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Post by bookity101 on Jan 9, 2011 21:42:26 GMT -5
Elle bit her lip and nodded, grateful for the weasels honesty. And she had noticed that be made no reference to Carrow. And the female had no intention of piling her secret onto the mouse just yet, he would be sure to notice any change in Caden's treatment of her.
"All right then..." She sighed and finished what she had to say in ferlusan before turning to Caden. "Thanks. For every thing Selvis, and don't worry I won't put you on the spot." She ran her paw over her head in an agitated manner before finishing.
"My secret, my repercussions. And I won't tell Carrow just yet if I can avoid it. Do you think that..." she paused; then forged ahead, no turning back tonight.
"Maybe I could talk to him alone?" Elle stopped speaking and soon heard Cadens question. She sighed and turned to face the albino martin fully for the first time that night.
"I was..." She glanced at the older weasel, knowing he wouldn't blame her if she broke and pinned him in her deception as well, but she couldn't.
"I was asking him if, well we-" She pointed to herself and Caden. "-could have some privacy. There's been something that I've been leaning to tell you, and well..." She looked down at her footpaws, suddenly finding the floor in front of her fascinating.
"And I'm not sure how you'll take it..."
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Luxe mentally reeled back a little. In all of there conversations, he couldn't think of one time that Zephyr had volunteered any information from her past. And what little he did know had been nearly coerced from her, or at least told in a slightly grudging manner. But his smile was still solidly in place as he answered her;
"I'll have to introduce you to them someday, I think they would gladly adopt you in a manner of moments." he listened to her next question, shaking his head a little bit he said;
"All three of them are married with kits, and their husbands are good jacks... I made sure of that." he last bit was muttered to himself in a show of brotherly protectionism. Her next question threw him for a moment, remembering the various times he had spent a more than normal amount of time with a female,
"Could have been, if things had turned out differently, but no-" He looked her square in the eye, just to be sure that she could read his eyes as well as words. "- I've never been in love." He cocked his head to one side, silently returning the question, but doing so in a manner that allowed for her to ignore him. The last thin he wanted to do was make her uncomfortable enough to call there time tougher short... especially before he got that last dance.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Miri smiled through the he wheelchair bound dibbuns tale, finding him to be refreshing, even I he would have to work on patience in the years to come.
"Well surely there are other things to do than have a snowball fight, as not everyone here is dressed for one..." She looked around the room, noting the many different colored dresses and suits that filled the room, wondering if his hyper active little mind would be caught be something as simple as naming colors...
"When I was little, I would spend hours inventing names for beasts by what they looked like, for instance, him." She pointed to a particularly clumsy jaguar who dance like he had only left paws on his entire body.
"He would be Stumbly Bumbler or perhaps Sir Trips a lot." She glanced down at the helmeted head of her new friend, "Do you want to give it a go, I bet you would be good at it."
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Post by Ladorak on Jan 10, 2011 0:51:01 GMT -5
Zephyr caught the hint. He was silently trying to ask her the same question. So he wanted to know did he? She considered this a moment, biting her lip to take everything into account. Hmm...well she should have suspected he'd try and ask her the same thing she had just asked him.
"I...guess you could say I was at one point...no...maybe that's not really correct. He was a bit older than me. By quite a bit I think. More like...somebody I came to respect deeply I suppose. We both failed in our assignment...but I hear he's had success this year...so he's made up for what we both failed to do originally. So no...I doubt it was love. I just have a very deep respect for him. Plus...I think he's married so..."
She looked up at him, a smile creeping over her features. "Definitely not love. I owe him my life...but that's about it. So I guess we're both loveless. What could have turned out differently?" she asked him now, deciding to counter his own question.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Caden couldn't comprehend what Elle was saying to Selvis, and vice versa. He was ignored for the moment, and he found he didn't quite like it. There was something going on between these two...that was for sure, but what exactly? Elliot finally turned to face him, and the albino found himself looking right at his beech marten companion.
"Something private? Well um...OK. I guess if Selvis agreed to it that's fine. Let's go over to the stairs that I used to get down here. They're out of the way and we can move into the corner way in the back. So...if you'll excuse us Selvis...we'll return."
Caden walked away from the alcove, heading for the staircase that was off to the side and to the right of the main staircase, the one Ladorak had come down. They wouldn't be disturbed over here, as there weren't any guests who ventured this far back. It was in the shade, and rather cooler than the rest of the room.
He was immediately thrown into shadow as he walked beside the staircase, heading to the point where it met the wall of the palace and formed a right angle. Turning to face Elle, he scanned her, wondering what "Elliot" wanted to tell him. "So...what is this about? What were you conversing about in Ferlusanian with Selvis? It sounded a bit longer than just...well then again I don't really know the language. I guess I can't speak up about that. So you've got me alone...what can't you say in front of Selvis?" he asked quizzically, raising a brow. "Is something wrong? It's not your sister is it?" he asked, suddenly concerned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Yes...I'm sure your parents would be happy to see you Sveltlana...even if you've been away for awhile. I'm sure it would do them good to know you were thinking about them over the holidays...and it would be a step in the right direction in getting your life back on track...not that I'm claiming to be an expert or trying to dictate how to run your life." the detective immediately stammered, hoping she didn't take that the wrong way.
