|
Post by spender on Jul 11, 2011 14:32:44 GMT -5
Funny! Someone thought he was funny! Spender's heart soared. He drifted among the clouds, bobbing about in his inflated ego-balloon, plowing through flocks of gulls. He sailed straight up to the moon, and bit it, and it was indeed made of cheese. This was ferret heaven: someone found him amusing!
He eyed the paw Warwick had momentarily offered, and shrank back a little. Was he being called out for taking two candies? But no matter; the stoat was distracted. Spender pitied the poor fellow and whoever had caused him to wear that awful 'kerchief. Yellow and green! Like Keinruf Wright's scarf.
Spender shivered, despite the heat. What an awful pine marten. He was glad that Keinruf had left during their stop in Gibraltar, although he somewhat missed the younger Wright, who, being only seven years or so, was much closer to Spender's mental age group and very fun to be around.
Before he could tell Warwick his name, Selvis appeared on the scene, and Spender gradually shrunk back along the trunk, trying to hide. Not so much because he disliked Selvis these days, but because Warwick explained that he was an officer.
Spender and officers didn't get along very well at all.
Safely hidden by the girth of the trunk, he then began to climb, propping himself up inside the branches. If it was any cooler up here, he couldn't immediately tell. The candy was doing wonders for his dry mouth, however—it was as if the boiled sweet was turning to water in there!
He lay along a branch and flopped his limbs down either side, like a rag hanging out to dry. His tail rested straight behind him, curling a bit as the last half rested up against the trunk. He listened to the conversations happening below, and moped.
He missed Peskers fiercely—as fiercely as he missed his sister when he'd first left Welkin, if not more. And Marten the pine marten, too, who had stayed behind on the ship with Willard. Spender might have even admitted to missing the weasel, who was a good target for laughs at times. Oh, why did Warwick have to be an officer!? They had almost begun to get along! Stupid Selvis ruined everything! Or... or had Selvis saved him from saying something that would get Warwick upset and get Spender in trouble? He couldn't decide. He was angry at them both, and Ocean, too! He didn't really know why he should be angry at Ocean, as they had long since made up for their Christmas fight. He supposed it was just fair to be angry at everyone right now. They always did tell him to share more.
|
|
|
Post by warwick on Jul 11, 2011 17:39:25 GMT -5
"Can't change your pelt? Sniff... that is unusual. Though I suppose it'd be awfully dull if everything was the usual, eh?" Warwick hesitated to pat Ocean on the shoulder. It seemed the mere presence of other mammals was taking its toll on the ermine. Instead he folded away the bag and crossed his legs as he sat.
"Perhaps we ought to take you to the seaside, Ocean. Nothing to worry about if we stay in the shallows. It'll be just like a jolly outing, save all the artillery lying about," Warwick said, his tail flicking in enthusiasm. He was really starting to think they needed to do something about Ocean. Leaving him to burn up here seemed to be doing little good.
"What do you think... squeak!" Warwick had taken his eyes off the ferret for a moment, now he was gone, beret and all. He squinted and looked around him. "Oh, I say, where did he run off to? Ha! Probably beaten us... sniff... down to the beach, clever fellow."
Warwick spread his arms in an 'I have no idea where the ferret is' gesture. He had been making so many friends too. The stoat supposed he could not expect every sea jack he met to hang around him like a personal entourage, but would have been nice to get his name. In the meantime, it seemed Selvis had something to show Ocean.
"Ah, go on there, Selvis. Nothing like... squeak... filling a sheet to send home." Warwick nodded benignly. In truth, he had not been too worried about cramming words onto a letter to send off to his parents. First, because his parents could pay for the delivery easily no matter how many sheets he used. Second, and more sadly, he simply did not have much to say.
He had told his parents what he could when he sent the letter of in Gibraltar, that he was serving on HMS Agamemnon and that he was well. His writing had been tidy, checked rigorously for correct use of grammar and completely devoid of any emotion. This was his venture out into the wider world, and he did not feel that his parents could share it. Too busy running their little world of servant weasels and social events, he suspected. Though speaking of servant weasels, Warwick did have one very loyal correspondent.
Warwick's most recent message from home had in fact looked something like this;
Dear Sir
I crave your pardon once again for writing to you despite your father forbidding our communication. Depend upon it that I may punish myself later on your behalf. Enclosed in the package are the boiled and sugared delicacies with which Sir's jaw is most comfortably soothed.
