An Escort
Characters: Flicktail, William, Invar, Aikuen, May, Zen. NPC:Tribe of Squirrels
Location: Great Hall, Dirt Road, Grasslands, Small Path, Home Interior
Flicktail places the dibbun down for now
Orph is sitting at the table work again on the candle he'd started carving last night.
May is 'hiding' under the table giggling and watching the others.
Invar's scared little complainative noises quiet down a lot when he reaches the floor and he's quickly crawling off again, headed for the kitchen this time, fast as his little limbs will take him.
May watches Invar curiously from her hiding spot.
Flicktail's tail sways in front of may he apparently doesn't see her
Aikuen comes in from the kitchen bearing a jug of something. He almost trips on the dibbun, and quickly falls to the ground, But the jug is okay... manage to catch it on the way down. He smiles at the little badger, "Hello little matey!"
Flicktail eyes the Jug with trepidation...wringing his paws a bit
Invar starts as there's legs suddenly all about him and he watches Aikuen fall, staring for a second before he carries on, disappearing into the kitchen quickly, find a nice place to curl up in there.
May waves 'bye-bye' to Invar and focuses on the white fox's tail nearby pouncing at it, giggling all the while.
Flicktail tail says gently too and fro in front of teh dibbun
May grabs for the swaying tail hopping out from under the table in the process.
Aikuen watches the little one go off for the kitchen, before getting up. He dusts himself off then takes a seat at the table, next to William. He smiles warmly before placing the jug in front of him, and just watches it.
Flicktail YELPS! not expecting may, his fur and tail all stand on end as teh fox looks nearly 3 times fatter from the start
May Eeps at the fluffed up fox, "Eep!" and lets go scooting a few steps away before running back up to him to hug him all better.
Orph carves on the candle once more litter the floor of the Great Hall with a great many little slivers of wax.
Flicktail pats a moment before chuckling and embracing May "oh...Lass...ye bout skared e breath outta me's" he smiles "how be ye May?
May giggles, "Hehehe. I goods girl todays. Yous nice foxy," she snugles into Flicky's arms, "Yous be goods todays?"
Flicktail asks, "oi always bee's goods when oi see's May" he tuirms tolook at the Orphrat "William wot ye ve carvin?"
Aikuen begins tapping his fangs with his claw. He continues to watch the jug intently.
Orph doesn't seem to hear the fox as he works on the candle which hardly resembles one anymore.
Flicktail glances to Aikuen "Wot ye gots ere Matey?
May walks over a nudges the rat dibbun, "Hey yous, nice fox talks to yous." William ignores the mousebabe.
Aikuen says, with turning his gaze from the jug, "This is Damson wine... It been 16 days since i started and im testing myself. I thinks its working..."
Flicktail cocks his head "GOOD fer you matey...er..wot be wrongs with Williams? Me best friend?
May tugs on the rat's tail, which is hard given her small size, to get his attention.
Orph beings smoothing areas of the wax figure as it nears completion. And with a foot tries to dislodge the mousebabe who's pulling on the end of his tail.
Flicktail frowns at Orph andpicks up May so she doesn't get footed "Orph..that not be polite
Aikuen reaches out for the jug, but doesn't grab it but push it away. He smiles, and leans back. Keeping an eye on whats going on.
May is forced to let go of the rat's tail as she's picked up. "Ya."
Orph mubbles a 'sorry' towards May as he finishes up the wax figure.
Flicktail snuzzles May with a smile
Zen trods in from the kitchen, glancing around. He makes his way over to the fireplace and flops down, yawning as he waves a paw at some of the beasts that are up and about.
Flicktail exclaims, "Ello Zenner!"
May giggles(When does she not giggle) and pats the fox roughly then reaches for one of his ears to pull on it.
Flicktail moves his ears in such interestingw ays, flicking and flattingthem and rasing them
May laughs and smashes both paws down hard against Flicky's head in an attempt to catch his ears.
Zen smiles at Flicktail, "Hehe, hello Flicky." He stretches out a little and thinks to himself about what to do next. He glances at Aikuen and smiles a little, waving a paw.
