So the Search Begins (Penny Bone)
Underneath the oppressive flora of the jungle trees it is quite warm and annoyingly muggy. The high pitched whine of various bug life and the scuttle of small insects upon the jungle floor has become a common sound to the remaining crew of the good ship Penny Bone. Earlier in the afternoon they had set out from their small camp on the beach into the looming jungle, their goal being to find the two missing beasties: Rolli and Juan. So far they have managed to find at least ten species of biting insects and several spiders, but unfortunately the rat and shrew have remained elusive. The crew now find themselves crouched behind a bush, examining the scene before them: An ancient looking building made of thick slabs of stone. Somehow it has managed to weather out the years, refusing to give in to the probing vines and roots surrounding and covering it. It is built like a tiered cake, the ground level having the entrance and the two other visible levels being smattered with windows and various places of disrepair.
Orlop glances back at the crew, his face dripping with sweat as he speaks, "Any chance someone'll volunteer to go have a' look 'round?"
As the beasts look on a pair of large menacing reptiles wander into view. Muscular beasts decorated in white chalk like paint and tribal tattoos. They wear leather loincloths decorated in the skulls of rats and weasels. Both beastly brutes chuckle and laugh in an unknown tongue as they walk towards the ruins and disappear down its entrance.
Kazi was the first to rise to the challenge. That is, heading in the opposite direction! "Where do you think you are going?" Tera says as she grabs the plump pine marten by the tail. Well, chubby might be a more accurate term now. The two portly beasts are shedding pounds in this scorching heat. It makes hard for the vixen to give out scathing remarks and orders when she is busy panting in the heat so she staves off calling the marten a coward for now.
When the captain asks for volunteers the weaselly Kilby, the vixen Tera and the marten Kazi all exchange glances then look to Cid. In a short while Cid is being pushed, rather against his will towards the ruins.
"Why me?" he squeaks rather than hisses.
"You're a lizard Cid. You can speak...lizard too them. You know, in case they try to eat you."
"E-eat me!?" Cid squeaks again, trying to flail his arms as he is moved to the ruins.
Vincent waves sardonically to Cid as he is pushed away, quite happy that he has avoided 'follow-the-big-menacing-lizards' duty. Meanwhile his brother, Fronko, rolls his eyes and slumps at the back of the group, looking much to warm for his own liking. Orlop calls quietly to Cid once he has been pushed beyond the bush, "Jus' step inside an' take a peek, than come an' report. Don't die!"
The blue lizard seems to shrink as he nears the entrance of the ruins. He gives them all one last pleading look, before turning to the entrance. He gulps. A makeshift spear at the ready Cid then takes a step towards the ruins, fully intending to follow through on that last order.
He leans forward into the ruins, waving his spear about. When nothing happens Cid steps inside.
"So...Lizards." Kilby says from where he stands in the bushes. To orlop he says, "Should we start taking bets on if they are friendly now? Or later?"
Orlop watches carefully as Cid enters the ruins, then nods contentedly once the lizard enters. He takes the bandanna he uses as a headband and wipes his face, momentarily clearing it of sweat. He gives Kilby the side eye and gestures towards the ruins with his now wet bandanna, "It ain't never too early for bettin'! I'll bet you ten copper tha' their as friendly as a hare before breakfast."
Cid appears again from the ruins. He gives the all clear for the group to enter. He casts a wary eye towards the ruins behind him. There is no sign that the other lizards were ever even here, let alone in sight.
Kazi and Tera arrive first, "Well, what did they say?" the vixen asks.
"I didn't see them. They just...vanished!"
The marten strokes his chin, "They couldn't have just vanished...could they?"
The weasel chuckles darkly from his own hiding place. "Sure you think they is friendly captain. Why else would you send the pawns in first." He glances at the two fox's behind him and begins to apologize for calling them pawns. He stops before he begins then looks back out at the ruins. "I hope yer right captain...not proper for a sea beast to die on land...especially IN land." With that the weasel hobbles down towards the other crew members.
Orlop grins dubiously at the first mate and follows after him, waiting till they're out of earshot of the fox brothers before muttering, "You think like a true leader, Kilby, a true leader.". Meanwhile, said foxes glance at each other with raised eyebrows. Vincent looks rather annoyed, "So now we're just pawns, eh? Well, it's the pawn that takes the knight. Or bishop. Or whatever." He waves his paw dismissively in the air. Fronko harrumphs as he stands and starts after the other beasts, calling over his shoulder to his brother, "Aye, and the king and the queen and all the other bloody pieces. Now come on or we'll fall behind." Vincent frowns at his brothers shortness, but doesn't bring it up. Time enough for that later!
- Thanks for Reading!*
