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Post by Carrow on Dec 26, 2010 11:28:27 GMT -5
Selvis chuckled at Elle's reaction, noting how she seemed to be holding herself back from hugging him. he didn't mind either way, as it seemed she was abolutely chuffed with her gift, and that really was all he had been hoping for. "Glad you like it," he said softly, tail swishing in contentment. His eyes twinkled gently as he received his package from the beech marten, wondering what could be inside.
He was soon to find out: she had been thinking along the same lines as he had, and when his gift was finally revealed to him (like his beech marten friend, Selvis liked to take his time unwrapping presents) he smiled broadly at her, patting her shoulder to indicate how pleased he was with her choice. Inside were two things, and both would certainly come in useful. " 'The Welkin Book of Grammar' and a Ferlusan-Calgarian dictionary? That's very kind of you, Elliot; I can see myself getting quite a bit of use out of those!"
He opened the dictionary and his attenton was caught by a small, paw-written note on the inside of the cover: "To my linguist friend, perhaps we'll learn together - Elleiot." The misspelling had of course been intentional, intended as it was only for the eyes of the creature who knew her secret. He was still smiling as he stowed the small dictionary in his jacket pocket. He wanted to keep warm: it was cold here in Florence and he wasn't used to such weather.
Carrow was about to take his present from Elliot when his interest was piqued by the approach of a weasel Dibbun. He studied the creature for a moment, then something clicked. That voice sounded quite familiar. Ah yes, it was that Zheep creature they had met in Naples. "Hallo there, young'un," he said gently, smiling at the enthusiastic-looking creature. Yes, the smaller mustelid was interrupting proceedings, but he didn't mind at all. At least he had acknowledged the beast, and the comment about his ears made the wood mouse smile. He waggled them in response. Selvis, too, smiled at his fellow weasel, before turning his attention to Carrow, interested in seeing what it was the rodent had received from Elle.
Carrow, unable to hide his excitment, shook the package slightly. Whatever was inside moved around as a result. He cooed softly, eyes shining as he unwrapped the gift. It was a timepiece, slightly similar to the two he already had. He would have been grateful enough for such a thing, but he remembered what a surprise had awaited him when he'd opened Caden's watch. With this in mind, he pressed the release mechanism, and the silver case opened. The first delicate notes of a very familiar lullaby melody floated up to him, and he smiled dreamily, recalling how Archie would sing this same tune to coax him into sleep on certain nights.
He gasped (Elliot would have been unaware of the sentimental value of the object), turning it over as he wondered whether there would be an inscription on the back. There was. "To Carrow, from Elliot. Sleep well." Between the hypnotic device his pine marten friend had given him for his birthday, and this new addition, he was sure he would from now on - or at least better than usual. Placing it in his *other* slacks pocket (as the right housed its usual occupant, in the form of Caden's watch), he *didn't* hesitate to hug him, putting his paws around him affectionately. "Oh, thank you so much, Elliot!"
Stepping back from him, he felt Selvis place a paw on his shoulder. "Here, Carrow: got this for you." With paws that trembled ever-so-slightly, he passed the mouse his gift. Carrow tore it open, and was rendered almost speechless by what he saw within. There was a miniature doll in there, the perfect picture of a long-tailed weasel, with eyes as bright as diamonds and a warm and inviting smile. Selvis was next to receive a hug from Carrow. The mouse had understood immediately why the longtail had chosen such a thing for him, but this didn't stop Selvis from telling him.
"I know you've been feeling homesick recently, mate, so I got you something that I hope will help to ease it. You and I both know who I had in mind when I picked this up - I know she's been with you in spirit since we set sail, but you can let this stand for her being here in body too." He warmly received the wood mouse's hug. Carrow was trying not to well up. Such a thoughtful present - it would indeed help him. The two soon broke the embrace, and Carrow turned to face his three companions again. He was going to wait a little longer before revealing his presents, hoping inwardly he had made the right choices for his friends.
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Post by Ladorak on Dec 26, 2010 14:27:02 GMT -5
Zephyr moved up stealthily behind Luxe Calone, waiting for her boss to stop speaking with Ocean before she'd make her move. She was wearing green...her favorite Christmas color, though the dress just seemed so wrong on her. It made her look nice of course...but she was far more comfortable in her working slops.
"Me? Nah...there's nobody here for me. Single jills don't go to these types of parties Jal Calone...unless they're from a ship like we are. I wouldn't run into anyone here that would even remotely be interested in me." Ocean sniffed, and shook his head, studying the crowd with a disinterested look.
He felt his shirt being pulled back, and he knew he should react...he knew what was coming...but too late! Ocean had been caught flat pawed. "Dammiiiiiit!" he exclaimed, feeling the cold hitting him like a burning fire dancing at his back...except these were no flames, and nothing was burning.
"Agggghhh!" he exclaimed, jumping forward and swiping uselessly behind him, trying to nab Spender but missing entirely. Shivering and convulsing, the ermine's paws flailed at his back, trying to knock all the snow out. "AW...oh...awwww! Would you just...I'LL GET YOU FOR THAT SPENDER!" the ermine roared, though by the time he turned around it was too late. The ferret had vanished into the crowd. Great...normally Ocean was skilled at retaliations, but in this case, he had simply not been expecting it. He still wasn't used to be living with Spender again after all.
If he had a been a bit quicker, he would have charged after Spender and taken some of the snow to shove right back in that sorry furo's muzzle. But no...it was all melted now, and left a stinging sensation down his backside. "Oh for pete's sake...would you just look at this?" he shook his back like a dog, some water flying off, though it was clear his shirt was now soaked. Not his night.
