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Post by bookity101 on Apr 19, 2011 21:30:42 GMT -5
Elle blushed slightly as Caden took her paw, choosing to not respond to his comment about the rigging. Finally cresting the hill, she released his paw with some reluctance, knowing that while on the climb it was no surprise that a stronger member of the crew would help a weaker one. Though up here... it would just be odd. She smiled when she saw Carrow she, along with the others already on the top, waving slightly after Caden spoke about going... back... down... Her brow furrowed at the thought, but she quickly pushed the thought to the side to extend her own greetings to those who were already there.
"Hey Mousey, Jal Pyne. We were filling sandbags." She held up the paw she pricked with a good natured smile. "And trying out as pincushions... I think we decided that, for the most part, sailing is much safer."
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Luxe made his way around, checking knots and other necessary safety precautions before lining up the ropes for the seajacks to take. Well re-checking them as he and Miri had taken the time to give them a quick once over There would be no furry pancakes while he was taking care of the lines...
"You guy's ready to get the\is show on the road?"
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Miri was sitting away from the edge of the activity, waiting for an opportunity to figure out where in the world she would be setting up camp for the night. And whether she would be using a tent or simply using her bedroll. Either option was just fine with the sensible mercenary...
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Post by Ladorak on Apr 19, 2011 22:45:31 GMT -5
Caden took Carrow's modesty in stride, and waved a paw in a sweeping motion downward, shaking his head. "I'm sure it was Carrow. I'm sure it was. Though I'm sure you had a hardy paw in it as well. Gotta give yourself some credit sometimes mate." the albino said, clapping the mouse on the back, but not advancing much up to Keinruf, still having some unconscious worry about the marten imbedded deep within him somewhere, though he seemed harmless enough.
He moved over to where Luxe was taking up the line in his paws. The albino did the same, but made sure he was next to Elle as well. "Well a brief rest. We have to get these guns up the hill and off the beach. Will be way less vulnerable up here." he explained. His paws gripped the taut rope, ready to heave. He only hoped Elle wouldn't mind the fact that his paws probably wouldn't be the softest after all this rope work over the years... but then again, neither would hers. It was just a fact of life, and something he accepted.
Caden started backing up, walking sideways in a way as he looked down to ensure he didn't trip. At first... they didn't get very far... but slowly... bit by bit, the sledge began moving way down on the beach, and with numerous crewbeasts walking down the slope and pulling the line as they went, the four ton gun began its slow ascent. Captain Fugate walked alongside of it, checking its progress and ensuring it didn't catch on anything, though the path he'd laid out was fairly clear of large rocks and other obstructions.
"Hoo... well this is new!" Caden exclaimed, sweat breaking out on his brow. "I'm used to hauling the gun forward a few feet to the gun port... but not up a hill!" he said, glad to have the massive help he was receiving. He kept one pink eye on Elle, just to be sure she was doing OK. The gun itself was heavy, but with this many crewbeasts on it, it wasn't overly stressful. At least the albino didn't think so. He was covering all his bases just the same. He would watch out for Elle for as long as they were on land here. Of that, he silently promised himself in that instant, and he intended to keep it for the duration of the siege.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ocean tensed up when she grasped his chin, scratching her claws in an affectionate manner down onto his neck and brushing his fur up under them. "I... well... aren't you..." but she cut him off with a kiss right upon his mouth. His eyes widened, and before he could react, she pulled away.
He stayed frozen to the spot, not blinking, and unable to take his eyes from her now. What was... that? What was she trying... jealous? He had only caught about half of what she had said, though he'd gleaned enough to realize she'd completely misunderstood him.
He tried to shake his head, to clear it from the swimming sensation that had swept over him, but he instead was caught up in staring at her hips as they moved and swayed under her dress, entranced by their simple but rhythmic motion. It was quite clear she was trying to seduce him, and he gulped, struggling to get a grip on himself. This would make the Captain only hate him even more, and he knew he had to resist this.
