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Post by Ladorak on Apr 5, 2010 11:51:23 GMT -5
((Since Spendy is particular about details, here's an exact model of the Agamemnon ^^ www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/caldercraft_agamemnon_lrg.jpg))HMS Agamemnon, 64 gun third rate in His Majesty's Royal Navy, stood at dock, not anchored out in the bay. Her masts were bare of yards, and resembled lonely trunks in the winter. But the ship was far from inactive. Crew were scampering about like ants on a mound, going about the deck, breaking the yards out and retrieving the sails from the sail locker. There was no anchor to winch up today, unlike most of the ships out in the bay. There was a wide plethora of vessels lying at anchor, including the 100 gun three decker first rate HMS Victory, which would be serving as Admiral Hood's flagship on this venture. The other 100 gunner that was to be coming with them, HMS Welkania, stood close by, boats streaming out to her, taking the crews out to the vessel that would be their new home for the next who knew how many years. Agamemnon, being a 64, was one of the smaller of the ships in the fleet in terms of line of battleships went, with only the 50 gun fourth rate HMS Romney being smaller. But in spite of this, Agamemnon had earned a reputation as the fastest line of battleship in the fleet, as well as a heavy hitter, capable of throwing a 32 gun broadside off. Ladorak would have preferred a 74 but...you took what you got right? With a clattering of hooves and a rattling of wheels over cobblestones, the Captain's carriage rounded a corner and the horses clopped forward with a burst of speed, heading past a line of Marines stationed on duty along the dock and on the gangplank. The sun was out, partly obscured from time to time by clouds high in the sky that indicated clear sailing weather for days. Pulling to a halt, the Captain's carriage stood close to the gangplank, but did not block it from new crew members coming aboard. Opening a door for the commanding officer, the porter stood back and off to the side. "OK Caden....from now on the minute you step out of this carriage you're on your own. No more nepotism....no nothing. It's your life to live and I want you to make decisions best suited to your life. Your journey to Lieutenant begins the minute you set paw on the cobblestones outside. I have my own responsibilities to tend to on the ship, thus you need to watch out for your own hide. Is that clear?" The stoat's summer coat was far more pronounced now, still not fully in yet but getting close. The sun was blocked by a shade in the window of the carriage, throwing a dim light around everything. The albino nodded, gulping a bit. "Yeah...I know Ladorak. From now on it's Captain Fugate and only I can get myself to Lieutenant." "Right...but as a Volunteer Class I you do have permission to go onto the quarterdeck on your down time so....why not drop by in the morning? I normally do my workouts on the quarterdeck in the morning hours, so you're more than welcome to join me....and talk about what's on your mind if you want." The albino smiled, relieved to hear this. "Thanks Ladorak...I'll do that." "Good luck son....knock 'em dead." he reached over and gave Caden a light punch on the knee, to which Caden replied by grinning. "Go and see the Boatswain and get checked in. His name's Joseph King and he served as my Boatswain on the Boreas....best bloody Boatswain I've ever had. Remember to address him as sir and to pick up your hammock, mattress, blankets, pillow, and slops." Slops were clothing worn by regular seajacks. They were normally a plain white shirt and striped pants. The hammocks were free, the blankets, pillow, mattress and slops came out of the new recruits' paychecks, but if you were lucky you wouldn't have to buy them again on the same voyage. The first two hammocks were free of charge, every hammock you had to buy after that was charged to the paycheck of the seajack. "Will do. Thanks....Ladorak." He still didn't use the term "dad" yet, as he didn't feel completely ready, but when the time came he would open up fully to the stoat and consider him a parent. Jumping onto the cobblestones, the marten kit exited the carriage. Ladorak turned to Molly Serra now, his favorite jill of late (and really the only one he had been seeing on a regular basis since he'd run into her at that gala a few months ago). "I look rather dashing with two epaulettes on don't I? No more unbalanced uniform." He was tempted to cup her head with his paws, but knew how she was about being touched....at least in public. He wasn't sure if a carriage with an open door counted as public or private. "Before I step aboard....well I have to see Admiral Hood first. He's hanging around here or so I hear. But before that....I would like to speak with you about something very important Molly Serra. It's um....something I've been wanting to know for a bit of time but have never gotten around to asking you yet." He gave her a small smile, and remained seated, knowing there was no rush to get aboard. Caden, after having stepped