Swimming Fun ((OPEN/Continuation of Panic))

[Promatera]

((OOC: Hey Prank I decided to continue running with it, so here it is! XD))

Leander followed Travi down to the pond where a few dibbuns had already begun to enjoy the cool water, which had been slightly warmed up by the hot weather. Without wasting a moment, Leander darted straight for the water and jumped right in.

As the water enveloped him, Leander could feel it's cool, inviting embrace. Leander let the water carry him to the surface where he gently broke above the water. The setting sun warmed his drenched face. Anything he had worried about had been washed away. Leander was at peace. At least until a nearby dibbun splashed him.

"Lookee th' odder!" the mousebabe shouted laughing, "I got'cha!"

Laughing Leander began to splash back. "Look who got who now, mateys!"

[Prankster101]

As Travi limped out of the Abbey onto the lawn heading to the pond, he had to blink a bit to get used to the bright sunlight. The weather was a perfect day for swimming. There were quite a few clouds, but not too much shade. It was also rather muggy and the moisture clung to Travioso's thick Northern fur like a squirrel to a tree.

But this muggy weather makes swimming feel soooo goood.....

With out warning, Leander rushed past Travi and dove into the pond with some dibbuns who were already there.

"Lookee th' odder!" the mousebabe shouted laughing, "I got'cha!"

Laughing Leander began to splash back. "Look who got who now, mateys!"

Chuckling to himself, Travi picked up his cane and tried a little jog on his paw. It hurt a bit, but wasn't bad. Walking over to a small dwarf-tree near the pond, Travi hung his towel, hat, and belt on a low branch and leaned his crutch against the trunk.

Walking with a slight limp to the dock, Travi watched the splash war that began to erupt. Smiling, Travi ran down the dock, jumped and tucked for a cannonball with a yell. "YEEEARROOOO!!!"

Travioso hit the water with a large SPLASH. Tumbling around in the water, Travi felt the cold water envelop his body, but not penetrate his fur. He only felt a bit of cold on his nose and paw pads. The rest of his fur held in the heat, but let the water flow around him.

Surfacing, Travi popped up behind Leander. "Ahhhh...Naw dat feels good..." He replied, flipping on to his back and floating traditional otter style, paws upon his chest.


_{Posted while still a member of this site.}

[Django]

"Lookee th' odder!" the mousebabe shouted laughing, "I got'cha!"

Laughing Leander began to splash back. "Look who got who now, mateys!"

Alne hung back from the water as her little brother Fenn rushed to join the splash war. The little black squirrel leapt into the pond with a flourish, making sure the splash from his jump would hit one of the other Dibbuns. Alne chuckled, watching as the happy creatures doused each other, even though every beast was soaking wet.

It was then she noticed Leander. At first, she hadn't recognized the otters who'd come to the pond. Leander had rushed in so fast, he'd been a brown blur, and the other otter was no beast she recognized. But finally she saw who it was that had retaliated against the mouse babe.

"Leandehr!" she cried, getting up and walking carefully to the edge of the dock. She really didn't want to get in the water today. She was needed in the kitchens in a few minutes, but she had wanted to spend some time with Fenn before her responsibilities kept her away from him. And to see her new otter friend was an added bonus. "'Tis a righ' bonneh thin' tae see ye!"

[Promatera]

"Ahhhh...Naw dat feels good..." He replied, flipping on to his back and floating traditional otter style, paws upon his chest.

Leander was glad to see Travi was finally at ease. He seemed to be enjoying himself as he floated lazily in the pond. Turning back to splash the dibbuns some more he was surprised to see Alne at the pond with a younger squirrel. It looked as though she had just noticed him as well.

"Leandehr!" she cried, getting up and walking carefully to the edge of the dock. "'Tis a righ' bonneh thin' tae see ye!"

"Ahoy thar Alne, great t' see ya!" he shouted trying to project his voice over the splashing dibbuns. "What brings ye out o' th' kitchens?"

He had not expected to see her as the kitchens were usually busy around this time of day. Noticing the small, black squirrel Leander could not help wondering if the two were related. As he thought of introducing himself he remembered that Travi and Alne had not yet met, or as far as he knew.

