Puddles! Puddles! PUDDLES! ((OPEN))

[Lyrielle]

The fall showers that had set in this morning were finally starting to dissipate, leaving the lush green lawns of Redwall Abbey soaked -- as were many of the good creatures there who hadn't made it inside before the downpour. Besides the slippery grass, dripping branches and cloudy skies, there was one part of the aftermath that the smallest of Abbey dwellers were particularly fond of; the puddles. A delightful treat and a glorious opportunity to get as muddy and filthy as possible, it was an especially wonderful thing if you were an otter cub, and even more so if you were an otter cub named Koa.

The loud, happy giggles of a furry brown otterbabe could be heard all across the Abbey lawns, along with the 'sloooosh!' of something sliding across wet, muddy grass and fallen leaves. Having borrowed one of the friar's baking sheets, Koa was putting it to 'good use' and using it as something akin to a sled, the metal slab shooting off down a small hill like a miniature rocket, the laughing Koa taken right along for the ride.
Thud!
Hitting a small rock at the end of the slope, he had gained more than enough moment to send him and the baking sheet flying, only to land a foot or so away upon his rudder, the sheet landing (thankfully) next to the otterbabe rather than on top of it. With his world still spinning, Koa looked down at himself, grinning delightedly when he saw the mud, leaves and grass covering his previoulsy sparkly-clean fur. Alright, so he hadn't planned on that rock being there, but he had to admit, the 'flying through the air' part had definitely been a blast. Gathering himself and the sheet for another go, the otterbabe tucked the sheet under one arm and began pawing his way back up, shaking water off of his ear.

"Careful, it's a little slippery," cautioned the pretty ottermaid, her soft honey-colored eyes fixed intently upon her injured companion, Freya being quite mindful of the hazardous conditions outside. At least it isn't winter, thank the seasons, otherwise Freya wouldn't have let Cross leave the Abbey at all, even if he DID want some fresh air. The joyous giggling of a familiar otterbabe caught her attention quickly, the Abbey-helper's eyes suddenly glued to the image of Koa Shorehound whizzing past on what looked like the Friar's baking sheets. Freya grinned. "Oh would you look at that little trouble maker -- he's going to get the Friar's baking sheet all bent out of shape and filthy! Oh but at least he's having fun!"

[Cross]

Cross wasn't completely familiar with this feeling in his limbs. Well, no, that was a lie. This feeling had been his constant companion for nigh on six weeks, now. It was, in layman's terms, cabin fever. Being cooped up in one place for too long. He loved Redwall abbey, but it was far too stuffy. And after awhile, all those green habits were enough to make Cross's head swim.

The big otter was practically bouncing on his toes as Freya warned him about the conditions outdoors. His stitches were out, and his bandages were gone. Sure, he was going to be sore for awhile longer, but he was finally free! "Yes, yes, Freya," he replied distractedly, his good eye trained on the open doors of Great Hall.

And then he was out on the lawns, his strong arms pulling Freya along after him. Oh, it was glorious! That fresh rain smell, that heavy, wet feeling in the air! Intoxicated with his newfound range of motion, the big otter picked Freya up and spun her around once, testing the dexterity of his legs. He'd never felt better! Setting Freya down, he reeled back, blushing brightly as if realizing what he'd just done.

'Sorry,' his nervous body language said as he rubbed the back of his neck, a wide smile spreading across his features. He then turned to see a very muddy Koa clambering up a muddy hill with a metal sheet tucked under his arm. Hmm, puddle-splashing . . . Cross had never really tried before. Ah, he would leave it to the otter cub. More time to spend with Freya that way.

"Ah, thank you," the silvery sea otter began. "For coming with me. I . . . prefer outdoors to in." He'd spent quite a bit of time with Freya, recently, much to the chagrin of her father, who didn't seem all that keen on Cross just yet. But it didn't matter. Now he had Freya all to himself. He wasn't even trying to banish those embarrassing thoughts of how pretty she was, anymore. He simply accepted them.

[.:Fawn:.]

((XD awww, that was really cute!))

And then he was out on the lawns, his strong arms pulling Freya along after him. Oh, it was glorious! That fresh rain smell, that heavy, wet feeling in the air! Intoxicated with his newfound range of motion, the big otter picked Freya up and spun her around once, testing the dexterity of his legs. He'd never felt better! Setting Freya down, he reeled back, blushing brightly as if realizing what he'd just done.

Oooh-whoaa! For a few seconds there, Freya giggled louder than Koa, her cheeks instantly turning scarlet once her head came back down from the clouds and that elated feeling started to subside a little. "At l-least your strength has c-come back," she grinned at him sheepishly. Alright, she'd admit it; she would gladly go for a walk with him outside every day if he was going to start off all their walks like that!

