Stoater and Commander: The Prologue

[Ladorak]

"Yeah...probably a good idea." Caden said, walking over to where Shepherd held Cerinus's limp form in his arms. He looked up at the unconscious mouse, wondering what it was that had happened. For the moment, Shepherd was holding the mouse and making sure his wound was closed by keeping a compress (his pawkerchief) over the cut.

"I think he's still out cold." the albino commented, beginning to get a bit worried now. He hadn't even seen Cerinus go down...but from the looks of things it was just a cut. Were things really so bad that the mouse had fainted? Or was he just...not used to pain? Either way it seemed strange to the marten...but then again martens were far bigger than mice anyway so....maybe that had something to do with it as well. Plus Caden hadn't actually been injured.

For some reason he started thinking of his mother....but he pushed those thoughts away and kept his eyes on Cerinus.

**********

Ladorak could see Jis Mustela rejoin the party. She had apparently somehow been outside, though Ladorak couldn't remember seeing her. There had been a gathered crowd out front....she must have been in there.

"Your ward is over there." he said to her and pointed to Shepherd, who was still holding Cerinus in his arms. Ladorak had no idea why she'd approached him first....unless she'd simply missed Carrow.

He was going to talk to her...but she should tend to her ward first. "I think he needs you Jis, though his injury's not serious so I wouldn't worry." he betrayed nothing of his inner thoughts to her. He'd let her know.....but all in good time. No sense dropping it on her now.

[Carrow]

Cerinus certainly wasn't used to the sensation of hurting - at least on the outside. The emotional torment he had carried with him for most of his young life had caused him an amount of anguish that was enough in itself. It seemed to press on his very spirit at times, and weigh him down, even literally at certain points, where he was so depressed that he just felt tired all the time... and then he couldn't get to sleep when he went to bed...

It was this more than anything that had combined with his exhaustion after the long day and night he had spent, as well as the shock of it all, that had resulted in him reacting the way he did. Oh, pity the poor creature when he comes to and realises what happened, his weasel guardian thought.

There was a rather worried look on her face now, but the way she glanced at Ladorak and
Caden seemed to tell them that she was far more concerned about what emotional state he would be in when he came to, rather than his physical one. Her eyes seemed to confirm what the young mouse's albino pine marten friend suspected, that he just wasn't used to anything like this.

She went over to him now, and took his head in her paws, stroking his cheek in an affectionate manner. "You'll be alright...," she murmured, even though she knew he couldn't hear her. "I'll help you get through the next few days, Carrow... just trust me on this..."

Having said this, she looked over at Ladorak again. She had come as quickly as she could, but not only because she had missed her young rodent charge. She knew that this would have... repercussions of a certain sort for him, and now she strode over to the stoat. Upon reaching him, the pair's eyes locked, and the weasel's gaze told him everything he needed to know. There would be no need to break any news to her.

She beckoned her fellow mustelid over to one side, away from the unconscious wood mouse, his pine marten companion, and Shepherd, who continued to tend to the senseless Dibbun. She sighed heavily. Little did Ladorak know that their thoughts were running along the same lines. Oh, Cerinus, she thought despondently. I love you, but... a creature like you on an adventure like that? How will you survive as you are now?

[Ladorak]

Shepherd finally managed to paw Carrow off to a nearby vet who was on station at the palace that night. He wiped his brow again, glad that that was over. Well...he'd learned about yet another case of adoption. This time it was a weasel caring for a mouse. But still no father....in which case Carrow wouldn't do. Ladorak on the other paw...he showed strange devotion for a kit that wasn't even his biologically....it was rich.

Ladorak was being motioned aside, though he did not pry himself off of Molly just yet. Instead he took her along, as he was sure she wouldn't mind. He never wanted to leave her side again in fact. Or at least felt like he never wanted to. Strange this new wash of emotions after all.

"Jis Mustela, I'm concerned about your ward and his ability to stand up to the rigors of being at sea. You realize it's a strenuous life, and well....he passed out after receiving a mere scratch. I can't have a dibbun that will be blacking out at the sight of blood. Combat is something every seajack must endure at some point in time or other. It could be today, it could be years from now, but eventually it will happen. If he can't tolerate pain he may want to reconsider his career choice...much as I hate to say it." the ermine told her sadly.

