_Down That Road Again

[The…[Bunnehs]]

((ooc: Join in at any time. Open to all and the likes. >3))


"Oye! Hurry up down there! We have ground to cover!"
"Oh, sure. Be up in a few hours with the weight I'm carryin'."
"Don't get smart with me, kid!"
"Wha? You want me to be stupid now? All I'm sayin' is that you have it easy there, only carryin' your bow. I gotta carry this here sack and my belongings as well. Can't you carry your own stuff, eh?"
"It's good for a growing younglin' to improve their strength. Don't complain so much! All your talking takes up the energy you want."
"Aye, aye! But haven't you heard? He who would travel happily must travel light...?"

A heavy sigh echoed across the flatland, bouncing off the walls of the hollow canyons. Two travelers covered the ground they were talking of; one considerably shorter than the other that was lacking in the nerve to catch up. This one trailed behind with a bundle over its shoulders, combined with a spear. The first one simply carried a longbow and quiver, dressed in a tunic. Both were rabbits. Smaller than hares, or in the first one's case...alot smaller.

"Oye above there, Easter! How far till camp?" the second one asked, a slight plea in his tone.
The one called 'Easter' replied with a groan; "What am I going to do with you? We just packed up camp two hours ago! The sun isn't even setting, for your dear mum's sake! To answer your question; we'll go until your legs fall off!"
"Leave me ma out of this, eh? Bless her and the likes, but I bug you now, like it or not. Well...you really got no choice."

And so the comments went on as the two continued their invisible path. The young one may be a foolish rabbit, unaware of his surroundings as he hassled his companion, but Easter was alert, as edgy as a rabbit ever was. Over the constant ramblings of his companion, he could hear everything around them. It wasn't had to see, mind. This place was as flat as batter flattened with a hammer. Except for the tall canyons, nothing couldn't be seen in the distance.

[Ashstripe]

Breeze stumbled and tripped over shrubbery and rocks as he made his less then graceful trek through the canyon-lands, "Well this is a pretty odd lookin' coast-line wot.." He muttered and cursed under his breath, that was the absolute last time he would ever take directions from a hermit mole whom could barely see. When or if he ever gets out of this wasteland he would be sure to pay her a visit again. Though really, he wasn't sure if it was a misunderstanding of the mole or she genuinely was as clueless as he was when it came to navigation.

He looked up to observe his surroundings, what was the relation between canyons and sand-dunes Breeze wasn't quite sure but the Mole had thought he was a squirrel, so that gave him his answer soon enough. His ears pricked up and his nose twitched, Breeze could be quite observant and alert when he wanted to be and it was in situations like these when he was in a waste-land, possibly hostile that he switched on.

"Hm...Sound's like a pair o' jolly travellers.." He grinned, they might have food! He had once again ran out of rations, but how was he supposed have known that he'd end up very far from his destination. He trailed the noise and scent closely until they became visible, a pair of...Short hare's? Breeze had seen stranger things before, he'd probably be fine with announcing his presence.

He leapt out from his hiding place and stood behind them,
"'ow goes it lads? Jolly fine day for a stroll through th' er...Rocks eh?" He cried out loudly with a broad grin. Least they didn't appear to be armed.

[The…[Bunnehs]]

The dwarfed rabbit immediately paused in his tracks, picking up movement with his sensitive ears. It caused the one behind him to topple over in a step, so not to bump into his shorter companion. He'd get a cuff if he did that again...

"Hey! What's going on? Spot a pretty flower?" the younger rabbit asked, looking over Easter's shoulder with a bewithered expression. He really had no idea sometimes.
"Silence!"
"Don't have to be so rude about it...Ouch!"
He obviously got a cuffing.

Easter scanned the surroundings, then spotted a figure coming towards the two. It was...a hare? So openly? Well...then again, he once knew a hare that didn't seem all that bothered about defense...The little rabbit shook his head to clear his thoughts. Focus on the situation before hand. Just 'cause this was a hare, didn't mean it wasn't a possible threat.

