Taggle
Canopy Cadet
I have seen the world, but has the world seen me?
Posts: 13
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Post by Taggle on Mar 18, 2007 18:27:12 GMT
The winter winds sighed fitfully, blowing the last of Fair Autumn's leaves off of the deadened hollow trees. Snow continued to fall, as it had for hours, draping the landscape of rolling hills on which the forest lay in a peaceful blanket of snow. An owl hooted far off, snuggling down into its nest to escape the winter winds.
The sound of silence was broken only by the bare, frozen paws of a traveler, out braving winters icy rage. The traveler was a mouse, and a very young one at that. His tail hung limply at his side, making a line next to his tiny paw prints in the snow. His whiskers drooped down wards, as if to emphasize his small emaciated form. The homespun tunic he wore had become old and tatty, and his cloak did precious little to keep him warm. Stopping, he thought he could make out an arch in the snow, with words written upon it. This did him no good, as he could not read. The small mouse, who could have been no more than 4 summers old, fell face down into the snow, unconscious. The snow, pitiless to his plight, continued to fall, covering his body with a soft blanket of snow, and filling in his tracks.
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Mar 18, 2007 18:39:03 GMT
*Ashnel and Birchy rush up the path, followed by Terragon. The red squirrel's face is covered in snow, and judging by the way she's trying - and failing - to look angry, Birchy and Ashnel have just waged a war of snow upon her.* I could exile you from Terralux, y'know! *Terragon tells them.* Attacking the leaderess is a criminal offence! *Birchy turns to pull a face at Terragon, only to fall backwards over something in the snow. Ashnel drags the white-furred squirrel dibbun up.* Look where you're going. *He tells him with a broad grin to show he doesn't mean it. Birchy looks down at what he's fallen over and gapes.* Ash'! There's a little mouse there! *Terragon catches up with them and glances at the mouse.* Ash, there's a little mouse there. *She says, because Ashnel isn't listening to Birchy, he's staring in amazement at the mouse dibbun.* How did a dibbun that age find his way here?! There nearest settlement is Salamandastron and he can't've come from there. Nevermind how he got here, *Terragon mutters.* We need to get him out of the snow. *She attempts to wake the mouse.*
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Taggle
Canopy Cadet
I have seen the world, but has the world seen me?
Posts: 13
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Post by Taggle on Mar 18, 2007 18:44:37 GMT
The mouse's paw moves slowly, and his eyes blink open. They are a deep blue, the blue of the sea. "w-who ar-re you?" he asked, his teeth chattering in cold. His accent had the distinct tinge of some beast that came from the North. The mouse looked half dead from hunger and cold. Though at some point in its life his cloak had been thick and warm, it was thin and tatty now. The small mouse dibbun looked confused, he had thought the forest was deserted.
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Mar 18, 2007 19:34:23 GMT
I'm Terragon. *The squirrel tells the mouse gently. His eyes... her mind whispers. They're just like Regel's.* I'm from Terralux. That's a settlement very near to here. Me and my friends - *Terragon gestures to Ashnel and Birchy.* - are going to take you there. *Ashnel shruggs off his heavy cloak and hands it to Terragon who attempts to drape it over the mouse's shoulders.*
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Taggle
Canopy Cadet
I have seen the world, but has the world seen me?
Posts: 13
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Post by Taggle on Mar 18, 2007 19:43:30 GMT
The cloak dwarfs the mouse several times. "terrawux...sounds ferry nice" the mouse dibbun says, rising unsteadily to his feet. The snow had affected him. He shivered again, his nose beggining to show the signs of a cold.
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Mar 18, 2007 19:50:58 GMT
*Ashnel stoops to pick the mouse up, afraid that the dibbun may collapse from exhaustion.* Birchy, run ahead and find the others in Starsett Hollow. *He pauses.* No, the Tavern's closer. Clear ev'rybeast out and tell them to mind their own business if they ask anything. *Birchy throws a lazy salute and sprints off towards the arch.*
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Taggle
Canopy Cadet
I have seen the world, but has the world seen me?
