Beach Combing

Characters: Kara, Will, Zekeal, Kentar, Chris

Location: Eastern Shore

Eastern Shore

There is a slight breeze sweeping the shore, ruffling the head fur of a ferret, who at the moment is seated on a bulky piece of driftwood whittling something out of a much smaller piece. The knife strokes she takes with the dirk she's using are long and measured, easily stripping the rough bark from the wood, it looks like she's carving a club of some sort.

Will had left Kentar's cabin shortly after breakfast to explore the beach. He'd asked Amy if she wanted to come along but she'd declined preferring to stay inside and help with baby Chris. Not knowing exactly how long he'd be gone or what sort of beasts he may come across on the beach the rat had packed plenty of food and and had his newly remade sword with him as is his custom. He spies the ferret a ways off and chooses to keep his distance.

Kara for her part has taken note of the rat in return, but she doesn't seem overly concerned, she just keeps on carving. By now she's created something of a bulbous ball on one end, and a much thinner segment for grip. She pauses to examine her work, stealing a glance towards the rat as she does.

Will is aware of the ferret's club but there's a good distance between them still. The young rat's eye glaces over at Kara from time to time as he scans the beach for curiosities to collect

"Oi!" Kara yells up the beach at the rat, "Stop standing there looking suspicious, if you're a pirate then come down here so I can kill you, if not...come down here anyway and stop being rude!"

"Rude," Will mutters under his breath. He calls back to the ferret, "I'm not a pirate and I can stand here if I want too!"

Kara almost smirks to herself, cheeky this one, "Then I'm well within my rights to put an arrow in you for spying on my business, so please lets not be uncivil, at least come close enough so we don't have to foolishly shout at one another!

Will doesn't see any arrows right off but that doesn't mean much. He reluctantly walks closer to the ferret as she requested. "I was just walking on th beach I didn't do anything," he protests once he doesn't have to shout to be heard. He only gets as close to her as he has to, still keeping as much space between them as he can.

Kara snorts, "You weren't doing anything until you stopped and stared at me and my tent, if you had passed on your merry way I would have no objections," she sets aside her work and stands, placing her paws on her hips when she does. "But, suddenly stopping like that makes me think two things, either your figuring on trying to sneak around and start meddling, or you're overly cautious and need a stiffer spine." She takes a moment to give the rat a proper look over before continuing, "Seeing as you're still a child, it's probably the latter...

Will is insulted by her remarks but tries very hard to keep his mouth shut after all he is a child still and has been more cautious lately. He stays quiet just watching her and her tent in case she isn't as alone as she appears to be.

Kara just watches right back for a moment, then pipes up, "Well are your going to just stand there or what? I have plenty of food and drink in case you're needing."

Will says, "No. No, thank you. I'm fine." He chews on his lower lip a little before asking, "You live out here?"

Kara shakes her head, not that the rat could clearly make the movement out anyway, "Only until I get bored of the view or the locals."

Will ohs, "So you just live where ever. You travel all over an explore places an stuff?"

Kara nods, "Yep, been almost everywhere and have had four seasons to do it." The gestures around the shore, "Been here a few times, peaceful and quite if you don't count the scum crawling around.

Will mmms, "This is my third time here. Th beach is nice most th time that I've been here. Don't usually met beasts living on th beach like you are. Maybe didn't look hard enough."

Kara shrugs, "Not many have what it takes to live on their own, some that try it up and die from hunger or freeze when winter comes around.

Will shrugs, 'I guess, but I'm not dead and you aren't either."

"I said not many survive, I am an exception." Kara casts the rat a doubtful look, "I have trouble believing that you wander by yourself, being so young."

Will shrugs, "Believe what you like but til about two seasons ago I did do just that."

Kara frowns, "No doubt that is where you would have lost your eye, probably were robbed multiple times, enslaved at least once but save by others, and then ended the fiasco without an once of dignity." Ooh, she sounds very doubtful, and negative.

Will's temper is showing now though he's still trying to keep from yelling. He says sharply, "Yeah I been captured twice now an th first time cost me an eye but seeing that the same beast that did that's 'killed' four times now and probably will come back again and I got away /by myself/ /both/ times. I still explore sometimes but more with my family I have now then always just by myself." He pauses to take a breath then continues, "I stopped wandering about by myself when I got my new family after that we explored places together."

Kara scoffs, "Yes, as I thought, far too young and foolish to be on your own. You also haven't been around too much, killing four times is a small number. Also, if I were you, I'd forget your 'family', it'll be what kills you in the end. You're far better off on your own."

Will shakes his head, "I don't think so. Sides we stick together, them an me."