outside, marveled at how big the ship looked from this distance. He strode past a row of red coated Marines, standing at attention and acting as dockyard security and protection for the Captain and Admiral, when the latter was around, which he was. Two Marine sentries were posted at the foot of the gangplank, and at the top were the Boatswain and his mates, busy checking recruits in and getting them their hammocks and other supplies. The First Lieutenant was present as well, as it was his job to make sure check in went smoothly and that all beasts were in their proper place. OK....first step was to see the Boatswain. Jal Joseph King. From here, Jal King looked to be a pine marten, like himself. Though unlike himself, King was not an albino. Opening his mouth to gulp in the sea air, the kit happily charged forward, hopping over a coil of rope that was resting on the stoned street. "Hahah!" he exclaimed, feeling energy jolt and surge through his body, bringing new life to him as he stopped his running in front of the Marines at the gangplank. Hmm.....where were Carrow and Elliot? Well....OK Spender too. He was sure they were close by, and decided to hang back and bit and not board the ship until they got here. Mostly out of courtesy to his friends, but also because he didn't want to get aboard alone just yet. Off to the side he could see a opossum Admiral with his entourage, patiently waiting for Captain Fugate to show up on the scene. The entourage were mostly Captains and aides, but there was one Captain in particular who seemed to stick out. He was shorter than the rest, a weasel by species. He had a rather boyish face, youthful looking, despite being 36 years of age. He lacked that rugged and weathered look that had hewed Ladorak's features, and a tuft of fur on his head stuck up and out above his eyes in a very particular manner. To describe it one would use poofy perhaps. He was Captain James Saumarez, of the 36 gun frigate HMS Crescent, and he normally wouldn't be around Admiral Hood save for that his presence had been specifically requested. He wasn't even supposed to be part of the fleet that was sailing today, but once again, was receiving a special, unknown request. He would be learning about said orders when Fugate showed up, but not before. The group spent the time swapping stories and giving polite laughs here and there. Unnoticed by many, their purpose would be revealed in due time....
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Post by Carrow on Apr 5, 2010 13:01:43 GMT -5
The call to set sail had come quicker than even Cerinus had expected. Good grief, he thought, they're really not wasting any time are they? The young mouse had been shocked by the look on Archie's face when he'd come down to greet her for breakfast. The look in her eyes had said, it's time, and such a speedy developed had completely stunned the Dibbun. He had rushed through breakfast and gathered a few things to bring with him, all set to leave.
Just before he'd set paw outside the door, however, the weasel had placed her gentle on his shoulder. She'd turned the rodent around and embraced him, slght tears eveident in her eyes. "There's nothing I can say to you without repeating myself," she'd told him in tremulous tones. "You know how hard it's going to be, but you never once thought of backing out. I'm proud of you for that, my little mousey." One paw that was around the wood mouse was closed. Archie was hiding something. Said something was dropped silently into the little bag that Carrow had made up for himself.
"There's a... little something to remember me by," she told him. Cerinus broke off their embrace, smiling at her. He was dry-eyed, strangely. You'd think he'd have been the one weeping, particularly now that everything was happening so fast, but the mouse had taken a certain creature's words to heart, and was acting upon them already. "I don't know if I'll ever see you again, so I just want you to know know that I love you and I'm grateful for everything you ever did for me. Goodbye, Jis Mustela." He bid her a formal farewell.
Then, the mouse turned and went outside. Now, where had he been told the docks were from here? Pull yourself together, the mouse told himself, you know where you're going, it's just the nerves that have you on edge. And indeed, the mouse did know where he was going. He set off, every bit as conflicted as he'd felt when he'd returned home the previous day, but he somehow felt alright that way. It's who I am, he told himself, and something like that will always be there.
He made it about halfway to the docks, chin up and eyes focused on the road ahead of him (in more ways than one), when his curiosity overcame him. He reached into the bag, which contained the few possessions he had brought with him, among them a deck of cards that Archie had also contributed, and felt around until he felt his paw touch something. It was cold to the touch, and from what he could see its surface glittered and twinkled. Instantly, the youngster knew precisely both what it was and what it could be used for. Archie to the rescue again, he thought, smiling.