"Also he hasn't worked out much I see. We'll soon fix that but he needs to be in a lot better shape if he's going to be working those cannons. They weigh four tons a piece Jis Mustela....four tons. He'll be part of a larger crew of course, but each need to be fairly strong in order to budge those things. I just....feel as if perhaps he isn't cut out for life at sea." the ermine really didn't want to tell her this, but he cared about his potential crew above even his own safety sometimes, and he didn't want to see Carrow drowning because he'd gotten in over his head with this thing.

[Carrow]

Archie's face was expressionless as she listened to the stoat Post Captain voice his concerns. She felt no need to interrupt him, for she had to admit to herself that her fellow mustelid seemed to be giving voice to her own thoughts.

She wrung her paws in that same agitated fashion again once he had finished speaking. The weasel had kept her eyes riveted upon his as he'd been speaking, and that look she had seen within them, that look of genuine concern. had told her all. Jal Fugate, compassionate beast that he was, wasn't just looking out for Cerinus as a potential member of his crew: he was concerned for him as a living, breathing creature.

"Jal Fugate, sir, you have taken the words straight out of my mouth. I'm worried for Carrow's safety too, and I'll talk to him about this..." She sniffed a little, finally breaking eye contact. Tears began to form in her eyes now as she continued speaking. At times such as this, the jill felt every bit as vulnerbale as her rodent charge.

"But I'll tell you one thing sir: I know Cerinus better than any other creature ever had a chance to, and he would do anything to capitalise on this opportunity. Have you noticed how the mouse looks up to you, Ladorak...? Have you? He's taken quite a liking to you, of course, and, as said, I feel as though I know him best. He will do anything to please those he likes."

The least weasel returned her gaze to the stoat's. Her confidence in young Cerinus was really quite touching to see displayed. "He wants this more than anything before, and I know he'll strive to change. Not just for you... but for his friends too... For me, even... If he doesn't... well... he'll know he let the chance go begging... and something as life-changing as this might very well be, passing him by? He wouldn't allow that to happen... he wouldn't do that to himself. Please... trust me, Jal Fugate..."

[Ladorak]

Ladorak listened to the jill explain things. He remained, passive, not reacting much beyond an occasional nuts of his weight. He studied her with what seemed contemplative indifference. As if he were thinking about what she were saying but not processing it much further than that.

He was doing his utmost to mask his emotions. He was deeply considering what she was saying. It wasn't out of the ordinary to take weaker dibbuns onboard...but they had to adapt quick, or else they would be killed or seriously maimed in an unfortunate accident or because they were too slow carrying out a duty. Having lead paws could cause death in and of itself.

"If he wants this this badly he's going to have to make some changes. He either learns as he goes or he's going to get into serious trouble." Ladorak told her after she had finished. "Life at sea is an adventure...but it's not a joke either. It is a matter of life or death in combat. One person's blunder can compromise an entire ship. That's why we have tight discipline, and strict training." he was just glad Molly was right next to him....she kept him relatively level headed...oddly enough.

"I'll consider your words Jis Mustela. We still have some months before we're scheduled to sail. He can show up for training if he feels up to it...and I'll see how he does from there." He heard the words she'd spoken to him. About Carrow looking up to him. Yes...he could probably see that. The ermine knew full well he was charismatic and that others from time to time would look up to him. Then too he made enemies quickly as well, so it was a mixed pot with Ladorak Fugate.

"I know of what you speak. He at least confided in me tonight yes. If he truly wants to serve he's going to have to work for it. Right now though I think you should be with him. The vets should be bringing him around soon, and I'm sure he'll want to see your face. I'll be close by as well...I'm sure he wouldn't mind seeing me either." he said, giving her a light smile and nodding over in the mouse's direction. "I'll be right behind you." He finished, giving Molly a glance. It didn't say much...mostly a I'll be glad when this night is over.....and we can move on to the next step look, but he was sure she would catch it all the same.

[Carrow]

Archie smiled. At least they were making some sort of progress, she and Ladorak. The weasel was quite glad to hear that the stoat was willing to even consider taking Cerinus on board with him. The rodent was neither physically nor emotionally strong. He would need much more help with the latter than he would with the former, the jill thought. Caden can assist him with that, I suppose. I'll help top for what it's worth.

Yes, all is not lost yet, she thought. There's hope for his ambitions after all. He would like nothing better than to make this work. I think that the prospect of Ladorak and Caden's company will make it all worthwhile for him - and that's good enough for me.

