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Naples
Sept 14, 2010 23:00:52 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Sept 14, 2010 23:00:52 GMT -5
Caden beamed at this. "Sure I could help! I've already got several ideas after all. In fact...I think Ladorak's got some naval background in his family history. I'm not positive on it, but it would be interesting to find out. I think he's mentioned it on both his mother's and father's side. Hey...Ladorak!"
Caden wandered over to the table, where it seemed Ladorak was trying to help Willard clean himself up. The stoat glanced over his shoulder. "Didn't you say you had famous naval commanders in your family's history? What were the names?"
"Oh...well yes...famous to an extent. Both families had the rather odd distinction and ignominy of producing heroes and well...officers who managed to get into controversies as well. I still stand by my mother's side though. The controversy on that end well...we suffered more at the paws of rivals trying to sully the name of competent officers than anything else. But yes let's see...my mother's maiden name was Matthews...and her mother was the sister of Admiral Thomas Matthews. Had his name ruined by that horrendous subordinate of his, Richard Lestock. As for my father well..."
Here Ladorak paused from what he was doing with Willard. "Well let's see if I can remember this correctly...I know he's descended from George Byng, the first Viscount Torrington, famous for his victory at Cape Passaro. But I'm trying to think of how far back that goes...because Admiral Byng had...oh bother...fifteen children I think, eleven of them males. Only two of his sons received the Viscountcy however...it didn't pass to my father. So let's see...of the eleven sons...one of them was my father's father...so my grandfather. Fortunately it wasn't John Byng...the one who got himself shot in that nasty court martial business...and then he had my father...who changed his name to Judaken to avoid the controversy associated with his uncle. Took no pride in his heritage as a Byng I suppose. Always believed in being a self-made jack. So yeah...George Byng would be my....great grandfather. Admiral Matthews would be my great uncle."
Ladorak nodded, having been lost in thought and looking up at the sky for past several moments. "So you see Caden...the name Fugate isn't really a family name at all...it's the name I picked for myself when I grew up without my parents. I suppose I could legally change it to Byng, or Judaken...but neither really have the ring with Ladorak that Fugate does. It's a dynasty I'm hoping to found on my own...and well...you've taken up the mantle, for which I appreciate you for. And you'll carry on my name someday...appropriately enough."
The stoat smiled down at his ward, who smiled back. Ladorak only hoped Willard would not get down on his knees and start worshiping Ladorak now as a descendant of the great George Byng. The Matthews name well...IF Willard knew about Thomas, it would depend on how the weasel viewed him. Thomas had been court martialled and stripped of his rank after the Battle of Toulon almost fifty years ago. Ladorak always believed his mother's assertion that Admiral Matthews had been a competent (if not a bit hot headed) commander whose name had been ruined by his treacherous subordinate Lestock, who got off free and clear and then died a few years after. As far as Ladorak knew, Lestock had failed to engage the enemy at Toulon, and had made Matthews look exceedingly bad out of his spite for him. There were Lestock supporters (claiming Matthews was incompetent, hot tempered, and incapable of making good decisions) and there were Matthews supporters (who shot back that Lestock was a real cur for having willingly disobeyed orders in combat, was a power hungry runt, and that Matthews was in fact very competent but ruined by Lestock's disobedience), but Ladorak stuck by his family's version of events, naturally. That and an examination of how the battle had progressed. The facts at least seemed to clear Matthews's name.
Whether Willard had done any reading on the War of the Kostritz Succession or not and Admiral Matthews was unknown, but surely he knew about the Byngs. Their rise to fame started with the Nine Years' War, and culminated in George's greatest battle during the War of the Quadruple Alliance, almost eighty years ago now.
"Right...got it! Thanks...dad." Caden said, hesitating but briefly on using the word. Returning to Carrow's side, the marten began speaking a lot lower now. "So yeah...maybe we could find something that has to do with his ancestors. You could help me with that. It doesn't have to be anything big...sort of like that small ship that Elliot got me. But yeah...what do you think?" the albino asked, making sure he kept his voice low so that Ladorak couldn't hear.
