//Never Again

[R.ush]

((ooc: Instead of continuing Mindless/Wanderings/ from the old site...I'm making a new one. No, no! Wynn, Ashy and...-cannot remember nickname of other user-, I will not forget the incidents in the other thread. T'was a lovely rp. ^^ Time for a new one, tis all.
Open to all. Join in at any time!))

Splash, splash, splash.

The legs of a lone traveler repeatingly broke through the surface of the cool water, burying deep in the sand, then withdrew sharply. A few paces in the shallows, then the traveler paused in a mid-step, looking yonder, toward the sea. It was silent, except for the continuous waves crashing into the shores. The water was nearly up to her waist when this action happened, but she didn't seem to care, staring out into the ocean as if in a daydream.

Splash, splash, splash!

More vigorous movements now. The traveler, a female white mouse, planned to put as many steps between her and Mossflower Wood, away from those crazed, righteous woodlanders. Hm. And they think vermin are insane.

First a fox randomly attacks her out of nowhere as she travels through the Wood, then two other beasts are attracted to the outburst, coming to aid. As arguing arose, nobody seemed to notice the mouse slipping quietly away. Putting away her longsword securely on her back, she set off to the western countries. ...And found her way to the sea.

Expressionless red eyes glanced over at the ocean once more. She had heard 'pirates' liked to cruise these shores. As much as the mouse always rose to a fight; battling a shipfull of beasts was not wise.

None shall sneak up on me this time the mouse vowed inwardly, grasping the black hilt of a curved dagger infront of her. If somebody tried to start something...it wouldn't be easy.

[/center]

['Piper']

thunk, thwack thunk
A series of steps very close to her own marked the appearence of a fellow traveler. This one a stout, innocent looking squirell garbed in a back vest, and a thorned necklace and headband. Everytime he moved the thorns gave a loud clack, indicating that he didn't wish to hide. What harm was a lone mousemaid after all?Especially one with only a dagger. To frightened to go any closer to the water he stood a few feet away from the shallows, his eyes glowing in the moonlight.

To hopefully gain the maiden's attention he coughed slightly.
"Whats a pretty creature lik' yourself doin' out alone tonight? Tis much to beautiful, although the moon doesn't light a match to your beauty."
Bowing slightly 'Piper' allowed a small smirk to cross his lips, his tail following the gesture and arcing over his back, and caressing his fur tipped ears. Although the look on her face wasn't one he'd expect from a mouse maiden, not at all. It was much to cold.

What was the water fearing squirell doing so close to the thing he dspised more then little baby brats? Well it involved a long run from a group of toads, one that had left him asleep half the day and a quarter of the night. What had he done to them?Those slimy brats had barely gotten him a night of safe passage on that pirate ship! They should have thanked him for eliminating them!

Bringing his head up he glanced cautiously at the armed mouse maid. His left paw currently on the inside of his vet, clasping the hilt of his curved dagger loosely. The right was flat against his hip, and playing with the flap on his beloved Pan Pipe's sheath. H had never met a female so quiet!

Under hss breath he began humming quietly, the relaxing paw tapping out the matching tempo. He had to test what music did to this particular beast.

[R.ush]

A series of unlawful noise, followed by a dim cough. As if the other beast couldn't stop to think that another would be able to hear such racket, even over the roar of the sea? The mouse was simply ignoring him, though keen to keep alert to every movement he made. But this one was rather hesitant to go near the ocean. Too cold for their little bones? Psh. Or maybe fear? ...She could play on that.

Turning to glance over her shoulder at the squirrel, as she knew now the species of the other, fixing him with a blank stare through one eye. Indifferently, perhaps. Most vain maids would be in a titter about compliments. It matters not to this mouse what others thought of her, even if it had happened to be a positive thing. But she was far from a 'maid'.

A sudden movement.

Her eye went to the squirrel's paw as he withdrew it inside his clothing. She clutched the hilt of her dagger more firmly. Another ignore; he was trying to distract her from the weapon he had with his humming. More noise from a noisy creature.

