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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Sept 24, 2006 8:48:27 GMT
*Ashnel remains standing, hovering about near Ayeny, while the others make their way along the food table like some horde of famished locusts.* So. *The dark squirrel murmurs after a moment.* What d'you think. Not of the party - *He adds.* - but I think you know what I'm talking about. There was somebeast at the edge of the woodlands, yes? *Ashnel's voice is not unduly angry or worried, but an unfortunately serious note has temporarily imposed itself on the conversation.*
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Post by Ayeny Alashia on Sept 24, 2006 14:20:15 GMT
There was, *Ayeny agrees quietly, but the look is not exactly worried, but... something else.* And... I think it was a squirrel, *she says, trying to sound less sure than she is. She wonders if to keep the rest of her suspicions to herself, and remains hesitant for a moment, before lowering her voice, even further.* And... I think... it's someone I... know...
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Sept 24, 2006 17:44:15 GMT
*Ashnel groans inwardly. Just when everything was perfect... Now this. Whatever this may be.* C'mon. *He tells Ayeny. The squirrel crosses the room and slips out onto the roof. Above the cheerful babble of the room below, any conversation will be completely secret. As long as Terragon's still occupied by the banquet, that is. Ashnel reminds himself. She won't let herself miss out on any action - that's f'r sure.*
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Post by Robin Redflash on Sept 24, 2006 17:53:29 GMT
*Robin has already made her own way to the cider and nutfarls. She is totally engrossed in it but part of her mind is telling her to watch out for Arven. Just in case he begins following her again. She grins though thinking that it might be fun. She hears something but doens't register it or even look up. She just carries on as normal.*
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Post by Ayeny Alashia on Sept 24, 2006 18:53:45 GMT
*Ayeny follows Ashnel, taking a slightly different path so as not to disturb the same beasts in their quest to demolish everything on the table. As she feels the cooler air, she grins a little.* It's nice up here, *she says wistfully. But that's not what we're here to talk about, she reminds herself sternly, and looks at the other again, the smile still on her face as she looks Ashnel over.* The stranger- I don't think I'm only seeing things, you having seen her- it, too. I could be mistaken, since I've been away for so long, but...
*As Ayeny continues, there is a disturbance at the door below, as somebeast knocks, once, twice, thrice. It is not strange to see someone at the door of the Hollow, except that nearly every creature is inside already- and those who are not would hear the cheer and enter without such formality.*
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Sept 24, 2006 19:04:24 GMT
*Ashnel's expression grows taught and serious.* Wait here. *He orders, but then softens his tone, remembering the hostily on the isle of Meratoa when he tried to force Ayeny into leaving. She and Terragon know their own minds. 'Tis a fool who tries to sway them. Mind you... Ashnel's mind snaps back to the present.* That is, if you want t' wait here. *He adds, before slipping back into the treehouse.* *Terragon meets the darker squirrel upon his re-entrance, and gives him a quizzical, but not yet worried, look. Ashnel catches her eye a moment before proceeding to the door.*
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Post by Ayeny Alashia on Sept 24, 2006 19:15:34 GMT
*Ayeny promptly ignores that Ashnel ever asked her to wait, although she is secretly a little proud of his effort. She goes downstairs and notices the eyes on the door, and a split-second before it opens, she knows who it will be.*
*The figure in the doorframe is that of a squirrel. She is an average height but quite thin, and her fur is a red-brown, redder than Terragon's, with a few silver threads running through it, showing that the squirrel is no longer in her spring seasons. She says nothing, but her eyes rove around the room, ignoring Terragon and Robin, pausing for a moment on Ashnel, but inevitably meeting Ayeny's and fixing on her. Almost immediately, the latter begins to tremble.*
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Sept 24, 2006 19:20:47 GMT