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Naples
Sept 14, 2010 23:42:38 GMT -5
Post by bookity101 on Sept 14, 2010 23:42:38 GMT -5
Elle was enjoying her ice cream, not being able to help a slight snicker at Willard's expense... poor guy must have never had ice cream. Not that Elle had had the treat often, she had watched other beasts eat it often enough she knew not to rush eating it.
"Jal Waters, you have to eat it slowly." A smile and a wink to the weasel, and she turned back to her ice cream, dipping out only a small portion and enjoying it. She looked up as Caden and Carrow rejoined them, just in time too, as everyone seemed to be finishing up. Those two seemed to be enjoying there little powwow. She herself had just finished with her dish when she heard something. A voice she never thought she would hear again... at least that Eliot thought he would never, EVER.
"Ellie, Ellie is that you!?" Elliot spun around to see someone who hadn't been seen by any McNamee family member since her marriage to to a Calgarian merchant thee seasons ago. The she in question is Jane Dugan*, formerly Janey McNamee, eldest cousin in the McNamee clan, and also the only one who actually like or appreciate the once lonesome martin. But now... she was the only one who could/would reveal who she was... to everybody....!
"Janey!" Elliot flew across the area that divided them, wrapping her arms around Janey's waist. After a quick hug, she tugged her eldest cousin down to her level.
"Please, please, please! Janey, for all those times I let Eddy into the house after hours, call me Elliot and play along!!" Elle glanced over her shoulder, hopefully no one had heard what she had almost hissed at her cousin.
Janey straightened, and smiled in the direction of the beasts that Elle had been sitting with. This would be fun, and she did owe her younger cousin... for that, she would play along...
******
Luxe smiled a little at Zephyr's acceptance. She did seem to be slightly upset at him... he had no clue why she was upset, but she was.
"Well, ice cream seems like a logical thing." The stoat smiled as he pointed to all of the striplings who were enjoying the treat Then a stroll around the market," This time he pointed to the many different booths. "... and maybe some shopping." He spread his paws. "You can decide."
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Naples
Sept 15, 2010 3:20:59 GMT -5
Post by Carrow on Sept 15, 2010 3:20:59 GMT -5
Carrow met the albino's suggestion with a broad smile. "That's an absolutely capital idea, Caden! Granted, you'd have to fill me in a little in his family history," he replied, doing likewise and conducting his side of the conversation in hushed tones, "but I'm sure we can sort something out. I'm glad I didn't spend any money back in Crittenden, because it means I can just go with whatever we pick out between us, and not have to worry about being unable to afford it, in all but the most expensive cases... for once," he added sheepishy.
The mouse had never been well off, but he did indeed still have all his pay that he'd received when the Agamemnon had docked in Crittenden a little over three months back. In that time, he had suffered no cut hammock-related rude awakenings, so had not found it necessary to pay for anything he didn't immediately need. It was appropriate that the rodent should now be so careful with money after living most of his life with scarcely any. He wasn't one to fritter away his earnings in the blink of an eye, that was for sure.
"But that won't happen anyway, because, like you said, it'd be best if we got him something small. I'm going to keep all my options open, though... basically going to see how things turn out," he murmured, grinning. He knew that a creature like Ladorak would appreciate any gift, no matter what it was, but the wood mouse would buy anything he could afford, because he was of the opinion that the stoat deserved it. He wasn't yet sure what that thing would be, but that was where his pine marten companion came in.
The two close friends had now rejoined the rest of the group, and Carrow was surprised to see an unfamiliar face in their midst. It soon dawned upon him that the creature he saw was an older, female, beech marten. Very likely to be one of Elliot's relatives, he thought. This was certainly unexpected, but he was nonetheless pleased to see her. The two mustelids continued conversing as mouse and pine marten approached. The Dibbun was rather glad to see Elliot again, and he made this known to him by giving the younger beech a small smile.