"Just perfect." he tore a napkin off of the table, angrily fluffing it out and running it down his backside, though the reach of his arm was limited and he couldn't get everything. Besides, it felt more like trying to mop up this entire floor with just a small kerchief. He scanned the crowd again, but could find no sign of the little pest. "I'll get him back for that." He mumbled, shaking his head and trying to dry himself off.
"Well that was a bit unexpected." It was Zephyr. She was beside Luxe now. "Forgot about me huh? It's alright...you wanted to have fun. We're not really an item...at least I don't think you see us as such." the jill commented, keeping her face even. "You can dance with whomever you choose. Though you still owe me a few stories if I recall." the Assistant Armorer looked up at her boss, showing the barest traces of a smile as she regarded him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ladorak could sense Molly was conserving her energy...or perhaps she was already tired. Either way, they were dancing fast...but not the speed he had expected they'd be moving at. "Of course I won't Molly...though that's not the point. I'm trying to make a good first impression. He doesn't know me yet...but he probably will before the night is over. I had a bit more...serious matters to discuss however."
The Captain nuzzled her cheek as she rested on his gold buttoned and braided chest. "Tonight is going to change my life...and yours too, if I can manage to do this. You've been so loyal to me so far Molly. Even better than I originally gave you credit for. Molls...I had no idea you actually struck jacks that tried to flirt with you when I wasn't around. I really appreciate that...I came into this relationship feeling as if it would all end at some point...that before long you'd be with other jacks in the cities we stopped at...and I'd be forced into dating as well, just to keep myself distracted and sane."
He ran his nose through her soft, white fur. He inhaled her being, closing his eyes and entering a more lazy frame of mind. "I will admit something to you." he stated, his snout very close to her ear again. "When I saw Lady Emma Hamilton in Naples...the wife of the Welkinite ambassador Sir William...I was a bit struck. She's very attractive...and I will also admit that I considered a tryst at that time...but no...I restrained myself. We were growing distant at the time...but I didn't want Lady Emma on my paws...or on my mind. Something held me back...I wanted to remain true...and I didn't of course wish to seduce a married jill. That sort of scandal I don't need...nor ever will."
The upbeat dance ended, and a slower one started. The lower stringed instruments droned out, moaning away as the higher pitched ones sang a haunting melody in his ears. "I'm glad I did. I've had so many failures in my love life. I can never seem to stay with a jill for long for some reason. Either through my own personal failing in my life as with my first wife...I was disgraced and wanted to leave everything I knew behind...or entering into a relationship with a jill who was both controlling, paranoid and clingy as with my second...the times I've fallen in love haven't lasted. But I want it to last. I want to be with a jill who wants to be with me. I'm tired of hoping and looking. Molly..."
He pulled his head back a bit to look into her eyes, his own green orbs taking on a hopeful if not a bit uncertain look. "I have to commend you for your conduct thus far in your relationship with me. I've known you off and on for close to ten years now. True, there were large gaps where I just didn't see you...but I want to know. Do you love me? And I'm not just asking that because I know you do. But do you love me? Would you devote yourself to me, as I want to devote myself to you? Will you be true to me...as you've been so far?" he was leading her over to the tree now, the golden glow from the room surrounding them like some great treasure hoard glinting and gleaming in the recesses of the cavernous chamber.
He wasn't dancing. Simply leading...his paws pulling hers and leading her over to that green coniferous giant. "Do think carefully...and don't act just out of passion." he stopped beside the pine boughs, the bristly needles poking every which way. Upon many hung ornaments...but upon one particular one, almost right in front of the jill's eyes, hung a golden ring with a purplish-red stone set within it, almost unnoticeable as it blended in so well with the rest of the decorations. Molly might recognize it as the alexandrite ring that he kept with him from Sampetra, his only reminder of that place.
"Molly Serra...will you marry me?" He asked, his voice low, barely perceptible above the music, but so very calm and steady. It never faltered. There was no hesitation in it. It was a question, straightforward and sure. His eyes never left her face, and he stood there, patiently awaiting her answer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Oh...it's Jis Serra's necklace...I see." Monty commented, nodding in understanding. That explained a few things. Those two had really bonded these past few months. Well at least they had things in common. "It's rather nice...suits you in a way." The detective wasn't of course trying to be charming...he was normally immune to jlls and their charms, and usually saw dating as a waste of time.
"The tree you ask? Why I'd say considerably some time. Perhaps an entire day. They would have needed ladders...and probably removed both of the grand doors to get it in here." he commented, chuckling a bit. "Unless they keep it up all year round...but I can't imagine they do that." he shook his head. "I'm sure it takes a very long..." he froze.
He was stuck fast to the spot, as if roots had grown out of his paws into the floor. He was staring down the length of one of the tables set up for food. He gripped his silver tipped can tightly, his knuckles turning white as he began to sweat a tad. "Jis...Talian..." he said, flicking his snout up to indicate what he was looking so nervously at.
Plush golden-brown fur could be seen as the crowd parted, hugged by the blackest silk dress the detective had ever laid eyes upon. It was low cut, with laces and frills around the chest, flowing downward in excellent lines to pool out all about the footpaws, which were not of course visible. A large broach clasped the dress together in the front, shaped like a golden harp, a dagger like pin (which Monty knew to be a real dagger) conjoining the two ends where the strings would be.
