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Post by Carrow on May 25, 2011 17:02:36 GMT -5
Carrow shook his head disbelievingly at Elle, smiling warmly at her. "Well, by my tail and whiskers, if THAT's not the way you usually work, I can't even imagine how good you must be with charcoal or pencil!" His eyes widened at the thought... then sparkled as he thought of an idea. It was one that had lain dormant in his mind for quite a while, but the revelation of Elle's talent had pushed it to the front of his mind again. He was going to wait a while to ask her about something as there were a few things the mouse had to make his own mind up about first.
It was just as well that Ladorak and Caden were trying their best to allay fears of danger surrounding their next task, otherwise the rodent would have been quite anxious. Bursting shells?, he thought. Oh, hope I don't get hit by any fragments... but that's not going to keep me from tagging along. I can't let the slightest risk of injury deter me from doing things I want to do. I might have at one point but I think... no, damn it, I KNOW I'm not that creature anymore. It's time for me to start taking risks, because I know I'm lucky to still be alive. Great seasons... how did I even get here?
The wood mouse stripling was the second beast to step forward, smiling at both Caden and Ladorak. "Aye, count me in, Captain" he said resolutely. "I'm glad you both sound so confident about there being little chance of anybeast getting hit, but I know I'd want to come along with you pair in any case. It's exciting. I haven't done anything like this before, of course, so I'm looking forward to it. New experiences... well, I've lived more in the last year or so than I ever did before, and I'm glad about that. I hope you enjoy it too, Caden - perhaps it'll make your birthday even more memorable!"
Selvis was slightly taken aback at his mouse companion's enthusiastic response. Of course he had been expecting Carrow to colunteer, but if he'd thought that he would have done so in such an eager manner, he would have chided himself for getting mixed up. Carrow didn't normally do these kinds of things after all. The longtail had to admit that he'd been ready to coax the mouse into accompanying them if, as usual, his response had been hesistant, so he was pleased to hear that he wouldn't have to do so. Sometimes he'd wished Carrow would be a little braver and take more chances like this... and it seemed his wish was coming true.
As for the Ferlusanian mustelid, well, he was only yellow-bellied in a literal sense. He stepped up to join his mouse and pine marten companions. "Sounds like something I might like to do, Captain Fugate, sir!" As he stepped forward, the light caught his pearl, causing it to sparkle enticingly. Out of the corner of his eye, Carrow saw the shining gem, and smiled to himself at how quickly he'd noticed. Old habits, he thought., smiling still as he listened to his weasel friend speak.
"I agree with Carrow. It'll be quite an interesting experience for all of us, in fact, and maybe we might be able to help out a bit, if at all possible. Granted, I'm not entirely sure what 'helping out' in this context would entail, but I'm sure we'll find out when we get there. I'm all for it," he said gently, looking at the albino pine marten and giving him a warm smile. "Besides, the more time I get to spend with you on your special day, the better."
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Post by bookity101 on May 26, 2011 18:06:33 GMT -5
Elle stood back, wondering if she should go along, which would be fun of course, but there where a couple things she had to do in camp... and Ferry had mentioned something about spending some time together. As it was, and against all odds, the two young jills had formed a fairly tight bond while on board the ship, and the young beech martin would miss her ferret friend when she was no longer around the ship.
"I would love to come Captain, but there somethings I have to do around here. First I need to write to Janey and thank her, again, for the art stuff." Elle sent a smile towards Caden. "I will try and join up again for that cake later.
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Post by spender on May 27, 2011 14:36:28 GMT -5
"Uh, maybe later," Molly said quietly--perhaps too quietly, as it didn't appear Ladorak heard her. Not that she noticed this herself, as she began babbling at Miri.
"Well, those two bought Caden a ship of some sort, wonderful little toy, isn't it? Tally picked a flower--or, I picked a flower and Tally presented it. The ferrets actually showed up, didn't quite notice what they had. Laddy promoted Caden to Midshipjack, and I've got something up my sleeve for later... and then Caden gave the one in the hat a bit of a rough-up, that was exciting!"
Speaking of exciting...
"I'll come along!" she added hurriedly. Guns! Up close! Explosions! Shells! Wee! "Tally, do you want to?"
