Enter Euan

[kat]

Leafless trees were painted in a pale blue as the dawn came silently over north Mossflower Woods. There was no sun to warm the cold winter’s morn, for it was completely obscured by heavy gray clouds filled with the coming snow. Huge flakes tumbled down from the sky in great abundance, covering all that lay before them in a thick white blanket. The whole forest itself was filled with an empty quietness; neither the chirp of a solitary lark, nor the chatter of a flock of sparrows interrupted the stillness. Not even echoes of soft footfalls could penetrate the silence. But suddenly, the spell of tranquility was broken by one creature making quite a din.

Euan lay on his back, so deeply covered in snow that he looked like little more that a large white lump in the terrain. The only discernable feature was his large gaping mouth from which tremendous snores issued forth. Falling snowflakes melted from his warm breath into tiny water droplets as they neared his cavernous jaws, accumulating enough to make him bolt awake, coughing and sputtering.

“Well chop of me rudder an’ sell ‘er to a sea rat,” Euan said, looking around, still choking, “Me old mate winter’s come fur a visit, eh?” The lanky otter rose from his white bed, dusting off the remaining snow and looking towards the sky.

“This ‘un looks like she won’t let up fur a while. Best get a fire started an’ breakfast made afore me paws get too cold.” The otter dug through the snow around his camp, trying to locate tinder he’d collected the night before. He came across it after some time, discovering that it was too damp to light, and there was no new dry kindling to be found.

“Well, a cold breakfast is better ‘an no breakfast at all,” He decided aloud. He dug through the extra pocket on his quiver until he came across the last of his rations; two dried plums and a stale piece of cornbread.

“Seems like ‘ard times are coming up again, mate,” Euan muttered solemnly to himself, frowning at his meager fare. He shrugged, swallowing one of the plums whole and scoffing down the cornbread. “Best be off then.” He said, mouth stuffed with food, “Perhaps I’ll find some prosperous woodland creature,” he popped the cork on his gourd bottle and drained its contents in a single swig, “who’ll be willin’ ta show a bit o’ ‘ospitality to this poor, cold, tired adventurin’ otter.” With that, Euan picked up his quiver and long bow and slung them over his shoulder. He set off south through Mossflower at a brisk pace, whistling a charming tune as he went.

[Mista P]

Zayanya Dirtclaw stood outside her humble rock home sweeping away the snow from her door as more flakes slowly drifted down from the sky. Oh she knew that she would never be able to sweep all the snow away, but at least the snow by her door wouldn't be so deep that the wildcat would not be snowed-in her home.

Pausing, Zayanya leaned on her broom and shivered as she looked up at the gray sky. Even the sun couldn't shine through the heavy, snow-laden clouds. She watched with her forest green eyes as the large fluffy flakes drifted down and landed on the bare trees. Some flakes drifted toward her and landed on her dark brown fur and her black dress. Brushing some of the flakes away, the cat pulled her purple scarf tighter. It wasn't that Zayanya hated snow, she loved to watch it fall slowly and cover the earth in a blanket of snow, but it would be much nicer if it wasn't this cold!

Sighing, the wildcat knelt down and brushed away some snow from a tombstone with in arms reach in her snow covered garden. "Now, now Graylunk. It will stop soon. I know these things."

Standing up, Zayanya was about to walked into her home, she stopped and a voice entered her head. Perhaps I’ll find some prosperous woodland creature, who’ll be willin’ ta show a bit o’ ‘ospitality to this poor, cold, tired adventurin’ otter.

Zayanya's ears twitched. "Oh, maple leaf!" She muttered to herself. Sometimes she wished her "sight" would give it a rest! But of course, she wasn't about to ignore a cold otter who needed a meal.

Tightening the sash about her waist, Zayanya walked out into the snow, and stopped just behind the line of trees that surround her humble rock home. She then waited until she could hear the whisting of the otter.