"Oh, I'm sure he'll be just as glad to see you as he will me. He'll be coming to in a few moments, then? Well, that's good. At least I'll get to see him for a while. I'm not going to keep him long though. The mouse needs his rest, and he's going to be getting quite a lot of shuteye over the next few days. Actually, I have a special way of helping him drift off at times like this, as I know things are going to be rough for him. We'll get through it though."

The jill smiled as she clapsed the Post Captain's paw in a thankful manner. "You seem to have given him a new lease on life, you and Caden, but you in particular, and you have my heartfelt thanks for that. As for what the future may bring, we'll see, of course. This will be entirely new for Cerinus, but I'm sure he'll do his absolute utmost to learn the ropes, so to speak. He knows this isn't going to be easy. I just wish that he were more stable, but, well, he's still here. We've managed for eight years, he and I, and there have been things that have kept him going. He's never really had any true friends before now," she said, a hint of sadness in her voice, "so Caden's company is going to be a lifeline for him."

Archie had a very similar sort of look on her face too. She was quite worried about Carrow, and wanted to be with him for the next few days to help him cope. The mouse often went through cycles of depression: sometimes startlingly brief ones (like earlier on, unknown to her), but other times more prolonged, sometimes lasting for a week. Well, she thought, at least now he has something to work towards, so he can feel he has a purpose...

[spender]

(("Clawed" sounds better to me, miz Book. But if it still looks awkward, you could try alternate words entirely: "Elle smiled as she fiddled with the tag." for instance. ^^))

Spender sat in the snow beside his father. The older ferret had come to, and now lay on his back, staring at the sky. Spender didn't say much of anything, and Seige didn't ask much of anything. Slowly, Seige sat up. He reached into a pocket and took out a small snuff box which smelled suspiciously minty. He offered Spender some. The lad held out his paw.

"So," Seige said, still slurring somewhat, "the palace isis...sn't being attacked after all."

"No."

"An' you're okay."

"Yes."

"Did you have fun?"

"No," Spender lied - he badly wished he could go back to the playroom.

"Hmm," Seige said. He stared at his footpaws. "I s'pose the party is winding down now. Meet anybeast pretty?"

"No."

"Get t'know any of the navy beasts?"

"No."

"Then," Seige wondered, resting his chin in his paws, "what in 'Gates did I send you along for?"

"I'unno, you never tol' me," Spender growled. "I wanna go home."

"And I want my livestock to stop being spooked into the river. I want my wife to stop losing what fur isn't going grey early. I want the local constables to not be waking me up at three AM holding your sodden carcass up as they point at the smoke rising over the village which I later find out is the church's roof. I want my son to know the difference between right and wrong and I can't teach it to him myself because I don't know, Spender. You gotta make this work. Do the minimum time, then send a letter telling us what you want to do next. Do you want to go back to the Imperium? It's rubbish there. But fine, if that's what you want. It's time you started finding your own way in life, if you're not going to settle into the home me and your mother worked so hard to set up..."

Seige wanted to say all this, and he tried his best. He got through most of it, but Spender just stared blankly, trying to comprehend the drunken gibberish. The stripling ferret sighed.

"Whatever,da."

"'s the spirit!" Seige belched. He brightened up. "I say, wozzat about Lardajack Fugate? 'Eard a wizzle mention 'im. Where is that old stoatface..." Seige got up and stumbled off toward the carriages again.

Spender lay back in the snow and hugged his knees. This was just going to be great. Jeez, why did Cerinus get all the fun?

~ ~ ~

Molly found herself actually blushing as Ladorak thanked her. Really, was it such a big deal?

She supposed maybe it was. The Imperium might be a joke as a nation of strength, but its lack of religion and dangerous attitude toward certain species certainly hardened its citizens early in life. She'd seen kits younger than Carrow take crowbars to sleeping drunkards, cracking skulls and nicking money and clothes. It was a tough place to live. If you weren't ready to get up to your shoulders in somebeast else's insides, chances were you'd end up being the one with the arms in your chest cavity...

The rest of the world seemed to have a different take on females. Molly never quite understood it. They were like prizes, figureheads to be shoved around at parties, more than actual personalities of their own. It was as if they'd given up certain aspects of life to focus on their feminine side exclusively. Being pretty and soft was all well and good, but if you couldn't cross a puddle without ruining a jack's coat and their express permission, where did you really stand in society?

She found her thoughts straying as Ladorak talked with the female weasel - Carrow's caretaker, Molly learned. It was a sobering discussion for the most part, and she felt bad for the little mouse. But she just couldn't quite get herself to be overly concerned.