The staff are all greatly disturbed and affected by Sir's extended absence. I trust that I shall wait upon Sir when Sir's seafaring travels bring him back home. On a personal note, I have included in the aforementioned package a neckcloth of maroon and orange. I trust that if the dye runs, Sir will find it most satisfactory to wear, bearing a striking and unusual mix of colour.
Believe me at all times with sincerity and respect, your faithful and obliged servant,
S. Wattle, Butler House of Norwich
|
|
|
Post by Ladorak on Jul 11, 2011 23:30:35 GMT -5
The marten's features fell a little as he listened to Carrow saying it was only a good thing he had mentioned the possibility, rather than promised Archie. "Ah... well..." he began, unsure how to really continue. Now he was feeling guilty that Carrow had pitched in to get him such an expensive present!
"You see Carrow... maybe next time you don't have to go all out for me." he said, smiling uneasily. "I really do appreciate that model, and it is beautiful, but your family is important too. You don't have to do so much for me, after all. I'm still thinking on your present, and I've got a few things in mind." he stated. "I love those Ferlusanian ships. Such beautiful craft, and I'd certainly love to travel in one someday." the albino commented.
"I feel kind of bad that you told me that, but I'll help out getting you whatever you want. When did you say it was again?" he asked. "Her Birthday I mean. I'm also thinking of what to get Ladorak, as he'll be 36 this year... though that sounds so funny to say." he stated, chuckling a tad at it.
"Ah right... short staffs... no... but we DO have boarding pikes. They're about the length of a short staff I'd say. Would a smaller pike suffice then?" he asked as they approached a particular tall stoat, standing off in the shade of his tent. His paw was resting on a table, drumming his claws quite close to a glass of gin and tonic.
"Hello, Captain Fugate sir!" Caden said, getting the stoat's attention so that he turned around.
"Ahhh, top of the afternoon to you both! Midshipjack Caden... Seajack Carrow..." he nodded at both of them. "How have the two of you been getting on?" he asked, taking a swig from his glass now and quickly returning the salutes that they delivered.
"Just fine, sir." Caden said with a nod.
"And yourself, Seajack Carrow?" the stoat asked the mouse, looking at him as he lowered his glass again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ocean went through a rather violent hacking cough fit before he finally was able to shift his attention back to Selvis. He overheard Warwick saying that they should maybe attempt to get him down to the sea, for a frolic in the waves. Only the shallows of course.
Ocean shuddered a little at the thought. Just being near the sea scared him, as all that water...
But he knew it might feel good as well, and he nodded at the suggestion. "Well... OK. That sounds like a good idea, sir. I just hope I don't freak out... or have another... whatever I just had. Hallucination maybe." he said slowly. "We could head down there in a few minutes, then. Also... I've never been able to shed my ermine coat. I was born that way. I'm in ermine all year round." he explained to Warwick. "Not sure why... just could never shed like everybody else. Or molt I guess is the correct term." he said with another cough.
"Alright Selvis..." He leaned over to get a look at what the weasel was taking out of his pocket, and held his side again as another stab shot through him. "Agh! Jeez... wonder what that is." he said, rubbing his lower right abdomen. "Let's see what you got." he finished.
|
|
|
Post by Carrow on Jul 12, 2011 9:30:09 GMT -5
Carrow nodded, smiling himself, though his was more confident. "Ah, but you see, Caden, I have absolutely no regrets about doing what I did for you. I guess I wanted to go all out for you because I felt you really deserved it. I know it's the thought that counts the most, but well... Selvis and I, we came up with that idea because we knew for sure it was what you'd love. The cost was pretty much irrelevant for me once I realised what I could get you," he said softly, patting Caden's paw and smiling warmly at him. Archie was the only thing close to family he had left that he had the chance to stay in regular contact with - though that wasn't to say he'd forgotten about his cousins either - but even still, Caden was just as important to him as she was.
"Just seeing the look on your face when we showed it to you back in May - that was worth every penny we spent, and I'm sure that if you asked Selvis he'd tell you the exact same thing." He listened as Caden told him that he loved Ferlusanian ships, and smiled wider. "See? Y'just proved my point! And of course, you're not the only one who'd love to do that someday. I wonder if Selvis ever did, actually? Don't think we ever asked him about that," he thought aloud.