Posts: 13
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Post by Taggle on Mar 18, 2007 20:00:54 GMT
"whas in da tavern?" the mouse dibbun asks Ashnel. Looking closer at his eyes, it is clear he is on the point of exhaustion. He scratches his nose, and a small crescent scar is visible, running its way across his forepaw. The dibbun then sneezed a humongus sneeze, which threatened to make him fall from Ashnel's arms.
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Mar 18, 2007 20:03:16 GMT
*Ashnel gulps, worriedly and sets off as fast as he dares after Birchy. Terragon follows, hovering at the darker, taller squirrel's side in case Ashnel drops the mouse dibbun.*
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Taggle
Canopy Cadet
I have seen the world, but has the world seen me?
Posts: 13
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Post by Taggle on Mar 18, 2007 20:09:29 GMT
The snow truly had taken its toll on the small mouse. Without another word, he passes out. In his sleep he looks peaceful, at rest.....for now. The snow let up a little, as the Sun was trying to break through. But, the old winter badger would not give up without a fight.
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Mar 18, 2007 20:14:47 GMT
His eyes were just like Regel's. *Terragon tells Ashnel as they near the Tavern. Birchy has done his job well, for as the two enter - Terragon holding the door aside, Ashnel hurrying to get the mouse into the warm - the place is deserted.* Is he alright? *The red squirrel asks as Ashnel tries to lay the dibbun next to the fire.* I think so. *The other answers, without really knowing.* I should think he has a name too.
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Taggle
Canopy Cadet
I have seen the world, but has the world seen me?
Posts: 13
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Post by Taggle on Mar 18, 2007 20:25:20 GMT
After a little while, the dibbun wakes up once more, revived by the fire. He moves closer to the fire, staring into it. He was fascinated with the way it popped and crackled merrily, the flames doing little dances as it consumed the wood. The fire was like everything else to him. A game. Looking around the tavern, he takes interest in everyhitng around him. He had never been into a tavern before, and was liking being in one. He stayed silent, his teeth still chattering.
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Mar 18, 2007 20:32:31 GMT
*After a while, Ashnel and Terragon sit down next to the dibbun, waiting for him to stop shivering. Almost without realising, Ashnel begins to sing, very quietly, in a low voice:* Starlight, Shining through the darkness, Starlight, Whispering on the breeze, Starlight, Guide me home, No more shall I roam, Guide me home again.
Starlight, I saw you in the evening, Starlight, I gazed upon the skies, Starlight, I could see your light, In the endless night, Starlight I see your light again.
Starlight, I've seen your face before now, Starlight, I knew long ago, Starlight, I love you, Again today Starlight you stole my heart away. [/i]
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Taggle
Canopy Cadet
I have seen the world, but has the world seen me?
Posts: 13
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Post by Taggle on Mar 18, 2007 20:47:21 GMT
The mouse dibbun let the melodies wash over him as he warmed himself by the fire. The song was cheery, and lifted his spirits. He even stopped shivering! The fire seemed to crackle in time ro the merry melody. " you sing good." * he tells Ashnel, looking around still. *The winds buffeted the walls of the cabin, moaning and groaning for all they were worth outside.
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Mar 19, 2007 18:22:56 GMT
It's an old song, *Ashnel tells the mouse.* With many different versions and its very own legend too. *He lapses into a thoughtful silence, his dark eyes reflecting the firelight. After some time, Terragon looks around, and can see from the darkness pressing against the Tavern windows from outside that it has grown quite late.* Ash'... it's getting late. *She tells the other squirrel, who nods and bites his lip.* He can't stay in the Tavern. And he can't stay being called "he," either. *Terragon says firmly and turns to the mouse dibbun.* Can you tell me what your name is? *She asks, without taking the patronising tone of an adult talking to a child.*
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Taggle
Canopy Cadet
I have seen the world, but has the world seen me?
Posts: 13
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Post by Taggle on Mar 19, 2007 23:15:54 GMT
" my name be's Taggle!" * he tells her enthusiastically, looking up at her. His deep blue eyes seem to search her face, looking for..something. Or maybe he's just tired. His eyelids droop lower as he yawns...*
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