Soon, the docks came into view, and with every step, Carrow somehow felt more lighthearted. He was casting all that aside and setting off into the unknown. As before, the spirit of adventure appealed to him, now stronger than ever before. All those years spent depressed, closed off to the world, lonely and in pain. He could never forget what it was that in a way had brought him here, but he could at least put it out of his mind for now. He'd have a thousand other things to think of, after all.
Okay, so I'll have to report to the Quartermaster at some point - I don't even know who that is. Oh well, I have to see the Boatswain first I... think... suppose I'll be pointed in the right direction... wait, is that Caden I can see? The rodent broke out into a grin as he spotted his pine marten friend. With a fresh burst of speed, he made straight for the albino.
He rushed up to him, all smiles now. "Well, hello there, matey!," he exclaimed, now just purely excited. He looked around a little, marvelling at the sight of 64-gunner. "Great seasons, she's quite the ship. What do you reckon?" He felt a surge of energy well up within him, and he twirled on the spot, absolutely ecstatic about the adventure that awaited him.
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Post by bookity101 on Apr 6, 2010 0:02:55 GMT -5
Dawn was just beginning to break on the horizon as Elle silently opened the window in the hall. Dropping her bag out the window, she winced at the slight clank of the knives she had packed, as well as her own, rather large, sewing kit. Knowing that she was going to be apprenticed to someone who sewed all the day, but the patches on her own clothes would have to be taken care of personally, no way was someone else going to be pawing her clothes. Elle was about to follow the bag out the window when she felt a paw on her sleeve.
"Where ya going Ellie?" Elle looked down at her youngest cousin. The six year old was rubbing sleep from her eye's, looking up at her in the moonlight while she clutched her favorite stuffed animal. It was almost to unfair... Elle got down from the window, knelling down in front of her.
"Hey Mila, sweetie," Elle rubbed her paw through the little girls curls. "What are you doing up this late at night?" Mila looked up at her,
"I'm going away for a... while sweetie." 'Oh nice one Elle, tell the kid where you're going why don't ya.."
"Going where Ellie?" Elle paused, how to explain this to a six year old... and not have her run directly to her parents??
"Um well, I'm going to meet some friends of mine down at the docks, we're going to..." Elle looked up, the other servants were going to begin waking up soon. "I won't be back for awhile sweetie, so you be good for Nanny Fon won't you?" Elle held up a claw to her cousin, "Promise me Mila." Mila looked up at her,
"Ok Ellie," She wrapped her small claw around Elle's "I pwomise." Elle smiled, kissed her on the top of the head, the sent her to her to room with a gentle push.
"Sleep well Mila." 'Tonight all those other nights I won't be around to help chase away the bad dreams sweetheart.' Elle grabbed her bedroll and extra clothe, throwing them out the window, silently this time. Elle followed her things out the window and down the tree. Landing quietly on the ground, she glanced back up at the open window, then had to smile. Risking the loud noise she called up.
"G'bye Mila!, Now go to bed!" Elle smiled, grabbed her things and trotted towards the dock, and into the sunrise....
30 minutes later, Elle arrived at the dock. She looked around the dock, then spotted the guy's. SHe was about to head over when she paused, taking a deep breath, she switched persons. Elle became Elliot, and then he headed over and joined them.
"Hey, do either of you know what we're supposed to be doing?" ***************
Luxe dropped his rucksack on the deck. 'Oh it's good to be at sea.' He grabbed his bag up again, heading towards the boatswain, actually following the striplings towards the boatswain. It would be easier than trying to find him on his own.
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Post by Ladorak on Apr 6, 2010 15:08:04 GMT -5
Caden's eyes brightened when he saw Carrow charging toward him through the crowded street. "Carrow!" he called out, waving to him to draw his attention. He hopped a bit, noting too the electric feeling that was uncontainable as they were about to ship out to sea. Well it figured the mouse would be the first to show up...and that Spender would probably be the last.