"Ah a'fore I forget, lemme introduce ye t' Travi!" turning back to Travi he beckoned him to come down, "Oi, Travi! Ah'd like for ye to meet someone!"

[Prankster101]

"Leandehr!" she cried, getting up and walking carefully to the edge of the dock. "'Tis a righ' bonneh thin' tae see ye!"

Travioso looked over to the dock, still floating on the water, and saw the speaker. It was a black furred squirrel who Travi was sure he had seen working in the kitchen, in fact he was sure he probably had stolen a dish or two from under her nose.

"Ahoy thar Alne, great t' see ya!" he shouted trying to project his voice over the splashing dibbuns. "What brings ye out o' th' kitchens?"

Travi swished his rudder in the water. So his memory wasn't failing him. As Leander talked with Alne, Travi watched the little ones playing. There was the mouse babe, two twin otterbabes, and a little squirrel. The squirrel had the same black fur like Alne. We're they related? He was sure he had seen them together.


"Ah a'fore I forget, lemme introduce ye t' Travi!" turning back to Travi he beckoned him to come down, "Oi, Travi! Ah'd like for ye to meet someone!"

Leander's call to Travi jerked him out of his relaxed concentration. "Hum? Oh.." Leander was introducing him to Alne. Rolling over, Travi easily skimmed the surface of the water over to the dock.Reaching the dock, Travi dove lightly into the water then resurfaced, facing the squirrel on the dock. Nodding to her, he spoke. "Good day ta ye marm."


_{Posted while still a member of this site.}

[Django]

"Ahoy thar Alne, great t' see ya!" he shouted trying to project his voice over the splashing dibbuns. "What brings ye out o' th' kitchens?"

Alne pointed to her little brother, who was ruthlessly splashing the little mouse babe. "Ach, me wee brother Fenn an' I hadn't played taegether fer days, ye ken?" she answered. "'Twas nae a bother tae take a few minutes tae play."

"Ah a'fore I forget, lemme introduce ye t' Travi!" turning back to Travi he beckoned him to come down, "Oi, Travi! Ah'd like for ye to meet someone!"

Alne watched the otter glide smoothly through the water towards the dock. Now that she thought about it, she had seen this otter before, once or twice. Smiling politely as he resurfaced before her, the black squirrel leaned her paws on her knees, stooping over the dock to get a better look at him.

"Good day ta ye marm."

"An' a good day tae ye, sir," she replied. "Ah'm Alne Nikta. An' yonder be mah wee brother Fenn." She pointed to the little squirrel battling the mouse babe. Alne rolled her eyes at her brother and turned back to Travi. "'Tis a pleasure tae meet ye."

[Promatera]

((OOC: This is an overdue post! Sorry!))

"Ach, me wee brother Fenn an' I hadn't played taegether fer days, ye ken?" she answered. "'Twas nae a bother tae take a few minutes tae play."

"Pleasure t'meet ya' there, Fenn," Leander nodded to Fenn before turning to Alne, "'tween Fenn and yore job in the kitchens y'must have yore hands full."

In the water, Leander was a completely different beast. Far less anxious than normal, Leander's subtle characteristics became more noticeable. The normally timid and awkward otter had become full of life.

As Travi introduced himself to Alne, Leander fell onto his back and enjoyed himself as the swell of the water moved him up and down.

"Leander...."

Leander opened his eyes with a start. Had somebeast called him? He looked around for a moment, but he didn't see anybeast who needed him. Perhaps his ears had deceived him. Shrugging off his surprise, Leander remembered he had something he had wanted to ask Travi.

"Oi, Travi!" he called, "I don't think I ever asked ye, but where are y' from?"

[Prankster101]

"Ach, me wee brother Fenn an' I hadn't played taegether fer days, ye ken?" she answered. "'Twas nae a bother tae take a few minutes tae play."

"Pleasure t'meet ya' there, Fenn," Leander nodded to Fenn before turning to Alne, "'tween Fenn and yore job in the kitchens y'must have yore hands full."

Looking back over at the little dibbuns, Travi watched the little black squirrel. So he was related to Alne and his name was Fenn. Travi would have to remember that.