He felt his heart quicken just a little, beating against his ribcage as his eyes rested upon her. Her. The Countess Bogginski. "But...I thought...she had...gone back to her estate...in the east...what...what is she doing here?" he asked, unable to take his eyes from her as the lemming jill stood by the table, a gloved paw of hers resting against the folds of her dress. "This is Kostritz territory...she'd have no business here..." he muttered, half choking on the words.
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Caden graciously accepted his present, and began to open it with a smile on his face. Ah yes...presents for Christmas...and this was the first time he could share it with friends. It had been just him and Ladorak the past two years, as they hadn't had guests over. But this...this was something else. It was a whole surreal world waiting for him, being at the grand court of Tuscany.
"Oooh! Chocolates...well thank you Selvis." Caden said, beaming at his long tailed weasel friend. They were soon interrupted by Zheep. Caden was about to ask Elliot if he wanted Elle's present, as Caden wanted her brother to pass it on to her. He had noticed that Elliot's present to himself was conspicuously absent...though whether that was design or not was hard to say.
"Yes...hello Zheep..." Caden said, though the young kit drowned him out by talking a mile a minute. There was no such thing as taking a break with him it seemed. Yes, of course he had his star. No, Caden doubted that that was Zheep's star on the tree. No he didn't want Zheep's ball he'd taken from the decorations. He'd let someone else have it. But what was the youngster even doing here? Wasn't he supposed to be further south...in the Kingdom of Naples?
But here they were...and Caden did his best to simply move on and not let himself get too distracted by the weasel. Maybe they could play together in a bit. In fact...Caden figured he'd mention that...but first. "Well everyone...it seems Selvis's gifts have all been given. Elliot...looks like most of yours are done as well." he didn't ask if the beech had one for him or not. Best not to be rude. "So...Carrow...do you want to give out yours now...or should I go next?" he asked, looking at his mouse companion.
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Post by Carrow on Dec 26, 2010 18:00:10 GMT -5
Sveltlana Bogginski was, with purposeful pads, gently weaving her way through the assembled crowd of creatures. There was one particular beast on her mind at that moment, and she was making a beeline for him. 'Him' was of course the Right Honourable Montegu Sylver. Sveltlana had of course crossed paths with the weasel detective before, but this time her purposes were different altogether from the usual.
The lemming Countess was well aware of the civil unrest in her native Kradowska. There was talk of an uprising being launched against all three of Gradvar, Delorn and Kostritz. She knew where she was, and as a consequence was painfully aware that she was playing a dangerous game. Monty's declaration was right. Under normal circumstances the lemming would indeed have no business in a place such as this.
However, the circumstances in which Sveltlana found herself were anything but normal. She was in need of financial assistance. The aforementioned need wasn't dire, but she was still ready to admit that she could use a helping paw. Thinking about the potential success of that uprising made her feel very, very nervous. Of all the things the Countess was known for, a nervous disposition certainly was not one of them.
Her fetching outfit marked her out as a particularly attractive creature, and those infamous, piercing, almond-shaped hypnotic eyes only added to her charm. Those eyes were fixed on the half-petrified form of the detective as she strode up to meet him. Her voice was soft, but she made sure her words could be clearly heard. She had a peculiar effect on him, as could be seen by Miri. "Hello there... Jis Talian... Jal Sylver. It's a pleasure to see you both..."
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Selvis beamed back at his pine marten companion. He was certainly pleased with Caden's reaction to the reception of his gift! The weasel had been quite sure that Caden had a little bit of a swwet tooth, so he had made the right call by choosing to indulge this. There were a few other choices he'd had in mind, but in the end he had gone with something he was completely certain his albino friend would be happy with.
He hadn't felt the need to respond directly to Caden's thanks, simply matching the marten's brilliant smile and swishing his tail again in a contented manner. When Caden smiled like that, it was like he was a completely different creature. His face lit up, his eyes sparkled and his presence seemed to light up the room. He had good reason to be happy. He could have been languishing in a Tunisian prison if a certain creature had got his way, after all.
As Caden addressed his mouse friend, Selvis turned to regard the rodent as well, wondering what Carrow's decision would be. He noticed that the mouse was distinctly nervous about something; he was right to be. The wood mouse had chosen a rather unusual present for the albino marten, a creature whom he saw as his best friend, no matter what else was said. Selvis was close to him too, but Caden had been there first. Being with him had helped the mouse to settle in on board, and he was infinitely grateful to him for that. He was the one he looked up to, after all.
He wondered how exactly his gift would be received. There was no time to think about such things at that moment, though. He had to make his decision. He was unsure about it, but in the end his excitement about presenting his friends with gifts swayed him. There were two parcels with him. "I reckon I should go first, mate. I'm rather excited about this!" So he was: even though he was nervous he was also looking rather cheerful, though for the moment only he knew why.
He picked up his first parcel, marked 'To Elliot McNamee', and pawed it to the beech marten, a small, shy smile on his face. "Here you are, Elliot, I reckon you're going to enjoy that." Personally, the rodent found the plays that the author of his gift wrote to be fascinating works, albeit slightly difficult to understand at certain times. He'd read a few (admittedly with Archie's help; even though he was a good reader, some of the language contained in those plays was too elaborate for him), and enjoyed the lot.
Then Carrow crouched to retrieve his second gift. This one was in a larger parcel, and it was pawed over to Selvis (marked, as it was, 'To Selvis Frenata') with a rather mischievous-looking smile on the mouse's face. "As for YOU, well, I've had such a gift on my mind for quite some time, but since I missed your birthday I figured it would make an ideal Christmas present for a creature of your interests." Little did he know that Caden was fascinated by such things as well. If he had, he would have been doubly pleased.