"Ah, thank you," the silvery sea otter began. "For coming with me. I . . . prefer outdoors to in."[/b]

The ottermaid shook her head, as though there was honestly no need to thank her for doing something she enjoyed; walking with Cross like this had become like second nature to her. It was almost like thanking her for breathing. "Oh hush, as long as you don't mind my company," spoke the ottermaid, smiling, "then you can expect to see me at your side to fuss over you somemore until you chase me away." With the both of them grinning foolishly at each other, Koa's approach was almost unnoticeable -- until the muddy, messy otterbabe tripped over his own makeshift sled and crashed into the back of Freya. Freya, unprepared for the sudden dibbun assault, lurched forward and nearly smacked into the wall of fur that was the newly healed Cross, her small paws coming up to his chest to protect herself. Blushing a tad bit brighter than she had originally thought possible, the ottermaid gave his chest a shy, awkward pat as if to say 'sorry! didn't mean to run into you!' before Freya whirled upon Koa.

The otterbabe in question, who was rubbing his dark nose with a grubby paw, sniffled and called out an apology, looking from Freya to Cross with delight. "Cross! Yer all healt now!" Squeaked the cub, dropping the baking sheet to hug his big brother, nuzzling his face into Cross's body, positively clinging to him. Freya chuckled, as Koa had been so overjoyed to see Cross that he'd started wagging his rudder, forcing the ottermaid to back up lest she get hit with it.
Pulling back a bit, it was with shining eyes that the otterbabe looked upon Cross, Koa reaching for one of his big paws, ready to pull him somewhere. "Let's go play inna puddles! Please Cross? Let's go outside!"
Freya's eyebrows arched in curiosity. Outside? They were already outside! What's more outside than outside?

[Cross]

"Oh hush, as long as you don't mind my company," spoke the ottermaid, smiling, "then you can expect to see me at your side to fuss over you somemore until you chase me away."

Chase her away? Why on earth would he ever want to do that? He gave her a confused look before he finally caught on that she was joking. Then his smile returned. The serious otter hadn't quite gotten used to those wry comments the abbey dwellers would often drop into their speech. Freya's were sweet once he figured them out, though.

Freya, unprepared for the sudden dibbun assault, lurched forward and nearly smacked into the wall of fur that was the newly healed Cross, her small paws coming up to his chest to protect herself. Blushing a tad bit brighter than she had originally thought possible, the ottermaid gave his chest a shy, awkward pat as if to say 'sorry! didn't mean to run into you!' before Freya whirled upon Koa.

Cross, his reflexes having returned to normal speed since being healed, caught Freya deftly, his strong arms cradling her slight frame. For a moment, their two beet-red faces were mere inches from each other, and the silvery sea otter was unable to break away from her gaze. Even with that shy smile, Freya was beautiful. And she was touching him! And then Cross had to release her. He then turned to Koa, hoping his bright red blush was subsiding a bit.

"Cross! Yer all healt now!" Squeaked the cub, dropping the baking sheet to hug his big brother, nuzzling his face into Cross's body, positively clinging to him.

"Hello, Koa," Cross greeted with a warm smile. "I told you I would get better. I'm so happy to see you!" It was true. Even though Koa had put in his best efforts to stay in or near the sick bay at all times (or around Cross's new dorm), both of them had seen little of each other this last week of Cross's recovery. Kneeling down to hug the muddy cub better, the big otter chuckled as he noticed Koa's rudder wagging with delight.

Pulling back a bit, it was with shining eyes that the otterbabe looked upon Cross, Koa reaching for one of his big paws, ready to pull him somewhere. "Let's go play inna puddles! Please Cross? Let's go outside!"

Cross raised an eyebrow at Koa. He glanced up at Freya, who seemed to be just as confused by the otterbabe's words as he was. Looking back down to Koa, he replied, "We are outside, Koa." The only way to be further outside was . . . leaving the abbey. Was that what Koa wanted to do? Cross stood up, his big paw instinctively pressing on the scarred skin beneath his waist sash. Didn't the little otter remember what happened last time he left the abbey? "I think there are plenty of puddles, here, little brother."

[Stryker]

Cross raised an eyebrow at Koa. He glanced up at Freya, who seemed to be just as confused by the otterbabe's words as he was. Looking back down to Koa, he replied, "We are outside, Koa." The only way to be further outside was . . . leaving the abbey. Was that what Koa wanted to do? Cross stood up, his big paw instinctively pressing on the scarred skin beneath his waist sash. Didn't the little otter remember what happened last time he left the abbey? "I think there are plenty of puddles, here, little brother."

