A knock at the door....

[Prankster101]

The sky was pitch black as the sun had set and the storm clouds rolled in. The heaps of snow they carried fell to earth in gust of wind. The snow grew deeper and deeper as it got colder and colder. All the once living outdoor-plants had died or gone dormant for the winter. The ground was covered in an ever growing blanket of white. Mossflower had entered the winter season.

In the middle of the snow covered Mossflower, a warm light dimly emitted form a small stone hose set into a plethora of stones. The light barely seeped out the shut tight windows; trying to keep the warmth in. In this little house a wildcat sat in a green chair, a purple afghan covering her lap and a beautifully sewn scarf hung around her neck that matched perfectly with her outfit.

The fire burned steadily as the wildcat held a potted plant. With her sharp claws, the cat pruned the plant and chatted to it while doing so.

"There! I bet that makes you feel a whole lot better doesn't it Mister Ivy. Now you'll grow strong and healthy yes you will!"

Zayanya turned to listen to the howling wind outside and shivered.

"Ooohh. This weather isn't fit for good beast nor vermin. Oh sure Mister Ivy, it will be very useful when the wind stops, but right now, traveling in this weather could be deadly!"

She stopped and stared off into space. Her eyes not looking at any specific thing.

"Oh, no.." She muttered to her self, looking at her door. " I shouldn't have said that..."

No sooner then Zayanya made that comment to herself when she heard a knock at her door. For a minute she thought about some of the last visitors she had and didn't want to open the door, but her kind hearted nature got the better of her. She put the plant on the mantle of the fire and folded the afghan in the chair as she rose.

"Hold on for just a second, I'll be right there." She called to the door.

She walked quickly over to the door. These were the times in which Zayanya wished she had a window on her door. She didn't want to open the door to a mad group of vermin, but she had no choice now. She unlatched the lock and slow pulled the door inward to see who ever stood beyond it. The wind whipping the new falling snow into the open door.

[tacticalotter2]

*wonders if I can be outside the door*

[Prankster101]

*gives approval to Rogg*

[spartiss]

The chill winds froze Spartiss Farsight to the bone! With only his green tunic and cloak for protection, there wasn't much he could do about it however. So he huddled farther down in his meager shelter, which was very meager! All it was, was a fallen tree that the wind had blown over some time ago.

He often wondered what he would be doing if hadn't left home...
Ah well, what's done is done With that thought still in his mind, he drifted off into a fitful doze. It was pitch black when he awoke, and he was shivering so bad he thought his teeth would fall out! Off in the darkness, he thought he saw a light! Yes, it was a light! There was some beast out there!

He stumbled to his feet and with an effort made his legs move. At every step pain shot up his frozen legs! The light was so far away, his steps became more feeble, the light only a little nearer. With a last mighty effort he hauled himself though one more snow drift and sprawled on his face, not ten feet from what appeared to be a small house in the rock. With every last bit of energy he had in his cold shivering body, he called out,

"HELP! Someone, please, helllllllllllllllllpppppppppppp..."

His voice trailed off in a long let out sigh. With that, he blacked out...

[Prankster101]

(( Hi Spartiss, I hope you will forgive me for moving your character. I know it's a bit of power play, but your character needs to get inside and he is unconscious, after I do that I won't do any more...DON'T KILL ME ADMINISTRATORS!))

"HELP! Someone, please, helllllllllllllllllpppppppppppp..."

Zayanya looked out her door. The billowing wind gusting through her fur. She saw a dark red squirrel call out to her and collapse in a small snow drift no more then ten feet from her font door. Her heart immediately went out to the young squirrel and she ran out to him. Her brown fur catching some of the failing snow, causing her to become dusted in a layer of white.

The young squirrel was almost frozen and unconscious from the effort of getting here. Zayanya gently picked up the young squirrel and hurried him inside. He was fairly light to carry as Zayanya shut the door with a foot paw. and the lock fell back into place. Zayanya could tell he was about 16-17 and wander, by the toughness of his fur as she walked swiftly into the blue curtained door way.

Inside the room was a large bed with deep blue sheets, a purple fuzzy rug on the floor, a medium sized dresser/ washing station, and a small window above the bed that was kept shut to keep the cold out. Zayanya gently layed the young squirrel on the bed and covered him in the blue sheets. She then turned and lit a small lantern on the dresser which flood the room with light.