Selvis tore the wrapping open, his interest in the gift having reached fever pitch and left the weasel unable to contain himself. A wondrous sight met his eyes, which shone even brighter than usual. "Oh, great seasons! A magic kit! Everything I could want is in here, mate - including the cape, the cloak, and the wand!" Selvis grinned as he imagined himself in that particular outfit. Along with his card tricks and juggling skills, magic was one of his passions. He had pursued an interest in it from a young age. "Thank you very much, Carrow - I should think I'll get a lot out of that!"
Carrow nodded, before turning to Caden. "And what I have for you, my marten matey, isn't something physical. It's much more an experience, one I'm hoping will be unforgettable for you." The mouse's eyes brightened as he warmed to his theme. "I've been wanting to try this out with you for a while, and well, there's no time like the present. You've said you've wanted to experience hypnotism, right?" He smiled at his companion. "So how about I treat you to an induction later?"
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Post by Ladorak on Dec 26, 2010 21:27:43 GMT -5
Monty could barely breathe as he saw the lemming drawing closer. Oh no...she had seen him! She was...heading...this...way! His pawpads were clammy, and beginning to drip with sweat as she drew nearer. Why...why tonight of all nights? What did she want here? What was her business?
He shuddered as she stopped in front of him, his eyes riveted on her almond shaped ones. He knew they possessed hypnotic quality to them, but he wasn't able to help himself. He did however keep his guard up. He was going to watch for her to attempt to influence him. No trickery tonight.
His eyes drifted down briefly, admiring her bare shoulders and traveling down lower to rest on the top of her dress before he snapped his eyes back upward. "Countess. I can't...necessarily say the same." even though it was clear it was indeed a bit of a pleasure for the weasel to see her again, much as he wouldn't admit to that.
"And to..." he tried to harden up his features, hide behind his position as a detective in other words. "what do we owe the honor tonight of being graced with your presence?" he asked. That had come out far kinder than he had intended. He had been meaning to show a cold, impassive personality, but instead came off as only distantly cold.
He tapped his claws on the silver head of his cane, but couldn't resist letting his eyes rove over what was bared of her fur. So soft...so plush...the softest he'd ever looked upon. Journeying down her dress, he noticed her white gloves. White on black...not a bad combination. But what did she want tonight?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Well an induction you say?" Caden asked, lifting his brows a bit in surprise. "Really? Tonight? Um...sure...if you want to give it a try." he declared, beginning to smile again after he'd been caught by surprise. Wow...he wasn't sure what to expect. Being hypnotized? As his gift? It seemed a little far fetched, but it intrigued him all the same. He was curious to see what all the fuss was about, as Carrow certainly went on about it frequently enough.
"Whenever you're ready I suppose." he stated, nodding affirmatively. "Soooo then. Carrow...." his features became semi-serious, though his smile hadn't diminished as much. "Would you like to be the first to receive a present from me?" he had picked out presents for everyone he could think of, and was going to make the rounds tonight. Best start with those right in front of him.
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Post by bookity101 on Dec 27, 2010 1:05:16 GMT -5
Elle smiled at Selvis and Carrow's reaction to her gifts, and warmly returned the young mouses hug. This was why she liked Christmas, it wasn't so mucht he getting off gifts, but the giving that made it worthwhile. She accepted Carrows gift with another smile, and proceeded to remove the paper, once again placing the now useless paper into her bag so she wouldn't make a mess. A copy of play 'King Lear' was now revealed, to a surprisingly pleased Elle.
"Thanks Carrow, Janey mentioned this in her last letter," She playfully placed her paw ion her hips and adopted a mock stern expression. "Have you been reading my mail?" A wink and a smile preceeded her leaning over and giving the mouse a hug of her own. "Between you and Selvis, I'm going to have a hard time finding time to say 'I'm biored' arn't I?"
Elle reached into her bag to retrieve the two gifts for Caden when the little weasel took all attention away from what she was doing. Which, in retrospect, was a good thing. Because she had to fight down a blush as she fondled the flatter package in her satchel. Both gifts had taken an equal amount of time, but this one had been harder to hide. In fact, she had taken to hiding herself away amongst the sails to work on it.
This gift tied almost directly into theri conversation around the dinner table when Caden and the others visited with Janey and Edgar. And that was what was causing her blush. Ever since that day, it had become harder to hide the growing crush she had devloped on her albino martin friend.
Elle settled back to wait to give Caden his gifts from the two "Twins", thinking back on the year they had had. And ithad been quite the year.
Carrow had grown so much, not only physically, but he was finally healing after what had happened in his past, finally putting those awful things behind him. She smiled, she couldn't wait to see what was in store for the young mouse, but of one thing she was sure, he would be able to doi anything he put his mind to, once he realized that that was all it took of course.
She turned her attention to the slightly older stripling of their group. Selvis had been a latecomer, but had quickly intigrated himself into the hearts and lifes of the three companions, beoming their "Fourth Musketeer" as it were. And her special confidant when she needed one most. Yes, Selvis had definantly earned his posistion here, a hundred times over.
Finally her gaze drifted to Caden, her smile changing ever so slightly, though if she had known that it did she would have found her self eternally grateful that all eyes were focused on Caden and Carrow and not her. He had been the one to give her this idea in the first place, to unknowlingly give her the courage needed to get away from life under her Aunt's claw. To see the world as her parents had always wanted to show her. Than again, they would have used a pleasure cruise to do the same, not a warship. But this albino martin was swiftly becoming someone that she couldn't see her life without his friendship in it. Suddenly, her expression changed, a remourseful look was in her eyes as she studied the secene before her, as if to memorize every detail.