The mousemaid blinked. She hadn't been paying attention to anything in particular, apart from Carrow and the grass all around them. Her little paw clenched Molly's skirts a bit tighter.
"Tally says yes," Molly decided, after the mouse's silence had stretched on long enough. Tally looked back at the grass, a little happier that the decision was out of her paws. There were just so many creatures talking, so much happening! She couldn't keep track of it at all. What she wouldn't give for a table to hide under while she waited to fetch away dirty plates...
Spender, too, had quieted down and more or less zoned out for the past little while. He nodded stupidly at Caden's apology, and everything Carrow and Selvis said; trying to listen and respond without really giving an answer that explained anything. How could he explain it?
He hugged his package tight.
He tried not to show it, but he was rather miserable, despite the dissolving tension. He'd ruined the day and he knew it; there was no going back. He just wanted to squirm under the log and hide in the mud until nightfall. It didn't matter that everyone was fine with him again. He didn't want to open his presents; this was Caden's day, not his. Why had he ever agreed to this?
The problem, he realised, was that Caden wasn't Serafine. He had missed not only his own birthday, but his twin sister's as well. Without her there to wake him up and tell him what day it was, it had flown over his head. Peskers simply wouldn't do as a replacement. There would be no birthday banter, no comparing of presents, no fighting over first slice, nothing that really made a birthday a birthday.
He would have settled for Ocean, but the stoat had not made an appearance today. He didn't blame Ocean for forgetting the first time; it had been so long since they'd last seen each-other that it was likely Ocean didn't even remember they'd used to share birthdays as well. Probably Ocean had a new birthday, a date chosen by the stoat family that had taken him in properly. But he kind of sort of did blame Ocean for not showing up today.
In the end, it wasn't enough to share. It had to be his day, not someone else's. That was the point of a birthday. And right now he was just being a stupid, selfish idiot, pressing the matter just to get presents and respect and attention. He may have been a bully, but he was never a thief, and he'd stolen enough of Caden's day.
With all these things swirling about his head, the ferret sat, brooding and unresponsive, until Peskers flicked his ear.
"You okay?" she whispered.
"No."
"Everyone's headin' off to look for a better place to put the guns. I'm stayin' to talk to Beechy. What about you?"
Spender shrugged.
"If you're not going to open anything, you should put it in our tent."
"Eh. 'kay."
Peskers frowned. This was not like Spender at all! She glanced at the jacks who were going, then at Elliot.
Right. Well. There was nothing she could do to change Spender's mind for the time being, and the Captain was heading off...
"Captain Fugate, sir," she said, skittering over close to him. "Before you go... I wanted to ask you something..." She glanced again at the striplings. "In private... if possible..."
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Post by Ladorak on May 27, 2011 14:58:39 GMT -5
"Right, well then, let's prepare to depart. Glad to have you coming with us." Ladorak said to the two seajacks who had stepped forward. Caden was delighted to hear that Selvis and Carrow would be coming with him, but also a bit disappointed to hear that Elle was not.
He gave her a look as he glanced back at her. A look of understanding. If she had something to take care of, then she had something to take care of. It wasn't his business to pry, and he most certainly wasn't going to be doing so.
Ladorak took note of the approaching Peskers, and looked down at her. He knew she was a she, so there was no point in pretending like "Polly" was "Ralph". She asked to speak to him in private, and he lifted his eyes skyward a little, considering this.
"Alright... but make it quick." he said, nodding. "I need to get these positions sited." he placed a paw on her back, and began steering her away from the rest of the group, heading off on the grass at the top of the hill, away from the rocky clearing that was dotted with the plethora of tents and temporary dwellings.
"So..." he said, taking a knee in front of her now that they were a sufficient distance from the rest of the group. "What is it you need to ask me?" He inquired, raising a brow from behind his spectacles.
Off where Caden and the others were, the albino gave a wide smile to his two friends. Spender had indicated that he wouldn't be going, and in fact, something seemed a little wrong with the ferret, as he seemed to be off in some sort of daze. Caden however, figured it was useless to try and comprehend the mind of Spender. Ocean wasn't here, though he said he'd be showing up later in the day. Of course, Caden knew not that that was the ferret's issue.