Leaning against one of the bare trees, she watched as the lean brown otter tramp through the snow. Zayanya smiled a bit, she was probably going to startle him standing like this. "I'm not so sure about myself being prosperous my dear friend, but I am willing to share my home with you if you need a place to rest..."

[kat]

Euan’s ears twitched at the sound of the wildcat’s voice, but he did not hear her words. Quick as a bolt of lightning, he notched an arrow and spun around to face his opponent, bow string drawn back to its full by his sinewy arms. His eyes landed on Zayanya and her warm smile, then to the tracks behind her. His thoughts processed, though a tad slowly.

She was a wildcat, though this did not naturally predispose her to wish him harm. But had she, then with the amount of careless imprudence with which Euan traveled, he would have been made a deadbeast long before now. He wriggled his whiskers and twitched his nose attempting to bring a bit of warmth back into it as he tried to decide whether the wildcat he was taking aim at was friend or foebeast. At last he lay down his weapon, slowly releasing the tension from the bowstring and removing the arrow.

“Forgive me my lady,” he said at last bowing deeply, “fur a seasoned traveler such as my good self can never be certain when ‘e is in danger, especially in unknown woods such as these.” Rising from the bow he said, “Me name’s Euan, an’ I do believe you said somthin’, though I was a little too…uh…preoccupied to ‘ear it.”

[Mista P]

Zayanya remained calm as the otter spun around, his bow strung and arrow at the ready. Her emerald green eyes watched him intently. He wasn't going to shoot, but the otter needed to think, to "analyze" her. So Zayanya relaxed and smiled, waiting.

Slowly, the otter lowered his bow.

“Forgive me my lady,” he said at last bowing deeply, “fur a seasoned traveler such as my good self can never be certain when ‘e is in danger, especially in unknown woods such as these.” Rising from the bow he said, “Me name’s Euan, an’ I do believe you said somthin’, though I was a little too…uh…preoccupied to ‘ear it.”

Ears twitching lightly in the cold, and tail joining in with it's playful dance, Zayanya curtsied. "There is no need to ask for forgiveness good sir. It was I that startled you, and you are true, sometimes these woods can be dangerous, so it is good to stay alert."

"It is a pleasure to meet you Euan. I am Zayanya Dirtclaw. And what I said is that if you wish for a warm place to say for the meanwhile and some warm food, my humble abode is open for your convenience." She came out of her curtsy and gestured toward her paw prints which lead back to her home.

[kat]

(OOC: sorry, short one today)

Euan chuckled uproariously, his voice echoing through the forest.

“I’d be delighted to join ye for a meal, miss,” he said, taking stride with the wildcat. “I have to admit though,” he whispered with a wink, “I am a bit embarrassed. Either you’re the first beast I’ve ever met who can ‘ear things from a great distance away, in which case, bless those ears, bless them, missie.” As he said this, he took hold of her paw and shook it vigorously.

“Or," He said, flashing Zayanya a white toothy grin, "you’ve been following me for quite some time and I was too dim-witted to catch wind of it.” At his, Euan burst into laughter again, almost doubling over with mirth.

[Mista P]

(Ooc: No Worries!)

“I’d be delighted to join ye for a meal, miss,” he said, taking stride with the wildcat. “I have to admit though,” he whispered with a wink, “I am a bit embarrassed. Either you’re the first beast I’ve ever met who can ‘ear things from a great distance away, in which case, bless those ears, bless them, missie.” As he said this, he took hold of her paw and shook it vigorously.

Zayanya smiled as they walked toward her home Euan shook her paw, but before she could tell him what really happened he continued.

“Or," He said, flashing Zayanya a white toothy grin, "you’ve been following me for quite some time and I was too dim-witted to catch wind of it.” At his, Euan burst into laughter again, almost doubling over with mirth.

Chuckling along with the contagious laughter, Zayanya replied. "Actually, none of the above, but that can be explain once we are inside."

Zayanya led the way till they came to a large rock formation in the woods, and perfectly built right in the middle was a small rustic home with a sturdy maple door. If it were not winter, one would be able to see the beautiful garden, however all one could see in the winter were mounds and trees, covered in snow.