Koa shook his head, eyes pleading. "Just by the gates! If we see more falcons we can run inside and shut the doors! Yer all healt now so yew can close 'em, can't you Cross?" Even if Freya hadn't intended to take Koa's side, her heart secretly revelled at the chance to rebel against her parents' wishes and hang outside the Abbey for a bit. The ottermaid bit her lip. How irresponsible would it be of her to take Koa outside so he could splash in puddles? VERY. But Cross will be there, and I have my sling, and we'll be right by the doors if something does come up...
"A change of scenary wouldn't be too bad," murmured the ottermaid, admitting to her desire to leave the Abbey even if just for a few precious minutes. She could understand Cross's reluctance, however. "Personally, I'm not allowed to go out, even if it would be just on the other side of the gates," she added, sounding a twinge dejected about it. Didn't they realize keeping her cooped up in here would only make her want to leave MORE? She understood their worries... But then again, if Bruno had been here, he would've unlocked the gate and dragged her outside with a promise of Mom and Dad never finding out! He had always been a bit of a rule breaker.
Koa looked utterly dejected. "But the puddles'r bigger outside," he began brushing mud off his chest and arms, but wasn't doing a very good job of it, and all of a sudden the muddy wet ottercub had become the epitome of sadness -- as though 'fun' were a rare and beautiful thing in his world, and to not take this opportunity to splash in puddles would be an absolute injustice.

[Cross]

Koa shook his head, eyes pleading. "Just by the gates! If we see more falcons we can run inside and shut the doors! Yer all healt now so yew can close 'em, can't you Cross?"

Cross blushed again, slightly irritated with himself that he could be moved so easily. Koa's eyes could get so big! And he looked so sad! But Cross didn't want a repeat of this late summer/early fall fiasco. No, staying within the abbey grounds was the safest--

"A change of scenary wouldn't be too bad," murmured the ottermaid, admitting to her desire to leave the Abbey even if just for a few precious minutes. She could understand Cross's reluctance, however. "Personally, I'm not allowed to go out, even if it would be just on the other side of the gates," she added, sounding a twinge dejected about it.

Cross's eyes widened a little as he looked back at Freya. He felt the blush deepen on his cheeks as the pretty otter put on a face as sad and pleading as Koa's. "A change of scenery," he repeated softly. Sure, that's all it was, a change of scenery. No, it wasn't. It was taking these two otters, whom Cross liked very much, out into a dangerous place. Yes, he knew Freya had a sling. Yes, he knew he had his javelin. But they could all get seriously hurt! "I do not think we should."

Koa looked utterly dejected. "But the puddles'r bigger outside," he began brushing mud off his chest and arms, but wasn't doing a very good job of it, and all of a sudden the muddy wet ottercub had become the epitome of sadness -- as though 'fun' were a rare and beautiful thing in his world, and to not take this opportunity to splash in puddles would be an absolute injustice.

Cross gave a resigned sigh. Rubbing the bridge of his snout, he closed his eyes for a moment. They were both making him melt. He was never going to hear the end of this, was he? "Alright," he murmured finally. "But we should go out one of the side gates. I do not want to leave the main gates open. And I'll need to get my javelin."

((Feel free to time skip a few minutes and get them outside. Go by the east gate, directly into the woods. I have an idea.))

[Stryker]

"Real quick Koa, okay? It's gonna get chilly soon if we stay out too late."

Giving the ottercub a playful swat, Freya smiled at Koa affectionately -- a swift glance over her shoulder confirming Cross's location. Watching him close the eastern gate, Freya waited for Cross to catch up before she officially set off for the nearby woodlands, humming softly to the birds that answered back while Koa scampered ahead, singing his own tuneless song.

"Puddles, Puddles, Puddles! Nice wet puddles! I like Puddles, Puddles, Puddles!" He finished his self-composed masterpiece by splashing obnoxiously in a large one he'd founded, belly flopping into it like he would at the Abbey Pond. He giggled as the dirty water splashed his face and neck, and rolled over so it got his back wet too. Freya snorted. "He's the silliest little otter I've ever seen -- well, next to my brother Bruno of course." She winked at Cross, "He was the kind of dibbun who would gather up buckets of mud, dump them into the bathtub and proclaim proudly that it was the official Abbey Puddle, and no one could play in it but him." The ottermaid sighed happily, a wistful look in her eyes as she longed for days that have long since passed her by. Bruno had been such a wonderful big brother to her, even if he didn't always set the best example...

The ottermaid's eyebrows shot up as she noticed small collections of water all over the place, the conditions almost bog-like save for the moss, insects and abundance of smelly mud. Okay, Koa had been right. There were more puddles out here! Koa, happy as a claim, let out a whoop and somersaulted into another big one, Freya jumping back to get out of splashing range.