"An' a good day tae ye, sir," she replied. "Ah'm Alne Nikta. An' yonder be mah wee brother Fenn." She pointed to the little squirrel battling the mouse babe. Alne rolled her eyes at her brother and turned back to Travi. "'Tis a pleasure tae meet ye."

Travi nodded. "Pleasure is mhine." He decided to leave it there. It was most likely the best thing not to bring up how much of a nuisance he was in the kitchen.

"Oi, Travi!" he called, "I don't think I ever asked ye, but where are y' from?"

Turning over in the water, Travi looked lover at Leander, curiously. Why did he want to know where he came from? Travioso shrugged it off. It was probably just a question. At least he wasn't asking about family...

"Da Nort'ern Sea out west."He replied calmly as he sunk into the water and dove deep into the pond....


_{Posted while still a member of this site.}

[Django]

Travi nodded. "Pleasure is mhine."

Alne smiled again and retreated along the dock. She perked her tufted ears up to listen for the friar calling her name. She was sure lunch was just around the corner. Flicking an ear back in the direction of the pond, she overheard Leander ask Travisio a question. Something about where he was from. . .

"Da Nort'ern Sea out west."He replied calmly as he sunk into the water and dove deep into the pond....

Alne's head snapped around. "North?" she repeated, returning to the end of the dock. "Ye be from--" But she was too late; Travi was already below the water. Skidding to a halt on the planks, the black squirrel wondered just how far north Travi had come from. Had he ever visited her old home up in the Highlands? Or had he simply lived out in the sea? Her interest was piqued, and, perching comfortably on the end of the dock, she decided to stick around to see if Travi would resurface.

Meanwhile, Fenn was preparing to give Leander the splashing of a lifetime. Having climbed out of the pond and clambered up into a tree, he selected the perfect branch that hung over the water. Scurrying to the end of the tree, limb, the little squirrel could not resist the roguish grin that spread across his face. He leaped high out over the water, dive-bombing the otter and shouting, "CANNONBALL!!!" The splash was big enough to douse Leander and his sister, who tried to get out of the way, and failed.

"Fenn, ye wee beastie!" Alne shouted irritably, shaking herself off. "Ye better say ye sorry tae Leander!" Fenn giggled impishly, sticking his tongue out at her.

"'Tis war, sissy!" he shouted back. "Naebeast be spared, ye ken?" He did a rather good impression of his sister's accent, which only irritated her more.

[Promatera]

"Da Nort'ern Sea out west."He replied calmly as he sunk into the water and dove deep into the pond....

The Northern Sea. The region sounded familiar, though he had no idea what it would look like. Leander had wanted to hear from Travi where else otters may live, just to give him a better idea of where his parents may be. He just could not stop himself from thinking about them.

"CANNONBALL!!!"

Caught off guard Leander turned to see Fenn drop straight into the water and create a huge splash. On impact the water rose high into the air and came down like a storm. The splash covered a broad area as both Leander and Alne got wet.

"Fenn, ye wee beastie!" Alne shouted irritably, shaking herself off. "Ye better say ye sorry tae Leander!"

"S'a'right, Alne," Leander replied a grin forming on his face, "this 'lil beasty is n'fer it!"

Sliding under the water, Leander swiftly swam around Fenn. He then waited under water for Fenn to wander closer. After several moments, Fenn had slowly stumbled into Leander's range. It was just enough for Leander to launch himself out of the water with his rudder-tail and attempt to dunk the young squirrel.

[Prankster101]

Diving deep into the water, Travi let a few bubbles of air escape his nose. It felt good to be beneath the water. Everything was peaceful, everything was calm.

The sunlight filtered through the the water and danced about on the floor of the pond. The water plants swayed gently with the current and the fish swam about, nibbling on the plant, completely in peace.

Travi just wanted to stay bellow the water forever. He didn't feel the pain of any of his injuries down here. His lungs were starting to warn him they were slowly running out of oxygen, but other then that, he was calm down there.

Although Travi wished he could ignore the warning twinge in his lungs, Travi knew he could not. Looking up, Travioso watched the black little squirrel dive into the water and resurface. Grinning, Travi coiled his muscles and shot to the surface.

