|
Post by Ladorak on Apr 5, 2011 22:43:39 GMT -5
They ran the boat up onto the beach, and many others were run up on either side of them. Redcoats clambered out, as did sailors. Ladorak stepped his paws into the sand, and inhaled the rocky island's scent. Scrubby... like forest undergrowth in a way.
"We've got quite a bit in store for us yet. And well... I don't think we have to worry about running out of enemies. Rosferia has twenty-five million citizens. Quite a few are under arms as well, so... I think we'll have plenty of opponents in this war." he said, smiling at Molly as he helped her with some of her belongings.
"Everyone from my boat... start unloading the supplies! We've got shots, cartridges, canvas and food to unload, so let's get to it! Work on getting the sledges set up as well... we'll be needing to drag those cannon up to that hill." the molting ermine Captain explained, pointing over to Campanelli Hill, a rocky prominence that was ahead of them. It was to be their home away from home for who knew how long. Admiral Hood predicted 10 days. Ladorak wasn't sure if that estimate was correct or not. If they were lucky, they could carry the place by assault and end things in a few weeks. Either way, the mustelid Captain was confident in his force.
Caden headed over to one of the supply boats with Selvis, and began the process of unloading it, reaching in and taking out the various things it contained. This one was mostly filled with canvas, which would be used to make tents for them to provide shelter during their stay. "I do, you're right Selvis, but one thing at a time." the albino chuckled. "I need to make Midshipjack first after all, meaning I have to impress the Captain enough to make that post."
He pawed Selvis a box, and then held his paws out to receive another from the crew member in the boat. "I hope you're right, about the exam at least. Yes I really do want to make Lieutenant, for Ladorak's sake. I want to make him proud more than anything. I don't know yet how I'll react on exam day. I see myself reacting any number of ways. Scared of course, I won't lie. How about you? How are your own studies going?" he grunted as he hefted another box over to the long tailed weasel. "Think you'll make Corporal with how they're going? And been meaning to ask... what drew you to the Master at Arms' line of work?" he asked, smiling now as he looked back and forth from his friend to the boat.
Ladorak, for his part, overheard Marten's offer to give Carrow a lift. "As a matter of fact you two, Seajack Marten, if you'd like to take Carrow up the hill, see if you two can work on securing the blocks and tackles to rocks up there. That way we can work on getting the guns up there as well. If you two could do that... and also get a good look at the town itself, it would be a major help. Should be about... a mile and a half away from the town, so you'll have a prime view from up there."
He nodded at them, and shifted his attention back to Molly. "So... you were asking me if we could return to the ship if the siege lasts long. Yes... though as ground commander, I can't be away for too long. I recommend bringing her out here... just keep her well back from the front lines. Our batteries, once we construct them, will be in range of their guns. So just use discretion. Oh and... I see you brought "Little Lad" along. I'm honored you'd name a musket after me, though I must admit it's a first time thing."
The beach was coming alive, all abuzz with crew working to unload the boats. Some were starting off up the hill, carrying crates, ropes, tackles, and assorted other equipment. Others were stacking the heavier boxes and equipment in mounds, waiting for the sledges to be set up in order to use those. It was like an ant hive that had suddenly had life breathed into it, or at least would seem that way from an observer in the air.
|
|
|
Post by Carrow on Apr 6, 2011 2:54:09 GMT -5
Carrow had been about to reply to Marten's comment when he realised the newcomer had already moved on to respond to Caden. Hmm, he thought, perhaps that's something I might be able to ask him about later... maybe when we're settled and not... not... climbing... He gulped. The more the mouse studied the cliffs before him, the less confident he felt in his own ability to scale them. He knew it would come to that, and sooner rather than later.
He was relieved of his worries, however, when Marten spoke to him again. The mouse had seen him studying him out of the corner of his eye, glancing down at him every now and then. He had been about to ask what exactly was on Marten's mind, but he'd been beaten to speaking once again. He listened to him speak, and while there was a time when he would have wondered whether his nervousness and anxiety about the forthcoming climb was so obvious that even Marten, a creature who hadn't really known him for very long at all, could see it, that time had passed.