"Hey Carrow!" he exclaimed upon the mouse stopping in front of him. "We finally made it to departure day!" A clock was striking out the hour of ten ante meridiem, it's deep throated gonging creating a nice backdrop to the noise around them. " I can see you're just as excited as ever, heheheh." He backed up and gave the mouse some room as the rodent twirled about before him, a smile crossing his features in spite of himself. He shook his head as Carrow finished. "Yer crazy mate....but in a good way." Truth be told, Caden had rather wanted to do the same himself, but had held back when Carrow had approached.
His eyes moved over to the ship, admiring its lines and the sun playing off the recently polished and painted wood. Ladorak had always painted his ships yellow and black, giving them the appearance of a wasp or hornet, and the effect was impressive to say the least. Some Ferlusan vessels followed this pattern, though Rosferia by and large did not.
"She's good enough I think. I can't imagine what it's like to live on a giant three decker. Close to a thousand crew on those things. I prefer the 500 mark. Five hundred's enough to live with for now. Hey! There's Elliot!" his pink eyes had caught his fellow marten wandering over from the side streets, and waited for the young "jack" to draw up to them.
Caden listened to Elle's question and ventured an answer. "I can tell ye. First we gotta see the First Lieutenant and the Boatswain. They'll check us in and give us our hammocks, mattress, pillow, blankets and slops. Um....slops are our clothing by the way. So then we bring all our stuff down to the gundeck and set up down there, change into our slops, and get ready to work. As soon as the Captain steps aboard we'll be on duty. Um....we're on the larboard watch, so that means we'll be on duty for at least two hours. Until noon. Then we get to break for dinner. Chances are we'll be getting the ship out to sea then eating once we've got a good speed going. After that....if I remember correctly, we get mostly leisure time the rest of the day with one more watch before bedtime. Keep in mind we only get four hours of sleep tonight, so hope you all had a good rest before coming here today."
He grinned, pausing for breath after that explanation. "I don't think I'll be sleeping much my first night out anyway. Mmmm, I wonder where Spender is." the active marten looked around, trying to spot the ferret in the crowd. "I have a hankering to get up that gangplank now and get checked in, but what do you fine chaps say? Should we wait for Spender or just get aboard?" Caden would leave it up to a group vote....after all they were going to be in a mess together, with perhaps Spender joining them as well.
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Post by Carrow on Apr 6, 2010 18:00:14 GMT -5
Cerinus was quivering slightly with the anticipation of it all. "You're dead right I'm excited, mate. I can't imagine any of this, to tell you the truth. I feel like I'm dreaming, and any moment now I'll wake up and be back home. I still can't quite get my tail around all this. Everything's happening so fast, but you know what? I don't care in the slightest!"
The mouse spotted 'Elliot' soon after his pine marten friend had alerted him to the mustelid's approach. "Hello there Elliot!," he called cheerfully, delighted to see him. He then listened to 'his' question, and shook his head slightly. "Well, I do, but only to an extent. I'm guessing that Caden knows what he's about, so I'll just let him fill us in."
The rodent listened to his companion speak, making mental notes as he did so. Right, so they did indeed have to report to the Boatswain. He'd been half right, it seemed, as the First Lieutenant would be involved in the checking-in process too, from the way Caden put it. Okay, and then we get set up. Hammocks, mattress, pillow, blankets... slops? Ah yes, hold on, they're our clothes!
He wasn't used to hearing the word used in such a context is all. No time to get sidetracked, pay attention, pay attention... Alright, then we go to the gundeck and get changed into our new gear. I'll be ready to work then, and as soon as Ladorak... er, Captain Fugate (must start thinking of him like that!) shows up, we're on duty. Got it!
Had he had a good rest? Carrow had had a perfectly good rest, as he'd thought today would have been another normal day. In a way, this suited him perfectly, as the mouse could be quite a heavy sleeper when he was worn out, as he had been after the events of the previous day. He was absolutely raring to go, and in top form too.
So when Caden mentioned the larboard watch, the youngster merely smiled. "Oh, I don't mind all that, of course. I'm not even sure I'll be able to sleep tonight anyway, so that suits me down to the ground. We'll be on duty relatively soon then, and after that, most of the rest of the day is our own? Sounds quite good to me.