Walking up to the door, she pushed it open and ushered Euan inside. "Come in, come in. Let's get you warmed up shall we?"

Inside Zayanya pointed at a coat rack in the corner as she closed the door. "If you wish, you can hang your things there, they won't go any where, then you may take a seat near the fire while I get some food warmed up. And if the fire is running low, there are some chopped logs near by."

The wildcat hung her scarf on the rack then went to work in the kitchen.

The inside of the house is an amazing sight to behold. It's a cozy homely place, but much bigger than what it appears on the outside. Inside there are green, healthy plants hanging from the celling and shelves all over the place along with trinkets like wind chimes all over. On the far wall, there is a warm fireplace surrounded by a green couch and chair with purple afghans resting neatly upon them with a purple rug on the floor.

There are also curtained doorways, one purple, one blue, and one red, but to where they led can not be easily seen. And to the right of the entrance was the kitchen area Zayanya went into. It has cabinets and a little bar like area with two stools. The counter is solid stone and the stools and the cabinets are made of the same maple as the door.

All in all, a comfy warm little home.

[kat]

"Come in, come in. Let's get you warmed up shall we?"

During his traveling days, Euan had been in nearly every type of dwelling from cliff side castles, to the tiniest, most humble abodes. As he stepped into Zayanya’s, a sudden feeling of quaint homeliness struck him with the force of a tidal wave. The shear amount of things to look at was enough to keep Euan tongue-tied as the wildcat issued further instructions.

"If you wish, you can hang your things there, they won't go any where, then you may take a seat near the fire while I get some food warmed up. And if the fire is running low, there are some chopped logs near by."

“Thank ye kindly Miss Zayanya,” he replied, hanging both bow and quiver on the coat rack. He proceeded to plop himself down on the armchair near the fire, slowly rubbing the warmth back into his footpaws. His nervousness upon meeting the wildcat also began to melt away, but the edginess that had saved him from certain peril many a time never completely faded from his chest. Though the house looked as if it was only Zayanya residing here, the otter could never be sure until he asked.

“So, uh…” he chanced, “you, um…live here by yourself then?”

[Mista P]

“Thank ye kindly Miss Zayanya,”

"No problem Master Euan. It's always wonderful to have visitors over." Euan hung up his things then sat on the armchair near the fire as Zayanya worked in the kitchen. She opened a cupboard and pulled out a tray of pre-baked scones. Opening another she pulled out two mugs. Bringing the tray over to the fire, she placed the tray on a rack just inside the fireplace over the edge of the fire for the scones to warm. She then proceeded to poor the hot tea that was in the kettle that already hung on the fire and passed one mug to Euan.

"There you go. Some warm herbal tea should warm your paws up good. The scones will be warm and ready to eat in a moment."

Settling down on the twin couch, Zayanya began rapping the purple afghan around her legs and tail when Euan spoke again.

“So, uh…” he chanced, “you, um…live here by yourself then?”

Zayanya smiled as she sipped her tea. "Yes, or I do now anyways. The original family moved out a few years ago and now live on the plains. I do have visitors fro time to time, not unlike yourself in fact. I am a healer, so occasionally I'll have sick beasts here who are healing, but none right now. Your my first visitor in a while actually..."

[kat]

(occ: ugh...sorry about the LoA...family and holidays and stuff)

Euan sipped his herb tea, the hot liquid tricking down his throat and numbing his mouth slightly. He stared into the fire pensively.

“Me mum always did the healing in my family,” he said watching the flames dance. “She always told me when I was naught but a kit that salt was the best medicine.” He took another sip of his tea. “That why any decent beast cries a both insult and injury. Salt heals all wounds.”

The otter slowly rose from his chair and ambled over to the scone tray. Selecting three of the largest, he made his way back to his seat, devouring two within the short distance. Despite their prebaked status, the scones were delightful, filled with an array of nuts and dried fruit. Wiping the crumbs from his whiskers, Euan turned towards his host and smiled.