'And I might just loose even hi- their friendship if tonight goes as planned...'
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Miri stiffened a little as "Her Flirtness" as the weasel jill dubbed the Countess, well one of the nicer names the female maercanary gave her that is.
Pleasure to see you too, Countess." Miri had a much easier time making it plain that seeing the lemming temptress had been high on her lists on things that would make this party worse. But she kept her expression cordial, even if she didn't manage to completly hide the eye roll the accompanied her Boss's obvious toungetied state. Really, couldn't he see that this jill only used him?? Certaintly there had to be some jill, any jill, back home that he knew would be better that this... fatal female.
One other reason Miri staid her paw from intervenening was the fact that the Countess had managed a much better hidden weapon, and could pull it faster than she could get her paws on a similar weapon. So, for now, Miri contented herself with studying the make of the broach-dagger piece so she could talk with Jal Calone about and see if he could maybe come up with something similar.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=--
Luxe nearly splilled his drink onto his waistcoat when Zephyr addresed him. The male had been rather engrossed in laughter at Spender's prank to notice his co-worker coming up beside him.
"Forget about you, no." He shook his head at that staement. "Unable to find you is more like it." He waved a paw to the many jills that lined the all, waiting for a partner. "I prefer your company to any of theirs." He smiled a little, the quirked an eyewhisker as he processed what she had said fully. An Item? Well he had taken her into port the last several times they had landed, and had make time on the ship to simply talk about almost nothing several times... Item. He grinned a little. That was an idea he wouldn't mind exploring with the jill standing before him, looking very nice in her dress, but funny. He found himself liking the way she looked on the ship more.
Luxe cocked his head to the side, the music was slowing to a pace that he had, in the past, found conducive to talking.
"But allow me to make up for not looking harder." Luxe placed his cup back on the table, and held out one golden furred paw;
"Jis Zephyr, May I have this dance?" Luxe could help smirking slightly in challenge to her, wondering if she was the type of beast who enjoyed dancing, for that had not been one of the topics featured in any of their many conversation.
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Post by spender on Dec 27, 2010 8:31:53 GMT -5
It seemed no one wanted the bauble. Oh, well. That was fine. Zheep clutched it to his chest, sucking his other paw as he watched the older striplings exchange presents. He kept quiet through the proceedings, taking it all in.
This was his first Christmas indoors. Even if he wasn't really part of their group, he felt something... novel. He wanted Char to see this, and Jaim, and all the other kits from the streets. This—this was what they had been missing. The warmth and the food wasn't important compared to this.
Oops. That wasn't his paw he was licking. That was the bauble.
Squirreling the ornament away under his blanket, Zheep replaced it with a jar full of moths. He'd been collecting these for weeks, waiting patiently with a candle at night, by the window, letting the cold soak his bruised and battered bones. They were his cure; with them, he would certainly fly. But... he had nothing else to give. His cape, his pot, his spyglass, he couldn't live without those. His moths...
With shaking paws, the little weasel leaned forward, once again offering the others a gift. The moths, exposed to the light, began to wiggle their wings as they clung to the sides of the jar.
"Here," he said. "These is for all of you. I want you to have them... please... They're special moon moths... they come from the stars at night. If you have a candle, you can trick them. They think it's another star and they come to you and land on your nose and it tickles. Look, I got five... one for each of you!"
Zheep looked at each of their faces, his own expression hopeful. One, two, three, four... hold on...
"Where is the weasel with the striped shirt who wiggles a lot? I've got one for him, too."
Still cackling, Spender strolled back out into the snow. Ocean wasn't following, the lazy stoat. Oh, well. It just meant more time to prepare!
"Peskers," he called, looking around the courtyard. The corner she had been digging was empty. Not even a hole. She must've filled it in or something.
"Hallo...?"
He took a few more steps, rubbing his elbows. Without gloves, the cold really got in... His breath fogged in front of his whiskers. The stars seemed to fade, the lights from the palace windows shimmered, dying. All noise seemed to stop. His heart thrummed.
"Peskers... Po—Ralph... hey... where are you..."
Gulping now, he took another step. He wasn't afraid of the dark...
With a screech, he fell to his stomach. Something was grabbing his ankle! Claws sinking into his flesh! He tore at the snow, sending flurries up, but he couldn't find anything to grab onto as he was dragged down into—
His eyes popped. His screaming stopped, but that was because Peskers had closed his mouth with her own. He relaxed. Dark blue fluorescence bathed them in the little den under the snow. She tasted like strawberries.
"Are you pondering what I'm pondering?" Peskers asked, as she broke off the kiss.
"Yeah!" Spender dug another pawful of snow and balled it up. "I'll make th'balls an' you make th'barricade an' we'll trounce Ocean when he comes out! Hee, an' th'others, too. Poof! Right in Elliot's nose." He tittered. "We'll make two white martens!"
Peskers frowned. "That's not what I... oh, well. It sounds fun. Let's do it!"
Molly opened her mouth to reply.
Then she fainted.
((I can't decide of that's all of her part or not. XD I'll change it tomorrow once I make up my mind.))
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Post by Carrow on Dec 27, 2010 16:47:09 GMT -5
Sveltana was well aware of the abilities she possessed, and in times past probably would have mesmerised Monty as soon as look at him, before bending him to her will and bringing him round to her proposal by foul means. Things had changed, though. While the lemming's gaze was penetrating and irresistible to all those who met it, she had found that she possessed a certain amount of *natural* charm.