"But yes... now to other matters..." Less pleasant ones, Cerinus thought. He couldn't help but dislike that... ferret. "I reckon that the right thing to do, much as I'd like to hop aboard right now and leave him to his own devices, is wait for Spender to turn up, if he even does. We might not get along well - or at all - with him, but we should still be polite. That's my take on it anyway."
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Post by spender on Apr 6, 2010 20:23:41 GMT -5
There is something mothers are compelled to do to their children. It is a mathematical formula which takes into account the business of a street, the amount of peers around direct line of sight, and how much saliva to lather onto their paw before brushing their son's headfur around into a damp cowlick. Spender tried to keep his footing, to keep his entire body stoic about it, but his mother's paw rubbed his scalp so hard he swayed like a willow in a stiff breeze, and he stumbled a bit at the end of each swipe.
"Well if you just wouldn't put cheese in your hat, dear," she grumbled, rubbing the last spot with the tips of her claws. "And remember to take your flea baths regularly, look, I've got another one. Don't forget now! I've packed two bottles of shampoo in your bag, so there's no excuse."
"Oawww, muuuuuuuuuumm."
Vulpera glanced up at the crowd, trying to spot any official Navy-types. Clinging to her dress behind her, Spender's sister Erinpura giggled at his misfortune. Spender tried in vain to dry out his head and rub the fur back the right way. In the end, all he could do was ram his cap back on and glower.
"Oh, look," Vulpera said, "isn't that Caden? You were telling me about him... he doesn't look like a bully... but my, hasn't he grown. Come on, then."
Spender dragged his luggage with a sigh. The only thing worse than being stuck with Caden and Cerinus and their random beech marten companions was being forced to go talk to them by a well-meaning parent. Apparently if you told a mother that you utterly loathed somebeast, their first instinct was to go over and be chatty with them.
Erinpura was making faces. Spender made faces back. Erinpura stopped and stared straight ahead, allowing an important-looking weasel in a suit to bear the brunt of Spender's contorted muzzle. Much to Erin's disappointment, the weasel barely glanced at Spender before moving off again.
"Hello there, Caden," Vulpera said, hauling her children along behind her. "Do you remember me? My, I haven't seen you for years. You're so grown-up now! Very proper looking, too," she added approvingly. "Spender, say hello to your friend."
"'lo."
"So, I take it Spender's part of your little group, then?" the ferretwife asked, smiling happily at all the little ones. "I'm so glad he's finally found some friends to be with."
Spender was trying to do a turtle impression inside his shirt. Erinpura fixed her nose on Elliot and was sniffing, going a bit cross-eyed at the effort. At three years younger than her brother, Erin was around the same age as the beech marten.
"I never seen'd a marten like you afore," she said, in an utterly adorable country drawl, "Yer colours are all different." She fluttered her eyes. "'s cute. I wish'd I could come on the big boat..."
~ ~ ~
"Before I step aboard....well I have to see Admiral Hood first. He's hanging around here or so I hear. But before that....I would like to speak with you about something very important Molly Serra. It's um....something I've been wanting to know for a bit of time but have never gotten around to asking you yet."
Molly tried not to wince. So soon? But she wasn't ready yet! Well... she was ready. But she wasn't drunk. Making a decision in the depths of sleepless nights was a far cry from announcing it.
The stoat jill giggled a bit. She was just panicking. He was probably going to ask her something about when the last time she sailed was, if she still knew her way around a ship, or... something of that nature. Please let it be...
She smiled and held his paws. "Yes?"
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Post by Ladorak on Apr 6, 2010 22:05:40 GMT -5
Ladorak stepped down from the carriage, keeping his paws in Molly's so as to help her get down as well. Her dress was rather voluminous, and he didn't want her catching it on anything. He caught her giggle. It was rather infectious...as always. He couldn't help but smile, as her own beaming features reassured him.
"I wanted to ask you....would you consider....a relationship with me? A committed one. One where I..." he paused. Could he really go through with this? He felt his knees get a tad weak, but he kept his arms strong in order to support her. "Where I'd consider you as a potential mate. One I'd spend the rest of my life with....I'm not asking anything yet of course....I just....well you see my paw is somewhat being forced. For diplomatic reasons some of us...and by us I mean Captains....are being considered for an arranged marriage with a Ferlusan Princess....but only if we're single of course. I currently am and well.....I'm not sure it sits well with me. I've had....trouble in keeping relationships in the past....but I wanted to know how you felt."