Instead, the field mouse (who had indeed been sticking close to Marten, as he had the habit of staying near the closest source of comfort or reassurance when he had to do things like this), despite being unable to disguise his spasmodically-twitching tail, which was a sure sign of the nervous tension that coursed through him, brightened up considerably when the suggestion was put to him. It could be noted that he was one of the last creatures to leave the boat. There was no possible way he could hide his feelings about what lay ahead.
He stepped ashore, clutching his small bag of supplies and liking the feel of the sand beneath his paws, nodding at the elder pine marten. "I'd appreciate help if you were willing to offer it, Marten," Carrow responded politely. "I don't think it's the hiking that bothers me as much. I can pawdle that... I think, anyway," he added, needing to be honest with himself as well as the newest notable addition to their crew. "You can carry me for that as well, if you like. Maybe if I knew a little more about how to avoid wearing myself out, I'd go it alone, but I'd like your help for that, if you're offering. Why don't you stick with us too, if you want?," he offered, smiling a little. The mouse then heard Ladorak's voice. He nodded at the stoat Captain. "Yes sir, of course. We'll see what we can do between the two of us," he told the mustelid, saluting before returning his attention to Marten.
"Now, it's the actual climbing I'm worried about. I don't know how exactly we're planning to get up there, first of all... will we be using our own paws or going up on rope ladders? Either way I'm not really sure I can manage that. I'm not the most sure-pawed of beasts even at the best of times... so yes," he told Marten with another small smile, "all in all, this 'piggy-back ride' idea of yours sounds like it's a go. Thanks very much!," he told Marten enthusiastically. He placed his bag on the ground, close by, and ventured over to a supplies boat to begin unloading supplies, taking some cartridges in his arms and starting to take them out onto the sand, setting them down in an organised pattern.
The rodent worked steadily and efficiently, and soon he was in the supplies boat again, looking around for the blocks and tackles. "Could you lend a paw here, please?," he asked as politely as he could. "I'm not too sure how to go about this... er, you could lead, maybe, and I'll follow?," he suggested with a nervous smile. Noticing that he was near Selvis and Caden, he was unable to resist waving at them again, happy to see them working so well together.
The weasel had remained with Caden, and he too was smiling, though his grin was directed at his albino marten companion. "Well, of course you want to make him proud! I do too - I think everybeast on this ship that looks up to him does in fact." He stepped ashore, smiling broadly now as he followed Caden straight over to a supply boat. "Ah, I enjoyed that!," he revealed with a contented sigh. "You did a good job there, mate. We all did, and now we're on land again for the first time in a couple of months. It feels good, doesn't it? I've missed the feel of sand beneath my paws."
He contined speaking as he took the box from his marten friend, lifting it out and gently depositing it on the shore. "Oh yes, this takes me back. I've always been fond of beaches and such things, you see," he commented, blue eyes twinkling. "As for my progress, well, since you asked, my studies are going about as well as could be expected. I'm putting in the work and already starting to see results. Small ones, I'll admit, but they're there all the same. And what drew me to all that? Well, a number of things, the first of which being that I like to make sure rules are upheld... you know, in a healthy kind of way," he added, unable to resist a dig at the absent Willard, whose obsessive nature disturbed him.
"Another thing is that I can come to the aid of creatures who are getting a hard time from others. If there's one thing I won't stand for, it's harassment and bullying, and being in a position like Ship's Corporal would be a good way to ensure things don't get too out of paw. It's a powerful position, or so I'm told, but you know what they say: with great power comes great responsibility, and I enjoy that too." Seeing Carrow's wave, he cheerfully returned it, taking up another box, very grateful indeed to be on dry land again after his experiences in the boat. "Anything else you want to know about that?," he asked Caden. "I'll answer whatever you can think of."
|
|
|
Post by bookity101 on Apr 6, 2011 20:24:14 GMT -5
Elle quirked an eyewhisker at Martin's words, but she no opportunity to respond when he moved onto whatever next caught his attention, and then he was over the side and working on pushing the boat to shore. As soon as the boat was well entrenched on the beach, she was over the side and moving to the shore as to find a way to busy herself in the work of helping. As she jumped to follow the Captains orders, she felt her own bag awing against her side. She couldn't help the smile that appeared as she recalled the letter that sat waiting to be delivered to the waiting paws of a certain mousy friend, who she believed that it was finally time to let in the loop. It would depend on how he responded to said letter but... she wouldn't know till she laid it out for him...