...But he groaned outloud when a heavy thud behind him echoed, followed by the scurrying of his young companion as he dashed forward in curiousity.

"Oye, Easter! What's this thing here? It ain't as dashing as me, but it has the same shape as a rabbit! But bigger! You'd think a larger rabbit would have a much more impressive figure; but this one doesn't" Pointing openly at the hare, the young rabbit did a hop-skip dance on the dirt ground. He thought this was quite an amusing thing. Then...

"OUCH! Why do you always got to be beatin' on me?"
"It's bloody rude to be pointing at other beasts!" Easter snarled, but soon sighed, turning to the hare. He spread his paws out with a frown, sometimes darting his crimson eyes toward the young rabbit as he spoke. "I apologize for the rudeness of my possible disowned companion. Err...this may be as rude, but what do you want with us? Suddenly jumping infront of two strangers...not friendly behaviour in these times.

[Ashstripe]

"Who're y'callin' a rabbit laddie buck? Eh? I 'ave a right mind t'clip y'ears 'ad y'mate done so." He smiled a winning smile, outwardly he appeared cool, calm and in control of the situation somewhat; it was all planned out. In truth, he was making it up as he went along, pretty much how his life worked.

"Not friendly be'aviour?" Breeze appeared to be quite dis-heartened at this remark, "Tis' a shameful time when th' world is wary of ol' Breezers.." He grinned again, he had unconsciously fallen into rambles once more. He was going to have to remedy his standing with the two somewhat, but first there was the little issue of his grumbling stomach.

"Y'wouldn't 'appen to 'ave any food on yers now wot?" He smiled sheepishly, "No use bein' lost on an empty stomach doncha know?"

[The…[Bunnehs]]

"Well, we don't really know what a Breezers is, so I'm gonna guess it's you..." the young rabbit broke off, grumbling about 'speaking in third-person' 'rudeness' and the likes. But he soon came out of his short spell with another retort. "Oye! Mooching off stranger's food, do you? Wait around for beasts to pass by then jump out at 'em? That's a begger's life! Pathetic! ...Urggg..." he ducked smartly incase Easter smacked him. But the dwarfed rabbit did nothing of the sort. Perhaps they agreed for once. ...Scary.

Easter cleared his throat with a light cough, reaching up to tug on one of the younger rabbit's ears. "Wouldn't put it in quite those words myself...but I guess they'll do. We are travelers, and as such; we carry light, with few things, yes, even food. Plus, you're a hare. Your species would eat us out of what little food we have left."
"I know the brute has hair but what is he?" a quick interuption.
"Silverfoot Swift...shut up!" Easter roared at him "get that bag, pick it up, and shut up for once in your bloody life!"
"Aye, aye...sir!" Silver dashed off to the forgotten sack, leaving the dwarfed rabbit behind with the hare.

Easter turned once more with a heavy sigh, rubbing his head. Younglings... "Rrrr...I guess after all that mess it's...polite to invite you to lunch...or breakfast. I can't keep track with that rabbit. We only have vegetable stew and water, I'm afraid..."

[Ashstripe]

That was good enough for Breeze, his ears perked up instantly simultaneous to the grin that flashed upon his features. Anything to silence his rumbling. After all he couldn't think straight with such an interruption and would probably get lost...More so.

"Jolly nice of ye ol' boy!" He slapped the rabbit on the back heartily, oblivious to the previous remarks made to his kind and instantly found energy he thought to be previously non-existent. He could've ran up the canyon wall and all the way back to Salamandastron in the buzz he felt at the thought of eating after all these lonesome days that he had spent talking and arguing with himself.
He nearly slapped himself on the head, how rude of him, he hadn't properly introduced himself and with that grabbing the rabbit's paws tightly he shook furiously; all the while announcing his name and titles,

"Captain Breeze, Breezer's Chuffachop of the Long Patrol wot? Veteran o'many wars, slayer of slayers, object o' interest t' th' maidens wot?" He grinned broadly all the while still keeping the rabbit's paws in his tight grip, he would've continued to list his feats and self-proclaimed titles but he didn't want to ruin his one chance of getting fed and possibly being pointed in the right direction.