He cleared his throat, hoping he was coming off in a manner that didn't sound too confused. "Molly....I have a past with you. Every time I ever try and well...make a commitment it always ends up falling through. I know your fears about such a thing.....you've never really been a commitment sort of jill. Well...I've had problems making commitments stick myself. But...you do mean a lot to me too. More so that if I had to choose between an arranged marriage and you well....I'd pick you. But....only if you're comfortable with and capable of making at least the kind of commitment I'd put forth to you. I'm sorry I had to spring this on you now. I just...I want to know how you'd feel about...trying this sort of thing. I'm not saying we're jumping into anything major....I just want to know how you'd feel about....at least giving commitment a try."
He looked at her with longing, and it was clear he was hoping she would be fine with this. Molly Serra could possibly be THE one for this down on his luck jack when it came to dating. It was hard to believe he'd had two spouses already....in the space of only ten years. That was what most would consider socially unacceptable, but Ladorak didn't care. He'd just not found the right one yet. Was it Molly Serra? Time would tell....but first steps first. He swallowed, awaiting her answer...
***************
Caden was a bit surprised to see Vulpera here. Well....he didn't remember her name, only that she was Spender's mother. And was that...his sister. His family was here to see him off? SPENDER having family here to see him off? Talk about awkward.
"Oh...hey Jis....." what was her last name again? What was her first name for that matter? "Spender's mom." he finally said, unable to recall for the life of him. "I uh....don't really remember you too well." he said a bit bashfully, hoping she wouldn't mind this. "I was only about two or so back then." Caden had heard Ladorak read the name out at training but...what the heck was it? Sielle......socks? Sosk? Something socks?
Bloody foreign names....sounds more Rosferian than Welkin or Imperium. "Thanks though." he said, in response to her telling him he looked proper. Caden had a sack with him, though not much was in it. He set it down now to give his shoulder a bit of a rest.
He gave Spender a puzzled look when the ferret muttered a very soft "lo". Turning his eyes back up to Vulpera, he nodded. "Well Spender's gonna be part of our mess, so he'll be eating with us and such. We were getting ready to head aboard, was um.....nice to see you again." I guess....if I could only remember you. "You ready Spender.....old chum?" he sort of muttered those last words, but kept up at least a polite facade for Vulpera's sake.
He wondered what it was that Erinpura meant by sniffing in Elle's direction. Caden hadn't hit puberty yet, so his sense of distinguishing a jill hadn't really been developed through his sense of smell, but Erinpura was around Elle's age, and she seemed to be having little trouble picking up on....something along those lines, though Caden suspected none of it.
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Post by Carrow on Apr 7, 2010 6:56:10 GMT -5
Cerinus had to admit that he was generally rapidly losing patience with Spender, but when he saw the ferret being accompanied by his FAMILY of all creatures he could be seen with, he knew that from here on out, the mustelid would be like a briar. However, Carrow was finally starting to stand up for himself after all these years, and he told himself now that if Spender so much as tried to provoke him, he would DEFINITELY call it like he saw it.
The normally mild-mannered and polite rodent had taken just about as much as he could stand of Spender's stick, but he hoped that it wouldn't have to come to any sort of verbal jousting, as he didn't like having to take any kind of fight to a beast, but he could just see it happening eventually, and had long since resigned himself to that fact. With in-fighting of any kind certain to get the creatures involved thrown off the ship - quite possibly literally - he was safe in the knowledge that the ferret wouldn't try anything in these circumstances. He wouldn't go out of his way to make the first move and antagonise him; it wasn't his style.
"Hello, Spender," he murmured, smiling at the ferret in a friendly manner. He didn't want to make it seem like he was getting along great with him, obviously because, well, he wasn't, but any overenthusiastic greeting would surely send the wrong signals to his mother, and then probably have repercussions of some sort for him later. He imagined the bully as the kind of creature who didn't take kindly to what he would refer to as 'being shown up'.