[Cross]

"He's the silliest little otter I've ever seen -- well, next to my brother Bruno of course." She winked at Cross, "He was the kind of dibbun who would gather up buckets of mud, dump them into the bathtub and proclaim proudly that it was the official Abbey Puddle, and no one could play in it but him."

Cross smiled, his javelin in paw. He wondered if he had been like that as a little one. Rambunctious, playful, happy as a clam. Another memory surfaced: that sweet, silvery cream-colored face bunched up into the world's most wonderful smile, and then seawater obstructing her for a moment as she went under the surface with him. Then it was gone, just like the others.

He was jolted out of his reverie by Koa's big splash. The muddy water splattered Cross from head to toe, but he just laughed. His good eye trained on the surrounding woodland for a few moments, the big otter tried to dispel his feeling of unease. They were only a little ways from Redwall. If something bad happened, they could get right back into the abbey at a moment's notice.

So why not have a little fun for the first time in . . . years? Burying the tip of his javelin into the muddy ground, he turned to Koa. "Little brother," he called. Once he had the babe's full attention, he dove into the biggest puddle, skidding across the muddy ground and snatching up Koa as he went. They stopped after a few feet, both of them completely brown with mud by now. Cross shifted to his back and let Koa sit on his chest, both of them grinning like children. "Was that fun?"

[.:Fawn:.]

So why not have a little fun for the first time in . . . years? Burying the tip of his javelin into the muddy ground, he turned to Koa. "Little brother," he called. Once he had the babe's full attention, he dove into the biggest puddle, skidding across the muddy ground and snatching up Koa as he went. They stopped after a few feet, both of them completely brown with mud by now. Cross shifted to his back and let Koa sit on his chest, both of them grinning like children. "Was that fun?"

Koa squealed in surprise-turned-joy as Cross snatched him up as he flew past, muddy water and soggy grass flying everywhere to escape the otter pair. Giggling even when he got filthy water into his mouth, Koa spat it out nearby, grinning with mud all over his teeth. "Let's do it again! Only can we go faster?" He pointed to the tree line just a feet or so ahead of them, "I wanna see if we can make it there." Clamboring off of his big sea-otter brother, Koa put in all of his strength to rolling Cross over, grunting from exertion. "Yer so 'eavy!" He squeaked, flopping back onto his rudder in the oversized puddle. A sudden splash of water washed over both wavedogs, the source of the commotion identified as Freya, who crouched grinning like a dibbun at the edge of their puddle, splashing them with her little webbed paws.
"Of course he's heavy, Koa. He's much bigger than you -- but don't worry, one day we'll all be wondering how on earth you got so big so fast!" Koa flicked water off his ears, rubbing his nose with a soggy arm. "Yeah! And then me'n'yew'n'Cross can all have advenchurs together."
Freya chuckled.
"You bet, Koa! We're gonna see the world, doesn't that sound nice?"

Koa nodded his head so fast he got dizzy.
"I wanna see Sala....Sala...mand....the mountain!"

[Cross]

"Let's do it again! Only can we go faster?" He pointed to the tree line just a feet or so ahead of them, "I wanna see if we can make it there." Clamboring off of his big sea-otter brother, Koa put in all of his strength to rolling Cross over, grunting from exertion. "Yer so 'eavy!"

Cross laughed, getting into a sitting position. He glanced down at his muddy self, wiping some grime off his nose. "I look like a river otter," he chuckled, ruffling Koa's head fur. "And Freya is right. Someday, I am sure you will be as big as I am, little brother."

Koa flicked water off his ears, rubbing his nose with a soggy arm. "Yeah! And then me'n'yew'n'Cross can all have advenchurs together."

Adventures? Cross smiled bemusedly. Why did it seem like many of the younger abbey beasts only wanted to leave Redwall? He was pulled out of his thoughts by a strange noise from the underbrush. He turned just in time to have a blade shoved before his face. A mangy fox suddenly pounced on Cross from out of the brush, his dagger mere inches from the otter's throat.

They stumbled back, and Cross growled, grabbing the fox by his tail and trying to haul him off. The blade swiped his arm in the frenzy, and Cross cried out in pain, rolling on top of the vermin and holding his arms to his sides. He had managed to get the blade out of the fox's grip, and his big webbed paws were constricting around the vermin's middle. It had all happened in less than five seconds, but Cross's reaction time was quicker than a vermin's.

"STOP!!" a voice yelled. Cross looked up, dismayed to see a ferret with a sword at Freya's throat, and a weasel with a tight rope around Koa's neck. The ferret had been the one who'd yelled, and his grin was as evil as they come as he ordered, "Git up nice an' slow, otter."