Turning his attention to the newcomer, he spoke, his voice soft as per usual. Carrow was a naturally soft-spoken mouse, a trait that had both advantages and disadvantages - the main one being that it tended to mark him out as a shy creature. He couldn't deny that he was indeed shy, but his reluctance to make himself heard often made matters worse for him. "Hello," he murmured, angling his gaze upwards so he was looking into the jill's eyes. Eye contact, he told himself: always try to make eye contact, it'll be better for both of us.
Selvis had long since finished his ice cream. He had been absolutely famished, but he felt a lot better now that the delicacy had been dealt with. The longtail was naturally full of energy anyway, so he didn't need much by way of encouragement. He saw Caden padding along beside Carrow, and went over to the albino mustelid, catching his eye and smiling, shaking his head in wonderment. How was it that that mouse seemed to be so good at cheering others up, when he was so often inconsolable himself?
By now, the mustelid had rejoined the group, and was every bit as surprised as his long-tailed field mouse companion to see a stranger before them. He kept silent for the moment; normally he would have been the first to introduce himself to a newcomer, but in a strangely ironic turn of events, Carrow had actually been the first to speak. He glanced from the rodent, to Elle, to the... female beech marten. Assuming Elle had already taken certain necessary precautions, he nodded slightly in satisfaction, wondering how Carrow's introduction would be received.
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Naples
Sept 15, 2010 23:21:06 GMT -5
Post by bookity101 on Sept 15, 2010 23:21:06 GMT -5
Janey couldn't help but smile wider as the young mouse introduced himself to her.
"Hello there mousey." Janey looked over at Elle, nudging the younger martin forward. "Eliot, don't leave me hanging," She waved a paw towards the group around the table. "Introduce me to your friends now lad."
Elle smiled in thanks to the older martin as she turned to the introductions;
"Guy's, Captain." She added looking up at Ladorak. "This is my cousin, Janey Dugan, she moved here after she got married three seasons ago." She looked up at Janey with a smile. "She was the only one who even liked us while I was staying there...." Elle pointed to her friends as she introduced them.
"Janey, these are my friends. Caden Fugate, you might remember Elle's letter about him a while back. Carrow Apodemus, who is being strangely un-shy," A wink followed her statement. Elle couldn't help but be pleased with her friends boldness. "... Selvis Frenata, He's been helping me with my Ferlusan on the ship, Willard Waters, we just met recently, but he likes reading almost as much as I do! And last, but definitely not Ladorak Fugate," Here the young beech turned her gaze upwards to her cousin;
"He's the Captain of the Agamemnon." Janey turned her own brilliant smile to the company, fixing faces to names. The few times Elle had actually sent a letter out, it was to Janey. And the letter that talked about Caden, had been sent at the last port, on the way back to the ship she had remembered it... and as Janey recalled... it mentioned a certain albino martin in very glowing terms. Of course, the letter hadn't mentioned the pretending to be a lad... at all. Maybe now would be a chance to get to know more about these beasts she knew as names on paper...
"It's wonderful to meet you all!" Her smile grew even more, if that was possible, "How are you enjoying your visit to Calgary?"
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Naples
Sept 16, 2010 3:22:30 GMT -5
Post by Carrow on Sept 16, 2010 3:22:30 GMT -5
It was true that Carrow's natural shy disposition seemed to be on extended leave. Helping Caden through his rough time had given the young mouse a new lease of life, also helping to bring him out of his depressed state. He realised that, even a few months ago when he'd met Selvis, he hadn't been confident enough to make the first move. Now, though, things had changed, and the rodent knew he had to start taking the bull by the horns and making an effort. The crippling shyness that had seemed to define him a few months previously had all but vanished.