“I’m afraid that I have very little to offer you in exchange fur your ‘ospitality, miss,” He said. “But being an otter of honor, I am obliged to repay ye somehow. Perhaps you’d settle for a good story from my many seasons spent adventurin’ yonder lands? I’ve been nearly everywhere you know, though I’d never be able to find my way back,” he chuckled, grinning sheepishly.

[Mista P]

“Me mum always did the healing in my family,” he said watching the flames dance. “She always told me when I was naught but a kit that salt was the best medicine.” He took another sip of his tea. “That why any decent beast cries a both insult and injury. Salt heals all wounds.”

Zayanya held her warm cup in her large paws as she listened to Euan and replied in turn. "Your mother was a wise creature. Salt is a very useful healing tool. I wouldn't say that it 'heals' all wounds, but it does help in the process. Salt helps clean the wound so the body can repair itself properly. Alcohol does a similar job. However, if you don't have much to heal with, salt would be your best option."

Euan stood up and grabbed some scones from the warming tray while Zayanya sat calmly on the couch, her tail twitching softly. Looking into the flames, she shivered a bit, recalling some of the recent visitors she had. The young squirrel lad and the otter weren't bad, quite nice actually, but the time before them. Oooh! Zayanya could still see that wildcat's smug face. Putting those memories aside, Zayanya looked back up at Euan who had seated himself once more.

“I’m afraid that I have very little to offer you in exchange fur your ‘ospitality, miss,” He said. “But being an otter of honor, I am obliged to repay ye somehow. Perhaps you’d settle for a good story from my many seasons spent adventurin’ yonder lands? I’ve been nearly everywhere you know, though I’d never be able to find my way back,” he chuckled, grinning sheepishly.

Zayanya smiled. "I normally refuse any sort of payment. But as you can see," She pointed to the many nick-nacks that lay about the house. "Not many creatures listen to me. And if you wish to tell a story, that would be lovely. I haven't heard many stories in a while."

Sipping her tea, she continued. "However, I'm sure if you really put your mind to it, you could find your way back..."

[kat]

“You’re quite mistaken miss,” Euan said with a grin, “I don’t even think I could find me way back to this morning’s campsite.” He sipped his tea and continued, “But as far as memories are concerned, I do seem to be able to find my way ‘round those parts just fine.” The riverdog cleared his throat and habitually gazed upward towards the ceiling as he recalled events that had befallen him.

“When I was but a kit, there was an elder otter in me family’s tribe that used to tell a whole manner of stories. He was often chastised by my parents for filling my head with nonsense, so as I grew up I began to take his stories for just that, stories. It wasn’t until I went off on my own that I began to see these things of legend, and I realized that the old otter had been telling the truth all along. But," The otter scratched the back of his neck and sighed, “there was one story he always told that I knew had to be a blatant lie, that is, until the day I saw it with me very own eyes…”

… Euan lay in a bed of long grass, eyes turned up towards the few passing clouds in the bright blue sky above him. It was a warm early fall day on the open plains. A chilly breeze swept through the grasses, turning the landscape into a golden sea with drifting waves. The otter had not a care in the world, like always, and had spent the entire day relaxing, cloud gazing, and snacking on late strawberries. He had just begun to doze off in the afternoon sun, when he was woken suddenly by the clumsy footpaws of a fleeing stoat. The stoat tripped over the otter and fell, face-first, into Euan’s small strawberry pile, turning the delicacies into a red gooey mess that covered his frightened face. The still drowsy Euan, believing he was under some sort of ambush, bolted up and dove on the stoat. They wrestled in the grass for a moment until the sinewy young otter had the stoat in a headlock.

“Quit yer squirmin’ there, mate,” Euan said struggling to hold the stoat, “You’ve made a fine mess of me peaceful afternoon with yer ambushin’ an’ strawberry squishin’. What do you have to say fur yerself?”