But then she brought out his secret... his terrible secret. He finally blinked, and managed to shake his head to clear it from the daze he'd stumbled into. "Yes... of course it is. It's not about my coat." he stammered, looking up at her. "Captain Fugate's found out... and I'm thinking of running away." he said, in a distant voice before seeming to realize what he'd just said.
"Oh but please don't tell him! I'd be... executed for deserting... but if he discharges me from the service... I... don't know what I'd do. I don't even know what I'm doing now. If I bolt for it... I'd have nowhere to go. I can't speak Rosferian all that well, and they'd find me out in an instant that I was Welkin. They'd kill me as a 'spy', so leaving by any harbor is out of the question, because they CONTROL all the harbors. And if I ran to San Fiorenzo... the only harbor WE control... well I'd be caught because I ran away. So I just... I don't even know what I'm doing." he said in a defeated tone, and slumped his shoulders, sighing and giving her a resigned look, one that was full of shame and embarrassment.
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Post by Carrow on Apr 20, 2011 16:06:42 GMT -5
Carrow smiled broadly at his pine marten friend, enjoying the pat on the back he received from Caden. "Aw, thanks," he murmured modestly. He fell silent a moment to listen to Elle's response to his question, and his brown eyes widened considerably. "Filling sandbags? Oh dear. In a way I was lucky I was picked for this kind of work. I'm absolutely hopeless with needles, Caden," he admitted to his companion with a rueful smile. "I've tried sewing a few times and have come off much the worse for wear every time I've attempted it, heheh." He cast a glance over at the beech marten. "So don't talk to me about being a pincushion, Elliot!," he called. "I've been there before numerous times!"
Selvis chuckled, winking at the mouse. "Heh, you and me both, matey. I've never been too good with 'em myself. I'm quite surprised I didn't do myself a more serious injury back there. Elliot wasn't the only one that had his paw pricked, see." He showed Carrow the small wound he'd received, and the rodent paled just a tad. He was still good with neither visible injuries nor the pain they brought, even though his tolerance of both had improved noticeably since his 'scratch' in Whistleminster. He wasn't embarrassed over the fact that that had happened, but was glad he had improved since then. The weasel's paw returned to his side, though not before he patted his field mouse friend's shoulder.
In truth, the mustelid had taken just about all he could stand of being forced to use Elle's fake name. He'd wanted to gag when he'd used it, and it was only his steely resolve that held him back. It didn't feel right, having to stand there and tell one of his best friends untruths like this. A creature less patient than he would have snapped long ago and blown the beech marten's cover. He was tired of it, sure, but he was also extremely loyal to her, and this was why he had risked his friendship with Caden to protect her. When Selvis Frenata made promises, he did not break them under any circumstances whatsoever. He wanted to be known as a trustworthy creature after all.
Then it occurred to him that Carrow had been kept in the dark for almost exactly double the length of time that Caden had. Selvis hoped that this length of time wouldn't make things any worse for the mouse, who, from what he had seen, didn't deal too well with revelations of this magnitude. He hoped that Elle hadn't merely been bluffering when she'd told him of her 'gentle' way to break the news to Carrow.
Selvis, meanwhile, had no plans other than to be completely honest with Carrow when he finally discovered Elle's true identity - just like he had been with Caden. This had however contributed to the personal hell he'd gone through in Florence and for a while afterwards. I know all this... but I have to go through with it, he told himself. I''ve only ever seen him angry about something once before, and that was with Willard... maybe if I can explain to him in time that I had my reasons, he'll be alright. Something tells me he'll be quite relieved to hear Elle's on the ship. He's told me how much he misses her a few times after all, and Caden too I'm sure. Maybe it's for the best?
The mouse smiled again. "Great seasons, even Elliot pricked his paw? And he's the one who's used to that?," he commented good-naturedly, winking over at the marten. "I'd hate to think of how I'D have got on!" He chuckled, following his companions over to the line. "Yes, Caden, a brief rest, but it was a rest all the same. Even the smallest break can do a creature good, y'know," he told him as they took up their positions. Carrow made absolutely sure to get alongside one of his friends. Selvis had gotten to Elliot first, he noted, and was now ready to start pulling, so the rodent got in line next to Selvis and prepared himself, placing his paws on the line and bracing himself as much as he could.