"There!" Zayanya said confidently. " Now you stay there, Mr..... Spartiss Farsight.. You need to warm up. Being out in that weather isn't goods for anybeast." She stepped out of the room and came back with a handful of herbs and ails on top of a green towel to see if her guest had awakened yet.

[spartiss]

OOC: That's fine matey, I would have died if you hadn't taken me inside!

BIC: Spar woke up in a large bed with deep blue sheets, at this point he wasn't in much of a condition to see much else about his surroundings. Spartiss wasn't sure how long he had been unconscious, but he did know that he wished he was still unconscious! The pain in his limbs and paws was so intense, he didn't think he could bare it. Not to mention the throbbing in his head. All in all, he was in pretty bad shape!

At last he got up the courage to open his eyes a crack the light from even the small fire on the hearth was painful to his sore eyes. At first every thing was blurry, then as thing began to take shape, he saw a wildcat standing over him! It was almost to much for the young squirrel, first to be almost frozen to death, and now to have a wildcat standing right next to him!

"Who are you? And what are going to do to me?"

He asked in a weak voice, he was fairly sure it would kill him, else why bring him in and put him in a bed? No this beast meant him no harm, he hoped.

[Prankster101]

(( Thank you profoundly mate! Ashy would kill me if he found out! I promise I won't try to do it again on purpose!))

Zayanya sat the medical things down on the table top and looked over at Spartiss. The red squirrel slowly began to twitch and stir. He was slowly waking up. Zayanya pulled a small stool out from under the bed and sat on it while mixing a small wooden glass of medicine. She again looked over at Spartiss. He was a limber squirrel. Built like one who roughed the outdoors on a regular basis. He also had this curious black star above his left eye. Zayanya guessed it was a type of birthmark as it was definitely not a tattoo and it didn't look like a burn make she's treated, and she's treated quite a lot.

She watched as he slowly opened his eyes. They were a light brown that sparkled with joyful life. Or as much joy that was left in them after being out in the snow like he was. He looked at Zayanya with scared eyes and in a week voice questioned her.

"Who are you? And what are going to do to me?"

Zayanya chuckled. " No need to be afraid little one. I'm not going to kill you!" She stopped stirring the wooden glass and sniffed it. " There! That should do it!"

She looked into Spartiss's eyes and said, " I'm Zayanya Dirtclaw. And I'm going to make you feel better. Now here." Zayanya brought the glass toward Spartiss's mouth. " Now drink up, it will stop the pain in your frozen limbs while we dethaw you. And it's not poison, it should taste sweet, I add alittle cherry for some flavor."

When he would be done she would set the glass on the table. " Alright now...Oh mistletoe! I left the hot water on in the kettle. I'll be right back." Zayanay whisked herself out of the room with a flourish of the blue curtain doorway.

She was back within a few moments with a wooden bowl of steaming hot water. She set the bowl on the dresser and began dipping the green towel in the water. "This it to warm up your limbs." She explained. " Once you have some movement we can get you into a bath which should bring it all back. We have to start like this though, because if you were to go in the bath immediately, the shock could be worse than the effects of the snow!"

[spartiss]

" No need to be afraid little one. I'm not going to kill you!"

"Little one!?" Spar thought indignantly. "I'm not little!"

" There! That should do it!"
" I'm Zayanya Dirtclaw. And I'm going to make you feel better. Now here."
" Now drink up, it will stop the pain in your frozen limbs while we dethaw you. And it's not poison, it should taste sweet, I add a little cherry for some flavor."

She was right, it didn't taste all that bad. Spar's legs were starting to tingle uncomfortably as they started to thaw.

" Alright now...Oh mistletoe! I left the hot water on in the kettle. I'll be right back."

Zayanya left the room in a hurry.
"My she is a busy lady! She does keep a tidy house, that's for sure. I wonder if she has any..."
His thought was interrupted by the wildcat as she come back in with a wooden bowl and a green towel.
She began to rub his legs vigorously with the towel after she had dipped it in the steaming water and rung it out. His frozen limbs tingled even more with the rubbing.

"This it to warm up your limbs." " Once you have some movement we can get you into a bath which should bring it all back. We have to start like this though, because if you were to go in the bath immediately, the shock could be worse than the effects of the snow!"