[The…[Bunnehs]]

Easter glanced back as Silver came back with the heavy sack, puffing as he went. The young rabbit carefully threw it to the ground, digging through the various objects inside. A medium sized steel pot came out, some cut wooden logs, flints for starting fire, large sack of fresh water (refilled upon meeting a new stream or river) and a variety of veggies with a small knife. Then began the starting of the meal. The dwarfed rabbit grunted an approval then turned back to the hare, only to have himself almost double over from a hefty paw on the back.

"Hah! Gotta watch out for old Easter there! He be a dwarf rabbit, both in name and size!" Silver laughed from where he crouched. Grumbling darkly, Easter rose to his paws, only to have them then being shaken energetically by Breezers. Stopping his teeth from chattering, Easter tore his paws from the hare's grasp, coughing.
"Yes, well..." his snowy white fur hid some of the flush. "I am Easterthift Dthye Dwarfar and the younglin' is Silverfoot Swift. We just like to be called Easter and Silver...for obvious reasons."
"Aye! Our names stink...and yours is just embarrassing, Easter."
"Hmmm." Easter's eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh. Long Patrol, are you? Never been to your mountain personally, Captain Breeze. Hope your Badger Lord or Lady is well. Come on. The little trouble maker has the food ready."
He waved a black dipped paw toward the hare, beckoning for him to join the small meal. Easter sat on a stray stone, Silver on the ground, enjoying the brief break. Both had poured out steel bowls for themselves, but the younglin didn't mind his matters...so the dwarfed rabbit had given up his bowl, passed it to the air infront of Breeze, awaiting him to take it.

[Ashstripe]

Breeze smiled, "Pleased t'make y'acquaintance wot wot!" He replied quickly. He reminisced slightly of the Mountain at the mention of the current ruler,
"Aye, th' grumpy ol' sod is as fine as ever.."He shook his head, odds were that he'd get knocked around a bit for getting so severely lost. How was he supposed to know that he if he started reaching wasteland he's gone too far?
"Please call m'Breeze eh? Tis' only in th' mountain they call me that wot?" He grinned again, his senses perked at the mention of food as well as the aroma. He hastily plopped himself down on the ground near the fire, causing him to swear inside as he had hit a rock on his descent.

He raised an eye-brow at the sight, such rudeness he wasn't quite used to; he would've gotten up and started to begin a long-winded speech about manners and the like had Easter not generously handed him his bowl.

He grinned broadly and nearly snatched the bowl in sheer gratitude but held himself back somewhat and thanked Easter profusely. No sooner then had the thanks left his mouth had he began devouring the stew,
"So..*Mmm*..Where're...Oo I say..*Gulp*...Y'chaps 'eaded?" Breeze casually created conversation in between his scoffing.

[The…[Bunnehs]]

Easter blinked several times as he reached for another bowl. As he filled it, he held back an inquiry. He'd heard the hares of Salamandastron were very respectful to their Badger Rulers...talking of such rudeness toward one was...err...odd.
Silver, however, didn't seem to care...or just didn't understand. The young rabbit gulped down his food as if it was his last meal, but paid attention to the conversation almost as hungerily.

"Glad to hear it. Send my regards to your Lord. Don't know how much it'd be valued; mere traveler and all. Just being respectful" he replied, watching the two's table manners with almost a dazed stare. It was bad enough Silver did it...Oh well. He'd encountered hares before.
"Hey! Wait up now. What's this mountain, badger ruler, patrol-thingy you lot are speaking 'bout?" Silver interupted, looking up from his food long enough to put on a confused face.
"I'll explain what I can later. I've never been to Breeze's home; I don't know much about the topic" the dwarfed rabbit replied truthfully. "as to where were're going...anywhere the path ahead takes us. We have no goal."