He backed up a little, and soon they started moving, inch by inch. Caden was right; it was indeed new, and Carrow was inwardly very glad indeed that there were so many creatures working on this latest task, as he was sure he would have been as good as insignificant otherwise. Physical work had never been his strong point after all. "Well, I've never done any of this sort of thing before, so it's certainly new for me. I have a good feeling about this, though." He glanced over at Selvis, and the weasel smiled at him reassuringly. The mustelid shared his mouse friend's feeling. With all these creatures working on getting the sledge moving, it wouldn't be long before they started seeing real progress. "What do you reckon? It'll certainly be worth it, right?"
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Post by bookity101 on Apr 21, 2011 14:40:46 GMT -5
Elle shook her head at Carrow's statement;
"You can't be that bad at it Carrow. And if you were I would have taken over the sewing for you." Elle made her way over to the ledge, gripping the rope tightly with both paws keeping her eyes looking anywhere but down. Which was easy enough considering they were walking down backwards...
"Caden, do you have any idea how many of these we gonna have to get to the top?"
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Post by spender on Apr 21, 2011 17:31:05 GMT -5
Molly hummed.
"What you're doing is being a silly young stripling," she said. "What in 'Gates makes you think deserting—which you've just pointed out has no chance of ending well—is the better option than the possibility of being discharged? If Laddy was going to boot your sorry rump, I'm sure he would have done it by now. Besides, you haven't done anything. It's hardly sporting for him to hate you because you might..."
Here, Molly blinked and fell silent, staring at the sand between her boots. Her heart twinged—she was saying all this, but did she really believe it? Or did she just want to? No! No. She couldn't do this anymore. No more doubting Molly. No more uncertainty. She'd barely spared a thought to it since Florence, and if she could go that long, she could go longer!
Looking up again, she walked back to him and put her paws on his shoulders.
"He's not like that at all. He doesn't judge beasts based on... on the bad stuff they're capable of. He looks at the other side. He trusts us to do the same. We can't let him down."
Then she hugged him. She felt, at that moment, very much like his mother.
"So what are you going to do? Give up, run away and get killed? Or return, do your job, and prove to him you can fight your urges every step of the way and be the sort of beast he believes you are? I'm not letting go until you give me the right answer."
She did let go just a little bit, though—just enough for Ocean to move his muzzle into a position where his reply wouldn't be muffled.
[Marten and Keinruf comiiinggg....]
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Post by Ladorak on Apr 22, 2011 0:05:08 GMT -5
"Well... it's not so different from hauling the gun forward in gun training... though of course, we don't walk anywhere doing that... and we certainly don't drag it up a hill either." his arms were certainly getting a workout today, that was for sure. He pulled with the rest of his companions, and listened to what Elle asked.
"Oh... I think just this one." he grunted, motioning with his head as they started to draw even with the sledge, and Captain Fugate. "See the rest of the crew is hauling up the other guns. We might have to drag one of those mortars up, and that I'm not looking forward to, as they probably weigh more than this thing, but I'd say we're probably done after this." he told her, inching his way downward with everyone else.
"You'd be right about that." the voice was from Captain Fugate, who was about even with them now, waiting for the sledge to catch up.
"Captain Fugate sir! How are you?" the albino asked, drawing closer to the stoat Captain with each step.
"Just fine, now that we're halfway there with these guns. Keep at it lads! Good work! Just remember, I had to do all this at your age, and more!" he exclaimed, which was only half true. He was more of a personal servant at their age, doing whatever a certain marten Emperor ordered. In ways it was far worse than their lives now, but he wasn't going to go into that. "You're doing a fine job though! That's it! Give it the old heave ho!" he said, and Caden redoubled his efforts, feeling invigorated being so close to the Captain... and his adoptive father.
"Why don't you all take a break after it's up there? Just take a fifteen minute rest on the beach before climbing back up. No use needlessly stressing yourselves after all." Ladorak suggested to them as they went slowly by.
"Yes sir! Sounds good... thanks... sir!" Caden said, almost saying "dad." Only off duty... only off duty. Ladorak more insisted on it than anything, to avoid the impression that he was showing nepotism to any particular beast.