"Call it gentle coaxing...or even a suggestion. Yes...a suggestion." he stated, nodding now in satisfaction. I'm glad I've been helping thus far." He found her giggle rather invigorating. Energizing in a way. The dance was ending though, and he began walking her back to the buffet table, keeping her paw in his own. "Well...I most certainly enjoyed that...did you?" he asked, looking down at her now, his eyes carrying much less of a suspicious light and more of a warm glow now.
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Post by Carrow on Jan 10, 2011 7:17:44 GMT -5
Selvis nodded at the pair of martens, a gentle smile on his lips as he looked at 'Elliot' for what would be the last time in 'his' current guise. He knew it would all have had to come out eventually, but as they turned and left him to go and discuss things in private, the weasel felt his heart sinking faster than a ship that's been holed below the waterline. The longtail wasn't the sort that worried often, but this had him on edge.
He managed to conceal it until the pair had gone, then wrung his paws anxiously, sighing deeply as he went over to survey the buffet table. He needed to do something to keep him occupied for the next... however long it would take for Elle to get that whole business over with. He didn't really have all that much desire to eat - not when he feared that what was due to happen could change their friendship forever.
He didn't exactly resent being burdened with the beech marten's secret. He hadn't had any trouble keeping it, but now he was unsure what to do. If he played along and acted as surprised as he could, he would be lying to himself, as well as his pine marten and field mouse companions - that is, initially just Caden, but he knew he'd have to face Carrow sometime and tell him the news.
On the other paw, if he did come out about his previous knowledge of Elle's deception, no matter how well he could explain things and tell his albino friend the circumstances under which she had been driven to confess to him, he was still terrified he would lose his friendship. Carrow he reckoned wouldn't be all that much of a problem - shocked, yes, but he hoped the mouse could understand why he'd done what he'd done.
He almost, ALMOST wished that she had never said anything - but if she hadn't told *him*, who would she have opened up to? Carrow? Surely not. The rodent didn't seem like the kind who could carry others' secrets on his shoulders, along with what seemed like the weight of the world. He would have cracked long before tonight. Selvis held nothing against Carrow for this of course, but it just wouldn't have done to tell him anything.
She certainly wouldn't have told Caden no matter how much she had wanted to because of how unsure she would have been about his reaction - and the longtail knew enough about her now to realise that she would have desperately wanted to do this if she'd felt herself able to pawdle the consequences. To Selvis, no time seemed like the completely right one... but Carrow had cast off his secrets, ones that had been pushing him into the ground for years, and he had been extremely relieved (even if it seemed his unloading hadn't changed him at all). Elle would most likely be the same. Distracted, he reached the table, gazing about him, knots forming in his stomach. Another helpless sigh left him as he fervently hoped the worst-case scenario would not come to pass...
--
"Oh, come off it!," Sveltlana exclaimed cheerfully, "you're hardly doing that. If anything, I need advice from ohers since I'm so confused about what next to do with myself - and believe me, I'd value any advice you could possibly give me. I need to rely on the things I have left now... that rapidly-dwindling number of things I can still keep with me as everything else is lost..."
The lemming sighed. "Ah, well. I suppose I could use a fresh start... and if I want to know anything about where I'm going, I need to return to where I came from. That's about as good a starting point as I could thnk of. Thanks, Monty. I can barely stand on my own anymore, not after what's happened, so I really do appreciate these... suggestions you're giving me," she added with a wink.
"Let's call them 'suggestions', sure." They had finished, and the rodent Countess was well aware that Monty hadn't removed her paw from his own just yet. She enjoyed the feeling of another creature holding it like that, in such an affectionate and caring manner, for the first time in so long. "It was just what I needed, so yes, I certainly did enjoy it. It was perfect for an evening like this. How do you think I did? You were on top form, I noticed," she quipped, meeting her eyes and nooticing the warm glow that now occupied them. He was enjoying this for sure, and this pleased her greatly.
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Post by bookity101 on Jan 10, 2011 18:49:47 GMT -5
Luxe smiled slightly at her decision to answer his unspoken question, glad that she thought him trustworthy enough to tell him. His paw came up to rub the back of his head when he answered;
"She could have married me and not my best friend." He put it bluntly, having moved on from her long ago, besides, it was a very awkward subject to talk about at a ball... Shaking his head a little he voiced that last thought.
"Well, now that that awkward subject is out of the way..." He cast about for a topic that would steer their conversation back towards the more lighthearted topics that it had begun with. Then he remembered one.