The mouse stayed silent.

['Piper']

Is this beast deaf?Or just ignorin' me? She best hope its not the second option.
Releasing his body from his crouched position his green eyes caught the calm cerise eyes of Rush for a mere second. This was no ordinary redwall maiden, even if her tracks had come from that direction. Her eyes were the oddest part though, they were red!Not the normal gentle brown he attributed to mice.

Piper disliked being ignored,but he disliked the water much more. So the mouse maiden wouldn't be lectured just yet. The evergrowing smirk turned into a full blown smile as Rush reacted, her hand tightening its grip on her dagger. So she didn't mince words but steel instead, if she didn't get annoyed by his constant humming they might actually get along.

Now it was time to test her reflexes, to find out if ths was nervous maid, or well honed warrior. With a quick flex of his wrist the dagger emerged into his right paw, while his left dove into the sheath at his side, hopefully giving the illusion of another weapon.
"Come now sweetheart put that heart sticker down afore you hurt someone. Piper here doesn't mean you any harm."

Now he just needed to wait. Of course maybe just his name would earn a reaction?If the unsheathed dagger didn't succeed in accomplishing that task.

(blech sorry about this, new charrie and all that(it isn't that good of a post.)

[R.ush]

((ooc: Oh no! I think they're fine posts. ^^ Gives me alot to work with, if it makes you feel better. -nods-))

Just her bloody luck. Yet another battle seemed to be coming close at hand. It seemed the mouse just had to stand there in order to be challenged. No matter. The shores provided no where to hide; the trees were far behind the squirrel. And if his earlier hesitations ment fear of water, why...all she needed to do was back further into the ocean. There was only so far he could throw his weapons...and she could swim.

Turning to face the other, her eyes glanced down to the dagger she held and the one he did. It didn't quite matter if he drew another; these days, she didn't put it past others to have more than one trick up their sleeves. Her senses were alert, ready to take out the longsword she had securely on her back if the situation called for more than daggers. 'Piper', hm? She had heard of no such name before. It mattered not. This beast looked like the usual brainless underling of some dimwitted 'lord'. He was not even worth it in her eyes.

"If you do not seek to inflict harm; what do you want?" the mouse asked in a hollow tone. Usually she would not ask such things...but this 'standoff' was growing rather thin on creativity.

[/center]

['Piper']

Piper stared at the mousemaid, glad that the tension was broken. Of course now it had been replaced with feelings of mistrust, and possibly annoyance on both sides. What could possibly be happening behind those expressionless eyes? Piper couldn't help but ponder that question as he returned the gaze.

"I was merely walking through, and I became curious."
The humming paused momentarily before starting again at half the previous tempo. Behind him his half tail flapped like a banner in the salty breeze, his red fur was speckled with moisture, from the wavy sea, and chilling winds alliance. This maiden seemed like a good way to waste empty time.

"I have introduced myself, and tis only polite for you to do the same."
As usual his voice was somewhat chipper, and immaculately polite. Devoid of any sarcasm or criticism, of course that didn't mean it was devoid of it. After living with the easily angered for many years you quickly learn not to sound rude, merely to think that way.

Underneath his paw his whistle seemed to be calling to him. Wanting him to match the beat of the tide, and tap out a rapid tempo, and sing the song of the coast.

[R.ush]

"Not a good reason" she muttered, one could guess she had almost said enough to bother to me...but then again; it was only a guess. And she didn't seem to be bothered on what was 'polite' either. No beast got her dubbing unless they earned it, or there was a business deal taking place between them. The squirrel was unlikely a warlord or in a position of power; nothing to offer her at all. No deal.

The mouse turned her muzzle away briefly, gazing out at the ocean without a reply to Piper's second statements. He seemed to enjoy humming quite a bit. Hrm. Creatures and their love of music. She held no such joy toward it. Just useless notes...much better things to learn.

And she had much better things to do.