It was with great relief when they finally did reach the beach, and the gun was safely up on the heights. Caden let go, wiping sweat off his brow. "Hoo... that... was enough." he said, wobbling over to a rock and sitting down on it, letting his tired legs and arms rest. "Feels good though. Hard day's work. I'll give it that." he admitted.
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Ocean felt his jaw trembling. He never got shaken up like this. What was his deal? Why was he so afraid now? She tried to reassure him that Ladorak wasn't like that. But Ocean couldn't be so sure.
Ocean... that wasn't even his real name. His real parents were out there somewhere... he just had to find them. Stoats that never lost their ermine all year. It was rare, but it happened. Maye the Poynts were his parents, though he doubted that. His mother was a pirate... of that he knew. His father... he had no clue on.
She went up to him, and hugged him, burying his snout somewhere among her dress. He couldn't speak, and she threatened to not let him go unless he told her the "right" answer.
Finally moving back to give him some room, the ermine was able to speak. "I... I wish I had the faith in Captain Fugate that you do." he said, almost a whine, but not quite. "But he's a Captain. He has to stop potential problems before they happen. Fire is the most dangerous thing that can threaten a ship. Which means... by default... I am... the most... dangerous..." but he didn't finish that sentence, he simply let it fall off where it was.
"I almost think running away and getting myself killed is the better option." he stammered, trying hard to hold back his tears. "I don't even trust myself enough to confess to him that I can keep it under control. I was going to... but I couldn't gather up... the courage. I mentioned it a few months ago... but I didn't foresee any of this happening!" he said, sobbing that last bit a tad now.
"I promised myself I'd wreck Willard's career for doing this... and I probably still will. He's the one who ratted me out. I have enough dirt on him to ensure he'll NEVER make Midshipjack, much less even be a Volunteer Class I anymore. And I told the Captain enough... so that now he'll probably be on probation soon... if not outright demoted." Ocean smiled to himself, but it seemed hollow. "I just... I don't know. I just feel like he can't ignore this. Like he's just going to discharge me. He asked to see me later tonight after all. What else would he want to talk about aside from a discharge? I don't know if I can face that. I'd be... the shame of everyone I knew. I couldn't face them again." he said, his voice cracking every so often.
"Best to just run off and never be seen again... or get caught. Because at least that way... I'd be quietly dealt with. Nobody would ever know... except that I deserted... but it won't matter cause I'd be well... dead." he said, trembling in her arms now as if he were covered in snow. He looked up at her. "Do you really think... that Captain Fugate will see the good in me? That I won't be a threat?" he shook his head a little, but not in disbelief. It was simply a tremor, a reverberation that shook him as a chill traveled down his spine. It was an honest question, and not designed as a challenge to her knowledge of Ladorak. Instead... Ocean was curious, as he wanted to desperately believe in her words.
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Post by Carrow on Apr 22, 2011 9:35:45 GMT -5
"Yes, the whole 'dragging it up a hill' aspect does make things a little different," Carrow agreed with his pine marten friend, chuckling a little, panting slightly as he continued his work. I wouldn't mind, but this is probably one of the most difficult things I've ever done, even with all this assistance, he thought sadly, doing just about enough to suppress a sigh but wishing nonetheless that he were a little more suited to work like this. He was by far the weakest member of the group of creatures working on getting the sledge up the hill, and to make it worse he couldn't see any other mouse anywhere near him.
The rodent shook it off as best he could, however, and looked over at Selvis as he heard Elle's question. He let Caden field that one as he hadn't been too sure of his response anyhow. He was glad to hear the albino tell him they wouldn't have to do much more, if any, of this sort of thing, for the moment. That was a relief. "How are you finding all this, mate?," he asked his weasel companion, sweat dripping from his brow. From the look on Selvis's They face, he seemed to be concentrating rather intently on getting the task done.
