastia...and eventually work on taking it...that'll set things rolling for eventually taking Calvi."
"Right...so head to Bastia then?" Ladorak asked, still keeping his voice low and scanning the room.
"Yes...more on that in a little while...ah...Jis Serra...hello." the opossum Admiral greeted Ladorak's fiancee warmly, nodding at her and smiling. "I've heard the news...congratulations my dear. I don't think you could have picked a better officer in the service." he glowingly praised Ladorak, though of course being his mentor certainly helped the situation. "Well then...I shall speak with you later Fugate...enjoy your Christmas." he smoothly moved away from the ermine's side now, and the Captain was left with his future wife.
"Oh? Wasn't paying attention darling...Admiral Hood had roped me in unfortunately. I'm sure you did fine however...she isn't crying and seems rather pleased about something...I'd say you pulled it off. Now then...what was it you needed again? My head has been filled with my next assignment...something I'd rather just forget about tonight for the moment. I'll fight when I fight...the time for that is not now." he shook his head, smiled, and looked over at her. "Let's go pick up those supplies."
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Monty was infinitely relieved to hear that Sveltlana had not in fact had a paw in that assassination. It seemed she was becoming even too notorious in her home region. Well that was good...maybe she was finally realizing that with very few exceptions, a life of crime never paid.
"Ah...well I'm quite pleased to hear that." he stated, next listening to her father's condition. His face fell a bit, and he nodded in an understanding manner. He couldn't imagine her parents approved her behavior...but such was what being an adult entailed. "I see...yes...cold climates are never good. Perhaps they should vacation here in the winter...though a bit further south, like Naples. Slattland is admittedly a winter country. It might do him good. I'm sure he'd improve with better climates."
He spun them now, rotating around the dance floor as they twirled closer to the tree. "My parents were both taken about ten years ago...when I was entering the middle of my stripling years. They left me so much money it wasn't really an issue of course...but still...it pained me to see the Sylver clan take such a hit as that. There was an epidemic though, and because they were weasels...they chose not to live with the stoats in places like Gusted Manner, where I live. Thus, being in a less affluent part of town...they both fell ill...I did as well...rather severely...but I survived. It was measles, or so I think. Some sort of pox...either way I made it out...they did not. But well...it's good your parents are still alive." he said, smiling at her.
"I made the choice to suck up my pride and instead not make the same mistake my parents made. I invested in Gusted Manor...and moved in with the stoats whether they liked it or not. No reason I should subject myself to lower living conditions if I had the means not to. So here I am. Fit as a weasel should be and dancing with you on Christmas Eve...quite the surprise I might add." he said, giving off a short laugh now. It seemed the dance was winding down...but wasn't over yet.
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Post by Carrow on Jan 9, 2011 16:57:56 GMT -5
Sveltlana was now beginning to have very serious regrets about the kind of life she had led, after she'd gone down that road and never looked back. It wasn't that the lemming thought the majority of her existence had been a waste; far from it in fact, as she had too many good memories to ever think in such a way.
When things had been good, they had been very, very good. She had become influential enough to not have to resort to using her hypnotic abilities to sway the minds of other creatures, save for the times she had found herself in exceptional circumstances, and she had certainly enjoyed the freedom this had given her.
However, she could no longer run from the fact that, when push came to shove, it was the bad decisions and horrible calls she had made that had come to define her. When times had been bad she had often considered leaving it all behind and starting a new life somewhere, but had unfortunately been rendered unable to extricate herself from all that which had surrounded her.
Now, though, everything she had had been swept away and her life was going to pieces around her. She had nothing left and could see clearly that she had gone too far. She listened to Monty speak, a small smile on her face. Even when she was wrestling with those deepest and darkest thoughts that plagued her, the rodent was stil quite a good listener.
"Yes... that's a good suggestion, Montegu. At this stage in his life I think he needs a change of scene more than ever, especially because his health has routinely deteriorated every winter for the last nine or ten years. He's always been a strong creature, though is unfortunately rather proud. I'll need to convince him that such action really is for the good of his health.
"I shall certainly mae an effort to see them again if I can manage it at all... and maybe for the last time. We will be able to keep in touch for as long as possible but it's probably safer I don't advertise my presence too loudly by making routine trips back there, for obvious reasons. In light of what I just told you I'd prefer a scenario where all three of us live," she quipped, chuckling dryly.
This chuckle transformed into an outright giggle as she was spun. and she closed her eyes for a moment, revelling in the sensation. When she opened them again things were as they had been. "I am sorry to hear that you lost a parent in such a manner, and even more so that you lost both... but yes, I think I should be very grateful you pulled through."
She fell silent again and listened even more intently as the weasel's tale concluded, glad he had made the best of his circumstances. She couldn't help letting out another soft chuckle as Monty commented on how much of a surprise it was to see the two of them like this. "Yes, it is quite the surprise... but an extraordinarily welcome one, and as my life as of late has been filled with ones I would much rather never have had - not to put too fine a point on it - this is certainly something I could use."
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