Kara smiles a sad smile, "And that, is why it will kill you. When one of your precious family is taken or killed you'll feel the need to run off and go save or avenge them, and in doing so you'll end up dead. But, at least when I see a grave with your body in it I won't have to feel guilty about not warning you." She finishes quite nonchalantly, as if their discussing the weather.

Will shrugs, "There's worse ways t die. Though their isn't likely gonna be a grave for me. He knows better but if there is not much I can do about it."

Kara rolls her eyes, "Worse than watching the ones you assign this so called 'love' die? If the beast that kills you is merciful he'll kill you so you don't have to see the results of your failure, if not...well....he'll kill them all one by one before your eyes. But, as I said, if you're too incompetent to know any better, it isn't my problem." She's a cynical one, alright.

"Rude!" Will growls making a face at the ferret. He turns to walk off back to the village.

Kara smiles to herself, why? Good question, all the same she doesn't chase the rat with more 'rude', but to her very realistic remarks, "Better to let the fool figure it out for himself in the end," she mumbles to herself whist returning to her seat, and continuing working on the throwing club.

Will is in a sour mood as he walks back along the beach. Once he can no longer see the ferret he sits down and pulls out some things to much on out of his pack while he throws pebbles into the water.

Zekeal blinks as the rat totally misses him, as the otter is just, in fact, sanding there. He shrugs a bit and walks off toward Will. Being all sneaky, which might come up and bite him in the rump later. But that's why he has a paw on his hilt. For defensive purposes only, of course. He gets a little behind him and says, "Oi, lubber!" in a roguish accent

The rat's ears turn toward the voice and he turns his head to look for the beast that just spoke, a mouthful of fish sandwich in his mouth.

Zekeal draws his blade... which is a long stick... he was hiding under his cloak apparently. He grins, "Oi, drop that there sandgich... and defend thy self!" he swishes the stick a few times. Being stupid today isn't he!

Will blink and asks after choking down the mouthful of sandwich, due to the otter's silliness making him nearly laugh, "You're going to hit me with a stick?" He blinks again and holds the sandwich away from the otter grinning, "No fish for you!"

Zekeal prods Wills paw with the sandwich, with his stick, "Its a mighty stick! I use for poking..." he holds his head back, "From greaaaaaaat distances!" he looks sad now at the last part, "Wha! No fish fo me!" he drops to his knees, and pounds the ground with his fist, "No! Sao mean! Wai!" Somebeast is having a good day!

Will laughs, "You can git yur on fi-sh." he says around another mouthful of sandwich.

Zekeal frowns to go and sit on the sand. He pouts for a few minutes before eying the sandwich. He grins evilly, and picks up his stick, "OI! WHATS DAT!" he points off into the ocean with the stick, "I SEE PIRATES!" and he waits.

Will hmms and keeps an ear toward the otter as he glances toward the horizon a moment. He's made good progress on the sandwich and a little under half of the fishy goodness still remains tightly gripped in the dibbun's claws.

That, sparks Kara's attention. She leaps up, ears perked and paw already reaching for her sword, after a minute she understands what must be happening. The stream of curses that flow from her mouth are certainly not lady like, she has half a mind to march up there and beat the tar out of the shouter.

Zekeal grins, and when Will looks away he tackles him playfully from behind to start tickling him in the side, "I gotcha... That'll teach yah from looking away!" he chuckles. Its not about the sandwich anymore. He is just having fun again. He might know that Kara is watching, he doesn't care. Zeke doesn't live in fear. Why do you think he is so much fun!

Will eeps and drops the sandwich when he's tackled. He tries to curl up in a ball but it's too late and he can't help laughing loudly, as he tries to escape the otter, as he's very ticklish.

Oooh, that must have been the last straw, because Kara has just stepped out of her tent, armed with her bow and club. She doesn't intend to kill anyone, yet, but she certainly is out to silence the noise.

Zekeal continues his tirade of tickling until he feels that Will is finally getting tired of it. He grins and lets the rat go, "Heh, Sorry Will. Couldn't resist!" he grins and gives the rattling a small hug, and a head ruffle, "So matey. What you been up to. Wondering the beaches and such!?" something that this otter does. Will tells Zeke of the ferret. Zeke nods, "Aye. Kara i believe her name was. Lived by herself a bit too long if you ask me..." Will points behind the otter, at the approaching ferret. Zeke looks behind him and waves, "Hiya Kara! Lovely day isn't it!" yes he is still yelling. Will can see the bow, and tells Zeke. Zeke snorts, "If she wanted to shoot us... she would have... sides..." he points at himself and chuckles.