"Zephyr, I told you about my retribution, but I didn't mention how they got me back for my get back..." He smiled and launched into the description of how they had corralled some of his friends into helping them with their revenge, which involved a bucket of sticky muck and two large buckets of chicken feathers...
"I coughed up chicken feathers for three days after that..."
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Elle followed behind Caden as he lead the way to a private corner for them. Oh good, it was in shadows... now she wouldn't be able to see his face when he reacted to her secret.... She winced as he mentioned the word sister, choosing to ignore what he said about Selvis, maybe the weasel would be spared from what she was sure would be the ruin of her friendship with Caden.
"Well, kinda... Yeah it does." She sighed and leaned against the wall,then it hit her what he meant.
"Oh, it's nothing bad, well I don't know." She rubbed her face. "This is not working..." She groaned and looked at Caden again.
"Look, almost a year ago you met Elle, well me and..." She shook her head, knowing that she was making no sense... at all. Finally she gave up on explaining and simply said;
"There is no "Elliot"... I don't have a brother" She suddenly found the floor very fascinating again, but still spoke clearly enough to be heard. "After I met you and Cer all those months ago, I saw the Aggie as an escape, a way to get away from my Aunt and Uncle." She still couldn't bring herself to look him in the face, but her gaze had moved to the floor beside his footpaws instead of directly in front of her own.
"And it was, it was great and all I had to do was not slip up and tell anyone, then Ocean found out because girls smell different than boys and we met Janey, and she helped me and so did Edgar, and I managed to tell you... about the roses." She winced, chickening out at the last moment to truly admitting she like the martin as more than a friend.
" And there was that sea battle, and you went diving over the edge to save Spender, who you seem to hate and I was so happy that you were ok, then you got captured in Tunis, and I freaked out, and got that stupid concussion and the doctor nearly found out, but he didn't and-" She stopped herself from continuing, knowing now she was just babbling.
"Long and short of this is, I'm Elle, there is no Elliot." She looked up at her friend, well, the beast she hoped would still be her friend, begging him to understand what she was trying to say.
"I made him up, and I-" She bit her lip,feeling herself go a little limp after the rush of words finally slowed.
"And I'm sorry I didn't tell you, a long time ago. I should have told." Finally, her chin hit her chest and silent tears began to roll down her snout. A hoarse whisper of "I'm so sorry Caden." was all that hung between them as she waited for him to walk away.
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Post by spender on Jan 11, 2011 10:40:32 GMT -5
"Ha!" Zheep yipped. "Ha! Ha! Is that his name!? Ha! That's so silly! Stumbly-Bumbles! Like a bee! Bzzzz."
He slowly let his paws slide down from his pot back to his lap as he looked about for someone to try this new game on. Everyone looked so... boring, though. He squinted one eye shut and tried to think up a name for a squirrel in a poofy dress that was larger than her arm's reach, and was having trouble getting to the buffet table as a result. Despite the hilarity in this, all he could think of to name her was "Squirrel In a Poofy Dress". That wasn't nearly as funny as Miri's suggestions; he was embarrassed to say his own idea to her. He needed to impress her!
Aha!
"That orange mouse," he said, pointing. "That's Star-Head the Skinny. Ha! She has a star on her head. I really like her." He grinned up at Miri. Speaking of beasts he really liked...
"And you're Pruggyface McBiffitfoo... jill." His voice cracked as he said it, as if he'd run out of breath. He was blushing furiously. "I mean, Prettyface McBeautifuljill..."
Cue awkward silence.
He bit into his biscuit. "Baaaaah, 'm a sheep cracker."
Molly glared at Hood's retreating back. The glare was mostly meant for Ladorak, but she didn't have the heart to give it to him. Didn't want any pleasantries yet, eh? Silly stoat.
"Tally never cries," she said quietly, almost thoughtfully, as if just realizing it herself.
"So, what's the next--ahh... maybe later..." Molly frowned a little, just remembering that he didn't want to think about it. Oh, but she did! A new fight? A--hee!--new engagement? Details, details! In due time, of course, but it felt like nothing could make this night any better than news of their next battle. She'd still been saving the first firing of her rifle, Little Lad, for that first kill...
"Yes, so I think we'll most likely find meringue in the kitchens... as well as flour. We can pick up the things on sticks on the way back, and a linen sheet as well... Where's the way to the kitchens? There!" Molly pointed at a servant who was carrying an empty tray. "Follow that... whatever he is." She leaned closer to Ladorak and whispered. "What is he?"
Ten years in Welkin, seeing all manner of rare (see: non-Imperium-native) creatures come and go through Muggidrear, had never quite prepared her for seeing a platypus for the first time.
"OK, you can have anything you want from that table. Not that you need me to tell you or anything, but I'm just letting you know you don't answer to anyone anymore, alright?"