"All set, then, matey?," he continued, his voice never really rising above softness. He knew this moment was awkward enough for the ferret as it was (and it was with a little smile that Carrow watched Spender writhing in his jumper, clearly wishing he weren't there - and especially not with Cerinus and company. It wasn't exactly rocket science after all), so he was rying his absolute hardest not to irritate him further, even though he'd thought about doing the exact opposite when he'd first seen him.
As it was, though, the wood mouse valued his life... well, he did now at least, and didn't want to risk anything unpleasant that might lead to his being kicked off HMS Agamemnon before they'd even set sail. So he fell silent after that, just standing there and watching the scene before him, an innocent bystander who was just hoping he could survive his first day on board without having to worry about being battered by Spender - because it was quite clear that there was a snowball's chance at Hellgates of the patently unlikeable creature paying heed to rules of any sort.
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Post by spender on Apr 7, 2010 8:26:54 GMT -5
Vulpera smiled - a little sadly, perhaps - down at Caden. And then shot a frown at her daughter.
"Erin, stop sniffing like that, it's not polite. Have fun, then, dears," she said. "Don't forget to write to your families."
Oops. Should she have said that around Caden? Seige hadn't told her much, and Spender had only complained, so she didn't know the least bit about how he had come to be here. But she was definitely glad the kit had grown up to be a respectable sort.* Considering the fate of his parents, it was almost a miracle...
"All set, then, matey?"
"Yeh," Spender said, starting to tug his luggage away. As the other three started to set off, the stripling ferret lagged behind. One of them noticed and turned, probably about to ask him what was up or berate him for slowing them down. Before they could, he held up a paw.
"Jus' a minute. I'll catch up..."
Leaving his luggage, Spender dashed back the scant distance to where his mother and sister stood waving. A few words were exchanged, unheard by the trio, and then the stripling wrapped his arms around his mother's waist and... yes, now she was bending down to hug him back, and even his sister flailed a paw at his shoulder in an awkward attempt at showing affection to a brother who had most likely hung her out a window by her ankles at some point of her life. Spender bit her and scuffled her ears, then turned and trudged back to Caden, Elliot and Cerinus. Erinpura grinned as the two females hurried on to do other errands.
The ferret was glaring daggers at the trio as he picked up his luggage again. Just as they turned on their way, a youthful shout rose about the crowd:
"WE LOVE YOU SPENDY! DON'T FORGET'D TH'SHAMPOO!"
"One word," Spender said through bared teeth. "Go on. Say jus' one word..."
* Spender telling her that Caden was a bully was the fastest way for her to realise that Caden was, in fact, just someone who had the patience not to get in a fight with her son.
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Post by Carrow on Apr 7, 2010 9:35:48 GMT -5
Vulpera knew absolutely nothing of Cerinus, but the mouse had to admit that her advice stung him a little. He didn't have any kind of family left after all. But he put the thought out of his mind just as quickly as it had come into it. No sense concentrating on things like that, especially not at a time like this.
He watched all of this public display of affection in silence. To be honest, he didn't particularly care at all about how Spender's family wanted to react to him leaving. And he wasn't going to pass comment on what he'd just seen either. The ferret's response to his query had been short, and rather impatient to boot. Something that said, Tread very carefully around me, or else.
He was catching up with the trio of companions now, and Carrow was the first to acknowledge the bullying mustelid once he had done so. He tipped his brown flat cap, smiling slightly at him. At the same time, however, the Dibbun wood mouse's friendly demeanour concealed quite well his contenpt of the ferret. He was not going to make the first move, no matter how much he wanted to.
Instead, he said not a word to him, ignoring him as he thought it was the best thing to do. Spender wasn't exactly the nicest beast to converse with at the best of times, after all, and Cerinus knew better. He turned to Caden, and asked him, "So, we'll be getting aboard fairly soon, then? The gang's all here, after all." Spender, he thought, you don't like me, and I, while having tried my best otherwise, am not all that fond of you either, but I warn you: do not make an enemy of me. There had been something of an uneasiness in the rodent's expression when he'd spotted the ferret ealier, but also a sort of resolution, and he hoped he'd caught it - for both their sakes.
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