[Ashstripe]

"Of course, I'll tell 'is Lordship 'bout th' two of y'fine chaps wot?" Breeze replied as he swallowed the last of his stew. He sat back contentedly, after a quick nap he could be on his way; of course after exchanging tales and directions with his hosts.
His default grin faded at the admittance to the lack of knowledge on Salamandastron, he had always believed the Mountain to be well renowned that anyone could recite the various details; but then again he was aiming a bit high.

"No goal eh?" Breeze grinned again that sounded familiar, much like himself rather, "So y'wouldn't know where th' blinkin' Mountain is?" He sighed, well at least these two wouldn't give him false directions.

[The…[Bunnehs]]

"Sadly, no. But it is a tall mountain, from what I hear...it would not be hard to see...I assume you're lost?" Easter frowned.
"Whoa...wait! If he's a Captain...such a high rank and all...and if he lives at the mountain...it'd be pretty hard to get lost in the first place" Silver observed, lying back against the cool ground. The dwarfed rabbit sighed; after a nice meal, he was feeling content...not much could make him move enough to cuff the younglin' right now. Perhaps Silver knew that, too. Ignoring his companion, Easter turned back to the hare.
"You could...always track your pawprints and scent back to the mountain. Or look for familiar landscapes, watch out for the peak in the distance. Stuff like that." he rolled his tiny shoulders in a light shrug. Travelers always new things like that. It helped them prevent themselves from getting lost. He finished the remainer of his stew before pondering. "How did you get lost in the first place?"

[/size]

[Ashstripe]

Breeze scratched his nose in embarrassment, that was a very good question, how did he get lost?
"Well er..Y'see...Long story..Wot?" He rose up slightly to fix his posture, "I was scoutin' Mossflower on a jolly ol' mission 'n'ran into a little trouble wot?" He winced at that memory, it was a pleasant night, "From there I tried t'find th' blinkin' Mountain..I asked a good mole-miss for directions whom fed me wot? Jolly good gel...Oh er right..Turns out th' bally blighter was blind!" He scratched his head slightly, now that he thought about it, the entrance to the canyon lands were a bit big to be sand-dunes..And there was no salt in the air.

"And then I wandered 'round a few days wot? And met y'lot, starved outta me flamin' mind!" He wailed slightly, adding a dramatic effect to his 'heroic tale'.

[The…[Bunnehs]]

"Why do you say 'wot' so much?" Silver asked openly, wide-eyed at the hare. He recieved a sharp nudge from the dwarfed rabbit, who added in a hiss; "That's just how hares talk! You've seen moles. They talk different too. What did I tell you 'bout that? Don't be so disrespectful! Sorry, Breeze." Easter added, straightening up. He pondered over the hare's tale for a few moments. Nothing that he hadn't said before Breeze spoke came to mind. He really had no idea where to begin looking for the mountain. Silver raised his paw, glancing at Easter through narrowed eyes.
"Err. I think we should travel with the creature. He hadn't any food...even though we don't have much...and he doesn't know the way back to his Sally-mountain...even though we don't either...but we're used to travelin'."
"Way to think positive, younglin'..." Easter sighed, but all the same; it was the best idea. He turned to the hare with nod. "that all right with you? We'll come with you as far as Salamandastron. Or until you recognize your surroundings."

[Ashstripe]

Breeze frowned at the younger rabbit's remark, ask why is the sky blue while he's at it, Breeze mused to himself cynically. His ears straightened instantly, he would have some companions on the long road ahead! No sooner then had his ears received the news had his paws draped around each rabbit's shoulder,
"Jolly good show ol' boy! Us long-eared folk gotta stick together eh wot?" He grinned in between the two, he was feeling right at home already; this was going to be a long trip.