Tally nodded. She'd found herself a plate from the stack at the end of the table. Upon closer inspection, there was a row of chairs against the wall, where beasts could sit to dine without having to carry food all over, but without having to take up space at one of the tables near the band. She had her eye on one of the chairs... but that was later.
She had her other eye on the buffet table.
She didn't know the names of all these foods. She wasn't old enough to be useful in the kitchen, and by the time she got close enough to most of them, they were nothing but crumbs under her master's chair. Truth be told, she wasn't sure some of these things were food.
Tally held her plate at chest-height, staring wistfully. She couldn't decide. And worse than that... she just couldn't... reach out. It didn't feel right.
"Can I haff some off dat?" she asked quietly, pointing as politely as she could to a stack of glazed cakes. She knew she was allowed to have it, otherwise she would not have asked. It was hard enough just to ask. Asking was among the first things she'd been taught not to do. Permission before requesting permission, was the rule.
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Post by Ladorak on Jan 11, 2011 13:08:42 GMT -5
Caden felt as if the palace were suffering from an earthquake and falling out under his feet. The ground shook, and the marble and wood all around him began to crumble underneath his claws, launching him down into a void of which he was unable to glimpse the bottom of.
Wait...there was NO Elliot? There was no such thing as a twin brother? There was just...there was just...Elliot? But how...why? What did this mean? It was...it was Elle standing before him? "Elle?" he whispered, his pink eyes wide and his ears standing on end as she explained to him. "It's you?" he asked, initially overjoyed at seeing her in the flesh...but then wondering why she had to keep it secret from him.
She had spent almost a year concealing this fact from him, had she not? He was still holding his presents in his paws, and he looked down at the embroidered cloth she had given him. This whole time...she had been with him...but why? She had admitted to him back in Naples that she didn't care about him in the manner that he wanted to care about her. So why had she crept aboard? Did she really want to escape her relatives that badly, or was there more to it than that?
Now he felt hesitation, and reluctance as she spoke to him. This didn't make sense...it was making his head hurt. He closed his eyes, then reopened them again. "Elle..." but he stopped himself as she wasn't done talking yet, and he hated to interrupt her. He started to back away, letting his footpaws push him back into the wall behind him, and there he stayed, with nowhere to go. Elle in front, and the wall at his back. Passion, betrayal, uncertainty, and heartbreak. All of those rolled into one. He shook his head.
After a moment or two, his footpaws began to move of their own accord. He started walking toward her....and then past her, unable to pawdle this at the moment. She was saying how she should have told him sooner. That was for sure. He kept his head down, not looking at her as he moved past, but then he heard her whisper under her breath; she called his name...and it was her voice...Elle's voice. Not Elliot's. But Elle's.
He paused in mid step, his footpaw hovering over the floor. It didn't make sense. She had been so friendly to Spender when Spender had been so cruel to him. She had been hiding under his nose this whole time. He thought he smelled her sometimes, but had told himself no, it was just his mind playing foolish tricks. She had empowered almost everyone around her it seemed...except him. He felt like maybe she had told others, but he shook his head. No...that wasn't true. So either...she had joined simply to get away from her family and she didn't really care that deeply about him...or she did, but she wasn't telling him.
As much as he wanted to walk off to find Selvis (or Ocean for not telling him), he hesitated, his claws running over the fabric in his paws once again. He brushed his tail around him, and then turned on his heel. "Elle..." he said softly, his hardened features finally melting a little. He couldn't just leave her in a corner like this.
He walked up behind her, setting his gifts down on the floor and placing his paws on her shoulders. Even he couldn't explain why he had jumped in the ocean to save Spender. It had gotten him nothing after all, and there had been barely any improvement in their relationship as far as he knew. But still...if he had been capable of doing that...he was more than capable of doing this. "Elle...why didn't you tell me sooner?" he asked, not accusingly, but more in a sad tone. "Did you feel you couldn't trust me? I guess..." but no...he couldn't belittle himself like that, even if he believed it to be true. She didn't trust him maybe. That was that. "Why did you go to all these lengths?" he had said it. It was out...and he couldn't go back now. He needed to get to the bottom of this...and if not, then at least arrive at an answer. "Do you really hate your family that much that you needed to flee from them by joining the Navy?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ladorak noted the platypus that she was tracking. "Oh...a platypus. You don't see too many of them in these parts...they're normally from the continent down under...the one we're still mapping and exploring." he explained to her. "I've never been to that hemisphere myself, nor would I want to. It takes around eight months by ship, and you could end up getting stuck for weeks in the area known as the Doldrums before you reach the Cape of Good Hope, currently administered by Mordenz. That's the only stop between Here and there, and you just have to hope some storm won't swamp you or you won't perish from disease in the tropics. I hope to always remain in this hemisphere, thank you very much." he stated adamantly, giving her a determined look.