"There's no need for you to feel bad about it, mate," he assured the marten. "Believe me, I could have gotten you any one of a few other things, and then Selvis could have done the same, but we both reckoned you'd like nothing better than that model of the Santissima Trinidad - which actually took my breath away when I saw it - so we went for it. I'm glad you're offering to give me a paw getting something for Archie if I need it. Thanks, Caden," he said again, pleased that he had such helpful friends. "And it's the sixteenth of August. She'll appreciate anything we get for her. This is... well, this is the first time I've ever been able to get her a proper birthday present," he told his marten companion.
Caden then told the mouse what age Ladorak was going to be this year, and the rodent's eyes widened incredulously. "Get out! Really?," he teased the mustelid, eyes sparkling playfully. "I wouldn't have thought so myself. I'm not entirely sure why but he's never really struck me as a 36-year-old," he commented, smiling a smile that remained as Caden suggested he use a boarding pike. "That sounds fine by me, mate. I think I'll be able to manage one of those, even if I don't have too much experience with that sort of thing. Oh well, in that case I guess I have some learning to do," he told his friend, eyes gleaming a little as they spotted Ladorak.
The rodent waited for his friend to attract the stoat Captain's attention, and when he turned around to greet them, the field mouse was already standing to attention, saluting smartly. "Good afternoon to you as well, sir!," he responded, smiling at the rust-coated stoat. Ladorak returned their salutes, and then asked the two companions how they were doing. Caden said he was alright, and Carrow couldn't complain, all things considered. He wasn't sick, and that was the absolute worst-case scenario for him, so he felt good that he'd been able to avoid that.
Ladorak addressed him, and Carrow nodded agreeably. "No complaints, sir - I'm quite used to the work we have to do at this stage, and while I'd be lying if I said I wasn't sore more often than not after doing all that, things like that pass, so it's something I'm just dealing with. Doing stretches whenever I need to, and so forth. Caden was just asking me what sort of weapons I might use, if an opportunity for some action comes along. I've opted for a pistol and... probably a boarding pike, as Caden suggested to me. Seems like the sort of thing I might use. How have you been doing, sir? Not feeling too under the weather are you?," he asked sympathetically, knowing Ladorak's malaria affected him every now and then in these conditions.
--
"Yes, I'm guessing it was some sort of hallucination, Ocean - you shouldn't be too worried about them though," Selvis said, trying to reassure the ermine, quite surprised by his coughing fit but trying not to let it show. "They're common enough with fevers as high as yours. I should know; three years ago I came down with something completely terrible and had the most baffling hallucinations, according to my mother - can't really remember what they were, but I do recall being rather unbearably uncomfortable for a few days," he told the ermine.
"We'll do what we can do help you if you are seized by another one, though," he said kindly. "Going someplace different for a little while might help you as well. Petty Officer Norwich here is right." He backed up Warwick in his usual soft voice. Then the stoat said that Spender had left all of a sudden, and the weasel shrugged in response, not entirely sure why - but at the same time aware that Spender and creatures of authority were like oil and water: they didn't mix at all.
He nodded at the stoat officer's comment. "True, I quite enjoy writing letters home myself - 's just that I hadn't written to my parents in about six months since my dad sent me his letter. Hopefully they'll know by now that I'm doing alright. Don't get very much time to write, y'see," he said. Ocean's response was just what he had been hoping to hear, so he removed the letter from his pocket and opened it. "As it was, this was rather last-minute, so I didn't get to say as much as I wanted. Caden gave me some help writing it out as well. My spoken Common is good, so I've been told, but I still struggle with writing it."
The weasel began reading it aloud, keeping his voice low:
"Gibraltar, June 12th 1794
Dear Mum and Dad,
"How are you both doing? I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to write, but I've been extremely busy with various things. It's been an exciting few months for me, I must admit. I was involved in besieging Bastia back in April, and a few days ago I arrived back from a fleet battle, of all things! I served with another ship for that one - she was called the Orion, and I quite liked her, though I still prefer the Agamemnon of course.
"I've been dealing with a few personal problems as of late: I've been struggling to find a place amongst the crew recently. Had a word with a friend - and it wasn't really an argument - but he called me out on something I didn't even realise I was doing, and it's made me ask questions about myself, ones that I'm uncomfortable with because I've never really had to ask them before, much less try to find answers.