It was with this that she planned to at least attempt to influence the weasel detective. She had a few 'helpers' in mind, as it were - another thing it couldn't be said she was known for was not covering all angles at times like this - and even though there were others she could fall back on as a result, there were none whose help she wanted to enlist more than Montegu's.
With a soft chuckle, she realised that the weasel was admiring her looks. She had left certain areas of her body on display because she was well aware other creatures found her attractive. Flattery from a jill this ravishing usually turned others' legs to jelly. She was persuasive in quite a number of ways, all quite different from each other - but tonight was not the night for any of that.
Much as she wanted to, she held herself back, smiling slightly at Monty's reception of her company. "Graced with my presence, did you say? Thank you, Montegu. You too, Miri - that is if you don't mind me using your first name. This isn't a formal gathering after all, and I'm not one to stand on ceremony, so you two can call me Sveltlana if you wish. I should rather like that in fact.
"Montegu, you know that I can't resist occasions like this." This was true: there had been a certain masquerade ball she had attended a good few years back, among other things. "So I would have been here tonight no matter what. It *is* Christmas after all. I'm not as cold and heartless as you might think I am, honest. I must admit, though, there is a particular purpose with which I present myself here tonight."
Her voice lowered considerably. She hadn't gone to anybeast about this before, so some would say that the lemming was foolish approaching a creature with whom she had such a relationship, as her first choice. She wouldn't have had it any other way. "The... political situation back in Kradowska is quite volatile, as I'm sure you know. I'm rather worried that a certain planned uprising might come to pass, or more specifically that it might succeed."
The lemming couldn't help herself. She trembled slightly as she spoke those words. The consequences of such a thing would be disastrous. She couldn't be certain of many things surrounding her native land in those circumstances, but there was no doubt in her mind about that. "I'll just come out and say it, alright? I find myself in need of monetary assistance from some creature. As far as I'm concerned, I'm stuck here for now - fates help me if I should decide to return - so I would most definitely appreciate such help from a jack as refined as yourself."
--
Carrow gratefully accepted Elliot's hug, that is of course after smiling at her playful gesture towards him. "She did? Well, if I had known I would have made extra sure I got my paws on a copy of this for you," he responded mischievously, eyes sparkling. "Hope you enjoy that. I've read a few Shakespeare plays myself, but never that one so I, er, might want to have a look at that when you're done with it," he told the beech marten.
He was glad that his companions were thankful for those presents, and even more so that Caden had accepted his proposal. He felt his nerves subsiding quite fast, and let out a sigh of relief, smiling at all three. "Alright then. We'll get around to it at some point tonight; I don't think we're really in any hurry, not when there's so much else we can do here!" Now there was only one thing Carrow was nervous about - seeing his mouse friend. Those nerves didn't look like they were going away any time soon.
"Would I like to be the first to receive a present from you? Certainly!," he exclaimed, responding without hesitation, wriggling slightly in sheer anticipation. Selvis and Elle's gifts had been fantastic, and he was confident that Caden had chosen something equally as good. He was looking forward to putting his pine marten companion under his spell later, that was for sure. There would be time for being nervous about that later - it was his first 'performance' after all - but for now he simply wanted to bask in the atmosphere of this wonderful evening.
Selvis was also pleased that Caden had agreed to be induced. He had been interested in his rodent companion's talents for quite a while, but the skittish mouse hadn't plucked up enough courage to ever ask the longtail if he wanted to go under. The Ferlusanian weasel could certainly see why. Carrow had only ever practiced on himself after all. Self-hypnosis was quite different to actually inducing another creature, he knew that much, despite having experienced neither himself.
He glanced over at Elle, wondering about her. She had done such a good job of keeping her secret over the months she had been aboard the Agamemnon, but the weasel knew that it was becoming much more a question of 'when' she let it slip, and not 'if'. He was not going to say anything when that day arrived. Only if she should tell her companions that he was the creature she had confided in, would he speak up. Otherwise he would act as surprised as he had been when she had first revealed her burden to him.
The weasel then returned his attention to Caden and Carrow. The mouse was trying his utmost to meet the pine marten's gaze, he noticed. He's literally looking up to him now, and not just figuratively as it was before, he thought with a small smile. The rodent was sticking particularly close to Caden in the wake of the albino mustelid's ordeal in Tunis, and it was no wonder. He had been in bits without him after all. He was extremely glad to have all four of them together again - the one thing that kept him going above all others was knowing his companions were alright.
The little weasel was speaking again, the one whom the longtail had of course recognised as Zheep, was holding a jar out to them. Turning to look at him, he smiled broadly at his fellow weasel, ruffling his ears gently in his usual kind manner before accepting the jar. He gazed, fascinated, at the moths fluttering about inside it, listening to the excitable creature tell them about his gift. Smiling, he spoke softly to the diminutive creature.
"Heheh, well, thank you, Zheep! We're going to have to find a safe place to put this. It's certainly an interesting gift. It stays here for now, though, just until the rest of the gifts have been pawed out, alright?" He was still smiling as he set it down, though this time it was at the curious expression on Carrow's face. He was crouching, watching the moths flutter around and around, his eyes wide and keenly interested in their motions. After a moment, he stood up, looking around him with a small smile of his own. Selvis's eyes shone. "See? Quite interesting!"