Kara waits until she's well within talking range before replying, "Yes, very nice except someone keeps screaming, I was just on my way to remedy the problem before it attracts unwanted attention. /You/ wouldn't have any idea who's being so reckless, would you?" She knows perfectly well who was making all the racket, but she seems like she's almost testing the otter, but for what?

Zekeal sighs at Will, and pats him on the head, before standing up using the stick as a crutch, "Hey Kara...Course i know! It was me. Mostly. See there was this sandwich. Then there was this whole thing where I'm a tickle monster... its a long story..." he chuckles, and hobbles toward Kara a little bit. Will begins to chew his lip

Kara frowns slightly, "Well lets hear it," no not really, it's a statement laced with sarcasm, "I'd love to know exactly why I won't get any sleep tonight because I'll be up watching my tent from the dunes incase someone ill intended comes to investigate. It's already happened once, yesterday, caught a dirty thief rifling through /my/ tent."

Zekeal chuckles as he can hear the sarcasm. Don't tempt him. Or else he wont shut up for HOURS! He shrugs at the next part, "I don't know why... Paranoid if i had to be my claw on it." so he decides to offer up some suggestions, "You could get a second watcher. You know... a traveling companion. Take turns on watch and so forth..." he takes another breath, has he offers another solution, "Well if that happened. Move the tent. Obviously. Next... its your fault. Putting a tent... on the open beach... Rookie mistake..." he chuckles

Kara's grip on the club changes, she lets it slip through her paw she's holding the very end of it, "The ermine that tried to rob me is the one that made a mistake, I'll make a nice profit its hide when it's tanned, it should make a nice piece of armor for someone, somewhere." Her tone is an nonchalant as ever, again like she's discussing the weather.

Zekeal shrugs, "Lucky is more like it... Though he should have set fire to your tent first... distraction. Then cycle through your remains for anything of value... if there is anything of value..." he smirks. Her talking about tanning the hides of beasts disgust him. He chokes up on the grip of the stick. He eyes her, "I hope somebeast does set fire to your tent... learn to keep your mouth shut..." he takes a step forward, and looks down at her.

Kara chuckles, "Your friend Kentar didn't seem to mind, and as much as you are vexed by the idea, that ermine's pelt will probably save a life one day, either mine or whomever I sell it too." She doesn't back down when he steps up, he maybe bigger, but the knob on the end of that club is a nasty piece of work.

Kentar has been out and about today with Chris while Garnet took the day off. The little stoat in Kentar's arms is soundly sleeping while his father rocks him gently and hums a soft tune. He stops when he sees Kara and Aikuen, A.K.A Zekeal. "Good evening to you both." he smiles, deciding to go over, unaware of what's been happening.

Zekeal eyes her for a moment, "You know Kentar... I see... Well that's simple. He knows. Obviously" he shakes his head, "Its still morally wrong... And if i ever catch you... doing that to innocents... I will hunt you down... and skin your fur to sell... slowly, and ill make you watch... That's a promise..." He is not scared, in fact the club that she has is laughable. Plus Aik is skilled in using spears. And this stick, is just that. Plus whatever weapons he conceals in his cloak. He takes another step forward, before scoffing and looking to Kentar, "Oi..." and he walks back over to Will. He cant put another kill under his belt.

Kara has a good laugh at his hunting her down, "Yes, I am very frightened of you, and your big ominous cloak and stick. Keep your morals to yourself, if a beast is dead then their dead, I'm free to do what I want with its pelt." Maybe one day the opportunity will arise that she can show him what this laughable little club does, until then though she just watches him leave. When Kentar appears on the scene she gives him a curt nod, nothing else for the moment though.

Kentar eyes the club and then Zekeal and then Kara. "What's going on?" he asks, still rocking the little sleeping stoat in his arms, being so very careful not to wake him. He's so hard to get to sleep.

Kara smiles and winks at the otter, "I've earned my place," she taps the knob of the club against the side of her head, "it's just a place you consider yourself above recognizing, a foolish idea to think yourself better than others, it could very well kill you one day." She turns her attention to the stoat, "What going on? Well I heard an obnoxious uproar from my tent and decided to see what was going on, I found your friend here playing with that rat, both causing enough noise to wake a nest of snoring badgers.

Kentar laughs quietly then promptly stops as Chris squirms in his arms then falls promptly asleep again, sucking on his thumb. He just smirks at the otter, the rat, and then Kara. "Yeah, that's them. My loud friends." he smirks then frowns deeply at the mention of Skuld. "That I taught a lesson. And I didn't forgive myself afterwards, so please, don't bring it up again."