Flicktail eeps "Careful lass...oi be a fraidgiel fox
Aikuen Sneezes very loudly. Then looking to William he asks, "You done matey?" He spy's Zen waving to him, he smiles an waves back.
Flicktail offers Aikuen a present, a piece of wood carved with a likeness of William and him holding hands
May says, "Oopsies. Sorrys." May pat the fox's head gently, well gently for her anyway. She sees Zen by the fire and waves, "Hi!"
Flicktail playes "Airplane" with May, holding her gently but swoopingher aroudn teh room like a Bat flutteringafter a bug
May exclaims, "Wheeeeee! Yay! Fasters! Go fast! Looks I flies!"
Flicktail gies a bit faster
Zen watches Flickail and May for a second, then he springs up onto his feet and stretches yet again, then makes his way over to find a seat near Aikuen. "How are yous?"
May Whoops flapping her arms and bobbing her heads as she 'flies' around and around.
Flicktail smiles entertaining May aroudn teh room with her
Aikuen takes the wood figure, and places it on the table in front of him, he says, "Wow matey, This is amazing! Thank ye!" He looks to Zen, "Im doing just wonderful matey! How are thou?"
Orph has finished with the figure that was once a candle and sets it on the table. He turns around waves at Zen and watches Flicky spin May around and around.
Flicktail tailw aves to Orph
Zen smiles, "I's fine, Aikuen! I mets those realy nice beasts yesterdays! I likes them." He smiles a little and nods, "I even ates candied nuts with the Abbot! Hehehe... and I learnds a trick." He then smiles at Orph.
Orph nods hearing Zen's account of the previous day, "You workin on thet coin trick they showed ya still?" The ratling has no idea how to do the coin trick.
Flicktail places may down when they are both out of breath
May giggles and stumbles a bit before ploping down in a sitting onto the floor, "Whoopsie. Hehehe. That's fun!"
Flicktail kisses May
Zen nods his head, "Uh huh! It's kinna hard! I can gets it over one finger, but then I has trouble gettn' it over the next..." He smiles, "Hehe, but I's gonna do it and stuff... I think I'll be goods at it some day."
Aikuen nods to Zen, "You mean the coin trick" He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a bronze coin. He starts to roll it over his knuckles. After a few cycles, he drops it, "Im not very good at it... Never needed it, to do what i do... Er... yah..." He becomes nervous.
Orph nods, "Ya probably will long as ya keep at it."
May giggles, "Yous silly fox."
Flicktail says, "Hello William...."
Zen smiles at Aikuen and nods. "Hehe, I needs it to keep me paws uh... strong I guess." He chuckles a little, then glances between Orph and Flicktail, his eyes narrowing as he looks a little curiously between them.
Orph says, "Uh, hi Flicky. Sorry bout before ... she shouldn't pull on a beasts tail though.""
Flicktail says, "she be just a Dibbun William, she don unnerstan at yets"
Orph sighs, "Alroight ..."
May toddles over to Zen, "Hi. I want see trick too."
Zen smiles at May, but shakes his head. "Hehe, I can't does it well at alls..." He smiles a little and nods his head, "I can shows you one trick those... hehe, ready?" He smiles and cups his paws, "I can catches air..."
Flicktail says, "Oi loiks tricks toos"
May asks, "Reallys? Hows?"
Zen giggles at May and smiles. "See? It's rights in me paw rights now!" He smiles a little. "Jus... give it a little shakes and it's wind.." He shakes his cupped paws and then holds them out to May. He looks realy close at where his thumb is, his head near his paws as he grins, "See? Look! It's in there..."
Flicktail blinnk blinks
Aikuen cant help but smile at this. He slightly chuckles.
May leans close to see the 'trapped air' "I no sees it."
Zen slowly moves his thumbs apart and blows through his paws as secretly as he could! Of course, a warm and soft breeze blows out from where he parted his thumbs. He giggled, "Tehehe, see?!?"
May gasps, "I seed it! I seed it!" She prances about is circles laughing, "I seed it!"
Orph smiles at the mousebabe's innocence.
Flicktail movesto sit by Aikuen "oi been tryin ta learn manners
Zen giggles, seeing May's reaction. He then yawns and leans back in his chair, closing his eyes. He felt rather tired.