She kept thinking about when she would be able to have a bath and change her clothes.

"I'll be right behind you." Molly caught Ladorak's glance, and took this to mean she was dismissed from the immediate conversation. She bowed a little to Jis Mustela, and hurried to find Ladorak's carriage, ignoring the disgusted glances she was given for her appearance.

What a night.

She smiled. And it had really only just begun...

For instance, there was now an obviously-inebriated ferret leaning against the carriage. Molly nodded at him.

"Good evening, sir," she said, curious. He looked like a transient. What was a hobo doing in front of the palace?

"Ohgosh, yer pretty," the ferret said, turning and staring at her. "You Ladorak's wife? 'm his brother!"

Molly found herself at a loss for words. She blushed again, in her confusion.

"Ah," was all she could think of to say.

[Ladorak]

Ladorak listened with silence, a bit surprised when she clasped his paw to tell him how much it would mean to Carrow to be taken aboard and that Caden could served as a lifeline for him. Caden....that kit is still troubled however, he didn't say out loud. He had helped the albino get through the worst of it last year, but he was still struggling with issues about his mother, among many other things.

"I'm sure that if he makes the effort, he'll be fine." the ermine finally said to her, patting her paw with his own. "I can't really imagine him at sea just yet, but do make sure he begins at least a basic workout routine and that if at all possible he can build up his pain tolerance." He looked over at the mouse, who still appeared to be unconscious. That was a long time to be out from a simple scratch.....and as far as Ladorak was concerned a crew member passed out for this long was just as good as useless.

Inwardly sighing, he held out high hopes for Carrow and his supposed ability to turn himself around. It most certainly would take a lot to convince the ermine Post Captain at this point, but time would be the judge of whether or not Carrow was cut out for the life at sea.

"I'm going to be getting my carriage ready for departure Jis Mustela. Tell Cerinus what I told you, and that he will have to work hard in order to get aboard my ship. I'm very selective when I need to be." He gave her a reassuring smile, and moved over to where Caden and Elle were.

Shepherd was wiping his paws off and sighing. "Whew. Glad that's over. Sorry about that Jal Fugate. I figured someone had to help him." he was looking in Ladorak's direction, but oddly enough was looking down at Caden.

"Eh...it's no problem Inspector." Ladorak replied, waving him off. "Are you ready to go Caden?"

"Aw, we're going?" Caden asked, looking over at Elle.

"Yep. I've seen enough here I think...." the furs on the nape of his neck bristled, namely because he felt the cold stares of the royal family upon him. King Poynt was looking down upon him with disgust. Disgust at having invaded his home with some smelly, blood ridden vagrant coachjack from the streets and for fouling his nice marble with stains from the wounds.

Cringing, Ladorak knew that this would only sink his already low opinion that the Poynts had of him. Perfect....best to get out while he still could. "Yep!" he said hurriedly, giving a nervous smile now as he looked down from the King. "No time like the present eh? Say goodbye to your friend.....or friends if Carrow awakens, and meet me outside."

He turned, accompanied by Shepherd, who briefly considered staying inside, but decided against it as conditions simply weren't right. The long tail instead decided to walk Fugate to his carriage.

Caden looked at Elle. "I feel sorry for Carrow....he doesn't seem to be able to stand up too well to pain. I wish I could see him before I leave but I gotta go. I guess I'll see him at training though. Hey....it was really nice to meet you." He said, giving her a small smile. "I'll give my letters to your brother, and write you as often as I can." He told her. "I promise.....Oh and maybe I can visit too before I have to leave." he added, thinking of that last minute.

**************

Ladorak walked outside with Shepherd, whose lip immediately curled up when he noticed that vagabond still leaning on Ladorak's carriage. "Hey! Buddy! I thought I told you to move along! Vagrants aren't welcome here!" he snarled, moving forward before Ladorak placed a restraining paw on his shoulder.

"That's no vagrant Jal Shepherd. That's....someone I know." was all the ermine said at first. Molly was there, but didn't seem to be engaged in much conversation with the jack ferret. That jack....was indeed Seige Cielciosk. But why was he here? Finally given up on life in the Imperium? If so he could hardly blame him. Things were much better over here on the other side of the pond....well if you were looking for active employment in a navy at least.

"Oh? No problem then?" the long tail Inspector asked.