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Post by Ladorak on Dec 27, 2010 21:41:36 GMT -5
Zephyr regarded him with those narrowed, ice picks of eyes...but they were sensually inviting at the same time as well. "Hmph...very well...we shall dance. But you have to promise to tell me the stories you owe me. Like what you did when you were on stage with that magic show...and...can't remember the other things we wanted to talk about...but I'll come up with something. I have enough conversation topics for the both of us." she assured him.
She held out a paw to him, permitting him to take it and lead her out onto the dance floor.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Molly!" Ladorak caught her as her eyes rolled up into her head, and her body pitched forward into his arms. "Molly!" he exclaimed again, worried that her swooning might attract unwanted attention. He quickly snatched the ring off the bough, lest someone actually see it and realize it wasn't just decoration.
He moved her through the crowd, some attendants of the Grand Duke rushing forward when they noticed. "Captain Fugate!" they said in broken Common. "Is...everything...OK?"
"Yes...yes she's just fainted. I proposed to her...and well...I guess it was too much." he explained, hearing her murmur now and begin to stir in his arms. She wasn't fully regaining consciousness it seemed. "I need to get her to a bed...has my guestroom been set up for the night?" the ermine asked.
"Indeed...it has." the shrew attendant replied, nodding.
"Good...I'll be right back..." he moved her through the crowd, a look of angst written over his features. Was she going to be OK? Was she...going to say no? Was she going to say YES?
"Fugate!" the Captain turned his head in the direction his name had been called. He could see Admiral Hood, the opossum, heading toward him. "Fugate! Where are you heading?"
"Just to set her down...she's fainted. I...I proposed Admiral Hood."
"Really? You did?" he seemed flabbergasted at this.
"Aye...but she fainted on me!"
"Well...hurry back. I DO need to speak to you tonight Fugate...about the upcoming year and our next objective...alright?"
"Aye sir." he responded with a nod. "I'll be right back...just need to attend to her first." he moved rapidly away before Hood baited him into any further conversation. He moved into the darker hallways, knowing which one was his room...he had been shown to it before the party began.
Opening the teak door, Ladorak entered the darkened room, pushing the door closed behind him with his tail. The lights were off...but windows opened to the city and courtyard outside. Lights glowed from the exterior, and snow was falling down at a steady rate. They'd be snowed in soon...but it mattered little to the ermine. He was planning to stay here tomorrow. Sleep in and drag himself out of bed for a late breakfast close to noon.
Setting Molly down on the bed, he called her name softly a few times. "Molly...Molly...are you OK?" his voice was just above that of a whisper...his face awash with concern.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monty lifted a brow. She would be here regardless? Of all the courts to spend Christmas at...unless she just meant she would be at A court...not necessarily this one. He tapped his claws on the silver cane's head as he listened to her. "Aha! Of course! Of course! You must have sided with the Targowica Confederation...being a noble and all. You supported Delorn's invasion of your country in the hopes of undoing the new Constitution...but now...the tables have turned Countess." the detective said, displaying his fast observation skills and his knowledge of the outside world.
"It was only when your side achieved victory did you realize too late that Delorn had used you...and thrown you away, proceeding to occupy your country for themselves. And now...you and the rest of your Confederation has been branded as traitors by most of the nation...a certain...Tadeusz Kosciuszko and his ilk I believe, yes? He's branded you and all other nobles as traitors to their home country...my, my....Sveltlana..." Monty suddenly turned from a slightly cold scholar into a more sympathetic weasel jack. "You realize that if this uprising is launched...and I'm sorry to say this but I feel they have every right to launch this uprising to free their homeland from the...situation you and the Confederation brought about...your very life could be in danger!"
He regarded her with worry in his eyes...and it was impossible to hide. "Your estates would be seized...you would probably be sentenced to death...you would either have to flee...or seek help from the hated Delorn...which has already betrayed you once. I...sympathize...Countess." he stated, his stern features beginning to melt. It had started in his eyes. "You truly are caught between a rock and a hard place here...so it's more a personal appeal...and nothing to do with criminal activity...for once." he wasn't able to help commenting on that last bit, though wasn't trying to be rude.
But OK...she wanted help...and she had come to him first. He moved over to the table, serving himself some punch as he did so. "Alright...I understand. But you know Countess...I don't always work for cheap...or free. I will sometimes...but you must realize...our previous relationship has been nothing but strained. What...benefit shall we say...would come my way from showing you this support?" he watched her out of the corner of his eye as he helped himself to the punch. He was planning on helping her regardless...but he wanted to play this game for a while...see what she was willing to offer him. And if...he could perhaps extract a few promises from her...the least of which was to perhaps consider mending her ways...but for now...
"Since I'll be the one paying you...not the other way around...did you have...some sort of recompense in mind?" he asked, turning to face her with the punch glass in his paw.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Caden looked down at the moths fluttering about in the glass jar. "Oh...why thank you Zheep." the albino said, unsure really what to make of the present, but putting his best face on regardless. "We'll divide them up in a bit...once we get some containers for them for each of us. Now..." He moved past them, heading toward the tree.
Picking up a blue wrapped package, he pawed it over to the mouse. It was small...about the size of a thick book. It was very light however. In fact, it was a box, with nothing less than tickets for Archie and himself to Franz Anton Mesmer's parlor. Ladorak had helped him obtain them...and they were good for any time. "Now...I know we're currently at war with Rosferia...but fortunately for you...this particular individual is in Kostritz right now, at their capital, Stratospheros. So...maybe when you get some down time...they'll never expire...unless of course the physician himself does." Caden said, chuckling a bit at his own joke. "I really hope you do get to make use of these at some point."