May sits next to Zen and pats his arm, "Yous takes nap?"
Aikuen looks to Flicktail, and puts and arm around him, "Really mate! So what have you learned?"
Flicktail says, "um....ta pulls out a chair fer a gel..but don pulls it away so she falls"
Aikuen imagines what that would look like. He laughs aloud! Then turning back to the fox he says, "Good job matey! Anything else?"
Zen smiles at May, "Hehe, I.. just wokes from one.. still thinks I needs one though."
Flicktail says, "well..not yets..oi jus started"
May nods, "Mama has me takes lot of naps."
Aikuen taps Flicktail on the shoulder, "Soon you'll be the most mannered beast here, I wager!"
Flicktail says, "oi opes so..oi loikes er"
Zen listens and picks up what Flicktail says, then he blushes and giggles. "Tehehahah! Flicky's gonna has a mate?"
Aikuen asks, "If its not asking much, Who are you trying to woo mate?"
Flicktail says, "well...mebbe if oi bes lucky"
Flicktail smiles and snugs Aikuen "oi bebacks soon..oi gonna see if a sisser kin teaches me more
Aikuen Nods to the leaving Flicktail, before leaning back in his chair. He closes his eyes and begins to hum and old marching tune.
Zen gets to his feet and smiles, "Well.. I thinks I's gonna go takes a nap Aikuen... hmmms.. will ya needs me for anthn'?"
Aikuen shakes his head, "Sorry mate can think of anything... but ill call yah if i need ya."
Zen nods his head and smiles, "Tehehe... okie..." He then thinks a moment, then smiles. "Uh... can... you maybe helps me tonight?"
Aikuen opens his eyes, and looks at Zen. He asks, "Sure, but what for?"
Zen smiles a little, "I... I's gonna needs someone to helps me get home tonights."
Aikuen Winks at the little mouse, "Sure little matey... Ill be here when your ready!"
Zen nods his head and smiles, yawning. "Aww... thanky! Hehe, I wannaed to go get some things."
Aikuen nods, and goes back to humming his marching tune.
May has curled up by the fire and is sleeping.
A Few Hours Later:
Aikuen is sitting taking a short nap. Footpaws on the table, and forepaws behind his head. He snores quite loudly for such a beast.
Zen pads in from the stairs with his bag strapped on his back. He smiles softly and looks about the Great Hall, moving around as if searching for something or someone.
Orph sits at the table having just finished his fifth bowl of soup.
Zen smiles and hears a loud snore, so he follows it. He spots Aikuen and can't help but chuckle to himself. He squeeks and smiles, "Hello! Aikuen?" He then waits for a responce and waves a paw at Orph.
Orph waves at Zen as he heads for the kitchens with his empty bowl.
Aikuen grunts, then wakes up suddenly, "Urg... Nien...tuff... floor..." He rubs the sleep out of his and looks around.
Zen chuckles at Aikuen and smiles, "Morn' Aikuen! Hehe, I's ready." He smiles and reaches into his bag, then pulls out a small wedge of cheddar to give to Aikuen. "I gots somethn' for ya too."
Orph returns from the kitchen minus the empty bowl.
Aikuen smiles to Zen, and takes the wedge. He Tosses it from paw to paw, before taking a nibble, "Thanks matey... Ill save it for later..." He then proceeds to put it in his pocket. "Im all set, except for what i got to pick up at the Gatehouse." He stands and stretches, brining life back into his limbs.
Zen nods his head and smiles, "Hehe, wow! Realy? I don' think I could ever wakes up that fast!" He smiles a little and chuckles, then readys himself.
Orph says, "I"m ready too, since I'm not letin' ya wander off again - even if Zen is gonna watch ya."
Aikuen laughs and sticks his tongue at William, "Im fine with it, as long as Zens okay with it"
Zen smiles and nods, "I guesses I'm ok with it!" He nods to Orph and smiles.
Orph smiles, "Thanks. I know ya'd watch him, but last time he went off without me he was gone for two days."
Orph says, "I think he got /lost/ or somethin'."
Aikuen Looks indigently at William, "Hey, the forest is like maze... cant help it.." He crosses his arms in from of him, and says to Zen, "Best be off..."
Orph just grins.