Will continues to worry at his lip watching the adults and hoping the otter won't do anything stupid, well stupider than normal. For something to do he glances around the area for his missing half a fish sandwich as if it might just appear.

Zekeal cant help but chuckle at Kara, "Well i have a reason... I've had that foolish idea for... twenty seasons or so... and... I'm still here. And my enemies aren't..." he shrugs and picks up the sandy sandwich. "Sorry Kentar. The only way i could describe what was going on..." He blows off a bit of the dirt before splitting it in two, and hands the bigger piece to Will. He seems to be calming down some as he nibbles.

Kentar chuckles a little at Aik and Will, nodding slowly. "Thank you." he says to the otter before scratching his head. "So. Aside from annoyed. How are you two?" he asks Will and Zeke, not asking Kara just yet

Will munches on his fish sandwich the despite the grit now in it. "I'm fine. Oh," he pulls a whitish rock with an orange spot out of his pocket and holds it out toward the stoat, "this is for Kluna. I found it."

Zekeal doesn't mind the dirt. Adds flavor i guess. He smiles at Kentar, "Great... Or at least i was..." he chuckles, "Kentar... Can i talk to you a bit... away from here..." he pats Will on the shoulder before heaving himself and walking toawrd Kentar. He smiles, "Don't worry. Its good!" he winks.

Kentar oohs and takes the rock, stashing it in a pocket. "Thanks!" he smiles wide. "I'm sure Kluna will love it." The stoat chuckles then frowns at Aik. He's not sure he believes him when he says 'don't worry, its good'. "Yeah. Sure." he nods.

Zekeal smiles and nods, "Righto... Come on..." he leads the stoat away from the others. They can still be seen, but the sound of the ocean drowns out any small talk that will come from the two. He needs to tell Kentar as he will figure it out, soon enough. Zeke stops and smiles at the stoat, "So Kentar... I have a question..." he grins, "What do you think we should name me and Fira's young... We cant think of any names!" What a way to break it too him.

Will follows the otter since he's not about to be left alone with Kara.

Kentar huhs and smiles nice and wide. "What!!?" That was loud. "Really!? Your going to be a dad!?! Hahaha! Congr---" "WAI! WAI!" He woke Chris up. The stoat blinks and looks down, rocking the little stoat again, sighing. "Congratulations, Aik" he smiles.

Kara positively claps her paws over her ears, and by the look on her face that little rat better hope he doesn't run into her down a dark alley.

Zekeal said it would be good news! DIDN'T HE! Zeke chuckles at Kentar, and then awws at Chris, reaching over to rub the little ones stomach to calm him a bit, "Thank you Kentar. Yep. I'm going to be a dad again. And Fira is going to be a mum. I..." he chuckles, "Its wonderful. Sorry i didn't tell you sooner. Only yesterday... did she start showing..." he makes over his stomach, "It was really... real..." he grins, "Thought i tell you before you figured it out..."

Will smiles a little and watches the stoat and otter a few moments. "... How much longer do you think it'll be til th baby's born?" he asks. He's asked this before but maybe the otter can figure it out now that it's more obviously there.

Kentar smiles widely and nods, bouncing his son in his arms a little, trying to get him to stop crying, but it doesn't work. Kentar sighs and rocks the kid again, hoping he'll go back to sleep eventually. But he doesn't. Though he does stop crying. "That's great Aik. I'm really happy for you both." he smiles.

Zekeal smiles at Kentar, "Thank you Kentar... Were both excited and happy... I cant wait!" the otter looks to Will and shrugs, "Month... to a month and a half, at the most... I think..." he still had no idea. It was almost 13 seasons ago since his last kit. He forgot the time schedule. He will ask Fira later. She knows, as she has done research apparently. He smiles faintly, as he picture the bump he saw and touched yesterday. Its really, for real. He laughs, as he just though of something "I wonder if it will be born on, our one season anniversary!" that's a thought

Kentar chuckles and smiles, nodding slowly, the stoat thinking for a few moments. "That'd be really cool." he smiles. "You know." he thinks for a few moments. "I was sort of thinking of talking to Garnet about having another. I know we've got Kluna and Chris, and I guess Robin now, but...you know, I'd like to have just one more...a brother or sister for Chris that's actually a stoat and close to his age." he chuckles a little.

Will had already headed off and beat the otter to the cabin by a large margin. He ponders over the coming mini otter and a possible new stoat.

Kentar chuckles as the otter goes off. "Night Aik!" he waves before thinking. "I'd best get home to. Night Will." he says, going up the path to the cabin.