Cross obeyed, knowing full well what might happen if he refused. Growling low in his throat, he kept his good eye trained on the ferret, inwardly berating himself for being caught off-gaurd. The fox who'd attacked him got ahold of his blade again and pressed it against the big otter's neck, receiving another growl from Cross.

"Let them go," the sea otter demanded levelly. The ferret laughed.

"Yore in no position ter order me 'round, river dog," the vermin shot back. Cross bared his teeth.

"They have nothing of value to offer you," he said. "Release them." The ferret only laughed again.

"Oh, an' I s'pose ye do gots sommat ter offer?" he taunted. Cross remained silent. In a flash, his fist collided with the fox's jaw, and he took a step over the unconscious body towards the weasel. The ferret pressed the edge of the sword harder into Freya's neck, and Cross stopped, baring his pointed teeth again.

"Let. Them. Go." the silvery otter said again. The ferret's grin did not waver as he gave a nod to the weasel, who tugged sharply on the coarse rope around Koa's neck, causing a thin trickle of blood to flow down the muddy brown fur. The sight was enough to bring Cross to his knees, a wild look of fury in his good eye. "Leave them alone! Do what you will to me, but let them go!"

"That's right, otter," the ferret crooned. "Don't come too close. Yer might 'urt yer gel." Cross resisted the urge to growl again.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"Anythin' worth a few gold pieces," the ferret replied with a sneer. Cross's eyes narrowed. If he answered no, Freya and Koa would most likely die. He did have something of value, but he didn't want to give it up. However, he valued Koa and Freya more than a silly trinket. He dug out his father's ring from his dense neck fur and tossed the now muddy chain and ring onto the ground.

The weasel, still holding tightly to Koa's leash, stepped forward and snatched up the ring, pocketing it as he nodded to the ferret. The ferret nodded back, and the rope around Koa's neck was loosed. Cross hurriedly wrapped his arms around the cub, growling at the weasel. He turned to the ferret. "Now, the girl," he said expectantly.

The ferret grinned again. "'Less yew got sommat else ter offer, th' gel stays wid me."

[.:Fawn:.]

The weasel, still holding tightly to Koa's leash, stepped forward and snatched up the ring, pocketing it as he nodded to the ferret. The ferret nodded back, and the rope around Koa's neck was loosed. Cross hurriedly wrapped his arms around the cub, growling at the weasel. He turned to the ferret. "Now, the girl," he said expectantly.

The ferret grinned again. "'Less yew got sommat else ter offer, th' gel stays wid me."

Okay. Freya was starting to see why her parents never let her leave home.

Having never been in a situation in which she'd been a hostage, Freya's reaction times were admittedly slower compared to Cross's -- who had already dispatched the fox that cut his arm, and had even managed to get Koa free after giving up his ring (that she had never seen him without). With the knife so close to her throat, Freya felt the color drain out of her face, her heart thudding loudly as the full weight of the situation hit her. If Cross didn't have anything else to give, what would they do to her?

Koa cling to Cross immediately, burying his tear-stained face into his brother's body, his voice coming out a hoarse, frightened whisper. "t-troat h-h-hurts," gingerly rubbing the wounded area with a paw, Koa felt a jolt of alarm when he noticed a few red drops on his pawpads and showed them to Cross. Accusing eyes fell upon the vermin who had hurt him, the otterbabe extremely confused as to why anyone would do such a thing. He hadn't done anything to him! So why did he put a rope around his neck and tighten it so much? And why did Cross get attacked again? Why were they holding a sword to Freya's neck?
Why Why Why?

Copying Cross, Koa took off his green-seaglass pendant and threw it at the weasel who'd captured him, glaring at him through bleary, reddened eyes. The pendant was immediately snatched up, but the weasel only sneered, as though the offering was pathetic. "This all yer got? Some stupid piece-uh seaglass?" The weasel tossed it into the nearest puddle, as though it belonged there at the bottom with the mud.
Koa was beyond hurt. Worthless? It wasn't worthless! It was his mother's!

Freya, before Koa could react further, acted on her own bit of quick thinking. "I have something of value -- a few coins but I can't hand them over with a sword at my throat." Her breathing was hitched from fright, but she was determined to keep her voice even and calm, completely nonthreatening. The ferret lowered his sword down by her waist, watching her hands as she slowly began reaching for her slingpouch, feigning submissiveness. With the ferret busy and the weasel watching Koa and Cross, Freya took her chance. Leaning her head forward, she suddenly brought it back to land the ferret a sharp crack to the forehead, stunning him enough for her to make her escape.
Scrambling over by Cross and Koa, Freya had her sling out, the leather weapon pulled taut with a black stone cradled in it, aiming straight for the ferret's face.
"I'd give that ring back if I were you, weasel. Or else your partner gets this between his eyes."