"Thanks again for the present, you two. This has been the most memorable Birthday I think I've ever had." the marten told them truthfully. "But there's been something I've been meaning to ask you. If we DO get into a large fleet battle this Summer... about how much are you two looking forward to it? Excited? Nervous? Not so excited? Let's make it a scale of one to ten." he offered, clasping his paws behind his back and looking from weasel to mouse. "Ten being the best."
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Post by spender on May 27, 2011 15:02:55 GMT -5
Peskers swallowed. Her throat felt dry, but her mouth was filling with saliva. How peculiar.
"Well, sir... I'm not gonna be allowed back on the Agamemnon, am I? What with me bein' a jill and all... And I just wanted to say, sir, I'm sorry for lyin' to you and everybeast else about it. Had no choice, though, did I..."
She tilted her head forward and breathed, eyes closed. This was the big one, now...
"Sir, before you and the rest of the crew leave, after we win... can you marry me and Spender? I don't want..."
The ferret trembled, unable to continue for a moment. When she opened her eyes again, they were very, very wet.
"I don't want 'em growin' up without a father, sir."
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Post by Ladorak on May 28, 2011 10:08:25 GMT -5
Ladorak was at first taken aback by the rather bold request of the jill. He initially felt like refusing altogether, and reminding her that her audaciousness in the first place was what had gotten her into this mess. Visions of the same exact thing occurring to Caden played out in his mind now, much to his chagrin.
It was all deeply disturbing to him, and the fact that her indiscretion had led to this only complicated matters. But of course, when she mentioned that she didn't want the kits growing up without a father, that statement struck a nerve with him. Ladorak Fugate had of course a soft spot for kits.
His features softened visibly, and he closed his eyes, nodding. "Alright. I don't think Spender..." and here he paused. Wouldn't make a good father? Was that what he wanted to say? He couldn't say that in front of her, however, as it was her choice. Her actions had led to this, and her actions would now need to see it through. "Ahem." he cleared his throat, and began again. "I don't think Spender needs to know right away... but I'll leave it up to you to break it to him. I'll most certainly perform the ceremony before we depart... since it seems unlikely you'll be allowed back on board at this rate." he explained.
He straightened back up, standing over her now. "Worry not. We'll do this as covertly as possible, and continue on with our duties afterward." He turned, and started heading back to the gathered group, beckoning them to start following after him as he began walking along the hilltop.
Caden started to move after the stoat Captain, but made sure to walk alongside his friends so that they could all hear each other and talk over the rumbling of the guns.
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Post by Carrow on May 28, 2011 13:04:54 GMT -5
Selvis hadn't even needed to apologise for the Florence incident, and he knew it. So when the weasel realised that most of what he and Carrow had said, had gone right over the ferret's head, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He was disappointed, but not entirely surprised. This was just another example of the antagonistic creature's selfishness after all. He hadn't been looking at Spender whilst he'd been speaking, but the longtail couldn't help but wonder if he'd even been paying attention.
Carrow was similarly disappointed, only the mouse had a tad more difficulty hiding it. His whiskers drooped fractionally as Spender turned and sat down, brooding and unresponsive yet again. He was a little frustrated by this turn of events. Spender probably didn't even realise that the rodent, along with his mustelid companions, was trying to help him. Sometimes Spender's stubbornness made the field mouse despair for his situation, but he was starting to realise that if Spender didn't want something it was best not to keep trying to offer it to him.
Both Selvis and Carrow were surprised to hear that Elle wasn't coming along, but neither creature was prepared to ask why. It wasn't their business to pry, after all; besides, they had learned from experience that when Elle had something to do that meant she had to leave her friends for a while, it was always worthwhile. Whilst unable to hide their disappointment - the loss of such good company couldn't go entirely unnoticed after all - they didn't let it get them down.
In fact, the wood mouse's spirits, which had been dampened slightly, were given an immediate lift when Tally was 'volunteered' by Molly to come along with them. He knew in his heart that if the mousemaid had been a little braver (she was still learning to make decisions for herself, something Carrow had promised to help her a little more with when he got the chance), she would have decided to accompany them herself. He also knew in his heart that Tally really liked him - though he wasn't yet sure if the affection he had for her was mutual.