The older beech marten's referral to him as 'mousey' made Carrow smile slightly. It was an affectionate term, and one he was particularly fond of. Archie had used it all the time around him when attempting to comfort him when he'd been feeling low, and hearing it from the nrewcomer's mouth now immediately made his thoughts turn to the jill weasel for the briefest of moments. His ears twitched and tail swished delightedly as he received her friendly greeting. Right then and there, he knew that she was a creature very good at putting others at ease.
The wood mouse had taken to the older beech quite quickly, and he lowered his gaze soon after addressing her. He stood, shuffling his paws a little as Elliot introduced them all to her cousin, Janey Dugan; née McNamee, he assumed (and the 'male' beech's revelation that her cousin was married confirmed the youngster's suspicions. "Delighted to meet you," he said gently after introductions had been made. He hadn't been expecting to meet any new faces here at all. Another thing that could be considered ironic was that even though he was prone to bashfulness, the Dibbun loved to meet new creatures nonetheless.
Selvis stepped forward. His eyes found Janey's, and he smiled, long tail curling and uncurling before him (a sign of his pleasure at meeting somebeast new). "Hi there!," he exclaimed cheerfully. "As Elliot's said, I'm the one helping him with his Ferlusan, and I must say that he's doing quite well, even for a non-native speaker. He's excellent at picking things up too. While I don't really think I'm cut out to be a teacher of any sort, Elliot's an excellent student, you could say."
Janey put her next question to the group, and this time it was the longtail that answered first. "It's wonderful! Can't think of much that would make me enjoy being here any more than I do. It's nice and warm without being intolerable - for any creature; obviously, since I come from warmer climes anyway, I would be more equipped to deal with higher temperatures than the others - we've just had some delicious Calgarian ice cream, right before we met you in fact; and what's more, we're going to do some exploring later on! Isn't that right, Carrow?," he asked his mouse companion.
The long-tailed field mouse's deeper voice rose slightly, as before, to show his excitement about what was to come. "Absolutely! If you'd like to tag along with us, I'm quite sure we would all be delighted. You probably know this place like the back of your paw, right? You've been living here for... what did you say, three seasons now?," he commented, smiling a little. Having someone like her around, who actually knew the city, would certainly be useful. It was clear she'd be great company anyway, so he hoped she could indeed come with them for a little while.
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Naples
Sept 16, 2010 7:55:00 GMT -5
Post by spender on Sept 16, 2010 7:55:00 GMT -5
Willard was just a little bit in over his head. By about twenty fathoms.
The little weasel kept quiet, letting most of the excitement pass him by. His war with his ice cream was far from over; two napkin casualties, and he could see out of the corner of his eye that his whiskers were still sticking together. He brought a third napkin into the fray, using it to clean his ears as he fiddled with his whiskers. In the end, he decided to go all in, and twirled them together into an impressive handlebar mustache--it was absolutely ridiculous to see on a stripling of his age, but he was proud of it. He'd been told Captain Waters had put his whiskers in a mustache, and he'd always been wanting to try, but never had access to whisker wax, and wasn't about to waste oatmeal.
He listened intently as Ladorak recounted his lineage. Byng! The name rang a bell. Biiiiing!--Willard giggled to himself, and then frowned at the table. Giggling was for kits. Why did he feel so flighty all of a sudden?
But it was interesting, in a curious sort of way, why Ladorak didn't change his name back to Byng. Obviously it was within his right to. Why not take advantage of a famous name? Waters wasn't even part of Willard's bloodline--his older sister's father, but not his own. Yet he'd taken it, hoping to keep the integrity and legend of the name alive. Was Ladorak somehow disappointed in his heritage? Willard felt it wasn't his place to ask...
He was just finishing getting the last of the ice cream out of his fur when Elliot's cousin showed up. He fixated his eyes firmly on the edge of the table, not raising them even as Elliot introduced him. He knew this was extremely rude. He would make it up to the martens later. Maybe. But right now, he needed to be back on the ship. It wasn't just a desire, but an absolute fact: If he didn't get back, something terrible would happen.
If indeed it hadn't already.