He stood back, and looked to Elle...iot next. "Elliot...I have a present for you to give to Elle...something I picked out when we got to Livorno. Can you...pass it on to her for me? If you want to go next that is. I also have something for you." he said, nodding.
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Post by Carrow on Dec 28, 2010 8:36:01 GMT -5
"Yes, I was indeed an ally of that Confederation, Montegu," Sveltlana murmured in response, a pensive expression crossing her face, "and yes, yes I did. Everything you say is true. You're quite a perceptive creature, even amongst those I've known in your line of work. Well, when I say 'known', I much rather mean, 'crossed paths with'... you know, when I was more prone to engagaing in activities that were... less than legal, shall we say."
She chuckled a little to herself, but this abruptly stopped when Monty mentioned the name 'Tadeusz Kosciuszko'. "That two-faced opportunist! Kosciuszko!" She was so incensed that she practically spat out the name, and her dark eyes blazed with hatred. "You may have whatever opinion on the situation you wish, Montegu - it's been a rather divise issue of course. No need to apologise, but yes, it is as you say. My life is at risk, back home. Everything else I own will be seized. I really do not know what to do."
Sighing regretfully, she met his gaze for a moment. There was no underpawed trickery involved here: she needed to look into his eyes to show him just how sincere she was. "Monty...," she said gently, using his nickname and smiling at him. "You realise I'm left only with two choices now. I could either flee... or indeed enlist Delorn's assistance. I am certainly not prepared to do that. I've been thinking of leaving all this behind, you see. Starting a new life someplace else... making other changes too."
Averting her eyes, the lemming Countess transferred her gaze to the floor. "It's my past dealings that have brought me to such a place as this - I can't go back, yet I do not know what will become of me if I go forward. I have to move on, somehow, and I really do mean this in more ways than one -" She winked at the weasel detective to make clear what she was implying. "- so I shall have to see how things go. I want to change, you know - I didn't before, but now I'm starting to see the error of my ways.
"As for what you might want from me, well, let's see... while I can't think of anything in particular I could give to you, I'll just let you know this, Montegu..." Her voice softened, and she took his paw in her own velvety soft one. "In return for this favour, I would do anything you asked me to. It would mean that much to me, that I would give you anything you could possibly want in exchange. This could quite literally be a life-changing deal we strike tonight, so you can name your price and I will gladly accept the terms."
--
Carrow listened to his pine marten friend tell him a little about his gift. With trembling paws, he took the package from Caden, shaking it a little. He didn't dare hazard a guess as to what was inside, as he knew there were a lot of things Caden could have chosen for him. He slowly and carefully opened the package, and quirked a brow in a curious manner when he noticed that a box lay beneath the wrapping.
Slowly lifting the lid, he broke out into a smile as he spotted two tickets. The aforementioned smile widened considerably when he twigged just what those two tickets were *for*. "I should certainly try to get use out of these! I'll really try to fit something in, and if I could get Archie to come along, it would be all the better. Thanks a lot, Caden," he said softly, putting the box down for a moment and gently hugging his friend.
"I shall tell her about your generosity in my next letter - we might be able to work something out yet, as unlikely as that might seem considering where she is at the moment, but well, where there's a will..." The expression on the mouse's face showed Caden that he was determined to make it work. "That was an inspired choice, I reckon. I hope you enjoy your gift from me as much as I will mine from you."
Selvis watched the proceedings with a small smile on his face. If Carrow didn't get his wish, the weasel would certainly be interested in making use of that other ticket. Just then, he remembered something. Turning to face Zheep again, he picked up on what the smaller mustelid had told him earlier. 'The weasel with the striped shirt who wriggles a lot'?
The longtail had to rack his brains for a moment as he tried to recall who that was. Then it suddenly fell into place for him. He didn't remember much of Willard's sugar-fuelled antics back in Naples - there had been more important developments there after all. "I think I know the creature of whom you speak. His name's Willard, right? You won't be seeing him here." He sighed a little. "He's stayed behind on the ship." As usual, he didn't add. He directed his attention to his companions again, noting the look of delight on Carrow's face, before watching Caden and 'Elliot' converse, interested in seeing what he'd picked up for 'him'.
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Post by bookity101 on Dec 28, 2010 23:57:28 GMT -5
Elle watched as Carrow accepted his gift with great enthusiasm, and stifled a snicker as she remembered Willard's antics back when they had first met Zheep. And then her attention was brought back to the one beast who she was dreading having to talk to later that night, and forced a very convincing excited mask.
"I'd love to pass along your gift to Elle Caden." She rolled her eyes, playing the bemused sibling. "She sent me yours too, so here you go." She bit the inside of her cheek, just a little longer, hold on just a little longer.
"Mine's there too, you shouldn't have trouble telling which is which."
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Miri had no idea about half of what the two beasts before her were talking about. In her thinking, things were much more black and white. Find the bad guy, beat the bad guy, get paid for beating the bad guy, most times at least. All of this was too much for her to try to comprehend. Well to try at least, if she wanted to, she could and would understand it if she needed to, but for now she would just stand and listen, waiting and watching for any, two-facedness from the Countess. Though, for the first time since she had been introduced to the Countess, she didn't seem to be trying to manipulate Jal Sylver... for now at least.
--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-
Luxe laughed as he pulled her into the steps of a simple dance he had memorized when he was younger, and he was a better dancer than most beasts would guess the tall blacksmith to be.
"I was hoping you would forget about that particular story..." After a few minutes of dancing, and he caved.
"Well, which story did you want to start with?"
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