Selvis had in fact noticed the slightly disappointed look on his mouse friend's face as he'd turned too him. It was hardly Carrow's fault that he was finding this a challenge, but the mustelid didn't want to bring it up lest the mouse should dwell on what he saw as one of his shortcomings. He replied to Carrow in a conversational tone, smiling at him. "Oh, it's fine, I suppose. I'm looking forward to getting it done..." His ears homed in on Ladorak's conversation with Caden, and his eyes lit up a little. "...and getting some rest afterwards. Did you hear that, Carrow?"
The field mouse's large ears had enabled him to pick those words up as well, and he smiled faintly. "Yes, it'll be nice. I'm quite looking forward to it, actually. I just want to sit down for a while and speak to my friends. That's really all I want to do. Need to, well, keep my mind off a few things," he admitted. He didn't like seeing himself like this. He wasn't being shown up but it still felt terrible when his weaknesses came back to haunt him. The group was continuing on their way and was in fact almost completed their task.
Carrow called softly across to Caden, smiling a little. "Caden, I'd like to show you something when we get back down below." Selvis's ears perked up at this as Carrow's suggestion jogged his memory. He'd asked Caden to help him with a certain something a while ago and wanted to get it out of the way. He wasn't sure how painful it would be for him after all, even with the support of a friend as good as Caden. He smiled at Ladorak as he slowly passed by, and Carrow did likewise. Knowing the Captain was watching him made Carrow increase his efforts. He wanted to be seen to be making an effort at the very least.
Soon the sledge was at the top of the hill, and the tired companions began making their way back down to the beach for a small rest. Caden was a creature in demand at the moment, but Selvis decided to let Carrow have his talk with the albino marten first. Besides... he needed to get something off his chest to Elle. He'd caught her looking at him in a curious manner when they'd been in the boat, after all, and was wondering if she had been thinking of the same thing as he now was. The weasel didn't do well with boats, for some reason which he had never been able to figure out, and he was sure the others had noticed.
This didn't bother him at all. They all had their weaknesses, just as they all had their strengths. When they reached the beach, Selvis stuck close to Elle, deciding to address her gently. "Er... Elliot..." He grimaced. That name AGAIN. "I don't know if you noticed, but, well... you looked like you wanted to ask me about something in the boat earlier today. What was it?" He could make an educated guess about what it was the beech marten wanted to ask him, but wanted her to make the first move... make it a slight bit easier on the creature who'd never properly admitted this before.
Carrow, meanwhile, accompanied Caden over to the rock. It could be noted that the mouse's steps were even more wobbly than his marten friend's. He was the most tired of all the four friends after the effort he'd put in, and he couldn't hide it - he'd reached the point where the bags under his eyes (which were admittedly still there only a tad less prominent) gave away his weary condition. He was no longer permanently tired, but he was unable to mask his need for some downtime. "Yes, mate, you're right. It was worth it, even though, well..." He gestured to himself. He'd come out the worst, by a long shot. He pulled off the bag he'd been carrying around, opening it. "Enough of that, though. I'm just glad I can take a break now... spend a bit of time talking to you." He smiled. All his friends were great company, but he found he enjoyed Caden's most of all.
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Post by Ladorak on Apr 23, 2011 0:18:33 GMT -5
Caden watched Carrow's wobbling with some concern. He smiled as the mouse sat down near him, and looked curiously at the bag that Carrow was sifting through. He had heard the mouse's request to show him something after all, and it had piqued the marten's interest considerably.
"So Carrow... I think you did a good job. Much better than even you were expecting I think. So let's hear it then. What did you want to show me?" he asked, studying the bag, and then his mouse friend eagerly, though with some reservation (mostly due to Carrow's exhausted look).
"You seemed at least a little pleased with yourself over something, so out with it then." He requested, his eyes gleaming as a smile crossed his features.
Another sailor sat down close by to them, plopping himself down in the sand and wiping his brow. He was one of the Quarter Gunners on their ship, and in fact, was the very one who gave the orders to the set of guns that their cannon was a part of, up towards the bow on the larboard side. He was a grison, last name of Rivers. He was aspiring to be a Gunner's Mate, and had enlisted as a Quarter Gunner, having served some time in the peace time Navy before re-enlisting during the outbreak of war.