"Sorry I'm being cryptic but I promised myself I wouldn't cry, and if not going into details helps me with that, then I won't. Maybe by the time you write back I'll be able to tell you more, but hopefully it won't be an issue by then because I think I've started to figure out what I need to do about it. Don't worry about me - had a rough few days there last week but I'm fine now.
"Dad, have you managed to find a job yet? It's been six months since you sent off that last letter so I'm hoping you've been able to come across something in the meantime. I also hope you've settled in, now that you're back on land. Is Mum still recuperating? And on that note, is Miss Timidus still there with you? Tell her, if she is, that I'd like very much to hear from her.
"Oh, and of course, I celebrated my 14th birthday last week! It was very enjoyable, though I was very tired afterwards. I haven't been sleeping too well as of late, but as said, I have kind of been knocked off balance. I'll be much better with that soon, don't worry - and besides, Carrow will only be too happy to help if he sees me struggling. Archie, his carer, taught him a few things, and from what I heard he's becoming a hypnotist in his own right, following in her footsteps!
We are in fact just about to leave, but I'll finish by saying this: as I'm sure you'll have noticed by the time my letter arrives home, I'm closer to the shores of Ferlusan than I have been in a year. It's making me think about all three of you quite a lot, but it's knowing you're all there that comforts me.
"Caden and Carrow send their regards. Looking forward to hearing from you, and I'm sure it'll be sooner rather than later!
Your loving son, Selvis Frenata."
He folded up the letter again, looking from ermine to stoat and smiling at both of them. "I hope to have a response by the time we get back on the ship - which means I have a little extra motivation to try and wrap this siege up as soon as possible! Six months is quite a long time. I'm sure they'll have a lot to fill me in on. Now, Ocean," he addressed the ermine, "when you get up, d'you think you'll need a paw walking? I don't want to take any risks with you, you see, so if you need a bit of assistance I'd be glad to help!"
|
|
|
Post by Ladorak on Jul 12, 2011 22:50:56 GMT -5
Ladorak shrugged a little, and tapped his gin and tonic glass with a claw. "Well, to be honest with you, I'm surviving. My condition has been acting up, yes, and I've been feeling feverish accompanied by chills, along with some retching, but I've been managing it with gin and tonics. It's not too bad at the moment." he explained, peering out from under the tent into the hot sun. "Hoo... this weather is abysmal. I much prefer Welkin over this place." he said, looking up at the sun. "Such a hot... sweaty... infernal rocky island. Though it WILL be useful for the number of harbors we can pick up, and will make blockading Toulon that much easier." he admitted. "Won't have to sail two weeks in any direction to make port. This is a simple five days from the Rosferian coast."
"So... what brings you to my tent, today?" he asked.
"Well I thought... maybe you'd like to go for a walk, or something?" Caden asked. "You see sir, I know the weather is lousy, but it's not raining or anything, and I wanted to ask too if we were going to be taking part in the assault that's probably coming up."
Nodding, Ladorak stepped outside, drink in his paws. "Of course. And I'm not surprised you found the work difficult, Carrow. It's rather backbreaking, I know, but you all did a fine job, and we've got our batteries constructed. Full siege too; thirty-five guns. Much better than last time. They'll be ours in no time. No more two month siege for us, I think." he said, closing his eyes and furrowing his brow in a playful manner.
"Boarding pikes... yes those would suffice you very well." he told the mouse as they began walking throughout the camp. "To answer your question Caden, yes, I shall be calling for volunteers a bit later today, though there's no reason for all of us to go. The Army is more than strong enough to pawdle the assault. I simply can't resist the notion of some action, of course. I hope to be fighting alongside Colonel Moore when he leads the assault. We have to breach the walls first, but that should only take a few more days... and then we'll be storming in. Take them by force and at the point of the bayonet." he said, flashing a smile.
"I take it you're both volunteering... Carrow in particular since you asked about boarding pikes. Have you ever trained with one during the training sessions that the Master-at-Arms gives, or have you trained with another weapon?" the stoat asked.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ocean read off the letter, taking it all in. "Well... I just hope I don't lose it." he confessed as he started reading. "See... depending on how severe they get... well I might completely lose touch with reality for a time... but I hope that doesn't happen. Never really experienced them before myself." the ermine stated, clearing his throat a little as his eyes roved over the parchment.