"Right...let's get going then." he trailed after the unusual mammal, following behind him as they made their way through an adjoining hallway and toward the kitchen. "I suggest you move quickly my love. I'll try and stall them when we head in there...or I suppose I could offer to pay them though I'm not sure I honestly feel like doing that. So if you could move quickly and snag what you need...I'm sure the Grand Duke can afford to part with some of his kitchen supplies. Unless of course...you had a plan." The ermine came to a halt as the platypus entered a door ahead of them. "That's it...it must be in there."
He put a paw on her arm, looking over at her now to hear her out, or if she was OK with his idea.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zephyr felt a smile once more creep over her features. She tried to stifle it, but ended up laughing a little behind her paw as he spoke up about his sisters' revenge. "Ha! I see..." she said, quickly lowering her voice again. When she laughed, she was acutely aware that she got loud and drew attention from time to time. But she liked having fun...she just didn't like showing it so much.
"So I guess it was a never ending cycle over a long period of time, eh? Retaliation and counterattack...sounds like fun." she had taken note that Luxe's "crush" had married his best friend...well that happened sometimes. She decided to speak up to let him know. "That can occur Luxe...what you said before...about her marrying your best friend. But yes...best not to dwell. Well...since you were kind enough to tell me these things...perhaps I should indulge you a little and let you ask me something...if you want." she stated, hesitating but for a moment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Yes...getting back to your roots and reassessing your life would be a good move in the right direction I'd say. You did very well yourself Countess...danced like a dream." he admitted, smiling as he gazed at her with a slightly dreamy expression on his face before he suddenly snapped out of it. "Er...right...of course you did. I'm sure you've had practice. A refined jill such as yourself." He stated, looking over at the table and then down at his spats and finally back up her dress at her.
"If there was ever a night more memorable than this..." he paused here, unsure of how to conclude that. Admitting he liked her was definitely throwing fuel on the fire. If her plan was to charm him, she was succeeding. But if her plan was simply to have a good time...forget her troubles, then he wanted to break through to her. He wanted her to see that changing had its benefits. "It most certainly doesn't exist in my mind." He finally settled on saying.
"I hope this helped...you performed superbly out there." He plucked a strawberry off a tray with a claw, and offered it to her, smiling playfully a bit as he did so. "Why don't you tell me a bit about your parents? I'm curious as to the ones that raised the Countess Sveltlana Bogginski. You don't have to give the life story, simply a little bit on what they're like." he explained, the smile still on his features.
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Post by Carrow on Jan 11, 2011 18:21:51 GMT -5
Fates damn it!, Selvis thought helplessly. I can't just stand here not doing anything! I don't feel like eating, I... need to talk to somebeast. Anybeast, about anything at all, just so I can keep my mind off this almighty mess I've gotten myself into.
He thought back to the fateful day Elle had partially unburdened herself by telling him her secret. For months afterwards, the longtail had carried it around, but it was starting to weigh him down. He needed to open up to someone, because he didn't want to risk losing Caden's friendship.
He wanted to Carrow to know too, no matter how the mouse felt. He had a right to know at this stage. The mustelid was quite certain that now the proverbial cat was out of the bag, and it was only a matter of time before he found out, whether from the lips of Elle, Caden, or Selvis himself.
He could live with himself if he held his tongue. There was no question about that. If he kept his foreknowledge to himself, he would be just fine. Nothing was worth losing his friendship with Caden over. He was certain that if he lost the marten he would never be able to forgive himself.
However, the weasel had an intense sense of loyalty to his companions and while it was locked in a struggle with his doubt, it was quite powerful, and it was winning. Selvis then decided that if he wanted to stay true to himself - which he so desperately did - he would reveal all when he got Caden alone and could explain under no pressure from anybeast else.
He needed to clear his head - or at least fill it with thoughts of other things that he could deal with there and then. His admission would come later. He quickly scanned the beasts at the buffet table, smiling as he spotted Carrow and Tally, glad to see them talking.
Inwardly he was relieved that Carrow had a distraction, because if he was left alone his mind might wander and he'd seek out his friends again - and it would all come spilling out far too soon. The presence of another creature diverted the longtail's train of thought, though... thankfully.
Ocean was there, near two creatures whom he had pegged as Luxe and Zephyr. The ermine was the one he wanted to speak to - just for a while to help him out. He left his spot without a scrap of food in his paw. He was soon by his fellow mustelid's side, seeming calm and composed once again. "Ah, hello there, Ocean," he murmured. "Good to see you!"
--
Carrow smiled as he saw Tally nod at his suggestion. It seemed he was finally starting to get through to hear, and the more time he spent with her, the more the field mouse was starting to enjoy her company. There were things about her he could try to change, all the same.
She was a free creature now, sure, but her spirit had been crushed quite some time ago. She was not one to show initiative or take risks... but then again that sort of thing wasn't really Carrow's strongest suit either. They had more in common than either or them realised.
The Welkin mouse was of the opinion that, personality-wise, they were almost a perfect match for e-- no. Just a perfect match! They shared many things even if they didn't quite know it yet. That's all I meant by that... yes... It was all he could do from keeping himself from chuckling nervously.