Without a glance at the squirrel called Piper, she trugged through the shallows. Slowly, mind, but walking 'long. A creature who asked for her name held no importance, and would just cause trouble. She could not risk anything leaking out to the whole land.

Doubt much that respect for one's privacy would be enough the mouse thought. Still in her mind, her unspoken words were without emotion.


((ooc: She ain't gone from thee thread. ^^' Just moving long as Rush does.))

[/center]

['Piper']

"Well I guess not to you ol' sour whiskers."
Piper muttered, realizing that he might as well walk a little way beside her. He was going to get her name , he may have been cowardly, but he wasn't one for giving up. The squirell prided himself on his ability to connect with almost anyone, from decieving goodbeasts to befirending those with horrid tempers, and he qwouldn't be defeated by a unsocial mouse maid.

Still jogging alog he threw a remark in her general direction.
"You know you don't strike me as the flower sniffing type."
In other words she didn't seem like most females, dreaming of a husband, and dibbuns, not bothering to look behidn them for the dagger pressed stubbornly on their backbone. In most of the motherly ones that dagger beloged to Piper himself.

A shiver wnet up his spine as another wave crashed into the sandy shore. Deciding to take his mind of the cold he raised the pipe to his lip and let out three notes. Followed by a raspy cough, there was no way he could sing with all this salt about.
"Isn't gettin' cold out there?"
Besides, she looked like the kind of beast to ask for a warlord to borrow a job from. Mouse or not, he of all creatures knew that 'goodbeasts' couldn't be judged by their species alone Unless you wanted a dagger in your back that is.

One of his ears shot straight back as a odd sound hit him. The sound of a farway croak. Suffice to say his pace quickened a few steps, and his general pose was different, but both of his fulll paws were ready to wreak havoc, whther through deafening blasts of music, or a dagger thrust.

[R.ush]

((ooc: Gaah. I'm such a horrible rp replier. First I go for a day...now I am almost museless. >> -bows- Forgive.))

Splash, splash, splash.

"Well I guess not to you ol' sour whiskers."

Still trailing after? A stubborn one this Piper was. The vine-like necklace gave his movements off like a loud bell; it clattered constantly. And why go after her when she was not civil to him? The mouse had thought he was a poor excuse for a vermin...now he is acting like a holybeast and their disgusting lifestyle of 'every beast is equal, every beast is good'...load of rubbish.

"You know you don't strike me as the flower sniffing type."

Oh really? What gave it off, per say? The tomboyish attire, the deadly weapons or the refusal to titter after his 'compliments'. Some beasts should not point out the obvious, even if the beast near was not contributing to the conversation.

"Isn't gettin' cold out there?"

It was winter.

Splash, splash, splash.

Perhaps she should dive into the water to rid herself of the other...but that would be loosing. No loosing. A single red eye drifted back as the squirrel's slow pace went into a brisk walk. He looked more rigid, alert and guarded. Her gaze wandered around, attempting a silent search of the surroundings.

['Piper']

((Wow, you did bad?)
Well the shore wasn't very sandy now, not to mention it hurt his feet, but quiter he was not. Scrambling over the cleft of a large rock Piper managed to grab the tip of the next one. Climing rocks was different from scaling a tree, the difference was mostly how one went about doing it, and the fact that if you fell off a rock it was unlikely that anything soft would end your plunge into almsot certain harm, or worse certain death.

Of course these small spires of stone was nothing to the piper, but they did tell him one thing, he needed to start climbing more. Yet compared to most other squirells he had a hard time, the thing that was supposed to balance him was gone, its russet glory halved by a unsatisfied merc leader ofcourse that snob lost his daughter that day, to a amorous pirate cap'n, whose name was a well kept secret.

"Alrght fine, when you freeze to death I will promptly go into a hysterical fit of laughter."
Which he probably would. Yet when he was jsut about to give her a sample of his malicious laugh his green eyes caught something from their elevated perch.Seconds later the flicker of hungry fire disappeared behind a low sandy hill, followed by two more that followed the same pattern.