Zen nods his head at Aikuen and laughs, "Tehehe, I see... hehe..." He smiles, "My homes over in the grasslands..."
Aikuen tilts his head towards the door, "Lead the way!"
Dirt Road:
Zen marches along, pointing along the paths he remembers. "Hehe, see? Then we go up this path! I remembers when me and me da' escaped the abbey durn' the plague... tehehe, I was scareds, but we gots out. My paws were frozens though, but da' took care of them."
Aikuen walks boldly behind the young ones. He retrieved his Gear at the Gatehouse, though he hopes not to use them. He uses the javelin as a walking stick, "Good for him i guess...Glad i wasn't anywhere around here when that happened."
Orph nods as he follows behind the mouse mentally checking over what all he has in his pack and how likely they may or may not need each thing. He'd left his tablet at Moledeep some time ago but otherwise he had everything. If he'd forgot something he'd improvise.
Zen smiles and continues to trod his way along, looking back at Orph. "Everythig okie?" He smiles and stretches his arms, yawning a bit too.
Orph nods again, "Think so," he turns to look behind him at the otter, "Everythin ok?" he repeats as though Aikuen couldn't hear Zen himself. William's in a playful mood tonight.
Aikuen says, "Im fine... Just... Little wind... Lets keep moving" He seems nervous, so to counteract it, he gives a big ole smile!
Zen continues onwards and smiles. He starts to hum a song to himself, but it soon becomes words. "Oh, I went with my friends to goes home and a traveln' I did go! I came across and empty boats with a paddle that I could row!" He giggles a little and smiles. "It should be up furthers, where the grasslands appear."
Orph nods. The dibbun looks around at the snow laden trees and the moonlight playing across the Abbey's walls back behind them "Never been ina boat myself that I can remember ... You know how t row one Zen?" The rat looks pleasantly surprised.
Aikuen smiles and nods, "Just keep leading the way, Oh mousey guide!"
Orph laughs, "Onward Zen! Onward we go!"
Grasslands:
Zen marches onwards into the grasslands, looking about. "Hrmm.. yea... I knows a little about that... It's not hards." He shudders a little at what happend to him here last. That was not a good experience.
Orph follows the mouse looking around at the sea of grass all around them ... he's remembering why he come here too often.
Aikuen remains quiet. He hates being out in the open, so easy to be spot... But he just keeps on, keeping both ears open.
Zen continues onwards, slowing as he got deeper. "Ughn... gettn'... kinna chilly." He looks around, just to make sure nothing was about and, he trips! He blushes and quickly scampers up to his feet. "I... I... didn't.. do that... Somethn' was there.. maybe.."
Orph just nods looking around again. His ears and eyes ever moving when outside or so in such a exposed area that one could easily get lost in. He really hopes they won't be out here long.
Aikuen Shakes his head, and runs forward to help Zen, When he too tripped on something. Falling to the ground with a thump, he looks at what he tripped on. Its a tiny thread, He tilts his head at it, then goes to Zen. He see another one of the tiny lines. He kneels down and examines it, "That's odd... It looks like these were made on purp..." He instantly stands up and with his other paw he draws his sword.
Seeing Aikuen draw his sword, William draws his dagger.
Zen blinks and slowly starts to sense something wasn't right. Knowing from previous experience, he got low to the ground, holding his sheild up as his eyes darted left and right. He then saw Orph, so he decided to slowly move over to him. In a whisper, he almost mouths to Aikuen, "What... do we do?"
Aikuen mutters through the side of his mouth, "Point me in the right direction, ill lead. These trap lines were just duds... but the next, might kill whoever tripped it... So follow me, and watch where your step..." He cuts the dud lines.
Orph has his buckler and dagger at the ready his eyes scan the area as his ears turn to check every sound. Hearing his pa's words he watches the ground somewhat as he makes his way over to the otter.
Zen nods his head, pointing out into the grasslands... "Over there.... Aikuen? Are.... we going to be ok?" He looks towards
Orph with a bit of a scared look, which was one he didn't often use. He keeps close to Orph, his eyes looking about shiftly.
Orph says, "I'm not going to die here." William states quietly, "Pa? Let's keep going."