He held it in, though, glancing up at the glazed cakes his new companion had picked out. "You just reach up there and take however many you want. I like how polite you are, you know. That's always something I've liked in others. Politeness, and friendliness too. I see both of those in you, y'know.
"Help yourself, Tally. I'll wait until you're finished here before getting some food for myself, and then maybe if you want we can sit down for a while? I'd like to get off my paws for a bit, but I'll do whatever you'd like to," he told her, patting her paw again in a reassuring fashion.
--
Sveltlana chuckled. If there was a clearer sign that Monty had fallen for her, she was yet to see it, and was quite unsure whether one could have presented itself. He was clearly becoming very taken indeed with her after all these years, and the lemming found she quite liked the feeling.
"I have dabbled in it, I'll admit... but it's never really been something I've found so... thrilling as I did tonight... I'm glad I'll always have these memories to hold on to... though they are surrounded by things I might not live to regret, these ones will shine all the brighter... thank you."
She smiled as the weasel detective found himself momentarily at a loss for words. Oh, he was most certainly enjoying himself tonight. The Countess had never particularly known him to be a creature who got stuck for the right words to say, whatever the situation. Well... this was new!
It was her turn to be left momentarily speechless as Monty put his question to her. Nobeast had asked her about her parents in that sort of way in quite some time. She knew what she wanted to say, though, and soon got over the shock of having to say it again. She'd spoken to nobeast like this in what seemed like forever...
"Well, let's see... they certainly weren't stuffy or anything like that. I know how creatures can perceive those in power, but they were quite down-to-earth about it all. Friendly and caring too... it's just that the only major drawback was that they were hardly ever together in the same room. One of them always had to be off on some visit or other."
She sighed once more. She liked her parents, but in a way they had been responsible for what she had turned into... what she was trying to escape before it quite literally killed her. "They had things to do, and comparatively little time for me. I do miss them dearly, though... which is why I'm so keen to take your advice."
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Post by Ladorak on Jan 11, 2011 20:29:04 GMT -5
Ocean himself was in a bit of a quandary. The ermine had seen Elle taking Caden off, and he assumed she was finally revealing her secret...or perhaps not. Either way, she was out of sight now, along with the albino. Ocean had been left to his own devices, and with nothing to do he'd begun slipping into rather dark musings.
Caden...it was only a month ago that they had sailed from the horrid shores of Tunis. Tunis...never once in his life had Ocean been so confused as to his purpose. He had joined the Order only last year...when he'd reached 15, the minimum age required to enter. He'd finally gotten in...after months of forging documents, and explaining that unfortunately both of his "parents" were dead, and that the recruiters would not be able to meet them. He didn't even like thinking about what it had taken to get those documents forged after all...
And now...now that he really was a part of the Order, he had access to so many resources he'd long thought impossible to obtain. But he'd had to take vows as well...vows he initially had little use for...but after about a year of learning the ways and customs and history...it had started to grow on him. He'd slowly begun to adopt the way of life...buy into the mentality. It had allowed him to continue his search...and so had joining the Agamemnon. But his real test had been Tunis.
As far as he knew, the "pagans" in Tunis were no longer officially at war with his Order...or were they? He had not been clear on that...and then Caden had been abducted by them...lawless ruffians without morals. But were they religious? Did they fall into the category of "enemy?" Caden wasn't religious, as far as he knew...so did that exclude him from receiving aid? It was all so confusing to Ocean, and ultimately, it didn't matter who was what...because he had frozen up, and had been unable to carry out his duty...if indeed there was a duty to execute.
The ermine was fiddling with a gold ring upon which was stamped a seal of sorts. It was proof of who he was now. He twirled it, slipped it over his claw, then withdrew it just as quickly. Had he failed? Was that his big chance? What was he supposed to do? The ermine nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard Selvis behind him, and he quickly closed his paw around the ring, hiding it from sight.
"Oh! Selvis!" his voice cracked, and her turned to face the long tailed weasel. "Good to see you!" he gave him a shaky smile, returning the weasel's salutation. "I was just...you know...thinking things over. Ever since Tunis I've been worrying about something. I had vanished upon rescuing Caden...I know that...but I guess I just...well...I didn't...I froze...I protected Caden yes...but in the castle...I didn't jump into the fight...I let the adults pawdle it...and I just...I hope Caden isn't holding that against me...me being an officer candidate and all."
But the more he talked to Selvis, the more he felt justified in doing what he'd done. Yes...defending Caden. He'd defended Caden. He let the adults pawdle it because he needed to ensure the downed marten wouldn't be picked off. That fell in line with his training...with what he'd been instructed to do. Yes...so he hadn't failed! Yes! He was defending Caden! Somebeast had to after all, while Spender and Peskers got him out of there.