Slipping out of his chair, the little weasel scurried behind Ladorak and tugged the stoat's sleeve.
"Captain, sir, is it time to go back to the ship yet?" he asked, his voice trembling and quiet. To the Captain, it must have seemed that Willard was simply being overly shy in regards to meeting Elliot's cousin. "I have... duties... to attend..."
He frowned as he realised that, no, there wasn't really anything he should be doing on the ship. This just made him more frantic. He needed to be doing something. He had to work. It was bad enough he'd been treated to ice cream. What had he done to deserve that? Nothing! Why should he get something delicious (if painful and entirely too cold) when his mother and sister were back in Welkin, struggling to survive? It wasn't fair. It wasn't right. None of this was right. He had to go back to work. If only to pretend he was making a difference...
No. Not pretend. Know. His world was one of absolutes. If he wasn't part of the solution, he was part of the problem. Resting on his haunches just meant he was making things worse for everyone. He couldn't stand that.
He should have never let them convince him to leave the ship. Such a big, big, big mistake...
He glanced back at Janey and Elliot, and felt his heart tear in three distinct pieces.
The caped weasel peered out from behind the fruit crate.
"A larger group than I expected," he murmured. "I count five... the weasel, the yellow-ish stoat, the skinny rat, the mink and the marshmallow. Plus the bigger stoat in the uniform. He must be their leader. And now there's another mink! Char, we are outnumbered."
"Aye, guv."
"We're going to try a Bellowing Rooster."
The scraggly rat's face paled. "But..."
"No buts!" the weasel hissed. "Get into position. When I give the signal, do your part. Then I'll do mine. We'll take them down... ready? Find a good vantage point!"
The rat scurried off. The weasel sniffed haughtily, eyes watering as he wheezed in the manure cloud surrounding him, and vowed:
"I will meet you, Tall Handsome Stoat, and it shall be a Duel To Remember... say your goodbyes now, foreign cur! Your time has come... let us dance the dance of death! Tchkkk!"
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Naples
Sept 16, 2010 19:24:36 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Sept 16, 2010 19:24:36 GMT -5
"Nonsense Willard. You have no duties to attend to. You're on down time. Enjoy yourself...come on! No need to stress yourself out over constant work. Even I take time off every now and then. Why not enjoy yourself a little...forget about work...for now?" the Captain placed his paws on Willard's shoulders. "It's OK to do that when you have scheduled time off. Just relax."
The Captain straightened back up. He readjusted his uniform. Well...at least he wasn't a blasted redcoat. Sometimes Ladorak felt that the army was overly formal in such matters as dress coats and the like.
"Right..." he glanced briefly up at a clock on a nearby tower. "Time's passing...we need to be on our way. Need to meet with Sir William. Ahem...good to meet you Jis." he gave the cousin of...Ellie? Or Elliot? He gave her a polite nod and a smile.
Caden was the uncharacteristically shy one this time around. His pink eyes went wide when he heard Janey shout the name Ellie. Ellie? Really? It surely had to be a mistaken case of identity. Ellie wasn't here...and Caden could see how the mistake had been made. They were twins right? Probably, with the way they looked.
"It's nice to meet you." Caden said, a bit shyly. He was blushing at what he felt sure Elliot had told Janey of him. By now the whole McNamee family must know of him. It caused a thin smile to spread over his lips, an amused look briefly crossing his countenance.
"Right...you're welcome to join us if you please Jis." Ladorak spoke up now, nodding at Janey. "But I need to be heading to Sir William Hamilton's house. He's the Welkinite ambassador here and will be introducing me to King Ferdinand. We need to be moving along...but while we do." a smile crossed his lips now. "Why not entertain ourselves with a little game? That is...if all of us feel up to it. My ward's sudden interest in my naval past has got me feeling like a bit of trivia is in order. Come on...follow me."
Ladorak waved his paw, and Caden hurried to follow after the stoat, pulling up behind him, and drawing almost even. "How is your knowledge of the Welkin Navy's history?" he asked aloud, leading the way towards the inner city.