Damn for being such fat creatures they move rather quickly
casting a glance at his larger then normal girth, is mind promptly called him out on his hypocritical thoughts. Well now he really needed to get that grouch of a mouse up here, maybe those stupid beasts would belie a yarn about the mouse kidnapping the little warty nursery brats. Maybe.

[R.ush]

((ooc: Oh yes. Compared to my other posts...>> -curses self-))

Splash, splash...silence

She stopped in her tracks, following the squirrel with her expressionless gaze. The shores were merging into high cliffs above her. Piper had decided to suddenly climb those rocky ledges, as if he had some sort of business to attend to. It didn't take a genius to put two and two together; the sudden briskness, the need to climb this particular cliff and a quick flash of bright light, guessing to be fire, from the top of the ledges. Yes, he definately had business to attend to.

And she hadn't a job in awhile. If this squirrel be a mindless minion for a higher calling, perhaps she could get into the action. But only if Piper's 'business' had good calling, mind.

"Alrght fine, when you freeze to death I will promptly go into a hysterical fit of laughter."

The mouse blinked once, focusing on the echo of words from the squirrel. She glanced up, moving into the ocean until well up to her neck. The cliffs sunk into the sandy bottom of the sea. Excellent. If she fell; the water would embrace her.

And when you fall to your doom... she thought my sword will run your corpse through.

Light pink paws grasped the wet rocks above firmly, and without a grunt or word, she pulled herself up on the small ledge. Quickly, she scouted ahead. Piper was farther; but he was a squirrel...yet he seemed to be having issues. Not as quick at climbing as she had seen squirrels do. Perhaps it left him.

Oh well.

Her climbing went further, and was lucky that the ledges where drier and larger as she went up. Pulling herself up onto a rock that would mark her half-way, she glanced up, expecting to see other beasts above. If they carried bows...she'd dive into the ocean when they fired. Oh yes. This mouse was prepared for everything.

[/center]

['Piper']

Piper rolled over the top, coming to a slow stop on his back. While he would have loved to examine the beauty of the stars on this fine night he hadn't the time. His toes scrabbled in the gravel for purchase as he ran over to the side Rush was climing up, his breath coming iout in ragged clouds.
"Come on now, lest you want to be skewered."

As if to prove the validity of her reason to hurry a small hollow spear crashed into the ground 3 or 4 yards away. Deciding that it was unwise to wait anymore Piper strolled away from the edge of the cliff, both hands relaxed, and due to the climb both of his prized objects back in their repsective sheath. Turning his back from the ledge he allowed a small smirk to cross his face, the end of his tail quivering with anxiety, but his paws rubbing together in excitement.

Now the warty forms of the toads were obvious, the first one as shadowed in a wreath of darkness, his torch raised high, and he let out a happy 'GROIK'. Leveling his spear at Piper he let it loose, and this time it didn't fall short but flew long, easily passing over the cliff and into the frothing waters down below. It took all of Piper's acting skills not to laugh at the horrid aim, although he hoped the mouse was alright. Not becauseh e liked her, but because his story was more convincing that way.

Taking a deep breath he allowed his tail to hang over the ledge, and his smirk was replaced with a look of pity.
"Where is king Bug-a-bog?"
The salt tearing up his eyes only added to the effect he was trying to accomplish, always use the props when acting! Of course the fat bloke was obvious in his reed carrier.

The slow toad nodded, but did nothing else, leveling his spear at Piper.
"Groik, he sai' you slippy one! You no go nowhere!
The squirellty nodded his head the picture of absolute sadness.

[R.ush]

((ooc: Gaah. Deep apologizes once more. -bows- I randomly disappear for a day. Busy, busy.))

"Come on now, lest you want to be skewered."

Is that right? she thought, one of her eyes glancing to the quivering stick plunged into the rocky surface. It had been lucky enough to catch on the ledge, otherwise it would have bounced off. The aim was so pathetic. Yet she did not know from her position if it had been the squirrel or others that threw it. It mattered not anyways.