It was unusual for her to threaten other beasts, but anyone who knew her when she was mad knew she was capable of growling and insulting other creatures. Anyone who knew her when she was being overprotective knew she was capable of carrying out her threats. Glancing to Cross through her peripherals, she murmured to him quietly. "Grab your javelin, I'll watch your back."

((Was that too fast? Too much? xD I don't want her playing the damsel in distress, lol.))

[Cross]

At Freya's threat the weasel, who was a cowardly sort, rushed to get the ring out of his pocket. Throwing it on the ground, he backed away, right into the hulking beast that was Cross standing right behind him. The big otter had sneaked around the weasel and grabbed his javelin, but he didn't need it. With one swipe of the sea otter's big paw, the weasel joined his unconscious fox friend.

Cross turned to the ferret, who was shaking in his boots by now. Pure rage was causing Cross's good eye to practically glow with hate as his gaze cut holes into the vermin, his javelin poised to strike. "Leave now, or I let her carry out her threat," he warned, his voice dangerously smooth.

The ferret dropped his sword and bolted, disappearing into the woods. Cross waited until he was out of sight before he turned back to Freya and Koa and swept them both up into an embrace. Gods, he'd been so worried! "Please, let us never do this again," he begged quietly, his eyes shut tightly against the tears of relief threatening to course down his face.

"I was . . . so afraid," he whispered, pulling away. He knelt down and found Koa's sea glass pendant, looping the string around the little otter's neck. "I did not want them to . . . hurt you."

((No, you're fine. Mine might have gone a little fast, but the vermin were just spineless bullies, so they wouldn't have put up much of a fight.))

[Stryker]

The ferret dropped his sword and bolted, disappearing into the woods. Cross waited until he was out of sight before he turned back to Freya and Koa and swept them both up into an embrace. Gods, he'd been so worried! "Please, let us never do this again," he begged quietly, his eyes shut tightly against the tears of relief threatening to course down his face.

"I was . . . so afraid," he whispered, pulling away. He knelt down and found Koa's sea glass pendant, looping the string around the little otter's neck. "I did not want them to . . . hurt you."

Freya swallowed, despite the hard lump in her throat, the emotion in Cross's strained, upset whisper having put it there. Hugging him and Koa, Freya squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to think about what could've happened, or what she would've done to those vermin had they harmed either Koa or Cross... Oh heavens above, they had nearly DIED today! She almost made a noise of protest, not ready for the embrace to end, when Cross pulled away to go retrieve Koa's pendent and place it around the otterbabe's neck.
Koa seemed to be in even worse shape than Cross.

The otterbabe was suffering from guilt, Koa somehow linking this as his fault again. Every time he wanted to go places with Cross, bad things happened... And even though that falcon had been terrifying, Koa was actually more afraid of the weasel that had hurt his throat. Koa let out a small sob, putting his face in his paws. "I wanna g-g-go home!" The bandit attack had obviously been quite stressful for him, as seen in the way his ears stayed pressed against his skull and his rudder dragged along the ground, Koa lurching forward to wrap his arms around Cross and rest his cheek against the sea otter's shoulder. "Oh Koa," murmured Freya, her eyes bright with worry for him. Reaching over, she rubbed his back gently, feeling the lump in her throat grow bigger. "This was my fault, I'm so sorry Koa, Cross. I never should've asked you to take us outside -- let's go back to the Abbey in case those vermin come back with friends."

Feeling safer with a stone loaded in her sling, Freya held on to it tightly, her teeth meeting in a slight snarl. Oh she'd get them back for that. If Cross hadn't suddenly hugged her... She would've put some stones in that weasel's back and one through his skull. Suddenly remembering the ring, Freya looked along the ground until she found it, then moved to present it to Cross in the same way he'd presented Koa with his necklace.
"Thank you for saving me," she whispered, in a voice meant only for Cross to hear.

[Cross]

"I wanna g-g-go home!"

"Oh Koa," murmured Freya, her eyes bright with worry for him. Reaching over, she rubbed his back gently, feeling the lump in her throat grow bigger. "This was my fault, I'm so sorry Koa, Cross. I never should've asked you to take us outside -- let's go back to the Abbey in case those vermin come back with friends."

Cross nodded, blinking back tears. "I agree," he said, his voice strained. He hugged Koa again as Freya cast about for his ring. Letting out a quiet, shaky sigh, the big otter looked up suddenly as his ring was placed around his neck again.