Relaxing visibly in front of the weasel, the ermine shook his head. "I guess I'm just worrying about nothing. I mean I'm sure he doesn't hold it against me. It's been on my mind ever since then...but I suppose it's nothing to lose sleep over, eh? I did all I could under the circumstances. So...what's up with you mate?" he kept his fist closed around the ring, still hiding it from view as he let his paws dangle at his sides. "Are you having a good Christmas Eve so far? Quite the party they've got going, eh?" he asked, his smile becoming far more genuine now as he started to unwind from the tension he'd been under before.
Ocean was dressed impeccably tonight. Bright red overcoat, white waistcoat and white pants, which went a little bit strangely with his white fur, but the colors had significance for him, and to the casual eye, he looked as if he were quite decked out for the holiday. He looked almost like a Welkinite officer in fact.
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Montegu listened to Sveltlana's description of her family with interest. So they were warm, and not overbearing or smothering. Somehow, he had always pictured Sveltlana as growing up in a household like that. It brought a smile to his face. But he mellowed out a little when he heard the news she delivered about her parents not always being in the house at the same time...rarely if ever it seemed.
"Well...the nobility does work too you know...especially in Kradowska. The Sejm...I think your Parliament is called...well...was made up of the nobility in part. And I can see them needing to often head out to take care of business there. Your father at least...your mother of course would have her duties as well. It is rather dismaying knowing that their hard work has not paid off...but I'm sure your nation will be avenged at some point. I just can't say when. Kosciusko looks to be the beast to do it...but of course you can't side with him for obvious reasons...and besides...his uprising might in fact bring the foreign powers down not only on him...but on your nation as well. Delorn and Gradvar would jump at the prospect...and I have no doubt these Kostritzers would as well." he said that last bit in lower tone of course, realizing where he was standing.
"I am sorry of course...I'm sorry you're being backed into a corner...but there's still time Countess. Kosciusko needs the Spring weather to move...he can't move until at least March...three more months at the very least. April at the worst. Go home...get your affairs in order...and if needs be...relocate to Slattland...or elsewhere. And if ever you need assistance...I do ask that you come and find me. I'll be traveling now, as I'm part of HMS Agamemnon, but that will be easy enough to seek out. I'll gladly return to land if needs be, and meet you. I'll keep in touch as well...in case my location changes to another ship, or back to land. Either way...I promise to stay in contact...following your situation and how you fare. You have my word."
He held her now, his arms about her waist. He kept a firm but not tight grip on her. He wanted to let her know he was going to be there, regardless. He needed this now...because she needed it. She needed something to stay afloat...and he didn't want to see her drown. She might turn on him in the future...but he doubted it. It felt like they were starting a new chapter in their lives...or at least that she was. 1794 would be markedly different for her, more so than it would be for him.
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Post by bookity101 on Jan 11, 2011 21:53:11 GMT -5
Elle felt her heart break as Caden walked past her, but felt a swelling of hope when she felt his “Hate them?” Elle looked up at Caden, tears still in her eyes.
“Oh, heavens no Caden, I didn’t hate them.” She sniffed and dragged a paw over her eyes, trying to get the tears under control. “But my Aunt sure hated me. She made my life miserable at home, treating me like a servant, then using me to get access to balls and such she never should have because I’m set to inherit my grandfather’s title and.” More tears began to fall.
“I couldn’t take it anymore; it was just getting worse with Janey gone, and though my younger cousins weren’t so bad, they never understood that I was their cousin, I was a nursemaid to them basically.” She rested her head against his paw for a brief moment.
“And I did want to tell you.” She turned around to face him, not moving away from arm reach though. She wiped her eyes again, laughing a little as she did so.
“You have no idea how much I wanted to tell you but I was afraid of… a lot of things… The wrong beasts finding out, being kicked off the ship, having to go back to Welkin.” She sighed and still couldn’t find the courage to look at him.
“I went to those lengths because I wanted to be, I wanted to… This isn’t coming out the way it was supposed to.” She rubbed her forehead, finding once again that the words she wanted would not come out again.
“You remember, back in Naples… When I really messed up when you told me… told me… Oh you remember…” She groaned into her paw.
“I didn’t tell you because I was afraid of… afraid of my feelings. I wanted to tell you so badly that… and I was afraid of what would happen if I told you, but still had “Elliot” hanging over my shoulder anymore.” Elle decided to do what she had wanted to do for a long time. She threw her arms around his him and rested her forehead on his chest. She waited for only a moment before turning her head to the side saying;
“And, now that I have “Elliot” out of the way, I think I can tell you what I wanted to back in Naples.” She stood on tippaws and whispered into his ear;
“I like you to Caden, not just as a friend, but more than that.”
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Luxe watched Zephyr as she offered to let him ask anything though she seemed to be hesitating in her offer.
“Well, do you have anything you want to share?” He asked, leaning back against the wall. “Though why you got into the Navy would be an interesting story.”