Elle worked quickly and quietly, hanging back with her messmates so she would not be separated during the move to the main sight of the attack. As for now, she was living up to Martin's view of her; the quiet thinker.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Miri jumped over the edge of the launch and onto the beach, eager to be on dry land again. Stretching, she felt around in her bag till she removed her sturdy set of leather clawless* gloves. She tugged them on as she turned to address the beast she had been seated next as he joined her on the beach.
"Feels good to be on dry land again doesn't Jal Sleet?"
|
|
|
Post by Ladorak on Apr 6, 2011 22:57:01 GMT -5
((Shorter post, gonna let Spendy get in here))
"Well, come to think of it, probably not." Caden shook his head, pawing Selvis another box. "Though, in all honesty, I plan to do a lot of catching up with everyone in the weeks ahead. Plenty of time it seems. I mean minimum estimate for this siege is a week, so that's still some time to catch up with you, and Carrow, and Elliot." He said, being careful to use her fake name.
"We can sit around camp fires, play cards, talk, watch the stars, that sort of thing. How does all that strike you? I mean a REAL fire heheh. Can't have those on board after all... as you well know." he said, giving the long tailed weasel a wink.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ocean sighed, not realizing he had been sitting next to Miri this whole time. He hung his head a little as he stepped out of the boat (slunk out would be a more accurate assessment). "I guess so. I'm afraid I might not be stepping paw back on the ship after this siege. I mean... look at me. I just got found out... all thanks to a certain messmate of mine... and the Captain... he didn't look upon it too favorably." he said, gulping now as he scrunched sand in between his claws, but not elaborating much further.
"I don't know what to do. I guess... just complete this job... and then..." Here he sighed. "What's the point. I'm probably bound for court martial... or simple discharge. I... I really need this job though. I can't... support myself or travel to where I need to go otherwise. I... have things I still need to find... things I still need to do. And I can't without this job." he explained, glumly beginning to unload things from the launch. It seemed as if the energy had gone out of him for now, and he was a deflated ermine, everything about him wilting and drooping.
|
|
|
Post by Carrow on Apr 7, 2011 7:48:20 GMT -5
"Right then," Selvis responded, taking the proffered box from Caden and bringing it ashore. "well, if you do want to ask me anything about that some other time, please don't hesitate to do so. I quite like talking about my ambitions, you see. It's going to take a lot of work to fully realise them, and I know that, but that's just fine by me. I've always thought myself well capable of putting in the work when I really want something, and well, the situation I'm in means that I have plenty of reason to do just that," he responded, coughing a little, tail twitching slightly. Caden had been a great help, yes, and the longtail's fears had subsided, but his circumstances remained.
"This is something I can certainly feel proud of. I feel I have reason to already. I've survived for nearly ten months in the wake of making a difficult decision, one I can honestly say I have no regrets about, I've made a few great friends and learned more about the kind of creature I am in the process. I can feel good about that, of course." The albino marten's description of the things to come caused a large smile to break out on the weasel's whiskery features. While there was no getting away from the real objective of this siege (not that he even wanted to 'get away' from it, as it were), there would be plenty of other things going on. Their ordinary lives would go on throughout the exercise. They had to. Selvis and most of his friends were only in their first year or striplinghood after all.
"I look forward to catching up with the three of you as well. I'm sure we have plenty to tell each other after everything that's gone on over the last few weeks. Something struck me last week, you know. Even despite the day-to-day routine of ship life, I've never really found it to be boring or anything because there's always something else happening. There never seems to be a dull moment on board the Agamemnon... and our previous times on land speak for themselves." Selvis's blue eyes were practically glowing at this stage. He loved his life here - he could say that with the utmost certainty now.