"Thank you for saving me," she whispered, in a voice meant only for Cross to hear.

Looking into those beautiful eyes, Cross lost control. His lips met hers in a soft, relieved kiss. I'm so glad you're alive! he wanted to scream. The kiss lasted a mere second, and then he pulled back, his face flushed. He gathered Koa in his strong arms and stood back up, holding the otter babe close.

He looped his free arm around Freya's shoulders for protection. Half of him wanted to apologize for startling her with his kiss. But the other half felt he had nothing to apologize for. He simply took another deep breath and led the two river otters back to the abbey.

((You can go ahead and take them back inside in your next post.))

[Stryker]

Looking into those beautiful eyes, Cross lost control. His lips met hers in a soft, relieved kiss. I'm so glad you're alive! he wanted to scream. The kiss lasted a mere second, and then he pulled back, his face flushed. He gathered Koa in his strong arms and stood back up, holding the otter babe close.

Unprepared, unhappy, and upset, Freya could honestly say that the kiss she'd just been given was perhaps the best thing she'd ever received. Catching her completely by surprise, the ottermaid's heart stopped beating for a few seconds, as if stunned into stillness by Cross's sudden, bold action. I...he... She couldn't even form coherent thoughts, she was so discombobulated. When her senses did come back, however, Freya was grateful Cross had turned away to pick up Koa -- so that he couldn't see the stupidly happy grin plastered all over her face. You'd think it was her birthday the way she smiled, cheeks a bright rose-red, her legs somewhat like the friar's chocolate pudding after all that had happened.

~*~

Koa, completely stressed by their most recent events, fell asleep in Cross's arms, the babe's face scrunched up as though he were trying to either remember something or was upset with someone. It was hard to tell what was going on in that normally hyperactive little head of his. Freya had calmed down a bit, but her heart hadn't quite gotten there just yet -- but it had allowed her to copy some of Cross's bravery by holding onto his paw, the ottermaid glancing at him shyly but sweetly whenever she thought he wasn't looking.

Upon approaching the eastern gate, Freya skipped ahead to open it, beckoning for Cross to come inside quickly, and shut it soon after. "We're definitely not telling my father about this, right?" She added, totally serious. If he ever found out about this...oh heavens above... He'd never let her go on the GROUNDS, much less leave Redwall! Wishing to avoid such an unfortunate fate, Freya sought to stick around the Abbey for a few weeks, making sure her father could see her behaving herself, in case he had any suspicions about her whereabouts. Yeesh.
Koa could probably use some positive experiences after this, clearly this last near-death-experience had had a rather unpleasant effect on him.

((I think little Koa might get a nightmare after this episode. xD Poor fella.))

[Cross]

"We're definitely not telling my father about this, right?" She added, totally serious.

Cross nodded, smiling sheepishly. "Right," he murmured, cradling Koa. Looking down at the muddy little otter, he realized something should be done to help calm the boy down a bit. "I . . . should get him to bed."

"Koa Shorehound!" a shrill voice called. One of the nurses hurried up to Cross, carefully avoiding the puddles still soaking the abbey grounds. "Oh!" she cried when she realized the dibbun was asleep. "Perfect time to give him a bath, then, hmm? Thank you for keeping an eye on him."

Not many coherent words came out of Cross's mouth as the nurse gently took the babe from his arms. "He . . . cut his throat," the big otter blurted finally. Just a warning. The nurse noticed the scrape and nodded in understanding, rushing the babe back into Great Hall. The silvery otter turned back to Freya and noticed that they were both covered in mud. They'd shared a kiss covered in mud. Wow, he'd fallen hard for her.

Glancing behind him, he noticed the abbey pond. Well, even a rinse in a pond was better than nothing. "Freya, you once said something about getting into the pond, did you not?" he asked, chuckling a bit. "I . . . think today is a good day for that."

[.:Fawn:.]

Glancing behind him, he noticed the abbey pond. Well, even a rinse in a pond was better than nothing. "Freya, you once said something about getting into the pond, did you not?" he asked, chuckling a bit. "I . . . think today is a good day for that."

Freya glanced down at herself. Oh my. In all that had happened recently, she had basically forgotten her appearance, and hadn't even noticed the mud on both Koa and Cross. She'd been too focused on the sweet little kiss she'd received and the fight with the bandits to notice a silly thing like mud. But now that Cross pointed it out, it seemed like the most obvious thing in the world. Freya snorted, grinning sheepishly. "Yes I did, so...with that being said..." As she spoke, Freya had been inching closer and closer to the pond. Her eyes sparkled. "Race you there!" Shooting off like a bottle rocket, the ottermaid tried not to look too ungraceful as she slid a bit every few steps, laughing a little as her footpaws became the muddiest part on her. Okay maybe the racing was going to have to wait for a...dryer day, but it was the effort that counted, right?