"Could you rub a little gentler please?"
He asked plaintively. The feeling was slowly coming back, and it hurt! To take his mind off the pain he looked around at the room he was lying in. There was a medium sized dresser/ washing station beside the head of the bed, and a small window above the bed that was kept shut to keep the cold out.
"This is a nice house."
He complimented her. He was proud of himself because his voice didn't shake any when he said it.
"Did you build it your self?

[Prankster101]

"My she is a busy lady! She does keep a tidy house, that's for sure. I wonder if she has any..."

"Any what?" Zayanya said as she came back into the room. She began rinsing the green towel in the warm water. Straining it so that it would be moist and wet, but not dripping all over the place. "Busy, hum. I guess I am. However, I like to think of it as I have my priorities in place, but I guess it could be called busy sometimes. There is just so much fun to have around here!"

She began rubbing Spartiss's legs with a firm paw. It was tough, yet it would help warm up the limbs.

"Could you rub a little gentler please?"

Zayanya slowed down her rubbing and re-dipped the towel in the water to keep it warm. Zayanya noticed the little expression of pain on Spartiss's face and said, "The drink you had should kick in any time now. Just yell at me if you need any more."

She smiled and went back to her work of rubbing him limbs, a little gentler this time. She watched as Spartiss looked around and studied the room.

"This is a nice house. Did you build it your self?"

Zayanya chuckled. "Oh no! Me? Build a solid rock house? You shurly jest. No, this house was inhabited by a small Hedgehog family before I got here. Their family had built it over the years and they had lived in it for the longest time. They gratefully gave it to me when they left for the Sand dunes. They were very nice folk."

She sighed as he weted the towel again. "I miss them from time to time, but I know that their doing well and it gives me comfort." Zayanya smiled again. " You feeling any better? I've got plenty of things to eat if your ready for some food."

[spartiss]

"Oh no! Me? Build a solid rock house? You surly jest. No, this house was inhabited by a small hedgehog family before I got here. Their family had built it over the years and they had lived in it for the longest time. They gratefully gave it to me when they left for the Sand Dunes. They were very nice folk."
"I miss them from time to time, but I know that their doing well and it gives me comfort." " You feeling any better? I've got plenty of things to eat if your ready for some food."

"Sure I'd like something to eat, if I may, I'm surprised you can't hear me stomach growling!" He said with a wan try at humor. "So they moved to the Sand Dunes? I wonder why, did they have relatives over there?"

Spar tried to sit up in the bed and nearly collapsed, "I guess that wasn't such a good idea after all, my arms are still weak from the cold!"

With a sigh he settled back into the covers and waited for some food.

"Could I have something other than broth please? You nurse types seem to think that us invilid types can't chew anything! I never figured out why, it's not like our jaws are hurt or anything."

His grin was even wider now and he stifled a giggle in the bed clothing.

[Prankster101]

"Sure I'd like something to eat, if I may, I'm surprised you can't hear me stomach growling!"

Zayanya chuckled abit to herself. "Oh, I heard your stomach. I can even here your thoughts, but that's not important." She said as she waved it aside with her paw. "You said your were hungry, I'll go get you something." Zayanya began to pick up her things and out the warming towel back into the bowl.

"So they moved to the Sand Dunes? I wonder why, did they have relatives over there?"

Zayanya had collected her things and had the bowl of warm water sturdied at her hip as she looked of into space like she was remembering something. "Yes, yes. I do believe they did. A cousin twice removed I think. And the son happily married and has five?..yes five little ones now."

"I guess that wasn't such a good idea after all, my arms are still weak from the cold!"

"Of course not! I could have told you that!" Zayanya said as she waled toward the door. "Now if you try to start to move around again I'll physick you till no tomorrow! You here?"

"Could I have something other than broth please? You nurse types seem to think that us invilid types can't chew anything! I never figured out why, it's not like our jaws are hurt or anything."

Zayanya chuckled to herself as she lifted aside the blue curtain door. "Being Cheeky today? I should give you broth just for that!" She walked out the curtain and a few moments later (with a little bit of normal noise) walked in with a wooden tray with dinner for 2.

On the tray was some herbal mint tea, warm strawberry scones and a steaming bowl of a woodland chowder. "This suitable?" She asked with a smile on her face. She propped the tray on the bed near Spartiss's reach so he would not have to move much. She picked up one of the cups of tea and sipped it gently. "Ummm...Herbal mint tea..Can never get to much of it." Zayanya said as she sat down on the corner of the bed.