What he wouldn't give to just light a match right now. It would probably make him feel hotter, but he was starting to crave it, almost like a withdrawal symptom. He was beginning to become convinced that it would make him feel better, even though there was no direct correlation.
It was distracting him, and he found himself having to read more of the lines over again to himself before he finally finished. "OK... there we go. That's... rather good prose you write there, Selvis." the ermine complimented him. "I don't write half as good as that." he admitted. "Parents must be proud."
"Alright... I'll probably need some help getting down to the beach. Feel weaker than usual. Just... tired... feverish... and now the abdominal pains. Not sure where those came from." he commented.
Putting his paw against the trunk of the tree, he rose to his footpaws shakily. "OK... let's try and do this then. Thanks for suggesting it, sir." He said to Warwick. "Maybe... if I don't get too nervous... it'll cool me down. Ready whenever you guys are." he said, coughing again and holding his paw in a clenched fist up to his mouth.
|
|
|
Post by Carrow on Jul 13, 2011 14:37:41 GMT -5
"Glad to hear you've been managing, sir," Carrow rsponded, smiling at Ladorak in a comforting manner. "We're all having to do our best to survive here, but it's heartening to hear your condition hasn't been too troublesome. If I'm perfectly honest, I have to admit that I'm surprised I haven't come down with anything," the mouse told the stoat and pine marten, shrugging a little. He couldn't explain it.
"I've never been the most healthy of creatures, and well, since I grew up in a... disadvantaged area, I might have thought this left me more open to contracting something than most, but thankfully that hasn't been the case. I mean, I scarcely left the house for the four years after I got pulled out, up until I decided to join up, much less went abroad, so it's my first time dealing with any of this sort of thing, but I'm thankful that it's something I can pawdle... relatively speaking of course."
He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts, as Ladorak was telling them he wasn't too fond of Cakvi, a sentiment the rodent could definitely concur with. "I agree, sir. Can't wait to be shot of this place, strategic importance or not. It makes me feel uncomfortable quite a lot of the time, this weather. Whatever about my time in Poppyville, I can say for sure that I never had to put up with any of this sort of thing." With the benefit of hindsight, Carrow was becoming able to see his formative years for what they were. There had been a lot of darkness, but the chinks of light that got in had shone all the brighter as a result.
Caden asked if Ladorak wanted to go for a walk with them, this helped Carrow's spirits to lift further. Any time he got to spend with the stoat Captain these days was always greatly appreciated. He responded to the older mustelid's comment about the work with a cheerful swish of his tail. "It may be backbreaking, yes, but even still, it's all paid off. I was having trouble imagining what those batteries would look like at first, but now they're all set up, I can say all the work that went into it was rather rewarding."They set off around the camp, Carrow nodding eagerly when Ladorak made his assumption that both mouse and marten would volunteer. "I, for one, can say that I'm going to step forward when asked. I'm quite excited about it, as Caden can tell you," he said, smiling up at his friend.
The rodent mulled over the stoat's weapon-related query a moment before giving his response. "I've spent some time with one during the training sessions; it's probably the weapon I've used the most. Even if I'll probably need a bit of getting used to such a thing - as I tend not to use weapons of any kind unless I have no other choice, and as such the training's been as far as I've gone - I'd be most comfortable using a boarding pike or something similar as my melee weapon." The field mouse wasn't all that comfortable with using weapons of any sort; neither had he ever raised a paw in anger against another. He had his principles and stuck to them. He looked up at Caden again, smiling. "What do you think you'll use, mate? Is it going to be that dirk you got for your birthday, perhaps?," he asked eagerly.
--
Selvis patted his shoulder reasuringly, trying his best to keep Ocean from thinking of the worst-case scenario. There was no point dreading what could happen, at least in his mind; he was the kind that dealt with problems when they came up, and if he lost sleep over anything, it wasn't over fear of the future, but more likely the anxiety he was experiencing in the present.
"As someone who's been there before, I can tell you that there's not really much chance of this happening. I remember being filled in about things after I'd recovered, as I had spent a while unconscious, but I was told by the doctor that while my condition had been severe, there had been no chance of me becoming delirious or anything, which is probably what you're thinking about here. Don't worry about it too much, mate," he said gently.