"Speaking of Elliot in particular, I think he wants to have a word with me about something or other. I saw him looking at me rather curiously in the boat earlier. Must be surprised about how I reacted to spending time in it. He's not the only one; I was surprised too I suppose!," he quipped, chuckling despite his ordeal. "Ah well, I'll live and learn. When we head back to the ship, things will be better for me then, I hope." He lifted some more supplies and deposited them on the shore, looking around him and smiling as he noticed that good progress was being made. "As for all these things we'll be able to do, they sound completely delightful. It's been so long since I've stared at the stars like I used to," the mustelid commented wistfully. "I used to be enthralled by them when I was younger..."
The bad taste in the weasel's mouth that had developed and now seemed to linger when he used his beech marten friend's false name was there again, but he ignored it for the moment. If he had known that Elle was planning to put an end to the charade by finally opening up to Carrow (and thus dealing with the last of the creatures she knew who needed to know her secret, after Selvis, Ocean and Caden), he would have been immensely relieved. After all, the only thing that had stopped him from telling Caden (and also his rodent friend, by association) before Florence had been the value he'd placed on his promise to her. "This'll be quite the experience, Caden, siege or not!," he exclaimed. "Card games, campfires and plenty of talk! I'm looking forward to it now even more so than I was, and that's saying something!" Then his eyes grew even brighter as he thought of another thing to ask his companion. "I can't say anything on this yet, but I should ask you: just what does it feel like to know you've been a seafarer for a year?," he asked curiously, still working away.
|
|
|
Post by spender on Apr 8, 2011 6:44:10 GMT -5
Marten saluted at the Captain's orders, and resumed, for the moment, the task of unloading the boat, as the necessary ingredients were still within. He glanced up at the hill periodically as he worked.
"Hm. Carrow, you see that side there? It's sloped a little. Should be easier to get up that way, at first. But it might be quicker if we cast down some ropes for the rest of the crew, you're right. Captain wants these tackles up anyway, so I suspect we'll be doing the main movement straight up from here. Hopefully there's something sturdy enough..."
He shifted out some tools and passed them over to the mouse.
"Make yourself useful and see if you can carry those for me. Careful—hammer looks heavy."
He chose a single coil of rope and looped it over his head and shoulder like a bandoleer, then drug out a tackle and hung that on his other shoulder, a pulley dangling in front and behind of him. So arranged, he stepped back ashore and paused a little to crink his back.
"Ready then?" he said, kneeling beside Carrow. "Climb on up. Use the rope and pulley there for stirrups if you like, and paws around my neck. I might have to use my paws for climbing, so I can't keep them from slipping about entirely."
Meanwhile, Marten was trying to remember how best not to wear himself out. He might be able to give the mouse tips, but by no means would be able to teach by example on this particular escapade.
~ ~ ~
Molly crooned and rubbed her cheek against her rifle's barrel; a nearby marine blushed and looked the other way, although two sailors stared and grinned, elbowing each other. Molly ignored them.
"Never been named after a weapon before?" she mused. And then frowned. Like Ladorak, she had a thickening brown stripe and a "cap" on her head. Her tail, too, had a long triangle seeping down to her tip. But while she wasn't entirely ermine, certain characteristics were even more present during the troublesome molting period. "I mean, never had a weapon named after you before? Can't imagine why not... I just hope the little fellow has as much buck and recoil as the real thing."
At this, the two sailors decided they had best resume work before the Captain turned on them.
"Once we have the town, I'd like to bring Tally and Polly up and spend some time with them. Some real quality jill's time, it'll do them both good." She shivered. "I can't imagine how Jis Peskers managed to keep herself hidden so long, without decent company..."