“Please!” the stoat begged, bringing his paws up into a plea, “Let me go! They...they’re after me!”

“Who’s after you?” the riverdog asked. The stoat raised a trembling paw towards the distance. Euan turned his head to look. He gasped and rubbed his eyes in disbelief with his free paw. Thundering across the plains towards them was an army of no less than fifty badgers. “It’s not possible,” the otter said aloud, nearly dropping his captive, “It’s just not possible!”

The first of the badgers reached them within mere seconds. He was a well seasoned warrior, his body covered in a barrage of scars, and his face wearing a savage scowl. He carried with him an enormous stone hammer, the size of which Euan could barely comprehend. His entourage gathered behind him and surrounded the otter and the stoat, a whole brigade of badgers, young and old, male and female, all filled carrying savage weaponry and angry glares. The otter and stoat were completely dwarfed by the mass gathered around them.

“Hand us the traitor, riverdog” the male badger growled, his comrades grunting and snarling and agreement. Euan obeyed silently, dropping the stoat who was then snatched and hog tied by two of the badgers. The otter could not stop gaping at the impressive warrior who stood before him.

“Who…who are you?” he asked in a small voice. The badger warrior nodded towards his comrades who turned and began to leave. Euan grabbed the hem of the leader’s cape, repeating his question louder. The badger continued on, dragging the clinging otter behind him as though he wasn’t there.

“Who are you?!” Euan asked again, shouting this time. The badger stopped and turned, ripping his cape out of the otter’s grasp.

“That is for us to know, and you to forget about,” he growled. The badger nodded towards a nearby female, then turned away again and resumed his march. The female towered over Euan, who still lay on the ground, and raised her spearbutt.

“Sorry,” she muttered, before bringing it down on the back of the otter’s head. Euan’s world suddenly went black…

“I awoke the next day” Euan said, “At the edge of a forest with a flask of Elderberry cordial and a few oatcakes, but I never saw the badgers again. I’ve asked nearly every creature I’ve met from hermit moles to Long Patrol hares, and they all say the same thing, that badgers could never get along well enough to form an army.” The otter sighed, “if it wasn’t for the flask of cordial and the big ole’ lump on me ‘ead, I would have though I dreamt it all.”

[Mista P]

((Ooc: Sorry about the shortness..))

“You’re quite mistaken miss,” Euan said with a grin, “I don’t even think I could find me way back to this morning’s campsite.” He sipped his tea and continued, “But as far as memories are concerned, I do seem to be able to find my way ‘round those parts just fine.”

Zayanya shrugged. If he wanted to believe that, he can. So Zayanya sat back in her chair and sipped her tea, ready to listen.

“When I was but a kit, there was an elder otter in me family’s tribe that used to tell a whole manner of stories. He was often chastised by my parents for filling my head with nonsense, so as I grew up I began to take his stories for just that, stories. It wasn’t until I went off on my own that I began to see these things of legend, and I realized that the old otter had been telling the truth all along. But," The otter scratched the back of his neck and sighed, “there was one story he always told that I knew had to be a blatant lie, that is, until the day I saw it with me very own eyes…”

...

“I awoke the next day” Euan said, “At the edge of a forest with a flask of Elderberry cordial and a few oatcakes, but I never saw the badgers again. I’ve asked nearly every creature I’ve met from hermit moles to Long Patrol hares, and they all say the same thing, that badgers could never get along well enough to form an army.” The otter sighed, “if it wasn’t for the flask of cordial and the big ole’ lump on me ‘ead, I would have though I dreamt it all.”

"Well, that is very interesting.."Zayanya replied. Her tail twitching. She gently closed her eyes. "Yes..yes.. You weren't dreaming..but they live far from this place. It is odd that they can exist like that, but they are..." Zayanya opened her eyes and smiled. "Anyways, what an interesting story! I don't get out that often to have interesting stories like that. I mean, I do have the interesting visitor from time to time, but not much else.."