Breathing. Coming out in short gasps. Her ears picked up the tone of the squirrel underneath the ragged breath. He really was out of shape, wasn't he? But she didn't have time to silently mock Piper. Another spear was thrown over the ledge. This one sailed safetly over her head, missing her by several metres. ...Pathetic.

"Where is king Bug-a-bog?"

Bug-a-what-now... the mouse peeked over the ledge to see squirrel and toads engaged in conversation. She had never heard of a King of toads...and it would be degrading to serve under such disgusting, disrespected creatures. She came up here for nothing. But she could cut off a few heads in the process of leaving. All in good time.

Swinging herself over the top, the mouse gazed wordlessly at the little gathering before her. What was going on...

[/center]

['Piper']

"Where's Prin' Glub a Bog fluf' tail?"
The deep voice of the monstrous, lazy beast rang out from his litter, borne by the backs of three female toads. Large gauzy curtains of red spared the eyes of both the squirrel and mouse from the horrendous sight of the red eyed king. Although he did have a better grasp of normal language then the rest of his small party he

"Oh, your Toadship ! Your young son wished to impress you so!! When I woke up the day i left he was missing! off to get you slave"
tears continued to well in piper's eyes, but a small smirk showed the cover story for what it was. That little monster had poked Piper's rear ed with his makeshift spear far to many times.
"I managed to track him, but i was to late, these horrid pirates had bound him up already!"
For a few seconds he seemed to overcome by grief to continue, of course he was really to make his mouth stop quivering with the urge to laugh.
They knocked me out cold and I awoke to the beautiful mousey maiden."
With a extended paw, the ham of a squirrel gestured in the direction he had come from.

The toad in front of him jabbed towards him threateningly.
"'ou should told King. Groik!"
The big glutton croaked, looking the squirrel over to make sure the prince was not tucked into his ears or some such nonsense.

His fatter companion had wobbled over to the edge of the cliff, wondering what maiden Piper was talking about, amazed that his king hadn't thrown another spear at the cheeky squirrel, his toadship indeed.

[R.ush]

"Where's Prin' Glub a Bog fluf' tail?"

The mouse turned her attention to the fat toad. Well, experience taught her that usually the fattest, sloppiest and most useless beasts were royalty or in charge of things. This had to be the supposed 'King of Toads'. Not very impressive. But then again, nobody seemed to be in the eyes of this traveler.

"Oh, your Toadship ! Your young son wished to impress you so!! When I woke up the day i left he was missing! off to get you slave"

Piper was off singing a music-less tune at once. He held no guilt behind fakeness for the tragety. If this had actually happened...an underling would be too fearful as to return to the source. The squirrel had slain this toad's son...or organized it. Something like that or a combination of the two. Whatever. It didn't matter right now. More talking.

"They knocked me out cold and I awoke to the beautiful mousey maiden."

There he went with that stuff again.

"'ou should told King. Groik!"

The fat toad was searching 'round for this maiden Piper had spoke of, but all he would find was an emotionless warrior, far from a 'beautiful mousey maiden'.

Fool she thought, as the toad overlooked her completely. She had gotten over the ledge, hadn't she? No other mice where around. Not much to look for. Guess he was that stupid.

[/center]

['Piper']

Piper looked down at his feet, his visage the very portrait of shame.
"I know, but the prince was only trying to help and shouldn't have been beaten for it."
Although through his tearful eyes he did manage to catch a glimpse of the king, and hear a bit of what he was saying. Words such as 'squirelly' and 'eel' along with 'pirates?'.It was obvious the nearest female was trying to explain more of what had just been said. The king may have been bilingual but he wasn't smart.

"What prett' mousey--all I saw as a white rat!"(most mistakes on purpose)
The guard said with a loud croak added onto the end. His warty feet slapping ludlly against the rock he passed by Rush without a word, but he did give her a odd sideways glance, as if trying to search her for the mousemaid's location, receiving no answer he continued his waddling.