Molly smiled dreamily at the coastline all a-bustle. Of course she knew about Polly. The ferret had scoped her out almost immediately as a confident, and Molly had done her best to guide her in how to get Spender under her claw—all to rousing success. Perhaps a little too successful. ... maybe? ... nawwww.
|
|
|
Post by Carrow on Apr 8, 2011 17:17:01 GMT -5
Carrow followed Marten's gaze, eyes widening slightly as he sighted the slope the mustelid was speaking of. His tail stood up and swayed slowly from side to side, a sure sign that the rodent was thinking about his new friend's proposal. "Hmm," he murmured, stroking his chin in a pensive manner. "Have to say I didn't really notice that until you pointed it out, Marten... was far too busy looking at other, more, er, precarious places, shall we say," he admitted, coughing nervously again. He was a little more assured now that there seemed to be another way up, and was actually rather excited about trying out Marten's suggestion.
It would be something new and different for him, and Carrow, who was no longer the stick-in-the-mud he'd been all those years ago, rather liked that prospect. "That sounds like a good idea, but can we throw down those ropes between the two of us? Just because I'm rather unsure of what I can and can't do in a situation like this, it's doesn't mean that I can't be of some assistance. A lot of this is stuff I've never done before in my life, you see. I was never good for physical work, so, well, maybe we can work together if you fancy?"
He had never really been good at physical anything full stop, which was why he'd been singled out at school. The weakling, the easy target, the one they'd always made weep because he could never have said or done anything to defend himself even if he'd wanted to. He'd been scared to speak back then, and he'd hated the sound of his own voice because all it had ever seemed to do was enourage those bullies further. Whatever about him not being accustomed to doing such things, the field mouse was quite eager to assist Marten in managing the tools.
He accepted them gratefully, heedless of the mustelid's advice because once he received the objects, he found that they weren't too much of a struggle to carry. He took a few steps, the tools held cradle-fashion in his arms. "Thanks, Marten. That's no problem at all - and I can pawdle these just fine as well. They're not too heavy even for a creature of my build," he commented, unable to resist a passing comment on his physical shortcomings, but it was more a cheerful reflection and less purely self-deprecating than similar ones made previously.
He took them ashore, well able to heft them (which came as quite a surprise to him) and watching the newcomer as he looped the rope around himself, smiling a little as he draped the pulley over his other shoulder. He was right beside the marten at this point, and prepared himself as he saw him kneel to accommodate the considerable difference in height between them, which by Carrow's reckoning was about a foot. "Yes, I'd say I'm about ready... hold on though. Before I can go anywhere I need to drop these tools, so..." He thought a moment before an idea formed. "Say, I put them down now and get settled on on your back, then you pass them back to me after I'm set up?"
So saying, the mouse gently lowered the tools onto the sand, and placed his paws around Marten's waist, heaving himself up and using his thights to get a hold of him. He eased himself up higher before realising what the marten had suggested with the 'stirrups'. He put one footpaw through the rope and the pulley, steadying himself as best he could before gently placing his paws on his shoulders. "You can paw me those tools now, Marten," he advised softly, "I'm all set back here."
|
|
|
Post by Ladorak on Apr 9, 2011 11:17:04 GMT -5
"What do I think now that I've been working for a year?" he asked, jumping out of the boat now that it was pretty much unloaded. "Well, been at sea more correctly."
"Start making up some sandbags you two. We're waiting on the tackles to be set up on top of the hill, so make yourselves busy with some sandbag construction." Ladorak instructed the two of them, noticing they were just about finishing up the unloading process. The barrels of powder were being sent to shore now, as were the different kinds of shot, including the grape and canister. The older crewmembers worked on unloading the barrels, volatile as they were.
"Yes sir, Captain Fugate!" Caden said, coming to attention and saluting as the molting Captain returned the salute before heading a bit further down the beach, back to Molly. Caden sat down on the sand, enjoying the time he had to himself now, just relaxing for a bit with a less strenuous task. Pretty soon they'd have to climb that hill, and would be getting all the workout they could ask for.