"I'm OK...I've studied a bit...I know the general gist of it." Caden said, smiling up at his father figure. He walked on his left. Ladorak looked behind him, making sure the rest were in tow.
"How about the lot of you? Selvis? Carrow? Elliot? Willard? And well...I suppose Jis Janey too...if she would like to play...which I have to determine if play is suitable or not judging by how much everyone thinks they know or feels confident they know. Willard?" he asked now, looking behind him again to see if the weasel was following or not. The poor fellow had looked as if he had been about to bolt back to the ship...and if he had...the stoat wouldn't blame him.
He'd realize that sometimes Captains needed to act as foreign representatives abroad. It came with the job. And they needed these reinforcements, even if they were taking some time off.
Caden suddenly found Ladorak's paw on his shoulder. Looking up once again, the albino was pleased to see the stoat gazing down at him. "While they chime in Caden...there's something I wanted you to know." He kept one ear turned as best he could to listen to the group behind him piping up, whilst his left ear was directed right at Caden. "Even though I have to work...I do wish to spend some time with you...and that I don't want you to feel alone again. I will protect you...I would defend you to the last breath in my body...as if you were my own son. Because Caden...I've never had the fortune of having children...and in a way I'm glad I got to skip all those young years...not sure how I'd pawdle them in all honesty." he said, giving a light chuckle, but keeping his voice down, so the conversation was more between the two of them.
"You're just the right age I think...and I can still watch you grow up as if you were my own. I meant what I said back there...I hope you do carry on the Fugate line...and I'm honored you registered under my name. I will look after you...even though it seems I haven't been spending much time around you...I have my job and all. But that doesn't change the fact that I came and got you from your situation...and hard as it was for you at first...I'm glad you've called me what you have...it means more to me than perhaps you know. If you see me as your father...I'll absolutely see you as my son. I would do anything for you Caden...anything to keep you safe. Don't feel like you aren't wanted or that you're some sort of freak. You aren't...and if you doubt everything...don't doubt how I care for you. That won't change."
Caden felt himself relaxing at these words. If Ladorak had seemed like a god before...well he was not only the kindest stoat Caden had ever met (for what a deed it had been to save him from that hell he had been living in before), but he was his guardian in so many ways. Caden wouldn't have to worry if he kept this in mind. He could take on anything...so long as he had Ladorak, who kept his ideals of friendship, self-identity and hope afloat. He had good friends like Carrow...and a loving parent figure in his life now. It was more than he could have hoped for growing up under Helandria.
Caden was terrible at expressing his emotions in times like this. He'd always held them bottled up inside and rarely expressed how he truly felt to others. "I...I'm not good at saying things...like this...but thanks...so much...Ladorak. For everything...for taking me in...giving me a home...and for...everything. I can't...I'm not good at this. I was raised to be very self-conscious...so...I can't always say what I'm feeling...but thanks so much...dad." The stoat's grip tightened a bit on his ward's shoulder, but that was all that was needed for Caden to know he was in good paws.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zephyr looked away, frowning a bit. "I don't really tend to shop much...never been into fancy dresses or trivial things, unless it had to do with keeping me alive...in which case it wouldn't be trivial. As for ice cream...if you're buying I suppose...though it looks as if they're starting to move away...guess that leaves the place to ourselves."
She sighed, placing her paws on her hips and looking up at the Armorer. "Why don't you decide? You're the boss on the ship...and either way I'm sure you have good taste in whatever it is you do on down time...so lead the way." she encouraged.
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Naples
Sept 17, 2010 7:35:35 GMT -5
Post by spender on Sept 17, 2010 7:35:35 GMT -5
No duties?! No duties?!
He knew he had no duties. But it shouldn't have hurt so much to hear the Captain say it aloud. The paw on the shoulder might as well have been a slap to the face.