Breaking the surface with a large splash, Travi shot into the air, flipped twice, and dove back in, showering everybeast in the immediate air with water.

Resurfacing, Travi had a large, mischievous grin on his face. "Ahhhh, love da wat'r. Peaceful, violent, an' fun all at de same time." He said with a wink.


_{Posted while still a member of this site.}

[Django]

"S'a'right, Alne," Leander replied a grin forming on his face, "this 'lil beasty is n'fer it!"

Alne laughed the loudest as Fenn received his just rewards for splashing an otter. Her little brother squealed in fright as he was thoroughly dunked beneath the surface. Thrashing about, he was able to wriggle out of Leander's grip. Gasping for air most exaggeratedly, Fenn gave the otter his dirtiest look and paddled to the side of the pond.

"Ach, an' ah do li'e tae see Fenn be taught a wee lesson now an' agin," Alne chuckled. She was happy to find that most of her fur and dress were drying off in the hot summer heat. Maybe she wouldn't have to return to the kitchen sopping wet after all.

A furry brown torpedo of an otter rocketed towards the surface and doused every beast thoroughly as he exited the water, and again as he reentered. Alne yelped in surprise and tried to shield herself, but it was much too late. She was drenched involuntarily, yet again. Stifling a groan of annoyance, she shook herself off once and glared down at the culprit, Travi the otter.

Resurfacing, Travi had a large, mischievous grin on his face. "Ahhhh, love da wat'r. Peaceful, violent, an' fun all at de same time." He said with a wink.

"Those be aboot th' same words ah'd use," she snapped, wringing out her dress once more. For a moment, she almost wished the friar would call for her now, but she didn't really want to miss the opportunity to chat with Leander again. He seemed to be in a rather jovial mood today. "So, Leandehr, ha' ye known sir Travi long?" she asked casually, keeping her composure even after being splashed a second time.

[Promatera]

Leander had thoroughly enjoyed dunking Fenn, but shrunk a bit under the little squirrel's glare. Perhaps he had used too much force. He turned to Alne to ask if maybe he had been too harsh, but she was laughing her tail off.

"Ach, an' ah do li'e tae see Fenn be taught a wee lesson now an' agin," Alne chuckled.

Relieved, Leander was about to join his friend when Travi shot out of the water. Leander was amazed as he observed Travi back flip twice in the air before coming back down into the water. In awe he didn't even care that the splash had soaked him in water.

"Amazin..." he gaped.

Resurfacing, Travi had a large, mischievous grin on his face. "Ahhhh, love da wat'r. Peaceful, violent, an' fun all at de same time." He said with a wink.

"Those be aboot th' same words ah'd use," she snapped, wringing out her dress once more.

"Aye!" Leander proclaimed in agreement. He was having a lot of fun and it showed in his unusually beaming visage. "Y'gotta show mea dat, Travi!"

"So, Leandehr, ha' ye known sir Travi long?" she asked casually, keeping her composure even after being splashed a second time.

"Ah just met 'im t'day'!" he replied chuckling. He noticed he sure was making friends awfully fast lately. Perhaps he had never really tried making connections before.

[Prankster101]

"Those be aboot th' same words ah'd use," she snapped, wringing out her dress once more.

Travi chuckled quietly. The day was fairly hot, Alne would dry out quick and it was only water, so no harm was done, and well, it was a bit funny to see everyone get soaked.

"Aye!" Leander proclaimed in agreement. He was having a lot of fun and it showed in his unusually beaming visage. "Y'gotta show mea dat, Travi!"

He shrugged. "Sure mate. Probably take ye a bit ta learn it. But yer a strong mate, s'ould learn it no time if ye wants." Truthfully, the double back flip was a simple trick. Travi knew many more, some rather dangerous. Travi however, didn't feel like showing off right now. Sometimes he would just for kicks, but right now, he felt like relaxing for a bit.

Flipping once again on to his back, Travi calmly floated near by while Leander and Alne continued talking.

"So, Leandehr, ha' ye known sir Travi long?" she asked casually, keeping her composure even after being splashed a second time.

"Ah just met 'im t'day'!" he replied chuckling.

Travi felt rather awkward just floating by while there were beast right next to him talking about him, but he kept his mouth shut, not really wanted to be rude. If they had a question for him, they would ask.