[spartiss]

OOC: Sry Prank I've been kinda busy lately, but I'm posting now! Ummm, one ity bity thing though, could you read your post before you post it? There are some grammar errors and I think you left out a few words or something, it just doesn't look right. thx

"This suitable? Ummm...Herbal mint tea..Can never get to much of it."

"Oohhhh perfect! Thank you! I hope you don't mind if I dig in, I'm very hungry! I love strawberry scones, mmmhhmmm!"

As he finished the tray he lay back and licked his paws clean. With a contented sight he closed his eyes and dosed off.

OOC: Maybe you can make it be the next day or something.

[Prankster101]

((Ooc: Sorry Spartiss...I'll try to correct it better this time.))

"Oohhhh perfect! Thank you! I hope you don't mind if I dig in, I'm very hungry! I love strawberry scones, mmmhhmmm!"

Zayanya watched over the rim of her cup of tea as Spartiss went at the food she had brought out with a gusto, scarfing anything down in his path. "Whoa! Whoa! Slow down a bit there! You'll give yourself a stomach ache!" She said, trying to stop herself from laughing.

After he had finished all that he could eat, the young squirrel licked his paws clean and fell gently off to sleep. Quietly taking the tray off the bed; she placed it carefully on the dresser. After doing that she gently pulled the covers up on the squirrel and blew out the lantern.

Tiptoeing softly to the door with the empty tray she whispered back to Spartiss. " Good night young one, we will see how you are doing in the morn'." And with as sweep of the curtained door, she swept from the room, and outside the snow began to slow down it's attack on the woods of Mossflower as the flakes now gently fell on the already snow burdened land.

____________________________________________________

Dawn broke gently upon the land of Mossflower. After the storm, the winter birds awoke from the night and started to sing, happy that the storm was over and the sun shone again. The snow started to sparkle, glittering in the precious light.

Zayanya was wide awake this morning, busy as normal in her kitchen. She had been up for a while, watering her precious plants and harvesting some that were growing well.

A kettle whistled quietly through it's muffler as Zayanya prepared a plate of buttered scones and warm oatmeal with nutmeg and cinnamon sugar for her guest when he was to awaken.

After pouring the jasmine tea into a cup, she walked over to the blue curtained doorway and opened it, letting some of the soft daylight through to see if her guest had awakened yet.

[Rorgus]

Rorgus stumbled along through the snow. He wanted to reach a cave in the rocks he saw ahead. As he reached it he saw a light a ways away. He made his way toward the light and reached it, he found it was a little house.

He decided to see who lived there. He went up to the door when a gust of wind knocked him over. He fell into a deep drift and tried to get out. He levered himself out of it and started to knock on the door.

He dusted the snow off and started shivering. He hoped the beast on the other side of the door would hurry up and open it. Another gust of wind came, only this time he was ready. He braced himself and when it came it tore his cloak from his back.

He dashed after it, he found it caught on a branch a little ways up. He climbed up the tree as best he could and crawled slowly out on the branch. He reached out for his cloak and grasped it tightly. Then snaaaappp the branch was on broke and he started falling.

He landed in a heap of snow. He made his way back to the house after shoving his way through the snow pile. He hoped that the beast hadn't opened the door and found no beast there. He went over to the door. He knocked and waited for some beast to answer. He was getting numb, he tried to rub life back into his arms. He collapsed in a heap at the entrance to the door.

[Prankster101]

((Ooc: Sorry mates about the double post...I want to introduce Rorgus into the story better... next should be Spartiss, I think....))

After peeking in on her guest, Zayanya went back to her kitchen to take a sip of a steaming cup of tea. She sighed gently to herself. Things were happy today, or were they.....

A gust of wind whipped through the windows, setting all of her wind chimes into motion tinkling to themselves. Hurrying over to the window, the wildcat shut the window to block out the harsh breeze. I guess this storm isn't over, Zayanya thought to herself as she smoothed her brown striped fur back down. "Neither are the guests..." She said out loud, looking off into space.

It was then she heard the knock at the door. Putting down her tea, she went to open the door when she heard a large CRACK!
Opening the door, she watched an otter dig himself out of snow pile picking up his cloak.