Aikuen nods, but has this stern face, "Well be fine as long as we don't do this..." He pokes his javelin into midair at the ground. There is thawk as as the trip line is broken. This caused the ground right underneath where the trip wire was, to expose as a big hole, where spears were shoved into the ground pointing up. He looks to William, "Aye, and watch your step..."
Orph nods. "See Zen, we'll be fine."
Zen blinks at the traps. Something wasn't right. How were such deadly traps like this near his home lands?!? Da' would have kept them away... "Uh, yea... okie..." He looks upwards and moves slowly, following in paw steps the best he could.
Aikuen leads the way, keeping his javelin in front just for safety reasons.
Orph carefully follows the otter keeping ears and eyes out for further traps or other things that may be out here.
Zen follows Aikuen, then points at the small path that's visible. "There... once.... you get past there, we... we're home.." He slowly started to get more tense. He couldn't think any vermin were around here. They couldn't be... no. Tundaheed would have taken care of them...
Aikuen nods and looks forward, he can see the small path. He walks faster, "The sooner we get out off this flatland the bet... ung!" He sets of a trip line, but luckily he jumped back as soon as he could, he hangs on the side of the hole. His javelin lost to the bottom. He grunts and groans, as he just hangs there.
Orph sheathes his dagger and leans over to try and help the otter up.
Zen goes over to Orph and Aikuen to try and help as much as he could as well. He then thought to himself, who was watching thier backs?!? A slow feeling of being watched came over him, nearly causing him to freeze up.
Orph isnt having much luck. He kneels by the pit alert as ever, "Can ya get up?" he asks the otter." scooting back a little to give him more room to climb out.
Aikuen slowly hauls himself up, eventually getting to the edge and laying there. He breathes heavily then he sees Zen being stock still. He mutters, "You can since them too, blasted squirrels..." He wish he still had his javelin, but he pulls out his skinning knife, Holding it upside down in the other paw.
Orph scowls, "/More/ tree-rats. If they even ... I need a sling ..."
Zen looks around, slowly starting to break out into a sweat. He held his shield close, then looked to find a rock to take up in his other paw. He needed some sort of anything to make him feel safe.
Aikuen gets up and walks around the hole. Now walking more carefully now, he mumbles out the sides of his mouth, "Im guessing were in there territory... best get out, before they get to us.... see! Listen!" When he says this, slight laughter can be heard from the north.
Zen blinks, "Th... this isn't thier territory.. I... me and me da...we.... we lived...." He grew quite, then followed behind Aikuen, his fur on ends.
Orph stands ready to fight, but follows the other.
The small Path:
The laughter is now quite audible from everywhere. Including from the top of the house.
Aikuen gets close to the house, and can hear the Laughter, he mumbles, "There all around us... i think that's the chief on the top of the house." He doesn't point but but nods in that direction.
Orph, still ready to fight, nods before glancing at Zen to see if he's ok.
Zen blinks when he sees and hears laughter from near the house. NO! Not from HIS house... the house HIS father had! Where HIS sister lived! He didnt' care if there were any traps at all, he marched strait
The Chief Drops down from the roof, and lands on The porch in front of the door, he sneers at the little mouse, "Nya, Wot yous finks you do eh? Did is mine house!" He is armed with a several daggers, and a sling, none are out.
Zen stands his grounds with his shield brought up in defence. "This is my house... I lives here and you don' belongs here... leave NOW..." His red eyes glared fearlessly at this chief. The more he though, the more raged he became. Did they, kill his dad and his sister?
Aikuen walks up and stands a bit behind Zen, he sneers back at the Squirrel, "Best do what he says mate... Twoud be best for all of us..." He begins to twirl his knife in his paw.
The chief just scoffs at the tiny mouse, "Whys i gots listen to yah... scrany thing eh... what yah gonna do... sheild me to death!" He laughs uproarsly at this, and the tribe fallows along. He sneers back at the otter, "Shtupid Otter-dog... I wo..." He would have gotten farther when a loud squeal is heard from southern plains. A black female squirrel who has the same look as the tribe runs at the group dagger raised. She yells out, "I gots yous knows Otter-dog... time for me to break yo nozzle."