He looked visibly pleased about it, smiling at her before turning to address Caden's query. Selvis got there first. "Oooh, I don't know. I'd say, on this scale of yours, I'd be about an eight, quickly approaching a nine!," the longtail exclaimed, rubbing his paws eagerly. "It's only a few weeks out after all! I'm sure it'll be an experience I'll treasure for the rest of my life. And what's this I hear about creatures being nervous? Well, that's all well and good, but I'm not nervous... not so much for it to make a difference to how I feel about this, anyhow," he added, making sure to qualify his statement.
Carrow coughed slightly; the mouse remained the most anxious of the group of friends. He was hoping his anxieties wouldn't get the best of him, all the same. "I'd say an eight, too. I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous about it, because when you think about it, I'm not suited to things like this. Even though I've lived through one battle and seem to be going through this siege alright," he told them, smiling slightly, "this is a huge step up, especially for somebeast like me. The same thing that makes me nervous is also filling me with excitement, though. Strangely ironic."
The rodent chuckled, his smile widening as he met Caden's gaze. He winked mischievously at the albino marten. "Besides, there are other things I have to look forward to on board the Orion, right?" Selvis smiled at this, knowing that Carrow was the kind of creature who, if he had something to look forward to, held onto it for dear life and used it to help him get over his anxieties and nerves. If that planned induction kept Carrow from losing his nerve - and if anybeast would grow more nervous as the big day approached, it was the mouse - he'd have nothing to worry about as far as the field mouse was concerned. After all, Selvis was the kind of weasel that put the welfare of his friends well before his own.
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Post by Ladorak on May 29, 2011 19:46:29 GMT -5
"Hmmm... yes I'd say there definitely are other things to be looking forward to." the albino stated, following Ladorak as he walked. "Such as well... I guess a certain night before the big battle, perhaps." he suggested in a knowing manner. "On top of that, I'd say we have quite a few other things to look forward to as well. Our first fleet action. Serving in the thick of combat... who knows? We might not ever get an opportunity like this again... or maybe we will. I guess that's what's fun about the future. It's unpredictable. Good thing too, as I sort of like it that way." Caden said.
The rumbling of the guns was getting closer, and soon, they passed by the line of cannon and mortars that Ladorak had set up. They were doing a good job of flattening the north of Bastia, and even now the shells burst and exploded far off in the distance. Clouds of dust rose whenever a building was struck, and Caden secretly hoped that the Personzans had had the good sense to clear out. As the bombardment had been going on for over a month now, the albino seriously doubted if there were any souls left in that part of the city. Only a fool or a suicidal maniac would enjoy living there.
As for the citadel itself, the walls seemed just as strong as ever, and it was clear that their bombardment was having little effect... hence Ladorak's desire to attempt to site his guns closer to the fortress. The range was probably too great for them as it was, and they would have to get closer if they wanted to start making an impact.
As they were now in range of the fort's guns, a few shells screamed overhead, but generally, it seemed as if the chances of getting hit were slim. They were quite few, as the fortress was trying to conserve ammunition. "Wait here young ones. I'll be right back." Ladorak said, holding up a paw to ensure they wouldn't move very far. He started jogging off ahead of them, heading for the edge of an escarpment that marked the end of Campanelli Hill.
Caden stopped, and looked over at the others. "Well, I'd say I'm quite excited for it, in spite of the danger and my nerves. I'm sort of excited too, to be serving my country in such a manner. If I never get to participate in another fleet action, I at least hope I can get to fight in this one. Just once would be worth it, for me." the white furred marten admitted to his friends.
Ladorak was looking back in their direction, judging suitable spots to set up the guns, one paw on his chin as he thoughtfully scoped it all out. "Right! I think I've got a new spot picked out. We just have to mark it now." the stoat began walking toward them, but just as he did, a brief sight caught Caden's eye. It looked like a round piece of metal, and already he could see that it was a cannon ball. It was much too late for him to react however. He watched it, seemingly in slow motion as his legs started to move him forward, but he was too far from Ladorak to give him any sort of fair warning. The stoat was a good fifty yards off from them after all.