The thing about forgetting about work was... once it was out of your mind, what did your mind fill itself with? In Willard's case, nothing pleasant. He had to think about work. He had to keep his paws busy. If he let slip just once, well... No, it wasn't that bad. But it was still worse than it ought to have been for a stripling of his age. He had the luck of knowing how to cope. But when his means of coping were whisked away in the name of fun and adventure, he felt hunted. His own conscience wouldn't allow it.
So as the rest of the group packed up and moved on, Willard found himself collecting the bowls and spoons from the table. He worked in a panic, wanting to do his best to keep the table clean, but not wanting to be left behind.
"Oh!" he said, seeing a ferret jill coming out to help clean up. "Here you go, Jis... Make sure to scrub them extra hard, some of the cream looks like it's dried on already... sorry about your napkins... have to go...!"
Panting, the weasel raced back to the group. He didn't like this direction! But there was no way he was going to try to find his way back to the ship by himself, especially without permission.
He just managed to catch Ladorak's questions to the group, and wondered if maybe the stoat was trying to specifically put him at ease by bringing the subject up. If so, it wasn't helping. His paws were twitching so badly, he'd wrapped them up in the hem of his shirt, and was trying desperately not to flash his white belly fur at the world, yet still keep them contained.
"I know a bit, sir," he said. I wanted to study more about it, but nooooo... "I've mostly been reading about regulations, though. I don't know if I'll remember much without my notes..."
Willard tried to catch Elliot's eye. He felt absolutely miserable for evading the marten's cousin earlier. It was too late now, of course, to go up and introduce himself properly. It was a choice between being slightly rude to someone he barely knew and being obnoxious and attention-grabbing in the presence of a whole group of creatures he had to live with for years, and that made for an easy, if uncomfortable decision. He did, however, try a little wave when he thought Janey had glanced at him. He immediately felt foolish, and tucked his paw back in his shirt.
He thought about all the dishes that would need organizing after supper, and felt a little better.
No! No, no, no, no, NO!
"They're on the move!" the weasel hissed. "After them!"
Of course Char couldn't hear him. Char was on the ground. And the weasel had taken the rooftops. That was the beauty of a Booster Rooster, or whatever he'd decided to call it. The target never knew what hit him, or indeed from which direction.
But although Char couldn't hear him, Char could see the target. He altered his course, snipping through the crowd. He dove down an alley, doubled back along a side road, and popped out again up ahead. His rump wriggled as he waited for Ladorak to step within range. Good! The stoat was at the head of the group...
Char glanced up. His companion was in place, poised to make the leap onto Ladorak's head from the corner of a roof. It was all up to him now... make the score!
Dashing out of his hiding place, the rat scurried across the road, on a direct collision course with Ladorak's footpaws. He lowered his head, bracing for impact...
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Naples
Sept 17, 2010 13:09:15 GMT -5
Post by Carrow on Sept 17, 2010 13:09:15 GMT -5
Carrow shook his head, smiling ruefully. The idea really did appeal to him. but he knew there was absolutely no point in bluffing and saying that he knew any bit more than he actually did - which was in fact, none at all. The mouse had, for all intents and purposes, gone 'blind' into his time on the Agamemnon. Whilst he had done some small amounts of research here and there, he'd never once thought to investigate the history of the Welkin Navy, and he wouldn't feel right partaking in something like this even if he had.
The shyness that was a characteristic of the young wood mouse had all but disappeared - at least for the moment - but his self-confidence was still much lower than it should have been, and he wouldn't have been comfortable with putting himself forward in this under any circumstances. "I wouldn't be any good at this, Ladorak, I have to be honest: I've hardly studied anything, in the grander scheme of things, much less about the history of our Navy, so I think I'll pass. Thank you for the offer though; perhaps I'll see whether or not I can get involved in other ways."