Zen doesn't notice the screaming feamle squirrel, but stands his grounds and stares at this chief. "Cause this is me home, not yours.." He remained calm, with a stern look on his face. "Pleases... go..." He wasn't going to move back for anyone.
Aikuen turns to face the female squirrel. He lifts his short sword into the ready position. When she gets close, he neatly sidesteps the attack, and vertically slices at the Squirrels arms.
The Female squirrel's paw with the dagger, becomes... not part of the rest of her body anymore. She looks at her stump, then attacks the otter with tooth and claw.
The chief says, "Its me home... i founds it... its mine... had fun wit dos trap me buddies left heh!" He looks behind Zen, and watches the otter and Squirrel go at it. He laughs at it, "Hee, looks likes yous ill be one less tonight!"
Zen ignores what's behind him still, then shakes his head. "No... this is MY home... you go gets your own homes, but this is mines... me father took good cares of it and it's /MINE/." He glares at the chief, then takes a step forwards. "Go."
Aikuen Fights back with all he is worth. The Squirrel means business, Good thing he still has his other blade. The Squirrel pins the otter to the ground, "Tee-hee, now time to make you pay!" She begins to strangle the otter, with her reaming good paw. But Aikuen laughs as he is strangled, he then plunges the knife into the squirrels chest. She immediately lets go and looks at the knife. Her eyes roll up and falls over to the ground. He gets up, pulls out the knife, and wipes blood from his face. He walks to right behind Zen, and looks at the Squirrel "Do what he said... NOW!"
The Chief becomes slightly nervous, he looks between the otter, the dead squirrel, and Zen. He is beginning to shake. He points at the group and yells, "ATTACK!" But he has nowhere to run...
Zen finaly loooses his temper! He brings his shield up to ram the Cheif, and of course, he rams low! He screams out fearlessly, "LEAVE, NOW!!" He didn't care if anyone else was comming to attack him or not, but he was going to fight.
Aikuen is immediately pelted by small stones from slings. He covers the back of his head. He jumps back as the chief come crashing down in front of him. He laughs aloud as he plunges the knife into the back of the squirrel, he smirks, "Should have listened to him matey!" He quickly pulls it out, and yells to Zen, "Head of the snake is dead, get inside the house!" The stones continue to pour down on them.
Zen hits the corpse one last time, then quickly moves in doors...
Interior:
Aikuen follows Zen inside. He quickly closes and bolts the door. Sighing with relief he says, "They should leave soon, there chief being dead an all...uh... Where's William?" He looks around quickly trying to spot the little rattling.
The stones continue to hit the side of the house, but it seems to be slowing down.
Zen sighs softly, seeing the house was not invaded. He quickly scampers off, then comes back with what appears to be a miniature crossbow! He has it armed and ready and he's heading towards the door. "He's okie.... he... he's a smart rat..." He looked out the window and glared, his crimson eyes scaning the area quickly.
Aikuen says, "I gatta find him, Squirrels or No Squirrels!" He unbolts the door and runs out.
Meanwhile:
Orph had become separated from the others early in the battle for Zen's house. He didn't like it here, he had had it with tree-rats attacking him whenever he went somewhere new and not only were they throwing /rocks/ at him, but they'd taken /Zen's/ house! The dibbun plowed his way through the squirrels just in sight of the path again. As his senses returned William heard Aikuen yelling somewhere farther off and moves toward were the sound had come from. Three more squirrels fell before the rat made it inside.
Back at the House:
Orph side steps the otter and gestures for him to close the door. Weren't they just out there? Why go back so soon?
Aikuen blinks a few times, then he grabs and embraces William, "Don't scare me like that!"
Zen makes sure the door is shut, but checks the window yet again with his alley peice. He knew that if anyone tried to enter, he'd easily send an arrow through them. He had good aim and his father had taught him how to use such weapons. Zen was furious, but he waited.
Orph hugs the otter back, "Wasn't my fault they jus kept comin." He still doesn't care to be fussed over sometimes.
The rocks thrown, slowly come to a trickle. Then just stops.
Aikuen lets go of William, and goes over to the window. He looks at the Crossbow for a second, before looking outside. He mutters out, "Seems like they're leaving... Hah... they left there dead comrades behind..." He looks back at the crossbow, he asks, "Where... Did you get this?"