Zayanya put her paws on her hips and called out to the otter, " Rorgus Lutrogale! Stop snapping the branches of my maple and get in here!"

As the otter came to the door she would gently usher him inside and close the door. "There! That's better!" She said. "Now you can hang your wet cloak on that hook over there and find yourself a warm seat by the fire while I take some breakfast to my other guest and I'll get you some as well."

Picking up the tray she had made for Spartiss, she walked it over to the blue curtained doorway, she swooped it away and walked inside, saying cheerily to Spartiss, "Good Morning Spartiss, had a good night sleep did you?"

[spartiss]

OOC: Thanks for checking over your posts, they're a lot better . I'm a mod on two other sites so I get in the habit of correcting peoples' work. Please don't take it the wrong way! I'll try not to do it again.

Spartiss sat up in bed, not wincing at all this time! The wind was still blowing a gale outside and the snow was still lashing the house, however, it was the snow that had fallen the previous night.

As Spar came wider awake he heard the door open and shut, then voices in the other room.

"I guess Zayanya has another guest. A fool like me who thought that he could outrun the storm no doubt," He thought, with a wry grin.

The curtain was pushed aside and Zayanya entered with a tray of steaming scones and tea.

"Good Morning Spartiss, had a good night sleep did you?"

"Yes, thank you! Slept like a log, although, come to think of it, I don't think logs sleep..."

He sipped his tea and, burned his tongue.

"You like your tea hot don't you!," His grin was a little painful this time. "By the way, who is your other guest?"

[Rorgus]

Rorgus went in and sat down as the wild cat led him over to a chair by the fire. He left his wet cloak at the door.
" So how do you know my name? I don't even know yours. And aren't most wildcats evil or something like that?"

Soon he fell fast asleep in the deep armchair. He was unaware of the wild cat bustling about and that she had another guest. He woke late in the afternoon and got up from the chair. He felt famished! He hoped there was some food somewhere, he found some on a table. He sat down an began eating. He found scones and onion flans and mint tea and some October ale.

Once he had finished eating he got up and looked around the little house. It was small and cozy. He looked out side and saw the storm had stopped and the sun was shining. He decided to go outside for a little while now that the storm was over. He noticed plants on the window sills, they were growing nicely. He wondered how she did it!

[Prankster101]

" So how do you know my name? I don't even know yours. And aren't most wildcats evil or something like that?"

As Zayanya ushered Rorgus into a comfy chair, she thought about how to answer his questions. "Well," She said. "Your first question is harder to explain then the second." After staring off into space for a few seconds, he continued. "I'll explain what I mean when Spartiss awakens and I can tell both of you."

"The answer to your second question," Zayanya continued, " It seems to be the stereotype of wildcats that were are all evil. I will admit there are many nasty ones, but not all can say they are. I for one, can easily say that I am not evil."

While she talked Zayanya took out more food and left it on the counter, knowing that Rorgus would be hungry and would get it soon, when he was ready. For as Zayanya watched him sit into the chair, she watched his eyes droop and nod off into a blissful slumber.

It was then that she picked up a tray of food and carried it to Spartiss.

"Yes, thank you! Slept like a log, although, come to think of it, I don't think logs sleep..."

"Oh! But they do!" Zayanya said with a chuckle. "A log is just an extension cut from a tree, and trees go dormant in the winter. So in a way, they do sleep!"

"You like your tea hot don't you!"

Zayanya smiled. "Well, cold tea is watered down herbs and horribly sour to the tongue. So watch how fast you drink."

"By the way, who is your other guest?"

Zayanya looked back into the living room. "That's Rorgus. You can meet him when he wakes up. Now take your time eating. When you are dona and can find the strength to walk, Rorgus and I will be in the Living room." After thinking to herself Zayanya continued talking. "He should be awake by noon. So you can take your time."

Walking back out of the room, Zayanya busied herself with watering her plants and doing some quiet chores as not to disturb Rorgus's sleep.

..............

After doing some cleaning in her own room , Zayanya open the curtained door to see Rorgus finishing eating the food she had left out and see him start to walk out side. "Rorgus, I wouldn't go outside if I were you! That storm appears to be over, but I assure you it will pick up in the next two hours and you won't get anywhere." She said, folding an afghan on the chair he was in. "Plus, Spartiss will be out soon and I'm sure you two would want to talk."


((Ooc: I deeply apologize for the delay.))