((Short, sorry about that! ^^; ))

[Cross]

Freya snorted, grinning sheepishly. "Yes I did, so...with that being said..." As she spoke, Freya had been inching closer and closer to the pond. Her eyes sparkled. "Race you there!"

Cross blinked in surprise, but quickly collected himself. Bolting after the ottermaid, he laughed in delight. Could this day get any better? He caught up to Freya easily, his wide hind paws keeping much better balance on the slippery ground, and grabbed her arm, diving with her into the abbey pond.

He released her as soon as they entered the water, just so they wouldn't get tangled up. The cool pond water felt wonderful against his fur, and he could see the muck sluicing off his coat. The silvery color returned to his thick fur as he resurfaced for air, treading water for a few moments before diving back under for Freya.

He circled her fluidly a few times, simply enjoying her presence and the ecstasy that came to him every time he entered the water. It was pure bliss. Unable to contain himself, he planted another kiss on the top of her head as he made a final circuit around her, paddling back to the surface of the pond. Gods, he was so happy!

((I couldn't help but think of this darknatasha.deviantart.com/gallery/?q=otter#/d1pnne2 while writing this post. I'm such a sap!))

[.:Fawn:.]

He circled her fluidly a few times, simply enjoying her presence and the ecstasy that came to him every time he entered the water. It was pure bliss. Unable to contain himself, he planted another kiss on the top of her head as he made a final circuit around her, paddling back to the surface of the pond. Gods, he was so happy!

Freya dived into the Abbey Pond with nary a splash, the mud flushed from her light fur easily, her webbed feet churning the cool, soothing waters as she torpedoed around Cross for a moment. She squeaked in surprise when she felt Cross kiss the top of her head, and immediately came up for air, smacking the water with a webbed paw to get his attention. "Oh you big dibbun, if you keep surprising me with kisses I'm gonna end up drowing because I'll forget to breathe!" she teased, splashing water at him. Alright, so she she wasn't 'shocked' per say, more like...unused to all of this. Her father had usually chased away any handsome young otter male that attempted courting her, so to have gotten this far was already uncharted waters -- not to mention the fact that she actually liked this one. Cross was certainly different, that was for sure, and so were these feelings she was getting.

Freya smiled at him, her eyes softening as she swam over to where he was, treading water with ease. It was impossible to ignore today's events, and they kept playing over and over in her head, mostly the parts that had to do with Cross -- his facial expressions, how angry he had been, how scared, and how much bravery Cross had shown in the face of three cruel, armed vermin. One thing kept gnawing at the back of her mind though. "I know it must've took a lot for you to part with your ring,"She murmured, swimming closer to look at it, cheeks heating up from their closeness (man was that EVER gonna go away? or was she going to be blushing for the rest of her life?) as the ottermaid reached out and traced the ring with a finger. "I noticed you always carry it with you, just like Koa does."
What was the secret behind this ring? What was the reason he kept it on his person all the time? Force of habit? No, that couldn't have been it... It had been hung on a chain and placed around his neck for a reason.

((That's an awesome picture! ^^ and sorry to ruin the cute moments with Freya's dialog, o.O but I felt it should be addressed.))

[Cross]

"Oh you big dibbun, if you keep surprising me with kisses I'm gonna end up drowing because I'll forget to breathe!" she teased, splashing water at him.

Cross laughed, flinching as the cold water droplets splattered onto his head and neck. How did she think he felt? His heart practically stopped when she smiled. He went lightheaded just being around her. How could he put that into words? Kissing her was the best way to display his feelings for her.

"I know it must've took a lot for you to part with your ring,"She murmured, swimming closer to look at it, cheeks heating up from their closeness (man was that EVER gonna go away? or was she going to be blushing for the rest of her life?) as the ottermaid reached out and traced the ring with a finger. "I noticed you always carry it with you, just like Koa does."

His smile faded slightly. He wanted to keep playing in the water, but she obviously wanted to have a serious conversation. But she was right there! So close to him! And of all the issues to bring up . . . she brought up his ring. He held up the long chain out of the water, the blue stone catching the sunlight and reflecting it off like an ocean wave. The waves like back home. The ring actually fit his finger, now. When he was younger it had been far too big.

"It . . . was my father's," he answered quietly. "I . . . he died before I left home." I like to keep it as a reminder of the heinous crime I committed against my entire family. He let out a short sigh. "I am sorry. It is not something I like to remember." No, because I killed my d*mned father.