He picked up an empty canvas sack, and began to scoop sand up into it. His paw traced fine furrows into the sand, and left behind indentations. "Reminds you of playing on the beach as a kit, doesn't it?" he asked, unable to help but smile as he remembered doing so, both back in the Imperium, and in Welkin with Ladorak, only about two years ago. "I'd say... that... oh hold on... almost forgot." He rolled his eyes, stood up, and jogged away down the beach a short ways, to another boat, from which he retrieved some sewing kits, and promptly raced back to Selvis, dropping one in front of the weasel, and keeping the other for himself. "There, all set."
They were both used to mending the sails as part of their routine duties, though did nothing in depth like Elle did with the other Sailmaker's Mates. They just mended basic rips and the like. And they mended their own clothes as well if they were ever damaged. So sewing was not foreign to them. Caden thought a minute about his previous train of thought. "Right... I'd say it's pretty amazing. I remember us leaving harbor back then, on the way out from Welkin. And though to me it does seem like awhile ago, it also seems as if it was just around the corner since we last left. We've been through so much... and even fought a battle in that time too. It's amazing what we've been through... let's see if I can remember it all."
He stuck his tongue out between his teeth as he started sewing up the bag, feeling it was adequately filled with enough sand. "We left in April... and sailed until about June, when we landed at Crittenden, and there met you. We left after about a week, and sailed into the Cobalt, arriving off Toulon by July. August... was when I had my wrist broken, though it seems much longer than that. September we were in Naples, part of a diplomatic mission after we surprisingly captured Toulon with no resistance. October we were heading to Tunis, and fought our first ship to ship encounter against the Melpomene. Got her pretty good too, before she toppled our main topmast. Well... November was Tunis... and December we were in Livorno and Florence... that was probably my favorite time out of all our travels. Florence. It was certainly a holiday worth remembering, and I hope we can repeat it again next year."
He looked down the beach now, watching all the sailors move and work around him. "Here we are now... after blockading Bastia for several months." his needle went in and out of the canvas, working to sew up the end of the bag. He was about halfway through this one, zigzagging it up so to speak. "It's my home now. I'll admit that." he looked out to the ship, the wind blowing right in his face and ruffling his thick white fur, causing his pink eyes to squint a little as his fur was pushed back. "I can't picture any other life... and I think I might want to do it for as long as I can." he said, laughing a little now as he swiveled his neck to look back at Selvis, and then down at his work. "I can't picture living at home... doing nothing. I mean what would I honestly do back on land? What job would I hold? I can't even begin to nail down an occupation I'd like to do. To me... this is it. There's so much to do, like you said, and I feel our actions are making a difference too. I feel like I mean something, to my crew and to the war effort. Pfft... I would've gone insane living back on land." he said, rolling his eyes to look up at Selvis.
"How about you? You enjoying it so far? Is it everything you pictured? And what was your favorite time last year? I know you don't yet have a full year under your belt, but I figured I'd ask all the same."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ladorak couldn't help but smile, and tried to keep his blushing down to a minimum. He was turning red, of that he was sure, especially when she referenced a comparison to some of his other... exploits. "Ahem yes... well I don't know in all honesty." he said, deciding to play along, and thankful that the sailors had decided to move on. "I'm just not sure it can measure up." he said, speaking very low in her ear, and giving it a playful nip afterward.
"Hm-hm. Though I suppose I can see how you'd wonder that. Ahem... anyways... I'm assuming that if we need to make an assault, you'll be volunteering to fight right in the front lines... won't you darling?" he asked, walking with her as he surveyed the scene up and down the beach.
"Yes... it is amazing. Though I've known about certain... jills hiding themselves amongst my crew for some time." he stated, speaking in his low tones. "Not much gets by me on my ship. Peskers admittedly I was not aware of, however. I've looked the other way so far. It's a fact of life... but if you wish to take them into town... provided we haven't flattened it with our artillery fire by the end of this siege, then yes... I would be all for that." he stated, clasping his paws behind his back as he officially made his rounds, walking first one direction in a very slow manner, and then the other, making sure to match her pace always.