*Ashnel moves a pace backwards, maybe out of surprise, maybe to take Ayeny's paw. Terragon watches the newcomer, and takes an instant dislike to her. Like the wicked witch in a fairy story - bursting in during the banquet uninvited...* And who would you be, stranger? *Ashnel asks, fighting to keep all anger and hostility from his voice.*
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Post by Ayeny Alashia on Sept 24, 2006 19:31:27 GMT
*Ayeny, without thinking about it, takes the other's paw, almost defensively. The other ignores Ashnel's question, but notices the movement, and looks at him more closely- up and down, with a very piercing gaze, as if to know every detail of the larger squirrel. The silence is very heavy, and the foreign squirrel finally looks back to Ayeny, a question in her eyes. Ayeny opens her mouth, but cannot seem to find the words to say anything, and the other speaks first.*
He'll do, *the squirrel says, oddly, and reaches a paw out to touch the other. As her paw settles itself on Ayeny's shoulder with ease, it is quite easy to notice that the two squirrels' fur is the exact same color, sans the grey threads.*
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Sept 24, 2006 19:37:01 GMT
*Ashnel doesn't notice the similarity - it's not his way to observe such things. But Terragon does. Not only through the fur colour, but to the stranger's reaction towards Ashnel. Laburnum was the same with Oakbark. She takes things into her own paws.* Welcome to Terralux, realm of light. *The red squirrel begins her usual welcoming speech with uncertainity.*
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Post by Ayeny Alashia on Sept 24, 2006 19:40:27 GMT
*The squirrel turns her head to Terragon and bows slightly, her paw remaining on Ayeny's shoulder.* Thank you, *she says formally.* I'm afraid I've interrupted your festivities. I am only relieved I did not miss them entirely, *she says, and looks back at Ayeny for a moment before looking back at Terragon. She seems to understand that Terragon knows who she is, and respects her.*
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Sept 25, 2006 15:56:58 GMT
*Unease prickles across the back of the squirrel's neck, the russet-brown hairs standing on end as the other looks at her. Just another newcomer... No problems at all. Well - Terragon breathes in sharply, the breath whistling through her teeth. - At least not too many.* And may I ask who you are to march into this place without warning or permission; t' wish to join in with the celebrations with out a word of notice-?! *Ashnel's voice sounds sudden and harsh, despite the fact that the squirrel has barely raised his volume above speaking.* *He hasn't realised, Terragon tells herself. He really hasn't realised. In a different situation, the scene might be quite funny. The squirrel decides to combat the nervousness.*
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Post by Ayeny Alashia on Sept 26, 2006 16:50:47 GMT
*The squirrel looks at Ashnel for a moment, then turns to Ayeny. The look in her eyes is not a question but rather an expectance. Ayeny nods imperceptibly, and squeezes the dark paw she is holding.*
Ashnel, may I introduce you, *she says, voice soft and a little lower than usual,* to my mother? *Unconsciously, she looks to the elder squirrel for approval before adding,* Mum, this is Ashnel.
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Post by Robin Redflash on Sept 26, 2006 18:24:20 GMT
*Robin looked up from her plate and carefully places it down when she spots the newcomer. She frowns a little worried about who she is. She notices and thinks that she knows who the stanger is when she sees the colour of their fur is the same. When Ashnel nearly explouds however she winces slightly. He hasn't realised or at least she hopes he hasn't because if he did and still said that it would be very stupid. When Ayeny introduces her Robin really hopes that her mother won't hold it against Ashnel. She sighs mentally and watches the interaction closely.*
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Post by Terragon Scrufftail on Oct 1, 2006 10:16:48 GMT
*Terragon watches, hardly daring to breath. In the quiet, a pin could've been heard dropping, if Talis and Joey Jiboa hadn't taken all the pins to mend a rip in the canvas roof of their caravan.* *The dark squirrel breathes in increduously, holding back a torrent of words, questions. You've blown it now, Ash'. Best if you don't say anything for now-* Please to meet you, Mrs... Windwhiffler? *I told you t'be quiet! Anyhow, you don't know her name's Windwhiffler. - What else could it be?!*
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