Piper meanwhile, had been edging around the small grouop, weaaving his way closer to the king,, now if Rush distracted them it would be a easy feet to nip away, and leave her to take the blame. he just needed to be far away to call her a pirate, without being killed by her himself. Although the dagger seemed flimsy it would still work for piercing the lovable squirell's heart.

Yet again it seemed to be working. Maybe he could get through this without any betrayals, and then maybe find out the maiden's name. Giving her over to these fat things would be like losing wouldn't it? Besides it had been a while since he had a conversation with a intelligent beast.
(Oi, would you mind playing the king fellow?)

[R.ush]

((ooc: ^^' I can try, but I doubt I'd be as good as you...And I hopes you realize she's been carrying a longsword on her back thee whole time. -prods- ^^' Not just a dagger or two.))

"I know, but the prince was only trying to help and shouldn't have been beaten for it."

Yeah. Somehow she did not think that. Somehow...psh. These toads were truely stupid; it was obvious the squirrel before them was lying to their faces. Intelligence the size of a blade of grass. It wasn't good in the real world.

"What prett' mousey--all I saw as a white rat!"

[/i]

He can keep thinking that all he wants. Long as he didn't touch her with those slimy...where those even paws? Eh. He passed her without another word, dangerously close to the ledge that she was all ready near to. Really, really stupid beasts.
But her red eyes went to Piper. The coward seemed to be readying himself to run away. The mouse could use this to her advantage. She raised a peach limb, pointing to the retreating animal.

"Squirrel doing strange things" she said, hollow tone echoing around the toads. "see him, toad. Trying to escape." Jabbing her paw again in the direction of Piper, it took awhile for the stupid fat toad to understand what was doing on. A minute, it seemed like, passed. He looked a tad peeved that the mouse addressed him in such a degrading matter, but he shook it off, short-attention span to Piper.

"'Eiz 'im!"[/i] the toad king roared to his subjects, pointing excitingly at the squirrel.

The mouse took her chance. The toad's back exposed made him extra weak. She whipped out her longsword and traced it under the creature's stubby feet, tripping him elegantly. Not a fool, she retreated a safe distance while the king stumbled around, waving his webbed hands dramatically.

Then over he went.

Red eyes glanced at the remaining toads as if nothing had actually happened before.

Thud!

The sound echoed below. She didn't have to peek over the ledge to guess; the toad supposed king had hit the hard sand inland. If he wasn't dead, his head and spine would make it impossible to move for awhile. It didn't matter to her either way.

"Speak, squirrel" rounding on Piper, she pointed her longsword at him. "you a poor liar. What were your intentions with I if the large toad had not perished? Given me to them as slave? No such thing..."


((ooc: Honestly, I can change it 'round if you don't like it. ^^' Only thing to come to mind))[/size][/center]

['Piper']

(Nice jobs)
"Seiz' me? Piper, who helped you fight that other band of toads, and get rid of those pesky hedgehogs! "
Always the ham he found himself enjoying his little act. of course he didn't enjoy it much when the king went over the side, and the other slimy morons were to busy trying to grab the squirell to notice.

"I lie bad? Really? I no lying. Me, a good chap ,would never do that!"
Of course the toads didn't like the being treated inferior part of this conversation. Of course the slave idea had been a good one. Of course the currently confused toads were to good a chance to pass up, the superstitious beasts belived anything when a little spice, was added on to the tale.

Hoping to save both their lives in the process, the squirell dropped to both knees, ad litterally kissed the ground. Besides he was rather hungry, and she seemed to be talking to him.
"No, never highness! Me brouht you to subjects, snow of fur mouse."
Piper smirked, a large grin forminf on his lips. Without the king this would be easy.

"Over, and away ?"
He questioned, trying to make himself unheard. Although now that he thought on it maybe running away outright would have been better. Piper wasn't stupid, he was quite smart, it was just odd to run into someone, so unselfish, who wasn't a goodbeast.