Ocean read through the weasel's letter silently, and Selvis was unable to keep from blushing a little when the ermine finished and complimented him on his writing skills. "Thank you, Ocean. I don't often get praise for things like that. As for what my parents think of it, well, they might be surprised I didn't write to them in my native tongue, but that's only because the last time I needed to write home, I did so in Ferlusanian," he explained, taking the letter from Ocean with a bashful sort of smile.
"OK," he murmured in response to Ocean's acceptance of his offer. "You try to steady yourself there, then I'll take one paw. Warwick, sir," he addressed the stoat Petty Officer, "could you take Ocean's other paw? I want to make sure he doesn't have any trouble getting down to the beach, and if we can keep him on his paws for long enough, that'll make things easier still. D'you know the way, sir?," he asked, before returning his attention to the sick ermine. "How would you rate your chances of volunteering for a possible assault, or have you considered that yet?"
|
|
|
Post by warwick on Jul 13, 2011 17:54:55 GMT -5
Warwick shuffled a little, his eyes flicking away from Selvis as the weasel read out loud. Some parts of the letter seemed a bit personal. The stoat tried his best not to think about them, not being his business whatsoever. He was not entirely convinced hypnotism was any more than a con act, anyway.
"Oh, yes, very well written," Warwick added to Ocean's compliment. He rose to take the ermine's other paw in his own. Though he was not a good swimmer, Warwick had no fear of the ocean. It was cool and pleasant and it reminded him of taking holiday trips to the coast for the sea air.
"The way? Ah, well... sniff... we can't miss it, it's just... squeak... downhill from here. Easy!" The stoat set off, squinting good naturedly at Ocean to make sure he was not about to fall over. He had been bedridden before and felt quite sympathetic to the ermine. Being unwell in the midst of a siege must be terrible, though of course he said nothing out loud. Talking like that would probably lower Ocean's spirits even further.
"Perhaps he ought to get a bit better before going off to do battle. The hallucinations could... squeak... ruin your concentration in action. That would not bode well at all," Warwick advised gently. He himself had every intention of volunteering. Ordinarily he would have encouraged Ocean to do the same, but the ermine looked so out of sorts, it would be a wonder if he'd be more a help or hindrance.
"I suppose you'd volunteer for any action, eh Selvis? Give the... sniff... blighters a jolly good drubbing, wot?" Warwick said jovially, putting a bit of spring in his step. "No harm in giving those Army jacks a bit of support. Got to work together for our... squeak... common goal."
|
|
|
Post by Ladorak on Jul 13, 2011 23:22:40 GMT -5
"The dirk, heheh. Well I'd love to say yes, but I'd rather use that for shipboard combat only, if I can help it. Wouldn't want to lose it in the dark inside an enemy fort after all. I'm sure we'd be making a night attack... right Captain Fugate, sir?" Caden asked his guardian.
"Yes... we'd be storming them at night, using the cover of darkness."
"Well in that case, I'd probably be using the boarding poleaxe or the tomahawk. The tomahawk because I like axes, and the poleaxe because of its added versatility. I figure if we were ever boarded I would eschew the sword and be wielding one of those two." he said with a small laugh.
"Ahhh I prefer the sword." Ladorak said, patting the Midlight Hammer at his side. "I've had this for a long time now... and I don't intend to part with it any time soon." he said.
"Of course not, sir. I don't think you ever go into war without it, right?"
"That's correct." Ladorak stated, nodding resolutely. "It's sort of my... well can't call it a good luck charm, but it's something I will not go to war without." the stoat explained. "Hope the both of you are ready." he continued. "You may have to take lives... and unlike the ship, where you can't always see who you're killing... this will be up close and personal. Don't volunteer if you aren't ready for that." he said, his tone much more serious now.
Caden nodded, and looked over at Carrow. "That... OK with you?" the albino asked still holding a paw over his forehead to shield his eyes as he walked. He finally decided the heck with it, and took out his sunglasses, the tinted ones that Ladorak had given him. He didn't always like wearing them, but there were instances that called for it, and this was one of them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ocean grasped hold of Selvis's paw, and took Warwick's in the other. "Thanks... both of you. I don't think I'll be up for the assault... unless I recover soon... which I am hoping to do." he said, coughing again. "Just don't understand why I'm so sick. Never been this sick before... ow!" his side was acting up again, but he dared not wrench out of the grasp of the two beasts flanking him. That simply wouldn't do, as he'd probably tumble down to the ground.