He gave a friendly nod to Selvis and Elliot, the two he was sitting closest to. "Hello there young warriors. Top of the day to ye." He said, wiping his white furred brow again to relieve it of sweat.
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Post by Carrow on Apr 23, 2011 10:20:13 GMT -5
"Thanks, Caden," Carrow responded softly, smiling a bit. "It means a lot, particularly because I've done very little of that kind of work before in my life. I'm sure I'll get better at it as time goes on. You and Selvis seem more suited to it than me, but then can you really imagine a creature like me being all that strong anyway? Being a mouse does have its drawbacks." In more ways than one, he probably would have added, only for the fact that he had laid his ghosts to rest and didn't want to resurrect them. Not here and not now, not ever again, not when everything around him seemed so wonderfully enjoyable and he needed a bit of rest.
"As for what I want to show you, well, it's in here somewheeere..." More rummaging around followed until his paw touched the parcel he had received, and his eyes lit up. He regarded his marten companion for a moment and his smile widened as he noticed the look of anticipation on his friend's features. He carefully withdrew his parcel from Archie, jiggling it a little. As before, a very soft rustling sound came from within, like something was rubbing against something else. "Here it is, Caden! I got this from Archie back in February but I've waited a while to open it. I wanted somebeast to be here with me when I did, in fact, so thanks." He carefully tore off some of the wrapping (though not too much as he didn't want to spoil the surprise) and spotted the envelope he had been expecting. "Ah, excellent, a letter from home."
Just as carefully, he opened the envelope and took out the letter, noticing a change in the usual layout almost straight away. Archie had begun putting the date she'd written the letter in the top-left-paw corner of the sheets she wrote letters to her rodent charge on, and Carrow was slightly surprised to find, when he scanned it, that she had written it mere days before they had all arrived in Florence and the mouse had finally been able to try and talk with Tally a little more. In a way, that night had been momentous for him, because he'd met a creature who have was now full of affection for. Once again, as the thought of her, his heart ached a little. Between this siege, and the fleet battle he'd agreed to participate in, it could be months before he properly saw her again, if ever. The ache passed, however, when his head filled instead with thoughts of his weasel carer as he began to read down through the letter's contents, which read as follows:
December 20th, 1793
Dearest Carrow,
It was absolutely wonderful to hear from you again. I hope you haven't been worried about me. I knew you'd miss me, but from the way you put it to me in your last letter, I can only sympathise with you and suggest that you think of me as much as you can. After all, even though you might not see me for a while, I'm always there with you, every day, in your head and heart.
I'm doing just fine here, though recently I've been quite swamped with work, so I've had to hire an assistant hypnotist - a rabbit by the name of Pastreus Lepora. He's a year older than you. I've been telling him about you quite a lot recently, and he's taken quite an interest in you. Perhaps when you get back here, he'll still be working here and the two of you can meet?
I must admit I was quite surprised to hear that you'd been in a battle! Not that I believed for a moment that such a thing wouldn't occur, you understand - such things are par for the course in your line of work, I know! Even still, I would never have been able to believe you took part in one unless you told me. Violence is a terrible thing, of course, but sometimes it's necessary, such as when you're fighting to defend your country and those good friends you've told me so much about.
Speaking of which, Caden and Selvis sound very thoughtful indeed. I hope you've been keeping my earlier advice in mind, because your pine marten friend has bought you something that will be very useful in helping you rest. Tell him thanks, from me! I can sleep easier at night knowing that you're being helped like that. Selvis's idea was great, too - I really appreciate the thought he put into choosing that gift for you, as I'm sure you yourself did.
I must go now, apologies - Pastreus needs me to show him something. He's an excellent learner but has taken in quite a lot of techniques over the last while, and there's more to come - he's only been working for two weeks, would you believe! I'll speak to you again as soon as possible. Whenever you find the time to respond to this is just fine by me. I'm looking forward to hearing from you again.
Good fortune go with you! Archia.
P.S. I have included a little something that I've waited years to be able to get for you. I hope you like it.