"Though... I'm not sure I can say the same for Seajack Sleet. It seems his... mother's tendencies are with him, as I suspected... and that's incredibly dangerous for a ship. He told me about Seajack Waters though... in what I suspect was in retaliation for being ratted out in the first place... and it's made me think that perhaps Seajack Waters is not good officer material after all. I have yet to make up my mind about him... and about Jal Sleet, though in his instance... it seems a bit more clear cut." he admitted, still speaking very low, and angling his snout toward her ear so that only she could hear.
|
|
|
Post by spender on Apr 9, 2011 17:06:20 GMT -5
Marten pawed up the tools, one at a time, until Carrow had them all. Then, slowly, he straightened up.
"Hold on, now," he grunted. "Don't tap me with those... last thing I need's a hammer sticking out of my neck like a beer spigot." He re-arranged the rope and pulley a little better, then added, "I don't know about you, but I could really use some pine sap tea about now."
With careful, even steps, he headed towards the slope of the hill.
"If it's alright with you, I'm thinking I'll take the middle path there—not quite climbing the cliff, but not quite just jogging up that slope. Something a little exciting, give us a challenge, what do you say?"
Marten paused to look at Keinruf.
The yellow-coated marten had apparently decided to stuff the slope and climb the cliff straight up. Unburdened, he was making good progress, and would certainly reach the top before them. Hopefully he would be able to enlist Keinruf's help in setting up the block and tackle; he wasn't particularly sure how to go about doing it without a boom, and doubted Carrow knew either. This was a first for them both, setting up an operation in the pure wilderness of a foreign coast.
Patting Carrow's leg, he set off.
"Hm," Molly said.
The internal politics of the striplings hadn't been interesting her as of late. She was busy with Tally, trying to get the mousemaid into working order again, and no longer cared for seeing to it that Spender behaved. Caden was doing fine, there had been no outbreaks or incidents, and the bothersome ferret had dropped off her radar—except for that mere blip when his stash had been discovered, but he hadn't ratted her out, and by now it was most likely he'd even forgotten Molly had given it to him in the first place. Nor could she make the connection between Ocean and Peskers' possible release and the resulting fallout for Willard and Spender. The rest of her world was filled with marriage plans.
"Of course I'll be on the front lines," she said, sulking prettily. "I practically am the front lines! But, um... What do you mean, by jills? I thought it was just the one?" She nipped his ear back. "Surely you don't mean Zephyr and Miri and I? Who else might there be? I'm sure they'd like to join my little planned outing, if they are indeed jills. It'd be horrid if they were left out!"
|
|
|
Post by bookity101 on Apr 9, 2011 21:28:38 GMT -5
Elle had been puttering about, checking odds and ends to be sure that everything she was allowed to handle was stacked neatly and safely on the sands of the beach, then she ran out of things to check. Walking around, she soon caught sight of the boys filling sand bags, and sewing... That she can do easily enough. Quickly scooping up a small armload of empty sacks and jogged over to the boys, plopping down beside them on the sand.
"Hope you don't mind if I join you guy's." She wrinkled her nose a little at the feeling of sand between her claws. Not an unpleasant feeling... it just tickled a little. "... but there was nothing else to do over there..." She removed her sewing kit from her side bag and readied a needle. Filling her own sandbag, she realized that she might have interrupted their conversation. Looking up again, she gave them a small smile and motioned them on with one sand filled paw;
"Don't mind me, keep on talking about... whatever it us that you are talking about."
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Miri listened with half an ear to Ocean's pity fest, while the other half was looking around, trying to locate Molly in this mess of solders and sailors...
"Jal Sleet, it seems to me that might be your last chance to prove your worth to the Captain and other officers, wouldn't it?" The elder weasel shrugged and rolled her shoulders before moving off to join Molly, whom she had finally spotted standing near the Captain talking about something or other that she thought was funny. She paused before she passed out earshot saying simply;
"Good luck in changing their mind Jal Sleet. If it means anything, I think you have it in you to do what ever it is you are so set on doing, even without the ship." She grinned a little at the younger beast. "I might even know someone who can help with the travel, if you need the contact." With that she nodded once, then turned and jogged the remaining distance between her and her fighting counter part. She stopped just outside of eavesdropping range, waiting for a pause in the couples conversation before she would step forward.
|
|