_{Posted while still a member of this site.}

[Django]

"Ah just met 'im t'day'!" he replied chuckling.

Alne acknowledged Leander's reply with a nod. Shaking her fur once again, she admired Leander's talent for making fast friends. Then again, most of the abbey-goers were pretty friendly, and she expected nothing less from such a peaceful place. She turned to Travi, a vague flicker of recognition crossing her features when she got a good look at his face. Had she seen this otter before now? Mayhaps before he was in the infirmary? The recognition faded, and she let it go.

"So, Travi, ye say ye be from th' auld North?" she asked, trying to include him in the conversation, as well. With a smile, she pointed to herself. "Sae be ah, laddie. Jus' how far North be ye from?" It was nice to find others who were from different parts of the world, and not just from Mossflower country. Not that Mossflower was a bad place, but she was nearly jumping at the chance to meet another beast from her home.

((Grrrrr . . . shorty))

[Promatera]

As Alne began to ask Travi questions about the North, Leander decided to try and attempt the same flip Travi managed moments before. Diving into the water, Leander propelled himself down to the muddy pond floor.

Several small fish swam by as he floated along the the bottom of the pond. As he thought of how Travi could have launched himself into the air, Leander turned onto his back to face the surface. Overturning mud, it floated momentarily before returning to the floor. As he faced the surface he could noticed the suns rays filtering through the water. Focusing his attention he noticed how oddly shapped everything seemed from looking at it through the rippling surface.

It was then Leander noticed an odd shape forming just above the surface. It almost looked like a mouse. Suddenly a clear voice rang through Leander's ears.

"Leander...

Leaving the abbey will be a chore
Exiting at a time of war and loathing
All along the fool's path is death's door
Never sucumb to feelings of foreboding
Depend on the actor's performance of the Rivereye's lore
Endure the torment of your aide
Return to Redwall with your guide

Never forget the name, Leander..."

Leander could not believe it. Had the spirit of Martin spoken to him? A great pressure was mounting within him when he realized he needed air. With his rudder-tail he blasted himself straight out of the depths of the pond, launching himself clear out of the water, and into the air. Still in awe he had barely realized what he was doing when he fell back towards the water, hitting the surface with a

THWACK

He had landed flat on his back.

((OOC: Hey sorry about the late post, but I had to think up the riddle. Hope it's okay if I use the Spirit of Martin the Warrior here. If not just let me know and I can modify it. ))

[Prankster101]

"So, Travi, ye say ye be from th' auld North?" she asked, trying to include him in the conversation, as well. With a smile, she pointed to herself. "Sae be ah, laddie. Jus' how far North be ye from?"

"Uhhh.." Travi 'sat up' in the water, from his floating position to one of a beast treading water. He didn't like thinking of his past and parents. The memories hurt too bad. He tried to focus on the factual nature of the question. Thinking that way, he could control his emotions.

Shrugging, Travi replied. "Middle o' da Sea somew'eres. We traveled all o'er da coast. Ain't sure really." Oh how me missed his parents. They had so many adventures. Especially that one time...NO! Travi shook the thought out of his head. No. Not now. Later fine. But not now.

As Travi kept his thoughts contained, he totally forgot about Leander until he came bursting out of the water and hit the pond surface with a THWAK!!

"Oy!" Travi cried out. Diving into the water he rushed over to Leander, making sure he was all right and could stay afloat. Knowing how painful hitting the water like that was, he wanted to check on Leander. "Ahoy, mate! Ye alrig't?" Travi said as he came up beside him. "Nice jump, but ye didn't let mea teac' ye da first lesson. It be called 'Breakin' Surface Tension'."

((Ooc: As I am Head Admin right now ( I hate pulling rank ), as long as you send me a PM describing where you plan to have this vision send him, I think it should be okay. ))



_{Posted while still a staff member of this site.}

[Django]

Shrugging, Travi replied. "Middle o' da Sea somew'eres. We traveled all o'er da coast. Ain't sure really."

Alne was a little disappointed at his answer, but she didn't show it, simply nodding politely again. She tried to reply, but Fenn caught her attention again. This time he was harassing the mouse babe roughly, dunking the smaller dibbun beneath the water in the shallows.