The shell struck the edge of the cliff, and erupted in a brilliant flash of light as the gunpowder went off, exploding right behind the stoat Captain. Ladorak pitched forward, immediately thrown off his paws. He crashed forward into the dirt, and slid a few feet before coming to a stop, his forearms out in front of him as he lay face down. He had felt a sharp stabbing sensation in his back, and he knew he must have been hit.
"LADORAK!" Caden cried, darting forward now, his legs moving of their own accord. "Ladorak!" he shouted, feeling a bit of relief as he saw the stoat trying to push himself up.
Coughing and wincing a bit as he managed to drag himself to a kneeling position, the stoat fumbled for his spectacles in the dirt. "Agggh..." he moaned, a paw going to his backside. "I'm... fine... I think. Might want to take a look though... just in case." he said, still attempting to find his spectacles.
Caden was by his side in an instant, his pink eyes roving over Ladorak's backside. There was blood alright, as Ladorak's coat had been torn open, but it didn't look as if it was anything deeper than a slash, but he wanted to make sure. "Can someone help me get his jacket off?" the marten asked, beginning to work the coat off of his left shoulder, while somebody else could help with the right.
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Post by spender on May 29, 2011 20:35:53 GMT -5
Peskers took her time ambling back to the group. By the time she returned, most everyone was gone. Much to absolutely no-one's surprise, Spender had fallen asleep sitting up, slumped over his box of gifts, using the bag as a pillow.
She tucked her paws against her hips and stared at him for a while.
"Well," she said, glancing at Elle and raising a brow-whisker. "I figure we can either clap our paws on either side of his ears, or leave him be. What'll it be, Beechy?"
Molly wouldn't have admitted it, but she was more excited about the crater than she was about Ladorak being wounded. Would the cannonball be there, intact? Or had it burst into a zillion little pieces? Would it be melted? Would it be hot to touch?
Dazed, she stepped forward, looking beyond the fallen stoat to see where it might have landed. Tally's weight on her skirt distracted her.
"Stay," Molly said, unclasping the mouse's paw and stepping away.
Tally sidled sideways and immediately gripped Carrow's paw. This she dropped almost as fast, and instead took a pawful of his shirt.
Molly, meanwhile, had reached Ladorak's side not long after Caden. She winked at the pine marten.
"My specialty," she said, taking the other arm. She leaned over to sniff at the rip. Blood... so intoxicating... so alluring... even more so, because it was completely off-limits.
"Don't get any blood on you," she warned quietly. "No whining now, Laddy..."
Most carefully, they got the jacket off him.
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Post by bookity101 on May 29, 2011 23:56:41 GMT -5
As Polly made her way over to talk to the Captain, Elle ducked into her tent again, and this time she emerged with a pad of paper and quill and ink in her paws.
Taking up a position by the currently extinguished fire, she spread out the sheets beside her on the tree log turned bench before setting about creating a small teepee of longer sticks she had begun collecting during the short break times they had taken. Swiftly setting a small controlled fire alight was easy for her, swiftly creating many good substitute charcoal sticks for the project she had in mind. As they were prepping she pulled out the previously started letter to Janey, wondering if Ferry would join her soon.
That question was answered swiftly as Polly re-joined the now sleeping Spender and beech martin. Smothering a laugh, Elle patted the log beside her, leaving the letters to finished a different time.
"Leave him, he gets cranky when you wake him." Elle waited for her friend to join her, pitching her voice low as she indicated where the Captain and company were disappearing.
"Care to enlighten me as to what that was all about?"
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Miri shook her head slightly at the poor mouse. The little one really needed to figure out how to think, but that would take time, and a heap more patience than the female weasel was willing to shell out for the little thing...
"I think I am going to skip this adventure Molly. The explosions and smell of gunpowder are enough to give me a headache.... I think I'm going to go for a swim." Miri was fairly certain that Molly would either scoff at her reasoning and drag her along, or scoff at her reasoning and leave her be, so she took a small step towards her makeshift tree/tent combination, which was leaning towards being a real tent as more time passed and she took the time fiddling with it. Deciding to avoid being dragged along, Miri took another half-step backwards calling out; "Have playing with the cannons!" before turning and jogging away towards the edge of the cliff.
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