Orph looks over at Zen, "Hey, that you're alley what's it you told me about?"
Zen sighs softly, letting the crossbow fall as tears streamed from his eyes. Of course, the arrow shot off and stuck in a wall, but he didn't care. He quickly ran through out the house, comming back with a paled face. He was holding a nice silver dagger. He shook his head and fell to his knees, completely speachless.
Orph sits down on the floor waiting for Zen to do something ... something normal anyway. Um, ya want us t make a fire or somethin Zen?" Zen still liked fire right? /Hope Zen's ok./
Aikuen eyes as the crossbow off. Quickly taking it, he pulls the string back. Then takes the bolt from the wall, and replaces it into the holster. He grips it by the stock, and walks toward the door. He looks back to Zen, "Can i borrow this... ill be right back... just making sure there gone..."
Zen's voice was totured when he spoke, he looks to Orph but then closes his eyes and burries them in his arm. "T... they're gone! Da'.. and... sis... they...." He didn't hear Aikuen's request, but surly he wouldn't mind at all.
Aikuen exits the door, with The weapon held at the ready.
Orph sighs, "Yes they're gone Zen. What do you want? I can't make them be back. You can't make them be back. What do you want?" To Aikuen he says, "Be careful with it, Zen's really likes it. It was a gift from his real Da, he told me so."
Zen looked at Orph, half-way tempted to try and run the silver dagger into his muzzle. "SHUT UP! I don't...c... cares what you thinks.. he.. they.... they was all I had! Wh..." He stood up, taking the dagger in his paw and walked away from Orph, moving towards the window. He had loved no one more than his 'father' and 'sister'. He sighed, shaking his head and trying to be calm. "No.. me... Tundaheeds... gave me the.. the alley peice... Me real dad only hurts me.... Tundaheeds... he... he loved me... and Ember... she.... was..a... a lovely rat.. and... my sister..." He continued to mutter to himself saddly. Maybe they didn't die, but simply move. Who knew.
Aikuen comes back from the outside. He is carrying with him three slings, and three daggers, and drops them on the floor. Taking the Crossbow, he pulls out the bolt, and pulls the trigger. The strings is released with a thwang. He places the bolt back in, and hands the entire thing back to Zen. He says "Its all clear out there, except fer Three dead squirrels. Don't think that they'll be back, but we should only go back in the morning." He sits down against the wall, and sighs.
Orph says, "Sorry. I made a mistake. I'm sorry. I know it hurts. ..." The older dibbun keeps a paw near his dagger should the mouse try to attack him. "I'll be quiet ..." /You're not the /only one/ who's lost somebody you know!/ The rat goes at sits at the other end of the room from Zen with his dagger resting across his lap as usual. He sighs and watches the mouse a little "Anyone else want t start a fire an eat or is that jus me?" He needs to do something other than sit."
Zen remains quiet, holding his alley peice and silver dagger. Those were the last things he had in rememberance of his loved ones. He couldn't believe it that he was never going to see the only person he called father again, that he wasn't going to see his beloved sister. Slowly, it all started to pile up. Then there was his real father, his mother, his uncle.... He cried softly to himself, then glanced at Orph. He shook his head slightly, "It's.... okie..."
Orph nods, "Time helps some ... So are we making a fire tonight or what?"
Zen shakes his head, "I.. I's... I don' knows..." He closes his eyes and lays down on his side, cradling his weapons closly. He thinks of the last night when he looked up at the stars with his dad... remembering the last words they spoke, he sniffles and speaks softly. "I... love you da'... an... sis..."
Aikuen nods some, and goes over to the hearth. After a bit of huffing and puffing, a small fire is lit. He goes back against the wall, "There is the fire... As for food... i didn't bring any… except this cheese... didn't think we would be staying the night... im sure there is some here... But get some sleep... Ill wake you if anything happens..."
Orph smiles, "Thanks. I could make soup ... or we could do that in the morning ... suddenly all that fighting and walking's staring to catch up with the ratling, " ... maybe make soup tomorrow before we leave or something ..." he yawns and lays down no where near asleep yet, but he knows it'll come soon enough. "Night Pa. Night Zen."