"Beg ye pard'n, Travi," she said, holding a paw up to the otter. "Fenn Nikta! Un'and that wee mousey an' keep yer paws tae yersel'!" Her brother shot her a pouting look, splashed the mouse once more and waded to another part of the pond. Alne huffed a sigh, muttering something about roughhousing. She turned back to Travi with an amused smile and a shrug.

THWAK!!

Alne jumped at the sound, her head snapping up to find the source. Her paws flew to her mouth with a gasp as she realized it was Leander. She watched as Travi swam out to meet him, calling out, "Leandehr, are ye a'right?"

[Promatera]

One moment, Leander was flying through the air and the next, he felt himself slowly sinking into the pond. His back stung from what must have been impact on the surface. The pain came in throbs, pulsating throughout his body.

Everything had shot by so fast he needed a moment to recollect himself. After hearing what sounded like Martin, he remembered being short of breath. Quickly needing air he used his tail to spring himself to the surface, but he must have overshot it. He was so confused by what sounded like Martin's voice that he forgot to follow Travi's example and flip backwards.

Propelling himself to the surface, Leander could suddenly hear the voices of his friends reach him.

"Ahoy, mate! Ye alrig't?" Travi said as he came up beside him. "Nice jump, but ye didn't let mea teac' ye da first lesson. It be called 'Breakin' Surface Tension'."

"Leandehr, are ye a'right?"

"Yeah," he replied after splashing into the surface. He began to rub his back, which still shot small bursts of pain through his body. "I'll be fine."

His excited state had calmed down and except for the occasional wince of pain, Leander returned to his somewhat dour expression. Was it the spirit of Martin that he just heard? What had it all meant? His mind was about to lift off into space, when he remembered that he was not the only one who had heard from Martin, perhaps someone else in the abbey has. He decided to casually pop the question to Alne and Travi and see how they would respond.

"Have either of you ever heard the voice of Martin the warrior?" he asked not realizing how irrelevant the question was to his friends concerns.

[Prankster101]

"Leandehr, are ye a'right?"

"Yeah," he replied after splashing into the surface. He began to rub his back, which still shot small bursts of pain through his body. "I'll be fine."

"Ye sure mate?" Travi said as he watched Leander rub his back. "Ah know from experience dat 'urts lots more later den it'll naw." Travi treaded water right next to Leander with his rudder. He was genuinely concerned for Leander. He was such a fragile and emotional otter, as Travi had learned from their experience in the infirmary.

But he seemed to be all right, simply lost in thought. Travi bobbed about in the water, feeling the water ripple through his fur, and listening to the dibbuns squeal with joy. Travi was trying his best to not only have fun himself, but also keep an eye on the dibbuns. Seeing as there was no beast supervising them, he didn't want any accidents to happen, and was ready to suddenly jet off to their aid if they needed anything. They looked all right for now, the one that seemed to be making the most trouble was little Fenn, but Alne was watching him, so all seemed right for now anyways..

Travi was so concentrated on his own thoughts, that Leander's comment startled him a bit.

"Have either of you ever heard the voice of Martin the warrior?" he asked not realizing how irrelevant the question was to his friends concerns.

"Uhhh..." Travi was thrown off his thought train which came to a screeching halt. The voice of Martin? Looking over at Leander with a curious, yet confused look on his face, Travi racked his brain.

The voice of Martin?

Travi's memories shot back to the feast that started everything, his blackout,the meeting, his send off, gathering warriors, the fight..NO! DON'T THINK ABOUT THAT! Travi mentally berated himself. Not that far. Back to the question. Did he ever hear the voice of Martin?

Well, Travi did get a message from Martin the Warrior. Through his own mouth even! But Travi never remembered hearing it he thought. It was read to him in the meeting and Travi felt like something inside him was repeating the same words. So, yes? but no?

Why was Leander asking the first place?

As Travi brought his thoughts back together, he struggled to find the right thing to say. "Uhh..well, no..but yes Ah suppose. It be complicated...Why ye askin' mate?" Travi looked at Leander, horribly confused and undoubtedly curious.


_{Posted while still a member of this site.}