Making their way down the path to the bay wasn't quite half as arduous as Ocean had initially suspected it would be. The path was well worn, and provided a safe way down to their landing spot.
"See... I'd love to volunteer for the fight... but I've really been laid low by this... whatever it is. It's to the point where... whoa!" he exclaimed suddenly, tottering on his paws. It almost looked as if he were drifting right to the edge... or that the two were guiding him over there. "Stop... STOP!" he shouted. "No! No closer! What are you...?" He frantically shook his head, nearly breaking out of their grasp before realizing that he was nowhere near the edge of the path, and figured it must have been another hallucination. It was as if he had woken up from a dream... except he hadn't been asleep.
"Er... sorry about that. I... suddenly thought you guys were moving me over to the edge of the cliff there... I... not sure why." he shook his head again, his head positively on fire. Stupid fire... he loved watching it, but hated FEELING it.
"Ohhhh this wretched fever! Must be making me see all sorts of stupid things. Delirium is what they called it back home. Just hope it's because of the fever and that I'm not ACTUALLY losing my mind." he emphasized. "Certainly seems real enough when it happens." He stated.
They were on the beach now, the waves lapping at the sand and moving in and out in a calm fashion. "Well... here we are... the water." Ocean said, looking right at it with apprehension. "Wonder... wonder how it feels. Thanks for the assistance, guys. Maybe... maybe you should try the water out first?" he suggested, not taking a step toward it.
|
|
|
Post by spender on Jul 14, 2011 0:33:32 GMT -5
Spender gaped. He stared. He boggled, and mawed, and all around was baffled.
Ocean. Going to the ocean. To swim. Ocean. Water. Stoat. Wet. And, most importantly: without him. This was against everything he knew. As kits, they refused to be bathed unless they were together. They were inseparable, Spender's terror and Ocean's fire. Their unholy alliance had suffered enough this past year, and fear gripped Spender; he was to lose Ocean to this new stoat and Selvis's usual charm and grace. If Ocean went in the water... without Spender... then what was there that bound them as brothers?
He slithered from the tree and tailed them, keeping his distance all the way down to the beach.
He stood at the back of the trio, arms folded. Ocean was cowing out of it, he could see. Throwing his two best new pals to the sharks! Hah! Let them be gnawed.
"Ye'll never go in," he called. "Not without me. Ye never could!" His voice softened, and he unfolded his arms, stepping closer. He crunched the thinned remains of Warwick's candy, swallowed it away, and spat out his mint leaf into the sand. "An' that ain't gonna change. C'mon—betcha a shilling ye can't dunk yerself to yer ears. Let's go in t'gether. It'll be easy, without soap an' scrubbers."
He tossed his beret aside and, perhaps with a little too much enthusiasm, began to dance out of his pants.
|
|
|
Post by warwick on Jul 14, 2011 2:19:16 GMT -5
Warwick took things slow and easy as they walked Ocean to the seaside. The stoat was talking about his illness, Warwick nodding and perhaps not being as careful as he should have been. Before he knew what was happening, Ocean was writhing in his grip and shouting.
"Woah, woah there, dear fellow! We've got you!" Warwick said bracingly, squeaking as he held on tight. After a moment, all was calm again.
"Nothing to worry about. We've got an eye on you, Ocean!" Warwick reassured his new companion as they made their way to the sandy shores. Warwick breathed in and out, enjoying a light breeze. A finer day he could not have asked for.
"Why, there's nought to fear, it's just the shallows," Warwick continued, tugging a bit at Ocean's arm. When he realised the ermine was not coming, he sighed and shrugged off his waistcoat, neatly folding his neckcloth.
"Wouldn't want that to get wet! Or, I don't know. Hm. It might look rather fetching, don't you think?" Warwick asked blithely. "Oh, there you are! I say, I can't keep calling you 'you', now can I? What is your name?"
That ferret was back. Warwick knew he'd find him by the beach sooner or later. He grinned and splashed into the waves, waving back at Ocean.
"Come along, you lot! There's a shilling in it for you now, sniff... my dear Ocean. It's lovely and-..." The water rushed past Warwick's white-furred belly and he gasped. Oh, that was rather... cold.
"...Refreshing!" Warwick finished, doing a little jig as he backpedalled into the water. The sooner he got his warm shoulders buried by the sea, the better he'd be. His paws were firmly set against the sandy bed below him, making sure he never strayed from his depth.
|
|