"Not as far as I know. But....we'll see." He approached the carriage now, noting that that ferret stripling was indeed Spender. Spender….he had absolutely adored that kit a decade ago. What was he like now? The kit had been a real terror….but he had to be a stripling now, at least by Ladorak’s calculation.

Instead of directly speaking to him right off however, he came up behind Molly and fondly placed his paws on her waist, moving his snout in very close to her neck but not touching it as of course he respected the fact that that was bare. He'd get to it....just not right now. "I hope you didn't wait long. Are you ready to get out of here then?" He asked affectionately, smiling at her from over her shoulder.

He glanced at Seige, but wasn't going to say anything unless he said something to him, which was more likely than not, but he'd wait for that to actually happen.

[Carrow]

Archie sighed once again as she went over to Cerinus' side. She thought that Ladorak was completely right with his pronouncements. He was new to this after all, so why shouldn't it appear to everyone else but Archie herself that the rodent still had no idea what he was getting himself into? She just hoped that her charge's enthusiasm would turn to effort, or there was no way he was getting on that ship...

The darkness lifted from Carrow's vision just as soon as it had enveloped him. His right arm twitched as he began to stir. The wood mouse could feel only a slight tingle now from his wound. His brown eyes fluttered open, and he looked about him blearily as his vision cleared. He tried to say something, but found himself too tired to talk just now. So he just stayed put for the moment. His eyes caught sight of Archie, and he smiled.

The jill weasel returned his smile. He didn't do that too often, she knew. She stroked his cheek gently in an affectionate manner as she spoke to him. "Welcome back to us, Carrow! How d'you feel?" She looked straight into his eyes, and noticed that he seemed quite weary still, so she would just wait for him to speak.

Cerinus didn't feel like he was all there. He still felt a little groggy from earlier on, but his carer's words came through clear as a bell. "Er... not too good in all honesty. I can hardly feel... whatever it was that took me out, but, well..." He sat up, leaning forward and whispering into Archie's ear. "Could I... see it, if you don't mind?"

For such a clearly exhausted creature, the mouse's bearings were coming back to him at a rate of knots. He was in bed, injured, and worn out, but he had Ladorak and his ship in mind even now. The rodent gasped as Archie lifted back the covers a little, and what he could recall of the incident came back to him.

"Wait... all I really remember is the moment it hit me... It can't be as bad as I made it out to be, judging by that..." Archie sighed yet again, and she took his paw in hers. This would be hard for them both, especially with the mouse in his current condition. "If you really must know, Cerinus... it wasn't bad at all. It's.... it's barely a scratch. You're not used to pain like this, I know... it's not your fault..."

Cerinus was silent for a moment. Then he blushed visibly, the tips of his large ears turning a bright pink as he tried to come up with a response. Eventually, he spoke. "Damn it... how am I going to manage at sea? I know I'm not used to this, as you said, but, well..."

His eyes shone as a look of determination crossed his face, as he thought of the possible repercussions. "I really will try for this, you know. Ladorak's probably said that I won't last a moment if I faint after a blasted scratch. He doubts my ability to cope, I'm sure, and to be honest I don't blame him, but I'll really try for this..."

The ghost of a smile flashed across his features as he remained upright. "Is Caden still here?," he asked now. "Yes," Archie responded, waving a paw over in the albino pine marten's direction. She was rather surprised that he was taking this so well, but of course she knew that Cerinus could be the most unpredictable of creatures at times.

[bookity101]

Caden looked at Elle. "I feel sorry for Carrow....he doesn't seem to be able to stand up too well to pain. I wish I could see him before I leave but I gotta go. I guess I'll see him at training though. Hey....it was really nice to meet you." He said, giving her a small smile. "I'll give my letters to your brother, and write you as often as I can." He told her. "I promise.....Oh and maybe I can visit too before I have to leave." he added, thinking of that last minute.

Elle smiled and nodded. "Okay, I'm sure Elliot will be happy to pass them along... umm" She paused and looked around, spotting her aunt, who for once was completely busy entertaining some of her "friends" to worry about what her charge was doing.

"I don't think the visit will work out... My Aunt is kinda... strict." Elle smiled weakly at him.

"Hey, I think Cerinus is awake, let's go say hi." Elle snagged his paw and dragged him away, for the second time that night.

"Hey Cerinus, you feeling better?"
********

Luxe had abandoned his spot by the snack table, and made his out to the door.

"Commander Fugate!" He jogged up to carriage, nodding to the drunk, but focused on Fugate.

"Commander, I didn't catch what time I was supposed to report for training."