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Miri smiled a little at the compliment that the little beast gave her, glancing over at Tally and watching as Carrow lead her over to the buffet. Those mice would be good for each other, she hoped at least.
“How about we head over at get something to eat.” She smiled a little, though she was pretty hungry.
“Then you can give your little sheep there some friends.”
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Post by Ladorak on Jan 12, 2011 0:54:13 GMT -5
Caden froze when he saw the tears in her eyes. This was affecting her that much? He hadn't had an inkling of that before. He couldn't move...he only rested his paws on her shoulders as she looked at him, trying to wipe her tears away, then finally turned to face him. He studied her in surprise, trying to help her, trying to find words. But she was the one doing the talking here...he was just listening.
"Elle...I..." he stopped though, wanting to hear her out. She had such a rough life back home...being treated as nothing more than a serving maid to her so called "family." That was terrible...even worse in a way than he had grown up. At least he wasn't treated like a house servant. And with Ladorak, things were even better. But Elle had it rough...and had a terrible life back home. If she ever returned...he could only imagine the type of treatment she'd receive.
His face was now nothing but concern and grief. He looked at her with his pink eyes, and tried to come up with something to say. But then she wrapped her arms about him, and rested her head on his chest. She was staining his blue jacket with her tears, but he didn't care. He brought his strong arms up to encircle her, embracing her tightly against him. He was a lot stronger since they had last "met" back in Whistleminster and Muggidrear. He had been loading and pawdling shots since day one, and it had worked his upper body strength out nicely. His voice was deepening too, though still cracked from time to time. It wasn't quite the adult tone he'd develop later on in life. It was cracked now, but only because of his emotional state.
"Elle...it's OK...I'm here..." he patted her back, running his paw up and down in a comforting manner. He'd never done this before...he'd never hugged a friend like this, except Ladorak, and the ermine was more than a friend to him of course. Here it was different...Elle needed reassurance, and he had to step up and do this for her. "I'm not gonna say anything to Ladorak. I'll keep your secret on the ship...you don't have to worry. Just...I'm so sorry. I didn't realize you needed to get away that badly...I had seen you at your house...but you always put on a good face...I'm sorry." he felt his own eyes growing moist, and his breath sounding stifled due to the stuffy nose he was getting. This whole overwhelming situation was intense...he'd just found out Elle had been with him this whole time...and that she liked him more than a friend.
"You'll be with me on board now...and I'll know that from now on. I won't let anyone find out...I'll keep you safe. I'll look out for you...you have a home now with us...all of us. Even if the others don't know...I will...and I'll protect that. We'll travel the world together...like I've been wanting to do with you. We can go with everyone into town...but sometimes...maybe I could take you on your own...and you could change into normal clothing...and we could just enjoy ourselves...you could enjoy yourself...as a jill. If only for a day or so. And then we'd head back to the ship, as Caden and Elliot. It would be our secret. I promise I won't tell a soul." he said softly, speaking into her ear as well.
"You have a new home now...and I'm just so happy for you." he said, feeling like his heart would burst. "I'm just so happy I know who you are now...and that you've been with me this whole time." He was visibly shaking, trembling in her arms, his emotion clear to her. "You don't have to hide it from me at least. I..." he paused here, shuddering as he breathed, his tears having stopped, though his breathing still coming in fitful inhales and exhales. With quavering lips the albino gently and very hesitatingly kissed her head, pulling back nervously as he'd never done that before. He ran his claws through her headfur, and nuzzled her with this cheek. "I care about you a lot Elle...just look at how badly I'm quaking. I'm just...so happy to know you've been with me...things will be OK...we'll be OK."
He wanted to believe it. The incredible pressure of keeping her secret weighed on him...but he wanted to bear this weight with her. He wanted to help her with this. "I'll bear this burden with you." He stated, nuzzling her again in a very shy manner. "We'll be OK." he reiterated, feeling as if some great relief were cascading down on him, and that he could finally start to live his life once more and not be afraid. She had revitalized him...shocked his heart and got him living again...he was recovering from last month...and now the sun was finally throwing a shaft of light down through the clouds he had been under these past few weeks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hmm...why I joined the Navy..." Zephyr tapped a claw on her lower lip, thinking about this for a moment. "Well that's easy enough to answer. I decided why not? My parents were dead...the orphanage was a little less than thrilling, and after I got out, I became an apprentice blacksmith but I found I was looking at my future and saw nothing. So I was learning a trade...so what? Was that really going to be my life? No way. I decided I wanted some adventure."
She fixed him with a steady gaze now. "I wanted to set sail...to make a difference with my life. I wanted to leave my mark on the world. That was about...seven years ago now...I signed up for an expedition as Assistant Armorer on a particular vessel that was traveling around the world...to retrieve a type of fruit from the tropics in the Pacific...you might have heard of this expedition..." she spoke tentatively, turning her head to the side a bit but still looking at him, and wondering if he would figure it out.
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