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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Sept 3, 2006 12:35:07 GMT
Well, like Mephistopheles said: even if we do find the tribe, and somehow gain their trust, we'll never know if Birchy actually finds his family. *Ashnel tells her, working it out as he speaks. Terragon frowns.* So... They just all work together? Wow. *She gives Ashnel another glare, and receives an annoying grin in answer.*
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Post by Ayeny Alashia on Sept 3, 2006 12:50:46 GMT
Well... Okay... *says Ayeny, still not quite reassured but placated, perhaps by the solemn, wide-eyed look the squirrel nearest the ground gives her.*
Guess you're staying with us, then, *she says, addressing Birchy, a smile starting to work its way to her face.*
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Sept 4, 2006 17:04:39 GMT
*Ashnel watches Birchy with a look close to a frown.* Birchy, how old are you exactly? *He asks. The little squirrel pauses; Terragon looks up; Mephistopheles stalks off with a mutter of "If I'm no longer needed..."; and Jupiter helps himself to a slice of almond cake.*
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Post by Ayeny Alashia on Sept 4, 2006 18:51:57 GMT
*After hearing Ashnel's question, Ayeny can't help but curiously wonder the same thing and fully turns to look in the two squirrels' direction, Mephistopheles (and possibly Lord Starsett) disregarded.*
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Sept 5, 2006 10:31:53 GMT
Thirteen. *The squirrel replies finally with only a trace of his dibbunish voice. Ashnel nods.* Thought so. *He answers and doesn't question the other. Leave that for Ayeny and Terragon. Interrogating...*
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Post by Ayeny Alashia on Sept 8, 2006 6:29:54 GMT
Thirteen? *Ayeny repeats, and her eyes are a little wider. Unknowingly, she falls into the set role Ashnel has left for her.* But... are white squirrels usually very small? *she asks, in her most logical tone.* Do they mature slowly? What's the usual height for your tribe?
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Sept 9, 2006 10:45:38 GMT
*Birchy pauses uneasily, and stands up - drawing himself to his full height.* Dunno. *He confirms blankly. The next question is asked by Terragon, while Ashnel suddenly finds that looking out to sea is a more useful task.* Why the dibbun voice? *The smaller squirrel shruggs.* Seems more likely that I wouldn't be killed. *The darker squirrel half turns. Tactical thinker-? Possibly... More likely a clever mistake...* The gulls nearly did though. You might've too. *Birchy replies without so much as flinching or batting an eyelid.*
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Post by Ayeny Alashia on Sept 9, 2006 14:04:44 GMT
*Aren't you clever... and very, very matter of fact, Ayeny thinks, though the squirrel has perhaps earned a bit of respect from her. What a plan from a little squirrel of thirteen. Her questions suddenly stop, though her interest in Birchy increases, and she looks at him analytically (sp?) for a moment before looking away.*
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Sept 10, 2006 8:45:54 GMT
*Neither Ashnel nor Terragon can find any answer to this and, for a while, both remain silent. Another moment passes before the former "interrogates" the other squirrel further.* D'you know any crafts - weaponry, fencing, fletching, arch'ry, forging-? *Birchy seems unroused by this sudden wave of words and chooses his reply carefully.* I can write in illuminated scripts, I can read old-tongue. As for weaponry, the sword I owned is lost. *He speaks evenly, and slowly - not through stupidity, but for the sake of giving himself time to think.*
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Post by Ayeny Alashia on Sept 10, 2006 14:13:07 GMT
*Half-scholar, half-warrior, Ayeny thinks wryly. Rather like the average Terraluxian. A careful thinker... he may have the makings of a skilled tactician, she notes. Another thought hits her, and she looks out to sea for a moment. I wonder if he trusts us.*
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Sept 12, 2006 16:53:17 GMT
*Clever... And a fighter. There's somethin' y'don't see everyday, Ashnel Alashia. The dark squirrel tells himself. What about the other side of our shipwrecked guest? Cynical, yes... Speaks his mind, not necessarily a bad thing either, though in moderation. I should know... After a few moments mental rambling, Ashnel reaches a conclusion. By the Guiding Stars! He's exactly like me! With this somewhat horrific thought in mind, the squirrel turns to Jupiter.* You're keeping very quiet, m'lord. *The badger glances up.* What's your opinion on this newcomer? *Birchy surveys the two with barely concealed interest and listens to hear Starsett's say in the matter.*
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Post by Ayeny Alashia on Sept 14, 2006 13:01:03 GMT
*Ayeny looks back at Birchy while he's looking in the other direction, almost amused by how serious he seems, looking at Starsett, watching with quick movements so as not to miss anything. He's really trying to assess the situation, isn't he? she thinks, and looks at the badger, as well.*
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Sept 17, 2006 11:45:15 GMT
*Starsett pauses philosophically before replying.* I think... I think your choice is your own, Ashnel, and Birchy's decision (whatever that may be) must be taken into account. *The badger nods slowly, as though this unhelpful answer is his final decision. But he draws Ashnel to one side.* Birchy's a lot like you, Ashnel, but remember, he's not your son. *Ashnel looks past the other, noticing Terragon hanging on the badger lord's every word.*
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Post by Ayeny Alashia on Sept 17, 2006 16:58:39 GMT
*Ayeny also hears these words, and her gaze swivels around to look intensely at the Badger Lord's face (although he is not returning it, his gaze on Ashnel). She cannot see Ashnel's face, to her chagrin, as his back is turned to her. Almost embarassedly, she looks back in the other direction, and looks back to Birchy.*
So, how are you feeling about all this? *she asks him, dark eyes serious but also a little distracted as they address the white squirrel.*
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Sept 18, 2006 15:59:12 GMT
*Pepinote freezes, echoing the movement made by Ashnel a moment before. Terragon and Jupiter both observe this out of the corners of their eyes, before both gazes flick back to the darker squirrel.* You have mentioned a place, or perhaps somebeast, by the title of Terralux. You of course know what this means in old tongue? *Birchy answers after a moment. The squirrel's tone takes that of a lecturer suddenly and he appears not to be replying to Ayeny's question, instead returning one of his own.*
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