He smiled, passing the letter over to Caden in case he wanted a closer look. "Here, mate. She says thanks, and you'll see why when you read this. Oh my, I DO have rather a lot to tell her when I sit down to write my response. What an eventful few months it has been, eh?" The field mouse had open the package that had arrived for him back in February and taken the letter out without so much as glancing at what else lay within. However, when he'd pawed his marten companion the mustelid's missive, he found himself drawn back to the carefully-wrapped package which in fact had only been partially opened. He put a paw inside, one which immediately came into contact with soft fabric. He cooed softly, eyes widening, and quite considerably at that - this was one very eager-looking mouse.
He opened the parcel fully, and the sight which greeted him almost brought tears of happiness to his eyes. There before him lay a night outfit consisting of a shirt and cap which both wore a rather fetching striped-blue-and-white pattern. "Well now... look at that! That's almost too kind of her!," he exclaimed softly. "We could never afford anything like this back home, not before now... I hope this wasn't too expensive for her...," he murmured.* "I'll get good use out of it, that's for sure," he told his albino friend. "I've had to wait two months to open this thing, but it's definitely been worth it. I'm so pleased for her! Oh, and of course," he added, having had his memory jogged, "your birthday is coming up soon, so if I could actually go someplace to get you something this year - as opposed to last year when we were at sea - that would be wonderful... though I do still owe you your Christmas present." He chuckled. That would be exciting.
* (In the Mustela/Apodemus household, there had never been enough money for anything other than the absolute necessities. Archie had not told him that she'd been working so hard in an attempt to lift herself out of her unfortunate financial situation. The night outfit had indeed been expensive by her standards, but she had made enough money out of her parlour in the subsequent time... even if some nights she had been dead on her paws, hence her need to hire another creature. She was in fact now splitting pay evenly between herself and her long-eared assistant.)
--
Selvis, meanwhile, was slightly surprised by the arrival of another creature. He smiled as recognition came to him almost straight away. His eyes twinkled with a friendly light as he responded to the grison. "Good day to you too, Quarter Gunner Rivers, sir! Fancy seeing you here," he commented mischievously. It wasn't often than one of the higher-ups on the ship conversed with striplings on their time off, the notable exception of being being Ladorak Fugate, who seemed to be able to make time for absolutely everybeast, which was one of his best traits. "I'm quite pleased to see a creature like you taking a little time out to speak with us. Elliot and I are just enjoying a little break after helping to get that sledge up the hill." He exhaled sharply, following the grison's lead in mopping his brow.
"It's tiring work, I must admit, but rewarding all the same. How have you been finding things thu far, sir? It's been a busy morning, there's no question about that," the weasel commented. "We've been unloading supplies, making sandbags, pricking paws in the process of doing so... like I said, busy. If you don't mind me asking, sir, where did you spring from? I suppose it's rather hard to keep track of everything like this - which is why I don't envy the Captain THAT part of his job," he quipped, grinning. "Ooh, actually, now I think about it, 's there anything in particular that made you want to sit near us?," he queried, curiosity evident in his voice. "Anything you might want to ask us, sir?"
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Post by bookity101 on Apr 23, 2011 14:54:27 GMT -5
Elle was extremly grateful they would only have to haul one of these things up to the hill top. But then again, maybe another one of these would be preferable to a mortar... While Caden made his way over to a nearby rock to sit on, she decided that she didn't feel like moving from where she stood, well sat, wait no.... Lay on the ground. A small grin on her face. From her prone position she could see the sky and watch the clouds, a small pleasure she had not been able to indulge in over a year. There was a tree... over there was a house and... oh for cryin' out loud... Elle shook her head and smiled. She knew she had been on the ship for way to long when the next shape that came to mind was a cannon and the one after that a ship that looked suspiciously like Aggie...
"Hmm? What was that Selvis?" She propped herself up on her elbows to look up at the taller stripling. By the time she had pulled her attention back to earth, and fully processed what he said he was speaking with the older mammal who had joined them. Noticing it was one of the Quarter Gunners, she pulled her legs up underneath her, sitting cross legged to listen in. She would have time to talk to Selvis when he was done with Jal Rivers.
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