Selvis spoke up then. "I'm in the same position as Carrow, only for the fact that I wouldn't really be *expected* to know anything of the history of Welkin's Navy. I have to say that I did 'do my homework', as it were, in the run-up to me actually joining the crew, but not to a degree that would inspire enoughh confidence in me to want to take part in such a thing. I'll listen and pay attention, sure - creatures tell me I'm rather good at that - but I'll otherwise sit out and let others help in informing us two a little more."
He glanced at his rodent companion, and Carrow nodded, indicating that this would be the best course of action for him to take. "We really don't mind staying out of this," the mouse piped up. "In fact it'll probably be better now that we're not involved. Best to let creatures who know what they're doing pawdle things, I suppose you could say," he murmured, his bashful nature returning slightly as he lowered his gaze, glancing back down at his footpaws.
It was certainly true that either the mouse nor weasel had any qualms about their decision, but the two companions were opting out for entirely different reasons. Aside from a genuine lack of knowledge on the proposed subject, the long-tailed field mouse was reluctant to put himself forward for an entirely more personal reason. Whereas Selvis's hesitance to offer what little he knew of the Welkinite navy was due to the mustelid being more proficient, as it were, in the naval history of his own country, Carrow had realised that he needed to protect this happiness that had grown within him.
The youngster hated to make mistakes - as his friends had seen on numerous occasions - and this had led to the growth, deep inside him, of an unwillingness to volunteer for many things. He didn't want to show himself up by taking on something he had little to no clue about, especially so as to say that the Dibbun was 'happy' wasn't entirely correct. He felt content within himself, and reassured by the presence of certain creatures around him - above all, Caden, the pine marten who was now his lifeline - but this was a precarious balance, and one that could so easily be upset. He didn't want to destroy this happiness he felt. He had always viewed it as a fragile thing - much like how others saw him.
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Naples
Sept 17, 2010 21:58:23 GMT -5
Post by Ladorak on Sept 17, 2010 21:58:23 GMT -5
((slight auto on Zheep, just lemme know if I need to change it! I just assumed he'd jump as soon as Ladorak was hit...but he went the other way sadly so...yeah XD))
"Good, good. Well then...Carrow you may listen in. And Selvis...your history will be in here as well, so listen up. You may just nail a few questions. So..." the stoat cleared his throat to begin, but suddenly caught sight of a barreling figure hurtling out of the crowds, almost as soon as Caden did.
Gasping, the albino watched as Ladorak reacted...but not quickly enough. The stoat began stepping to his left, in the direction of Caden, and time seemed to slow as the rat struck Ladorak's right leg, knocking the stoat off balance...but not in the direction Zheep wanted. As it turned out, the stoat was pushed to his left, away from the building on the right that Zheep was atop of, and all the weasel would accomplish by his leap would be to land directly into yet another cart full of manure that was passing by at just the wrong time...which he promptly did, his body impacting with the soft sludge and making a slight sucking noise as he was swiftly buried. He had almost made it...and would have had Ladorak been shoved to the right.
Ladorak fell backward into a passerby, and speedily apologized to the poor fellow, embarrassed at what had occurred. Caden however, reacted rather rapidly. He threw himself at the rat, getting a choke hold about the rodent's throat and throwing him against the wall of the building that Zheep had plummeted from. "And what's the meaning of that huh!? You did that on purpose!" the albino shouted.
"Now Caden..." Ladorak had barely given any thought to the body landing in the manure cart, which was rumbling away from them as they spoke. It had seemed like an unrelated incident after all, and the stoat had been busy falling backward to take much notice. "Let's not overreact here. I'm sure it was an accident..."
"Wasn't! I saw him! He ran right for you!" Caden shook his head vehemently.
"And suppose he was running whilst looking at his paws? Let him go...it was just an accident...right?" the stoat Captain asked of the rat.
Caden relaxed his hold, but didn't let the rodent go yet. His free fist was clenched but not raised. Instead, it was poised in an under pawed manner, ready to race up and strike the soft belly of Char if he tried anything. Caden saw this as an attack on his guardian...and wasn't as trusting as Ladorak was.
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