Seconds later though his green eyes werenot, locked on the sword, or the unsheathed dagger in his left paw. No, now the two emerald eyes were riveted on a black sail far out to sea. One that just happened to be displaying a fox skull proudly on its main mast's flag. This was the same shi[ he had dropped these buggers brats off on, and undoubtedly the same place they had been killed and tossed overboard.
"Tis a sign, the rotten scurves who stole your beloved prince are coming for more!"

Why anyone would want to bother with more then one smelly brat he had no idea, unless they were bound gagged and crying kids were the absolute worst.
(BLECH!No idea what to do.....Poor piper has himself in a bind, and he hasn't even danced yet)

[R.ush]

((ooc: -laughs- Well, I can move Rush and he could be bent on following her 'round. She has a stalker now! -le gasp- Not really her style to stay in a place for this long. -could find an amusing thread- I could go to Redwall Abbey. Bhahaha.))

"Seiz' me? Piper, who helped you fight that other band of toads, and get rid of those pesky hedgehogs!"

She watched with no amusement as the squirrel tried to save his own fur. The other toads didn't notice their beloved king fall to his doom; too busy to grab Piper. Pah. They really where mindless drones.

"I lie bad? Really? I no lying. Me, a good chap ,would never do that!"

Her eyes darted to the squirrel, who had thrown himself to the ground, muttering away like an insane elder. Trying to confuse the remaining toads? Really, was he terrified of a few pompus balloons? It had been quite easy to dispatch the king; doing so to his minions would be a snack.

"No, never highness! Me brouht you to subjects, snow of fur mouse."

With-holding the reflex to smack him in the back of the head with her longsword, the mouse simply walked around him in silence, giving no reactions to the toads that had just realized their king was missing. Fools. She wouldn't even waste her time with them.

Pointing the blade at the cliff, she hissed to the dead king's minions; "Begone with you, or suffer." The meaning was quite clear.

"Over, and away?"

Piper's voice rang in her sensitive ears. She ignored him. Yes, she would soon be gone from this place; but he would stay. Her eyes drifted to the open sea as a vessel appeared. Pirates.

"Tis a sign, the rotten scurves who stole your beloved prince are coming for more!"

"Nay. An excuse" she muttered, walking past the little group. This was about all she could stand. The events were not even worthy and pirates were not even good references. She would seek duties elsewhere.

[/center]

['Piper']

'You no fun--I mean you truly are no fun cruel maiden."
He could dispatch the idiotic toads, but that was no challenge. No this squirell liked playing the part of the ham. Which of course he had to stop doing, or face a few tridents through his arftail. Pushing himself up from his kneeling position he couldn't help but grin. Well even if it was insults, and ways to get him murdered she was talking to him! Or near him at the very least.

The toads though were still milling about rather confused, as to why a mouse had the guts to order them about. A female one at that! Completely ignoring her warning the two nearest her leaned forward, smirks covering their warty faces. Then with a rather slow thrusting movement they poked their hollowed spear towards her.
"What make think we listen to you mousey miss?"

Knowing that something entertaining was to come Piper turned his head, so as to allow himself a better view of the proceedings. The toad in front of him charged clumsily forward, and with a quick jab of the squirell's dagger he seemed to stop in midair, before falling over.
"My such a clumsy fellow, so fat he couldn't see his own fe-- hehehe"
Green eyes glittering , his expression was somewhere between happiness, and sheer bliss. These toads had been the most rude houseguests! Especially now that they were poking him with sticks--short sticks mind you.

Grimacing at the smell coming from the dead creature Piper slowly reached for his dagger. A few squelches, and a quiet cough later the newly stained dagger was clutched in his paws. The point facing downwards, but his eyes watching Rush for any signs of attack.
WHy doesn't she like me, besides a few insults I have been utterly charming.
Or at least his mouth had, his mind on the other hand was not very mindful of its manners. Especially when it came to children.

Now the toads understood two things. Their king was gone, and the squirell had just killed another. Not paying any heed to the kings final position they all began moving towards Piper. Who let out a quiet sigh, his eyelids coming down to halfmast.
"Really now, wha' kind of nothing goes on in those thick skulls of yours?"